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The doghouse

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

Original poster

Dog for sons birthday

96 replies

Roberts25 · 19/04/2020 21:00

So i'm getting my son a rough collie. Hes only turning three, so obviously it'll be me that'll be taking care of the dog with his help of making a mess trying to feed him. Hes been around dogs, cats and lambs a lot recently, hes very gentle, regardless, I will obviously not leave them alone together, probably wouldn't be able to anyway, since i cant even pee alone.

Anyway so i asked my son what he wanted to call him, and have asked a few times hoping hed change his mind. But no marshall is what he wants to call the dog. Hes paw patrol and fireman mad. Will it be silly to have a rough collie named afer a dalmation character?
Would it then be even more silly then to paint the kennel like a paw patrol kennel?
I know thats what he would like, but im just thinking am i just being OTT as I always tend to go with his birthdays and would it just sound and look silly considering its not a dalmation.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 19/04/2020 21:27

We know what a kennel is. Hmm
If you don’t have time to pee then you most certainly don’t have time for a puppy.

SuckingDownDarjeeling · 19/04/2020 21:28

Last night I learned how very heated people get on MN when talking about dogs! So I'm not surprised to see the answers on this post Grin. It sounds very cute. As your son and the dog age it will be a lovely bonding story I can imagine. The paw patrol kennel may even be painted when he reaches his next obsession interest. You are responsible enough to live on a farm. I doubt you need any advice on how to manage animals and children. I'd love to see a picture of the kennel when it's done!

Original poster
Roberts25 · 19/04/2020 21:29

No 100% indoors over night, and in the day too if he wants. Its just a little house for the dog to relax in in the garden

OP posts:
GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman · 19/04/2020 21:29

Rough collies are not generally used much around livestock. The people I know who want dogs for sheep or cattle use border collies or huntaways.

P0lka · 19/04/2020 21:30

And I presume you've researched CEA and RPA, CCN and Mdr1, and how to ensure you're getting a healthy dog? I'm also confused as to why you would want a rough collie as a sheepdog, given that the traits that make a good working dog are not the ones that make a good family pet?

RLOU30 · 19/04/2020 21:31

People pissed at me for wanting to do something nice for my son

Then bake a cake or something. People are just saying that getting a dog for a three year olds birthday is ridiculous and it is.

viques · 19/04/2020 21:32

If the dog is going to be a working dog then it isn't going to be a pet for a small child is it? Your son is very young, why not put off getting him a dog for a few years, when he is about ten or so he can have the pleasure -and take on most of the responsibility - of choosing a dog, training it, working it on the farm .

Original poster
Roberts25 · 19/04/2020 21:32

Okay sorry but almost every mother can relate to this until children are 4, yet mothers still manage to raise a second child whilst being followed to the toilet. Come off it.

OP posts:
SuckingDownDarjeeling · 19/04/2020 21:33

Maybe it would have been best for her to phrase it as 'I want the dog that I am planning to get to coincide with my son's 3rd birthday so that he can feel that it is his dog and he can choose the theme for the kennel that I am giving the dog regardless of the opinions on Mumsnet because I have made my decision prior to coming in here for light hearted advice and I know how to look after animals'. But that seems a bit convoluted and most people will understand her question I'm sure.

Shmithecat2 · 19/04/2020 21:35

A young collie and a 3yo child? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Good luck.

Original poster
Roberts25 · 19/04/2020 21:38

Km guessing every dog owner on mumsnet is a vet and stay at home parent. God forbid you havent read 1000 page book on a breed and move that doesnt consist of around your dog.
My god. Can you people stop posting. Like its a monstrousity to give your child a pet to grow up with. Even though the adult would be looking after it. And teaching the child responsibility.

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 19/04/2020 21:38

A second child?
But babies don’t tend to chew through walls or eat socks when you’re not supervising closely enough.
You seldom need to teach them recall or to walk on a lead.
They don’t tend to pee on the floor every time you take your eyes off them.
Please be taking the piss OP.

P0lka · 19/04/2020 21:40

Not a monstrosity per se, just short sighted and naive, and ultimately going to end in tears

IthinkIsawahairbrushbackthere · 19/04/2020 21:42

My son was two and a half when we adopted a golden retriever - my husband's dream dog that he had always wanted. We already had his and hers terriers - I had mine when I was in school and his joined us just after we got married. When the retriever arrived my son assumed she was his and that was that.

Of course we wouldn't have bought a dog for him but he just assumed that because we had our own dogs the new ones would be his. They bonded instantly and as far as he was able to he looked after her.

He was a tiny little thing and she was bigger than he was but she would walk to heel with him (when she was off lead) and would turn on a sixpence as soon as he called her.

We wouldn't have got her if we didn't want her for ourselves but it did no harm to let him believe she was his dog.

Go for it!

Naturalbornkiller · 19/04/2020 21:43

Are you real farmers or just posh people playing at being farmers for fun.

TheVanguardSix · 19/04/2020 21:43

In your case, I'd perhaps get a different breed. It's advisable to wait until your youngest child is 4 to get a family dog and this is for a good reason. Your little one is very young yet and another year would make quite a difference.

Booboostwo · 19/04/2020 21:43

How experienced is your DH with sheepdogs? Why would he think he can train a rough collie for this job? Most people who want a dog to work with sheep pay an enormous amount of attention to the blood lines of actual, successful sheep dogs before they choose a puppy.

Original poster
Roberts25 · 19/04/2020 21:45

I 100% not once asked for anyones oppinion on getting a dog. Just the name and kennel.
Mabey you should read it again.
Also how do you know what my son wants? Does he ask you for a dog from the "shop" as he says daily. Does he ask you if he can watch videoes of dogs daily? No.
It might be a mistake, and really tough. Who cares everything about parenting is tough, from waking up every 90 minutes to breastfeed for 9 months until it dopped to 3 hours. To a toddler that roars in my face. Its tough. But i have time. I have time to cook, i have time to clean. People adjust and make time for whatever needs their time. Just like when you have a second child.

OP posts:
SirVixofVixHall · 19/04/2020 21:46

I have never heard of a rough collie working sheep. Their coat isn’t at all suitable for a start, they have been bred to be fluffy, not a working strain.

P0lka · 19/04/2020 21:48

Cool - I'm going to shart asking for dumb shit every day. Can't wait until I get a tiger!

P0lka · 19/04/2020 21:48

Start - best type ever?

TheVanguardSix · 19/04/2020 21:49

Paint your dog house whatever want. I hope it all works out well with the dog.

inwood · 19/04/2020 21:49

A rough collienand sheep is a bad idea. It's a bad idea to get a dog for a three year old ffs.

Wolfiefan · 19/04/2020 21:53

Who cares?
The dog.
And the breeder. Either they don’t exist or they’re puppy farmers.
Decent breeders want better.

Naturalbornkiller · 19/04/2020 21:55

Oh and toddler and long haired dog is a massive no no.

My poodle has been cut short since dd started walking.

Kids love to grab hair.