Scottsmum

Oh-kay ... lets just be 100% clear here ... making a choice based on how much of the couch the dog will take up is silly. No matter what size dog you get they'll just take up all the space - unless they're not allowed on at all! Plus - you can just buy another couch ;) and I'm only half joking! My 10 kilos of dog takes up more space in our king sized bed than my husband does. We've taught him to only sleep on his rug at the foot of the bed but occasionally he sneaks off to claim what he thinks is rightfully his - approx 90% of the bed. He's currently sitting along side me on a two seater couch - body against my thigh - legs fully extended taking up as much space as physically possible. I'd say he's got about 60% of the real estate at the moment. Lots of people here have covered how you're looking for conflicting things - low shed Vs coat type etc. What I personally think you should do is think about your list and really consider what's super important to you and try to get out to meet some of these dogs Eg for me - * I don't mind what size dog I own, giant or small - I'm happy. Except for the last 7 years my family has always had a big dog and a little dog. However, for me my dogs *can not slobber - urgh - yuck * I'm too lazy to own a long haired dog which requires brushing out. And that's important to be honest about. It's not that I don't like long haired dogs - there are a number I'd love to own - but anything that requires too much grooming is entirely off the list. *can have spunk - I have a terrier - they have attitude - but I don't want anything too driven - I'd probably never own a "guard dog" they'd be too much for me to handle. *ideally should be older - I didn't want to deal with a puppy and all that stuff. So where does this leave you and your partner? I'd recommend getting out to some shows - the royal, dog shows, other local gatherings to see if you can meet some of the breeds you've mentioned above. Get in touch with some breeders and see if you can meet their dogs - see what a number of people have to say about their breeds. Visit a shelter with the view of just meeting some dogs - *I will warn you* - Shelters can be emotionally tough places to visit I cried the first time I stepped foot in one. At each step of the way - mention and ask about lifesyle - every dog is different - my last dog basically needed to be dragged around the oval for a walk. She hated exercising - she was a rel couch potato. My current dog cries bloody murder if he doesn't get at least 90 minutes exercise a day.... while both technically "muts" they are/were both pretty typical fox terrier types. I think its really great you're thinking about all this now - it shows that you're committed to making good choices.

which is what I do and have done. I have gone into threads where greyhounds are recommended and said no way do I think a grey would work out. But if this is about the current thread I still do think a greyhound would suit. Of course there are proviso's, as there are with all breeds, but it is very doable. But they aren't interested in a grey so I've bowed out and left them to it. Fair enough. I know the thread which is being discussed - I really do think they're after a flying purple people eater - but as I said - good on them for asking the questions - hopefully there's food for thought there and the end up with a good match - which might well be no match at all. Better than someone I know who got a lab - because they'd always wanted one - even though they have two daughters in dance troop who dance 3-4 nights a week, parents both work full time - including one who does shifts and yeh - you know the drill - oh plus she's on outside dog. The pup sits in the yard, eats things, causes mayhem with anyone who visits who needs to go into the yard (tradies and the like - stole a quote book once, and a pair of glasses the week later) and is just a neglected, poorly behaved dog....Point being - I think this forum is a great tool for gentle gentle - and I really do applaud anyone brave enough to come in and ask a newbie question or anyone with enough patience to answer the same question over and over again :)

They're often marketed that way. "Hey did you know they don't need to be walked 10000's of miles a day" "they make great pets - all they really want to do is sleep on the couch" I'd say the recommendations are a result of good marketing from adoption groups. The marketing has worked on me - Greys are at top of my list for next dog I'll own... So hard - All dogs are dogs - and next to none are "no fuss" - NO dog should be recommended into less than great homes... but people are people and will get a dog no matter what you or I think a good, or great home is. You just have to hope and prey that if, or when, a problem comes up the person has the right moral attitude, financial ability and time to work the issue out - not ignore the situation or dump the dog. I also think people should be applauded for coming onto a forum and saying "we want a flying purple people eater, but not too purple, and ideally he'd only eat bad people, not good people, plus if it came in mini that would be great, hypoallergenic is a bonus or and we'd only be able to let him fly once a week - the other 6 days a week he'd have to entertain himself" ... It's good that they're thinking it through - not just jumping on gumtree and getting the first thing that appeals and hopefully they're going away and doing some research and soul searching on other recommended breeds before finally jumping into 'flying purple people eating' territory. This is just a personal view - but I would hope / suppose that a G.A.P or any breed based rescue (and certainly breeders) , would work with a family to match the right kind of dog / the right temperament to a home? Or even have the guts to say "I don't actually think this breed is right for you".

A really lazy one this week. 5/52 Moosey photobombs! Scott&Moosey by Superspanger, on Flickr

It's a tough one Snook- I know he's a little living breathing being and I can't rush the process - but it was just really tough not being able to really crack that 3 hr mark. The first week went so well, I was expecting the same progress - but also knew not to expect it if you know what I mean. Anyhow.... This week is a new week and we've managed some leeway with placement being pushed back a week so I now have a bit of extra time up my sleeve. Hi Skip - Thanks for dropping in :) We try to get training in where we can. Obedience once a week at the moment. With a great instructor who mixes things up - last week we went on a group walk to the river for a swim and back. The week before that we went "tree climbing" where the younger and larger dogs had to climb up onto a trunk which was kind of horizontal and walk along it, turn around and get back down. I took the "old man" option and lifted him up and down - so it was basically like a balance beam - he was zonked after that. We try to incorporate as much of what you suggested into day to day life - I'd just become lazy to be honest. So thanks for the reminder. And yes - I think he's a cutie pie too. here he is this afternoon finishing off his (*ahem* second) bully stick for the day. Some crazy person stuffed it in a kong. Why would you do that? 122875c4-01f5-487d-9be3-5a644e824ad8 by Superspanger, on Flickr unnamed by Superspanger, on Flickr

20? Holy crapsticks that's old!

