Getting a dog, any advice?

Mike Hoxbig said:
Who's telling porkies?
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Google says: "The short answer is yes, Cocker Spaniels do shed. However, they are considered moderate shedders, which means they don't shed as much as some other dog breeds"
 
GhostSixFour said:
Has anyone requested a picture of OP's wife? Perhaps he has a dog already?
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Stop being an ahole. I was going to request a pic, but people would not believe why I'd be asking.

Somewhere down the road from us is a tiny woman. Each late afternoon/early evening she goes jogging, two massive magic carpets with four legs on leashes. One evening a cat decided to cross the road near us ... she came flying past holding onto those two carpets, and yes, carpets do fly. :ROFL:
 
Rickster said:
Jack Russell if you don't mind the hair, hyperactivity and them barking at every slight noise.
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HAHA jack Russels is like rolling the dice, my niece has a short legged on and she is best buds with her son but, they grew up together. We on the other hand have a jack russel x whippet and his a damn wrecking ball of note, just this morning he jumped the fence i put up to keep him from a certain part of the back yard, had to run around trying to catch, put him back over the fence, get myself out and then he started attacking me for the fun of it. Almost every night i have to chase him around the garden at mid night because his causing chaos and he thinks its play time and starts biting me and attacking. Freaking nutcase of a dog, he does not like kids, we cannot have small children or strangers around because he is very possessive and protective of us and does try to attack.

Our pekes are chilled and dont have issues with kids but yea hair is a huge issue with them.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Thanks, will check them out. Looking to only get a puppy in December for the kid's birthday. Just doing the background research etc. now because it's not a decision I'm taking lightly...
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Yea their adoption fees are not bad, includes all shots and getting them fixed, you can go meet the dog beforehand and get a sense of how they are. Could possibly foster with the option of adoption, that way you can do a test run LOL. As much as our boy is a menace, i would not trade him for anything, he has his loveable moments.
 
A pavement special with a bit of Africanus mixed are usually the best dogs, all they need is their biannual rabies combo vaccines and they'll live for years with almost no health issues. You just need a big enough yard for them to roam around in and they are extremely independent, it's kind of like owning a cat except less work
 
don't be a chop and "rent" a dog to try before you buy, have a heart and think what that dog is going through, only to be chucked away because you don't like it. You buy a dog and you keep it for life, you both adapt and learn.

anyway a pavement special is always the most loyal, loving and medically tough dogs out there.

now go to the SPCA and pick a dog that you & your wife like and stick with it, off you go!
 
flarkit said:
Google says: "The short answer is yes, Cocker Spaniels do shed. However, they are considered moderate shedders, which means they don't shed as much as some other dog breeds"
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The back of my couch disagrees but then again nowhere near as bad as the current Pibble. I expect Pibble to be bald any day now.
 
Mike Hoxbig said:
Who's telling porkies?
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We've had 6 over the last 15 years. They don't shed much if at all (we have a Jack Russell too, and he leaves hairs everywhere!), but we get them a trim 3 times a year or so. Don't do much grooming, though they do enjoy it. I take them for walks occasionally, but even the 3 year old is not super active.
 
Claymore said:
We've had 6 over the last 15 years. They don't shed much if at all (we have a Jack Russell too, and he leaves hairs everywhere!), but we get them a trim 3 times a year or so. Don't do much grooming, though they do enjoy it. I take them for walks occasionally, but even the 3 year old is not super active.
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What type of Cocker do you have? It’s the first time I hear someone say a Cocker isn't active. Ours have always needed plenty of exercise. But I suppose any breed can become more laid back if they don't get daily walks or time to run around.

I did find that with Cockers, the more exercise they get the more energy they have for even more :)

And mine are absolute water junkies. If they spot water, they'll dive straight into it.
 
flarkit said:
Google says: "The short answer is yes, Cocker Spaniels do shed. However, they are considered moderate shedders, which means they don't shed as much as some other dog breeds"
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Shedding or nor shedding, CS are an advanced breed. They are prone to neurosis and hyperactivity. Expect them to run a figure eight into your lawn and expect to deal with some psychological issues. Their ears also require special care as they can develop sores from getting wet and being dragged (you get water and food bowls designed for them for instance).
Mike Hoxbig said:
Thanks, will check them out. Looking to only get a puppy in December for the kid's birthday. Just doing the background research etc. now because it's not a decision I'm taking lightly...
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I know this isn't a parenting thread and you seem like a sensible family but it is worth pointing out that giving pets as gifts is a bad precedent. Better for the laaitie to see it as an adoption of a new family member with specific needs rather than a toy.
My kids had to earn their pets by showing us a requisite level of responsibility in other areas (chores, grades, etc.).
 
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SlinkyMike said:
I know this isn't a parenting thread and you seem like a sensible family but it is worth pointing out that giving pets as gifts is a bad precedent. Better for the laaitie to see it as an adoption of a new family member with specific needs rather than a toy.
My kids had to earn their pets by showing us a requisite level of responsibility in other areas (chores, grades, etc.).
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The birthday part is just to add some excitement. The actual plan is to teach him responsibility. The kid is 4 so he's too young to earn his keep, this would be a way to start building empathy and emotion towards others, while enforcing routine and responsibility...
 
Adenoid Hynkel said:
What type of Cocker do you have? It’s the first time I hear someone say a Cocker isn't active. Ours have always needed plenty of exercise. But I suppose any breed can become more laid back if they don't get daily walks or time to run around.

I did find that with Cockers, the more exercise they get the more energy they have for even more :)

And mine are absolute water junkies. If they spot water, they'll dive straight into it.
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Ours are goldens. Admittedly, our oldies are old - Jody is 17 or 18 - but by and large they're happy to lie around a good part of the day when we're working or whatever. Our 3yo is the most active - he dashes out to look for rats (he saw one once...), and will play a little with a ball, but other than that is happy to snooze on me.

We haven't tried much with water; our pool is not safe for dogs. We have to try with the young one though.
 
I see medipet starts at R299, bit excessive IMHO considering it does not even cover "Emergency boarding fees"
What else is available?
 
GrootVoet said:
This is so true, in the past 20 years we had 4 dogs. We got a pair of border collies (male / female) at the same time as puppies and they died within a year each other at 13 & 14. When the first one died we replace him with a female collie and when the second one died we got another female collie. My wife calls us the gang because they follow me around all the time. If you want collies you need to get a pair so that they can keep each other busy.
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Ideally you shouldn't get dogs at the same age as they can become over-reliant on each other which isn't great for their mental health. Wait a few years and then get the second one.
 
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