I've heard that retired greyhounds just require a quick blast and then are happy to sleep all day.

I could be completely wrong though.

I've had a variety of dogs in the past and would happily recommend a Golden retriever if you have a family, if you wanted something a little smaller but still active and loves water then you can't go wrong with an English Springer Spaniel from good working stock.

labs all the way for me, monty is not quite a lap dog but loves water and beer

springer spaniel, happy, energetic, good with people, loves swimming running, and will follow me on the bike for a good 10 miles. may eat sunglasses, digital cameras and the tops off my hunter wellies between the ages of 0-6 months though! needs training and lots of exercise

As you've got cat's, hamsters and mice I'd avoid any type of terrier.

I've a border terrier and the above are classes as sport

Been waiting all week for a dog thread!!

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So how about a lurcher, ours likes water but doesnt really swim much as yet but shes only a baby.. have a look at http://www.lurcher.org/llink/forum/ like a greyhound only not.

Find friends who have dogs and borrow them for a few hours - see how you get on with them. Also - look at how much time and effort you are prepared to put into the dog - training is for the whole family and the dog - more for the humans if I'm honest. Look at how much time you can give it - not just being there but interacting / playing / walking etc. Some dogs have real traits (like the working dogs) and you must work to those traits or you risk a terrible experience and a bored dog.

Dogs come in the following classifications:

Lap dog
Ankle dog
Knee dog
Hip dog
Proper dog.

The only sort worth considering is a proper dog.

Of the proper dogs, the only sort worth having are the hounds. They're happy to laze around all day so long as they get a good run at some stage.

Therefore you need a Great Dane or a Wolfhound.

SImple, isn't it?

Oh, and a very large sh1t shovel.

Anagallis_arvensis, she looks a cracker, not considered a lurcher thanks for the link.

I had though of a Springer Spaniel, one of my work colleagues have them and can thoroughly recommend them.

Just spoken to our local RSPCA centre and they said they have two young Springer Spaniel Collie crosses, which they said, might be good for what I am after, so, going over at the weekend to have a look.

Thanks for all the other advice, btw, all points noted.

To be truthful - you need to see what your good points are before making your choice...

If you are strapped for cash - avoid retreivers - labs - unless you take out insurance as soon as you have the pup..
These pedigree type dogs can be so interbred that they have common problems from quite an early age.

If you are strapped for free time - avoid collies, alsations, working breeds as they need to be 'entertained for hours'

If you are 6' 6" and 20 stone.. avoid Shitzu and poodles

Family dogs in my opinion - Staffies - Jack Russells or better still - Heinz 57

a springerxcollie would be a very very very energetic dog you would need loads of time to walk it.

molly is good fun and very clever indeed.

[IMG] [/IMG]

Left - my wifes 'demon' dog that I have mentioned in a post a few mths ago.
And right - my daughters Jacky .. or 'proper' dog as I call it when my wife is in earshot...
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[/img]

If you are going for a rescue dog then issues of what breed to choose etc are less relevent - with the exception of staffordshire bull terriers the vast majority of dogs you will seee for adoption in the mainstream centres (RSPCA, Battersea, Dog Trust) will be cross-breeds and, size aside, the temperament etc of the dog is probably more important than anything else.

All above good stuff and have a look at German Short Haired Pointers, great with children, love water, great with bikes, and a hound therefore = real dog. Spaniels/collies good fun but depending on which one can bounce about alot and be 'too' much if not working.

ex racing greyhounds are lazy buggers!
A quick run on the morn, then chill out for the rest of the day.
A lurcher, or coursing greyhound may be better for your needs, hmm dont know about the cats tho [IMG]href=" http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyhoundjim/3682625745/" title="IMG_0988 by greyhoundjim, on Flickr">[/IMG]

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F it. Ill work it out tomorrow!

jack russells all the way 🙂

We had a Jack Russell when I was a kid. Excellent dog, very friendly, and a good little guard dog. Also had a labrador before leaving the UK. Very friendly dog, excellent around kids, probably not the best at guard dog duties. Just bought a Bull Mastiff/Rhodesian Ridgeback cross. Only 10 weeks old, but it's going to be a big dog. At least my bike will be safe with that around!

