Agri Vehicles Insurance from Greenlands

Author Topic: Best dog for family?  (Read 9572 times)

lars64

  • Joined Mar 2013
Re: Best dog for family?
« Reply #30 on: May 08, 2016, 11:20:22 pm »
Oooh, I know this one! The best family dog is MY dog (but you can't have him). Here he is (photo attached)...

This little beauty is one year old and goes everywhere with me (except to see the sheep, who he is terrified of). He's nearly fully grown now, only about another 10KG to go.

Of course, a Newfy is not for everyone. There is a lot of hair. Really, a LOT of hair. I don't notice the drool myself, but do carry several towels in his "go bag" to keep him presentable when out and about. He is quite big and I did have to buy a different car as he didn't fit in my old one. My wife was walking down the lane the other day and said "oh look, the neighbours have bought a dog just like Barney!" On closer inspection, they had in fact bought a new pony. On the plus side, he is the gentlest boy in the world, he quite simply has no aggression at all, and would literally die for my two little boys who he loves more than you would believe possible. He had to have something nasty and very painful done to his undercarriage by the vet, who insisted that he be muzzled in case he bit her (I explained he would be more likely to start reciting poetry than bite anyone). Of course the largest muzzle they had barely fit over his nose and fell off almost immediately while she was messing with his bits. I said nothing and carried on holding him down. Not only did he not bite anyone or even growl, he was most apologetic for all the fuss and gave me (and the vet) a big lick afterwards. Without a doubt, the gentlest of giants and ideal for a family with small children.

waterbuffalofarmer

  • Joined Apr 2014
  • Mid Wales
  • Owner of 61 Mediterranean water buffaloes
Re: Best dog for family?
« Reply #31 on: May 09, 2016, 06:51:33 am »
he is beautiful. What breed is he?
the most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, loving concern.

Steph Hen

  • Joined Jul 2013
  • Angus Scotland.
Re: Best dog for family?
« Reply #32 on: May 09, 2016, 07:03:54 am »
Newfoundland.
Love!  I have always loved massive dogs, just a bit too much hair for just now, and not going to fit in car too easily! Would be worth getting a bigger car one day just to have one though!  I love the look of greater Swiss mountain dogs too!

Marches Farmer

  • Joined Dec 2012
  • Herefordshire
Re: Best dog for family?
« Reply #33 on: May 09, 2016, 11:08:20 am »
I agree that dog rescue centres aren't always as diligent as they should be.  A local lady (small and quite elderly) was matched with a large greyhound that hated all other dogs and would attack on sight.  That story did not have a happy ending.

Blondie

  • Joined Apr 2014
Re: Best dog for family?
« Reply #34 on: May 17, 2016, 07:07:39 am »
I agree that dog rescue centres aren't always as diligent as they should be.  A local lady (small and quite elderly) was matched with a large greyhound that hated all other dogs and would attack on sight.  That story did not have a happy ending.

I love my greyhound and would recommend them for a lot of people but you have to be careful with them. Our girl wouldn't hurt a fly. She actually watched a random cat come into our house 3 times and just lay there unconcerned. However, she can get jumpy and excitable and then she needs a strong arm to hold her.

Backinwellies

  • Global Moderator
  • Joined Sep 2012
  • Llandeilo Carmarthenshire
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Re: Best dog for family?
« Reply #35 on: May 17, 2016, 07:47:43 am »
Rescue centres .... I have experienced the good and bad and have a dog here from each type!     I got my collie cross from Wiccaways (a collie rescue centre)  and they insisted they met me, all the family and any other dogs before they would consider letting you have one of their dogs ... in fact they had turned down a family wanting the one we came home with.......... and we came home with one I hadn't specifically gone to see ............. but they were right and he was and is a great family pet.   
Linda

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Isla

  • Joined Aug 2015
  • Aberdeenshire
    • Facebook
Re: Best dog for family?
« Reply #36 on: June 07, 2016, 12:29:18 pm »
Late submission here...

 :dog: WHIPPET! :dog:

When people hear I have a whippet or see Willow for the first time, they say, "But she's so thin.  She must be cold.  She must need so much exercise."

And then they fall in love!  Whippets are gentle, affectionate, loyal, playful.  Our dogs (other one is a Border Terrier) have two half hour walks per day and this includes some time off the lead.  At this point, the whippet dashes round in big circles and it's absolutely stunning to see her at full pace.  Otherwise the dogs follow me about as I'm footering about, in case I do anything interesting.  And for the rest of the day she'll curl up, preferably in her master's arms.  She seldom barks.  She keeps herself very clean.  She doesn't drool.  She fits in the car nicely.

Downside?  Gas!

