Dog advice
#1
Dog advice
Looking to get a dog and wanted opinions for from scoobynet on breeds.
Its primary function will be as a guard dog and it will get two longish walks a day. 40 min plus.
I want however an animal that is OK to be on its own for 5- 6 hours at a time and one that will be relatively easy to socialize for with visitors etc. I like dog de bordeauxs and rotties but not really sure how well they get on on their own or how predictable their temprement is.
I would also be interested in a easily trained dog as our family pets over the years have been a night mare to train especially a staffy that pretty much ran off throught the woods every time it went for a walk with the springer.
Its primary function will be as a guard dog and it will get two longish walks a day. 40 min plus.
I want however an animal that is OK to be on its own for 5- 6 hours at a time and one that will be relatively easy to socialize for with visitors etc. I like dog de bordeauxs and rotties but not really sure how well they get on on their own or how predictable their temprement is.
I would also be interested in a easily trained dog as our family pets over the years have been a night mare to train especially a staffy that pretty much ran off throught the woods every time it went for a walk with the springer.
#3
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Dobermann. Beautiful temperament; especially bitches. They make excellent family dogs but they seem to frighten people because of their television image.
#4
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Whatever you get try and get some professional training,you both will benefit.There are plenty of sites which explain the good and bad points of most breeds and will let you know of certain traits which some breeds have. I have an alaskan malamute,they can be very stubborn and need to be socialised from an early age.
#6
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The above is all very well but what is it going to be left doing for those 5-6 hours a day on its own? Will it be out in a yard being a guard dog or is it going to be confined to a relatively small space, be it a room indoors or a pen outside?
If you were to listen to any dog rehoming centre they wouldn't allow you to have a dog if it's going to be regularly left on its own for that amount of time. Dogs are pack animals and therefore need company, whether that be another dog or human company. 5-6 hours every day on their own is not fair on any dog.
If you were to listen to any dog rehoming centre they wouldn't allow you to have a dog if it's going to be regularly left on its own for that amount of time. Dogs are pack animals and therefore need company, whether that be another dog or human company. 5-6 hours every day on their own is not fair on any dog.
#7
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get a Rottweiler
look how cute!!!
this was Diesel at about 3months
D is left on his own and he's just over 8months now, as my husband works odd shifts it doesn't happen that often, he works 2 days, 2 nights and then 4 days off, so when the day shifts fall on a week day he is left from 9am till 6pm for two days and he's fine... he has chewed a few of my things from the kitchen since he's learnt he can now reach the sides but as long as a dog is loved and exercised as much as you can they don't mind being left on their own
look how cute!!!
this was Diesel at about 3months
D is left on his own and he's just over 8months now, as my husband works odd shifts it doesn't happen that often, he works 2 days, 2 nights and then 4 days off, so when the day shifts fall on a week day he is left from 9am till 6pm for two days and he's fine... he has chewed a few of my things from the kitchen since he's learnt he can now reach the sides but as long as a dog is loved and exercised as much as you can they don't mind being left on their own
Last edited by ScoobySteph; 25 September 2009 at 02:48 PM.
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#8
So using that criteria,the only people allowed to own a dog should either be unemployed,retired or work from home or if you work away from home you should have at least two dogs,so they can keep each other company?
What about when you have to go shopping etc,most shops will not let dogs in except for guide dogs.
Our choccie lab is left for about 5hrs on her own,once or twice a week,depending on my shifts,whilst we're all at work/school but she's regularly exercised by whoevers home first.
She's got a dog flap fitted in the back door so she can go play outside/chase birds around the garden,go the toilet etc.
Pete
What about when you have to go shopping etc,most shops will not let dogs in except for guide dogs.
Our choccie lab is left for about 5hrs on her own,once or twice a week,depending on my shifts,whilst we're all at work/school but she's regularly exercised by whoevers home first.
She's got a dog flap fitted in the back door so she can go play outside/chase birds around the garden,go the toilet etc.
Pete
Last edited by pj748r; 25 September 2009 at 02:52 PM.
#10
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Criminals can have them, and drug dealers too !
