Need help in picking a breed of dog?

Question

Hi,
I,ve been thing of getting a dog mainly becuase I would like one that I can walk say 1-3 times a week so not only to keep the dog fit but also me as I would like to go on walks more.

I live in a rural part of Ireland in a council estate with a small yard so the dog would not have much room to run around at my house but I live right next to two beaches, one small one and one called Ballyteigue Bay so the dog would be able to get plenty of exercise if needed.

As far as behaviour traits I would like a dog that would be content with being inside a small house but also enjoy being outdoors. Kind of a balance between the two. It would also help if the dog is not barking all the time as I would not like to annoy my naighbours even though they have a dog that barks all the time.

Some dogs I,ve been looking at are the, GSD, Border Collie, Golden Retriever, and the Labrador Retriever.

Does anyone know a breed that would be like what I have described?

PS: Thanks for reading and the help!

Ok, I,ve already looked at the terrier and its not to my liking. Did I forget to mention that there is two beaches right next to me? One is a bay that stretches at least five miles long and has loads of hills and grass, sand, and water.

One dog that I had been looking at but didn't mention was a Pug? Would this kind of dog need daily exercise? Don't worry I am not going to never walk whichever dog I get and treat it like a toy. I just would not rather have to walk it every SINGLE day, plus the dog would rarely ever be left alone as my mother would be in the house every day.

Anyway, talks for all the help.

Does anyone have experience with Pugs please?

Answer 1

my brothers both have purebred pugs. the pugs love to just be able to run around, and if you give it the right love and respect, you will have a great dog. we dont have that big of a yard, but the pug loves to fun around, chasing the squirrels and rabbits. he is great with the big dogs, because growing up, he was around them mainly. HES A LOVER! he will want to go outside, no matter the weather, or the time of night. i had him outside once from between the time of 1 in the morning to 3 in the morning letting him run around the yard in the snow. He didn't care aslong as he got to go outside. my brothers dog has been living with us for only two months, he use to live in another state. ive only heard this dog bark in the past two months three times. if he hears a noise, he will get up and growl to scare whatever it is away. (its not a loud growl) and if you are sleeping, he will wake you up so that you can go with him to investigate. our house may have a poltergeist and the puppy got use to it being here, he'll just sleep through the sounds of the polterguist but if he heard a sound that isn't the polterguists, he will get up and investigate.
hes a great dog though. my brother had him since he was only a week old, and he has been by myside when i was sick, by my brother's side and my moms. pugs are great companions and if you want to get some exercise, they will always want to go outside with you...

Answer 2

1. Answering this is a challenge because there will be some breeds of dog (like a rat terrier) that just won't be available in the British Isle and other breeds that are more plentiful or easier to get.

2. Realistically, with ANY dog, you need to assume that you're taking at least one 30 minute walk per day. There is not a breed on the planet that doesn't need at least one 20 minute walk per day. That exercise provides variety and enough physical activity so that the less active breeds won't be destructive.

3. Unfortunately, most of the breeds you're looking at would be terrible for your situation. Border Collies in particular would be a disaster for your situation. Figure that a normal BC needs about 60 minutes of good exercise EVERY day PLUS something else (several sessions of doing tricks or fetching the ball, an agility or obedience class, play with other dogs). A BC that doesn't receive a physical workout and mental stimulation becomes destructive. That's still true (though not to the extreme) fo the other breeds you mention.

4. Most terriers would work space-wise (smaller dogs that don't need a lot of room) but aren't likely to deal well with minimal exercise and/or they'll bark. A border terrier could be a good fit. It needs exercise and is also likely to try and dig out of your backyard but otherwise are very friendly, hardy, healthy (few genetic issues), smart dogs that are a good fit for beach walks and Irish weather. Another dog that isn't big, does well in small space, and isn't a barker is a Schipperke. They're also good watch dogs (if that's a concern) and that would be when they're most likely to bark.

