Thinking about getting a dog
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DotCommunist
So many particulars. So many questions.
Border Collie, female.
Leggy, incredibly loyal (even by dog standard slavish love) intelligent and funny. They need plenty of exercise and loads of validation and love. But then what dog does not?
Leggy, incredibly loyal (even by dog standard slavish love) intelligent and funny. They need plenty of exercise and loads of validation and love. But then what dog does not?
http://www.dogsblog.com/
Get some sort of bull terrier, rescues are heaving with them and they are fab dogs, I wasn't a fan before having mine, I was a collie person, I am now
Get some sort of bull terrier, rescues are heaving with them and they are fab dogs, I wasn't a fan before having mine, I was a collie person, I am now
Gym Beam
Born Again Non-theist
Get an English Bull Terrier - preferably a brindle one, as whites tend to go deaf and get skin problems (something to do with too much inbreeding). I've had loads of Dogs. Grew up in a home with dogs. We had German Shephards, Fox Terriers, Toy Poms, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Dogs of mixed heritage and Bull Terriers. EBT's are by far the best breed I've ever owned.
Loyal to a fault, they only bond once and rehoming them is difficult if you ever have to give one up. Loving, gentle and gregarious when playing. They are extremely intelligent and sensitive. They also very perceptive. They live to spend time with their owners and will want to spend every waking minute with you. They are also clown dogs that will entertain you with their clownish behaviour. Often called the laughing cavalier. Be warned though, they are fucking greedy shits!
Loyal to a fault, they only bond once and rehoming them is difficult if you ever have to give one up. Loving, gentle and gregarious when playing. They are extremely intelligent and sensitive. They also very perceptive. They live to spend time with their owners and will want to spend every waking minute with you. They are also clown dogs that will entertain you with their clownish behaviour. Often called the laughing cavalier. Be warned though, they are fucking greedy shits!
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kabbes
First intersubjective, then internalised
I don't think that it is a good idea to suggest a border collie to someone without knowing a great deal more about their intended lifestyle and approach -- particularly not a novice dogowner. They can very easily become highly problematic. (And you know I speak from experience!)
In brief, border collies are too intelligent for their own good. This sounds like they will be easy to train. The problem is that yes, they are easy to train -- and this means that they can train themselves into very bad habits. They can be fabulous dogs indeed and we're getting to the point with ours where we've managed to deprogram an awful lot of his problems, leaving us with the good bits. But don't take one on lightly.
kabbes
First intersubjective, then internalised
What kind of living environment do you have?
DotCommunist
So many particulars. So many questions.
true. but the man says he is used to terriers. He should be OK with a young female Border Collie, so long as he has the time and effort to dedicate to the dawg.
And yes they are well clever. If I ever wanted a dog to do my evil bidding and be unflinchingly to-the-death loyal it would be a Border Collie. Fucking terriers are wilful shites!
not-bono-ever
meh
patterdale terrier or thereabouts ?
I wouldn't suggest a border collie to someone unless they're got a LOT of time and enegy on their hands, they are fantastic and very intelligent dogs - we had one for years, but they need an awful lot of exercise and time (ours could be taken on a 15 mile ramble on an afternoon but still want to play and go for a walk at night time, I never ever saw him worn out!!)
Also, they're not really what I'd class as a small dog, kinda medium sized really
100% masahiko
i is a professor and is magical like totoro
Is that your dog?
S/he looks like mine.
They are the best dogs. They're not easy though. Give them an inch and they take a mile. They're funny fuckers though. Very confident. Greedy. Lazy. Can get into trance-like states.
I love them. Oh and in a recent test, they are the most tolerable dogs around children.
subversplat
writer of wrongs
I agree with this! Patterdale terriers (and their mongrels) are lovely
Some sort of patterdale/alsatian cross would be the most wonderful dog ever in existance, imo!
Callie
Pivoting
Maybe go to some rescue homes and have alook at and spend some time with different dogs if youre not sure. I think although traits may be associated with particular breeds every dogs is an individual and it'll be a nice idea to get to know some pups before hand awww doggies!
You are going to go for a rescue dog, right?
Staffies are lovely dogs but not so sure of their ratting abilities. Terriers do seem fairly common in rescue places (staffies maybe for different reasons) but that may be an indication that they can be difficult - they like fighting and are often feisty and stubborn!
awww doggies!You are going to go for a rescue dog, right?
Staffies are lovely dogs but not so sure of their ratting abilities. Terriers do seem fairly common in rescue places (staffies maybe for different reasons) but that may be an indication that they can be difficult - they like fighting and are often feisty and stubborn!
DotCommunist
So many particulars. So many questions.
I wouldn't suggest a border collie to someone unless they're got a LOT of time and enegy on their hands, they are fantastic and very intelligent dogs - we had one for years, but they need an awful lot of exercise and time (ours could be taken on a 15 mile ramble on an afternoon but still want to play and go for a walk at night time, I never ever saw him worn out!!)
