Snoopy21 Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 We are looking at a second dog for our family. We are a family of 5 with three older children (16, 9, 7) and one other dog. Willow is a large goofy cross breed we got from a rescue organisation 3 years ago. She is very social but likes to play rough, so any new dog will have to like to play (we understand that a pup will need to be kept separate from her at first). We don't have any other pets. Basically we want a friendly, easy going dog that will play with the kids, snooze on the couch and enjoy a good run around with Willow. The dog will be an inside outside dog and we have an acre of bushy backyard that is fully fenced. I am not keen on a lot of grooming, but don't mind brushing through weekly. Future dog will go to obedience classes and possibly agility/flyball, but I'm not looking for a trialling dog, we just go for fun and socialisation. Ideally the dog would be fairly manageable as far as training/grooming/walking goes as I hope that the 9 year old will be able to help out with more with those things (we could walk together eventually for example). Dogs will be walked daily and there is plenty of scope for offload bush walking nearby. I have breeds that I love of course, but I'm not sure which would be suitable. Would love some suggestions!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle. Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 (edited) What breeds do you love and why wouldn't they be suitable? A breed that you love and that you think you can make work is better than a breed that's perfectly suitable but you don't particularly like. Edited October 28, 2011 by GayleK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 What breeds do you love and why wouldn't they be suitable? A breed that you love and that you think you can make work is better than a breed that's perfectly suitable but you don't particularly like. This! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jakeyjangels Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 A Labrador ? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy21 Posted October 28, 2011 Author Share Posted October 28, 2011 The list of breeds I like is too long Lots of breeds I love don't tick all (or any!) the boxes (Newfoundlands, White Swiss Shepherds, Great Danes, Bulldogs (French and British) Curly Coated Retrievers and Bull Terriers). Others I think tick the boxes - but I'm just not sure. I really don't want to end up with an unhappy dog whose needs I can't satisfy. I like Boxers, Manchester Terriers, Aussie Shepherds, Collies (Smooth), Golden Retrievers, Corgis (Cardigan) and Pointers. I'm sure there are more, but I just can't think of them right now. Boxers are cool - are they too nutty? Too big? Mannies are beautiful - I've never had a terrier and am not too sure what a "true terrier temperament" is like. Aussies - not too sure about the amount of grooming and exercise. Collies - timid? Too big? Goldens are lovely of course, but what about grooming? They're also big. Pointers - not sure about giving them enough exercise, and they are very similar to Willow size-wise. Corgis - will they keep up with Willow? Labrador would be on my list, but my OH doesn't like them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdie Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 (edited) Boxer or Dalmation.Any pictures of Willow? How much does she weigh? A Vizsla? Edited October 28, 2011 by Purdie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle. Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 I can tell you about Aussies.....most of them don't require much grooming, a thorough brush once a week and a bath once a month would be plenty for a pet. They need their paws and behind their ears trimmed from time to time but it's quick and easy. Exercise requirements vary but I've had 5 Aussies and none of them have been over the top with needing constant exercise. A 30-45 minute walk a day would be plenty along with some obedience or trick training, as long as you include them in your family. I have one bitch who'd happily forgo any exercise if she could just lie at my feet all day. Aussies are a breed that thrives on doing stuff.......doing activities with you and for you. They are generally good at dog sports and most love being involved in something like that regularly, My older bitch came to me this year having been a family pet and never having been involved in anything doggie. I introduced her to some sheep and her whole world came alive. At the age of 5 1/2, she obtained her first two herding titles in quick succession, and I'm sure she'll get many more with training. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 (edited) The list of breeds I like is too long Lots of breeds I love don't tick all (or any!) the boxes (Newfoundlands, White Swiss Shepherds, Great Danes, Bulldogs (French and British) Curly Coated Retrievers and Bull Terriers). Others I think tick the boxes - but I'm just not sure. I really don't want to end up with an unhappy dog whose needs I can't satisfy. I like Boxers, Manchester Terriers, Aussie Shepherds, Collies (Smooth), Golden Retrievers, Corgis (Cardigan) and Pointers. I'm sure there are more, but I just can't think of them right now. Boxers are cool - are they too nutty? Too big? Mannies are beautiful - I've never had a terrier and am not too sure what a "true terrier temperament" is like. Aussies - not too sure about the amount of grooming and exercise. Collies - timid? Too big? Goldens are lovely of course, but what about grooming? They're also big. Pointers - not sure about giving them enough exercise, and they are very similar to Willow size-wise. Corgis - will they keep up with Willow? Labrador would be on my list, but my OH doesn't like them. My Aussie only needs a wash and a brush rather than a real grooming ritual. As for exercise, what Gayle said, actually everything Gayle said Lili is happy with training and a long walk each day, plus some off leadf stuff on weekends, what you have described would be more than enough. However, they are very attached to their people and need to be a part of the family as often as possible, Lili won't even go outside to eat a bone if we're inside. She just wants to be with us. They're awesome and I wouldn't hesitate to get another, they are the most snuggly, gorgeous wiggle bums alive. ETA: My other dog is twice the weight of my Aussie and she is the boss when they play so no worries there Edited October 28, 2011 by Aussie3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdie Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Not sure if a Vizsla would handle rough play? What about Australian cattle dog.? