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Need some breed ideas
judy wrote:
Danger sign. Mom can want the dog a little less than they do and it may happen that she comes to love the dog more than anyone else but you shouldn't count on this happening. And Mom is working when she's at home. And she has a large house and a five year old. It's not like she's sitting around eating bon-bons and wishing for something to fill up her hours. There are several other people who live in their household (big house, something like 8 bedrooms) so someone is generally at home all the time, so a puppy isn't necessarily going to be as hard for them as it would be for someone who isn't home all day. Another danger sign for a puppy. Just having someone around isn't what house breaks a puppy. It takes having whoever is there - and it doesn't have to always be the same person - to be completely aware of the puppy. Where it is every single minute. How long ago it ate. What happened the last time the puppy was taken out. And the steps to teach the dog to go outside has to be same for everyone. Everyone has to be on the same page and using the same words and procedures to train the dog. And ideally that should be one or two adults 95% of the time. I've got to tell you that it wouldn't happen at my house even if the other person were my own mother and not a teenager- much less a person who wasn't involved in the dog's life at any other time. Both of these things concern me a whole lot more than what breed would be best. Unless someone is going to be completely committed to housebreaking a puppy, then it absolutely should not be a puppy. And unless Mom is willing to be the person in charge of the dog, even when it's not convenient for her (because dogs are never totally convenient to have around) then there shouldn't be any dog. I don't have any objection to there being a five year old. My daughter grew up with our dogs around. She learned how to treat dogs and to respect them as individuals. The list of breeds that would absolutely be ruled out because of a five year old who is going to be well supervised is fairly short. But again, Mom has to want the dog so that the first time five year old gets growled at she isn't heading to the nearest animal shelter to dump the dog. Low to moderate energy level also doesn't rule out as many breeds as you might think. After their puppyhood, most breeds will settle into your household routine and will manage just fine on a reasonable exercise routine. We have schnauzers, who most people would label as at least moderate energy. When the weather is bad or we are just laying low ourselves for some reason, they become real couch potatoes. Some stay like that most of their lives. When they have someone to play with on a regular basis, then they adjust to that also. I have found the same to be true for beagles, boxers, and retrievers (although *not* the true field type). Most dogs will respond well to training. Especially if the training is consistent. Both initially and throughout their lives. There are breeds that are easier for more advance training but there isn't a breed that can't be trained to live in a house and have decent manners. My advice is for an adult dog. As far as breed, find out what appeals to Mom. Even if they get a dog from a shelter, it will give everyone a better idea of what look she likes best in a dog. From what information you've given us, it's really still mostly a personal reaction from the person suggesting the breeds. The stereotypical answer is for a medium sized lab or golden, perhaps a beagle. If what they're after is wash and wear and little or no grooming, those are hard to beat. And(speaking generally) they tend to be breeds that love the whole world so having a busy household (and eventually the five year old will have more and more friends over) will only be more people to pet them. ~~Judy I totally agree with what Judy has written --and would like to add just a little: After housebreaking a dog in a small house and then trying to housebreak one in a large one, I soon realized how much more difficult it is to follow a puppy around and keep an eye on them in a larger house. Unless mom intends to confine the puppy to the area she works in (providing it is a small area), she is going to expend A LOT of energy just keeping on eye on the new puppy. Also, I have a Boston Terrier - he is ten plus years old, and he is STILL not what I would consider a low to medium energy dog. He can keep up with my 11 month old JRT with just a couple more naps each day. Don't get me wrong, Bostons are GREAT family dogs, but they have LOTS of energy. My vet says all the Bostons he sees are the same way, so I know mine isn't that different! He is GREAT with cats and bunnies however. I recommend a rescue adult...Mom will be MUCH happier! Sue "The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing" - Socrates |
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op wrote: 1. low to moderate energy level 2. ok with children of all ages 3. responds well to training 4. is respectful to cats 5. non-intense grooming requirements. (Sunni12) wrote in : Off the top of my head: Dachshund Airedale Westie Boston Terrier Poodle Schnauzer American Eskimo Sheltie Corgie Whippet NO WAY for the Corgi. They tend to chase and harrass cats, they are a herding breed with generally *high* energy. If not trained, they are not always the best with kids, especially young ones who run and have awkward movements. They tend to want to herd them and bite at their heels and legs. They, in general, are also not very tolerant of children who pull on dogs, poke them, or harangue them in general. NOT a good choice for the OP's criteria. I'd probably take the Sheltie off that list, too. -- -Abby Pems, Aussie, and a Pug ****Remove shoes to reply**** |
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"moontoad" wrote in message
