Advice Needed In Choosing Which Breed

[garden_girl]

Hi everyone,

I was hoping to get some advice about which breed of dog would be best for me to get. I have always had dogs (big and small) and have decided to get a new companion.

I am currently living full time with my parents and the family rhodesian ridgeback (who is 11yrs old) at the moment. So if I got one now it would not be left by itself while very young. But as of the start of May my parents (and the ridgeback) will be living down gippsland for 4 days a week as my dad is semi-retired and they will only come up a couple of days for his work.

So in the long term I need a dog that will be alright left home alone usually 3 days a week. I have a large yard for it to roam in and am planning to install a doggy door in the laundry door to give it access to inside (and it will sleep inside of a night). The yard is secure, but I have a couple of aviaries with budgies and finches and a coop with chickens, so I can't have a dog that is going to be trying to dig into their pens and get at the birds/chickens when home alone. I will also be going to my parents new property in gippsland regularly, which is 8 acres, so it also needs to be ok with that as well and travel good.

So what do I want? Well here is my desired criteria:

• I primarily want a companion, now that I will be living more on my own.
  
• Something that is a bit protective and will let me know if someone is coming (warning bark kind of thing)
  
• But can be taken out and socialised (I like going to markets and things on the weekends)
  
• Doesn't have to go for a run/walk EVERY day
  
• Doesn't have big grooming requirements
  
• Is relatively easy to train a few basic commands (I intend to take it to a puppy school)
  
• Basically something that would be as happy on the beach with me fishing, as following me around the 8acres, as sitting on the couch watching a movie.
  

And while I love my sooky, smoochy, lazy ridgeback, I would prefer something smaller this time. At the moment the two breeds I am thinking about are the jack russell and the pug, but I have questions about each.

The jack russell I think would be a good companion and protector, but I am concerned about it being on it's own for a few days. Will it get destructive and try and eat my chickens? And what about on the farm, will it be alright, or try and get out and chase the cows it can see in the distance all the time?

As for the pug, well I have always wanted one, for as long as I can remember. But what about the amount of hair that the pugs apparently shed. Our ridgeback sheds alot, is it much more than that? And how long do you have to wait to get a pug from a good breeder? I really don't want to have to wait months or more before I get my new friend. And will the pug give me the warning bark protection that I am after?

If people could give me their advice as to which breed you think would be best suited to my situation, or if you think there is another breed that perhaps I haven't considered yet I would be happy to hear the suggestions. I sound very demanding, but I figure the more info I give you the better, as I don't want to get the wrong dog.

Thanks in advance.

[persephone]

HI-

so I can't have a dog that is going to be trying to dig into their pens and get at the birds/chickens when home alone. I will also be going to my parents new property in gippsland regularly, which is 8 acres, so it also needs to be ok with that as well and travel good.

These depend a lot on the education you give your pup

Does your ridgie have any experience with pups?

has The ridgie always been an only dog?

It may not be fair to the old dog to suddenly have a pup in its face Not all old dogs will tolerate puppies.

ALMOST ANY dog can be encouraged to bark as a warning...

All dogs should be walked every day- preferably twice....it's nice to get out of prison for some new smells/sights

A large yard doesn't mean much really- unless there are two pups/dogs running and playing. Mental stimulation is more important, IMO.

[lappiemum]

Hi garden girl-

just to clarify, when you say home alone for 3 days, do you mean that absolutely no-one will be around for the entire period - day and night - and the dog will be by itself? Or will there be someone there in the evenings and its just the usual 9 - 5 that no-one will be around?

Also, will the other dog be around at this time?

[Crazy Daisy]

Chasing chickens and birds can be any breed. I have a Shih Tzu who killed one of our chickens in about 15 secs when I left the coop open by accident but I have a friend who has a kelpie x border collie who lives with chickens running everywhere.

I would be concerned that the puppy would have a companion come and go all the time. It may be confusing and distressing.

