Thread: What dog should I get?

Lads and Ladettes - I'm moving into my new house next Friday and would like some advice as to what dog to get. I grew up with Golden Retrievers but was thinking that my backyard might not be big enough as it's quite small... also, I don't want a dog that sheds as much.

I will walk the dog every morning and probably every night... When he's older and trained he can go on site with my brother..

Any ideas? I don't want a small rat dog, like a jack russel or anything and I don't want him it to be too active.

I was thinking a staffy? does anyone have any experience with them? any other ideas?

Ah the new house! Congrats mate.

I had a Staffy growing up and always said i'd get another. And I did at Christmas. I have two young kids now. He's very boisterous and needs attention (he's still a pup really), but hey - great dogs in my opinion. Go the Staffy!

I second that motion for a staffy, great dogs.

Originally Posted by cmjk

Ah the new house! Congrats mate.

I had a Staffy growing up and always said i'd get another. And I did at Christmas. I have two young kids now. He's very boisterous and needs attention (he's still a pup really), but hey - great dogs in my opinion. Go the Staffy!

Thanks cmjk, just wait till I put pics up of my new home gym :)

Is it ok to leave a puppy home alone during the day? Is he an outside or inside dog?

Seriously, get a Great Dane.
Everyone thinks no too big, needs to much space etc etc.
But in all honesty they need less space the a jack russell. They are big lounge dogs, would rather sit on your lap then go for 10 hr walks.
If you had an area of 5m x 10m that would be enough yard, and even that is over kill and we had our vet look at the yard and they said that is plenty.
They are very loyal dogs, love their owners and love kids. I have always kept danes and they are truly gentle giants that need little exercise and space. I train my dogs to sit on their own mat unless I tell them they can move around to avoid things getting broken.

but seriously do some research, ppl always think massive dog, needs lots of room and exercise and it is far from the truth.
No one will dare break in to your house either, and stupid door to door sales men become a thing of the past.

Staffy although beautiful dogs can be feared by the general public, some owners treat them poorly and it causes a select few to be a little bit aggressive.

Oh and great danes are great for picking up chicks, walk one down the street and everyone comes to pat them.

x3 for a Staffy.

I grew up with German Shepard, but then i moved into a unit with a smallish backyard so decided to get a Staffy, whihc i walked every day, he is the best dog EVER, very loyal, loves lounging around on the couch and bed but when you take them out have heaps of energy and they just LOVE people, I now have a 8mths old son in the house and my Staffy has been awesome, not one bit of jealousy (but would NEVER leave them alone together)and they already have started "playing" around together.

Here's a pic of my boy

Staffy Cross... (with Heeler, Kelpie, Rottie, anything really) - from a pound not a pet shop. Desexed, wormed, and mircochipped for about $150.00 and they live for ever 15 - 16 years so great value as well as great dogs!

boxer

charley snaps 011.jpg

Originally Posted by VAS

Staffy Cross... (with Heeler, Kelpie, Rottie, anything really) - from a pound not a pet shop. Desexed, wormed, and mircochipped for about $150.00 and they live for ever 15 - 16 years so great value as well as great dogs!

Sorry mate but i would avise against getting a cross breed, by all means get one from the pound but i would suggest getting a pure breed, problem with cross breeds (any cross breeds) is there is no guarentees about the nature of the dog, YES you can get agressive/unstable dogs by getting pure breds however, past experience has taught me that pure breds are much more predictable in their nature.

One the other hand many have been lucky previously and experienced no problems with getting cross breeds, just something else to consider.

Also agree 100% about not buying from a pet shop, I would be getting in contact with a club of the breed you looking for, i think most have breeders registers OR check the pound out.

I'd advise against a staffy, they need a lot of attention and will destroy everything when they don't get enough. I have a staffy and a rottie, and I'd definitely prefer 2 rotties. At least that way I'd probably still have washing on the clothes line when I get home from work...

Originally Posted by matt84

I'd advise against a staffy, they need a lot of attention and will destroy everything when they don't get enough. I have a staffy and a rottie, and I'd definitely prefer 2 rotties. At least that way I'd probably still have washing on the clothes line when I get home from work...

ha ha ha - yeh mate as I said - Staffy's do need 'attention'. We've had a heap of shit chewed up and stuff. Mate thats dogs (pups especially). I love the personality that staffy's have and if that means they are a little bit naughtier like that - I'm the sort of bloke to have a laugh about it.
They love people, are great with kids - in my opinion an all round performer.
Oh the breed is free of many defects also (get a purebred though crofty).

ive got a female boxer and male staffy.

the staffies a great dog but craves a lot of attention, he soft as and great natured but is always pestering. couple of months ago because he wasnt getting attention he started lying and licking his paws, they got that sore they actually split. Stupid mutt. Having said that if you are religeous with walking them it shouldnt be a problem

my boxer is awesome. good as gold. but shes 4 now and the first 2-3 years she was nuts. so enegetic, they tend to calm down a lot once tehy get a bit older.

Either way both are a good choice. Oh the other thing is neither of them leave much hair around, like you dont even notice.

Would you consider getting a police dog in training? They give you food, kennel, vet fees etc. All you have to do is walk it. Then, if you change your mind it's going anway (unless it fails that is. Then you can buy it if you would like to)

Thanks fellas and felletes

Soulweaver - funny you mention great danes, the girl at work told me to get one. Not a bad option, and definitely on my list but surely they would eat you out of house and home?

All you staffy owners - I'm definitely getting a pure breed and most likely a staffy at this point. The boxer isn't a bad option either actually.
Is there a difference between getting a male or female behavior wise? Also, Do any of you guys keep your dog mostly outside? My dog's most likely going to have be an outside dog with the odd visit inside.

Zam - your dog looks awsome! how much does he bench press, cause he's muscley little prick :)

Beeman - do your dogs ever fight? I heard you cant keep staffy's with other dogs...

Agent DD's - I'm not sure what you mean sorry? are they german shepherds?

Nice staffy Zam...

Go a staffy, most from respectable breeders are clear of hip displasia and similar diseases.
Boxers are the same.

I find females are less trouble, mischief wise!