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy21 Posted October 28, 2011 Author Share Posted October 28, 2011 Willow only weighs around 40kgs, so she isn't massive. She's about 26 inches at the shoulder. Aussies are sounding good. How do they stand as far as tangles and burrs in the coat go Gayle? Are they mostly good with kids? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Lili never has tangles/matts, they just come straight out, they have a very silky coat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tess32 Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Re Collies, a small amount are into rough play but the vast majority are not and get put off by very physical, bang into each other play that you see labs/staffords do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lisey Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Have you considered a Stafford? They don't require a lot of grooming, I give mine the occassional brush (more so because they enjoy it) and they rarely need a bath - only after they have rolled in something yuck at the park... They do love playing and running around but it's short bursts and then they are happy to sleep. They would need to sleep inside at night, they love to be close to their humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tiff-689 Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 I would suggest a stafford as well. I have a cross breed staffy who loves to play very rough. They are very robust, great with kids and have endless energy I also have a pointer, which is in your list. They do need quite a lot of exercise (but i find they need more mental stimulation then anything else). My girl is happy to lounge on the couch all day but she can be quite destructive when bored. She is very timid compared to my staffy x, and can be a bit of a target for bullies..but that might just be her individual personality. Pointers are a great breed but i think a staffy might be more suitable for you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 You have described a perfect home for an ANKC registered Border Collie. I rarely recommend my own breed but would be more than happy to sell a puppy into this situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy21 Posted October 28, 2011 Author Share Posted October 28, 2011 Re Collies, a small amount are into rough play but the vast majority are not and get put off by very physical, bang into each other play that you see labs/staffords do. I thought that might be the case. I used to walk a couple of collies for a friend, and they were much more sensitive in nature than my big ole boofhead. Lovely dogs though. Staffords are not my favourites sorry Lisey. Thanks for your input though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle. Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Willow only weighs around 40kgs, so she isn't massive. She's about 26 inches at the shoulder. Aussies are sounding good. How do they stand as far as tangles and burrs in the coat go Gayle? Are they mostly good with kids? My young boy is a bit bouncy, but the others are absolutely fine. Dusty pretty much ignores them but will go through her whole repertoire of obedience if they feed her treats, Ripley wants to play, play, play and Shae will quite happily lie there for ages while they pat her. Isaak is fine with bigger kids but he's a bit over the top for toddlers. When Benson was alive, he was similar to Isaak, so maybe ask breeders for their recommendation for a puppy that's suitable with kids. Bensons father was very bouncy, so odds were he was going to be too. My sons girlfriend has 4 little girls and her second one, an 8yo, would LOVE to own Ripley because he will play soccer with her til the cows come home. We live on a 3/4 acre property, we have all manner of weeds and seeds here and everything just drops out. Occasionally I have to untangle one of those velcro-like burrs from behind an ear but not often. Their coats are really easy care, and they are a lot less work than they look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoopy21 Posted October 28, 2011 Author Share Posted October 28, 2011 Awesome Gayle. Thanks. How much grooming would I be looking at with a border collie dancinbcs? They are a breed I hadn't really considered. They don't need a huge amount of stimulation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 Awesome Gayle. Thanks. How much grooming would I be looking at with a border collie dancinbcs? They are a breed I hadn't really considered. They don't need a huge amount of stimulation? Grooming is about the same as an Aussie. A good brush through once a week and a bath about once a month for pets. Temperaments in the same litter usually range from lounge lizards to hyper, high drive dogs. You just need a a middle of the road one for your situation and any experienced breeder can pick the temperament by 5-6 weeks. The love to wrestle with other dogs they are friends with but don't often get on well with some breeds like terriers because they have a completely different play style. Borders love to be with their people, are great brought up with kids. They love doing whatever the owners are doing, chilling out or going for long walks. Perfect to train for obedience, agility, doggy dancing or whatever you want. The males tend to think they are lap dogs and the females are generally a bit more independant and share themselves around more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobite Posted October 28, 2011 Share Posted October 28, 2011 How about a Deerhound ? if you are interested PM me with your Phone number and I will ring you Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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