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Original poster

Which kind of dog could we get that would be happy with a large garden, instead of frequent walks?

71 replies

InternationalFlight · 20/05/2009 10:19

I don't know if this is an impossible thing.

We live on a road which is a good ten minute walk from any decent countryside - only a very small park nearby, which doesn't allow dogs anyway.

however we have an enormous garden - 100ft+, massive lawn, trees etc. and fully enclosed.

DS1 is desperate for a dog. I promised him one yonks ago, he's almost 6 now. I think it'd do him a lot of good.

Subject to landlord's permission, could we get one that wouldn't reauire constant walks but would be happy running about in our garden? Or would it be unfair?

He'd get a proper walk once a week or maybe up the road once a day if necessary, but not much fun with a toddler in tow and traffic iyswim.

Also we have 2 guinea pigs and a cat to consider.

Any suggestions welcome!

Oh and would probably be a rescue dog as we've no money for a top bred pup. I am dog virgin but do like them.

OP posts:
CMOTdibbler · 20/05/2009 10:23

It will only do DS good if he has some responsibility for it tbvh. Does he take care of the guinea pigs ?

Any dog will really need to get out and about at least once a day, for a change of scenery more than anything

All that given, a rescue greyhound doesn't need much walking, and are very good with children

bella29 · 20/05/2009 10:24

It's not ideal really - even if you can give a dog all the exercise it needs, for its mental well-being it needs to get out.

An older dog is a possibility, but then you run into health issues (£££) and also your ds may have to suffer the loss of a pet relatively soon.

Original poster
InternationalFlight · 20/05/2009 10:26

Thankyou Cmot. I am wary of greyhound due to small furry things in the garden, iyswim...?

I could take doggy walking on the school run, but it'd be by the road so not great freedom.

See I know so little about them.

Ds isn't interested in the pigs, really. He is a wild, run about type of boy and they are even less interested in him! They're mine really

I think he would love a dog for its personality...he is half puppy himself.

OP posts:
Original poster
InternationalFlight · 20/05/2009 10:27

Really Bella? Do they notice being stuck in the same garden all day? It's quite a wild garden, with woodland area at the end etc. so not a dull, dark enclosed place iyswim.

OP posts:
WhereTheWildThingsWere · 20/05/2009 10:28

I would second a rescue greyhound as being a great idea.

However for their mental wellbeing all dogs need some off-territory exercise every day, sorry.

Original poster
InternationalFlight · 20/05/2009 10:29

I'd be happy to get insurance if we had an older dog, that is if it's available...

hmm.

OP posts:
Original poster
InternationalFlight · 20/05/2009 10:29

I don't think I could do walkies every day.

It's a huge commitment isn't it. Maybe we'll wait till he is older and he can do the walking bit then, if he still wants one.

OP posts:
HuwEdwards · 20/05/2009 10:32

NOT a springer spaniel. They drive you nuts if not walked

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 20/05/2009 10:32

Dogs need to spend time 'roaming' every day, this is part of their natural make-up, in the wild they would have huge teritories to patrol and hunt, to not give them a chance to display this behaviour would be cruel.

However, with a garden your size, the right breed of dog would be happy to tear around in there, play with a ball, toys etc, and then go for walks on a lead.

FairMidden · 20/05/2009 10:35

Yes, a greyhound would be worth considering. Greyhound rescues will often have fostered a dog for a period so will be able to offer you an insight into the dog's character before you take it home. They will vet you very carefully though, and no rescue worth it's salt would ever place a dog somewhere they weren't going to get walked every single day. That's non-negotiable, I am afraid.

You mention financial constraints - insurance will be vital for any dog you take on because healthcare can be extremely expensive. Routine care won't be covered so you will still need to pay for vaccinations, anti-parasite treatment, dental care, kennelling costs if you go on holiday and obviously feeding.

Lots to think about - not impossible but you will need to find the time to take any dog out daily.

FairMidden · 20/05/2009 10:35

its

mistlethrush · 20/05/2009 10:35

Yes, they would still need a walk every day, even with a big, wild garden - they need the change in scenery - and for dogs this is much a smell-scape as a landscape - so even if you walked them to school and back every day, this would be really good for them.

Why don't you contact some of your local rescue centres and ask for advice - they would be able to tell you whether they had any or could recommend any particular type/mix for this lifestyle.

