Breed suggestions for co-worker

[Ginger's Mom]

One of my co-workers is thinking of adding a dog to his family, and he wants to do it right from the beginning. :) So I am looking for breed suggestions. He has a fairly large house, and a large enclosed backyard. He would prefer a medium to large size breed. He and his wife do not seem to be worried about how much the dog sheds, but they have just finished repairing their yard from the many holes/trenches that the former homeowners dog dug, and do not really want a dog that is going to tear up their yard (a few small holes, yellow grass, bald spots from running and playing are fine, but not major digging). So I have told him huskies are off his list. ;) :D They do like Border Collies, but the dog will be alone for 10 hours a day, I told him if they get a Border Collie they will have to involve it in some sort of activity (running, agility, fly ball, running on a bike springer, something like that). They also like Labs, and I suggested that Bernese Mountain Dogs can be rather mellow. He is looking into rescueing a dog rather than finding a breeder. Any other suggestions? :)


ETA: Toller people...what about a Toller? Or would it be similar to a border collie, in that it would need to be given a "job" to do. I guess I was thinking that Tollers may be somewhat less driven than BCs. And maybe this would be my chance to get a Toller without actually getting a Toller. :)

[Karen]

Huskies are definitely out if they don't want a digger! Maybe they could rescue one of the big black dogs - often lab mixes - that languish in shelters just because of color? Are they looking for a pup, or an adult?

[Ginger's Mom]

You know what, Karen, that is a good idea. I think I may print out a few of the lab mixes at the local shelter right now and give them to him. We did look at lunch time and found a border collie mix, which we printed out. :)

[Jessika]

Does he *have* to have a purebreed? Why not just have him surf petfinder.com to see what -- or who -- catches his eye? Any dog can dig, some breeds are more prone to it but even MY two dig sometimes when the mood strikes... :rolleyes:

If he finds a breed he likes the looks of, tell him to just do a little research then see about searching those mixes on petfinder.com in local shelters :)

[Ginger's Mom]

No, he absolutely does not have to have a purebred. He came to me for suggestions because his main concerns were that they didn't want a repeat of the major damage that was done to the yard by the previous owners dog and his concern about it being left alone for 10 hours. And again he is not worried about digging, he is worried about major damage. I think the only specific thing he really wants is that it is a medium to large size adult dog. He was just looking for other suggestions as to what to look for. We have already spoken about not leaving the dog out alone without supervision as the best way of avoiding unwanted craters, uncontrolled barking and fence jumping, as well as being important to the safety of your dog. I think he is going to be a great dog owner. And he went home with four petfinder printouts to show his wife tonight. :)

[Jessika]

How much time can they spend on energy requirements?

[Ginger's Mom]

That is a good question, and I tried to find that out by asking what he planned to do with the dog when he got home from work. Was he willing to take him running, biking, etc., or did he just want a dog he could play ball in the yard with. The answer was the latter. I know that doesn't really answer your quesstion. But, having said that, let me ask you, what type would you recommend based on that information. I told him generally speaking I try to would stay away from any of the herding or terrier breeds.

[Sighthounds4me]

I'm thinking a sighthound might be worth looking into, especially Greyhounds. They are always available, and with an enclosed yard, could be a good fit.

They are definitely a larger breed, so would fit that requirement. They do not require a ton of exercise, but are usually happy to take walks with their owner when desired.

I would check out www.greyhoundpets.org/ for more info!

Good luck!

[Ginger's Mom]

I actually did think about mentioning greyhounds. And there is a very large active rescue group in this area. Maybe I will mention that. Thanks. :)

[Giselle]

Definite no to the Border Collie :p I'd actually love a BC, but their energy/mental requirements are just too high. I have waaay too much on my hands with Ivy alone =P

I think a Greyhound sounds like a good suggestion, too. It sounds like they're looking for a gentle giant type breed. Maybe an older golden retriever? Or an older Pittie? Or an older Shepherd?

[IRescue452]

Greyhounds kinda just stand there. They might be a little disappointing to a person who might want to play fetch, or play anything. I guess if you got a puppy you could teach it to be more like a dog, but rescue greyhounds are not very dog like. They are more like statues that need some care.

Autumn is definately almost as driven as a border collie, though not as intense. She loves to work. She's never competed in anything or been an actual working dog, but I've taught her since she was little all the commands to hunt and retrieve, herd, search, do agility, play frisbee, expert obedience stuff, and so on. She lives to learn and to "work". Her joints are bad so I don't let her exercise too much now, but she still needs a job. She brings in the paper and the mail. Just the other day I forgot to give her the mail when I was walking in, so she came up in front of me and stared at the mail in my hand until I gave it to her. Then she wagged her tail as fast as she could as she brought it the rest of the way inside.

I think a lab is a bad idea. 10 hours a day alone = house destroyed. Unless its an older dog of course. They've fallen into the "lets get a lab" trap because labs are so easy to come by and everybody has one.

