|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2007 18:43:39 GMT
Mrs FA wants to get a dog. She absolutely adores Labradors but our house isn't really big enough for one. We want to get something smaller but not as small as a border terrier. I also don't want something with too much fur !
I reckon something about springer spaniel size but not a springer - sorry Susie & Chuckles but they're too mad for us !
Any suggestions ?
FA x
|
|
|
|
Post by nightowl on Jun 25, 2007 19:06:38 GMT
Are you talking pedigree puppy here? Cos it strikes me that if you looked at the mongrels at your local rehoming centre (many are young) you would probably find a dog that fits the bill exactly.  There is a breed called a Manchester Terrier that's sort of labrador-shaped, smooth-coated, smallish but not trip-over size, and I've noticed an awful lot of mongrels look rather like it, don't know why. Just an idea. |
|
|
|
Post by nightowl on Jun 25, 2007 19:21:56 GMT
Or, what about a Beagle?
Just another thought.
|
|
|
|
Post by Shrubrose on Jun 25, 2007 19:31:19 GMT
Corgi's make good house dogs in my experience FA.
Shrub.
|
|
|
|
Post by lottielady on Jun 25, 2007 19:46:30 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by nightowl on Jun 25, 2007 21:01:37 GMT
Oh, LL, that's heartbreaking.  I wish I hadn't looked, I want them all, and I haven't even got room for a dog!  |
|
|
|
Post by MamIDdau on Jun 25, 2007 21:19:01 GMT
You should go up to your local RSPCA or rescue home. That's where we're getting Eric from. They can give you advice and support and you can give a needy dog a loving home. Win win situation!
|
|
|
|
Post by Spruance on Jun 25, 2007 22:22:28 GMT
What about the Jay Gee Dog Sanctuary at Halesworth, Suffolk FA? According to Google Maps it's 46 miles from you, which would mean quite a hike there and back. Then again they do have a good reputation. They have a site just outside Boston, and they are always getting good write ups in the local paper.  |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2007 16:10:28 GMT
If you've got loads of energy Jack Russells are so full of character we've got 2 and they aren't all yappy,or fat or nippy. lol.. I'd definitely go for a rescue dog, poor little loves, they deserve love and a home.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2007 17:30:08 GMT
Thank you all for your suggestions so far.
Mrs FA is a vet nurse and often sees dogs that have been obtained from rescue centres which she describes as having "baggage" from their previous owners - behaviour problems, illnesses etc. Although she acknowledges that not all rescue dogs are like this, she has seen enough of them to be put off.
We've discussed what breed we could have. She is biased very much towards labradors and doesn't seem to want anything else. However, I'm of the opinion that a lab is too big for our house and I don't think we can have one. I'm not sure how this situation could be resolved !
FA x
|
|
|
|
Post by lottielady on Jun 26, 2007 17:45:23 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by Spruance on Jun 26, 2007 17:58:01 GMT
Well I can understand Mrs FA's reservations then Andy, and to be honest I don't see how your house could not be big enough for a labrador. Of course I am biased having previously owned two black labradors for 12+ years each. If you're lucky you will have the dog for at least 12 years, so why compromise? If Mrs FA really wants a lab, then I would just go for it. After all, they are very good with children, and both of ours were good with cats too, although in each case the cat was definitely in charge! |
|
|
|
Post by nightowl on Jun 26, 2007 18:10:37 GMT
Ooh LL, what a pretty dog! Maybe bit hairy for FA? FA, as with most animals, breeders will go for their favourite type, so if you look around you are bound to find that some will breed big, burly ones and others may be much smaller and more lightweight, specially bitches. So maybe you could fit a labrador in!  |
|
|
|
Post by lottielady on Jun 26, 2007 18:13:19 GMT
Saying that - Chocolate Labs are smaller..... well the ones I see around here are. I forgot about the hairyness  LLx |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2007 18:29:46 GMT
LL You might just have cracked it with the Tollers. I think they're lovely but might be a bit of a specialist breed and difficult to get hold of. I'm sure Mrs FA will win in the end but I'm not going to just cave in - she's got to work a bit first and then give me something in return.............. ;D FA x |
|
|
|
Post by oldmoleskins on Jun 26, 2007 18:30:13 GMT
Mrs FA wants to get a dog. She absolutely adores Labradors but our house isn't really big enough for one. We want to get something smaller but not as small as a border terrier. I also don't want something with too much fur ! I reckon something about springer spaniel size but not a springer - sorry Susie & Chuckles but they're too mad for us ! Any suggestions ? FA x Noooo FA, you've got that wrong - Cocker Spaniels are the mad ones, get a bitch Springer with as much white in it as poss - biddable, gentle, small enough to be welcome anywhere without swiping the cups off the coffee table with its tail and big enough to be a real dog. OM. |
