For My Brother :)

[Dogsrawesome]

The dog will be an indoor/outdoor dog ;) and probs wont go to work with me everyday just days he feels he/she needs to be there :D my brother loves dogs and will most likely come home from work and play with him for a good while . I will teach him the basics in obedience so he has some part training him/her so i guess everyone likes the lappie idea i will let him know Do they do fine in the humidity ?? just a curious question

Thanks for all you opinions

never really thought of the lappie i was thinking golden

[poodlefan]

An adolescent large breed of dog that only sees kids occasionally could be inclined to knock them for six DP.

If the kids aren't residents of the home, your brother will also have to go out of his way to socialise the pup around kids and put a lot of effort into teaching it not to mouth, chase and jump on them.

Not saying don't get a large breed, just that it will entail extra effort.

[Dogsrawesome]

An adolescent large breed of dog that only sees kids occasionally could be inclined to knock them for six DP.

If the kids aren't residents of the home, your brother will also have to go out of his way to socialise the pup around kids and put a lot of effort into teaching it not to mouth, chase and jump on them.

Not saying don't get a large breed, just that it will entail extra effort.

He gets his kids atleast every weekend so hopefully it wont be too bad But he is aware of those issues he will live right near a big dog park too so extra socialisation right there Im going to be going to help him pick a reputable breeder and i will go with him to try and pick the calm puppy haha but every puppy is a bit crazy in adolescence.

Thanks

Edited March 4, 2011 by Dogperson

[Greytmate]

An ex-racing greyhound would probably suit quite well. It wouldn't really need as much training as a pup would, so your brother may be able to take care of the dog by himself without having to rely on you.

[Nevafollo]

English pointer would tick all boxes. Perfect match I think.

Wonderful dogs. Friendly, cuddley, love attention but they dont crave it to the point of stupidity like some breeds, trainable but dont need excessive training, they dont need excessive exercise. Wash and wear which trust me in the long run is so handy, they usually like to go swimming running walking and they are fantastic with other dogs.

Pointers are a well kept secret of the dog world. I really wish more people realised how fantastic they are! ;)

[poodlefan]

English pointer would tick all boxes. Perfect match I think.

Wonderful dogs. Friendly, cuddley, love attention but they dont crave it to the point of stupidity like some breeds, trainable but dont need excessive training, they dont need excessive exercise. Wash and wear which trust me in the long run is so handy, they usually like to go swimming running walking and they are fantastic with other dogs.

Pointers are a well kept secret of the dog world. I really wish more people realised how fantastic they are! ;)

Totally agree. For a family seeking an active, affectionate family pet, they deserve to be far more popular.

[fetchindawgs]

If your brother doesn't want to do the "puppy thing", I know of a Kelpie bitch that is available from Qld animal rescue. She is about 2 yrs old, just been sterilised, microchipped, all vaccinations. Has some obedience training and very well behaved, gets on with other dogs and children. She was with a young couple who worked full time and didn't have time to spend with her. She will need a well fenced yard because she can jump. Agility dog anyone ?? She is not for free, as costs must be covered, but she is very pretty and sweet, and, available.

[fetchindawgs]

For a new puppy, can't go past a Golden Retriever I say. All of mine have been the best with training, other dogs and children. And, grooming isn't the issue so many people think it is.

[Dogsrawesome]

If your brother doesn't want to do the "puppy thing", I know of a Kelpie bitch that is available from Qld animal rescue. She is about 2 yrs old, just been sterilised, microchipped, all vaccinations. Has some obedience training and very well behaved, gets on with other dogs and children. She was with a young couple who worked full time and didn't have time to spend with her. She will need a well fenced yard because she can jump. Agility dog anyone ?? She is not for free, as costs must be covered, but she is very pretty and sweet, and, available.

She sounds like my kind of dog sadly my brother cant get a dog untill he moves out but im always looking at shelters and i think he might to if he doesnt want to do the puppy thing but he is always saying he wants a puppy He is as bad as me haha just doesnt show it as much

[aussielover]

Goldren Retriever or Labrador.

Specifically asking the breeder for a lower energy/calm puppy. Many Goldies and labs really require more than one walk a day, but there are individuals out there that are lower energy.

These breeds are generally very well accepted by the public due to their roles as service dogs, which is useful if he wants to take the dog to work. They need to be well socialised and trained with children to ensure they don't knock them over or are too exhuberant, but any med-large breed dog is capable of accidently knocking a child over.

I also agree with the suggestion of a pointer, they may be lower energy dogs than a GR or lab (not sure 100% though).

I think a Kelpie would need more than one walk a day as well as other training.

[whiskedaway]

I do all of Akira's training and we both work fulltime so essentially our situation is the same. Yet Akira has bonded to my OH who she sees much less of, and she hasn't with me. It's definitely doable, though it really depends on the dog. I think an attention seeking dog would be more likely to not bond in that situation, but a more independent dog could easily bond.