When I inherited two from my late mother, they were left from 7:30 AM till 6 PM. It's all about exercise and routine, no "accidents" either. Eventually found a neighbour to let them out at lunch time and she had to almost drag them out on a lead.... they weren't really bothered.
An hours walk first thing and another as soon as I got in was fine, then a half hour at 11 PM just to do some sky-watching.
dunx
When I inherited two from my late mother, they were left from 7:30 AM till 6 PM. It's all about exercise and routine, no "accidents" either. Eventually found a neighbour to let them out at lunch time and she had to almost drag them out on a lead.... they weren't really bothered.
An hours walk first thing and another as soon as I got in was fine, then a half hour at 11 PM just to do some sky-watching.
dunx
Last edited by dunx; 25 September 2009 at 05:43 PM.
#11
Always amuses me how the usual suspect dogs appear, there are loads of breeds that arent "hard" dogs, all Dogs are great, just being a dog is enough, it doesnt need to be a trophy or impressive and to be honest you can get a wet, timid Doberman or a Lion Hearted Chihuhua, meet the actual Dog or hope for the best, our little fart Yorkie Poo is way more engaging than the Border Collie we rehomed or the Cocker we had for 15 years, dont assume it needs to be big to be a good dog, not that the big ones arent by the way !
#12
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Is it OK to keep a Lion chained up in your back garden ?
The chain will be quite long and the garden is large.
It can have a large cabin type hut, and a log to lie on when its sunny.
Im thinking of feeding it from the bedroom window, then when its full taking it for a walk past the local offy, to enhance my already hard as **** image.
I may enquire about a rescued one from a circus/cerial pack or something similar, as I will feel better about giving it a fuller life.
Do they roar much, of a night I mean when Im trying to sleep, I dont mind it roaring when Im in work or someone is trying the handles on me cars.
How much pooh do they drop, and do they bury it like a cat ?
I may settle for something a bit smaller like a Tiger, but a Lion is my first choice.
I would love a white one, but I think it would be hard to keep it clean.
What are they like with children ?
Sorry for all the questions....but a standard Link house alarm is out of the question.
I was actually offered one just last week, but it had no paperwork, and I wasnt sure as to its history.
Later Yoza
The chain will be quite long and the garden is large.
It can have a large cabin type hut, and a log to lie on when its sunny.
Im thinking of feeding it from the bedroom window, then when its full taking it for a walk past the local offy, to enhance my already hard as **** image.
I may enquire about a rescued one from a circus/cerial pack or something similar, as I will feel better about giving it a fuller life.
Do they roar much, of a night I mean when Im trying to sleep, I dont mind it roaring when Im in work or someone is trying the handles on me cars.
How much pooh do they drop, and do they bury it like a cat ?
I may settle for something a bit smaller like a Tiger, but a Lion is my first choice.
I would love a white one, but I think it would be hard to keep it clean.
What are they like with children ?
Sorry for all the questions....but a standard Link house alarm is out of the question.
I was actually offered one just last week, but it had no paperwork, and I wasnt sure as to its history.
Later Yoza
Last edited by yoza; 25 September 2009 at 06:56 PM.
#14
The above is all very well but what is it going to be left doing for those 5-6 hours a day on its own? Will it be out in a yard being a guard dog or is it going to be confined to a relatively small space, be it a room indoors or a pen outside?
If you were to listen to any dog rehoming centre they wouldn't allow you to have a dog if it's going to be regularly left on its own for that amount of time. Dogs are pack animals and therefore need company, whether that be another dog or human company. 5-6 hours every day on their own is not fair on any dog.
If you were to listen to any dog rehoming centre they wouldn't allow you to have a dog if it's going to be regularly left on its own for that amount of time. Dogs are pack animals and therefore need company, whether that be another dog or human company. 5-6 hours every day on their own is not fair on any dog.
#15
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Originally Posted by J4CKO
...always amuses me how the usual suspect dogs appear, there are loads of breeds that arent "hard" dogs...
