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Forums > General Discussion   Shooting the breeze...

Man's best friend

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Created by shi thouse > 9 months ago, 30 Apr 2013
shi thouse
WA, 1145 posts
30 Apr 2013 8:49AM
Thumbs Up

I am looking at getting a new dog for the family as we lost our dog last year after12 good years. I am not overly keen on getting a pup and am happy to rescue or pick up an older dog. The issue is what type of dog. I want a dog that is good with kids (have two youngsters), is great off the lead (doesn't run away or try to fight every dog it sees), is easy enough to train and doesn't require constant grooming.

Given all the breeds and mixes out there, would love to here of others experiences with their breeds of dogs.

Obviously there are always factors with owning a dog like time spent with training etc. However some dogs do lend themselves to being a cool easy going dog than others.

Cheers for any feedback!

Lambroast
WA, 177 posts
30 Apr 2013 9:07AM
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I've got 2 labs. Tick all your boxes only 1 downside.... Malting...

'Roast

Mobydisc
NSW, 9029 posts
30 Apr 2013 11:19AM
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From personal experience border kelpie crosses are good dogs. They usually have a gentle nature as well as being energetic dogs. They are also pretty tough and can handle tougher environments without getting sick, injured or dying.

My dad picked up one from the local pound a few years ago and its been a good dog.

windaddict
VIC, 1121 posts
30 Apr 2013 11:26AM
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Hi mate, firstly I recommend getting one from Gumtree for free that has had all its injections etc. Give an unwanted dog a second go...

I'd go for a 1.5 to 2 year old dog so it's past the puppy/naughty stage but still playful and impressionable/trainable.

I got my kelpie x border from gumtree he was around that age, after having him for only 2 months I could walk him offlead anywhere, he is eager to do my bidding and very obedient and loyal.

I would highly recommend getting a kelpie (short hair easy to groom) very easy to train and extremely good natured. Have not come across an aggressive kelpie yet.

Shane10
QLD, 102 posts
30 Apr 2013 11:30AM
Thumbs Up

Perhaps something you may not have thought about is picking up a retired greyhound.

Having spent my life with them I can vouch that the are excellent with kids, probably dealt with 300+ as a kid and not a drama. Short hair = low maintenance. Don't need alot of excercise. And you might even get to take the kids to watch it race before you take it home.

Having said that they are not the best breed in terms of training them to sit, stay etc. they are easily trained into habits but not so much commands.

Sham1984
VIC, 415 posts
30 Apr 2013 12:08PM
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Rescuing a dog is a fantastic idea. The biggest tip I can give you is to do it through the proper channels as they will have done lots of tests to check the dogs compatibility with children/other dogs ect ect so you get a dog that really fits into your family.

Rupert
TAS, 2967 posts
30 Apr 2013 12:09PM
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Mate,
go out to your local dog rescue (RSPCA, YAPS etc) walk quietly and calmly......Your New Dog will pick you.

Then it is up to you and the family to instil the attributes you want.

It worked for me, my dog chose me and I loved him for it.

SpaceCoyote
VIC, 147 posts
30 Apr 2013 1:14PM
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Golder Retriever - I know, long hair but doesn't require that much grooming. Weekly brush and you need to vacuum the carpet once a week as well. But they are just awesome dogs. Mine is the best behaved, gentle boy.

I don't have kids but I know they are great with kids too. Very patient and playful. I also have a little cross and the two of them play like idiots every day chasing each other through bushes or wrestling in the backyard.

Very easy to train. Very intelligent. And since you are on seabreeze it's safe to assume you are into water sports. Goldens love water.

FormulaNova
WA, 14845 posts
30 Apr 2013 11:17AM
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Go to a shelter or give them a call and try and find a dog with the temperament you are after. The staff at these places usually have a good idea for what dog suits different lifestyles.

Does the breed matter, or do you just want a dog that is good?

I got a cattledog from a local shelter a few years ago. She's very friendly, but apparently was a bit of an escape artist in the past. Doesn't seem like she had any training, but has now calmed down and is much more settled.

If you are like me, it is very hard to be objective in choosing a dog when you are there, as the first time a dog is friendly to you, you want to take them home. So, if you can sort out what you really want before hand, it might make things easier.



WaynoB
NSW, 393 posts
30 Apr 2013 1:47PM
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We got a Labrador x Kelpie nine years ago when the kids were still young and she is a great dog. Her father was a full blood Labrador and her mother was a 50/50 Lab x Kelpie. Got her from the RSPCA at 8 weeks. Been great with the kids who are now young adults or late teens.

Being a cross breed she has characteristics of both breeds and is a very good looking dog. Also a very good dog with kids and people generally, does not bark unless there is something in the yard that should not be there (like a cat). A medium sized dog.

Very smart, very loving and loyal. Not a problem to walk usually on the lead but sometimes off lead as well. Keeps near to us and will not run off. Comes when called.