[nikivds]

Hi!! Sounds like you are going to give your future companion a very nice life! I Personally wouldn't recommend a Jack Russell as they are generally high drive and need lots of mental stimulation, they are also one of the more likely breeds to go after your chickens. Having said that any breed can be trained to live in harmony with your chickens if you work at it (I have 2 staffy xs, a border collie and an acd that all move amongst my free range chickens happily.

I would suggest you look into a rescue dog, especially if you would consider getting an adult as your ridgey may be more tolerable. Otherwise maybe a mini foxy or a staffy or schnauzer?

I would visit the dog park and get to know some different breeds and ask the owners what they are like to live with. Good luck!!!

[lic_82]

Cavalier???

[raineth]

I think any of the terrier breeds would be very likely to want to eat your chickens.

research for breeds that are not bred for hunting (especially for hunting small things/birds).

Also as someone else says the Ridgie may really not appreciate a puppy. Its probably not a good idea to leave the ridgie and the puppy together by themselves. You would only do that once you feel that the puppy respects the ridgie enough to not annoy it; and the ridgie is comfortable with the puppy.

I think a pug would be good regarding the chickens. I know someone on here put up a photo of their pug very at home among their chickens. But what you would have to be aware of is weather and exercise. Pugs can succumb to heat very quickly. I have a friend who lost her pug when they had a 'black out' on a 40 degree day.

[Rozzie]

I have pics of my Terriers with the chooks all happily eating the scraps, 2 MFTs and a JRT. None of the three dogs were here since pups. One is a city dog, one was abused and the third, no idea on his story. Our runner ducks are free range and wander around with the dogs.

Terriers do not mean instant death to poultry.

[:ange:]

Like someone else mentioned.. I think it depends on your level of education you provide you dog with growing up around birds. IMO almost any dog can be safely brought up around chickens and birds without them wanting to kill them. We used to have aviaries wth a very high prey drive jack russel and I don't think she ever attempted (or had the smarts) to dig underneath the mesh to get to the birds.

I think if you have your heart set on a pug a matter of waiting a few months from a good quality breeder who is going to be there for you and your puppy is nothing. Have a look on the DOL pug page and see which breeders have got litters coming up or have puppies now. If you aren't fussy on it being male or female then it also makes it easy for you.

Good luck!!

[poodlefan]

GG:

So what do I want? Well here is my desired criteria:

I primarily want a companion, now that I will be living more on my own.

Something that is a bit protective and will let me know if someone is coming (warning bark kind of thing)

But can be taken out and socialised (I like going to markets and things on the weekends)

Doesn't have to go for a run/walk EVERY day

Doesn't have big grooming requirements

Is relatively easy to train a few basic commands (I intend to take it to a puppy school)

Basically something that would be as happy on the beach with me fishing, as following me around the 8acres, as sitting on the couch watching a movie.

I think provided you understand that most of these qualities will be the product of socialisation and training, many breeds could fit this profile. The dog you end up with will be as much a product of your efforts as its genes.

However, I'd add a couple of cautionary notes. Few dogs are going to cope well without daily exercise - even if its just half an hour. Few dogs will be equipped to become the constant companion you are looking for without more than a few weeks of puppy school and quite a bit of ongoing obedience training.

Prey drive differs between individuals and breeds. What I'd suggest is that you decide on how much effort you're prepared to put into a dog in terms of training and exercise and decide which of the "social" vs "protective" qualities you will value more. Few small dogs are going to offer any kind of protection other than to alert to strangers arriving.

JRTs, from what I hear, shed about as much as Pugs. Not all Pugs are going to cope with being out and about in all weather.

If you like Hound temperament, is there any dog in that Group that takes your fancy?

[Pug Hugger]

As a pug owner let me tell you pugs shed way more than you ever anticipated!

I have mostly tiles at my place and at the end of everyday without fail I have to mop/sweep or vacuum otherwise I have pug hair tumbleweeds everywhere. I only have two as well!

I primarily want a companion, now that I will be living more on my own.