I think that youve misunderstood the intended direction of my post. Dobermanns are extremely soft (in both ways) and I dont regard them as a 'hard breed' in any respect. Other people do though, which allows them to fulfill both roles well. As with any other dog of their size, they can turn nasty, but then, so can a corgi...
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Customer of mine has just had a litter of choodles. They are extremely adorable, and very good at sucking you to death!!!.
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Whatever you get try and get some professional training,you both will benefit.There are plenty of sites which explain the good and bad points of most breeds and will let you know of certain traits which some breeds have. I have an alaskan malamute, they can be very stubborn and need to be socialised from an early age.
Good advice though
excellent
And ultimatly, if its "guarding" is it likely to be harmed, in which case, dont get a dog at all.
#20
I think that youve misunderstood the intended direction of my post. Dobermanns are extremely soft (in both ways) and I dont regard them as a 'hard breed' in any respect. Other people do though, which allows them to fulfill both roles well. As with any other dog of their size, they can turn nasty, but then, so can a corgi...
Just remembered it is a guard dog, probably best not to get a Chihuahua, thought pretty much any dog will make a racket, Jack russells make ace guard dogs considering their size, how come you need a guard dog anyway ?
Last edited by J4CKO; 26 September 2009 at 12:47 PM.
#21
best advice is to do some research, as people will always recommend the dog they own, even if they have never owned another breed, and although certain breeds have certain characteristics, largely, a dog is a dog, the personality changes from animal to animal are more apparant than breed to breed.............choose your breed based on general characteristics, then research breeders, or re homing centers etc, then meet the breeder, if you're happy, meet the pups and both parents of the pup, or spend time with a rescue dog at a re homing center over a few visits..............and lastly, these threads always lead to arguments with insults and ignorant comments, so...................seconds out.
#22
We have a german shepherd dog..
They are pretty much the ultimate in all round security.But i wouldnt suggest leaving it for the periods of time you suggested,especially if being left in an enclosed area.
That said,i wouldnt leave any dog for that length of time..If nothing else its a bit cruel to leave it bored out of its brains without stimulation.
What your asking is difficult. You want a dog thats good at socialising and good with family members,but by leaving it on its own like you intend,your actually teaching the dog to do the complete opposite..
I guess your looking at owning one of the bigger breeds,remember that the bigger the dog,the more headstrong they can be and not "easy" to train.
Whatever you choose........please go to some training classes.Its so important to get the basics down at an early age. If you dont,your just setting yourself up for a 8st nightmare..
They are pretty much the ultimate in all round security.But i wouldnt suggest leaving it for the periods of time you suggested,especially if being left in an enclosed area.
That said,i wouldnt leave any dog for that length of time..If nothing else its a bit cruel to leave it bored out of its brains without stimulation.
What your asking is difficult. You want a dog thats good at socialising and good with family members,but by leaving it on its own like you intend,your actually teaching the dog to do the complete opposite..
I guess your looking at owning one of the bigger breeds,remember that the bigger the dog,the more headstrong they can be and not "easy" to train.
Whatever you choose........please go to some training classes.Its so important to get the basics down at an early age. If you dont,your just setting yourself up for a 8st nightmare..
Last edited by fatscoobfella1; 26 September 2009 at 01:59 PM.
#25
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Yes, I love Dobermans, soft and dopey, generally, my uncle had one when we were kids and we loved him to bits, its just that on here the suggestions are always big, powerful dogs and pretty much any dog will fulfil the role of family dog without having (ignorant) people cross the road to avoid you or having the demands some of the bigger breeds put on your time due to the exercise requirements and the additional cost, depends whether you have the resources and space to cope with a bigger animal, if you havent then go for something smaller, I say this as our little Yorkie-Poo is scragging a plastic pig like he is some kind of alpha predator, I wanted a bigger dog, in fact initially I saw "Rambo" as a pup and walked away as I thought he was too small but went back and bought him as I couldnt bear him sat there in the stable in this manky farm on his own, glad we did as he is a great little dog, so dont rule out smaller breeds is what I am saying, my ego copes rather well, especially when I see a neighbour skid past on his heel being dragged by two big dogs, getting all exasperated !