Passers-by have commented on how nice a dog she looks. Her name is Sandy because she is the colour of sand.

Ados
WA, 421 posts
30 Apr 2013 11:52AM
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My last dog was a Staffy. He was 12 years old when he died. Obedient, extremely friendly and very good with my two young children and pretty much became another member of the family.
I have also had Jack Russels, lot of pluck for such a little dog. great watch dogs and excellent with kids also (at least that has been my experience.).

next dog will be a staffy (American or English) from pet rescue. so many dogs that need loving homes.

I have had no experience with other dog breeds.

try : www.petrescue.com.au

sn
WA, 2775 posts
30 Apr 2013 11:56AM
Thumbs Up

you need either a labrador, retriever or kelpie.

you have 2 kids.....but you are worried about the mess a dog will make!

[the dog will be the least of your worries]

stephen

Sailhack
VIC, 5000 posts
30 Apr 2013 3:06PM
Thumbs Up

Rupert said...
Mate,
go out to your local dog rescue (RSPCA, YAPS etc) walk quietly and calmly......Your New Dog will pick you.

Then it is up to you and the family to instil the attributes you want.

It worked for me, my dog chose me and I loved him for it.


I agree with Rupert on 'how' the dog selects you. My current dog is a Jack Russell cross (foxy) and she picked us. The owner brought all 5 pups to our place when they were about 6 weeks old and placed them on the ground...she ran straight to us whilst the other pups seemed more interested in spreading out to make the guy work hard catching them again.

I've had only jack/foxy crosses since I was a kid and although we secure our dog in the back yard whilst we're all not here as we live on a busy street, she may walk to the back corner of the driveway but never wanders past the back of the house - most days she simply sits at the back door & waits for the kids to come home from school. Cheap to feed, carry easily & very loyal.

Apart from the obvious breeds - most dogs when raised with kids are excellent.

Macroscien
QLD, 6806 posts
30 Apr 2013 4:09PM
Thumbs Up

shi thouse said...

I am looking at getting a new dog for the family as we lost our dog last year after12 good years. I am not overly keen on getting a pup and am happy to rescue or pick up an older dog. The issue is what type of dog. I want a dog that is good with kids (have two youngsters), is great off the lead (doesn't run away or try to fight every dog it sees), is easy enough to train and doesn't require constant grooming.

Given all the breeds and mixes out there, would love to here of others experiences with their breeds of dogs.

Obviously there are always factors with owning a dog like time spent with training etc. However some dogs do lend themselves to being a cool easy going dog than others.

Cheers for any feedback!


My basset will meet almost all your requirements:
-easy with kids, they all love her
-don't need training - doesn't learn anything , so is completely pointless


- doesn't run away ( too far)
- easy to feed _ will eat everything in volume
- is cool with other dogs

stuk
NSW, 894 posts
30 Apr 2013 4:21PM
Thumbs Up

We got a free dog off Gumtree. It is a Irish wolfhound X Pointer, the guy bred it for pigging but she was too sooky. Beautiful nature.

zarb
NSW, 643 posts
30 Apr 2013 8:04PM
Thumbs Up

If it wasn't for your issue with grooming I would highly recommend getting a Newfoundland. Best temperament and amazing dogs.

But, they shed, drool, and you will have a very hard time finding one to adopt.

teatrea
QLD, 4177 posts
30 Apr 2013 8:28PM
Thumbs Up

Go a spoodle my girl is 11 has three legs and is a legend of a dog. Or a rotti , they are actually a great family dog , and easy to train and good natured , they just look mean

hargs
QLD, 634 posts
30 Apr 2013 8:36PM
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you just can't go past a lab - so good with kids

needsalt
NSW, 381 posts
30 Apr 2013 8:40PM
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So awesome so see so many people happy to give a homeless dog a chance. The euthanasia rates in Australia are frightening - there are so many loving, loyal friends out there desperate for a second chance. It's just a matter of finding your perfect match

Ashton19
QLD, 120 posts
30 Apr 2013 9:34PM
Thumbs Up

needsalt said...
So awesome so see so many people happy to give a homeless dog a chance. The euthanasia rates in Australia are frightening - there are so many loving, loyal friends out there desperate for a second chance. It's just a matter of finding your perfect match


Totally agree! I got my Maltese/foxie and Pekingese/pom from the local shelter. Great to see more people supporting rescue pets and not puppy mills!

FormulaNova
WA, 14845 posts
30 Apr 2013 7:38PM
Thumbs Up

needsalt said...
So awesome so see so many people happy to give a homeless dog a chance. The euthanasia rates in Australia are frightening - there are so many loving, loyal friends out there desperate for a second chance. It's just a matter of finding your perfect match



I think its better in some ways. You get a dog where its character is already known, even if it has had little training by previous owners. On the other hand, buying as a puppy gives you little idea of the dogs character.