Wonderful news

I dunno - I laughed at Scottie so hard this morning he went to his Dad for comfort. He was sooooo embarrassed.

just put some snaps HERE for you :) Thanks Perse. Very much appreciated. He's such a handsome boy.

Naw. It's been such a long time since we saw Don photos

I was thinking about this today as I was giving Scottie a bath. Three things. I) I think I know the dog you mean (totally irrelevant) II) there is a vet near sydney park who offers vet services to homeless owners. Can't think of their name - all I know is the owner of the practice is a man. It's possible they've used him or contacted him. Will do some extra googling for you. III) Her owners are probably distraught. Even if one of them is in hospital there'd be a huge chance the other is looking for her and people would surely be looking for her. Try contacting the City of Sydney's Homelessness unit - they might have heard she was missing. http://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/community/community-support/homelessness Also - possibly charities who run soup kitchens in their areas?

Photo updates required Perse ;)

Oh - I like this one too. Or Hoss gloss - which is a stock standard horse shampoo - so maybe "too harsh" by OPs standards.

Strangely elegant Cat... LOL

Maybe try contacting Sydney dogs and cats home (and other large rescues in the area) and see if they'd let you "borrow" some space on their facebook page?????????????/

You can link - to flickr or any other public image - or you can upload a small image using the attachments do-dad directly below the text window you type your post into. :)

I have no issue as long as the dogs are in a fit state, not grossly overweight. I wont say "typically overweight" - because I think we see a lot more responsible ownership with Dachshunds these days. But yeh - I think as long as they're fit and healthy why not? They're a working breed and it's only 20 meters. Hopefully they have marshals who'll be able to advise people if the dog doesn't look suitable for racing.

That was all very quick - the last thing I read was "she just ate a huge dinner" ...LOL. Glad she's well, glad they're all well. Hope she heals up nice and fast. Will also patiently wait for photos.

Scottie got two hot chips at dinner time tonight. At least one was hidden (in the yard I hope) for later. He's passed out on the couch now - could be the huge run he had this evening. Could be from poor dietary choices made by his mum.

Well this week hasn't gone quite as well as last week - we struggled to hit the three hour mark - finally getting a combined total of just over 3 hours today. Hubby has been in and out so much and I gave in on Wednesday and let Scottie have a "lighter" day - less time on the line/chain. Anyhow. This afternoon I put him straight out after Hubs lunch break and he stayed out for the whole afternoon - which is great. So the 3 hour mark has been the monkey we couldn't get off our back. We're still on track but we really need to hit a full day by next friday at the latest - so he can have one full week of long "practice days". Trying lots of things out - without mixing messages or bombarding him - but he seems to be picking up on it all really fast. Had a good think about what Perse said above, and as I said we'd chatted about NILF, als still reading "The Practical Dog Listner" and trying to implement or bring things back into line. For example we'd gotten sloppy on making him sit while I put his leash on for a walk. Today his bum hit the floor in record time and he stayed without moving - first time in ages. Hubby says he seems a lot calmer. Also making him heel a bit more on walks, not sniff as much and a few other things. I think one of the other big ones has been waiting for a solid 5 minutes of calm after any separation. It's all adding up, with so far positive results. Had a good chat to a mate about "pack dominance" because I really hate the term and idea - she set me straight. It's funny, she's had a tough life and is a bit broken, but I forget she's an insanely intelligent person with a real knack for animals. She basicay said "leadership and Dominance got mixed up somewhere there. Probably due to our mate Ceaser" ...and ... "It's about letting your dogs know it's OK mate. I got this" So yeh...Mummy training seems to be coming along too. Food enrichment not doing so much for him - he's not overly interested in his kong or ice blocks - but that's how breakfast is being served - eat it or don't. Made a snuffle mat - it's a complete flop - but again - I just keep putting it out - some days with ziwipeak in it - some days with nothing. I like sitting on it - it's very comfy :) Will pop a cardboard box in the yard next week (weighted down with a rock or tent peg - very windy here) and find something fun to hide in there. Probably a squeaky toy. Also have a treat ball which he loves - might stuff that with kibble and freeze the whole thing in an ice cream container so he can think about it - I think he'll be more motivated to get his "inside ball" out of the ice than a "boring old kong". Also need to plan things for Hubby to leave out after lunch so mornings aren't the only time he's got enrichment. If the box with a surprise is a hit I'll do it in the mornings as it will take a bit longer to set up and hubby can dole out a bully stick to chew on and maybe ... something else...

She's too cute.

Unless it's a soft serve from Maccas - then its 100% OK. ha, ha ...good one :D ...no, our dog gets only dog food and appropriate treats, anyone offering her something else gets shot!...you are warned :D That's unnecessarily threatening... Meh - Never mind Steph - I didn't see it that way - and the chances of me ever being in a position to feed Willems dog a treat are about zero.

I've never realised this but they're like the wiry and short haired version of each other. Gruffy just wanted to PLAY! So glad it went well - here's to moving forward!

A dear wee little thing. Glad she pulled up well.

Unless it's a soft serve from Maccas - then its 100% OK.