Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Pets

Join our community on the Pet forum to discuss anything related to pets.

Original poster

Help needed re DOGS, never had one before, DH has suddenly decided we are getting one, what about a West Highland Terrier?

96 replies

MrsSpoon · 29/10/2007 13:11

Help!

We have previously had a cat and DS2 in particular seem quite obsessed with her death. DH out of nowhere has decided the best thing would be to get a dog [thunk]. We have decided against another cat as we have moved to an area where the roads are busy (our cat was killed on the road outside our house).

Neither DH nor I have any dog experience. I would like something small, DS2 likes the hairy variety and prefers lighter coloured dogs , I think they just show up the dirt more. Something that won't chew up the house, a dog that could be left for a number of hours (there is generally someone at home all the time but for the odd occasion it would be nice to know that it wouldn't be barking all day and tearing the house to shreds). Also obviously a dog that would be good with children and be happy with moderate walks, ie no 10 mile treks.

Does such a thing exist? I am thinking West Highland Terriers look not too much bother, am I deluded?

OP posts:
NoNameToday · 29/10/2007 13:14

I wouldn't have a terrier if you have young children and no previous experience of dogs.

NAB3 · 29/10/2007 13:14

TBH reading your post I would say a dog is the last thing you should be getting.

hercules1 · 29/10/2007 13:16

Please spend a lot of time thinking about this. DOgs do chew although you can use a crate for short periods. How it is with kids and being left on it's own, well a lot depends on how you train it and socialise it etc.

They are a lot of work (we have 3).

hercules1 · 29/10/2007 13:17

What about a rabbit?

Original poster
MrsSpoon · 29/10/2007 13:19

Sorry I've come over a bit wrong here that the style my post is very and probably inappropriately tongue in cheek (I've just read it back and can understand your comment NAB3), I should really have mentioned that we have been considering a dog for a long time and DH previously had been against the idea.

NoNameToday, why not a terrier then?

I have done some dog walking and overnight dog babysitting as a teenager so not totally inexperienced.

OP posts:
LazyLinePainterJane · 29/10/2007 13:20

Well, speaking as someone who has been the proud owner of a puppy for a whole week, I can tell you that you have no idea how much hard work it is.

This past week has been like having another baby. Terriers are not recommended for children, especially if you are inexperienced with dogs.

LazyLinePainterJane · 29/10/2007 13:21

crossy posty

LazyLinePainterJane · 29/10/2007 13:22

Meant to say that it depends on the terrier breed......der

Original poster
MrsSpoon · 29/10/2007 13:23

Definitely no to a rabbit. We would like a pet that would become part of the family, a companion, I just don't feel a rabbit would do that.

Which breeds of dogs do you have hercules1?

OP posts:
hercules1 · 29/10/2007 13:24

I have two giant dogs and a cocker spaniel. SOmeone is always at home. They are a lot of work and I mean a lot.

brimfull · 29/10/2007 13:24

a whippet

ideal family pet

doesn't mind being left for periods,within reason
very clean
tolerates short walks
not yappy

I would love one,I ahve a beardie ,loads of hair and grooming necessary.Whippet for me next time.

by from responsible breeder though

hercules1 · 29/10/2007 13:25

We spent ages researching breeds, talking to people on the phone, visiting grown up dogs etc before choosing.

NoNameToday · 29/10/2007 13:25

Terriers are more a working dog,they usually require quite a lot of excercise.

Having said that, there are lots of breeds which make good housedogs, just make sure you research the one you buy, see the parents, get a feel for the nature.

Niecie · 29/10/2007 13:25

My in-laws have had Westies since DH was 2 so 40 years. They seem to like them and even I as a non-doggy person think they are quite cute.

Don't get a boy one though - apparently they are quite mad - very bouncy and barky. A girl would be much calmer and better with children although the PIL's dog takes herself off to hide if the children get too much.

She can be left though, she doesn't chew up the house and, as far as I know, nor have any of the others.

Of course every dog is different and training is important. I definitely get a puppy rather than a full grown dog so you can make sure the training is done the way you need it to be.

krabbiepatty · 29/10/2007 13:26

Westies are grumpy in my experience. Have you thought of a Bichon Frise (ughh not how you spell it...)

themoon66 · 29/10/2007 13:28

Cavaliers are gorgeous. Soft and friendly and great around children (the ones I have know are anyway).

hercules1 · 29/10/2007 13:29

Yes, cavaliers are meant to be great.