Unless Akira goes to doggy daycare 5 days a week, I'd argue your situation is quite different.

In the earlier days, I was home one day a week (plus weekends of course) and she would come to work with me one day a week (this was the case up until January this year). She spent substantially more time with me as a pup (and still does now) yet she loves my OH in a way that she'll never love me. I know her being at home by herself those three days is different, but it's still a time where she's not bonding to either of us. I'm just saying that being with one person over another doesn't necessarily mean they'll bond to the one they're around all the time.

Edited March 4, 2011 by whiskedaway

[Nevafollo]

Goldren Retriever or Labrador.

Specifically asking the breeder for a lower energy/calm puppy. Many Goldies and labs really require more than one walk a day, but there are individuals out there that are lower energy.

These breeds are generally very well accepted by the public due to their roles as service dogs, which is useful if he wants to take the dog to work. They need to be well socialised and trained with children to ensure they don't knock them over or are too exhuberant, but any med-large breed dog is capable of accidently knocking a child over.

I also agree with the suggestion of a pointer, they may be lower energy dogs than a GR or lab (not sure 100% though).

I think a Kelpie would need more than one walk a day as well as other training.

I often refer to pointers as calmer versions of labs/goldens. Its pretty much the easiest way to explain them, especially when most people have no idea what they are. From my experience they still have that fun loving friendly nature but tend to mature faster and are bigger couch potatos but then the weird part is if I take my girls out with a friends labs they definately out last him playing running and enjoying themselves where as he will lay down stuffed. Its like pointers know when to use their energy? I know that sounds abit odd but Im currently sitting here with 3 x sleeping pointers they will lay here all day if I let them but if I took them for a swim or walk right now they would have the energy to go and go!

They are definately great for busy familys, couples or singles who might not have the time to put excessive ammounts of training and exercise in. I mean like any dog they do need training, boundaries, entertainment and love ect otherwise they will get bored but they just dont need as much as some breeds .

I hope that makes sense!

[Jumabaar]

Goldren Retriever or Labrador.

Specifically asking the breeder for a lower energy/calm puppy. Many Goldies and labs really require more than one walk a day, but there are individuals out there that are lower energy.

These breeds are generally very well accepted by the public due to their roles as service dogs, which is useful if he wants to take the dog to work. They need to be well socialised and trained with children to ensure they don't knock them over or are too exhuberant, but any med-large breed dog is capable of accidently knocking a child over.

I also agree with the suggestion of a pointer, they may be lower energy dogs than a GR or lab (not sure 100% though).

I think a Kelpie would need more than one walk a day as well as other training.

I was just on a farm where all the 'working' kelpies went from paddock to paddock on the back of the quad bike. They were rarely needed as the sheep are handled regularly. They had three dogs and between them didn't spend a lot of time running around at all. And on some days no stock work was performed so they just slept around the house. Yes they got the mental stimulation from working the sheep but they were not bouncing off the walls when they were not used for a week. If they were the wouldn't be kept on the property because they would cause to much trouble!!!

So yes kelpies need exercise and mental stimulation, but not as much as people who have never experienced the breed would think. Particularly if you ask for a quiet puppy! One of my dogs lives with my elderly grandparents- he doesn't get walked an awful lot (aka probably less than one walk a day, and when he does get walked it is at their very slow pace), because they are not up to it but he comes to shows with me on weekends and does an obedience class every few weeks etc. And he is more than happy, even as a pup although I did take him out more. They live in suburbia- I just made sure they didn't get a particularly high drive dog. He is a cuddle pot and just loves spending the day following them round, and sitting under tables so he isn't a trip hazard etc. He is happy there which is what is important. This breed thrives more on pleasing owners then they do on simply exercise.

I also know one lady with three kelpies and not one of them will go out and be her jogging companion- they all much prefer to be patrolling the back yard etc. So I guess what I am saying there is a lot of breed variation, so asking around a few breeders for a pup that would suit, or getting a rescue adult would be my recommendation, same as a GR or Lab.

I dont normally recommend kelpies, but it would certainly be an option in this case.

[Gayle.]

Any of my dogs would be great dogs for novice owners. The boys can be a bit bouncy, although that settles with age, but they are all easy care, laid back dogs that don't take up any more space than is under my feet.

[Dogsrawesome]

I often refer to pointers as calmer versions of labs/goldens. Its pretty much the easiest way to explain them, especially when most people have no idea what they are. From my experience they still have that fun loving friendly nature but tend to mature faster and are bigger couch potatos but then the weird part is if I take my girls out with a friends labs they definately out last him playing running and enjoying themselves where as he will lay down stuffed. Its like pointers know when to use their energy? I know that sounds abit odd but Im currently sitting here with 3 x sleeping pointers they will lay here all day if I let them but if I took them for a swim or walk right now they would have the energy to go and go!