|
|
|
Post by Shrubrose on Jun 26, 2007 19:04:17 GMT
It is resolvable (?) FA. It really is. And you've almost done it, judging by your last post. Just give in. It's easier than it sounds. ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by nightowl on Jun 27, 2007 7:58:46 GMT
LL You might just have cracked it with the Tollers. I think they're lovely but might be a bit of a specialist breed and difficult to get hold of. I'm sure Mrs FA will win in the end but I'm not going to just cave in - she's got to work a bit first and then give me something in return.............. ;D FA x If you like the look of the Tollers FA, then what about a collie cross? Have a look at AL's Eric ( I assume he's a collie X) He's absolutely gorgeous and not unlike a Toller. |
|
|
|
Post by MamIDdau on Jun 27, 2007 8:53:07 GMT
Well we're not quite sure what he is but his dad looks like a German Shepherd cross (he's not as big as a GS though) and apparently his mum was a retriever of some sort. He was brought in as a pup so experienced no cruelty as such but has known nothing other than the kennels. Not all cruelty cases involve dogs coming along with emotional baggage, some are just dogs whose owner's had passed away too so there's no real reason for them to be in there. Having a look at some rescue centres won't hurt.... We only went for a look! Ended up signing up for Eric. And don't regret it one bit! Comes home with us on friday, sooooo excited!! |
|
|
|
Post by nightowl on Jun 27, 2007 8:59:59 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by MamIDdau on Jun 27, 2007 12:13:02 GMT
Well, we're trying not to too much because he's got to get used to being left as well and not being with us 24/7. It's going to be hard to be strict though! He might need some house training and getting used to house noises as a puppy would do because he's never been in a house before, only ever known kennels. However, it will be worth it in the end giving a really nice dog a loving home.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cheerypeabrain on Jun 27, 2007 17:07:07 GMT
We got our mongrel from a rehoming centre as a puppy...she was easy to train, smooth haired and GORGEOUS...but if your OH has her heart set on a lab (and is fully aware of their tendency to be a bit lairy for the first couple of years...) then how about taking in a Guide Dogs for the blind 'reject' ? Not all of their puppies are of a suitable temperament for working as guide dogs so I think that they rehome them...the puppy walkers can't possibly kep them ALL...can they?  |
|
|
|
Post by nightowl on Jun 27, 2007 22:22:37 GMT
What a brilliant idea CPB, and think how beautifully trained it would be FA.
It must be possible to get reject "sniffer dogs" in the same way, they're often Labs and Spaniels, aren't they?
|
|
|
|
Post by madonplants on Jun 28, 2007 9:52:44 GMT
I like collies and you can get a smooth collie, but have you tried something like this to help you chose. www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/select/index.htmSorry Shrubrose, but not sure about Corgis. Ask people who visit Buckingham Palace. Her corgi's have allegedly bitten quite a few people in their time. Also I know someone who took on one from someone who had died and this 'dog' killed an Alsation. Won't tell you how, as LL might read!! I know all dogs can have bad examples. My first dog as a child, was a collie cross spaniel. It was great. If you get the right mix, mongrels can be OK! If not go for the lab. You can't say your house is too small, I have seen many living on narrowboats on my canal holidays!! Keith |
|
|
|
Post by nightowl on Jun 28, 2007 14:58:48 GMT
Know what you mean about all dogs can be good or bad. Our local pub has a Rottie, and he's as soft as s**t. Lovely dog. I asked them what they thought he'd do about burglars and they said he'd sit on them and slobber them into submission! ;D ;D |
|
|
|
Post by madonplants on Jun 28, 2007 16:10:48 GMT
Know what you mean about all dogs can be good or bad. Our local pub has a Rottie, and he's as soft as s**t. Lovely dog. I asked them what they thought he'd do about burglars and they said he'd sit on them and slobber them into submission! ;D ;D I remember one of them, when my eldest was about four. It's name? Tyson, what else could one be called? When we met it would roll over and want it's tummy tickled!! It just didn't look right! ;D Keith |
|
|
|
Post by nightowl on Jun 28, 2007 17:13:46 GMT
Know what you mean about all dogs can be good or bad. Our local pub has a Rottie, and he's as soft as s**t. Lovely dog. I asked them what they thought he'd do about burglars and they said he'd sit on them and slobber them into submission! ;D ;D I remember one of them, when my eldest was about four. It's name? Tyson, what else could one be called? When we met it would roll over and want it's tummy tickled!! It just didn't look right! ;D Keith Yes, Logan does that as well. I know what they mean about the sitting-on though, he does try to hitch his bum up on your lap, and he weighs a ton!! Once, when I squatted down to get something off the floor, he wandered over to be nosy and knocked me flat on my back!! And then licked ( slobbered ) me!! Love him to bits. |
|