MadamePlatypus · 29/10/2007 13:30

I think Crufts is coming up soon. If I were you I would go there and talk to lots of breeders. As far as I know terriers can quite snappy/defensive, so perhaps not best with young children.

hercules1 · 29/10/2007 13:31

There are some good websites to look at - champ dogs and pet planet. Has loads of info on breeds and a questionnaire to find breeds to suit you.

superloopy · 29/10/2007 13:33

We got a Westhighland terrier puppy in July and although she is perfectly suited to our family (me,DH &DD 3yo) I am having a serious "I hate my puppy" moment right now. Having just been scrambling around on my hands and knees cleaning up a wee which she did while running across the room. Oh did I mention I am 36 wks pregnant too....
I am sure that when she is fully grown she will be my friend but the current puppy stage is f**king horrible!!
I am sick of cleaning up wee/poo/yucky stuff she brings inside. I swear a puppy is harder work than a child!! DH took her to puppy school but she only seems to respond to him.
My advice would be to only get a dog/puppy if you are at home all day and can be there to house train it. Be prepared to bath it at least once a week or whenever it rains, as our dog is/was a winter puppy she gets quite muddy when it rains (we are in Australia btw).
Now having had this huge moan my DD absolutely loves her little dog she tells me that they are best friends. They play together well and wear each other out. I am just a grumpy old cow ATM !!

Wisteria · 29/10/2007 13:37

I would avoid terriers with kids personally. Unless you have the time to properly train a dog and be there for it then you shouldn't get one (IMVHO). If you are worried about the training then go to a rescue place and see what's available, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Best pets with children are generally crosses I think as they are leess temperamental, labrador crosses esp and very often greyhounds/ whippets etc.

Original poster
MrsSpoon · 29/10/2007 13:40

hercules, they do sound like a lot of work.

Both DH and I work from home so would be there most of the time which would be a positive.

Lazylinepainterjane, I've had that convo with my DH already, I've been making a point of talking to dog owners over the last six months to a year and they have all said it is like having another baby.

Not too keen on whippets, a friend at School had one and I just didn't like it.

Niecie, that's interesting, I have filed away the information about choosing a girl.

Krabbiepatty, I will look at the Bichon Frises. I quite fancied a Lahsho Ahpso (again not sure how you spell it) but one of the Mums at the School has one and it seems to be a grooming nightmare, although it is a lovely natured dog.

DH has found out that we have a Spaniel breeder locally, TBH I'm not sure about Spaniels, I have come across a few whilst growing up etc, they are quite bouncy aren't they?

OP posts:
flowerybeanbag · 29/10/2007 13:44

We have a Cavalier he's lovely and brilliant with children.

He doesn't chew, is fine on his own for a few hours and doesn't bark the place down.

However it was very hard work when he was a puppy, I was with him constantly (and I mean constantly) for a while, getting him housetrained and training him so that chewing/bite inhibition/barking etc were all dealt with. Worth it for the dog he is now, but there's no shortcut.

Our vet said Cavaliers were fab for families though, and he's so CUTE

Wisteria · 29/10/2007 13:46

Springer spaniels are gorgeous but very excitable and need loads of exercise as they are working dogs.

Cocker spaniels are not so much work but IME not great with children.

LittleB · 29/10/2007 13:47

Thinks its definitely a good idea to research the breeds thoroughly, and how old are your ds's? If they are older you could consider a rescue dog too. We got a nova scotia duck tolling retriever, a bit like a golden retriever, but smaller and healthier (brighter too the breeders say!) We went along to an evening where we could meet lots of dogs and their owners and find out more about the breed and how they are as pets before we met the puppies, they also assess us and wouldn't have let us see puppies if they didn't think we'd be good owners. If you're looking at a particular breed you could find out about the local breed club branch and see if they run sessions like this too, it was useful for us, and I made good friends who are great for advice with training my pup. He's 8mths now and the first weeks were hard but he's great now, we've crate trained him, so he's safe when we're out and house trained him quickly, I'd recommend it, he loves his crate and goes there for his naps, he does sometimes chew up dd's toys but she's learning to tidy up now - and she has too many anyway! Cavaliers are lovel, although can be yappy, my mil had one, but any dog can be trained to get used to being left at home sometimes, and all puppies will chew, its getting them to chew the right things! and a crate can really help when you go out. Speak to your vets too, and find out about good puppy classes, we went to some which were really helpful.