Considering getting a dog - advice please

[NeedaNewName]

Not been on this section before so be gentle with me, I know how emotive the subjectof pets are!!!!!

I grew up with an English Springer and then later a lab and have always wanted a dog, I have to say I think my parents were quite lazy and didn;t walk the dogs as much as they should have done and they also weren't well trained, i.e I couldn't walk them onthe lead - too strong for me, and I woudln';t have been able to get them back if I let them lose. They were both beautiful dogs though and I missed them loads when they died.

Have not previously been in a position to give a dog a home but we're getting close to it now, so I'm really looking for advice.

We're probably looking at getting one maybe next year but just looking for some advice really as to whether we should or leave it a bit longer.

DH works from home 2-3 days a week, I work part time (3 days a week) so generally there will be someone in the house most days.

We have a garden (will need to be fenced in properly though before we even consider getting a dog) We would be able to walk the dog but not an hour a day! With the exception of at weekends.

I would ideally like a dog that doesn;t shed too much though I accept that dog hair and smells go with the territory and if you don;t like it don't get a dog!

I also am no keen on the smaller dogs (sorry to those who have and love them), they're jsut not me or DH.

So are we unreasonable in thinking of getting a dog? If not are there any books you can recommend that we get in the mean time and what breeds would you suggest?

Seeker i have a Jack Russell who is almost mute! Never ever barks, apart from when chasing rabbits / rats / cats. The best way to get any kind of terrier (I love Borders too and Bedingtons) is to get one from a working farm or someone that works their dogs, rather than a breeder.

The dogs with the nicest temperaments and good manners are those that are out all day with a farmer in a tractor or whatever. Ours (Lola) is from a long line of working farm dogs and is fantastic. (Plus Jack Russells are quite cheap, about £200, as they are not a recognoised Kennel Club breed).

Mrsjammi, the good thing about a little terrier is that you can pick them up at the front door and pop them in the kitchen sink to wash their muddy paws!

You could be right, BB - this summer hols we had a farm cottage and there was a delightful crew of (approximately) Jack Russells. One of them barked a lot, the others didn't at all but they entertained DD mightily once they saw she had a tennis ball ... you can imagine. (Except when they went off ratting in the barn.) Fantastic little gang.

Doga that are awaiting to be rehomed are sometimes fostered. Some dogs hate kennels and so rescue gets them into foster homes until a permanent home can be found for them

Thanks minimu, when we are ready I will look into it.

Anyone know of any good books that we could read to prepare ourselves?

Who said Sheps are a bad choice! Hold out your hands for a smack!

My current GSD is my second and I have fostered a couple too. All are/were gentle, loyal and 100% trustworthy. I couldn't live without one. They CAN be difficult... and so can Chihuahuas, JRTs, anything. Its more to do with the personality than the breed in the main.

When people think of dog fostering they usually think of experienced people caring for a dog and training it for the rescue but thats not the only type of fostering. Many independent rescues will allow you to foster a dog which they believe to be suited to a family with a view to the family adopting him but no obligation - it helps you see if he is right for you and helps him get a taste of or reminder of a home life.

One bit of advice would be to secure your garden in advance of approaching rescue. That way you'll be prepared should they have the right dog for you and showing commitment, which is important to them.

Don't be afraid to approach rescue as a relatively inexperienced person - if they are a good one they will not only match the right dog to you but also listen to you, offer ongoing, lifetime support and advice and a decent one will ALWAYS insist that the dog is returned to them if there is need, no matter how many years down the line.

You may want to join a forum like DogPages or, if you like GSDs for example, BigGSD. We all love talking about dogs and are only too happy to advise, and there you can state your county and get recommendations for reputable rescues. Some, although you will be made welcome and helped, cater more for the likes of me (a rescue helper), some like BigGsd have dogs in need of homes in rescues across the country and you may find your new pal through these.

Being a PITA I have various usernames on various dog forums but if you join any which I'm part of using the name you have here I'll seek you out, pm you and say hi, and will be more than happy to help if I can in any way.

Good books include:

Anything by Bruce Fogle

Perfect Puppy by Gwen Bailey

Think Dog by John Fisher

Dog Training for Dummies (actually a very good book) by Volhard & Volhard

Steer well clear of Jan Fennell & Cesar Millan.

Many thanks guys, I will look on those websites and look up those books

Another vote here for greyhounds. I know a lot of people won't consider them as pets because they don't like the look of them and perhaps have a subconcious idea that they are hyper hunting dogs. If you would consider it, I advise even paying a visit to a greyhound rehoming kennels to meet the dogs, doesn't cost anything and no obligation! I'm sure once you meet the greys you'd be converted, they really are lovely dogs, so friendly and happy all the time but gentle and affectionate at the same time, i.e. they are so friendly but they won't knock you over with licks either! they also are generally very well behaved with people, other dogs, walking on the lead etc. around 45 minutes a day is usually enough, even better if you could take them out twice a day. they are also easy to keep as they shed very little so require minimal grooming. all they want really is a nice soft bed and plenty of love from their owner, they are wonderful dogs and it's a shame they aren't considered as pets more.

We have just got a golden retriever. There were some important factors that went into this decision:

• we don't have carpets
• we have a big house and a garden
• we live opposite the park
• we have a housekeeper
• we have 3 small children

I'd say the housekeeper part was most important. Dogs need company most of the time, so knowing there'll be someone at home almost always was crucial, and this kind of dog makes a big mess. I have someone to do the hoovering and to take him for a walk when I don't have time. I do the grooming and and will be taking him to training. He's already quite smelly and he's not quite 8 weeks old, so that will probably get much worse. Yesterday there was noone home and I put him in the crate for 3 hours to take the children to swimming. I felt terrible for leaving him so long.

I think we've decided to leave it for a while as everything has suddenly got very busy and although I'd love a dog, I really don;t think I have enough time to care for one and don;t want to put a dog through that.

Re the greyhound, when we look again in maybe a years time, we might consider one, however we do have a cat and I don;t think that woudl work, however the cati s ill at the moment and she is an old lady so will have to see - poo thing.

Thanks again for all the advice, I'm saving this page for the future.

Don't.

Sounds like you have taken a sensible decision, NANN.

That was supposed to say poor thing not poo thing, though seeing as thats whats wrong with her!!!!

And tistheseason, if you read what I've said, we have already decided that the time is not right for us to get a dog right now.

I've just got a Jack Russell and he is as bright as a button and needs training/playing pretty much all day! My house has never been so neglected but it is so worth it, my DS has not switched his computer on since the puppy arrived!

When I was looking at breeds, lots of doggy people and some dog breed questionairres suggested Beagles. Not sure what the experts on here think but apparantly they are good family dogs. We didn't go for one because we couldn't afford one (and my children wanted the same dog they're Grandad has)

my 2 dont get an hour a day, sometimes 30mins, other times an hour, but they are happy just to get out generally. as long as i know they are having alot of playtime in the garden (me thorwing balls etc) then an hour a day isnt necessity, but every breed is different.