Ideas ?

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ZaraD
Posts: 577
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2017 10:06 am
Location: Staffordshire, UK

Ideas ?

Post by ZaraD »

After having lots of descutions with mom one thing we both want from our second dog is to have a similar temperament as a Labrador.

The Golden and Labrador would be a no though for my mom but we like the happy go lucky love everyone and everything outlook on life that labs have and how confident they are.

Can anyone give us any ideas of breeds that have a similar outlook on life as the lab?

My neighbor did adopt the Dalmatian he liked and she seems to be happy go lucky like labs and love everyone. Is she a typical dally as I thought dal'S were more reserved but she loves everyone and everything in life?

The golden my mom just can't get over the cancer rate so we decided to say no , the lab Sampson has hated every lab we have met but me and mom do like the personality of the lab as we'd like a dog who's similar in that there easy going, happy go lucky, confident, love life attitude but the same size Asda lab too.

Any ideas?
Lotsaquestions
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Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:06 am

Re: Ideas ?

Post by Lotsaquestions »

Samoyed! Though they bark. :lol:

I wouldn't recommend Dalmations. If I see a muzzled dog, and they aren't a Lurcher, they tend to be dalmations. Could just be my experience, but they were bred to attack horses and guard coaches, so they have that instinct in them and also have oodles of energy. That isn't to say they can't be lovely friendly dogs, but it might be a 'careful socialisation' type scenario like with GSDs / other guardian breeds.

You might want to look at other gundog breeds, they were bred to be permanent puppies in friendliness so they could work with anyone who came over to shoot, some more than others. And, I know they aren't very popular, but staffies are really, really happy, playful dogs. If we meet a staffy (and the owner doesn't look like a thug) you can bet they will play with Merlin and come over for a stroke.

Edit: just to add actually, are you willing to go into the 'giant' category of dogs? Bernese mountain dog & Newfoundland spring to mind.
Last edited by Lotsaquestions on Tue Jan 30, 2018 6:27 am, edited 1 time in total.
ZaraD
Posts: 577
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2017 10:06 am
Location: Staffordshire, UK

Re: Ideas ?

Post by ZaraD »

Lotsaquestions wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2018 6:21 am Samoyed! Though they bark. :lol:

I wouldn't recommend Dalmations. If I see a muzzled dog, and they aren't a Lurcher, they tend to be dalmations. Could just be my experience, but they were bred to attack horses and guard coaches, so they have that instinct in them and also have oodles of energy. That isn't to say they can't be lovely friendly dogs, but it might be a 'careful socialisation' type scenario like with GSDs / other guardian breeds.

You might want to look at other gundog breeds, they were bred to be permanent puppies in friendliness so they could work with anyone who came over to shoot, some more than others. And, I know they aren't very popular, but staffies are really, really happy, playful dogs. If we meet a staffy (and the owner doesn't look like a thug) you can bet they will play with Merlin and come over for a stroke.
Samoyed I was looking at but then I read they bark which is no use to me as I suffer with a hearing condition that gets worse with to much noise. Otherwise I'd been happy with the samoyed and Sampson likes them he met tow on the Eurasier walk we went on but yet he didn't like the Eurasiers :roll: . Do you know which gundogs are most like labs?
Lotsaquestions
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Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:06 am

Re: Ideas ?

Post by Lotsaquestions »

Flat coated retrievers are quite outgoing, then you have the setters (Red & English) and the spaniels (springer, welsh springer & cocker). I do find english springer spaniels and working cockers to be a bit nuts, but of the welsh springers I've met I've yet to meet one that wasn't friendly, confident, and just generally lovely.
ZaraD
Posts: 577
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Location: Staffordshire, UK

Re: Ideas ?

Post by ZaraD »

Lotsaquestions wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2018 6:30 am Flat coated retrievers are quite outgoing, then you have the setters (Red & English) and the spaniels (springer, welsh springer & cocker). I do find english springer spaniels and working cockers to be a bit nuts, but of the welsh springers I've met I've yet to meet one that wasn't friendly, confident, and just generally lovely.
Spaniels are to small for Sampson as he trod on a Staffordshire by accident and the poor Staffordshire yelped. Flat coats have a higher cancer rate then even the Golden.

