what kind of dog do you have?

we thought we had a puppy lined up, but it looks like it might be falling through. Although we have our hearts set on a lab, thought we may extend ourselves to a cross-breed, or even if we fall in love with something.

so am wondering what kind of dog YOU have experience in? and would it fit in with our lifestyle?

- new house - fully fenced. i have no worries about dogs inside. kids are 3 and 4 - both very good with animals - no worries about affording food,etc. We are home all day sat, sun and mon. 7:30 - 3 Tues, wed and thurs - out; and 12-3 out on friday.

I really really would like a beagle, but all the literature says they are far too energetic.

Oh, and we plan on walking the dog once or twice a day - 30 mins each way. Possibly more, but we can commit to 2x30mins easily.

I used to own a couple of Neapolitan mastiffs

Awesome family pets but wouldnt be suitable for first time dog owners, very protective, intelligent, not that energetic due to size.
After owning one I dont think I will ever get any other breed. The are very

beagles are great for kids, greedy dogs and do pile on the weight if not exercised.

As daughter of a former dog breeder (mum breed mini-dachsunds) I recommend going along to an all breeds show and seeing the different breeds and talking to the breeders to get an idea of what suits you.

Go to the NZ Kennel Club website http://www.nzkc.org.nz/ they've got loads of information on different breeds.

Beagles can get quite grumpy and fixated on things to which can be a problem later on.

We have a mutt dog, brought from Animates.

He is boxer, blue heeler and collie cross. Awesome dog, great with DS, easy to train, protective so needs to be away from the front door, needs lots fo exercise but he comes everywhere with us!

I was not a dog person at all but couldn't be without one now.

I def recommend going and having a look at Aimates or a pet shop. The staff we dealt with were awesome and really chatted to us about what the dog would need etc.

we have a beagle - Basil and he is great. LOL at the thought of a beagle being too energetic!! I have about 200 photos of him sleeping in different places! He was here before the kids and is a bit apprehensive about them when they are little - they tend to scream and fall over near him, but once they are able to run around with him and play *throw the ball and chase*(not fetch as he doesn't bring it back ) he will love them!

He sleeps about 22 hours a day if he gets his way and eats ANYTHING except celery (can't say I blame him there). He will walk for hours if you take him out but an hour a day is great. He is also small enough for a dog door with out comramising our home security. The only down side is you can not let a Beagle off the lead (unless you want to spend a long time looking for him!) They are scent hounds so follow their noses - they just can not focus on anything else .
Basil at 4 weeks - first time we met him

sleeping

poser dog!

and Sophie showing how the dog door works!

Oh no Lizzle. Where abouts are you? There are dog shows this weekend in Hastings at the race course. If you are going to go for a crossbred, check out the SPCA for a poor thing that needs homing. Also check out Dogsonline for breeders :)

I had a beagle as a kid, great dogs...just NEVER let them off lead. Also had a cavalier King charles spaniel, also great with kids.

I have one bullmastiff at the mo, she and Alia are great pals, two hypo kids together!Missy

This is my boy that was around with Alia, he was so so good with her.



Edited by Aliasmum

We have a 2 year old labrador and she is fantastic. She loves everyone, and is so great with kids. I would recommend a labrador/retriever for their loving nature, however the temperament of dogs is largely to do with their owners. As long as you train them well and they have consistency then pretty much all breeds are great. We have worked really hard to ensure that our dog understands what is right and wrong and that way she is a lot more secure in herself and responds to us extremely well.

Growing up we had a Golden retreiver and a goldon lab and couldnt have asked for better pets! They were fantastic natured animals.

The retreiver was a cross between a retreiver and a lab and she was beautiful!

My brother has a Jack Russel and he reckons it does his head in! She pees when shes excited and that is apparently something that Jack russels do? Anyway she is a lovely dog but a breed they wouldnt get again with young children.

We always had German Shepherds growing up and I found them to be such wonderful dogs, very loyal and gentle (and I know I tortured the poor things at times!)

I agree with LittleSal that a dogs temperament has a lot to do with its owners and the way it is handled.

Edited by FattyKat

Do you have your heart set on a puppy? Apparently greyhounds are real couch potatoes, crazy as that sounds, and there are lots of retired racing dogs looking for homes...