om... Yep, Mom is willing to be in charge except when Dad is home. They have a small sitting room right off of where mom works, Sounds like it could work. The only reason that Mom wasn't so sure about the dog was because of the added responsibility, and most of that stems from housebreaking. So they are considering a housebroken dog from a rescue, with the expectation that a few accidents can happen when the dog is put into a new situation. A very good thought. Some puppies housebreak very quickly. With some exceptions for breeds (particularly small ones from what I've heard) and individuals, there is a fairly direct correlation between effort on the part of the caretaker and the length of time it takes. Consistency is key. My husband used to brag about a dog we had who house-broke in three days. Yes, the dog grasped the concept of "outside" quickly in spite of winter weather but the one who was trained first was me. I was alert and consistent until he caught up with the rules. One thing that I've found also is that floor plan can have a real effect. We take our dogs in and out a sliding door that is visible from much of the house. It is easier for us to notice when a mostly trained puppy goes to the door than it is for some friends who have a house with a door that is out of their normal sight. Nothing they can do about it but it does take some additional effort on their part to stay aware of the dog. We recently brought a two year old dog into our household, after *always* starting with puppies. I have to admit that I didn't miss the housebreaking part. Sassy came from a home where she was either crated or was loose with a dog door to a pen always available. We had to teach her the concept of getting our attention at the door when she needs to go out. There was one accident in the first days - our fault entirely for not paying better attention. Chewing has never been an issue with her - except for the time we left the newspaper on the couch rather than on the coffee table. I forgot how much Spenser loved to shred paper and apparently his sister is the same. I think that a lab or a golden is a bit larger than mom really wants. I was thinking mostly of temperament there. It might be possible to find an adult dog in rescue who was on the smaller side. And while an individual beagle can be the exception, they aren't really good with coming back when called when something gets their attention. Are there any sight or scent hounds that are good in that regard? None that will ever be as good as a non-hound breed with the same training. They are bred to follow their noses and the prey. Beagles absolutely can be trained a reasonable recall. I'm assuming that it is not their intention to let the dog run loose. We take our schnauzers out into the unfenced part of our yard daily without leashes. There is no reason the same cannot be done with a beagle - after the same recall training and with the same vigilance on the part of the person with them. I still keep an eye out for the neighbor's dog running loose because I know it will test my dogs' recall if they see him and want to go play. I keep thinking basset hound. Beagle absolutely *could* work. There are many terriers that could work ( I keep thinking Scottie), but it does take someone who appreciates a terrier mind. In any breed, it's a matter of understanding the pros and cons of how and why the dog was bred and being aware of what that can mean day to day. What about a well-bred cocker? They had developed a terrible reputation but they seem to be making great strides in returning to a good temperament what used to be a great breed. If I could live with dog hair I would absolutely consider one. I see a lot of families with kids who have Keeshond or American Eskimo. Anybody know of any over-riding reasons to not consider them also? ~~Judy |
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p wrote:
1. low to moderate energy level 2. ok with children of all ages 3. responds well to training 4. is respectful to cats 5. non-intense grooming requirements. You should look at some of the Sporting Spaniels: Sussex Clumber Welsh Springer Field Cavalier King Charles Also French Bulldog Basset Hound Spinone Italiano also explore some of the options in some of the rare breeds too, may take some research and doing, but there is a lot out there. I would personally stick to the sporting breeds and rule out herding dogs and terriers, especially if you want low energy, something quiet, also rule out any type of dog that was trained to alert and be watchful, and anything bred to be independent and with a one track mind. I feel all breeds are trainable and will get along with cats if properly started out and trained and socialized from the beginning. Go beyond this list, go to dog shows, read books, go to other lists etc., get as much info as you can, see dogs in person and hands on and talk to their breeders and owners. There is a lot to be learned. P. Paula |
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What about a well-bred cocker? They had developed a terrible reputation
but they seem to be making great strides in returning to a good temperament what used to be a great breed. If I could live with dog hair I would absolutely consider one. We've got 2 gorgeous cockers - they are cat friendly, children friendly and everyone friendly They are such friendly little dogs, really loving, really loving of life and I'd recommend them..... |
#7
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"Lostwithiel" wrote in message
... We've got 2 gorgeous cockers - they are cat friendly, children friendly and everyone friendly They are such friendly little dogs, really loving, really loving of life and I'd recommend them..... When a cocker is "done right", they are great little dogs. I've never been involved training one but my suspicion is that they are relatively easy. As hunting dogs, they are used to working close with the hunter - unlike retrievers and hounds. ~~Judy |
#8
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Sussex Clumber Welsh Springer Field Cavalier King Charles Funny, English springer is not on here, yet far easier to find and with a good breeder a super pet, healthy and sane |
#9
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"Mud E Poz" wrote in message
... Sussex Clumber Welsh Springer Field Cavalier King Charles Funny, English springer is not on here, yet far easier to find and with a good breeder a super pet, healthy and sane I gotta agree with you. This would be an excellent suggestion for the OP. These are really wonderful dogs and would fit into their situation very well. ~~Judy |
#10
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