Would like to get a dog but which one?

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millymoo
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Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby millymoo » Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:58 pm

I would like to get a dog for my parents which we will plan to look after when they go on holiday (they travel quite a bit) so wondering about breeds that are compatible with small children and grand-parents (my father is not that mobile). We had an adopted mongrel growing up and I would happily get another but nearly all of the dogs at Battersea Dogs home are listed as not being suitable for children under 8. Wondering about a rescue grey hound but keen to hear other people's thoughts on breeds that would be suitable.
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TillyandMoo
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Re: Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby TillyandMoo » Fri Apr 04, 2014 9:56 pm

We have a cockapoo puppy and we bought that breed as we wanted a dog which would be good with our young children, and he is. I looked at Battersea Dogs home but our children were too young to rehome as they couldn't guarantee the dogs would be ok with young children.
I grew up with Labradors and if we had space I would have had one of those but they moult and are big, so they wouldn't fit into out lifestyle here. Cockapoos are medium sized, don't moult and are really lovely characters. Saying that, they are energetic (ours is anyway but he is only 8 months old' and all puppies will be) and require quite a bit of walking, although he's happy to be on the lead a lot.

I hope that helps a bit!
Tilly and Moo
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csml
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Re: Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby csml » Sat Apr 05, 2014 9:10 am

Before you decide which dog to get please please remember that all dogs need companionship, stability and exercise. This means they need a daily walk (doesn't have to be a long one), not to be left alone for more than a few hours (ie not all day) and not to be passed around between different people - they need to know who their master is and where their home is.

You do sound like a responsible person and you are giving this big decision the proper thought, but I'm a bit concerned if your father has limited mobility and might not be able to give the dog daily exercise. A very elderly dog might suit him but then it would be quite disruptive for it when he goes away.

There is such an increase in dog abandonment and neglect because people who are less careful than you go out and buy the "cutest" dog they can find without thinking about whether they can properly care for it.

And if you do decide to buy, don't go to a puppy farm where the dogs are overbred and not cared for. Go to a registered breeder and ensure you see the puppy with its mother, or go to a proper dogs home like battersea or dogs trust.

Good luck with your search and I hope you find the right dog for your father.
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nanny_kitty
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Re: Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby nanny_kitty » Sat Apr 05, 2014 9:37 am

If you're keen to rescue then it might be a good idea to contact a specialist greyhound rescue and ask for their expert advice on that breed. Despite being used for racing I think greyhounds need surprisingly little heavy exercise.

Specialist rescue centers are often contacted when an owner passes away or a decision is made to rehome a dog, therefore they are likely to have more background info about the dogs in their care and less likely to have dogs dumped at their door (although I'm sure this happens too!)

An older "bombproof" dog might well be a good idea.

Good luck!
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cols13
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Re: Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby cols13 » Sat Apr 05, 2014 10:14 am

Interested in this as we'd like to get a rescue dog, but again have the same young children constraints (from Battersea Dogs home, not from me). What have other people done?
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millymoo
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Re: Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby millymoo » Sat Apr 05, 2014 1:20 pm

Thanks for the replies so far. Yes, am well aware that any dog needs exercise and it is the companionship that I think is going to be really good for my parents at the moment. They visit us every week and would anticipate bringing the new family member with them so really looking for a dog who is calm, adaptable and affectionate (I do not think a puppy would be appropriate hence question about a rescue dog).
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Souza
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Re: Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby Souza » Mon Apr 07, 2014 9:17 am

Hi Millymoo,

Hi! The advice on this thread so far has been excellent - with important factors to consider being mentioned.

If you want advice about which breed would be best, where to get your dog from etc - my excellent dog school do consultations with the public where you can sit down together and address all the important factors tailored to your individual needs.

