Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Maybe thinking if getting a dog...

8 replies

holmessweetholmes · 09/04/2014 14:37

Sorry - I bet there are loads of threads like this! Dd (8) is desperate for a dog. Dh and I both really like dogs but have resisted so far, mainly because of worrying about the inconvenience factor. However... we are about to move to a rural area (Cumbria) and I have quit work, with no intention of going back full time. It seems like the ideal time... I just can't work out if it would be the best idea ever, or something we'd regret!
I am a keen (if not very fast Grin) runner. If we were to go for it, which breeds are good with kids and good to take on a run in the hills?
Thanks Smile.

OP posts:
Dirtybadger · 09/04/2014 16:01

Considerations;

So, can you afford a dog? Pet insurance (I pay £15 a month for my healthy young dog who has never had a claim- plus excess of about £70 if I did claim). Some dogs may need professional grooming. Training classes. Plus adoption or purchase fee. Toys, food, etc.

Do you own your own home? If no- lots of tricky considerations. If yes, not so hard. Secure the garden and consider that a dog (esp. a puppy) may chew things, get hair everywhere, wee on the floor once in a while, etc.

How much time do you have? You don't have to be interacting with your dog all day long but you need to be able to give the dog 1+ hour of exercise a day, I would say- depending on breed and what sort of exercise it is. You also need to be generally 'around' a lot. I leave my dog for a couple of ours most days. Most people say if you need to leave them for more than 4 hours most or every day then it's not going to work well. They are highly social animals.
Dogs also need mental stimulation. How much, again, depends on the dog and breed. But play time, essentially (including training and playing with interactive food toys and such).

More general constraints on you which people don't always tend to think about include having to find someone to look after a dog whilst you go on holiday, or paying out for kennels (although many dogs will not do well in kennels so costly home boarding may be necessary). Day trips and such will either need to involve the dog or again you'll have to find someone to look after the dog.

Nothing you've said sounds like you aren't suitable. Your daughter is a good age. You'll be living somewhere quite rural. You will be at home a lot. Main concern would be that you don't seem too keen- but then maybe you're just being sensible?

Breed wise consider that sheep may be on the hills. So you'll either need to keep a dog on lead or (if a very safe distance and with the right dog) have a dog who is not likely to give chase to sheep.

Staffordshire Bull Terriers are known to be good with children and are great running companions. My dog and previous dog were SBTs and both loved going out on long runs. Training for up to marathons. The stockier shorter nosed of the breed might not be so suitable, but these days lots of dogs (in rescue, by the way, don't buy a SBT from a breeder) are leggier. Because there are so many of them it's also possible to get a puppy with relative ease from rescue. I always recommend rescuing, we have a massive overpopulation of dogs in this country, but for some breeds it will be difficult (but not for staffies!).

They may be a problem with the sheep, though. They were originally bred to take bait bulls.

Many of the gun dog breeds would probably suit you and your family. Dogs from working lines may prove to be generally quite mad, though, so avoid unless you can provide sufficient mental and physical exercise (i.e. jogging/walks plus games plus training plus agility/scentwork).

They are generally some of the most trainable dogs so would be good fun for your daughter and the family to get involved in early clicker training and tricks and such.

Apart from the SBT I would probably opt for a gundog over a terrier with youngish children.

holmessweetholmes · 09/04/2014 16:39

Wow - thanks for giving such a detailed reply! I think I'm being sensible rather than not keen - if we decided to get one I would be beyond excited!
I can put some ticks to your responses - yes to owning our own home and to being able to afford a dog. We don't travel much, but have family who would like to dog-sit for us when we do. I have a ds too - age 6 but quite sensible for his age.
You've given me some things to think about though - thanks. I'd be keen on the idea of a gun dog - we had a golden retriever when I was a child. She was lovely and incredibly docile - I don't think she'd have been keen on going for runs though!

OP posts:
frownyface · 09/04/2014 16:51

I have a show type English springer spaniel. The show type are thought to be less "full on" than the working strain of springers.

My girl is fab. Great with my six year old-happy to run in the garden and play with a ball, but also happy for cuddles. My son can hold our girls leash when walking with no worries.

She walks with my husband anywhere between 6-10 miles a day, ie between two and three hrs.When she home she curls up on our laps like a pussy cat :)

we use kikopup on you tube for help with training.

Maybe thinking if getting a dog...
frownyface · 09/04/2014 16:54

Another of our girl :)

Maybe thinking if getting a dog...
holmessweetholmes · 09/04/2014 17:01

Lovely! I do really like spaniels. Dd met a springer-cocker cross puppy yesterday and fell in love!

OP posts:
frownyface · 09/04/2014 17:07

they are lovely family friendly dogs :) read up on the breed and feel free to ask any questions

Booboostoo · 09/04/2014 18:04

The other thing to consider is that however keen your DCs are now for a dog chances are they may get quite bored with the day to day care which will be left to you. So this involves not just daily walking but also taking the dog to training classes and keeping up the training to make sure you get a well behaved dog. Also try your DCs around some puppies first, some children are quite put off by normal puppy behaviour like jumping up and mouthing so you may prefer an older dog that is more settled.

A number of breeds could be suitable, I think it's more a question of which breeds are NOT suitable (like high energy or high prey drive breeds). Then the most important thing is to find a very good breeder who breeds for temperament suitable for a family, has circumstances similar to yours (children around the house) and has selected a really nice bitch and dog for the mating.

holmessweetholmes · 09/04/2014 18:12

Thanks Booboostoo. Yes, I'd be pretty much starting from the assumption that I'd be doing most of the looking after. Then anything the dc do is a bonus!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread