What dog breed to get...

lifeistooshort

Hi everyone

First post! Just recently got setteled in our house in the country and we have plenty of room for a dog/dogs!! Both my husband and myself love dogs. We have loads of outside room and a big shed where we could make suitable sleeping pens for dogs. We have had a german sheperd and a dalmation in the past and adored each dog but our living conditions have not been as good as they are now. We have one teenage daughter and she is as mad about dogs as we are!! I know that it is a very subjective opinion as to what a good dog to get is but I just wondered if any of you would be able to advise us? We found the dalmation hard work but the german sheperd was a complete pleasure...any advice from experienced dog owners would be appreciated.

morganafay

Springer spaniels are nice since you're loads of space. I'd say they're a lot calmer than dalmatians, but can still be quite hyper when young, but very trainable. I had one when I was younger, and would definitely get another one once I have a big garden. They've such a sweet temperament.

And Golden Retrievers are one of the best breeds there are, well I think so, I don't have one but I just love them. They have lovely personalities, and usually seem to be quite calm once they're grown up.

So I would go for those two, just based on temperament, and they're fun intelligent dogs too.

Chinasea

Would you consider visiting your nearest dog/refuge shelter as there are hundreds of abandoned dogs there just waiting for a family likes yours to come along and take them home? You will find all sizes, shapes and breeds. http://www.irishanimals.ie/homes.html

Cherry Blossom

Chinasea wrote: »

Would you consider visiting your nearest dog/refuge shelter as there are hundreds of abandoned dogs there just waiting for a family likes yours to come along and take them home? You will find all sizes, shapes and breeds. http://www.irishanimals.ie/homes.html

No shelter will let a dog go to anyone who has the intention of keepping it outdoors.

OP why on earth would you keep a dog in a pen in a shed????? I don't mean to be rude but you make yourself sound a bit like your setting up a puppy farm or something!

Eibhin

adrenalinjunkie I think that's a bit harsh. The poster is only asking advice on breeds.

However I do agree that no rescue group will give out a dog unless it is going to be a part of the family in the house.

There have been dozens of discussions on dog inside/dog outside issues so let's not make this one another one.

I agree that springers are fantastic dogs and real all rounders. I have one myself and I also have a retriever so am a big fan of both breeds.

P.S.- All my dogs sleep inside !

morganafay

I'm sure some shelters would rehome a dog to an outdoor home if it was obviously a good home.

It sounds like a good home with loads of space for the dog, and the OP has experience with dogs and loves dogs. I don't see why some shelters wouldn't rehome a dog to you.

Actually I know someone who got an outdoor dog from a shelter recently, and two from the pound. If you want a rescue dog and nobody will rehome one to an ourdoor home then maybe try the pound?

PS - all my dogs sleep outside, in a shed, and are really happy dogs and get loads of attention. Though this isn't the place to argue over inside vs outside, but some shelters would rehome to you!

Zapperzy

Could you tell us more about your situation? Do you and your husband work? If so what sort of hours? What kind of exercise would you be willing to give the dog? Would you only be willing to do a quick 30 minute stroll down the road or an hour's jogging or long hikes? Have you any breeds in mind? What size dog would you prefer? Is your garden fully enclosed?
Sorry for all the questions, but it would give people a better idea of what breeds would best suit you.

sligopark

What about a rescue centre like egar (http://z10.invisionfree.com/EGAR/index.php?showforum=2 [do register and log in]) - lots of bull breeds that don't often get the chance of rescue along with lurchers too?

Local pounds don't have the same attention to detail but are full of dogs whose only other route is pts

Other rescues / pounds:

http://www.kerrycoco.ie/en/allservices/environment/dogpound/dogsforre-homing/

http://www.mayospca.com/index.php/homes-needed-for-animals

http://www.carrickboardingkennels.ie/dogs-available-for-adoption.html

http://www.meath.ie/LocalAuthorities/Environment/DogPound-Meath/

www.dogsindistress.org

http://www.sligococo.ie/Services/Environment/adopt%20a%20dog/

http://www.inistiogepuppyrescue.com/current_dogs.php

http://www.galway-spca.com/home.htm

http://cottagerescue.ie/dogs-needing-homes.html

http://www.dspca.ie/homes.php?category=Dog&number=22&sectionnumber=10&type=Home%20Needed

http://www.dogactionwelfaregroup.ie/adoption.html

http://www.clareanimalwelfare.net/html/adoption_-_dogs.html

http://www.westcorkanimals.com/dogs.htm

http://www.lcc.ie/DogImagesWeb/displayImage.aspx

http://www.dar.ie/index.php?page=dogs-needing-homes

http://www.kilkennyspca.ie/homesneeded.asp

http://www.limerickanimalwelfare.ie/

http://www.tipperaryfriendsofanimals.com/animals-for-adoption/

http://roscommonanimals.com/news/?page_id=9

http://www.aspca.ie/rehome_dogs.shtml

http://www.lasthope.ie/?page_id=11

Tootle

Don't mind that shelters will re-home to someone who wants an outside dog. I had this conversation with them before I got my fella. Getting a dog from a shelter is great as they really try to match the dog to the home.

Inexile

If you were willing to have a dog inside the house, I would recommend a greyhound. They are very affectionate and friendly. Either way, hope you enjoy looking for your new friend.

jamesd

adrenalinjunkie wrote: »

No shelter will let a dog go to anyone who has the intention of keepping it outdoors.

OP why on earth would you keep a dog in a pen in a shed????? I don't mean to be rude but you make yourself sound a bit like your setting up a puppy farm or something!

Do shelters only rehome dogs to be people that keep them indoors? Poor dogs as I know our dogs prefers to sleep outside in his Pen.

I keep my dog in a pen at night and I a not a puppy farmer.

Your post makes no sense at all.

Welruc

adrenalinjunkie wrote: »

No shelter will let a dog go to anyone who has the intention of keepping it outdoors.

OP why on earth would you keep a dog in a pen in a shed????? I don't mean to be rude but you make yourself sound a bit like your setting up a puppy farm or something!

I think she means the dog will sleep in the pen, not live in it. Lots of dogs prefer to be outdoors.

lifeistooshort

Zapperzy wrote: »

Could you tell us more about your situation? Do you and your husband work? If so what sort of hours? What kind of exercise would you be willing to give the dog? Would you only be willing to do a quick 30 minute stroll down the road or an hour's jogging or long hikes? Have you any breeds in mind? What size dog would you prefer? Is your garden fully enclosed?
Sorry for all the questions, but it would give people a better idea of what breeds would best suit you.

Hi again. Sorry it is only now that I realised that I had given so little information about our situation! Yeah we both work full time, I'm a teacher so I finish a little earlier than my husband and I have relatively long holidays!! We are both out of the house Monday to Friday from about 9am to 4.30pm, I'm home Friday by 1pm and we are both atl home all weekend.

We both love getting outdoors and between the two of us and our daughter we are probably outside 3-4 hours most evenings and much longer on weekends, so exercising a dog should be no problem.

As to the size dog we would prefer, I think my husband likes larger dogs, but his mother had two weesties and he treats them like his own babies so we have the problem that we dont really know what size dog we prefer and would ideally have one or two big and small dogs if possible (although not in the 'puppy farm' sense!!) because we love dogs.

The garden is fully enclosed but we would use a radio fence when we are at home and let the dogs run free and a very large outdoor enclosed run and shelred shed area in case it rains and the dogs need to go inside during the times that we are not at home to ensure that the dogs are safe and happy

EGAR

Sligopark, the plug is much appreciated and I do have a website: http://www.egar.org

lifeistooshort

OP why on earth would you keep a dog in a pen in a shed????? I don't mean to be rude but you make yourself sound a bit like your setting up a puppy farm or something![/QUOTE]

I'm not sure how to have 2 quotes in one post but I thought I should defend myself anyway!!!!

As almost everyone here has understood we have absolutely no intention whatsoever of keeping any dog permanantly in a pen in a shed! We will spend every minute possible with our dogs. Also, I may have been unclear but I meant that our dogs will SLEEP outside in a shed...the shed is insulated, plastered, had heating and electricity and windows and the dogs sleeping area is somewhere I'd be happy to sleep myself!!!!!!!

But I think you are being unfair when you presume that all dogs prefer to sleep inside... my Mom had 3 dogs that scratch at the door at night to get outdoors to find their bed which she, shock of horrors, allows them to...what a bad dog owner, although she has owned and adored her dogs for over 40 years.............................

lifeistooshort

lifeistooshort wrote: »

OP why on earth would you keep a dog in a pen in a shed????? I don't mean to be rude but you make yourself sound a bit like your setting up a puppy farm or something!

I'm not sure how to have 2 quotes in one post but I thought I should defend myself anyway!!!!

As almost everyone here has understood we have absolutely no intention whatsoever of keeping any dog permanantly in a pen in a shed! We will spend every minute possible with our dogs. Also, I may have been unclear but I meant that our dogs will SLEEP outside in a shed...the shed is insulated, plastered, had heating and electricity and windows and the dogs sleeping area is somewhere I'd be happy to sleep myself!!!!!!!

But I think you are being unfair when you presume that all dogs prefer to sleep inside... my Mom had 3 dogs that scratch at the door at night to get outdoors to find their bed which she, shock of horrors, allows them to...what a bad dog owner, although she has owned and adored her dogs for over 40 years.............................[/QUOTE]

EGAR

Alot of rescues don't rehome to outdoor homes, OP. I certainly don't.

lifeistooshort

EGAR wrote: »

Alot of rescues don't rehome to outdoor homes, OP. I certainly don't.

Then thankfully you wont need to find homes such as mine for your dogs. I can't think of anything worse than having a family who would love and appreciate a dog, let dog indoors whenever we are at home during the day, or outside with us for at least 4-5 hours each evening during the week and all weekend and have the dog sleep in conditions (as I have thoroughly explained) that I would be happy to sleep in myself). If this is an 'outdoor home' then I think you need to reexamine your criteria as to what makes a good dog owner.....................................

Cherry Blossom

lifeistooshort wrote: »

Hi again. Sorry it is only now that I realised that I had given so little information about our situation! Yeah we both work full time, I'm a teacher so I finish a little earlier than my husband and I have relatively long holidays!!

I'm confused as to why you didn't look for a dog at the beginning of the school holidays, especially as we are now comming into Autumn and you may end up with a young pup living outdoors over Winter. Had you got a 'spring' pup it would have had the summer to grow and acclimatise to living oudoors and be better prepared for the Winter. Also you would have been there for the critical settling in period.

We are both out of the house Monday to Friday from about 9am to 4.30pm, I'm home Friday by 1pm and we are both atl home all weekend.

We both love getting outdoors and between the two of us and our daughter we are probably outside 3-4 hours most evenings and much longer on weekends, so exercising a dog should be no problem.

That's 7 and a half hours you will be leaving the dog alone, I would suggest daycare or hiring a dog walker.

As to the size dog we would prefer, I think my husband likes larger dogs, but his mother had two weesties and he treats them like his own babies so we have the problem that we dont really know what size dog we prefer and would ideally have one or two big and small dogs if possible (although not in the 'puppy farm' sense!!) because we love dogs.

Since size seems largely irrelevant you should be focusing on other aspects of your needs seeing your asking for advice on what breed you should get.

The garden is fully enclosed but we would use a radio fence when we are at home and let the dogs run free and a very large outdoor enclosed run and shelred shed area in case it rains and the dogs need to go inside during the times that we are not at home to ensure that the dogs are safe and happy

Please do not use a radio fence, there is no need if the garden is properly fenced anyway, radio fences administer an electric shock to your dog if it crosses the boundary, it is far form ethical and should never be used on any dog with a high scent instinct.

Sorry if I'm seeing this wrong but I see pens in a garage as being draughty, why not just use kennels of an appropriate size which will retain heat from the dogs body and they can make a comfy bed in???

EGAR

lifeistooshort wrote: »

Then thankfully you wont need to find homes such as mine for your dogs. I can't think of anything worse than having a family who would love and appreciate a dog, let dog indoors whenever we are at home during the day, or outside with us for at least 4-5 hours each evening during the week and all weekend and have the dog sleep in conditions (as I have thoroughly explained) that I would be happy to sleep in myself). If this is an 'outdoor home' then I think you need to reexamine your criteria as to what makes a good dog owner.....................................

I don't need to re-examine my criteria at all, OP, I simply stated that alot of rescues, including my own, do not rehome to outdoor homes. It is my prerogative to decide which homes I see as suitable for my dogs and which I do not. Simple as .

sligopark

EGAR wrote: »

Alot of rescues don't rehome to outdoor homes, OP. I certainly don't.

EGAR wrote: »

I don't need to re-examine my criteria at all, OP, I simply stated that alot of rescues, including my own, do not rehome to outdoor homes. It is my prerogative to decide which homes I see as suitable for my dogs and which I do not. Simple as .

Agreed and no doubt you are probably best placed to do that but just as a quick question why not home to outdoor homes - where the people may not have a utiltity or that and they either have their dogs sleep in the garage or shed (of size and substance)?

Would it not be ok to find a home where there is love, attention and best will?

Please don't flame me - it is a genuine enquiry

EGAR wrote: »

Sligopark, the plug is much appreciated and I do have a website: http://www.egar.org

Welcome - did check through the website and thought I might post the forum to check out rescues available

btw good work

EGAR

For me there are several reasons why I don't rehome to outdoor homes.

I mainly have Bull Breeds here, very short-coated and very people oriented breeds. They do not do well out of doors for above reasons. Secondly, a dog is a pack animal, I don't believe in locking them alone in a pen outside when they could just as well share the house/flat with their pack indoors. Especially with Bull Breeds continous socialisation is essential to ensure their well being and progress.

Alot of the dogs who arrive here have been though the mill and alot of effort has gone into their recovery. So naturally I want homes for them where they are part of the family and can partake in family life unhindered.

The Greyhounds and Lurchers I have here at present are all ex-racer, rabbiters etc - they are worn out and some have fear issues. So for them if would also be beneficial to live as a pet dog inside the house. The worst you get from them is counter-surfing .

sligopark

EGAR wrote: »

I mainly have Bull Breeds here, very short-coated and very people oriented breeds. They do not do well out of doors for above reasons.

honestly what if the garage is house attached or the shed is insulated - again genuine enquiry?

EGAR wrote: »

Secondly, a dog is a pack animal, I don't believe in locking them alone in a pen outside when they could just as well share the house/flat with their pack indoors. Especially with Bull Breeds continous socialisation is essential to ensure their well being and progress.

TBH wouldn't have considered this point

EGAR wrote: »

Alot of the dogs who arrive here have been though the mill and alot of effort has gone into their recovery. So naturally I want homes for them where they are part of the family and can partake in family life unhindered.

again thank you for pointing out the dogs needs - do bull breeds have more of these specifics needs?

EGAR wrote: »

The Greyhounds and Lurchers I have here at present are all ex-racer, rabbiters etc - they are worn out and some have fear issues. So for them if would also be beneficial to live as a pet dog inside the house. The worst you get from them is counter-surfing .

Not sure what you mean by counter surfing but reckon it means from one place of no attention, to one where there is full attention to be demoted to another place of lesser attention?

