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Help Choosing A Breed

tianakaesha

By tianakaesha,
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tianakaesha

tianakaesha

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My Aunt is looking for a dog in the next few months. We are trying to look at different breeds that would be suitable. I thought the collective dog wisdom would be able to help with suggestions, or give practical pros and cons for breeds.

My Aunt is a very gentle and calm person. She could not handle a very physical dog.

She's is not in 100% physical ability. She needs a dog that is happy to go for long walks though. She can't run after a dog however.

She does not want an overly nervy dog. She does want a gentle dog. Boisterous big dogs are not an option.

She wants a dog that will be part of her house, and bonded to her. She does not want a dog that is going to jump all over any one it meets down the street though.

A couch potato during the day, but suitable for 1 or 2 very long walks morning and evening (over time, understands a pup can't walk this distance!)

Short Coat or low shedding or non-shedding coat. Grooming is not an issue as she has a friend who is a groomer. As long as it doesn't require heavy daily brushing.

She is home all day, a dog would go with her wherever she goes, and if she needs to go away where a dog cannot go, then she would be interested in sending dog away to Farm Stay type kennel where her friend's whippet goes. Or possibly staying with friends.

Her favourite breeds so far are

Greyhounds, Whippets and Salukis. So, the sight hounds.

She likes the long legs, lean body, short coats.

She currently looks after a whippet a fair bit. He is a very gentle dog who is not overly affectionate, but they share a space. She does find him a bit nervy, but generally he is laid back, not very active and easy to walk. I'm worried that he too quiet compared to most of the whippets I have met though and are giving her a bit of a false sense of the breed?

She absolutely adores the Salukis. The concern with a Saluki would be offlead running, however, she is dedicated to finding offlead time to a Saluki. A lot of the qualities we read about the Salukis have been what she is interested in (Bonding to a main person, aloofness with strangers, lounging around during the day, long walks morning and evening, ease of grooming, catlike in behaviour being some of the things she liked).

Greyhounds also fit this as well. I think she would prefer a puppy, but is interested in adoption as well and could be swayed to greyhound adoption. She is interested in the smaller size greys than the big ones.

Questions: Do Salukis need to be Muzzled like Greys? What's the key differences between Greys and Salukis temperament wise? What's the key difference between Whippets and Greys?

Iggies were considered, but the concern is them getting underfoot or being too frail.

It is possible the dog would have a chance to run around with a Boxer and a couple of Kelpies, and so it needs to be able to hold its own when with this sized dog.

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SkySoaringMagpie

SkySoaringMagpie

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The right Saluki could be perfect, the wrong one would definitely be a disaster.

If she has her heart set on a Saluki I would try and source a mature Saluki with a reasonably soft temperament. A retired show dog that is already leash trained and isn't too reactive could be a good option. In this situation tho', much as I love my own breed, I would be inclined to go with a reputably rescued greyhound or a mature whippet after being explicit with the rescue about your Aunts preferences and limitations.

To answer your questions, generally speaking Salukis are more "primitive" in mindset than greys. They can be wilful and prey-driven and their personality requires an accurate and patient handler/trainer. If you combine the wilful and prey-driven with their natural running and jumping ability my view is you do need physical strength to manage one if you are not already a skilled handler of Salukis. That said, there are laid back Salukis and very prey-driven greys.

No Salukis don't need to be muzzled, but the problem with them and small dogs is not so much biting as them running full tilt into or over them and soccering them. This can cause broken bones and provoke (naturally) aggressive responses from the smaller dog.

Edited to add: I think temperament is a problem in Salukis. There are a lot of nervy dogs being bred on with, and there are also some very OTT jump all over you and lick you to death temperaments being bred in an attempt to counteract the nerviness. If you go with a Saluki you will need to shop around for the right dog for your aunt.

Edited by SkySoaringMagpie
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tianakaesha

tianakaesha

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Poodlefan - Poodles have come up a few times in conversation.

Can you give a quick run down between the three sizes and temperament differences?

As much as Saluki might be the favourite, being so prey driven i am guessing that they would not be cat friendly, and my Aunt says that she would prefer/need a cat friendly dog as she stays with friends with cats...

Edited by tianakaesha
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poodlefan

poodlefan

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Poodlefan - Poodles have come up a few times in conversation.

Can you give a quick run down between the three sizes and temperament differences?

As much as Saluki might be the favourite, being so prey driven i am guessing that they would not be cat friendly, and my Aunt says that she would prefer/need a cat friendly dog as she stays with friends with cats...

Standard - lets eliminate them. BIG dogs and they take time to mature.

Mini or Toy would suit - she'd probably be best off discussing what she wanted with a breeder and going for a less full on pup than selecting by breed. The mini being the larger of the two would do better mixing with bigger dogs. They love to be with you and are very affectionate. I love the Toys too but they aren't as robust. From the sound of your Aunt, I'd direct her towards a mini. She could handle a pup of either breed and puppies are just so :)

A good brush once or twice a week and regular grooming would be fine. The great thing about poodles is they are welcome a lot of places other dogs aren't.

I have the best of luck - I have poodles AND a Whippet :)

Edited by poodlefan
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Diva

Diva

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I think the key with any sighthound and cats is to pick the right puppy, as individuals vary greatly in how calm they are around small animals, and expose the puppy from a young age to the species it isn't allowed to chase, be that cats, roos, whatever.

If going for a mature sighthound make sure it is already cat safe. Some rescue Greys are, many are not, but a good Greyhound rescue and foster will be very honest about that. I think she might have to wait a bit for a cat friendly one as they are very sought after.

I have had cats longer than I have had my sighthound breed and had no issues. But I'm very careful with any new dog coming into the home.

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OSoSwift

OSoSwift

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A Whippet sounds like it may fit in well.

Mine are not full on, quite the opposite infact. I know of some people who have full on young Whippets so an older puppy or young adult may be better in that situation.

Mine are not nervous at all and I haven't met any that are,so not sure about that.

MIne are great with cats, I got Lewis at 8 months and he is great with the cats but was brought up with cats so if she would like an older Whippet that would be something to consider.

They have no doggy smell and she dvery little. If I see that mine are losing a little coat I go over them with a ZoomGrooma nd that is that problem solved.

My Whippets tend to like just about everyone they meet when out and about, you pat them, they will like you.

My Whippets LOVE being around me and follow me everywhere, even into the toilet given half a chance. They are not aloof or stand offish at all. Any lap is a potential snuggle spot and bed.

Goodluck with finding the perfect dog for your Aunt :)

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aussielover

aussielover

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My first thought would be a GAP or rescue grey.

from what i've heard and the ones I know, they are very lazy couch potatoes in the house, but do enjoy a longish walk.

I've taken my friend's grey on an hour walk, which he loved.

There is one that comes down to the park, with a reliable recall, watching it run around is a sight to see!

I'm sure a whippy or saluki might be suitable as well.

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Swizzlestick

Swizzlestick

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There is a pharoah hound for adoption here which is apparently ok with cats, young but probably out of the puppy stages. Might be worth a mention :)

http://www.canberrapoochrescue.org.au/CPR_...rge.html#Velvet

I don't really think a Pharoah Hound is the right choice at all for a first time hound owner. More of a specialised breed imo.

I'm thinking Whippet or Greyhound would be more suitable. :)

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