PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Breed specific discussion of your favorite breed.

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master2

PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by master2 »

HI

I would really like advice on what breed is right for me. firstly I would like to give you some info on me as a person so you can match me to the right breed.

I am a very dominate person I don't know whether you have ever heard of Lara Croft but my friends say I remind them of her as I am my own boss and very independent and don't rely on anyone to do things for me I am a very strong, independent character. I have always loved dogs as a girl and at the age of 6 was in love with dogs when I grew older I asked my dad for a dog at the age of 12 but he said no as he's not a fan so I told my self I will wait until the right time comes to have a dog. so at the age of 26 I own my own home am happy in my job ( I own my own company) and have lots of spare time on my hands. from the age of 23 I decided to learn as much as I could about dogs first to understand them better so I read LOTS of book on dog behaviour and have read Victoria Stillwell's book 10 times and have watched all episodes of its me or the dog on reply. I tried some of the things that I learned on my aunties GSD as she never trained hers as she was lazy (I don't like my auntie at all) and I teacher her sit, stay, speak, down, come, twirl, leave it, give paw, quit and drop it my auntie did not like me doing this as Jade would not listen to her and seemed happy when I went round to visit. so she banned me from her house. that is the only experience I have with dogs in training. I have been to crufts a few time but could not make my mind up what breed to choose and every time I think I know what breed is for me I fall for another. I just love all dog breeds.

I am a first time owner however I have studied dog behaviour and how to positively train a dog. I know the signals dogs give us when there stressed or scared when I was coming out of Tesco last night a woman kept saying how cute this shih Tzu was (it was tied up outside) and the tail was right under and ears were back and she bent down to stroke and the shih Tzu turned his/her head away from the woman and I could see how this was going to end so I told her she should not stroke the dog he/she dose not like it he/ she is nervous and dose not like you stroking him/her, her reply all dogs love me im great with them (if I had a £1 for every person that has told me that I would be rich) so I asked her again to leave the dog again so she swore at me so me being an strong character I told her exactly what I thought of her and that it is people like you who do not listen to dogs body language and get bit and I told her that shih Tzu will bite you. so her thinking :x she knows all dogs stroked the shih Tzu tail still tucked under ears still back but with a small low growl (I thought I would stay incase the owner came out and the woman has a go incase she did get bit) the stupid woman thought the shih Tzu was talking to her :roll: so she was Still stroking him/her and the lips went slightly up and the growl went higher the idiot did not listen to me or the warning signs from the shih Tzu and the shih Tzu lunched at her. lucky for her she did not get bit as she moved away pretty quick and she just walked off. the whole point in me telling you this is that I may not have owned my own dog before but I have watched at parks and dog shows how dog interact with each other and have spent a great deal reading book and then seeing all the body signals for my self by observing dogs in parks and town. I may be a first time owner but I have studied dogs in all there glory to understand them before I get one, I also studied wolf's as well to understand pack life and structure better and why dog's need a pack leader.

so with all that info I will know tell you what I would like in a dog.

training ability- easy to train/ I would also like to train fun things like paw and go into heel work to music with my new partner. (I actually prefer to be around dogs then people I know that sound weird but I just prefer dog company then human as dogs are kinder they don't judge you like people can)

exercise- no more than 2hrs a day/ less is ok to but I can only provide up to 2hrs a day everyday

grooming- im fine what ever grooming is required as dog hair dose not bother me. :D

my dog HAS to be wary of strangers as Im not fond of dog that love all people I like dogs who are loyal to their family's only.

I know self defence and don't let people mess me about so don't need a guard dog but would like a dog who is protective of his family.