Vel

sligopark wrote: »

Not sure what you mean by counter surfing but reckon it means from one place of no attention, to one where there is full attention to be demoted to another place of lesser attention?

Nope, she means using the benefit of their long legs to check for any foodstuffs left out on counters to steal!!:D

sligopark

Classic - obvioulsy I m not yet a dog owner

Zapperzy

lifeistooshort wrote: »

Hi again. Sorry it is only now that I realised that I had given so little information about our situation! Yeah we both work full time, I'm a teacher so I finish a little earlier than my husband and I have relatively long holidays!! We are both out of the house Monday to Friday from about 9am to 4.30pm, I'm home Friday by 1pm and we are both atl home all weekend.

We both love getting outdoors and between the two of us and our daughter we are probably outside 3-4 hours most evenings and much longer on weekends, so exercising a dog should be no problem.

As to the size dog we would prefer, I think my husband likes larger dogs, but his mother had two weesties and he treats them like his own babies so we have the problem that we dont really know what size dog we prefer and would ideally have one or two big and small dogs if possible (although not in the 'puppy farm' sense!!) because we love dogs.

The garden is fully enclosed but we would use a radio fence when we are at home and let the dogs run free and a very large outdoor enclosed run and shelred shed area in case it rains and the dogs need to go inside during the times that we are not at home to ensure that the dogs are safe and happy

If your garden is fully enclosed I can't see why you would need a radio fence. I wouldn't reccommend a puppy since ye both work fulltime, it's not fair on a pup to be left alone for 7 and a half hours five days a week, try and get a slightly older dog anything from about 8 months onwards. Even then it would be best if you could get someone to come in half way through the day to just check on the dog and play with them for half an hour or bring them for a quick walk.

Since your not too pushed on a particular breed or even size of dog visit a shelter and just spend time with all the different dogs. They will do their best to match a dog to you that would suit your needs.

In my opinion anyways there's nothing wrong with having a dog sleep outside at night especially when the OP has an insulated shed with heating and electricity. So long as the dogs not clingy and isin't used to sleeping in the owner's bed I can't see how it would be distressed in any way. Obviously if we get another freak winter like last winter and the temp in the shed drops too low then it would be best to let the dog sleep in the house.

lifeistooshort

EGAR wrote: »

For me there are several reasons why I don't rehome to outdoor homes.

I mainly have Bull Breeds here, very short-coated and very people oriented breeds. They do not do well out of doors for above reasons. Secondly, a dog is a pack animal, I don't believe in locking them alone in a pen outside when they could just as well share the house/flat with their pack indoors. Especially with Bull Breeds continous socialisation is essential to ensure their well being and progress.

Alot of the dogs who arrive here have been though the mill and alot of effort has gone into their recovery. So naturally I want homes for them where they are part of the family and can partake in family life unhindered.

The Greyhounds and Lurchers I have here at present are all ex-racer, rabbiters etc - they are worn out and some have fear issues. So for them if would also be beneficial to live as a pet dog inside the house. The worst you get from them is counter-surfing .

Thanks EGAR for explaining what you meant...sorry for being so defensive, I think I took it up as criticism...I now understand very well what you mean about dogs having been treated so badly needing extra help and care. Its just that in our new house that we have very little room for a dog to sleep inside, even though we would keep the dog in the house/garden with us whenever we are there. As I said in my first post, we only recently moved to the country and I was excited that with all the extra space and a very well equipped shed, that we could give a dog a very good home. We have had dogs before and they have slept in small kennels behind our house in town, but I always felt gulity that they had to sleep 'outdoors' and had so little room. Are wooden kennels beter than the shed do ye think? Also someone suggested that I would have been better off to get a puppy at the start of the summer holidays, as I am a teacher...that is what I was thinking of, but we only moved a couple of weeks ago and we are really thinking of next summer holidays now..thanks for the advice everyone