Pugs were bred as companion dogs, they like nothing more than snuggling with you - although I will warn you that as puppies they can be a bit nuts and may take a while to settle down.

Something that is a bit protective and will let me know if someone is coming (warning bark kind of thing)

My pugs are excellent warning barkers - but not at all protective. Pugs love everyone and everything and are more likely to lick an intruder to death than anything else. So warning bark yes, protective, not really!

But can be taken out and socialised (I like going to markets and things on the weekends)

Like any dog a pug needs to be socialised from a young age. Louie has been to cafes, markets, beaches, parks etc from when his vaccinations were effective. They are fun dogs to take out and about - becasue they are small and cute I find we get a better reception than people with larger dogs might at cafes etc. Bottom line is any well trained/socialised dog can do this for you!

Doesn't have to go for a run/walk EVERY day

I reccomend some exercise daily. That said we don't walk/run Louie and Evie daily. We play fetch with them everyday, take them for a few long walks on the weekends and try to do a walkaround the block a few times a week. That said a pug won't necessarily need exercise everyday - but they are prone to obesity if not kept active and they will be lazy if you let them.

Doesn't have big grooming requirements

Pugs have basic grooming requirments. They are not an overly smelly breed. Mine are bathed as needed (i.e. when Louie pongs, Evie seems to be less smelly than him). I also clean their nose rolls every second day - ears weekly and trim nails as needed. I brush them out every second day or so - not that it helps with the shedding! Anal glands are one problem pugs may have - although a good diet may rectify this. I was jhaving to squeeze Louie's every two weeks or less but made a simple tweak to his diet (changed him from Chicken Eagle PAck Holistic with Raw Foods to Duck) and not had to do them since

Is relatively easy to train a few basic commands (I intend to take it to a puppy school)

Hit and miss - Louie is extremely smart and was very easy to train. Evie, bless her heart is a bit dumb and has not really progressed beyond her name and sit! Being a small dog you can get away with basic obedience only - both my dogs will come when called, sit and stay. That was not painful to teach them. Most pugs learn realy well with food as a reward!

Basically something that would be as happy on the beach with me fishing, as following me around the 8acres, as sitting on the couch watching a movie.

This sums the pug up. They are happiest when with you. But they get underfeet a lot and you need to be prepared to have them with you ALL THE TIME. Mine just do not sit down in their basket and leave me alone, ever. If I am sorting laundry they are rolling in it, if I am at my desk they are either on my feet or lap, if we are on the couch they are too and so on.

3 days home alone should be okay assuming they are regular working days. Mine are home alone fulltime but they have each other and they are inside dogs only. A pug could not cope as an outside dog - they are heat and cold sensitive. That said access to both indoors and outdoors would be ideal as they can choose.

My dogs have never been around chickens or anything so I cannot comment on that.

[garden_girl]

Wow. Thanks for all the quick replies.

To answer some of your questions:

On the 3days the dog would be alone, it would just be the 9-5 thing while I was at work, not 3 whole days and nights, but the ridgeback would not be there on those days.

The ridgeback has lived with another dog before. When we got her we already had an adult miniature pinscher, who only passed away a couple of years ago. And up until a couple of months ago she also lived with a cat with no problems either, so after the inital getting to know each other phase I think she would be fine with another animal. And they are unlikely to ever be left alone together either.

Adding in 30mins or so of daily exercise would not be too much of a hassell (plus it is good for me as well as them).

I had also thought about checking out the local dog obedience club for a bit of extra training and socialisation for the dog after it has finished puppy school.

I realise that a lot of the things I mentioned will be as much influenced by the training and relationship I establish with the dog as much as anything else, I guess I just want to make sure I don't get a breed that is totally inappropriate for my lifestyle. And I do realise that pugs don't cope too well with the heat and that is ok as don't cope very well with the heat either so I won't expect them to.

It's just so hard to make a decision, all breeds have their fors and againsts. The more I look into it I feel like the more confused I am getting.