We originally wanted to rehome a dog from a rescue centre.  Unfortunately, time and time again we read 'not suitable for a home with children', 'not suitable for a home with cats', 'cannot be separated from this other dog'.

devonlady

  • Joined Aug 2014
Re: Best dog for family?
« Reply #37 on: June 07, 2016, 04:38:23 pm »
I would second a whippet, but not with small children. Most will not tolerate being pulled and poked or fallen on. They are very elastic  about exercise and will happily join you on a 10 mile hike or, especially if it's raining, just as happily stay in bed with you for a day.
I'm down to six now and can't imagine a life without one!

cuckoo

  • Joined Jan 2011
Re: Best dog for family?
« Reply #38 on: June 26, 2016, 11:05:19 pm »
We have Irish Terriers - these are ideal family pets.  Good size, low / shedding, brilliant temperament with people and as long as socialised well no reason not to get on with other dogs out and about.  They are not like small yappy / nippy terriers like JRT / patterdales.  But they are terriers and need consistent training and patience as pups to learn nipping not acceptable.  I have had 4 - my husband has grown up with them and they are lovely.  Ours live on our smallholding along with chickens, goats, sheep etc and as long as trained are ok with stock.  If you want rescue / breeder details pm me.

I would recommend an Irish Water Spaniel if you can dedicate time and energy to training and exercise - I know all dogs need this but my IWS very busy - but excellent with people.

waterbuffalofarmer

  • Joined Apr 2014
  • Mid Wales
  • Owner of 61 Mediterranean water buffaloes
Re: Best dog for family?
« Reply #39 on: June 27, 2016, 09:21:27 am »
another few breeds to consider would be Springer spaniels, labrador, golden retriever and a cavachon. All very nice tempered animals. personally I would go for the golden retriever, mostly for the soft coat.
the most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, loving concern.

sabrina

  • Joined Nov 2008
Re: Best dog for family?
« Reply #40 on: June 27, 2016, 10:54:30 am »
i have been asked this many times over the years. Truth is any dog can bite. Its owners that cause the problems. Children left to poke and tease, never give the dog any peace. People who want their dog to be butch so make the dog fearful so it attacks first. Then they are the bunch who have to have what is in fashion. I feel for all the wee dogs who get carried everywhere. Who are now being dumped because their owner has moved onto something more fashionable . My answer is, don't buy a dog for very young kids. Wait until they are old enough to understand the pup is a living thing and not a toy. Would you bring a new baby into your house without making sure everything is safe for the childs well being !

Steph Hen

  • Joined Jul 2013
  • Angus Scotland.
Re: Best dog for family?
« Reply #41 on: June 27, 2016, 06:04:56 pm »
I've got a springer spaniel and he's the gentlest soul and fantastic with my son. I asked my vet friend this question the other day and she said not to bother thinking about it - she'll find me a dog when old Toby gives up the ghost.  She had a LOVELY golden retriever the other day that had needed rehoming, my son seemed to get on with him really well too, but she'd already sorted a new home for him and I won't get a new dog while I've still got Toby.
Sabrina, please don't assume that my idea of keeping a dog/parenting is to let my child poke a puppy it till it bites him. Does anyone in the world think/ask for the dog breeds that don't bite???  :roflanim:
Toddlers and animals mixed together aren't safe but I want my kids to grow up with animals, this means he sometimes gets tripped up by the dog, pushed by the goats, and bitten by a Shetland pony the other week but I'm ok with this. He also delights in stroking, feeding and playing with them, and him learning to run as part of a very motley pack (two kid goats, cat, dog, son and I, scampering down the farm lane) are just some memories I will treasure forever :sunshine: 
« Last Edit: June 27, 2016, 06:20:52 pm by Steph Hen »

shygirl

  • Joined May 2013
Re: Best dog for family?
« Reply #42 on: June 27, 2016, 06:34:04 pm »
we got our gsd when my kids were 4 and 1, and before my other 2 were born. she is perfect and 13 now.
we waited until my youngest was 4 before we got a parson russell terrier and he very much my dog.
Labs knock little kids over but are v forgiving.
our beardie is v loving, loves the kids and also protective of our family which is a bonus. she is v energetic though but a family favourite because of her humour.

the dog who has bitten my kids and is the most dangerous out of our 5 in terms of bites and in starting fights is our lhaso apso.

in the hills

  • Joined Feb 2012
Re: Best dog for family?
« Reply #43 on: June 27, 2016, 07:12:20 pm »
We have always had retrievers ..... Labradors and Flatties.

Any breed will have good and bad points  I think but our retrievers have been brilliant with our children. Good natured, loving and always ready for fun.

Flatties can be hyper, particularly the males and are not for everyone. They do need a firm hand but absolutely love children and are just full of life and silliness. Even at 11 years old, our boy will go dashing over if he hears laughter ... just has to be in the middle of everything.

We have working line labs. They can sometimes be a little sensitive ....ours is a little wary of strangers but have all loved our children.

They can be boisterous but ours have never knocked the children over even when they were toddlers. They seemed to be very aware of them.

All ours have also been very biddable around other animals and stock ... with appropriate training of course!

Good luck finding the right dog ..... our teenagers adore their dogs and always have.

 

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