Mrs FF wants a dog ....

[Fab Foodie]

Thanks Baggy and User13710, I think we could consider a rescue dog, or a mongrel we're not rushing into this.

 

[swee'pea99]

Hate to be a party pooper but I personally wouldn't be in a rush to get a rescue dog. I had a rescue cat once, and the anti-social wee bugger was a thoroughly unrewarding companion for 13 long years. I'm not blaming the poor bugger - it had obviously had a bad start in life. But a dog or a cat is a long commitment, and tho' compassion for a poor unwanted beastie is commendable, I personally wouldn't put that top of my agenda in such an important decision.

I wouldn't go for a puppy farm either. My missus got our hound from a small sort of semi-professional one-litter-a-year type breeder, after plenty of research and ringing round and talking to people and all that sort of thing. And she's been an unmitigated delight from day one - and healthy as the day is long (and that's also, like it or not, an issue. Vet's bills for a dodgy dog can be absolutely crippling.)

But as for The Main Decision - you clearly don't need much persuading, but certainly if asked I would have no hesitation in saying yes, yes, YES! Get a mutt! You'll never regret it.

 

[TheBoyBilly]

May, as an owner, recommend a rescue Staffie. There are loads of loving yet unloved SBTs in care that would make wonderful companions. They are not an aggressive breed - strong yes - but are not nicknamed the 'nanny' dog for nothing. Great with kids. I passed a rescue kennels today with mine on her lead and three were going out with their handlers for 'walkies'. I nearly went home with four dogs! I love 'em, can you tell?

Bill

 

[Arch]

...how about Jack, beagle-cross at Burford Blue Cross?

I don't know very much about dogs, but I like the look of him.

So do I! Very cute.

What lot of tongue he has!

 

[Noodley]

I'll drop my MiL an e-mail FF, she knows a lot of terrier people and is sure to know a reputable breeder near you.

 

[Fnaar]

I thank you, can you guess what his name is?

Snodgrass

 

[graham56]

I thank you, can you guess what his name is?

Spot.

 

[Fab Foodie]

I'll drop my MiL an e-mail FF, she knows a lot of terrier people and is sure to know a reputable breeder near you.

Thank you very much Mr Noodley Sir!

 

[andyoxon]

A fringe benefit is that one can use the doggy doodoo (within plastic bag!), as a hand warmer when winter sets in...

We're resisting the mini's pleas for a cute dog - but then it would be alone for long periods...

 

[Fab Foodie]

A fringe benefit is that one can use the doggy doodoo (within plastic bag!), as a hand warmer when winter sets in...

We're resisting the mini's pleas for a cute dog - but then it would be alone for long periods...

Eeeewwwww
It's Mrs FF's pet and I've stated that poop picking and carrying is NOT my business!

The kids never really wanted a dog or cat, but Mrs FF has been grumbling on about it for a while. Me, I'd have Guinea-Pigs again, or maybe chickens!

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

JR's are Ok if properly trained and bred, but as a generarl rule I'm against all 'pure bred' dogs. IMHO you'd be better off with a mongrel of some sort. If you choose carefully, you'll find plenty of dogs in rescue centres; some will be crazy, but others will have been sent there for genuine reasons such as their owners death.

Yes, a GREAT tip is to actually ask the staff if there are any they would recommend for you or if there are any special dogs that really need a home. Remember, DON'T just go looking for puppies, very often getting an older dog with the right advice from the shelter is much more rewarding.
We got our first dog Bruno (Staffie/Alsation/Labrador/Heinz 57 cross) by asking the staff. He'd been at the Shelter for 3 months because he was older and it was approaching Christmas, so the staff were VERY keen to see him get a home before they had to put dogs down to make space (I don't think the charity in question does that now).

You couldn't have ever met a more gentle, quiet, placid and loving dog ever! he was one of the shelter's 'Special' dogs, and he went on to be a Therapet at our local old folks home for 5 years.

He was put down last year at the age of 12 (we think anyway - he had been found as a stray so we knew nothing about his past, other than he had signs of being abused).

GET A RESCUE DOG, and an OLDER dog at that, you WONT regret it!!

Thanks Baggy and User13710, I think we could consider a rescue dog, or a mongrel we're not rushing into this.

Good Man!

Bruno was so quiet that we didn't even notice him the first time we went round the Cat and Dog Home - whilst all the other dogs were up at the fence barking their heads off, he was just sat up the back looking on as if to say

'What's the point?'

The staff had to point him out to us, and thus, a beautiful friendship was formed there and then with him.

Yes, but that is a CAT! Cats are thoroughly evil things at the best of times.

If FF does as I have said above and ask the staff about what they would recommend in their expert opinion (i.e. knowing the dogs), then he shouldn't go wrong.

May, as an owner, recommend a rescue Staffie. There are loads of loving yet unloved SBTs in care that would make wonderful companions. They are not an aggressive breed - strong yes - but are not nicknamed the 'nanny' dog for nothing. Great with kids. I passed a rescue kennels today with mine on her lead and three were going out with their handlers for 'walkies'. I nearly went home with four dogs! I love 'em, can you tell?
Bill

Yes, our current dog is Cindy, a 3 legged * Staffie and she is a daft as a box of frogs (as most Staffies are), but she is also very loving and affectionate, so we would never want another dog!

Staffies, if not trained properly or at all, can be dangerous, but luckily most aren't.

* - Car accident. We got her like that from the rescue Centre, but it doesn't stop her any!

Eeeewwwww
It's Mrs FF's pet and I've stated that poop picking and carrying is NOT my business!

Oh you say that now, but believe me, warm poo is much nicer to pick up than cold poo, trust me!

 

[coffeejo]

Feed your dog raw meat and bones and the poo is completely different. Not nicer, but a lot less unpleasant. And it goes white and crumbles away within a couple of days if there's any poo in the garden that you missed.

 

[snapper_37]

They are not an aggressive breed

Dunno if I quite believe that. There's a reason why there are so many staffies in rescue centres and if they aren't trained properly and firmly, they can be very aggressive. It's not so much the agression that is the problem, it is the way they are built that can cause maximum damage.

Get a cross breed rescue pooch FF. Just be prepared for anything, have loads of patience and give loads of love.

 

[edwardd67]

I had to have my 14 year old Westie put down yesterday. Only had her 3 years took her on at 11years old. Not a rescued dog but a pre-loved dog.The house is empty without her . She was only a small dog but a very big presence.

You know all about the emotional attachment to dogs each dog is different and are special.

I'm gutted to lose my dog and don't think I would ever get another dog.
Good luck if you get a dog .

 

[Chromatic]

If you've got the time to devote to one of them, then get a Patterdale, best dogs ever!

http://www.patterdaleterrierrescue.co.uk/