Dogs

[haraven]

We are babysitting a boxer for the sister-in-law. I don't know much about dogs, but I guess on a forum this large there are a few dog-owners.

Therefore, in the light of us getting one sometime in the future (lady states repeatedky she wants one in the future, but not untill we move out of the city), what is your dog, and what is so great about that race?

If I could choose I would like a Rottweiler, I think they look great, but I hear they are quite stubborn and not easy to handle.

People who dislike dogs are of course also free to speak their will.

[Sparky]

Got a Staffordshire bull terrier cally Lily , soft as shit and a real character. She is 14 now though and not got too long left id imagine. Be hard when we lose her

[lou]

My friend breeds Rottweilers and they are not bad dogs its just the fact that they are so big, heavy and strong that if anything does go wrong its very hard to stop them but theyre no more aggressive than most other breeds its the owners that are the problem not the dogs. They need training properly from puppies and firm handling - the same can be said for any other dog though.

Ive got a Parson Russell Terrier, like most terriers theyre very strong willed, intelligent and need a lot of training. Mines not good with small children and can be feisty with other dogs too, I couldnt walk her off the lead unless its on a large park (we tend to stick to Knighton Park) and she will chase anything that moves. Rabbits, squirrels and Pigeons are favourite she will kill them if she catches them too but thats the breed!

The worst thing about mine is she'll go down fox/rabbit/badger holes and wont come out for ages, weve had to dig her out with a shovel on numerous occasions I tend to avoid places with fox holes etc now else she has to stay on the lead. Shes fiercely protective of all of us though and very loyal, has never chewed anything or damaged the house. Id not be without her to be honest.

All Id say if youre thinking of having a dog is to research the breed thoroughly and find out their good and bad points.... some dogs dont like being left on their own for example? I spent hours choosing the right breed dog for our lifestyle.

Good luck!

[Matt]

I had a Rottweiler, Lovely, Soft as shit, They are not the stubborn, hard to handle, angry and nasty dog you hear reports of, Not in my experience anyway my parents bought her when I was baby so she grew up with me.

I now have a Labrador, He is also soft, very playful and still thinks he's 3 years old despite actually being 10 with dodgy legs (His downfall...He still thinks he can shoot down the garden like a greyhound then fall down as his knee gives in, yet he doesn't learn), I'd actually say he is more dangerous and more a of a threat that the Rottweiler I had but I put this down to me being older and winding him up/play fighting with him compared to the Rottweiler we had, but he still soft as shit, and loves playing with my 2 year old Goddaughter/6 year old Godson, he knows where he stands and he knows i'm boss.

It's all about keeping the dog in check, letting them know who's boss, and how you bring them up, Dog's are dangerous animals when bought up in the wrong hands - I hated it when that 'Witch Hunt' against Rottweiler's came about a few years (?) ago when you heard in the news kid after kid, person after person being mauled and attacked by dogs, Rottweilers in particular because it was how the dogs were bought up, and how come you're not hearing in the news about all these mailings and attacks now?

I would like a Boxer next but I fear they are too bouncy, excitable (Like any dog really), never grow up (Even worse case than my Labrador ).

[haraven]

The worst thing about mine is she'll go down fox/rabbit/badger holes and wont come out for ages, weve had to dig her out with a shovel on numerous occasions I tend to avoid places with fox holes etc now else she has to stay on the lead. Shes fiercely protective of all of us though and very loyal, has never chewed anything or damaged the house. Id not be without her to be honest.

Had to laugh at that fox hole thing. I can understand that is quite annoying.

All Id say if youre thinking of having a dog is to research the breed thoroughly and find out their good and bad points.... some dogs dont like being left on their own for example? I spent hours choosing the right breed dog for our lifestyle.

Good luck!

Cheers, we are allready doing quite a bit of research, so that is sound advice. We don't want one untill we are sure we got the time to take care of it properly either. The more realistic options at the moment is Flat Coat Retriever and Irish or English set (setter) ?. Good luck with your dog, sounds like a fun one.

[lou]

I had a Rottweiler, Lovely, Soft as shit, They are not the stubborn, hard to handle, angry and nasty dog you hear reports of, Not in my experience anyway my parents bought her when I was baby so she grew up with me.

I now have a Labrador, He is also soft, very playful and still thinks he's 3 years old despite actually being 10 with dodgy legs (His downfall...He still thinks he can shoot down the garden like a greyhound then fall down as his knee gives in, yet he doesn't learn), I'd actually say he is more dangerous and more a of a threat that the Rottweiler I had but I put this down to me being older and winding him up/play fighting with him compared to the Rottweiler we had, but he still soft as shit, and loves playing with my 2 year old Goddaughter/6 year old Godson, he knows where he stands and he knows i'm boss.

It's all about keeping the dog in check, letting them know who's boss, and how you bring them up, Dog's are dangerous animals when bought up in the wrong hands - I hated it when that 'Witch Hunt' against Rottweiler's came about a few years (?) ago when you heard in the news kid after kid, person after person being mauled and attacked by dogs, Rottweilers in particular because it was how the dogs were bought up, and how come you're not hearing in the news about all these mailings and attacks now?