I would like a dog who is a big teddy bear with his family but on alert with strangers.

even though I have learned about dogs I will still be going to training class's. I know everyone tends to have there favourites breeds and my are the Doberman and the German Shepherd and westie. the GSD I have decided to not have as they are just to hard to find a good breeder and nearly all the ones in the uk I do not like the frog look they have. and working line breeder's wont let me have one with being a first time owner :roll:. the westie I really like there spunky, terrier attitude (and no I don't find them cute I like there independent personality) but the problem is that there are a lot of staffie and pit bulls in my area and the pitts attack other dogs and was worried with the westie being small that a pit might kill a westie. there are a lot of staffie/ boxer mix's around with idiot owners who I would love to smack in the mouth if I wasn't illegal I just Hate people who use dogs to fight like that. and the police don't even care. I know all that sounds awful but I don't want idiot's like them stopping me from having my dream come true of owning a dog and there's no way I can move. I have watched when theses dangerous owners go out and will avoid taking my dog out at those times. please don't judge me for this I LOVE DOGS AND HAVE WAITED MY WHOLE LIFE FOR THE RIGHT ONE but unfournatly the uk government dose not care about these dangerous owners. I thought that a large dog might be a better option as I do prefer large dogs as the westie is the only small dog I like. the Dobe is my favourite out of all of them but I was told they are to head strong for a first time owner.

if you need anymore info on what I am looking for than please just ask as I don't know what else you would like to know about what I look for in a dog.

thanks
kera
Theo400

Re: PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by Theo400 »

Hi

you should ask nettle she's very knowledgeable and knows a lot.

I understand were your coming from Theo is 2 and he has be attacked by pit-bull type dogs 3 times it makes me so angry. by the way pitt bulls are banned in the uk.
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Nettle
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Re: PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by Nettle »

Hi, welcome to the Board and kudos to you for thinking so carefully before you get your dog :)

Only thing I would say 'think again' over is the pack leader stuff. Dogs don't want pack leaders, don't want/need dominance in their human. They need to feel safe and to have their needs addressed.

Now then - that's a good list of wants you have made, but we also need a list of don't-wants, as these are just as important. For instance, I don't like drooling dogs, I don't like noisy dogs and I don't like needy busy dogs, which wipes out a huge list of breeds. So think of all the things you don't want in your dog-to-be and tell us. Then we can help more.
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog

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master2

Re: PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by master2 »

Hi

when I do get a dog I will be following Victoria's book and going to training class's.

the only thing I don't like or want is a small dog as I like big dogs and I don't want a dog who loves everyone like labs and who is not a good watchdog. and that's it I don't mind drool and things like that. I also don't want a dog the size of a saint Bernard either.

what dog do you think I should go for. I do want to ask if you think a first time owner could have a Doberman I want to do advanced obedience and heel work to music or agility.

Many thanks
Kera
delladooo
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Re: PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by delladooo »

I can't help much with suggesting specific breeds; I love all breeds but haven't experienced most of them.
But, what I would suggest is to maybe think about what you mean by small dog and big dog. For instance the St Bernard is a big dog and a chihuahua is definitely a small dog but something like an english spaniel is somewhere in the middle; moderately tall whilst not a "big dog" or a staffy is a small dog in height but is generally stocky and a big presence.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, at least to me, big dog has quite a few meanings and also depends on my reference frame, especially when I have a larger small dog and a very small dog but also love larger and giant breeds. For instance I, personally, wouldn't class the standard poodle as a large dog - they're tall but quite slender and not imposing (at least the ones I've met) whilst a rotti or american bull are more imposing and classically what I would class as a large dog.


Good luck with picking a breed, Nettle is very good with her advice and has helped us immensely, along with everyone else on this board, so I'm sure they'll match you with an excellent dog :D
JudyN
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Re: PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by JudyN »

master2 wrote:I do want to ask if you think a first time owner could have a Doberman I want to do advanced obedience and heel work to music or agility.
I don't think there's any reason why you shouldn't have a doberman. I've known a couple who had lovely natures, not difficult dogs at all. In fact in any breed, regardless of reputation, you tend to find dogs who are big softies and dogs who are 'difficult' in one way or another - so IMO it's even more important to choose the right breeder than it is to choose the right breed.

Also, with all the research in the world, you need to bear in mind that your dog will be an individual. He may turn out not to be suited to agility or obedience, he may turn out not only to be wary of strangers but to be scared of them, which could be more of a problem than having an over-friendly dog would be. Early socialisation and training will of course minimise the possibility of this, but ultimately you have to do what's best for the dog you end up with.
Jasper, lurcher, born December 2009
master2

Re: PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by master2 »

Hi Judy N and Delladooo

thanks for your reply's.

