Dogs (the animal, not the team!)

Cultured_Bogan

Cultured_Bogan

Well-known member
Forum Leader
The missus and I will be buying our first home in the near future and in our current residence we can't keep a dog as we have no backyard. I will be getting a couple of dogs when we move into our new shack.

I'm particular fond of Border Collies, Samoyeds, Jack Russells & Alaskan Malamutes. Our family pet is a Jack Russell though and I'd feel like I would be replacing her if I'd got another.

Has anyone got a Collie, Samoyed or Malamute? What are they like?

By all accounts they are amongst some of the most intelligent breeds (I think the Border Collie is gerenally regarded as the smartest breed out there,) and are all fairly passive (we will be starting a family soon and don't want to have to ship the dog off out of fear for children's safety,) from what I've read and there doesn't seem to be any unusual diseases inherent to the breeds (apart from epilepsy in BC's.)

Any help you could offer would be appreciated!
 
If you are starting a family I would avoid the Samoyed.

Family has been involved with dogs for a long time and they are a breed that has far too often just snapped and attacked children in the family. Don't know what it is but it is quite common.

Borders require alot of time and attention while young in terms of excercise otherwise they can get uber hyper quite quickly.

Malamutes I have had not alot of dealings with so no idea.
 
Thanks for the heads up Smeg.

The Welsh family who live next door to my parents had a Border Collie, and she was an awesome dog. Lived for 16 years, never barked, rarely suffered from epileptic seizures and only had to be put down because of inoperable cancer.

I'm fairly active myself, and with the family's Jack Russell I think I'm prepared for anything any other breed will throw my way as Jack Russells will play until they drop dead from exhaustion.

I was surprised to read that Malamutes are purported to have an affinity with children, despite being pack dogs and looking to assert their dominance. They're known to be escape artists though.

I'd like to look at Beagles as well, as they are apparently great with children and have no real gene related health problems for a pure breed. My mate has two of them and the only problems he reckons he has with them is that they'll eat anything, they dig holes and if they catch a scent that interests them, they won't let up until they've satisfied their curiosity.
 
I have two border collies they are really good and are great with kids. If I had my way when my wife and I first wanted dogs I would have taken my two greyhounds that had finished racing.

Despite their looks and peoples perceptions, greyhounds are beautiful dogs. Extremely lazy (although like all dogs require regular walking), little maintenance and are great with kids. Just don't let the cat or Jack Russell wander past as some greyhounds will pounce!

Adopt a greyhound through the Adopt a greyhound program they have been re educated and they are great pets. My next one will be one of the old mans retired racers.

Just remember you still have too pick up poo!
 
Hi CB,

I have a border collie and she is 9\. They are fairly hectic the first couple of years but after that they are just an awesome dog. They love being around the family and are great with the kids. I can leave the gate open and she won't run away - she is more happy being home.

Downside is she is a fussy eater and she likes to chase ligtening during electrical storms. She has also aged quickly in the last 18 months and seems to have a bit of arthritis in her hips. I don't brush her enough so her coat is a little ratty at the minute.

Question though….are you in a tick area? Ticks can be hard to find on them because their coat is so long. I have had her in the vet three times for ticks, one of which was very serious. That is something to consider.

The good overwhelmingly outweighs the bad! Great companion breed.
 
Get A real family Dog, Staffordshire Bull terrier.

My Boy is named Tank.

Very rarley barks, happy to play, content to relax outside on a couch and incredibly friendly.
 
If you stay in the Penrith Valley ticks are not an issue CB.
 
If your starting a family, samoys can be very protective of their owners so if i was you i would be getting one at about 12 weeks of age & interacting it with small kids straight away on a near daily basis

Border collies are an amazing dog but like smeg has said they need a lot of attention & exersise as it is a sheep dog or farming dog so its in its nature to run around doing things.You need a big back yard or else you will have an un-controlable dog

And malamutes are probably the most beautiful of dogs but dont get one unless your prepared to walk at least 6 to 10kms a day or even twice a day & its a winter dog so during the summer especially in penriff you would probably need to have it in doors.

What ever dog you get never leave it unatended amongst children. Even labs can be deadly towards children
 
Sweet as about the ticks. Collies seem to be the way to go. I'm after a dog that will always want your affection, enjoys chasing a ball and doesn't mind having small kids around them. I can't stand pampered lapdog breeds because they're usually selfish, single-person orientated and get snappy at kids.

Barking is really not all that complex. Our family dog will only bark at thunder and fireworks (although as a hunting dog Jack Russells don't bark excessively by nature.) She's an indoor dog and is allowed to come and go out of the house as she pleases so unless she nicks off for a snooze, she's always inside hanging around someone.

I've found outdoor dogs tend to bark more because in most cases less time is spent with/around the dog and they tend to feel excluded. The worst one was my ex-girlfriends Labrador… He wouldn't shut up. The poor dog was left outside all day and when everyone was home, no one wanted to play with him. He just wanted some affection and attention. The only time he'd get any attention and exercise is when I'd go there to play with him.
 
@tigerdre said:
If your starting a family, samoys can be very protective of their owners so if i was you i would be getting one at about 12 weeks of age & interacting it with small kids straight away on a near daily basis
Click to expand...

Yeah, based on what Smeg and yourself have said I think I'll exclude Samoyeds until my kids are older.

@tigerdre said:
Border collies are an amazing dog but like smeg has said they need a lot of attention & exersise as it is a sheep dog or farming dog so its in its nature to run around doing things.You need a big back yard or else you will have an un-controlable dog
Click to expand...

I'm after a property with a good size backyard. My father worked excessively with BC's as a young fella on his dad's farm and said it would cruel to have a working dog in a small backyard. Do they like to dig craters?

