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The doghouse

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

What has your dog added to your life?

67 replies

SunsetBoulevard3 · 26/12/2019 01:22

I have wanted a dog for years. Had a failed attempt to rehome a rescue dog a while ago which put us off.
A border collie has come up. Adult, failed farm dog who sounds ideal for us . I am fearful of making a mistake but also excited that maybe this is the right dog for us. We are meeting her in a few days.
Help me make the right decision!

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SunsetBoulevard3 · 26/12/2019 11:14

This is all very helpful.I think getting a collie may be the wrong move. We are home all day and go in lots of walks but I think being a constant mind entertainer would be too much on top. The rescue dog we tried to rehire was a collie and I found it beyond stressful. No amount of walks was enough and I could never relax because the dog seemed so miserable and on edge.
I still think they are the best dogs ever though. My grandfather had one many years ago.

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SunsetBoulevard3 · 26/12/2019 11:14

Regime not rehire!

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SunsetBoulevard3 · 26/12/2019 11:15

Rehome

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TheHumansAreDefinitelyDead · 26/12/2019 11:25

My MIL had a collie deerhound cross, gorgeous dog, mixing collie with a hound type means you get a relaxed yet intelligent dog (saying that, you can never safely predict temperament Grin)

Happierwithouthim · 26/12/2019 11:33

Company while dc are their dads.

Having gone from having two big dogs to none for about 9 months to having a dog again, it's a major commitment, i don't think English setter was best choice for me as a single mother but she's beautiful and has changed my ds's temperament for the better which was a huge factor in getting her.

Scattyhattie · 26/12/2019 11:35

My dogs add companionship, love & fun to my life, at times they've been the only reason to stay alive. They cost a lot food, insurance, vet fees, Dogwalker, boarding etc. They're not as acceptable as children to take with you places or if need to leave work early/take time off when ill. Life isn't as spontaneous & always on a timer. House is never as clean again with fur, mud, sick, accidents to deal with unless one of those that keeps dog in a utility/kitchen & never gives access to rest of house. Often end up with dog behaviour/training issues to deal with, I'd love a dog I could take anywhere with me but current one now finds other dogs scary, however its often those difficulties that really force you to learn about dogs.

My friend has collies & I meet a fair few, there all quirky & seem to be more prone to nervous/ocd type behaviours. Friends dogs go running with her & do agility, spends time each week going to training/ events. I can tell if she's had a busy few days ( still walked) as they start doing odd things & become more vocal.

They're nice dogs but are in that more specialized 'lifestyle' category for me along with huskies, malinois etc where your life has to fit around their needs rather than average pet dog. I'd easily be trained by a collie, I prefer my dogs to be less busy in body & mind.

Was it a breed rescue you tried? If your set on a collie, they would best placed to find one that matches your lifestyle & experience.

SunsetBoulevard3 · 26/12/2019 11:54

It was a general rescue. I have a cat so can’t have sight hounds or terriers. I need a dog that won’t put her nose out of joint! Otherwise I’d have a lurcher probably.
We walk such. Lot anyway and OH likes night walks too. We have a lot to offer but maybe it’s really not practical. Our cat is not very affectionate and likes to do her own thing. I would like more of a companion.

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MaidenMotherCrone · 26/12/2019 12:00

Dog hair
Dog urine
Dog poo
Dog vomit
Dog farts
( that was just yesterday)

Eyes that try to steal your soul.

Best dog I ever had was a collie/whippet/greyhound lurched. She was perfect in every way.

MetallicPaints · 26/12/2019 12:01

I'm following this thread with interest as we also had a failed rescue dog earlier this year. It was a horrible situation as the dog had needs we weren't made aware of and we were too naive as first time dog owners to know the right questions to ask.
Would love to try again but DH understandably wary of getting it wrong again.
Very interesting to read all the responses. OP I am sure the right dog is out there for you somewhere.

ChewChewIsMySpiritAnimal · 26/12/2019 12:07

You might like collies but you need so much more than to walk it. For your first dog id be looking at a medium energy utility or toy type breed, not a working, hound or terrier breed. Boxers, maltese, bichon, king Charles spaniel, cocker spaniel, Tibetan spaniel, papillon might fit the bill.

Raphael34 · 26/12/2019 12:12

You’re following your heart rather than your head. An almost guaranteed disaster when choosing a dog. A highly intelligent (needs constant stimulation) ex farm working breed, hyper, highly strung, nippy and neurotic. I’m ‘drawn’ to tigers but I wouldn’t get one

adaline · 26/12/2019 12:32

But dog ownership is about so, so much more than just going for walks.

It's the constant training, the letting them out for the toilet, stopping unwanted behaviours (barking, jumping up, stealing food, lunging, nipping), the mess (hair, mud, water, more hair...), the cost. If you have an intelligent breed then expect to spend money on things like classes (agility or flyball would be great for a collie), interactive feeders and chew toys to keep them occupied as well.