I have been pm nettle and she advised me that guard breeds are not the best for the sports I want to go into and have told me that Dobermann's are nervy and I am just waiting for her reply as she asked which was more important watchdog or dog sports. my answer was watchdog.
Ari_RR
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Re: PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by Ari_RR »

I would probably give some thought to giant schnauzer or Black Russian terrier then...

But may also want to consider simply a large scary looking one, even if she loves everybody. Scary appearance may be enough of a deterrent too.
master2

Re: PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by master2 »

Hi

I have researched both of them and prefer the giant schnauzer. at the moment I am between the Doberman and the giant schnauzer. :D

any more suggestions are welcome and am looking forward to seeing what nettle thinks.

Many thanks
Kera
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Nettle
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Re: PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by Nettle »

Keep away from the Russian Black - not a first-timer's dog.

Giant Schnauzers might fit your bill, so could Airedales, Ridgebacks and don't underrate the standard poodle for being imposing. I've seen them used as guard dogs and you wouldn't quarrel with them.

However, you must consider just how 'guardy' you need a dog to be, and in what situations. UK law has recently changed, and now a dog that might protect a bit too vigorously can get you in trouble - and itself in a death cell. Really if outdoor protection is needed, it is not a suitable situation for a dog to be put in. If lowlifes with aggressive dogs are roaming your area, don't exercise your dog there, don't allow your children there. It's too big a job for a dog.

If you are worried about being burgled, nowadays the burglars are as likely to take the dog, or else damage it beyond repair.

Standard poodles will enjoy HTM and Agility, though they have far too much sense of humour to take it seriously.
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Ari_RR
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Re: PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by Ari_RR »

A Ridgeback may fit the bill... but I wouldn't advise one if you are a dominant Lara Kroft type and plan to be this way with your dog.....
master2

Re: PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by master2 »

Hi

when I say Lara croft I mean I am not easy to fool and am not a pushover and can be very strict ( with people) as I can out wit most of my friends so it takes a lot to outwit me. but I would NEVER hit or hurt a dog. I plan on using food rewards or praise depends which one the dog prefers e.g., toys, food or praise.
master2

Re: PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by master2 »

[quote="Nettle"] If lowlifes with aggressive dogs are roaming your area, don't exercise your dog there, don't allow your children there. It's too big a job for a dog.

with what nettle said above the lowlifes come everyday and one lives next door and owns 2 of the attack dogs and I have been into the council but they dog care. and this is why I am asking for your help because I was 100% sure with the westie as they are great watchdogs, strong independent characters like me and I like there a big dog in a small body as I do like terriers but was scared that it might kill the westie if and that's a big if the westie did get attacked with it being small and pit-bull weigh more and were bred for fighting that the pitt might kill the westie. so far I have lived here for 5 yrs and I have seen 6 dog attacks the first was a yorkie and the poor thing died then my neighbour dog (staffie/boxer mix) has attacked 2 other staffie type dogs but the other dogs were ok after and so was my neighbours .then I saw a pit-bull attack a GSD but again they were fine and then another person with a staffie mix was attacked by a different pit and died. all the attacks happen outside the co-op as my house is across the street. so this is why I thought a big dog might be a better suit here I will be trying to avoid at all cost by going out when they don't but its my neighbour dog im worried about otherwise I would just get a westie as I really like them. am I just being to paranoid?
JudyN
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Re: PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by JudyN »

master2 wrote:am I just being to paranoid?
It's better to be paranoid than ignore the risks - but my worry would be that if a Westie was likely to be attacked, so would a larger dog, and even if he wasn't killed, the effects on him mentally, particularly if the dog who attacked (or even just one the same type) lived next door, would be quite harmful :(
Jasper, lurcher, born December 2009
master2

Re: PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Post by master2 »

Hi JudyN

Thanks for your reply. this is why I am so worried as I love dogs so much and know I have a lot of spare time to love and care and train a dog but feel so angry that I might not be able to have one because of owners like these who don't care I think it is so unfair on someone like me who has waited so long and done so much research and would do everything right. I wish the uk government and councils would wake up and do something about this. :cry:

so should I not have a dog? :(

Many thanks Kera
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