[Ginger's Mom]

Thank you again for all of the responses. They are looking for an adult dog rather than a puppy because of the fact that they both work all day. He took home all of the print-outs, and he and his wife then went on the shelter site together. They could not agree on any dog that really grabbed them both from the photos, but they have decided to go the the shelter to see the dogs in person on Saturday. :D

I did give them a the nearest Toller I could find (she is about 3 hours away), and initially he sounded interested. But I think they are going to look locally first. Certainly can't blame them for that. Oh well, I tried. ;)

[Sighthounds4me]

Greyhounds kinda just stand there. They might be a little disappointing to a person who might want to play fetch, or play anything. I guess if you got a puppy you could teach it to be more like a dog, but rescue greyhounds are not very dog like. They are more like statues that need some care.

Um, really? Cuz the Greys I have owned never "just kinda stood there." My fosters either (and I've had 10). They are very dog-like (because they are DOGS), and want to play rather often. Even my old guy Gunnar, whom I adopted at 9 years old! And my 8 year old girl plays constantly, and rarely sits still.

There can be a lot of varience in Greyhound activity levels. Some are more inclined to be lazy, some aren't. Yes, in comparision to a breed like a Border Collie, Greys' activity levels are very low. But it does not sound like this family is in the "market" for a dog with the energy level of a BC.

As for finding a Greyhound puppy, good luck. Very unlikely to find a puppy, since most are bred for racing, and go directly into racing programs. Those that are bred from AKC stock usually have a waiting list a mile long, since most breeders breed rarely.

And Greyhounds do not need to be trained to be "dog-like." They are dogs, and know how to be dogs.

[Giselle]

Um, really? Cuz the Greys I have owned never "just kinda stood there." My fosters either (and I've had 10). They are very dog-like (because they are DOGS), and want to play rather often. Even my old guy Gunnar, whom I adopted at 9 years old! And my 8 year old girl plays constantly, and rarely sits still.

There can be a lot of varience in Greyhound activity levels. Some are more inclined to be lazy, some aren't. Yes, in comparision to a breed like a Border Collie, Greys' activity levels are very low. But it does not sound like this family is in the "market" for a dog with the energy level of a BC.

As for finding a Greyhound puppy, good luck. Very unlikely to find a puppy, since most are bred for racing, and go directly into racing programs. Those that are bred from AKC stock usually have a waiting list a mile long, since most breeders breed rarely.

And Greyhounds do not need to be trained to be "dog-like." They are dogs, and know how to be dogs.
Thank you Sarah. I didn't know how to respond eloquently, so all I have to say is "ditto".

And even lazy greyhounds who spend the majority of their day sleeping and "acting like statues" can do this:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3135/2397737962_cf41577701.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v474/LSophie/Videos/th_Gissieweaves.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v474/LSophie/Videos/?action=view&current=Gissieweaves.flv)

So, please, before you spout off biases and stereotypes, please consider that, perhaps, it's laziness on account of the owner and not the dog.

[IRescue452]

Sorry, must be the ones I've met from the local rescue. I don't think the people play with them much. My friend just adopted one and they are trying to get it to start playing more and getting excited over more than just food. I think a trip to the shelter will find them with the right dog for them moreso than finding a specific breed though.

[Sighthounds4me]

Sorry, must be the ones I've met from the local rescue. I don't think the people play with them much. My friend just adopted one and they are trying to get it to start playing more and getting excited over more than just food.

Well, I do agree with the playing. Sometimes it does take time to be able to teach them to play, as most humans think of dogs playing, because they have never had the experience.

When Greyhounds are raised, the usually spend the first 6-9 months with their littermates, in large runs. They learn how to be dogs, playing and wrestling and biting... This is where most of them get the majority of the scars that many have after they retire. Sharp puppy teeth + thin skin = injuries that heal as scars.

But they often do not have toys once they get to race training and the track. Thus, many times, they have to be taught what toys are, and what to do with them. So that's where the misconception comes in that they don't know how to play.

BUT, for many Greyhounds, a good, hard run around the yard is play to them. My eight-year-old ran like a mad woman today, and had a blast! I LOVE watching her run like that: not only is it good to keep her in shape, but she loves it so much, and she just beams. She is so happy to just run.

And because of her speed, she has my boys very intimidated. They each have about 20 pounds on her, but she rules the roost, knowing all she has to do is outrun them if they want to wrestle! She has a "top gear" that the Borzoi just don't have. Just when they think they are keeping up with her, she turns on the jests, and leaves them in the dust! That's her version of fun!

Oh, and, what rescue are you referring to? There are a couple of very good ones here in WI, one of which DH and I volunteer for. But what you see at meet and greets is often very different from what you would see at home. Greyhounds are often much more animated when in their familiar surroundings, rather than at a pet store where they are more unfamiliar. There are some Greys that just don't do well at meet and greets, because they get bored, and don't show well as a result.

I'm not trying to tell you that your observations are incorrect, but letting you know why you are seeing what you are seeing.