MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
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Ok I've put off getting a new pup for far to long! Mainly because the kids were young but both are now old enough to benefit from a new daly member.
Had dogs in the past myself and through the family so not a complete novice but after years of trying to figure women out I've now realised there's a reason why these little critters are mans best friend!
So what to get???? I'll let the fountain of STW knowledge run over me!
Basic tick list....
Family pet so good with kids is a must.
Meduim size yapper, nothing to small that can't come out running with me or the occasional ride but nothing to big that it can't join the family the majority of the time were out and about. Prob Collie kinda size....
Fair amount of energy. The lil fella needs to be able to come out walking / hiking / running etc He'll need to be able to come hit the mountains with me. This of course needs to be balanced though, I'd love a Siberian Huskie but obviously it's not fair if I can't give them the amount of exercise a dog like this might need.
Recommendations greatly received. Pictures even better!!! Nothing is cuter than a puppy, nothing more funnier than a goofy dog playing up!!!
I'd be happy to do the revoke thing but as its been a while since I had a dog I'm tempted to just do the pup and then hit obdediance school thing to get us both back into the groove.
Springer.
http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/1st-family-dog-spaniel
After asking the same question here, buzz the springer is now 6 months.
He's not on the trails with me yet, but that might be a good thing as I can't keep up with him on the local fields.
garrrrpirate - Member
Springer.
+1
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slainte 😀 rob
A Border Collie. They're great family pets (well, the one I'm looking after is anyway) and can run for ages. The walking isn't too bad. A quickish 15 minute walk in the morning and a 30-1 hour run, following me on the bike in the evening.
Labs
They eat everything you give them and come back for more
Superb round kids
Never ever growl or snarl
Great hill dogs
And pinch the whole of the sofa if you te them
I can heartily recomend a Rhodision ridgeback
Great family dog
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Great biking dog
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Great dog in the home
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Just a great dog all round ( but then again I'm just a bit biased )
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/43957750@N02/7006208742/ ]IMG_2173[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/43957750@N02/ ]eddie.jenkinson[/url], on [url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8012/7006202890_0dc390137d.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/43957750@N02/7006202890/ ]IMG_2176[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/43957750@N02/ ]eddie.jenkinson[/url], on Flickr
Golden Doodle
Stupid name and probably bad fashion victim reputation.
Friendly, clever and faster than a lab and can go bigger distances because they are lighter.
Ours was a nervous acquisition, seemed like we had enough to worry about already with three boys. However he has been a huge success. Boys love him and he goes out for a walk at lunch and then most evenings with me on a bike.
Golden doodle looks awesome! I had a collie Labrador cross. Brilliant dog, great temperament, very intelligent, great stamina and would play with kids all day long. I miss her!
Labrador pups are quite cute
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/2874192003/ ]Murphy 5 Months in normal pose[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
Not the best trail dog. But an awesome family dog. Gunny's stay a bit smaller and make better trail dogs. Our is a bit on the large size nowadays.
Keep it coming guys I'm starting to remember why I love dogs so much!!!
Andy that Ridgeback is gorgeous!!! Had always thought them to big but to be honest I'm being swayed big time!
Any of the retriever type will excel with kids and family. Had labs in the past and now have a golden retriever. Bullet proof with kids, intelligent and easy to train. That Ridgeback looks smart though!
Field Spaniel.
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Top hounds.
Everyone recommends the dog they have right?
Well I have 2 borders, one was so inbreed it broke its leg as a pup from falling from 2' & has never really wanted to walk since, & then there is the other one who won't take instruction from anyone else but the alpha (me basically) so despite many discussions as to who would would walk/look after the dogs before they were purchased guess who gets to do all of the walking now?*
* Well sometimes if the weather is good I may ge a break, but if its cold or wet... 😉
Not a Lab!!
