First dog??

Question

i'm an energetic outdoors type pondering over which breed to go for, for my first doggy i was thinking staffy, small, loyal, hardy and good company ..........comments from those with experience will be much appreciated..................

sorry and FTW doesn't mean anything to me!!

Answer 1

What you really need to do is research dog breeds yourself. Everyone telling you what they're favourite breed of dog is doesn't mean it's the right breed for you - dogs are very personal choices. Why not either get an all-breed book or go to a dog show. That way you can find breeds you like the looks of, then you research them to find out how they'd fit into your lifestyle, energy level, temperaments, health problems, grooming needs, etc. Talk to some people who have breeds you're interested in and get to actually know the dogs. Have some fun finding the right dog for you!

Answer 2

Firstly it would depend on where you live and work. If you are going to be leaving the dog on it's own for long periods of time when you are at work then you should get a dog that will cope with this. Some breeds of dogs do not like to be left alone for long periods. If it is going to be left alone then make sure it either has the company of another animal (cat or dog) or it has plenty of toys etc to keep it occuppied. A bored puppy will very quickly become a destructive one.
Dogs need a lot of exercise, attention and love make sure you are in a position to provide all 3.
When/If you get a dog please please please get it from a well known breeder or better yet a rescue home. Get it insured, microchipped and spayed/castrated.

Good luck

Answer 3

If you are at home alot, or if you can take your dog to work with you- yes a Staffy is a great choice. They are sooo loveable and just want to spend every minute with you. A few things you should know though-

Obedience training is essential with this breed, as they can get destructive if they get bored, and it would be good for you to know how to communicate with your dog effectively.

They love to be with you, so don't leave them outside too much, because they will get bored and destructive.

They also prefer to be "only dogs", so if you want to introduce another dog later, make sure you socialise them well with other dogs at a young age. They can be very protective of their territory and owners.

They do have quite a short attention span as well, so they will need you to turn training into a game if you want them to pay attention.

And make sure that you have heaps of fun with your new pup. This breed can play all day, and they respond better when you encourage them (like all breeds really).

Bestoluck

Answer 4

The best dogs to have are mongrels, pop down your local animal rescue centre, they will have loads, i have a 5 year old mutt and he is brilliant with kids and very protective. As this is your first dog, i have advised the rescue shelter because you should be able to judge what size the dog will grow to and they will have had all vaccinations done, staffies and jacks are great, but for me, the loyal loving mutt wins everytime, happy hunting and good luck with your final choice

Answer 5

Firstly seeing that you are an outdoor person you need a dog with a lot of energy, boxer, staffi, german shepard, but you also want a dog that is not a fighter, labrador, collie, chow. Depending on the type of dog you are needing to match your personality.
The best allrounder would be the labrador, placid friendly, energetic and a dog that gets on with everybody, but will protect you when needed

Answer 6

Labradors make great companions, Jack Russell terriers are ideal for an energetic person who won't mind them bounding in and out and around your legs, personally though I think cross-breeds (mongrels) can be the best choice, most are loving, loyal and unique, as in looks. Many of which are looking for homes in rehoming centres because snobs don't want them, of course you will find pedigrees in such animal shelters as well.

Answer 7

The best dog to get is a dalamation, i have a 1year old he`s great. We live in the country and he goes over the fields for a run. They are very loving and loyal, love people and children. And another good thing is they dont bark alot, only when they hear somebody coming to the house. I reckon you should get one. You wont regret it.

Answer 8

Staffies are the best breed to go for imo and I'd definitely check out your local rescue centre. We adopted our staffie from a rescue and it's the best thing we ever did. He's brilliant.
Staffies just love people. They'll do anything to please you and have the most amazing personalities.
Good luck!

Answer 9

Where are you from? If you're in the UK I'd recommend you tried Dogs Trust. They've been fantastic with me.

Speak to them, they have so many dogs in need of a home there's almost certainly the right one for you. Their rehoming policy is excellent for first-time dog owners.

They give support for the lifetime of the dog. That is, if you're having problems with him/her, you can phone them up for advice.

Good luck.

Another suggestion would be to go on to www.dogpages.org.uk where there is a forum. You could ask advice there from loads of dog-minded people. It's very pro-rescue (as am I!)but if you don't mind that I'm sure you'll find it useful.

Hope that helps.

Answer 10

Start with a small dog , they still need plenty of exercise but are a better starting point, Larger dogs take up more space, require more grooming and exercise. Don't buy a rare and obscure breed as its best to know fully about those types of dogs before taking them on.