Getting a dog. What to go for?

[PaulB]

We're going to get a dog. The question is, what kind of dog? These are our options but any suggestions from dog owners/lovers out there very welcome. We have no kids at home, no other pets and large gardens front and rear and are surrounded by open fields.

A) Pedigree puppy Westie
Pedigree puppy Lab
C) Pedigree puppy Jack Russel
D) Pedigree puppy Lancashire Heeler
E) Pedigree puppy Border Terrier
F) One year-old border collie
G) 1-2 yr-old rescue dog
H) Heinz puppy

All the above are available to us within the next month.

 

[wafflycat]

Depends upon your lifestyle. Can you make the time in your day, every day, to go out for two long walks (morning & evening) with a dog that needs a lot of exercise? Or will you have to look to a more 'sedate' or small dog that doesn't require so much time devoted to exercising it? Will you be taking it on holidays with you? If so, is that Great Dane going to fit in the car.. if you see what I mean.

 

[adscrim]

Border Terrier - purely because of the hair thing! That being they don't leave as much around as the others.

 

[Dayvo]

I'd go for a Border Terrier, as well.

Or a Husky - useful to have in the wilderness of Merseyside!

 

[Auntie Helen]

I've had a lab. They are wonderful, wonderful dogs - but they are food obsessive which means you get food stolen a lot. Also all that dog hair - they moult continuously. Our lab died ten years ago and we still find dog hair occasionally, and we've moved house since.

Depends I suppose if you want a big or a smaller dog. For a big dog a lab is a pretty safe bet if you can cope with the downsides.

Border Collies are very intelligent and need a LOT of stimulation to stop them getting bored. I'd steer clear of one myself.

 

[Corvette chic]

don't be fooled by small dogs not needing much exercise, terriers are working dogs whether they've been taught or not they need more exercise than a great dane what does your other half fancy? and if you can afford it can you take two? i'm only asking as my preference would be the rescue dog and border collie (hoping that the collie's been trained to basic come, sit etc...) you'll have to go with your gut instincts on this paul

i have a border x jack russell she's mental but she's rescue so don't know her background - kills anything she gets hold hence a lot of walks are done by lead...

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I'd be inclined to get the rescue dog as it's a good thing to do. You haven't got kids at home so if it's initially 'difficult' it won't be an issue.

 

[Graham O]

Terriers can be snappy and not good with strangers. Border Collies are not a lot of work, but they can be psycho. Heinz are generally quite good, but you can't beat a Lab. Just wonderful dogs. They can be greedy, but ours never stole food until she became old and cantakerous (dogs DO take after their masters!). Fantastic company, good with kids, strangers etc and generally obedient. Personally I wouldn't consider anything else.

 

[tyred]

I would go for a border collie.

THey do like/need lots of exercise though.

 

[Alien8]

No brainer - (G)

Don't encourage dog breeders.

 

[ACS]

Blue Roan Cocker Spaniel

 

[accountantpete]

Get the rescue dog and call it Owen.

 

[karen.488walker]

I would just make sure that you want one. Know so many people who have had to return them (myself included) however, they all had children. I'm voting for the heinz puppy. 1) because it doesn't encourage breeders 2) he sounds cute and 3) because I love labels.

 

[karen.488walker]

oh and I would call him Clive

 

[Soltydog]

If you have never had a dog before, avoid the border collie. They need far more exercise & mental stimultion that any of the others mentioned AFAIK.
We've had many dogs over the years (4 at present) & the only one that we found really hard was a BC

Personally I'd go to a rescue kennels & get a Heinz. We have 2 that were both kicked out/abandoned at christmas time & they have been great dogs

I'd like a greyhound next, as they are low maintenance & don't need as much exercise as many other breeds