5. Here's a recommendation for you that might be a good fit: a greyhound. They spend most of the day sleeping or lounging, looking for a sunny spot (much like a cat would). They don't need huge amounts of exercise. Aren't noted as barkers. Short-haired so that works for an apartment (less shedding). Great demeanor--they love to be around their owners. The potential downsides for you: you'll need to keep a coat on your greyhound a lot given your weather, and no-way would you ever want to let it off-lease. A greyhound rescue (from a track) will typically be very socialized to people but have no experience with other breeds (so it usually freezes or tries to run when it first sees another type of dog). As for exercise, it would need a daily walk but 30 minutes would probably be sufficient (especially if you didn't have a puppy with the energy that all puppies of any breed have)

Answer 3

definitly NOT a border collie. they are always busy, even in the house. Goldens and Labs love water, so you have an ideal house for either if your prepared for wet dog every day :) I don't know how the breeds are in ireland, but in that states I would reccomend getting a golden or lab from show lines because they are generally calmer than those bred for hunting. If you have a very small yard you may need to walk them daily though. All the dogs you listed are larger, more high energy dogs who would need daily walks. What about a smaller spaniel, like a cocker or a cavalier? They enjoy being indoors and out and a small yard would provide enough exercise for them when paired with walks a few times a week. -Neb

Answer 4

You can NOT get a GSD, Border Collie, Golden Retriever, or a Labrador Retriever cause those dogs need daily exercise (1 hours +) and you can only commit to 1-3 times a week.

Answer 5

In my personal opinion, the labrador retriever would not be happy unless you could spend more than a couple hours each day playing ball and going for walks. They are hunting dogs and meant to spend all day in the field. If they can't spend all day in the field, then they need plenty of excercise daily. Even if it is two walks per day and ball playing. They also don't mentally mature until they are between 3 and 5 years old. Basically, they are puppy minds in adult lab bodies. As for the others, I wouldn't know as I haven't owned them.

Also, they need a bit of a yard to run in.

Good luck in your search and I hope you can find the dog that is right for you.

Answer 6

Adopting a dog is like adding another person to your family. Dogs have very complex emotions. They are not "things" to be left alone for hours on end. Unlike cats, dogs require almost constant attention. If you just want a dog as a walking companion, don't get a dog. If you want to add a loving, funny, dependable person to your household, get a small dog.
Try to find dog rescue groups and adopt a homeless dog, chihuahua, maltese, etc. I don't know if there is grehound racing in the U.K.; if so, get a retired racing greyhound. They are quiet, calm, and enjoy just sitting around the house.

Answer 7

The dogs you have mention need a lot of excercise and would be better walked every day. a Border Collie would not do good in a house they basicaly are a dog that needs a job.
Labs can be very hyper and htey can be quite destructive.
Some shepherds are ok in a small house but from what you have mention I would ge for the Golden.

Answer 8

I have a GSH and he is wonderful. He was very easy to train. I work for a vet and there is only one pug I know of out of many that is easy to work with. They are also bad about barking. Border Collie is a great dog but probably alittle more energetic than what you want. Goldens and Labs are also very high energy. Out of the ones you have listed, the GSD is probably the best. The truth is though any of the ones you've named could be great with alot of training and most of all love and attention.

Answer 9

No, No, No and No to all those breeds.

Your expectations are a little high with what you want. I would say dont get a dog but if you really really want one, a small one like a shitszu or maltese might be the way to go judging on your lifestyle. -- Maybe a japanese spitz aswell
Those breeds that you mentioned above need much more exercise than what you are willing to put in.
Good Luck

Answer 10

I love all four of the breeds that you mentioned, especially the GSD and Border Collie, as I have owned both breeds before. However, I was thinking about a terrier because they are smaller and very scrappy dogs, and they don't shed. Are Border Terriers still popular over there? I'm in the U.S. and we don't see them often here, but I know at one time they were popular in Ireland, and they are supposedly great companion animals.