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Lurcher.
(Smooth-haired ones are much nicer to stroke, scruffy ones look cool but it's like stroking a bundle of pubes.)
Rosie is definitely scruffy but takes exception to being described as a bundle of pubes. She probably can't be arsed to do anything about it though.
If you really must have a dog get one from a rescue charity. Cats, just think about the wild bird population please.
the advice about dog sitters is valid, I have two grown up daughters with three dogs between them, they really get the hump when I decline to look after their pets. You may think the animal is adorable, it doesn’t mean anyone else does.
We do make a monthly contribution to Dogs Trust, who look after the dogs no one will give a home to.
Recommend what we have, Longdog! Pic taken after a dip in the sea.
Pre owned Saluki x Greyhound x Whippet, although we were lucky and got her directly from a lady who couldn't cope with her as a puppy.
Happy on long all day walkies, or 10mins zoomies and the rest of the day on the sofa. I'd agree with a lot of comments above though, quality mental stimulation is far more beneficial than a long walk each day. She is being trained up for agility, and a half hour training session where she needs to think and work things out tires her out much more than a 5 mile walk. You can see it in her face as well after a training session, she looks content and relaxed (as day as it sounds).
Quiet she is not however, the Saluki side of her is very vocal!
One that doesn't shit on the pavement or bark in residential areas. Thanks.
One that doesn’t shit on the pavement or bark in residential areas. Thanks.
Dogs and their owners can be a massive benefit to their environments....
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/spring-clean/
If you want dumb as a box of frogs you definitely want a lurcher!! I am sure that if it grows up with cats it won't eat them!! Ours has a longer coat but is actually very soft despite looking rough. My mum has a whippet Belington which is super soft, it does need more brushing and the odd hair cut though.
14 years ago
All grown up, never quite grew into the ears though
Starting old age!
Still going strong at 14
Dogs and their owners can be a massive benefit to their environments….
They certainly can, our local town has less litter since Barney came to stay. You learn very quickly where all the bins are, I've seen several other dog owners doing a bit of litter picking whilst out for a stroll too.
Where is everyone getting all these crosses from? Are they generally rescues? My idle googling in the past indicated you don’t really get reputable breeders doing crosses? I’d be happy to be shown wrong because there’s a couple that I like the idea of
Mine came from a family home with kids. Went to the house to see the litter with parents. (the litters parents, not mine lol!)
They weren't breeders, just family pets with a litter.
Where is everyone getting all these crosses from? Are they generally rescues? My idle googling in the past indicated you don’t really get reputable breeders doing crosses
I would strongly argue that only reputable breeders do crosses. Pedigree dogs are not healthy because of the breeders!!
Given that a ‘pedigree’ is just a formalised family tree- I think that there’s an important distinction between pedigree working breeders and show breeders. Appearance is not contingent on good health but sound working ability (and a long life from your training investment) is usually impossible with genetic diseases and physical deformities etc.
That’s not to say there aren’t bad working breeders too but certainly on the shooting field or in the sheep dog world it becomes obvious quickly if someone is breeding rubbish.
Decide the qualities most important, then pick breed and size accordingly. We’re on our third pedigree show cocker. Who we don’t show. Good size, good temperament, lots of energy, not too much hair, small sh!ts to pick up. Other breeds are available. Cockerpoos are tightly popular, same size, lack of hair shedding. Personally, I wouldn’t go too big. My other favourite breed is a Hungarian Vizla. Bit larger and short hair. Dogs are an excellent source of good mental health. And they get you out for a walk. And occasionally a swim too!
Glad to se a Tibetan (Tsang Apso) being recommended. There are a number of Facebook pages where you can get loads of info and Wickki has the history. A lady called Julie Hindle has lots of good info including books on Amazon and videos on YouTube
Oh how disappointing, I thought we were getting puppy pictures!
edit - although I crossed posts with Trekster, so that's a good substitute. Very nice.
If I was ever to have another dog I would stick to what I know - old english sheepdog.
Easy going, placid, 2 or 3 walks a day including a mad 30 mins of just running around.
Drawback - grooming.
Fettlin - that's a fine looking dog you've got.
"walowizFull Member
What a great thread.
In true STW spirit of only recommending what you have, I’d recommend a Tibetan terrier (they’re not really terriers)" Lovely looking dogs walowiz, are you on any of the TT Facebook groups?
"Oh how disappointing, I thought we were getting puppy pictures!" Puppy pic just for you tthew, May `21
@thisisnotaspoon and @petrieboy
Great to see some other guide dog volunteers on STW. We're currently raising the marvellous Mason who is 1/2 shepherd and 1/2 retriever but looks like an athletic black lab. Our first pup, Herbert, is in big dog school in central London.
It's been a great experience volunteering for guide dogs, like petrieboy we've both learned a lot and the support you get is fantastic.
I was in bits when they came to collect Herbert though, that was horrible but not enough to put us off raising another pup !
@frankconway. Great Frank, thanks, just looked up what "Fettlin" means d'oh
@sprootlet. Yes, very tempted but I think it would destroy my wife and little boy!
@Trekster yes, am on a few of the TT Facebook groups, the grooming one run by Julie Hindle I think for certain.
That pup pic you posted looks just like Wombat did when she was a pup ! They are a great breed. Wombat is our third. Your black and white pic, is that a photo or painting? Looks really good.
@funkmasterp do it, wombats are great.
Also some great advice and pics shared on this thread, thread does need more pics.