@tigerdre said:
And malamutes are probably the most beautiful of dogs but dont get one unless your prepared to walk at least 6 to 10kms a day or even twice a day & its a winter dog so during the summer especially in penriff you would probably need to have it in doors.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the dogs will be indoors dogs whatever we get so that's probably not a problem. If they need that much exercise, that will be a little high maintenance for a small family.

@tigerdre said:
What ever dog you get never leave it unatended amongst children. Even labs can be deadly towards children
Click to expand...

Absolutely. I found out first hand as a child what happens if you're left with a dog unattended. I was bitten by my nans dog after stepping on his tail while playing with him. The kids will be taught that the dogs are meant to be left alone until they're old enough to understand that dogs don't consider the consequences of their actions.
 
If you choose a Border Collie and keep it inside make sure you keep the hair short - they do lose A LOT of hair!

I don't have a massive backyard, i walk her up a large hill behind our house a couple of times a week and that is plenty for her. As long as we throw the ball to her in the yard each day she is quite content with that.

She has never dug holes! But I think that one might be luck of the drawer - just like barking! She also chases cats in the street when I have her out (and there are a lot of cats in my street). But when we got a cat of our own she never chased it once. She knew it was part of the family and they get on like a house on fire. The cat likes the dog much more than it likes my wife!
 
Have had both types of collies over the years and they are great dogs but need a lot of looking after.
Apart from them have had all types from bitzas to fox terriers to shepherds.
Suprisingly the best dogs with my kids (got them when my youngest out of four was a baby) were Shar Peis.
Very protective of their family and prefer being with humans to other dogs (in fact don't like other dogs)
They dont get too big (about the size of a boxer but more stocky- mine were 25 and 33kg)
My youngest was always riding around on their backs or chasing them under the house with water pistols.
Only time I had to be careful with them was if one of the kids had a party and started wrestling around with their friends.
As soon as they thought they were in trouble they go into protective mode.
Apart from problems with their eyes they don't have too many other issues - worth a thought.
 
I
>
'm after a property with a good size backyard. My father worked excessively with BC's as a young fella on his dad's farm and said it would cruel to have a working dog in a small backyard. Do they like to dig craters?
>

I don't think its in their nature too like a retriever or begal are but like any breed it may dig out of frustration or berry its bone or what ever
 
Ive got a pug X jack russell he's awesome doesn't,t have the problems of normal pugs and he's great with the kids. Doesn't get many fleas and doesn't bark (except when the coppers showed up at 2 in the morning one night he was growling and carrying on like a good dog should)
 
@spudoakes said:
Ive got a pug X jack russell he's awesome doesn't,t have the problems of normal pugs and he's great with the kids. Doesn't get many fleas and doesn't bark (except when the coppers showed up at 2 in the morning one night he was growling and carrying on like a good dog should)
Click to expand...

I am trying to picture what he would look like - wouldn't be too many like that :slight_smile:
 
@Properossi said:
I have two border collies they are really good and are great with kids. If I had my way when my wife and I first wanted dogs I would have taken my two greyhounds that had finished racing.

Despite their looks and peoples perceptions, greyhounds are beautiful dogs. Extremely lazy (although like all dogs require regular walking), little maintenance and are great with kids. Just don't let the cat or Jack Russell wander past as some greyhounds will pounce!

Adopt a greyhound through the Adopt a greyhound program they have been re educated and they are great pets. My next one will be one of the old mans retired racers.

Just remember you still have too pick up poo!
Click to expand...

I know the OP didn;t ask about Greys but I have to agree with Properossi. I've fostered a few and have two high speed lounge lizards now. Very low maintenance and absolutely bulletproof with children. Mine live with three cats and one spends his entire day inside with the three cats when I'm at work.
Unless you've actually had something to do with greyhounds then everything you believe about them is probably wrong :slight_smile:

Just out of interest the first one is black and white and called Tommy after the great Tommy Raudonikis
 
Greys generally live >10 years. Probably up to about 13 or 14 on average. Very few inherent health problems too as they are almost all bred for their ability to run healthily rather than to meet a certain breed standard of looks.
 
@cktiger said:
@spudoakes said:
Ive got a pug X jack russell he's awesome doesn't,t have the problems of normal pugs and he's great with the kids. Doesn't get many fleas and doesn't bark (except when the coppers showed up at 2 in the morning one night he was growling and carrying on like a good dog should)

I am trying to picture what he would look like - wouldn't be too many like that :slight_smile:
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

hes more pug then jack russell, we got him off a breeder near sydney who breeds pugs and X pugs
 
Funny this story/post should come up as the better half and I have 2 dogs being the Alaskan Malamute and a Rough Collie otherwise known as a Lassie dog.
As much as we love the dogs and all the kids love them when we are out walking them, as the kids know the Mally is a 'Snow Dog' from the movies and everyone loves a 'Lassie' but they are high maintainance.
The Malamute is a working dog built for pulling a sled so if you're not prepared to regulary be towed around this dog is not for you, I take or should I should say the Mally tows me around when I get out on the bike.
They are not an indoor dog unless you regulary brush them as they shed easily, as you should expect as they are from a different climate totally the opposite of Australia.
Mally's love the water, so if you don't have a pool take them to the river and go 'in' with them.
The Collie's my dog and being a typical male, I don't give him the grooming he requires, they need a lot of attention when it comes to 'brushing', my dog loves all the attention he can get but the Mally enjoys it even more.
I'm not too sure how these dogs will go with a young family as they are very energetic and they are high maintainance when it comes to grooming but we love them despite their shortcomings.
Mind you we are Grand Parents in our 50's but they are great for being 'exercised'.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Members online

Total: 482 (members: 49, guests: 433)
Back
Top