What kind of dog is best for us?

[Westicles]

Are there are a lot of shelters in the UK? Just curious

 

[Pa Uchok]

It was the way you worded your post, that's all.

Yeah, sorry - looking back at the dates, I made my OP right in the worst days of my Covid infection, so I can easily believe I wasn't expressing myself anything like as clearly as I'd thought. No hard feelings, I hope.

As you are back in the UK, be prepared to pay stupid money for a puppy of any breed.

Yep, that seems to be the case, all right.

Are there are a lot of shelters in the UK? Just curious

Yeah, quite a lot, it seems. There look to be at least half a dozen local rescues near me, and that's not including the national charities like the RSPCA or Blue Cross. The media are full of stories predicting a huge upsurge in demand for rehoming as people realise they have to go back to work. In light of what people here and elsewhere are saying to me about shelter dogs, I'm reconsidering my previous misgivings about the idea.

 

[Westicles]

Yeah, sorry - looking back at the dates, I made my OP right in the worst days of my Covid infection, so I can easily believe I wasn't expressing myself anything like as clearly as I'd thought. No hard feelings, I hope.

Yep, that seems to be the case, all right.

Yeah, quite a lot, it seems. There look to be at least half a dozen local rescues near me, and that's not including the national charities like the RSPCA or Blue Cross. The media are full of stories predicting a huge upsurge in demand for rehoming as people realise they have to go back to work. In light of what people here and elsewhere are saying to me about shelter dogs, I'm reconsidering my previous misgivings about the idea.

I only asked because here in the southern US, shelters are packed with perfectly good dogs and cats that need homes. Its different even up in the northern states. Down here, a lot of people don't believe in spaying and neutering, thus shelters are full. Just wondering what that's like elsewhere

 

[Chris LXXIX]

A Bulldog: Pure British style!

Yes, they are drooling machines on four legs but c'mon, everything is forgiven to a Bulldog

 

[Westicles]

A Bulldog: Pure British style!

Yes, they are drooling machines on four legs but c'mon

Unless the bloodline is is incredible, hell no!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I see far too many that need soft palate surgery, have skin and ear issues, etc. Maybe that's more of poor genetics here down south. But, as we say, bulldogs are a veterinarian's dream patient! Lol

 

[Chris LXXIX]

Unless the bloodline is is incredible, hell no!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I see far too many that need soft palate surgery, have skin and ear issues, etc. Maybe that's more of poor genetics here down south. But, as we say, bulldogs are a veterinarian's dream patient! Lol

Can't speak for the British Bulldog, but in early '90s we had a French Bulldog (pure pedigree) as family dog... Back then French Bulldogs were rare in Italy (not like today where the breed turned into a 'fashion' one) and he lived his 13 years without seeing the vet aside for the regular, routine visits. I think depends, always

But with the likes of 'beasts' like Mastino Napoletano is another story, a lot of those suffers from various eyes issues etc

 

[Ian14]

Yeah, sorry - looking back at the dates, I made my OP right in the worst days of my Covid infection, so I can easily believe I wasn't expressing myself anything like as clearly as I'd thought. No hard feelings, I hope.

Yep, that seems to be the case, all right.

Yeah, quite a lot, it seems. There look to be at least half a dozen local rescues near me, and that's not including the national charities like the RSPCA or Blue Cross. The media are full of stories predicting a huge upsurge in demand for rehoming as people realise they have to go back to work. In light of what people here and elsewhere are saying to me about shelter dogs, I'm reconsidering my previous misgivings about the idea.

No hard feelings at all.
As for rescues, right now most are offering rescued dogs from Spain.
There is no issue with them, just make sure that you either choose a very young (under a year old) dog or one that is confirmed as being happy around children.
The predicted surge in rescue dogs is not going to happen when you consider how much they were bought for.
One thing to c9 sider that's just hit me. If you have a kid with autism have you thought about contacting the Nation Autistic Society? They may have contacts with dog centres that could help.