Just remembered it is a guard dog, probably best not to get a Chihuahua, thought pretty much any dog will make a racket, Jack russells make ace guard dogs considering their size, how come you need a guard dog anyway ?
Just remembered it is a guard dog, probably best not to get a Chihuahua, thought pretty much any dog will make a racket, Jack russells make ace guard dogs considering their size, how come you need a guard dog anyway ?
#26
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But I would not recommend the breed I have to anyone that could not offer 100% commitment and understanding to the breed, im sure Dave Y would agree.
I do however agree that people display bias as soon as asked about a dog/television/digital camera/mobile phone/headunit/sat nav unit..... and so on.
For the record, my recommendation for a loyal family pet, AND "protective" pet at the same time, I would be looking towards a good GSD, followed up with good training
Still curious to know whats being "protected"
#27
My house and garden is being protected for reasons I will not go into on here but nothing sinister. The reason I never considered a gsd is that thay are generally very clever dogs and some can turn a little neurotic and crazy if not given alot to do.
#29
how about a boerboel (african mastiff)?
"Boerboels are large mastiff dogs, which have been used for farm and protection work in South Africa. Generally males grow to around 65 - 70cm tall at the shoulder and weigh approximately 65 - 80 kg. Females are usually slightly shorter at around 60 cm and weigh less than the males at around 50 - 65 kg.
Boerboels are obedient, intelligent, self-assured and bred to have an extremely strong guarding instinct. Prospective owners must recognise that owning a boerboel requires a significant commitment in time and energy. Boerboels must be well-trained and socialised in order to be happy members of the family. They need to have plenty of space and physical and mental exercise.
The Boerboel is thought to derive from European mastiff and bull breeds and native South African dogs. The European dogs that were brought to South African by European settlers may have been Boarhounds, Broholmers, and Bullenbijters. Boerboels may have some ancestry from these as well as the blood from the native dogs.
The Boer dogs were originally used for hunting as well as guarding, but more recently they have principally been used as guards. The name Boerboel literally means "Farmer's mastiff".
i'm trying to talk my missus into getting one, but she seems to think one of those and our Rhodesian Ridgeback would be too much of a handful
UK owners website.. The UK Boerboel Club
"Boerboels are large mastiff dogs, which have been used for farm and protection work in South Africa. Generally males grow to around 65 - 70cm tall at the shoulder and weigh approximately 65 - 80 kg. Females are usually slightly shorter at around 60 cm and weigh less than the males at around 50 - 65 kg.
Boerboels are obedient, intelligent, self-assured and bred to have an extremely strong guarding instinct. Prospective owners must recognise that owning a boerboel requires a significant commitment in time and energy. Boerboels must be well-trained and socialised in order to be happy members of the family. They need to have plenty of space and physical and mental exercise.
The Boerboel is thought to derive from European mastiff and bull breeds and native South African dogs. The European dogs that were brought to South African by European settlers may have been Boarhounds, Broholmers, and Bullenbijters. Boerboels may have some ancestry from these as well as the blood from the native dogs.
The Boer dogs were originally used for hunting as well as guarding, but more recently they have principally been used as guards. The name Boerboel literally means "Farmer's mastiff".
i'm trying to talk my missus into getting one, but she seems to think one of those and our Rhodesian Ridgeback would be too much of a handful
UK owners website.. The UK Boerboel Club
#30
I have a greyhound, ex racer/ rescue dog, she gets left alone for 8 hours on certain days and she's perfectly happy with it, she sleeps more than any breed of dog i've ever known, she has full run of the house when we are out (except bedrooms as we cant keep her off the beds!)
She has only ever made a mess in the house once and that was more to do with a local idiot setting off fireworks in Septemmber!!
She gets two long walks a day and one short one and sleeps in between pretty much, even when i'm home or the wife is she still wants to sleep.
Not much of a guard dog though
She has only ever made a mess in the house once and that was more to do with a local idiot setting off fireworks in Septemmber!!
She gets two long walks a day and one short one and sleeps in between pretty much, even when i'm home or the wife is she still wants to sleep.
Not much of a guard dog though