I picked up a Manchester Terrier from a shelter when I was back in the UK. Lovely dog he was, very energetic, and just wanted to play all the time.

don't get a collie. great dogs if you can give them 110% attention constantly but if they're not kept active they go completely nuts. literally.

we got this little beauty. she's very loving, is happy to sit on the wife's lap all day but still enjoys running around with my son in the park and chasing cats, she lives to chase cats.

[url= http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3582385701_1fcb00cca8.jp g" target="_blank">http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3582385701_1fcb00cca8.jp g"/> [/img][/url]

bit like asking 'what bike'. same one as me! 🙂
we have a welsh springer/field spaniel cross. about as big as a working cocker. slim. she has her funny fives minutes but most of the time she's very mellow. we didn't want a purebred due to propensity for illness/defects. GF has done wonders with her training and she's a lovely dog. she'll run with the bike but i wouldn't take her on a 'regular' ride.
great pic Samurai.
king charles cavaliers are generally very good natured from what i have seen but that particular breed can have some real problems if not 'well bred', as can any breed i guess.
anything with collie in it will be hard work, as they need to be kept busy, but i'm sure they're very rewarding too.

Spanish Water Dog.

Had ours now for two years and not one single regret. Great round kids, attentive, alert, willing to learn. Perfect temprement with my two girls who treat it as a toy and pamper her to death......definitely not a 'soft dog' though, just a fab temprement.

As their name suggests they love the water - webbed feet come in handy for her weekly swims int he River Dee, THEY LOVE WATER. USed in Spain (and other countries) as police dogs, rescue dogs, working dogs etc, a thinker

Pure wool coat that when grows goes into loose dreads if you let it.....if you dont like strangers stopping you asking 'what dog is that, isn't she stunning' dont get one!! She's a crowd puller!!.

IN all the two years of having her I havent found one dog hair in the house, they do not shed any of their coat.

Perfect dog for family, training, working. Can run all day too but doesn't get hyper on those odd days when you can only squeeze in a 20 min walk round the fields.

Size - knee height for bitch. larger for dog (technically speaking!!)

GET ONE!

Border terrier? Always a good choice.
As for greyhonds, there are so many lokking for new homes. Check out any of the greyhound rescue site. But be warned, you're taking on a dog with a history. More often than not, it's not a nice history either. As for excercise most greyhounds and longdogs, (2 x sight hounds)are more than happy with an off the lead blast and then sleep the rest of the day.

We have a Boxer and she is an absolute joy. Loads of character and very cuddly. She has her mad half hour each day but she mostly chills around the house. She is an excellent family dog and is brillaint with our 13 months old daughter.

Snoopy's a long dog, greyhound and saluki. He was two speeds, 100mph or zzzz mode.

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The posts about greyhounds above are generally correct, although some of them love water. A lurcher would be a better idea, although it would depend on the cross, they have more stamina, but can be just as lazy when not out and about. More prone to liking the water, although their anatomy means they are often poor swimmers.

A case in point is Ted, loves water, hates to swim:
[img] [/img]

As Anagallis said, Lurcher Link is a great site for available dogs and advice, as is [url= http://www.greyhoundgap.com ]Greyhound Gap[/url] (who saved Ted)

Great pic there Samuri, reminds of this one of Ted. Two very different dogs (Ted is nearly 3 feet tall at his ears) but they look so similar.
[img] [/img]

Cavaliers, superb dogs! Can work to guns or simply prop up the bar at a pub. Great companions and really good characters.

Daisy, where your little Border?????

My Lakeland Terrier is good fun, great with the kids but couldnt eat a whole one! playful and enjoys running etc.
Downside is she is a bit yappy. Doenst do as she's told (much) but thats typical of most terriers.

