Hi guys, our Westie of 16 years died about a year and a half ago and we are thinking of getting a new dog. We don't really have any preference, apart from that it doesn't shed hair. I have come across Lhaso Apso's, they seem to have an in interesting temperment, ie not just a lapdog, and don't shed hair. However im worried they will take a lot of grooming, which could be a pain in the ass. Does anyone have any experience with them, or any other suggestions?
Thanks in advance
From what I understand, pedigree/pure bred dogs tend to be a lot more prone to illness and infection. Something like a lurcher or short-haired lab/collie mix will likely be smart, good-natured and healthy.
Never mind perception because it isn’t real. It’s only what people think. Go out and make them think something else.
- Alan Quinlan on believing in yourself
Greyhounds are meant to be great house dogs.
We have 2 lab/collie mixed breeds. Super dogs
Con Artist
Cheers guys. Mr Chips I was aware of that, will definitely take it into consideration. We were looking for one in the pound, but it is a small shelter and doesnt house many. Valencia we were actually tempted to look at Labrador/cross but we're thinking they may be a bit big as our garden doesn't have a lot of space.
http://listverse.com/2007/12/21/top-...r-lazy-owners/
Forget the title. ok article on pros and cons of different breeds.
cheers mate, will have a look here!
The only problem with that is they are all pure breds. I have swung to getting a cross breed due to the health issues involved.Originally Posted by The Last Stand
Labradoodles are excellent if coat shedding is an issue.
Oh my Dog... Sorry.. Oh my God! What an exotic ranking...
At first, all dogs do shed hair. And the shorthair breeds are not the most interessant. Short hair come deep in every textile, pieces of clothe, carpets etc etc. And the quality of the pet foods takes an important part in hair shedding.
As small horse dog: The most interesting breed in my opinion is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. No agressivity, very affectionate, nice looking, terrible eyes... Really fantastic, rarely ill excepted the tragedy of this breed: Mitral valve disease, a genetic cardiopathy that concerns nearly 25% of the dogs belonging to this breed here in France, no matter if male or female. It means, when you adopt thie fantastic dog, you cannot know if it will get the disease at the age of 4-5 years. And that's why I call it a tragedy. But this illness can be treated, and its evolution can be slowed, so a soon treated dog can live normally till 10-13 years. Bolognese or Lhassa Apso as you mentionned would be a good choice too, but both need to be groomed. Get more tartar or calculus than terriers too, so they need to be treated (under general anesthaesia) several time in their life.
As small dog, the Jack Russell Terrier is a very intelligent and active dog. Does not like cats, and don't forget it was "created" from Fox Terriers. So, SOME exemplar, dominant exemplars especially, can be a bit restive and show it like classical terriers... Grrr...
As middle size dog: Let choose a Spaniel (English Springer, Brittany, Munsterländer): Rarely ill, robust, well-balanced behaviour. Really nice breeds.
A bit bigger, my choice would go without hesitation to an English Setter. As for spaniels, you do not need to be a hunter.
Around 30-40 kgs, shepherd dogs: German (Well balanced too, rarely ill). The most fantastic (Well balanced, very very intelligent, very affectionate) in this class is the Border Collie, but you NEED to be a sportman: This dog needs many exercise, and if it does not have enough, its behaviuour can suffer.
If you love to run, let choose a Basset Hound or another type of Basset: These dogs do have "three" lungs and a carburettor at the place of the heart. Very kind, very robust excepted possible rachis weakness. A word about the Golden Retriever: Very very nice breed, but in my experience, some critical cases because of dominant behaviour or fear (but both behaviours can lead to problems for all breeds).
You wrote about grooming, don't forget the pet-food budget if you choose a big race. And you can always find a super friend contacting the DSCPA. You can adopt mixes there, that would bring a lot of pleasure to you, but some mix absolutely do not click together: Everybody thinks about American Staff mixes, the Pit-Bulls, but I can say that Poodle+Yorkshire Terrier gives a bad, unsteady result. And the problem with the dogs from DSCPA (SPA here) is that you never know why they were left, so they can hide behaviour troubles (Two days ago came an old woman to us with a recently adopted Pyrenean Shepherd Dog: The dog is 9 years old, unsteady, dominant, the woman is weak, has a weak health... I do not understand how she got this dog. So, take care.).