Greedy buggers and molt everywhere, he even eats his own poo 🙁
Great with kids though
Another vote for a lab ..... fantastic with kids, loves to play, intelligent , there is a reason you see a lot of them
Edit - mine isn't greedy nor does she eat poo! Maybe I got lucky with mine!
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This is my puppy shes only 8 months old i cant tire her out, this breed is very clingy and demands your attention all the time but if you have the time then its worth it ( warning they will destroy your home if there energy is not channelled correctly :D)
Well I've got a Rough Collie. He ticks all the boxes except the running with the bike. Loves a good long walk, but he's never been keen on just running. Would much rather stop and have a good sniff when we are out. Intelligent and easy to train like my old border collie, but nowhere near as highly strung. We did agility for a year or so and he was great at that, but had to stop when I changed job, so they are not lazy dogs. He's 6 now and still loves to play.
If running along with the bike is a must then a springer sounds about right.
A picture of Charlie
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Ringo, by the look on her face she wants you to hurry up and take the bloody picture and get on with the ride/run.
+1 Ridgeback
You should consider a rescue dog, we've a Heinz 57 and he couldn't be a better dog. Just starting to run and bike with him, really good with the kids and very chilled in the house.
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We found him via [url= http://www.dogsblog.com/ ]Dogs Blog[/url] and he was rescued by [url= http://www.pupsneedinghomes.co.uk/ ]Pups Need Homes[/url]
Just bought a Parson Russell Terrier, the bloody thing screams and barks all night. I know he's only a small pup but enough already...!!!
You won't go wrong with a collie, a spaniel or a lab. But I'd echo the comment above regarding a Heinz 57 - our rescue Lurcher / Terrier X is one of the best natured dogs I've ever owned. And mongrels will have less problems in later life and generally live longer.
LabsNever ever growl or snarl
Old black labs are well known for going a bit mental in their dotage - they often become aggressive and snappy when they get old.
Tibetan Terrier crossed with something spanielly. Quiet, affectionate, energetic, takes to training quickly, and thanks to their glorious hair (which they don't shed), you can restyle them to look like different dogs!
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A collie cross lurcher. Will run around like a crazy thing, will walk or run further than you can and will spend the rest of the day sleeping. Will post some pics of our later. Lurchers are the most gentle dogs you will meet as long as your not a rabbit. Springers, collies and labs need much more mental stimulation which often manifests in behavioural problems, being as thick as mince and happy sleeping 22 hours a day has its advantages in a dog. Collies make very poor pets imo or rather they need a very good owner with lots of time, many dont get this.
Working Cocker.
Will run all day, but never wants to be out of eyesight. Very happy and no problem to leave all day if you have to. Can be a bit fussy...
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I'm picking this chap up on wednesday 🙂
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[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimbosussexmtb/7808034382/ ]Woof, it's @RileyTheSpaniel[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/jimbosussexmtb/ ]www.sussex-mtb.com[/url], on Flickr
I would say a spaniel, probably a springer given your requirement for a medium sized dog. Yes, I have one and he is lovely and adores kids, so I have a slight vested interest, but I would still recommend them to anyone. Labs are another good choice, but they eat a lot and can just be huge. They do have a lovely nature though.
Other considerations: GSP or GWP, or maybe soemthing like a Portugese Water Dog. Ok, Obama has one, but the ones I have met have all been calm, friendly dogs. No idea how good they are out on the trail though.
Spaniels - best dogs ever*
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*in my opinion of course!
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Love my Dally to bits, took a while to get trained as very stubborn breed but wonderfully patient with our children.
Our Lurcher:
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[img] http://www.dobermannrehome.co.uk/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=10878.0;attach=3932;image [/img]
why do i think that link is gonna fail.
http://www.dobermannrehome.co.uk/needing_homes.php
got to be a heinz, for lots of reasons, we have a mostly spaniodor, treat them right all dogs are great!