I would love a husky but there is absolutely no way I can commit to what they need. My SIL got one at the same time we got ours and she is so, so much work. I can imagine a collie being similar in terms of exercise needs. Her husky gets four HOURS of running a day - more at weekends, and she could easily go for double that. She can't go off-lead due to her prey-drive so all this is done on-lead.

There's a reason lots of dogs like this end up in rescue - people just don't realise how much work they are.

Gingerninja4 · 26/12/2019 16:33

He has given me love /companionship encourages me to get out also a way of meeting people as we do obedience .

Lot of collies there, they are lovely but they need the mental stimulation in a way my boy does not (lab) lot of the owners are experienced and say it's essential for their dogs and need mental challenges every day alongside the physical

Others I know outside the circle are more snappy and prime to chasing wheels or people and like to herd children so need watching as they nip to herd

.btw you can get cat friendly lurches

Selene28 · 26/12/2019 16:35

Nothing for us. She's a hindrance, but she was my partners idea. He refuses to rehome the dog on my request and doesn't help out with walking her. I feel bad for the dog and it looks like we will just have to wait until she passes.

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 26/12/2019 19:44

You can habituate a terrier puppy to cats - we did, and they coexisted mostly peacefully - if anything the cat had the upper hand.

Spidey66 · 27/12/2019 10:25

We've got a border collie. We love her to bits and she's changed our life, but she's hard work and very much like a toddler in the house. She requires LOTS of exercise-two long walks a day with games like ball chasing or running round with other dogs to tire her out or else she's totally hyperactive.

How as she changed our lives? Where do I start!

She ensures we get daily exercise and fresh air. My husband is retired she he has the baulk of this-but acknowledges without her he could quite easily vegetate in front of the telly

The sheer unconditional love we get from her. Her happy, smily face when I come in from work-all for me- instantly puts me in a good mood.

Watching her get enjoyment from such simple pleasures as running around the woods exploring and playing with other dogs (she's a tart who loves loves loves other dogs) makes us smile.

People talk to you when you have a dog!

I was on antidepressants for the best part of ten years, now off then as I have natures own antidepressant! I've been told recently I need to get my weight down as I'm prediabetic and Maggie is helping with this by ensuring I get exercise.

I have so much love for Maggie. I tell her daily ''I love you, Maggie.'' And mean it.

Spidey66 · 27/12/2019 10:29

Oh and yes to the farts. Maggie had a proper Christmas dinner, including sprouts. Neither of us could go near her after!!!!

Danni12 · 27/12/2019 18:06

Dogs are the best, they are company, they get you out in the fresh air and moving and they love you unconditionally.

But getting the right breed and temperament is essential. I would not start with a collie if I'm honest

SunsetBoulevard3 · 27/12/2019 18:13

What breed do people think would be best? I don't like greedy or stupid dogs, or small dogs like Yorkshire terriers. Don't like slobber either!

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tashakg89 · 27/12/2019 19:44

My dog is like my guardian angle. there's something about dogs that is almost magical. it's like our souls are connected as crazy as that sounds haha. if you've got the time and love for a dog go for it. They can change your life.

tashakg89 · 27/12/2019 19:47

@Selene28
Poor dog, that is so sad. I bet there'd be some one out there who your dog would mean the world to them.

Ihavethefinalsleigh · 27/12/2019 19:49

We adopted a collie. We had her for a week but it didn't work out. I was heartbroken. I love the breed, I've always had a soft spot for intelligent dogs but honestly collies can run rings around you, literally.

Personally I would go for a labrador.

MustardScreams · 27/12/2019 20:11

@SunsetBoulevard3 a spaniel or poodle! You’re clearly an active family that would work really well with that type of breed.

Spaniels and poodles are intelligent, so reasonably easy to train, but not to the point that if you have a lazy day with them they are bonkers from lack of stimulation.

No drool, they can be food driven, but also not. Both come in a range of sizes so you can find one that suits.

I have 2 spaniels and they are hard work in that they want to be near me, they need lots of walking, scent work and I like to do retrieving with mine (they both also work, one on the peg and one beats) but they are glorious animals.

GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 27/12/2019 20:14

Breed suggestions? If you like collies I'm assuming that you want an intelligent and active breed, but perhaps not quite as manic as some collies can be.

Aside from your collie-love, what size dogs do you generally like? What sort of coat? How much training do you want to do (some of the working gundogs make wonderful pets if they get enough mental stimulation)? Would you want to get involved in agility, or have a running companion?

You can have so much fun with a clever, biddable dog, but the same dog in different hands could be a house-trashing nightmare.

SunsetBoulevard3 · 27/12/2019 20:38

Actually I do like border terriers and airedales, and spaniels. Also thought about a Vizla but they are quite neurotic too. Love golden retrievers but I know they moult really badly and take a long time to mature. I suppose short coated dogs are the most maintenance free .

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