I bought a dog from a breeder years ago for my parents. It was only 7 weeks old and ran up to play with me straight away the minute I went into its cage, so he seemed friendly. He has been a relatively good dog, but is very aggressive to anyone that wants to wash him or try and pick him up. Good around kids, but not too friendly with adults he doesn't know. I am sure if he showed this temperament when he was a puppy, no one would have bought him.

On the other hand, I bought my dog from a shelter about 4 years ago, and the people there thought she had a great temperament. She seems to have bonded with me well, and is now well behaved.

Knowing this, I would buy from a shelter again instead of buying a puppy.

Spocktek
WA, 281 posts
30 Apr 2013 7:52PM
Thumbs Up

I agree with teabag, rotti's are a awesome family dog, (dispite popular opinion) they're super smart and can learn things quickly. Good to hang out with because they're mellow, and have a nice soft coat that makes em fun to cuddle.(and no one will break in to your house either)
Get a pup, you will bond better and the 10 or so years of good times outweighs the naughty stage!
Happy dogging

cisco
QLD, 12348 posts
30 Apr 2013 10:08PM
Thumbs Up

We had a pair of Kelpie Xs for 14 years. Very protective of us and our children and very intelligent. Had them both from pups.

We now have a SA Ridgeback/boxer cross who is just gorgeous. She was abandoned and on the stray and lobbed on our door step one night at 9 pm about 5 years ago when she was about 18 months old.

If we had young children at the time I am sure she would have been perfect with them. Ridgebacks have a very good reputation with being around children.

Whatever breed you choose, you need to understand "dog talk". Dogs have the "pack mentality" and will usually accept their place in the pecking order. What is most important is to establish with the dog what the pecking order is.

Putting the dog through a dog obedience course is highly recommended. If your children are old enough (say 5 or 6) one or both of them should do it with the dog.

It is not for the sake of teaching the dog tricks or being totally subjected. It is about establishing a better relationship with the dog and the rules under which it will operate.

My 2 cents worth.

Edit:- I think popular opinion is that a Labrador is the safest dog to have around young children and that is probably right.

DunkO
NSW, 1147 posts
30 Apr 2013 10:29PM
Thumbs Up

Yep labs are so tolerant, all they want is your approval and affection & to go for a surf.

Pitbull
WA, 1267 posts
30 Apr 2013 8:35PM
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My boy is a german shepard/ridgeback. BEST $80 I've ever spent. Great with the family. Hates anyone coming near the place without us around. I would recommend any sort of cross breed over a pure bred. The gene pool in Australia is quite limited and is probably one of the main causes of problems like hip displasure.

Dawn Patrol
WA, 1991 posts
30 Apr 2013 11:23PM
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teatrea said...
Go a spoodle my girl is 11 has three legs and is a legend of a dog. Or a rotti , they are actually a great family dog , and easy to train and good natured , they just look mean


The if you want something small spoodles are pretty fun. They also don't shed hair.
Our kelpie/collie is pretty awesome also. Very friendly girl.

Bleary
QLD, 20 posts
1 May 2013 11:10AM
Thumbs Up

have had Border Collie X in the past,as well as a kelpie/bullterrier X,which were both great dogs although very active..
Current animal is a Hungarian Vizsla,very smart and trains well,short hair and loves the beach.
He was expensive,but worth it!

deejay8204
QLD, 557 posts
1 May 2013 11:42AM
Thumbs Up

Macroscien said...
My basset will meet almost all your requirements:
-easy with kids, they all love her
-don't need training - doesn't learn anything , so is completely pointless


- doesn't run away ( too far)
- easy to feed _ will eat everything in volume
- is cool with other dogs



my partners mums house mate has a basset, they always look so sad. Funny watching it try and turn around, need a long wide load sticker attached to the thing lol. But he is excellent with my 4yo daughter who hangs off him constantly when she's visiting.

Radmac
WA, 201 posts
1 May 2013 1:29PM
Thumbs Up

Agree with Kelpie x Border.

Our is 3yo. Energeric, yet not flat out - needs a walk at least once a day.

Not too big/large. Not too small either.

Not food obsessed (labs/bassets). Good temperament with my boys (15+).

Easy to train and obedient - except when a ball is involved - ball obsessed.

Issue is that the running will affect their knees/tendons. Hates swimming - not a lab.

Brother has a small lap dog (pomeranian) - great nature - loves food - not so good for a smalldog. It broke its leg as puppy - someone tripped over it - lucky he's a vet.

Sister has twin female fox terriers - they are great with her adolescent girls - a real bundle of energy - two speeds.

Tux
VIC, 3829 posts
1 May 2013 3:46PM
Thumbs Up

We have a westie...hes great with kids they pull his tail/hair and he hardly bats an eye...hates cats and is surprisingly good guard dog for a little bloke



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Forums > General Discussion   Shooting the breeze...


"Man's best friend" started by shi thouse