Dog dilemma ....

[Fab Foodie]

Need some input as were reaching an awkward impasse at home.

Mrs FF has long been wittering-on about having a dog. I've given in to this with one condition that it's something reasonably small. I grew-up with Old English Sheepdogs, so am fully aware of the pitfalls of large dog ownership, quantities of food, space occupied in the house, transportation space in cars, wet beards/slobber on laps yadda yadda. In fact mRs FF found them hugely objectionable and one of the many reasons she hated staying with my parents. The dogs were a PITA for most of my life frankly. But I'm OK on smaller dogs. A JRT or similar wouyld be perfect, but Mrs FF now has it in her head that they're all snappy and not suitable.

Mrs FF would like a Labrador or a Border Collie. These to my mind are too big. We're registered with the Blue Cross for a rescue dog as a Puppie is probably a less suitable option. Theree are limited types of dogs that they get, a lot of Staffies etc which we're not going for.

I've suggested that we get the neighbour round with their Lab to get an idea how it loks space-wise in the house, or in the car, but that's not acceptable. I've suggested that we go to a dog show and look around at different breeds, but she's not interested in that either, she say's she knows what she wants and that's that. It's becoming more about a battle of wills than choosing a pet.
Her argument is that all I want is a JRT (not true, any smallish mutt is fine - though I'm not big on Spaniels or toy dogs and anything she suggests is 'too big'. Bear in mind that Mrs FF has never had a dog or lived with one.

To my mind there are loads of different ypes of dogs and we should go look at some. All breeds have rescue organisations too. Mongrels are peachy too.

Anyone had a similar problem or any ideas how to move forward? The irony is that I'm the one who so far has done all the research and legwork here ... and I'm the one whos least bothered if we have a dog or not.

 

[pally83]

We have a lab-collie cross from the RSPCA that we got 4 years ago when he was 10 months old. We live in a 2-up 2-down with a small yard and have a 20 month old child. The space is tight but he fits in nicely - his temperament probably helps as he is very soft.

One of our neighbours has just picked up a huskamute - which will be huge and dwarf their house.

You should try and get the neighbours to bring their dog round without letting yer missus know beforehand. Do it when she's out so she can come back to a house with dog.

 

[vernon]

Just say no or make it clear that Mrs FF will be totally responsible for the dog, its mess, damage and vet bills.

Two of my colleagues have had very expensive labradors. The dogs themselves were cheap enough as far as pedigree labradors go but they caused a lot of damage through knocking stuff of the work surfaces in search of tasty morsels, they could open the fridge and devour the contents. They chewed through the seals on the washing machines and tumble driers. They also chewed chair legs and scratched their way through the upholstery on three piece suites. Then there were the vests bills for the surgical removal of golf balls - don't take the dog on a golf course for a walk.

 

[twobiker]

We have had several dogs and when they get old, if you have to have them put down it was very emotional, so we will not get another one.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Get a Fox Terrier, I had a toy one on wheels when I was a small child and it was no trouble at all.

Me too!
Some of those for adoption would be peachy in my book.

 

[edwardd67]

I've two 11week old Westie pups they are great fun but extremely hard work at times.
Think long and hard before getting any dog.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I've two 11week old Westie pups they are great fun but extremely hard work at times.
Think long and hard before getting any dog.

Sure, that's exactly what I'm trying to do rather than an emotional 'I want a dog' which seems to be more the thinking at home.

 

[steve52]

the only answer appers to be a new wife or better still a tourering bike and campping gear

 

[Vapin' Joe]

Timely thread, Mrs SJ has just gone to the local dog sanctuary to pick up a five year old Sherpie called Fudge, taken into care after it's owner had to be...er, taken into care.

You're either a dog person or you're not, we have always had two in the family (currently a Welsh Springer). We wouldn't be without them, but dogs are like children, not to be had unless you are both fully committed and happy to care for them.

The dog we had from a pup for 11 years till she died a couple of months back was a Lab/Collie cross as mentioned by Pally83. If you are going to get a dog you couldn't get better, lovely temperament and not being a pure bred they are not prone to the expensive genetic problems that such dogs often are.