[img] [/img]

SPANIEL!!!!!

Although our little one has just got out of surgery to have two stones, some bark chip and part of a sandal taken out of his gut, so maybe not.

If you want a sensible dog, go for a Lab of some sort. A lot less mental than a Springer or a Cocker.

We have a Lab collie cross and he is absolute fantastic. He has the best temperament of any dog I've ever met. Is great with our 3 week old baby and friends children who pull his tail and poke him in the eyes while trying to pet him. He loves coming for 6km runs with me most days, does about 10 miles with me while biking, plays in the park with his doggy friends every morning. But once he has had his walk he is very happy to sleep most of the day and he loves having a cuddle on the sofa.

He loves water:

[img] [/img]

My parents have a spaniel/collie cross - he's a really nice natured dog too but he has loads of energy. This is great for them as they do loads of walking. He is the smaller one in the pic below (when he was a puppy - now is spaniel size) the larger one is Elmo our dog.

[img] [/img]

So hard to choose a breed that you like and that will fit into your lifestyle.

I fall in to the category of if your going to get a dog get a proper dog, none of these handbag efforts!

I have a Rhodesian Ridgeback which I have to say is a perfect breed for somebody who gets out and about on a bike a lot, doesn't mind a dog with an amazing attitude, serious amounts of independence, aloof-ness(?), intelligence and pure character. Highly devoted to just one person but very protective of the family unit. If your wife was the one spending the majority of the time with him/her she would be the only one with complete control, don't expect a Ridgeback to have two masters. Hard work but definitely a case of what you put in you get back!

Springer Spaniel, German Shepard, Border Collies etc are great for running, family and companionship.

Boxer,the funnest dog ever invented,love kids & kids love them.Not so good with cats though,they just see them as a toy to chase about

[i]If you want a sensible dog, go for a Lab of some sort. A lot less mental than a Springer or a Cocker. [/i]

Beware of the Labs, yes they look calm placid etc etc - however they are hard work, they will walk forever get home, then play for the rest of the evening - by play I mean use the two sofa's in the house as a wall of death. If you get one with a bumble bee for a brain that's even worse!!

[i]If you want a sensible dog, go for a Lab of some sort. A lot less mental than a Springer or a Cocker. [/i]

Beware of the Labs, yes they look calm placid etc etc - however they are hard work, they will walk forever get home, then play for the rest of the evening - by play I mean use the two sofa's in the house as a wall of death. If you get one with a bumble bee for a brain that's even worse!!

[IMG][/IMG]

whats wrong with my posting a pic? Im doing the same as normal, but no piccy appears!

Pictures post using the IMG button eg [i mg][b]a pic url[/b][/ img]
Copy the image location url into the dialogue box that appears when you press the IMG button above the reply box.

Thats what Im doing sandwich, Ive often posted pics on here, but not at the mo!

Has this dog got to run behind a bike?

the dog would have to be good around them, active, love water, the Mrs loves sailing, but also a bit of a lap dog as well?

3 greyhounds here. Beautiful, gorgeous dogs. But. Bit lazy, ours don't really like water, not very 'interactive' especially with kids and balls etc. Ours love your lap. Really ****in 'interactive' if they see a cat 😉

TBh I don't think they fit your bill really...

!!!

still trying

neverfastenough said it staff or russel.

Where is the picture you want to post hosted on-line? I couldn't see any url in the source for your post.

Any excuse to post this..
[img] ?v=0[/img]

Boxer all the way.. utterly great with kids.. also like cats 🙄 do need to be walked and are ok with water 😀

[img] ?v=0[/img]

and once again here's Sherlock with his favourite toy

and

[img] ?v=1235473050[/img]

skiing with the missus

haddock - Member

Has this dog got to run behind a bike?

I was not planning to haddock, more a family pet, company for my Wife who will be working from home soon.

Will need to be reasonably active as we don't spend that much time at home, apart from cycling, we also enjoy camping and sailing so something that loves the water would be a bonus tbh.