Also, they're not really what I'd class as a small dog, kinda medium sized really
they are on the border (lol). Yes they fill out in middle age but its a leggy lean breed rather than one of any actual bulk. Plus they live for ever. It' a breed that seems immortal. Course that's it's own issue, the death of dog who is with you for 16 years is like having your guts ripped out sans medication
Wow I've always liked border collie's. Plenty of exercise and loving care no problem
mind you if it's a terrier you want Leo needs a home
I'm not sure I could cope with those eyes looking at me all the time.
I know this might sound shit and shallow but dogs like that scare me a bit. I did mention I'm a cat person. I'm not really comfortable around big or vicious looking dogs.
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
Is that your dog?
S/he looks like mine.
I love them. Oh and in a recent test, they are the most tolerable dogs around children.
Also excellent with children.
RIP Horace
Funky_monks
Neo-Rustic
If you want a terrier that works and isn't a JRT then your options are really:
Patterdale
Fell terrier (note these are a 'type', just like Patts, which are really 'black Fell terriers)
Working Lakeland (not to be confused with pedigree lakeland - utterly different dogs)
Plummer Terrier (supposed to be the ultimate ratter, but I have never seen them work - Plummer mixed beagle in with the JRT strain and added some bull to give them more structure...)
None of these are KC reg.
If you wanted a small dog that works but isnt a (pure) terrier, you could do worse than a bedlington terrier/whippet cross lurcher.
Border terriers will work, but you have to look hard for proper working strains of them now the KC has got hold of the breed. Still, even KC ones will make passable ratters most of the time.
I used to do my ratting with a patt and a JRT, but we had to re-home the JRT as he didnt like my baby daughter.
Patterdale
Fell terrier (note these are a 'type', just like Patts, which are really 'black Fell terriers)
Working Lakeland (not to be confused with pedigree lakeland - utterly different dogs)
Plummer Terrier (supposed to be the ultimate ratter, but I have never seen them work - Plummer mixed beagle in with the JRT strain and added some bull to give them more structure...)
None of these are KC reg.
If you wanted a small dog that works but isnt a (pure) terrier, you could do worse than a bedlington terrier/whippet cross lurcher.
Border terriers will work, but you have to look hard for proper working strains of them now the KC has got hold of the breed. Still, even KC ones will make passable ratters most of the time.
I used to do my ratting with a patt and a JRT, but we had to re-home the JRT as he didnt like my baby daughter.
I have a house with a back garden. Some of it is garden some of it veg and herbs. But I have a campervan and I'd like a dog that is comfortable with travelling and it might need to be left on it's own for a couple of hours without wrecking our little home on wheels.
Funky_monks
Neo-Rustic
I don't think that would be beyond the scope of most terriers. Id keep it outside when you weren't there though. I had a dogflap once and the little fuckers would bring in large portions of the garden to chew in the lounge.
Sorry I've realised what I've done by mentioning 'ratter'. I don't want a working dog just something small and wiry that makes a good travelling companion. But you mentioned border terriers and I googled for an image.
Where's the heart smiley when you need it
Funky_monks
Neo-Rustic
Sorry I've realised what I've done by mentioning 'ratter'. I don't want a working dog just something small and wiry that makes a good travelling companion. But you mentioned border terriers and I googled for an image.
Where's the heart smiley when you need it
Its OK, working terriers don't have to work, and they are generally cheaper to buy than pedigree ones. When I bought my patt pup, you wouldnt pay much more that £150 for one. I like Borders too, but you are often looking at over £300 for a puppy.
Of all my terriers, the best companion has been my patterdale.
two sheds
Least noticed poster 2007
Awwww border terrier
Someone said to me about indoor cages/kennels for when you need to go out without the dog. My initial thought was that it would be cruel but they said the dog likes going in there and they throw a treat in if they're off out for a few (up to 4) hours. They used it as the dog's bed which also apparently helped house train them because they don't like shitting where they're going to sleep.
I'd love a border collie cross but what silver put about 15 mile walks and then demanding being played with is scary and sounds far too much like having a child to me. Have also heard though of dog leads that you can have them on outside for a good run around while you're indoors with feet up, which sounds the way to go to me.
Someone said to me about indoor cages/kennels for when you need to go out without the dog. My initial thought was that it would be cruel but they said the dog likes going in there and they throw a treat in if they're off out for a few (up to 4) hours. They used it as the dog's bed which also apparently helped house train them because they don't like shitting where they're going to sleep.
I'd love a border collie cross but what silver put about 15 mile walks and then demanding being played with is scary and sounds far too much like having a child to me. Have also heard though of dog leads that you can have them on outside for a good run around while you're indoors with feet up, which sounds the way to go to me.
Funky_monks
Neo-Rustic
Basically, Id say if you have a job that is mostly physical (preferably for you and the dog, eg sheep farmer) and you can bring your dog with you, then you can have a collie. If not, don't get one.
100% masahiko
i is a professor and is magical like totoro
Also excellent with children.
RIP Horace
He had the perfect name!! He was gorgous!