Setters would because consideration, which setters have you been around and did you find them nuts?

It's a shame Samoyeds are vocal :roll: :( .

Any other ideas for breeds similar in size .
Lotsaquestions
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Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:06 am

Re: Ideas ?

Post by Lotsaquestions »

Welsh Springers are very sturdy dogs, they aren't really small. Around Samoyed size but without the floof.

Young red setters are bonkers, but they mellow out to be really lovely dogs. The English ones I've seen have all been on leads because of poor recall so I don't know how nutso they can be.

As for Samoyeds being vocal, well, they are and you can't get away from it, but they can be trained not to be in the house. It just depends on how much noise is too much. For example Merlin doesn't bark in the house much unless he's bored, but he will 'talk' to me with awoos, barks, wuffs, and growls that aren't loud. Samoyeds will be similar, but with some howling in the mix. :lol:
ZaraD
Posts: 577
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2017 10:06 am
Location: Staffordshire, UK

Re: Ideas ?

Post by ZaraD »

Lotsaquestions wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2018 6:40 am Welsh Springers are very sturdy dogs, they aren't really small. Around Samoyed size but without the floof.

Young red setters are bonkers, but they mellow out to be really lovely dogs. The English ones I've seen have all been on leads because of poor recall so I don't know how nutso they can be.
So Welsh springers are bigger than a staffie as Sampson's has like I said troden on a staffie ?

And Welsh's aren't bonkers as I thought they were being a Springer? A Google search says English springers are bigger than Welsh's?
Lotsaquestions
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Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:06 am

Re: Ideas ?

Post by Lotsaquestions »

Show type english springers might well be bigger, but I've always met working english springers that, in my experience, have all been smaller and lighter than welshies. I don't think I've ever met a show-type english springer, come to think of it!

On the group walks I go on there are 3 Welsh Springer regulars, and more that drop in and out. They can all keep up with and play with german shepherds, labradors, golden retrievers etc: They are very sturdy dogs. None of the Welshies I know are bonkers, but at the same time they are well exercised (not worked, just good walks / training) which you would need to do for a Lab anyway. Very steady dogs in my experience, and super friendly. I get to give one of the regulars a good belly rub whenever I see him.

Staffies can range in size massively, some can be REALLY small, whilst others are taller and more leggy. Not sure what size staffy you met!
ZaraD
Posts: 577
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2017 10:06 am
Location: Staffordshire, UK

Re: Ideas ?

Post by ZaraD »

Lotsaquestions wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2018 6:52 am Show type english springers might well be bigger, but I've always met working english springers that, in my experience, have all been smaller and lighter than welshies. I don't think I've ever met a show-type english springer, come to think of it!

On the group walks I go on there are 3 Welsh Springer regulars, and more that drop in and out. They can all keep up with and play with german shepherds, labradors, golden retrievers etc: They are very sturdy dogs. None of the Welshies I know are bonkers, but at the same time they are well exercised (not worked, just good walks / training) which you would need to do for a Lab anyway. Very steady dogs in my experience, and super friendly. I get to give one of the regulars a good belly rub whenever I see him.

Staffies can range in size massively, some can be REALLY small, whilst others are taller and more leggy. Not sure what size staffy you met!

The staffie I met was around beagle size about 38cm. After looking again Showlines are bigger. Welsh seem to be duel purpose dogs so can be shown and worked. So working English springers will be more madder. Do you think Welsh's will be happy with around 2hrs of exercise a day plus lots of mental stimulation? As Sampson gets 2hrs a day around 45-50 mins is off leash?
Lotsaquestions
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Re: Ideas ?

Post by Lotsaquestions »

I can't really answer that with any certainty since I don't own one. Of the ones I do know some are exercised more than others, none are worked, all of them are steady dogs. You'll have to ask owners of them for a proper answer though.
ZaraD
Posts: 577
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2017 10:06 am
Location: Staffordshire, UK

Re: Ideas ?

Post by ZaraD »

Lotsaquestions wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2018 7:10 am I can't really answer that with any certainty since I don't own one. Of the ones I do know some are exercised more than others, none are worked, all of them are steady dogs. You'll have to ask owners of them for a proper answer though.
Thanks , I'll contact some breeders and let you know how I get on.