Used to have Jack Russels in the past, before we had kids and they were great companions, bright and loyal dogs.

Not going to rush into it, just more interested in what other family based folk here have.

Any advice either way is good, thanks for the posts so far btw.

Darrell. Where was the skiing photo taken?

near the parents in law's place in Odda, Norway.

Bedds, gorgeous boxer! How old? (not very judging by extreme hugeness of paws!)

Any excuse to show this, one man and his lab

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We have a lovely Beagle, great with kids, short haired. Always begging for food and pull like crazy on the lead unless you train them well. She's not big on water though.

Labradoodle? Come in all flavours, don't shed fur, lovely temperament. I'd love a Pointer but you have to be very tall and handsome to walk around with one of those.

[img]img?r=enfocus%3A%2F%2FieOpSC8AAABi-h-ePj1qkAJxmeBalYtAMF8ZKZ_eHZHCitIlCEqMMQK3bIvN9z6cMmK1xmSVdo8[/img]

My Beagle

Had a Lakedoodle (long story but the breeder said her pedigree Poodle was "raped" by a Lakeland in the park and she wanted rid of the filthy Mudbloods).
Parents bought me the only dog in the litter - combination was volatile to say the least - bloody intelligent but could be a nasty little swine when he wanted to be.
Lasted 15 years and still very active on the day he died (straight after a 5 mile walk, in front of the fire - I want to go this way too)
Anyway - crosses are good for all the reasons above, but if you go that way be mindful of the traits of the bitch and dog.
Am in negotiation with "The Midwife" for a new dog now the kids are older - like the look of the Spanish Water Dog or Labradoodle.

English Springer Spaniel all the way, great dogs. very clever dogs.

All depends on how any dogs trained, depends on how they behave.

Cheers MrsFlash.. he was 10wks in that photo, now 17wks.. his paws still look awfully large for him though.. 😉

Ski - I'll spare you my 'mountain biking dog' opinions then, dogs are so much fun though and the pics on here are great - love the one going skiing! 🙂

Try again when I've got more time 😳

This thread is useless without sound:
Constant, pointless, agggressive, persistent, anti-social barking 24/7

This thread is useless without smell:
That noxious whiff from your child's shoes which turns into an appalling stench when you realise he/she has trodden it all over the house and has probably put some of it into his/her mouth by handling a ball which is also similarly contaminated

And of course, these posts are useless without pictures: coil after coil of steaming, stinking, soft, gooey, unctuous, squelchy and nauseating excrement

I can see that certain personality types need dogs - I've no objection to that

But please - if you are of that personality type - please don't inflict the noise and excrement of your dog on better-adjusted people

Just noticed this at the start of the thread:

Please no anti dog posts here, if you want, I can start another post for you to get your teeth into if you like

Go on then, start one - but not anti-dog. Anti dog-owner. Because the problem is not dogs, it's their owners

I've hardly begun to express my feelings about dog owners and the animals that have the misfortune to be owned by them

I'm not a dog person, despite spending at least the first third of my life with them. I'm too damn lazy to want to take one for walkies when it's peeing down. However, I don't begrudge people wanting to have one, just so long as it's properly trained. Case in point, my brother and his partner, who have five cats and three ferrets got a dog recently. Honey is a golden Lab or retriever, not sure which, and she's beautiful. [i]Very[/i] intelligent, and even when excited chasing after her favourite toy, a fluffy seal I found, hardly ever makes a noise. She's a delight, and would be perfect for you. Some have mentioned Jack Russells, now they can be a problem if not trained, but they have incredible stamina. I did one of the first Salisbury Plain Challenges, and rode the 25k route. A couple from up north rode it on a tandem, and they brought a Jack Russell. Which ran the whole way round, including his own diversions, then ran to all the returning riders, tail wagging, asking to go for a run! Fantastic little dog, again, sounds like the ideal animal, plus they're small enough to pick up when nessessary, which is more than I could do with Honey, now she's around eight months old!