I'm sure I'll get there eventually, keep the suggestions coming.

Regards,

GG

[Nevafollo]

As a pug owner let me tell you pugs shed way more than you ever anticipated!

I have mostly tiles at my place and at the end of everyday without fail I have to mop/sweep or vacuum otherwise I have pug hair tumbleweeds everywhere. I only have two as well!

I primarily want a companion, now that I will be living more on my own.

Pugs were bred as companion dogs, they like nothing more than snuggling with you - although I will warn you that as puppies they can be a bit nuts and may take a while to settle down.

Something that is a bit protective and will let me know if someone is coming (warning bark kind of thing)

My pugs are excellent warning barkers - but not at all protective. Pugs love everyone and everything and are more likely to lick an intruder to death than anything else. So warning bark yes, protective, not really!

But can be taken out and socialised (I like going to markets and things on the weekends)

Like any dog a pug needs to be socialised from a young age. Louie has been to cafes, markets, beaches, parks etc from when his vaccinations were effective. They are fun dogs to take out and about - becasue they are small and cute I find we get a better reception than people with larger dogs might at cafes etc. Bottom line is any well trained/socialised dog can do this for you!

Doesn't have to go for a run/walk EVERY day

I reccomend some exercise daily. That said we don't walk/run Louie and Evie daily. We play fetch with them everyday, take them for a few long walks on the weekends and try to do a walkaround the block a few times a week. That said a pug won't necessarily need exercise everyday - but they are prone to obesity if not kept active and they will be lazy if you let them.

Doesn't have big grooming requirements

Pugs have basic grooming requirments. They are not an overly smelly breed. Mine are bathed as needed (i.e. when Louie pongs, Evie seems to be less smelly than him). I also clean their nose rolls every second day - ears weekly and trim nails as needed. I brush them out every second day or so - not that it helps with the shedding! Anal glands are one problem pugs may have - although a good diet may rectify this. I was jhaving to squeeze Louie's every two weeks or less but made a simple tweak to his diet (changed him from Chicken Eagle PAck Holistic with Raw Foods to Duck) and not had to do them since

Is relatively easy to train a few basic commands (I intend to take it to a puppy school)

Hit and miss - Louie is extremely smart and was very easy to train. Evie, bless her heart is a bit dumb and has not really progressed beyond her name and sit! Being a small dog you can get away with basic obedience only - both my dogs will come when called, sit and stay. That was not painful to teach them. Most pugs learn realy well with food as a reward!

Basically something that would be as happy on the beach with me fishing, as following me around the 8acres, as sitting on the couch watching a movie.

This sums the pug up. They are happiest when with you. But they get underfeet a lot and you need to be prepared to have them with you ALL THE TIME. Mine just do not sit down in their basket and leave me alone, ever. If I am sorting laundry they are rolling in it, if I am at my desk they are either on my feet or lap, if we are on the couch they are too and so on.

3 days home alone should be okay assuming they are regular working days. Mine are home alone fulltime but they have each other and they are inside dogs only. A pug could not cope as an outside dog - they are heat and cold sensitive. That said access to both indoors and outdoors would be ideal as they can choose.

My dogs have never been around chickens or anything so I cannot comment on that.

You basically said everything I was going to!

[garden_girl]

Well I am still trying to decide on a breed of dog, but I took someones advice and had a look at some of the other breeds of hounds, as my ridgeback is such a beautiful natured dog.

I was wondering if anyone can give me some advice on beagles, and whether they might be a good dog for my situation.

Thanks again.

GG

[The Spotted Devil]

Personally I love Beagles but they are very busy, determined dogs and do better with lots of mental stimulation, exercise and company. They can be mischief central (like any dog of course) if you don't give them enough to do!

[Mas1981]

Just thought I would mention that I had ridgebacks and I found that the dont shed badly at all, they are one of the dogs who shed the least in my opinion but i have never owned a beagle or a pug so maybe find out how much they shed.