| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| HelenW |
Posted - 24 Nov 2011 : 12:49:21 PM
Well after having to put to sleep our Great Dane Dave last week, I have started to look to the future and make plans for a new family dog. Dave i know can never be replaced but I am missing the companionship of a dog. We live out in the sticks and my OH works away from home a lot and I'm now feeling quite vulnerable. The closest I now have to Dave is naughty Rupert as they were about the same size but for some reason the OH doesn't want him in the house (naughty Rupert is the Shetland Cross in my sig pics)
I have been looking at smooth coated St Bernard's as we love big dogs so was wondering if any ALiners have any experience with this breed. |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| LYNDILOU |
Posted - 20 Dec 2011 : 10:58:36 AM
we had rotties , the first one Jackson was such a wonderful boy , didnt chase the horses and so well behaved , he died of a rare blood disease aged just 5 and we were heart broken , so went out and got another one , Ruban , couldn't have been more different, he went from bad to worse as far as other animals were concerned , and after attacking my foal! I gave him away to a doctor friend of mine who loved the bones of him, but sadly after killing a cat, attacking a donkey and a goat( she ended up in court over him !) she had to give him up to a rottie rescue , I only hope he found a home without other dogs cats or any other animals , they can differ from animal to animal. so go with a breed known for kindness and good temperament I would recommend Retrievers personally  editing to add a picture of my beautiful Patzi just 8 months ols and a living treasure
mind you she can give her toys HELL !
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| HelenW |
Posted - 16 Dec 2011 : 4:42:44 PM
My neighbour has two Rotties and I agree they are lovely dogs, I don't think those particular 2 are very friendly with horses as they alert the whole lane when I'm riding by.
We visited the LKA Dog Show at the NEC the other weekend to do some new breed shopping. We went with the Italian Spinones in mind but the OH has lost his heart to the Irish Wolfhounds. He just loves giant dogs!!! and even though Dave was always with me and I miss him immensely, my OH has really been grieving so I'm going to allow the choice of a new puppy to be his (after all, all the horses and other animals are mine)
Its amazing how empty a house can feel when you've been used to living with a 4 legged hound. I must say though......even though I'm not too house proud it does seem a lot cleaner with out the hairs ( its the only positive I can find)
My daughters arm is healing well and thank goodness there will only be a small scar on her wrist......perhaps the one in her mind will be bigger but we plan on doing lots of work together with the new puppy when we get one to help repair this.
I did fall in love with a Bassett at the show, but he got over excited and drowned me with the biggest blob of slobber you have ever seen. |
| TanyanChewy |
Posted - 16 Dec 2011 : 3:20:49 PM
Hi Helen
Only just seen this thread, I am so sorry to hear about what happened. Absolutely dreadful, my heart really does go out to you.
Just to put my 2pence worth in, I absolutely adore Rotties. When I was young at the farm the YO had 2 on the place (mum and daughter) and they were just wonderful. Looked and sounded the part to strangers coming on to the yard but soft as you like around the yard girls and family. I'd love to have one myself at some point but my 2 nuttie rescues (Sib Husky & a Westie) are quite enough at the moment :)
Wishing you all the best in your search, do keep us updated. |
| Sue J |
Posted - 10 Dec 2011 : 5:14:59 PM
I am owned by a boxer named 'Wesley' if you want a dog that is fun, loyal and highly intelligent boxers are just wonderful.
We have had 3 (1 was a x-bred boxer from a rescue who had been badly abused) but he was a boxer through & through and once settled with us he paid us back ten thousand fold.
The one thing to be careful of though is heart problems in certain blood lines and particularly in red & whites (or so I believe) Wesley is red & white, he came from a responsible breeder and fortunately is very healthy.
Sue
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| Quarabian |
Posted - 10 Dec 2011 : 11:43:50 AM
Have you seen the yellow lab in Cazza's post helen? |
| Pasch |
Posted - 04 Dec 2011 : 6:56:51 PM
The Spinone is a lovely dog,not so sure about being a guard dog being a hunter,but then all dogs are good if the needs arises.Quite a rare breed so maybe that's why the breeder's request.