KingCanuteIAm · 20/05/2009 10:38

A rescue greyhound is a bad idea, the OP has Guines Pigs and a cat! Greyhounds are trained to chase small fluffy things, it is their job, their instinct and everything!

Some can be retrained, some don't even need retraining but most are a real problem with small animals unless you keep them totally seperate and even then accidents can happen!

Dogs do notice just being in the garden, they get bored going on the same walk every day, even if it is a 10 mile hike, they need variety or they get frustrated, even small dogs! Have you tried going on PetPlanet (i think) who has a breed selector, you plug in your details and they will tell you what breed may be suited to you? It could give you a starting point, although it doesn't sound ideal to me TBH.

Original poster
InternationalFlight · 20/05/2009 10:38

Ah, brilliant.

Yes, I'll ring the local place today and ask their opinion.

They might have a very agoraphobic old hound who likes watching cbeebies, now that would fit into our lifestyle instantly!!

OP posts:
Original poster
InternationalFlight · 20/05/2009 10:39

Petplanet? That sounds cool, I'll have a go...many thanks, I knew there would be experts on here.

I really appreciate it and I promise I shan't leap into it willy nilly.

OP posts:
Ripeberry · 20/05/2009 10:39

Do you have an elderly neighbour near you that has a dog? Maybe you could 'borrow it' to see how you would get on with looking after a dog.
Dogs are a big responsibility, more so than children!

bella29 · 20/05/2009 10:41

Be aware, too, that many insurance companies won't insure a dog for the first time if it over 8 or 10 years old.

And yes, they definitely do need to get out. I have a larger garden than you (that sounds awful but I do not mean it to!!!) and my dogs get so excited by being somewhere different, smelling all the smells etc. If you read any reputable dog psychologist on the subject they will tell you the same.

It does sound as if money and time are quite constrained in your case, and that can make having a dog very difficult, tbh.

I don't mean to be blunt but it is a big, irreversible commitment and you should be made aware of all these things at the start.

HTH

KingCanuteIAm · 20/05/2009 10:46

The other thing that has just occured to me is that your personalites don't match... by that I mean, on the one hand you need a calm dog who does not need much excercise or stimulation, on the other hand you want a dog whos character will mesh with your sons and who can be a companion and playmate to him.

I am not sure the two go together that well - it is certainly a tall order!

Original poster
InternationalFlight · 20/05/2009 10:51

Yes...me and my son find it hard to get along!!

This is partly why I think a dog would be good for him. He plays with ds2 and unless they are hurting each other, I find I can step right back and it works well.

A little doggy ally would be great for ds and make him feel like he wasn't alone in his need for constant silliness.

Ideally it'd be a cheerful, playful pet without needing a gigantic field to hare about in.

I can see why it'd be hard work though and tbh perhaps waiting till ds is a bit more grown up would be best.

Next door seem to have an enormous dog, and I have neevr seen them walking it. Perhaps they take it out in their SUV somewhere. That's one option, we could drive to walk, iyswim.

OP posts:
bella29 · 20/05/2009 10:52

Siamese cat (dog-like in character)?

FabulousBakerGirl · 20/05/2009 10:53

I would say no dog and I also don't think it is great to get a pet for a child. I think it should be a family thing.

MadameCastafiore · 20/05/2009 10:56

I would have a Westie or something that sort of size, but even dogs of that size need a good walk once or twice a day - we have patches of lawn that are almost bare due to our labradoodle not being walked for a couple of days last week and deciding to tell us that she was bored and we have a big garden and she does lots of running aorund but during that time they don't use their doggy senses which they do when they are off lead somewhere in a field.

WhereTheWildThingsWere · 20/05/2009 10:57

I'm starting to think this is a really bad idea, at 6 and having not even grown up with a dog your son would need almost constant supervision with it, it's not a toy, and esp. a rescue dog that although vetted could still be potentially unpredictable with a child.

Sorry to sound harsh, but I would think again.

Original poster
InternationalFlight · 20/05/2009 10:58

Fabby - why shoudl it not be mostly for ds, and partly for all of us? I love the idea of a dog but I'd want to tell him it was his, as a boost to his confidence and so on.

like his best friend iyswim. I wouldn't expect him to take responsibility for it at all - although I'd encourage it of course.

OP posts:
bella29 · 20/05/2009 11:00

I think WTWTW is right.

tbh a dog is not going to solve any difficulties you amy have with your son, and may well cause you additional problems.

It's not a very good reason to get a dog.

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