I'd say think about what you can offer a dog on a normal daily basis and go for a breed that would suit that. its one thing to want a dog to join you for runs and biking every so often, but generally speaking that would be a dog with high energy levels, and if you're only thinking you could give it a half hour walk round the block on a normal everyday basis (not saying that's the case for you, just using it as an example) then a high energy dog would go a bit batsh*t crazy and bored, maybe even destructive.
Used to do voluntary dog walking at the local dogs trust some years back before I had a dog of my own and met all shapes and sizes there. So do consider a rescue dog - theres puppies and pedigrees in rescue too, and many are perfectly well behaved, happy little critters there through no fault of their own. When i was there a notable amount were aged about 9-18 months, lovely dogs, no issues, mostly there because people bought cutesy puppies and got bored or didn't appreciate the amount of work actually involved. Heck of a lot of them were labs, collies, springers and crosses too.
Anagallis: love that pic of you lurcher and baby in the bed!
Our rescue staffy cross (think he's lab x staff x parsons jrt) was an awesome little trail dog, retired now as he's 11ish but still gets considerable exercise off lead every day. He lives for his walks and would crawl the walls if he had less.
border terrier, i know a bit small you say but as our dog trimmer says, like a real dog but smaller! ours is 2.5 now and bonkers but good fun, runs, bikes loves the beach, chases a ball until the end of time and is brilliant with the kids. can be a bit shrill but barks rarely and only for a reason.
doesn't shed either which is great.
redwoods-- best post on here, very few consider those things, an active dog is that--- all year all weathers
My lab doesn't eat his poo either.
(Although rabbit, horse, cow and bird poo are all the doggie equivalent of caviar for him apparently)
He's mine, 6 months old, after a hard morning's work destroying a cardboard box
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[url= http://www.leavalleydogrescue.co.uk/the_dogs_72.html ]Samson rescue doglet[/url]
Here's one example of just what fantastic young dogs are in rescue. If we were closer to the rescue or looking ourselves I think we'd be on him like a tramp on chips.
Here's ours in his biking days though
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Tempted to submit Benny for [url= http://dogshaming.tumblr.com/ ]dog shaming[/url].
Instead of starting a new thread, I'll ask on this one...
Mrs xiphon really wants a dog - they had a family dog from her being 11 to 20 (it died weeks after meeting me). That dog was a Tibetan Terrier.
We both lead active lifestyles (walking, running, cycling, etc), so would need a dog which could join us for a 15 mile walk or 20+ mile ride.
BUT.... we're out of the house from 7.30am til 6pm (both work)
Anybody recommend a dog that might fit our needs?
I honestly don't know much about dogs!
Springer, can run all day, and can be housed outside if needed only draw back with your hours they need alot of exercise
20 mile + bike ride?! Either you are all really slow and I mean really really slow and live in places where 20mile rides are possible or your dogs are superdogs. I dont think any dog fits your bill.
ha ha sorry, I didn't mean 20 mile ride. Got my wires crossed! No idea why I wrote that...
All day walks would be the longest distance....
Out of curiosity, how far to people ride with their 'trail' dogs?
(As you can see, I know very little about them - but we all start off with little knowledge...)
I'll be the first to say that leaving a dog from 7.30am til 6pm every working day isnt fair on the dog.
oh, and my Dalmation used to run 20mile easy if weather wasnt hot, hes getting older now so I keep the miles down.
scruff - I accept that is an issue, but surely it's not uncommon?
How many people have dogs, who work during the week (also taking into consideration time for commuting) ?
Would a labrador be up to being a trail dog?
We used to have one and it liked walking, but so sure about running that much!
BUT.... we're out of the house from 7.30am til 6pm (both work)Anybody recommend a dog that might fit our needs?
someone elses that you can borrow on the weekend.
My lab comes out to the peak for all day rides & absolutely loves it also myself & the wife work all day so it always needs a walk in the evening rain or shine
How many people have dogs, who work during the week (also taking into consideration time for commuting) ?