A great guard dog,again italian,is the Maremmano-Abbruzzese sheperd,but it's a complicated dog,very indipendent and not exactly friendly to strangers(but then I have seen exceptions to the rule)
I certainly agree with Quarabian,I would do the same |
| taranstorm |
Posted - 04 Dec 2011 : 6:03:04 PM
i do own boxers,they are friendly loyal funniest dogs i ever owned! there is a page on facebook of boxers rescue centre looking for new homes,pm me if would like see the page x |
| Meggie-Lu |
Posted - 04 Dec 2011 : 3:41:18 PM
Discover dogs is brilliant. x |
| Ennik |
Posted - 04 Dec 2011 : 11:09:29 AM
Good idea Quarabian! |
| Quarabian |
Posted - 04 Dec 2011 : 09:49:20 AM
You are obviously looking for something a bit special. March is a long way off, but if you visit Crufts they have a hall with reprecentatives of most breeds to meet and helpful people you can ask about them.
Personally though, I would visit a rescue centre and see which dog chooses you. |
| Ennik |
Posted - 04 Dec 2011 : 08:12:13 AM
Border Collie for me every time! |
| HelenW |
Posted - 03 Dec 2011 : 10:49:19 PM
Love boxers but the OH not so keen... I've been doing lots of research on the different breeds and in general for every good comment there's at least one bad one. We very much like the look of the Italian Spinone, they have a fab right up and look gorgeous. Have contacted a breeder today who is planning a litter for 2012. Before they will consider us as portential parents we have to pass a test. I wish there were more breeders with this responsible attitude. |
| navaho621 |
Posted - 02 Dec 2011 : 11:24:27 PM
Originally posted by Pasch
What about a boxer?Although not so big,they are very attached to family and friends,very good with children,very good guard dogs and they have a very short coat.
Plus nothing beats a playful,cute-to-die-for boxer puppy!
Ditto this, you cant beat a boxer as a family dog, brilliant & entertaining. We have also just had a new addition in the shape of a boxer puppy called Jack :)
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| Meggie-Lu |
Posted - 02 Dec 2011 : 9:51:33 PM
Hey sorry to hear about poor Dave :-( Sad to loose any part of your family.
I have done three years of animal care, endless reports of dogs and breeds and all sorts. I have also trained dogs, that's my job during the summer :-) Run Magical Mutts dog training.
My only advice is try thinking outside the box there are lots of lovely breeds that make brill guard dogs and loyal companions, GSD's are brilliant, but they have been badly bred over the last few years if you get one pick one that has a stand more boxed shaped not sloped (this is a classic problem in GSD's now)
Other breeds that are good and fairly big Giant Schnauzer's,Pyrenees, Tibent Mastive,Standard Poodle,Hungarian Visla's and my personal fav the Komondor. If you wanted something smaller but just as good, you have the bigger Terriers like the Airdale, they are lovely dogs. If you need any help. Then just let me no. i have many many pieces of course-work about dog sutiblity and all kinds of stuff :-)
I personally have a West Highland White Terrier called Porridge he is an AWSOME guard dog, and he even gets on with dog hating Mouse :-) Haha!
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| avanti |
Posted - 28 Nov 2011 : 6:22:10 PM
I am so sorry to hear about Dave, I am another GSD fan, we have a new pup (10wks) gifted by my dear friend who just bred a one off litter to replace her old dog, like all dogs they need proper training and socializing but they are great family dogs, I am now looking for an older GSD or cross to be her companion (can't just have one, lol) goog luck in your search xx |
| delly-b |
Posted - 28 Nov 2011 : 3:17:35 PM
Helen
It is so sad to hear about Dave... What a shocking and teriible thing to happen, and also a horrid desicion to have to make.
I too lost my dog a couple of weeks ago, and tbh feel totally lost without him. He was only three, and it was so sudden, and I was so unprepared for what happened. He only went for bloods etc and I fully expected the vet to find out what was wrong, make him better, and we would bring him home... sadly that was not the case.
I know how you feel about looking for another dog as you feel vunerable. Sorry I cant help you at all with big dogs. I just wanted to pass on my hugs to you xx |
| Goldenmane |
Posted - 27 Nov 2011 : 2:14:37 PM
I remember reading about your terrible situation on another thread. I think you were brave. There are so many rescue dogs who would be forever grateful, including puppies, if you feel you are ready for another dog. I would look at a cross breed. |
| suyents |
Posted - 27 Nov 2011 : 12:30:00 PM
years ago i had several Bernies....(i used to turn up at the beach and six would spill out of the back of our range rover!!....and they ALL lived to be over ten years of age by the way...i have no idea what the breed is like in the UK now, but if you get a good one they are wonderful companions and very sensible and intelligent. None of mine had joint problems, but i know that all big dogs may do..there is of course St.Bernard rescue in the UK if you want to talk to them.