They are definately great for busy familys, couples or singles who might not have the time to put excessive ammounts of training and exercise in. I mean like any dog they do need training, boundaries, entertainment and love ect otherwise they will get bored but they just dont need as much as some breeds .

I hope that makes sense!

Hey are they fairly boisterous as pups (like labs) or are they calmer? i know you said they are lazy with when they are older and all pups are boisterous just some over the top if that makes sense ??? haha i hope he isnt too lazy cause my brother likes to play with his dog and walk them :D so it might get more than one walk a day thats just the least amount it would get

[Nevafollo]

I often refer to pointers as calmer versions of labs/goldens. Its pretty much the easiest way to explain them, especially when most people have no idea what they are. From my experience they still have that fun loving friendly nature but tend to mature faster and are bigger couch potatos but then the weird part is if I take my girls out with a friends labs they definately out last him playing running and enjoying themselves where as he will lay down stuffed. Its like pointers know when to use their energy? I know that sounds abit odd but Im currently sitting here with 3 x sleeping pointers they will lay here all day if I let them but if I took them for a swim or walk right now they would have the energy to go and go!

They are definately great for busy familys, couples or singles who might not have the time to put excessive ammounts of training and exercise in. I mean like any dog they do need training, boundaries, entertainment and love ect otherwise they will get bored but they just dont need as much as some breeds .

I hope that makes sense!

Hey are they fairly boisterous as pups (like labs) or are they calmer? i know you said they are lazy with when they are older and all pups are boisterous just some over the top if that makes sense ??? haha i hope he isnt too lazy cause my brother likes to play with his dog and walk them so it might get more than one walk a day thats just the least amount it would get

No not boisterous. More curious and cheeky. Im not sure about other people but mine have always had a werid calmness when it comes to kids, they seem to know they shouldnt jump or be naughty around them.

and I guess what Im trying to say about the exercise is that they would do as much or as little as a person wanted. Does that make sense? (but it does go without saying that they do need to be exercised its just a matter of how much really)

Im not sure where you are located but if you get him to go to some shows he can see for himself wether they interest him or not.

Edited March 4, 2011 by Nevafollo

[KitKat]

An Aussie

[2psinapod]

Yep agree with all Nevafollo has said, Pointee's have an 'Off Switch' and are happy being at what ever level of stimulation is around them, personally, I think they are the most laid back of all the Gundogs they don't have anxiety issues that a lot of the other breeds have and are extremely gentle with kids

Ok, so it's from my website, but it may help

Living With A Pointer

The Pro's

Pointers are very loving, gentle and placid dogs, they make great house pets, they are generally very clean, in fact they will often 'hold on' for hours at a time because the weather may be too bad or the grass too wet or they are just too comfortable on the lounge!!

They are extremely dog friendly and love their people, if introduced early, they get on fine with cats too.

They are fantastic with children and the elderly as they are not clumsy, rambunctious or boisterous. I have had up to four Pointers at a time hooning around my backyard, playing chase and tumble, my backyard also complies to my childrens regulations of containg a swing set and trampoline so it can be quite an obstacle course for said Pointers doing the chase. At any place within the yard you can stand and it is a very rare occurence that you will even feel a bump, they can 'spin on a dime', using their tail as a rudder and can maneuver their way past any obstructions in their path, they can also pull up just as easy, without crashing into anything. Of course, if their happens to be a pup amogst the crew, they will sometimes have a few more tumbles, bumps and collisions untill they find all of their four feet!!

I could talk for pages and pages on how wonderful Pointers truly are, but the best way for you to find out is to meet them yourself.

To know the Pointer is to love the Pointer!

The Con's

Puppies can be destructive and it is not uncommon to replace garden or BBQ hose fittings regularly, they can also be diggers, and sometimes puppies stay 'puppies' for a few years.

The Breed Standard states: COAT- Fine, short, hard and evenly distributed. My belief is they are trying to convey just how much hair can be spread from a short coated dog and it is true, I have Pointer hair 'evenly distributed' all over my lounge, my car, my clothes, my bed, my patio area and ..... well you get the idea LOL!! Yes, they moult, all year round. Grooming regularly with a rubber mitt can diminish this though.

They do not make good guard dogs, although they will generally give a warning bark, which is a deep 'I wouldn't come any closer if I were you' sound, if an intruder were to proceed, a Pointer will usually do one of two things, the first being a retreat to a dark corner because 'that thug looks really scary' or approach them with tail wagging because 'this new visitor has come just to see them'

Pointers can sometimes be too friendly with other dogs and approach any old Fido anywhere, this has to be kept in check, because not all Fido's are as biddable or appreciative of a new play mate.