I would like a Boxer next but I fear they are too bouncy, excitable (Like any dog really), never grow up (Even worse case than my Labrador ).

I would never trust any dog alone with a child as you rightly say they are dangerous animals at the end of the day.

Im sure I read somewhere that more people are bitten by Labradors in this country than any other breed? Could be wrong but it rings bells... like you say its all about the owners and the way they handle them. All the Rottys Ive ever known have been lovely bar one which was left shut in the house on its own all day and never walked.... not the dogs fault it ended up aggressive.

[lildave3]

Mine is FAT.

[haraven]

I had a Rottweiler, Lovely, Soft as shit, They are not the stubborn, hard to handle, angry and nasty dog you hear reports of, Not in my experience anyway my parents bought her when I was baby so she grew up with me.

Glad to hear thate mate, I really like those dogs from where I stand.

I would like a Boxer next but I fear they are too bouncy, excitable (Like any dog really), never grow up (Even worse case than my Labrador ).

From whatever I read from this one, which is 7, is that she is a very happy and caring dog. She loves to play, and is quite fun but yes - bouncy, to be around. The biggest drawback is the constant drooling - not a big fan of that.

[lou]

Had to laugh at that fox hole thing. I can understand that is quite annoying.

Cheers, we are allready doing quite a bit of research, so that is sound advice. We don't want one untill we are sure we got the time to take care of it properly either. The more realistic options at the moment is Flat Coat Retriever and Irish or English set (setter) ?. Good luck with your dog, sounds like a fun one.

I love English Setters!

Thanks, she is barmy on the whole but a great deal of fun

[Part Of The Crowd]

I have two Irish Wolfhounds. They are big and awesome. They are loyal as fook, generally quiet - they don't bark, and have a great attitude towards other people and dogs. I want to build a chariot and attach them to it at some point though, it has to be done.

[LCFC-ARAB]

I have a black labrador and he's awesome

but he does bite me all the time, but thats just cause i wrestle him pretty much everyday

i've had him since i was 8 and he's 13 now, he's just like another brother

but he's getting on a bit!

[Steven]

Get yourself a pair of Border Collies as they are so easy to train but do needs lots of exercise/stimulation. Failing that a Jack Russell is a good substitute.

[lou]

This isnt mine but is the absolute spitting image of her.... havent got a pic of mine on the comp!

[Daggers]

[Guest Mee-9]

Jack Russell

[Finnegan]

Make sure you read up on a breed and get something that'll fit your lifestyle. Don't get a border collie (as lovely as they are), for example, if you don't have the time to give it plenty of exercise because it'll get horribly bored and depressed if left to be inactive; similarly don't get something powerful and notoriously capable of harm like a rottweiler, alsatian or doberman if you don't have the time or experience to raise it properly because while their reputations are unfair they also can be a threat if they're neglected or mistreated.

It's all just common sense at the end of the day.

I love collies, I used to be terrified of dogs when I was little - something I very much grew out of - but I've always loved collies. Exceptionally intelligent, quick, mild-mannered dogs that don't tend to make a lot of noise. Perfect!

[Daggers]

Make sure you read up on a breed and get something that'll fit your lifestyle.

I didn't.

I was lucky - our Springer just happens to enjoy roller-blading, semi-contact Salsa dancing and pro-am macramé every inch as much as I do.

Phew!

[Finnegan]

I didn't.

I was lucky - our Springer just happens to enjoy roller-blading, semi-contact Salsa dancing and pro-am macramé every inch as much as I do.

Phew!

Aye I share your gratitude to the lords of fate every time I share a brewski and a game of Pro Ev with Mac.

[lou]

I didn't.

I was lucky - our Springer just happens to enjoy roller-blading, semi-contact Salsa dancing and pro-am macramé every inch as much as I do.

Phew!

Ive always wanted a Springer but imagined them to be a bit too lively and mental, we ended up with a smaller mentalist instead

[Daggers]

Ive always wanted a Springer but imagined them to be a bit too lively and mental, we ended up with a smaller mentalist instead

Lively?

In the park, yes - but not the lump of shit sprawled out and snoring across the settee.

He gets well grumpy if he doesn't get his daytime kips before his night-time sleep.

[Finnegan]

Was the springer your choice or the kids'?

I've always thought they're sort of ugly/stupid looking, tbh. :\

[Daggers]

I've always thought they're sort of ugly/stupid looking, tbh. :\

I didn't know you'd met my kids?

[lou]

Was the springer your choice or the kids'?

I've always thought they're sort of ugly/stupid looking, tbh. :\

I didn't know you'd met my kids?

I think Springers are gorgeous looking... yes stupid but in a nice way

[Zingari]

shitzu and jack russel cross ,

its called a jack shitzu

[Finnegan]

I didn't know you'd met my kids?

Not touching that one.