 

[Westicles]

Can't speak for the British Bulldog, but in early '90s we had a French Bulldog (pure pedigree) as family dog... Back then French Bulldogs were rare in Italy (not like today where the breed turned into a 'fashion' one) and he lived his 13 years without seeing the vet aside for the regular, routine visits. I think depends, always

But with the likes of 'beasts' like Mastino Napoletano is another story, a lot of those suffers from various eyes issues etc

Yeah, they're a fashion breed here too. We see quite a few that are of legit bloodline and some that are genetic nightmares from backyard breeding

I absolutely love to hear what the animal situation is like in other countries. Whether we're talking shelter pets, reptiles, tarantulas, etc. I only know what I know here in MS.

 

[Chris LXXIX]

I absolutely love to hear what the animal situation is like in other countries. Whether we're talking shelter pets, reptiles, tarantulas, etc. I only know what I know here in MS.

In Italy some years ago they tried to ban certain dog breeds (Pitbulls, Rottweiler, and such) but that law was disbanded in no time. No dog breed in Italy today is outlawed as far as I know. Pro animal laws here are quite strong, dog/cats shelters are active with a lot of volunteers, help etc

As for reptiles you can keep basically everything non venomous (well not really sure about the Anaconda now ), snapping turtles aren't permitted (sadly) because they fear that bite power etc

All arachnids were banned in 2003 with a made ad hoc, quite crappy law, called "Legge 213" which banned the import/export/trade/purchasing/keeping of every arachnid in Italy. Today that law is still valid technically but seems that no one care anymore about T's.

 

[Westicles]

In Italy some years ago they tried to ban certain dog breeds (Pitbulls, Rottweiler, and such) but that law was disbanded in no time. No dog breed in Italy today is outlawed as far as I know. Pro animal laws here are quite strong, dog/cats shelters are active with a lot of volunteers, help etc

As for reptiles you can keep basically everything non venomous (well not really sure about the Anaconda now ), snapping turtles aren't permitted (sadly) because they fear that bite power etc

All arachnids were banned in 2003 with a made ad hoc, quite crappy law, called "Legge 213" which banned the import/export/trade/purchasing/keeping of every arachnid in Italy. Today that law is still valid technically but seems that no one care anymore about T's.

Trurly fascinating. Snapping turtles, even alligator snappers are commonplace here. Captive breeding aside, you can theoretically go to about any pond, creek, whatever and find one with minimal effort. Again, I really find it interesting what it's like elsewhere. For example, speckled kingsnakes, garter snakes, copperheads, eastern box turtles, anoles are all basically a given backyard species. To others, they may seem like a rare sighting

 

[cold blood]

A dog to consider...the breed I would recommend, would be the boxer.

They are high energy, but if the hour exercise is high energy, it can be plenty. Frankly any of the best breeds for what you want will be high energy, I cant think of a single one I would recommend that isnt, except maybe a corgi, but they dont exactly deal in protection (they arent low energy though).

Boxers have an unwarranted reputation for being drooly...if you are feeding them, yes, but in every day walking around the house, not at all. My doberman might have drooled more than either of my boxers.

They have an easy coat that requires nothing, and most importantly, they are the #1 breed of dog with children, with a natural playfulness and an equal desire to keep kids safe, they are diligent, reliable working dogs, frequently trained as service dogs, so you know they tend to be pretty smart. They can be worked all day and still light up when a child comes near. Yet they are generally happy to lounge around the house with its loved ones. They will make you smile every day.

fwiw, I have been working with dogs for nearly 20 years and have experience with countless breeds.

I only asked because here in the southern US, shelters are packed with perfectly good dogs and cats that need homes. Its different even up in the northern states. Down here, a lot of people don't believe in spaying and neutering, thus shelters are full. Just wondering what that's like elsewhere

I would say over half the rescues we see in WI come from the south...if you see someone up here with a hound of any kind, you can almost guarantee its a rescue from down south.

Unfortunately they always call them mixes, so people never know what they have, which doesnt help anything for the person rescuing the dog....walkers are always beagle mixes, red ticks are either austrailian shepard or lab mixes.

 

[Westicles]

A dog to consider...the breed I would recommend, would be the boxer.

They are high energy, but if the hour exercise is high energy, it can be plenty. Frankly any of the best breeds for what you want will be high energy, I cant think of a single one I would recommend that isnt, except maybe a corgi, but they dont exactly deal in protection (they arent low energy though).

Boxers have an unwarranted reputation for being drooly...if you are feeding them, yes, but in every day walking around the house, not at all. My doberman might have drooled more than either of my boxers.