My parents have a saluki and she is gorgeous, white as snow, very playful and quite possibly the fastest dog I’ve ever seen and I say that having grown up with whippets & lurchers in the house. Whippets and lurches are lovely too, I could be sorely tempted to rescue another. We had a rescue whippet and lurcher who were both with us for many years, great times and fun.
Dogs are brilliant.
OP - wishing you the best with your choice of Dog. I’m sure you’ll be a responsible owner and clean up after it and won’ t let it jump at people like the majority nowadays.
Seconded getting a staffie as per GolfChick's recommendation
We needed a friend for Betty after our old boy Buster had to be put to sleep last year, Brad came from the shelter in Cardiff and we think he was a lockdown dog as he's quite excitable when out on the lead. He was an unclaimed stray.
Haven't read all the replies, but best dog to get is one that is in a photograph so you don't actually own it physically. If a photo of a dog isn't suitable then a rescue dog - far too many dogs available and then being abandoned or not looked after properly.
In true STW fashion i'm gonna recommend what I have (sadly had) - a collie lurcher
17 years of dog excellence, the stamina and intelligence of a collie with the laid back long dog attitude. Ours was a deerhound cross but small around 20kg.
I always think the trick with dogs is to run your life around the dog, that way everyone is happy IME. It's fair to say we have done some amazing stuff over the last years, travelling, walking, canoeing etc and it's all been stuff we wouldn't have done if we hadn't had the dog. He came to work with us everyday, we were together 24/7 for pretty much all of his 17 years.
Put the time in to train and understand your dog. Recall and confidence off the lead where appropriate are non negotiable. On trips, go with a dog attitude - on a hill day a dog probably doesn't want a 5 minute break, it wants to stop, get comfortable with it's surroundings, have a snack, snooze then head off again, refreshed. It's actually quite easy to break a dog if you aren't careful
Dogs love company, exercise and sausage. Dogs are ace!
I’d recommend just borrowing some else’s dog now and then. Cheaper and easier…
I’d recommend just borrowing some else’s dog now and then. Cheaper and easier…
Still have to pick up their poo though 🤢
English Pointer
Also here to recommend what I have in true STW fashion.
Henry the Yorkiepoo.
Smaller than the brief but he's hardy and will happily join on long hikes, whilst also being content with a few short walks a day.
A Yorkshire Terrier Poodle cross, so doesn't shed but does need hair cuts every few months. Super temperament, though has taken some training to stop barking. Highly food motivated which helps with the training.
jam-boFull Member
I’d recommend just borrowing some else’s dog now and then. Cheaper and easier…
Here you go... https://www.borrowmydoggy.com/
Nothing beats having your own one (or two) though
Looks very similar to my Bodhi, a Shorkie (yorkie x Shi-Tzu) such a good boy, but does need training to stop yapping.
I've trained him to tap me with his paw if he wants something, so he very rarey barks unless he needs to go oustide for a wee/poo.
17 years of dog excellence,
This is the type of talk I like, my lurcher is 14 now, hope she can make 17!!! She is collie, whippet, greyhound, bedlington mixed up in varying proportions!!
Disclaimer: I’ve not read the whole thread.
A rescue from a decent local charity that fosters them first so they have a good idea of the dogs temperament and idiosyncrasies.
I think ‘foster’ is a key word here. We’ve had a couple of dogs now from rescue centres and in both cases we didn’t really see their full temperament until they had settled in. We currently have a Patterdale/Springer cross from a rescue centre in Newcastle. We’ve spent a lot of time working on her behaviour and she’s great, but still anxious and nervous around other dogs. That we knew beforehand. What we didn’t know was that she has a large prey drive (which they said she didn’t). When you get a rescue you’re never quite sure of their history… She is quite cute though!
Personally, a big stuffed toy one I could put my feet on. No vets bills, or having to take it for walks in filthy weather, and honestly, I’m not sure I could cope with the inevitable loss, not now.
or having to take it for walks in filthy weather
Thats the best bit! Coming back soaked covered in mud with a dog grinning from ear to ear. Bloody ace.
And snow is even better!
Yesterday was gotcha day for me and this handsome fella. All going well so far with the other spaniels and the Cairn Terrier 😁
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Gotcha day walks are lovely.
This is the type of talk I like, my lurcher is 14 now, hope she can make 17!!! She is collie, whippet, greyhound, bedlington mixed up in varying proportions!!
And a total trooper right to the end, slowed down a bit at 16 1/2 but never faltered. Then one morning looked a bit disoriented and was gone by sunrise the next, 17 years and 10 days. In true style he even dodged the vet, just fell asleep next to me and didn't wake up
Well, that's set me off.
I think Lola will go in a failed attempt to steal more things from the toaster.
any so long as you get a rescue dog. puppies are a pain in the arse for one.
Spaniels, love em.
1.5 springers and 1.5 cockers.
Being well behaved and focused as dad has 3 chewie sticks in his hand...
Had all 3 from puppies, now about 9, 4 and 5 yrs. The springer is a bossy mare, cockers calmer and more biddable.
@joshvegas unless you pick a breed/character who doesnt like mud/wet walks. Ask me how I know... my last breed was a rhodesian ridgeback and they're known for being very regal. She would walk 3 metres behind me on wet walks and stare at me as though I was being stupid enough to walk naked in a blizzard. Dont get me started on her and mud, you know how labs have a reputation for dragging their owner under a bus for a chip well she would have thrown me under a bus if it meant dodging a muddy puddle!
It's a revelation to own a breed who now enjoys wet muddy walks as much as dry ones, no matter how much I dont want to be out he doesn't care unless I'm stood still in the heavy rain.