Need to talk to a man (or woman) about a dog!

[Sparks!]

Lately I've been seriously considering getting a 4 legged friend and wanted some advice.

So... dogs, what's to know? Up till I was about 16 we always had dogs as a family so they aren't new to me, but I've never been the sole carer for one.

I live in a flat but it's a large flat above a shop, not a block or converted house. There's a green area (complete with dog bin!) outside and I live next door to a big park (handy) there's also numerous dog walking places within a 5/10 minute drive such as Portsdown Hill and Hilsea forest place so I've got the walkies covered.

I work full time, however I work below my flat so I'm always around and to be honest quite a few days I'd be happy to have the dog in the office too so I'm pretty sure it's not going to be lonely! Same for weekends away/holidays, I have plenty of family happy to dog sit and money isn't an issue so insurance/food is covered.

Dog of choice I think is a jack russel terrier. I think they're great little dogs, I don't want a big dog really, want something nice and well tempered, energetic and playful but equally at home curled up next to the sofa. Some people say they bark (or yap) a lot and can be aggressive but I know two people with jack's and they are the nicest dogs imagineable so I'm not sure what to believe! I guess it's down to how the dog is raised and trained, as with any dog... people say the same about yorkies, but my grandmas was great and only yapped if you were winding it up playing with it or someone knocked the door which is fine IMO!

Ideally want a young Jack, say around 8months to a year, as I want a dog for "life" so would like a young one. I thought about a puppy, however I know puppies require almost full time looking after for the first few months so wondering if that's a good idea being that I work full time.

So, does anyone have a jack russel and/or was in the same position as me before, wanting their first dog but a bit cautious about taking the leap?

By the way, I'm 25 secure job, stable relationship yadda yadda and I don't doubt my ability to look after a dog. Just wanting to get all the advice and tips so I can make a 100% informed decision. I think I'm scared of committment

edited post...

haha my girlfriend has just informed me that she hates jack russells! this could be interesting im not 100% set on a jack, I just like them but open to other breeds if any suggestions
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[Dazbo666]

Yes Jack Russels are energetic and playful. However the likelihood that the same dog would be contened to sit quietly in a flat would be down to its temperament....
and in my experience the temperament of a dog often relies on how it was socialised in its first few months or at very least within the first year.

Assuming you could get a dog from a reliable source, any worthwhile, reasonable owner/seller would be willing to make sure that you and the dog are compatible. A trial period, so to speak.

We've owned a number of dogs over the years, and I'm aware that the first few months to a year are very important in the development of the dogs personality

HTH
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Word of the day : DILLIGAF

[fredsredhat]

i do a bit of volunteering for a rescue www.rainrescue.org.uk so come across loads of different breeds. i find, from experience the little yappy dogs to be quite aggressive but i genuinely believe that this is due to them being raised not knowing they're dogs, treated as kids almost. so if you can, find the youngest and train it to know its a dog first, a friend second so that it doesnt get ideas above its station. have you though about a staffie? lovely dogs, loads of character, great company and love to settle into a couch potato lifestyle

[defblade]

We've got a whippet. Other half works from home-ish much like yourself. He likes 30-60 minutes of walking/running a day and spends most of the other 23 hours curled up somewhere - basket, sofa etc. Does magically appear in the kitchen when you start cooking tho Not bark-y, very cuddly (for a bag of bones!).

Would recommend to anyone.

BUT - I would just say that having a dog is at least as, possibly more, limiting than even having a child (seems sometimes there's more things you can take a child to) when it comes to Life.... you say wekends away/hols are covered; when I say limiting, you have to take the dog into account for anything that's likely to leave them alone for more than 2 or maybe 3 hours (but not enough to draft in a sitter!). For example, romantic meals tend to end up with a glance at the watch and "better get back...." rather than another drink.
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[Polarbear]

Get yourself down to your local RSPCA with your GF and go and look at different dogs together. If they are anything like ours they let you take dogs out in the paddock, play with them etc. to see how you get on.

My last 3 German Shepherds have been from the RSPCA. All adult dogs, house trained and only one had any problems (wasn't socialised with other dogs) but we got that sorted.

I wouldn't have a JR if you are leaving it for any length of time. I find terriers to be rather destructive if they get bored. Staffie types probably less so as they are lazy buggers

Find a nice mongrel from a dogs home.
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[f1fan111]

cocker spaniel maybe a good dog, me & gf have a 2 year old who we have had since he was born, loves playing fetch and just runs and bounces around but also can be left alone while we are both at work and is fine. Do remember even though dog could be 8 months old may still chew stuff! ours did this so put him in cage when going out. After a few times he learnt not to chew. Gfs parents have 2 cocker spaniels and gfs sister has 2 aswell all very simlair.

It can be hard at times when trying to go out for meal or cinema if have to leave them along or plan holidays but i wouldn't be without my cocker spaniel or my welsh springer spaniel whos older and madder

[dodgydog]

Greyhounds are brilliant dogs, we've had six from a rescue place. They're really docile most of the time, i.e. quite happy to lay around and sleep most of the day, but ready to go out anytime you like.
Not all of them are huge either, (our latest is though, all £40,000 worth of him). Our other one right now is a lovely little bitch, and all ours have been even tempered.
A good Greyhound rescue will let you go along, take a dog out for a walk a few times to see how you get on.