The dog school is run by an excellent dog trainer/behaviourist called 'Winkie Spiers' who lives locally in Wandsworth. I would definitely recommend having a pre-purchase consultation with Winkie:

Tel: 07718 332 914
Email: winkie@winkiespiers.com
website: www.winkiespiers.com

Best of Luck With Finding Your New Family Member
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young at heart
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Re: Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby young at heart » Mon Apr 07, 2014 1:39 pm

Hello

Just to add some additional thoughts :-

There are many older dogs needing adoption and they often get over looked. I recently helped my in-laws adopt two "mature" Jack Russells from the Dogs Trust and its been just wonderful to watch the four of them together!
Stating the obvious will depend how mobile your parents are and how young. I met a lady the other day whose Jack Russell is 19 years old! Terriers tend to live long lives - the theory being the smaller the dog the longer it lives (generalisation but there is something in it - a great dane is an elderly dog by the time it reaches 9 years old)
If you do consider adopting, the dogs trust and battersea will give really good background to the dogs temperment. I also endorse what Souza has said about Winkie Spears and she could help puppy select or indeed rescue dog selection
Personally I would go for something like a cocker Spaniel, King Charles Spaniel, Border Terrier. Great temperments, sensible size (if you are in London) great with kids, pretty trainable and very good sofa companions!
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kidzibuzi
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Re: Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby kidzibuzi » Mon Apr 07, 2014 1:57 pm

Hi,
We adopted a cat from Battersea three years ago, it took a few months as my kids were only 1 and 6 years old. I was a bit impatient at some points and did not trully understand why cats suitable for kids were so rare as I grew up with pets of all kinds; but at the end I can see the difference : our Battersea cat is the best one my kids could have expected, she is the perfect personnality for us ! I would definitely go again to a recue centre if I could have a dog and would be willing to wait for the right one :-)
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rwickham
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Re: Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby rwickham » Mon Apr 07, 2014 4:37 pm

I met someone from Battersea Dogs Home last week and they're now doing Dog and Cat fostering.

could be a good way to test the waters for any prospective new pet owner

http://www.battersea.org.uk/dogs/fostering/
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livegreen
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Re: Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby livegreen » Mon Apr 07, 2014 5:09 pm

Maybe I'm just old fashioned but I would have thought let your parents decide for themselves. If they want a dog they can choose the type of dog they would like and want in their house. ;)
If you are lucky, and willing, they may even let you look after it when they go on holiday.
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InSideOut Gardening
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Re: Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby InSideOut Gardening » Sat Apr 19, 2014 12:53 am

I lost my Louis, just shy of 16, 2 months ago. I adore cats but did not want to commit to a long term cat/human relationship just yet. My Lou Lou cannot yet be replaced and I do not want to. I live almost opposite Battersea Dogs and Cats home and am now fostering a 2.5yr mum since Tuesday and her four kittens, now two weeks old. It is very rewarding.

The staff at the home are great, you can foster old cat/dog or cat/dog that is waiting to be homed, not just pregnant mums or mums with kittens/puppies. It can be a great way to test the water.

And it can work to suit your lifestyle, you may travel for part of the year but want the company of a four legged friend when your not, you could be on a short term visa and not able to commit to a long relationship.

Taking on a permanent pet can be a huge commitment, it really does need to thought through, so try before you buy.

Good luck
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Flickster
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Re: Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby Flickster » Sat Apr 19, 2014 5:16 pm

We also tried to home a Battersea fog but we're told it would never happen because we live in a 'highly populated dog area' as well as having 2 children under 8. In the end we opted to buy our dog. We bought a Puggle, a pug beagle mix. He is perfect! Loves the children, needs 1 good walk a day and is brilliant with other dogs.
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calliwally
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Re: Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby calliwally » Tue Apr 22, 2014 10:23 pm

How soon are you (or your parents) planning to get a dog? The Discovery Dog show isn't until November but we went a couple of years ago and it was great because you could actually speak to people from the kennel club about the various breeds and speak to owners about the characteristics of each breed etc. The kids loved it, so a good day out and lots of cuddles with dogs if nothing else!
http://www.discoverdogs.org.uk/
There is some info on their website about different breeds as well which might help

If you are interested in a rescue dog, then check out http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/service ... ndarescue/
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Joe's Mum
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Re: Would like to get a dog but which one?

Postby Joe's Mum » Mon Apr 28, 2014 2:09 pm

I really wanted to give a home to a rescue dog and I also found that the Battersea Dogs Home made it very tricky. I was single at the time and despite visiting regularly for a long period every time I found a dog that I liked I was told that it "wasn't suitable for a single carer environment"! Eventually I went to Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary in Ascot and found a lovely collie cross, who was the best dog ever (now sadly deceased). I would thoroughly recommend a rescue dog. Very rewarding and will save you the feeling that you are contributing to the excess dog breeding/money making that is so unnecessary when there are thousands of lovely dogs out there just begging for a home.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/service ... spx?id=247
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