Good luck.xx |
| Pasch |
Posted - 26 Nov 2011 : 6:22:27 PM
What about a boxer?Although not so big,they are very attached to family and friends,very good with children,very good guard dogs and they have a very short coat.
Plus nothing beats a playful,cute-to-die-for boxer puppy! |
| LYNDILOU |
Posted - 26 Nov 2011 : 2:53:25 PM
not necessarily we had a smooth St Bernard when we were younger, who moulted continuously. he was a character though and came with us when we went out riding, but he fought every dog he ever saw and at one time we had to pay for veterinary treatment when he attacked a dog badly.he was a rescue along with his brother , and you may have even seen him on blue peter , those old enough to remember, they played back the funny events of the show and he was one that dragged the presenter across the studio LOL ps they are short lived though and suffer with droppy eyes. BTW his name was bouncer ! |
| HelenW |
Posted - 25 Nov 2011 : 11:32:03 PM
We have two cats, one who is brain damaged and lives indoors due to a road accident he is called moss dale and the other is noddy who is more of an outdoor cat who loves to bring in presents. Dave was very gentle with moss dale as I'm sure he new of moss dales troubles, but poor noddy would get chased round the garden and fields.
The more people I speak to the more I realise how many have a story to tell. I don't think any breed is better than any other. We love large dogs but unfortunately a lot have long thick coats which for me is a deciding factor. We have been looking at the smooth coated st Bernard's because they seem to have a reasonable reputation from what I've read.
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| carole ferguson |
Posted - 25 Nov 2011 : 11:13:29 PM
I have always had cats - and never had a problem with my GSD'S See the picture of Freya with my little runt of the litter Rosalina (who we sadly lost due to our local Vets wrong diagnosis
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| Pasch |
Posted - 25 Nov 2011 : 10:14:47 PM
Not first hand experience but from friends' dogs:Bernese are poppets,maybe not so good as guard dogs!Same goes for Newfoundlands,and yes you can't have a decent swim if they are around.Both being large dogs,their life expectancy is not long,but it's the same for Danes.
I know a guy who has a couple of huge beautiful dobermans,they are sweet with strangers when owner is there but I wouldn't go close to his house when he's not.They live with several cats.
Another friend has a huge male pitbull.He will jump on you even if he doesn't know you...to lick your face!They have a pet rabbit of which he's terrified,and when they got a 2 months old kitten he would patiently have his tail bitten and clawed without as much as a growl.He can be aggressive with unknown male dogs though.
As for Gsd,I'm not so comfortable with them,true they are all devoted to their owner,but not always so to other people,and not to cats!
I think really what is most important is that whatever breed you choose(why not a mixed breed?)you pick a puppy that looks sociable,tame and will not object to be playfully put and held belly up (apparently a good way to judge if he will submit to your authority).Also the longer they stay with mum and brothers,the better for learning good manners.Then,you should expose him to as much people and children(sometimes not recognized as small humans),dogs and animals as possible before he grows up and his ways are set.They should always know their place in the human family(being the last,unfortunately many dogs are heads of the family which can turn nasty) |
| carole ferguson |
Posted - 25 Nov 2011 : 10:07:32 PM
My Tara was my first GSD - and I was told I was stupid getting a rescue as my son was only 3 years old. Tara was incredible - as she just was Michael's shadow from the day we got her. She actually chose us at the rescue centre - as she came up to see my son in the car - licked his hand - then jumped into the back of the car next to his child seat.
I am also sure she prevented Mike from being harmed by a dodgy looking character when Tara and he were down at a local river - and I was a good half mile away sorting the horses fencing. A chap came running up the bridleway from the river looking very harassed and scarlet in the face - so I flew down the field and asked Mike what happened. Apparently this chap had stopped to talk to Mike (aged about 7 at the time) and Tara had gone ballistic - so that Mike was barely able to stop her attacking. Dear Tara was an excellent judge of character - and she proved that on several occasions - bless her.
I just love GSD'S |
| RUTHIE |
Posted - 25 Nov 2011 : 9:37:25 PM
I am personally a fan of GSD's. My first ,Tara, was a rescue who lived until she was 15 years old.....posted by carole ferguson
Oh my first GSD bitch was called Tara and she lived until she was twelve.....lovely girl |