This is only my opinion, based on my professionnal experience, I hope I was not too restrictive, too obscured, and most of all that my english was understandable enough.
Last edited by JN.Allezdax.com; 6th-October-2012 at 23:46.
The Scots (originally Irish, but by now Scotch) were at this time inhabiting Ireland, having driven the Irish (Picts) out of Scotland; while the Picts (originally Scots) were now Irish (living in brackets) and vice versa. It is essential to keep these distinctions clearly in mind (and verce visa). Sellar and Yeatman
Say no to Jack Russells. Relentlessly yappy little fcukers.
Never mind perception because it isn’t real. It’s only what people think. Go out and make them think something else.
- Alan Quinlan on believing in yourself
Personally can't stand the sound of any small dog barking. Raises my blood pressure and makes me ponder various plans to silence it and put us all out of our misery. Your reference to a small garden leads me to believe you won't have a lot of time to exercise the dog and that it will be subject to long periods of lonely boredom. Any small bread will likely become an incessant yapper in such a situation and your neighbours will come to despise you and your useless little animal.
I keep big dogs and they are a big responsibility, but they do serve several purposes. But don't think you can cut corners with a little animal. (frankly i never understood the desire to keep dirty little dogs simply for "companionship".)
Little animals that are useful are cats. Cleaner, much less work, more mature, calm and well behaved on the sofa, kill rodents, and develop cohabital understandings with very large very intelligent dogs.
A pair of Jack Russells are kept in the garage of the house across from us all day, about 300 yards away. The owners hardly bother exercising them or interacting with them, just arriving to feed them and usually leaving again straight away (they don't even live in the house). The front of the garage is a big metal mesh affair, so the dogs see through that to the outside world and yap incessantly at every passing person, vehicle, bird, rabbit, leaf ... They used to be left there overnight too until the council intervened, so now a nearby relative keeps them in his own shed overnight then drops them into the garage around 7.30 each morning. I feel bad for the dogs being kept so isolated and under-exercised, but it's hard to feel sympathetic when they yap away as soon as they are put in there. It was worse when they were making the same amount of noise all night though; that was when I started getting murderous inclinations.
Never mind perception because it isn’t real. It’s only what people think. Go out and make them think something else.
- Alan Quinlan on believing in yourself
Great posts JN & 16. We got the 2 dogs as pups & added the 2 kittens a few weeks later. They are now. 3 years old & co-exist quite well. The dogs display some dominance (or try to) over them at times, but the cats show utter disdain for them as only cats can. We've a fairly large garden & got a pair for company. I agree with you 16, I don't care much for Rat Dogs, my 2 lab/collies have so far excellent health. On walks recently observed a new behaviour, they start trashing the grass with their hind legs, is this eradicating another scent?
Con Artist
the scrum half of dogs.
"Lads, your not to miss practice unless your parents died or you died" Frank Leahy
Watched on the german tv a very interesting analysis from a british dog behaviourist who explained that he does not understand how people can consider Terriers as house dogs because they always were used to kill rats. Understandable point of view even if I do not share it. Selective breeding can modify the ancestral genetic behaviour or anatomy of an animal, in the right direction and in the bad too.
- Bull Dog for exemple were so selected that they have a head as round as possible, with a nearly faded nose. This led to a dog that is a potential heart and respiratory failure breed, with all the consequences concerning the expectancy of the dogs, their sensibility to heat and ilnesses, and the difficulties/dangers concerning their anesthaesia. If you see old pictures of Bullies, you can see that they had "more nose" than today.