 

[Andy_R]

As other have said, cross-breeds (not mongrels!) are probably your best bet. You are likely to find that they have better tempraments and tend to be in better health than pure breeds. Think of pure breeds as inbred, with a small gene pool; a bit like the royal family! Our dogs have all been cross-breeds and not a single one has caused us problems. Our current mutt is a pointer/staffie cross and is absolutely gorgeous - soft as the proverbial and bright too. We had a lab/collie cross, and she was a little sweetheart, anything crossed with a collie is actually going to be on the smaller side (ever seen a soaking wet collie, there's nothing to them but hair!), so please take the time to consider a mut as a companion, instead of a pure breed as a fashion statement.

 

[Speicher]

Sure, that's exactly what I'm trying to do rather than an emotional 'I want a dog' which seems to be more the thinking at home.

If there are emotions so strongly involved in this, have you asked Mrs FF about her reasons for wanting a large dog?

For instance does she want a companion when she is on her own in the house? Or does she want a reason for getting exercise?

If it is a companion that she seeks, now that your children are older, then the size of dog IMO shouldn't be important.

 

[rusky]

What about an ex racing greyhound? don't need much exercise either!

 

[gbb]

I can add a couple of things about the specific breeds mentioned...
JRT's. Had a bitch many years ago and she turned very very snappy as she got older. She was also very difficult to train to do as she was told. that may have been an inadequacy on our behalf, i don't know, she just seemed to do what she wanted to do.
So snappy in the end, with young kids and her age, we decided to put her down. Sounds heartless, but she was 13 IIRC and had a good innings.

Had two pedigree Labs. Proceed very carefully. They are now suffering from the same problems people had with German shepherds 10/20 years ago. Poor breeding's bringing a lot of hip problems out. My current one developed problems at around 8 months...completely displaced hips. He's fine now, the body develops muscle to counteract it, but it'll come back as he gets to maybe 5 or 6....and it'll be reasonably untreatable at that time, so it'll shorten his lifespan. We did have him examined when we first got him, no signs at that time of what was to come. I think you need to have a proper hip score done to minimise the risk.
On the plus side, he's the best dog we've ever had, his temperment is awesome although he does need to be outdoors, he vegetates if he doesnt get excercise. Labs love children and play, never in a million years have any of mine snarled or gave me any concern with the kids and grandkids.


Vet insurance is a must IMO, my last 4 dogs over 30 years...
JRT, healthy as a butchers dog, never cost a penny. Shame she turned so awful from about 8 years old, but she always was a handfull.

Lab x Doderman...fantastic dog but he developed Cushings at about 10, like a canine version of Alzheimers. It was going to cost an absolute fortune to treat him with no cure and he was a empty shell of his former self. Had i had insurance, i still don't think i'd have had him treated.

Fox red Lab pedigree. Lovely dog, died at 5 years due to poisoning (not deliberate, i think the council had been spraying herbicides just before he got ill). Had i had insurance i'd have thrown the lot at him, but i didn't and it caused me to skimp...and maybe cost him his life.

Choc Lab i have now, poor hips, fabulous dog. The hips problem cost a bit early on, but i had insurance based on previous experiences. Then he got canine meningitis...fully treated, but cost IRO £5000. Thank heavens for the insurance, i wouldnt/couldnt have done it without it.

 

[the_mikey]

Just say no or make it clear that Mrs FF will be totally responsible for the dog, its mess, damage and vet bills.

Two of my colleagues have had very expensive labradors. The dogs themselves were cheap enough as far as pedigree labradors go but they caused a lot of damage through knocking stuff of the work surfaces in search of tasty morsels, they could open the fridge and devour the contents. They chewed through the seals on the washing machines and tumble driers. They also chewed chair legs and scratched their way through the upholstery on three piece suites. Then there were the vests bills for the surgical removal of golf balls - don't take the dog on a golf course for a walk.

Had a miniature Dachshund once, even one of those can destroy a house in no time, almost as good as having a cat!

 

[fossyant]

Small dog, great fun, brill with kids = Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. My folks have had a golden retriever (great dog with kids but as a pup ate just about everything, including the kitchen floor) and they are on their 3rd King Charles. Last two suffered heart trouble, but lived till 10-12 years. Had a gap and have a 2 year old ruby coloured on. Lovely dogs, like company, love kids. Watching their weight is key. Latest dog is on a good diet and lots of walks. Intelligent dogs too.