As for the samoyed it would still be a no as I can't take the risk as it won't be fair on the dog if he was a Barker. Luckily Sampson is not a typical schnauzer in that he hardly barks.
ZaraD
Posts: 577
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2017 10:06 am
Location: Staffordshire, UK

Re: Ideas ?

Post by ZaraD »

Ok so some breeders have got back, I was shocked at how quick I got a reply. So far I like the sound of them.

"Thanks for your email,

Our first dog was a welshie , given to us by my husbands boss who was at the time a very well known breeder of them. He was a very loving dog but did had issues with separation and we couldn’t ever leave him alone.
We just adapted to this and worked with him until eventually we decided to get another dog and he was a totally different dog. Saying that
We are now on our 5 th welshie and wouldn’t be without one, I live with 3 at the moment , a dog who in my experience the dogs are very loving , need to be with you more than the bitches but this then when on a walk means they very rarely cause any issue running away . The bitches on the other hand , both of mine are very stubborn , more independent but equally as loving but not quite as needy but because of this makes them a little more prone to having a mind of their own so needing possibly a bit more basic obedience work.
They are quite a complex breed and not for everyone, they are known as Velcro dogs and do not underestimate that . They really are Velcro dogs , everywhere you go they want to be with you , I also have an English Springer from working lines and a lab and neither have the need to be with you all the time , the toilet , the shower , everywhere . This seems to be in their nature and I do feel if you don’t want this then do not choose this breed.
All of mine bark to an extent .
Not constantly though and I don’t know any that do but again it’s in their nature to bark if the door goes , bark if excited etc etc , Probably a bit more than other breeds but they certainly don’t bark all the time and are never ever aggressive , they do need a fine balance of love and firmness. Too firm and they will be nervous wrecks and too soft they will take advantage.
They are a wonderful breed ,
Mine are all happy with whatever i choose exercise wise, both with a lazy day at home or an hours walk on the woods , they do adapt pretty well, Mine dont get 2 hours a day but i do live in a big house with quite a big yard that they spend a lot of time in running around so if you are willing to give them that and some mental stimulation then that sounds fine with me.
the welsh are nowhere near as hyper as the working english or the working cocker , when i am sitting about they are as well .
Mine are quite probaly more happy go lucky then the lab to be honest , they have such wonderful characters and such funny personalities and make me laugh daily , my dog is what would be called the class clown if he was a child in school.

Good luck in your search , it can be difficult to find a puppy. You may be lucky and find one soon or may have to wait quite a while. But please do remember start as you mean to go on or they will take the mickey"

Other replys have been similar to this. That there not hyper and have great personality's.
Lotsaquestions
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Joined: Wed Aug 23, 2017 6:06 am

Re: Ideas ?

Post by Lotsaquestions »

That is very much my experience with them.

As for her velcro dog advice, one of the three regulars is a real mummy's boy. He'll whine and bray and bark if he's on a lead and his 'mummy' walks away. The other one (same household) isn't as fussed and just wonders around saying hello to everyone. The girl of the regulars is a real food hound and will go from person to person trying to snag food, she isn't fussed about being away from her person and does ignore her a bit. :lol:

None of them are prone to running off though.
ZaraD
Posts: 577
Joined: Sat Feb 04, 2017 10:06 am
Location: Staffordshire, UK

Re: Ideas ?

Post by ZaraD »

Lotsaquestions wrote: Tue Jan 30, 2018 9:36 am That is very much my experience with them.

As for her velcro dog advice, one of the three regulars is a real mummy's boy. He'll whine and bray and bark if he's on a lead and his 'mummy' walks away. The other one (same household) isn't as fussed and just wonders around saying hello to everyone. The girl of the regulars is a real food hound and will go from person to person trying to snag food, she isn't fussed about being away from her person and does ignore her a bit. :lol:

None of them are prone to running off though.
Before coming back on here I just had another reply and the woman said that she write an article on the welshie and gave me a link to read as she said it sums up the Welsh very well.

http://www.northeyweb.co.uk. If you click on the logo and then click on living with a WSS then it will take you to the article.

Me and mom are very happy with the breed so far. :D
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