- In the case of the Jack Russell, don't forget they are pure Fox Terriers, and if the last breed still suffers (wrongly in my opinion) a bad reputation particularly because of its use as wild boar hunters, the agressivity of the breed was consistently reduced. Surely, if you let you dog in a cage the whole day long because it makes damages in the appartment when you are at work, like I saw it, the bad consequences on its behaviour are certain. And about yapping, sorry, but it's not particular to this breed, and I would even say the opposite. And in the case of your neighbour, Chippy, as you perfectly feel, the problem does not come from the dogs, but from the owners. Helas, when this trouble/habit occurs, it's very very hard to let it fade. All dog can yap, even Labs, or Boxers, it's a part of the owners' job to prevent this as the dog is still young. And I am still convinced that this breed is one of the most "intelligent" among all the breeds of dogs.
The Scots (originally Irish, but by now Scotch) were at this time inhabiting Ireland, having driven the Irish (Picts) out of Scotland; while the Picts (originally Scots) were now Irish (living in brackets) and vice versa. It is essential to keep these distinctions clearly in mind (and verce visa). Sellar and Yeatman
Could be. Is it after marking? I have a "puppy" black lab dog (boy) that still pees like a girl and does that after. That dog and a bigger one (can't reveal...too revealing) will be in the sitting room in front of the fire with the new maturing kittens and the dogs get notions of chasing because the kittens are a bit hyper still in their brief time inside. But the cats end up presenting their bottoms to be licked and the dogs are just gagging for more kitty arse biscuit snacks. Dogs really are disgusting animals. However they have each other, space, daily runs in the forest and swims too. Couldn't imagine the cost benefit analysis of a small dog.Great posts JN & 16. We got the 2 dogs as pups & added the 2 kittens a few weeks later. They are now. 3 years old & co-exist quite well. The dogs display some dominance (or try to) over them at times, but the cats show utter disdain for them as only cats can. We've a fairly large garden & got a pair for company. I agree with you 16, I don't care much for Rat Dogs, my 2 lab/collies have so far excellent health. On walks recently observed a new behaviour, they start trashing the grass with their hind legs, is this eradicating another scent?
When i say 'small' I just mean that I dont have fields for the animal to run about in, which is why it wouldn't be fair having a larger athletic dog. We have an ample sized garden for a small dog, even throw in squirrels for it to chase and never catch! Im flirting with the idea of also getting a kitten and watching them grow as companions.
A dog behaviourist at our local vet said to me that self exercise is 'not exercise' when it comes to dogs. They have to be 'walked' daily. Not sure if this is true?
Con Artist
Look. We have room for dogs to run in the garden. That is not sufficient. A quarter acre yard for two big dogs is enough to keep them from being "couped" during working hours. But they also require their 6 days a week run through the forest and multiple lap retrieving swims in the lake. I couldn't leave a small dog in the space we have to entertain itself or it would beat a monotonous path while yapping at the air incessanty. I have witnessed this behaviour. IN MY GARDEN WITH A RESCUED SMALL DOG. Do not assume space is sufficient for a dog unless you're talking free feckin range. We have space for horses of dogs to get up to speed chasing. But the forest and the pond is what keeps them well and us all sane. I would never ever leave a dog , no matter how small, to entertain itself and exercise itself even in a half a fenced in rugby pitch of its own. It's not sufficient. If you do this, you are a lazy and irresponsible dog owner.
I agree, Valencia.
The Scots (originally Irish, but by now Scotch) were at this time inhabiting Ireland, having driven the Irish (Picts) out of Scotland; while the Picts (originally Scots) were now Irish (living in brackets) and vice versa. It is essential to keep these distinctions clearly in mind (and verce visa). Sellar and Yeatman
Only thing I can add as someone with 3 dogs, size really isn't the issue it's how much time is spent with the dogs. I have 2 springers' and a yorkie. We chose the springers' for our active family and the yorkie came along from a work colleague of my husbands' who couldn't handle him at all as he was from a puppy farm and they are very time demanding dogs. Once the big dogs get their run out a couple of times a day no bother with them at all, springers like to sleep up to 20 hrs a day (lucky buggers). Now Mr. Yorkie will join in on the run outs every day no problem at all but being a terrier he is a feisty little fecker with boundless energy who needs constant instruction to keep him in check and to know his place in the pecking order in the family. Don't get me wrong, he isn't hard work at all but work all the same in comparison to the other 2, but so much more intelligent than the other 2, he even knows everyone in the family by name. So don't really take size into account unless food bills are an issue. Lurchers are fantastic and loving dogs and don't require much exercise or constant handling either. Only other thing, if you do decide on a mixed breed and are looking at a puppy, big paws means big dog.