Sometimes our dog gets left from 7.30 till about 5.30, twice a week from about 9.30-5.30. She gets a walk in the am and pm and spends time alone in the back yard with a kennel, rest of time in the house sleeping.
How many people have dogs, who work during the week (also taking into consideration time for commuting) ?
T'husband and I both work full time, but as it's a 5-10 minute bike ride into work we go back home at lunch and fuss the pup (not a euphemism).
The dog would have a run/walk each morning, and again upon returning home later in the day.
We both commute by bike (40mins each way for both), so we're used to whatever weather gets thrown at us!
Lab sounds an interesting breed...
Our Kelpie (Australian Collie x dingo) will manage 30km+ rides, but they need to be carefully planned... short road sections(if any), taking it steady down hill, avoiding areas during lambing (she will run by the bike on a lead, but it is a pain riding one handed on anything rough) etc.
She is also left at home from 8am to 6pm. It isn't ideal, but can be managed. She has a run and kennel outside which she is left in during the day, she is left with sticks / branches to chew and drag around, half her food in a bowl - the other half hidden in toys or in the grass, toys (which are rotated on a daily basis). In addition I try to take her to work with me when possible (twice a week), and the MIL is at our house for two half days... so in reality she is only alone two or three days. You can also find 'doggy daycare' centres which (near us) charge £10 a day to let them run around with other dogs in a large outdoor enclosure.
However it is a commitment. She gets two x 45min - 1 hour walks a day, which we vary from walking, frisbee throwing and bike running, she then gets another 20min late eve walk. We do dog training twice a week (to keep her thinking) and one of these sessions includes some agility. I don't feel that it is fair to leave her alone in the evening or at weekends if she is alone during the week, so nights out or at the cinema during the week are out.
However we have an amazing dog, full of energy, fun and character. She is clever enough to work escape routes out for herself - not great in the garden, but a godsend when out on the bike. She is great with my OH's kids - 9 and 7, as soft as a soft thing with any children, although she can equally play rough with the adults.
It is possible to have a great trail dog as a pet, but it does take some time and patience.
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I go home at lunch to let mine out if the wifes out aswell. An older dog who can still control their bowels may be OK, but a pup will just tear your house apart and get destructive habits or annoy the neighbours if left outside. My neighbours leave theirs with back door open and they trash the hosue, annoy the neighbours and often escape.
flowerpower - firstly, beautiful dog! secondly, sounds very similar to what we would be like.
I accept they take commitment (only ever had cats in the family) - remembering "I'm not our here walking/running/cycling at 6.30am for myself - it's for the dog which I have a responsibility towards"
Another vote for Cocker Spaniel...
This one is mad, but lovely. Never seen a spaniel with as much speed or energy!
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"I'm not out here walking/running/cycling at 6.30am for myself - it's for the dog which I have a responsibility towards"
Exactly! We are up at 6am and take it in turns to walk the dog or commute to work by bike. We each have an 18mile commute, so the car / train user gets home first to do the evening walk. It can work as long as you work out a system. Puppy hood can be difficult. I managed to come home every lunch time, and also took some time off work when she was older to settle her outside (leaving her a few hours at a time), but it is worth it 🙂 We didn't get Copper until she was 5 months old, which I think helped. I'm not sure how you would manage the first 6 months if you had a really wee pup.
This is how she appears to spend most of her time when we are out...
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Lovely dog that Kelpie, but like a collie they are far from ideal first time owners dogs. Saw a couple being dragged around the park by their collie yesterday. Its a bit younger than my lurcher, I'll never forget when theirs was about 4 months and Kea about 7 months them commenting on how much energy my lurcher had. I thought they were bonkers and 3 years on they certainly are.
High energy dogs are not easy to deal with. My lurcher couldnt go on a bike ride with you but she'll walk further than you in a day and then sleep for 22 hours the next day.