Dog
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[Skudd]

Cairns are good, I have had two, they can be walked for miles or can just do a little walk around the block. they are happy little fellows, bit cat like as they are independent in many ways, very loyal and don't tend to do the chewing the furniture thing. They don't molt much either.
Border terriers on the other hand, just had the one, need loads of walks, get board very easily, need to be worked and they molt like buggery.
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[thegubner]

I've two friends who live on a farm, they have five jack russels and years of experience, she is a qualified and practising dog listener.

Even they cant leave the dogs in the house, not even one of them.

Some will be fine though, it'll be a case of trial and error to find out what best, but like you say if you've got it in the office it'll be a bit happier.

Don't expect a quiet dog in the guise of a JR terrier though, it wont happen.

[thegubner]

However staffies are a good bet, loyal loving and devoted to you and yours, mine has been left indoors for long periods with no bother, except once actually but we'd just moved and the poor lad was confuzzled.

Brilliant with children (though not an issue for you I know) and people and dogs if well socialised, big enough to deter burglars and small enough for a flat with exercise, would love being in with you in the office during the day too.

Just a thought at another breed like.

[lihp]

[Imonster]

Sheltie's are great dogs; not too big, not very yappy and brilliant with kids (first one in the family was got six weeks before I was born). They also don't need as much exercise as some of the larger breeds.

Only downside is that they tend to leave a bit of hair about...

https://www.oliviatravels.com/blog/_IMAGES/sheltie13.jpg_w450.jpg
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[dodsi]

Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Plaful, manly, wonderful temprament love to be with people.

simple.

[hmmmnz]

im a big fan of most small terriers,
ok your gf doesnt like jack russels, but there are alot of small dogs that have a very similar temperament,
we had a Australian terrier as a kid (i doubt you'd get them in the uk
and it was great, very similar to a Yorkshire terrier, just a bit larger
or a Cairn Terrier might be a good option
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[Sparks!]

I do like staffies as well so wouldn't rule them out.

My girlfriend would prefer to get 2 cats as she already has two at her parents and is definetly a cat person, I'm not against it as I do like cats as well and admittedly they are less hassle, I originally was going to get cats anyway.

Thinking maybe get some cats now and when I get a house with a garden then get a dog.

I don't know, hard decision! It's apparantly easier to introduce a dog into a home with cats rather than vice versa. I have some time to think about it as I'm not doing either until I've finished decorating my flat, almost there but still a few more weeks at least until I'm ready.
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[stinkwheel]

If you want a dog, I'd really suggest getting it from a pup. 8 months is too old. Any 8 month old dogs out there will have been living with someone else, you have to ask yourself why they no longer want it. It'll be one of two reasons:
1) Behavioural problems.
2) They don't have the time/resources/inclination to look after it properly = behavioural problems.

In short. You're taking on someone elses problem.

If you get one from a pup, you get to train it and socialise it. 8 week old pups don't have behavioural problems, they are a blank slate.

I don't personally like Jack Russels. Yes there are some nice ones but I find a higher proportion of them can be very forward and agressive with other dogs especially. All terriers seem to be like this to an extent but Jack Russels are some of the worst.

I reckon one of the best terrier breeds is a border cross lakeland terrier. Tough as old boots and usually comparatively calm and sensible.

As dodgydog says, greyhounds and whippets are very laid back dogs. If I was going to be getting an older one, one of these would be less likely to be a behavioural nightmare. They can be a bit soft though. Lurcher type dogs are a bit tougher but usually similar in temperement.

I'm also a fan of the hybrid breeds like labradoodles (lab cross poodle) and cockerdoodles (cocker spaniel cross poodle). Intelligent, friendly, healthy dogs on the whole.
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[boundy]

You want a proper dog like mine.
He can pose for nice pictures
https://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s95/boundy69/alfie/DSC00450.jpg

Make giant snow balls
https://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s95/boundy69/alfie/DSC00457.jpg

And even climb trees
https://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s95/boundy69/alfie/2010-10-17145329.jpg
https://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s95/boundy69/alfie/2010-10-17145445.jpg

[Flip]

[lllN30lll]

Deffo visit the dogs home, I got Tyler, a 2 year old staffie cross ( some say he has whippet in him ) from there and love him to bits, he's fine even though we're both at work for 10 hours a day, he's toilet trained, and an absolute character. Love him

https://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/23836_10150162793330212_671540211_12111795_4282674_n.jpg
https://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/23836_10150162793320212_671540211_12111794_5604094_n.jpg

[stinkwheel]

[Flip]

[Clanger]

We had a Jack Russell, he was ace, good fun, chased his tail and stuff...he didn't yap at all. He was fine to leave in the house but used to get territorial about a spot on the sofa, and used to give a deep growl, but never ever agressive beyond that with us or other dogs.

He was an excellent ratter though! No rat was safe in our yard. It's the only time he really got whingy and excitable was when there was a rat to be had.

We had him from puppy upwards. We've had all sorts of different breeds of dogs. I personally would opt for a Staffie and a Boxer for my own dogs (if/when I ever get to the stage of owning dogs).
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[Shreddie]

Another vote for Greyhounds/Lurchers/Whippets here.

We have a 75% Greyhound 25% Collie so she's kinda half way between Lurcher and Greyhound... Truly fantastic dog. Contrary to popular belief they don't need much exercise and spend most of the time sleeping once they're past 2-3 years old so they're usually fine being left in flats for a few hours a day. Wonderful gentle temperament too, a temperament which seems common across many sight hounds.

Ours is a proper hunter though, anything small and furry and she'll be after it... Birds (though not so much these days, she's old and has slowed down alot), Cats etc... She wasn't too fond of stuffed toys when she was a pup either.

[Face.]