"You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!"
Where did I say the dog would not be walked????? I did mention that I had a dog for 16 years, and the dog got walked most days of those 16 years. Where has this come out of?
Cheers for the advice mate
Just to add, any springer is the mayor of shedsville, their shedding is relentless
Last edited by No Bother; 7th-October-2012 at 21:48.
"You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!"
My collie sheds like crazy as well. However, I wouldn't swap her for the world. She's the smartest dog I've ever owned and her huge energy keeps me very active. The best thing is that she's a fantastic guard dog who wants to spend all day in the garden on patrol.
Tommy O'Donnell - David Wallace Mk. 2.
Think conversation was about keeping dogs in general & went on from the 2 dogs in the shed, not about you in any way El H
Con Artist
Ah, no problem. I thought the tone of no. 16 was directed at me.
Sorry dude. It was there more about in general than in particular reply to you at that stage. I guess my imagination ran away with me. I didn't know where my feet were taking me. I had the image of a small garden and a small dog in it 9-5 by itself and shuddered. Honestly my expertise is really with dogs that need to be Run not Walked. But when i heard you mention the size of the garden as a concern i was afraid that you considered the size of your garden as a primary concern. Considering the size of your garden in relation to the size of your dog often signals that you are considering how much it will be able to amuse itself while left alone for long periods of time. Like i said, luckily we have space for two big dogs to chase each other. But they need an hour out at least before and/or after work and a small garden wouldn't be the deal breaker. Our ample garden would neither be the magic formula for a small dog. My point is...if you are considering the size of your garden for the type of dog you keep you are considering short cuts. I'd happily keep a couple big dogs in a small space during the day and exercise them well. I would never leave a small dog in a huge garden and take it for a half hour walk every day and think that was enough. It will be bored and it will bark incessanty at the air while you are away. Big dogs that are run well and kept in small gardens don't. What exactly are you looking for in a pet? Sorry I'm biased. Like I said...The sound of small dogs barking in neighbours' gardens makes me have homo and canine cidal thoughts. I'll go so far as to say that small dogs should be illegal to be kept within 1km of others without their permission. They are almost always a nuisance and disturbers of the peace and in such a shrill way.
Hi,
A few general points - all pedigree dogs will have genetic problems - some more than others - get the dog insured and read the small print - not too sure what type of policies are offered in Ireland (I'm in the UK) but insurance for life is the one to go for if you can afford it/it is available - this means the company will keep insuring the dog even if it has a chronic condition (e.g. heart problems in Cavalier King Charles, skin disease in Westies). Beware when/if you change your policy as exclusions can be applied at this point - i.e. a new policy may be cheaper for a reason!
All dogs shed hair - short haired dog hair is just less noticeable!
Larger dogs will cost more - vets bills, food etc.
Giant breeds will generally have a shorter life span. Terrier types do tend to be one of the longer-lived dogs.
Lhasas do take a fair bit of grooming and can get skin and eye problems (Brachycephalic - short-faced) as they have protruding eyes.
Personally I'm a fan of lurchers/greyhounds - short haired - comparatively(!!) less shedding, very sweet dogs. They don't need masses of exercise - obviously they do need to be walked. The only downside is if you have cats/rabbits/guinea pigs etc as, obviously, these are prey species! Also as they are bred for performance they have less genetic problems than many.
Hope that helps
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