They have an easy coat that requires nothing, and most importantly, they are the #1 breed of dog with children, with a natural playfulness and an equal desire to keep kids safe, they are diligent, reliable working dogs, frequently trained as service dogs, so you know they tend to be pretty smart. They can be worked all day and still light up when a child comes near. Yet they are generally happy to lounge around the house with its loved ones. They will make you smile every day.

fwiw, I have been working with dogs for nearly 20 years and have experience with countless breeds.

View attachment 398823 View attachment 398824


I would say over half the rescues we see in WI come from the south...if you see someone up here with a hound of any kind, you can almost guarantee its a rescue from down south.

Unfortunately they always call them mixes, so people never know what they have, which doesnt help anything for the person rescuing the dog....walkers are always beagle mixes, red ticks are either austrailian shepard or lab mixes.

Yep, our shelters transport plenty of dogs up north

A dog to consider...the breed I would recommend, would be the boxer.

They are high energy, but if the hour exercise is high energy, it can be plenty. Frankly any of the best breeds for what you want will be high energy, I cant think of a single one I would recommend that isnt, except maybe a corgi, but they dont exactly deal in protection (they arent low energy though).

Boxers have an unwarranted reputation for being drooly...if you are feeding them, yes, but in every day walking around the house, not at all. My doberman might have drooled more than either of my boxers.

They have an easy coat that requires nothing, and most importantly, they are the #1 breed of dog with children, with a natural playfulness and an equal desire to keep kids safe, they are diligent, reliable working dogs, frequently trained as service dogs, so you know they tend to be pretty smart. They can be worked all day and still light up when a child comes near. Yet they are generally happy to lounge around the house with its loved ones. They will make you smile every day.

fwiw, I have been working with dogs for nearly 20 years and have experience with countless breeds.

View attachment 398823 View attachment 398824


I would say over half the rescues we see in WI come from the south...if you see someone up here with a hound of any kind, you can almost guarantee its a rescue from down south.

Unfortunately they always call them mixes, so people never know what they have, which doesnt help anything for the person rescuing the dog....walkers are always beagle mixes, red ticks are either austrailian shepard or lab mixes.

I'll absolutely agree with everything you said about boxers. Almost the perfect breed. But, most are predisposed to cardiac disease and cancer. They weren't dealt the best hand in life

 

[cold blood]

But, most are predisposed to cardiac disease and cancer. They weren't dealt the best hand in life

Things are improving with them...I've known a bunch and owned 2 and both were healthy, no cancer or heart or hip issues ( I know one with minor heart issues, but he's the old boy in the 2nd pic next to mine)....While I would say its more common with the breed, than with other breeds, I think its a bit extreme to call them pre-disposed to these things. They are healthier than golden retrievers and plenty people have healthy goldens...lol...theyre not nearly as bad as english bulldogs or mastiffs...lol.

I say things are improving, because 20 years ago the life expectancy was 8-10, now its widely considered to be 10-12.

this one is 9

 

[Westicles]

Things are improving with them...I've known a bunch and owned 2 and both were healthy, no cancer or heart or hip issues ( I know one with minor heart issues, but he's the old boy in the 2nd pic next to mine)....While I would say its more common with the breed, than with other breeds, but I think its a bit extreme to call them pre-disposed to these things. They are healthier than golden retrievers and plenty people have healthy goldens...lol...theyre not nearly as bad as english bulldogs or mastiffs...lol.

I say things are improving, because 20 years ago the life expectancy was 8-10, now its widely considered to be 10-12.

You're definitely correct about English bullies and mastiffs!!! Lol

 

[Craig73]

I’d say Boston Terrier, but far from anything that will intimidate unwanted people.

Check into a recognized service dog. I’m in the US and was looking for options for paying for a very expensive vet bill that ultimately came out of my pocket, but my Health Savings plan from work also covers vet expenses for maintaining the health of service animals that are approved under the plan. With an autistic child you could very well have a need for a service animal to help with specific needs.

While I do put the money into my Health Savings account and it’s my money, being able to use something like that would have made spending $1k much less stressful. Check into it, you never know. Vet expenses are up there and in my case pet insurance was not worth it for the breed I have.