Ok,

I've decided a dalmatian is unrealistic.

My mum doesn't want one because:
they moult
they are big and we have a small house and the garden's not secure yet.

So i'm on a mission to find my perfect dog.

I want a dog as a companion as I have no friends and so want one that will go out for regular walks and will be relatively active. However, don't want to have to run with it, by that I mean, be able to let it off the lead and play with me stood in one place and the dog get exercise. I would still walk it, just can't run. I know greyhounds are supposed to be good, but you're not supposed to let them off the lead because if they see something they can get up to 40mph.

I want a medium sized dog that I can have in a smaller house, and when I go to uni, it'll have to live with me in a flat/bedsit whatever. I don't want a little toy dog though, I have a cat and although lovely, they look to little to be dogs.

I want one that I can train and that will become attached to me. I want a friend out of my dog.

Can you suggest any breeds?

I thought about a beagle but apparently they are terrors to train!

Thankyou!
Lottie

Lotti,

I think you'll get the best advice at http://www.dogpages.org.uk/ This is an excellent forum for people with dogs and the advice there is generally very good with the people being very caring and helpful. I use it whenever I need advice about Tara and used it when I was thinking of getting her. The people on there made lots of helpful suggestions.

btw, Tara is a medium sized German Shepard cross. She's 2 and a half now. She has been very happy with me ever since she came to live with me a year and a half ago.

Good luck,
Mikey

Do you honestly thing taking a dog with you to Uni so it can live in a bedsit / flat is fair on the dog??

And as for

I have a cat and although lovely, they look to little to be dogs.

Hmm.
:loopy:

Thanks neeeeeeeeeek

that wasn't at all helpful in any way.

I am looking for a dog that will be happy living in a smaller place. Unfortunately, I doubt you'll ever understand how I feel.

I have spoken to someone who said her dog was perfectly happy sitting with her when she was at uni. So I'm very sorry if you don't agree.

As for the quote, I think you got the wrong end of the stick. I meant, the little toy dogs look too small to be dogs and I don't want the equivalent of a more demanding cat! It was supposed to be slightly humorous!

It's a shame you can't see that the reason I've posted this, is because I don't want to ruin a dog's life by taking it to live in a shared house or a bedsit so want to know which breeds are best happy with this.

Now please, stick to the threads that you feel you can give some sort of constructive answer to.

Hiya Lotti, ive had alsorts of breads and shapes and sizes of dogs in the past. some seem perfectly happy to stay home and some i couldnt even leave in the house while i nipped for a pint of milk as they chewed anything and everything ( not to mention wee'd n poo'd alover ) ive got a two and a half year old Akita at the mo and its only these past few months ive been able to leave her but now shes fine. when she is out she doesnt run about alover either but she is heavy and pulls on the lead. ive got a baby rottweiler too hes 4 month old and he is a total nuisance.

i know that hasnt been very helpful its just that i dont think there is a particuler breed for what your looking for i think its just the dogs temeremnt ( i hope you could understand what i was trying to say cos i think ive lost myself LOL )

take no notice of people with negative comments hunny, you obviusley are really loving to have gone through so much research to make sure you can cope and i bet you will make one puppy a bloody good mammy xxx
hope you find the perfect one for you soon

hugs
Litha xxxx

Thanks Litha!!!

That meant a lot.

lottie

Perhaps a King Charles Spannial may be a good choice. They have a good nature and are not too big. However, they may require some grooming and may molt.

If you want a short haired dog how about a British Bulldog?

Sorry to offend but your looking for a medium sized dog that could well be stuck in a flat all day on it's own. You can take it out but you can't run about with it so I can't see it really getting much exercise. standing in the park and throwing a ball for it, that is not enough exercise for a medium sized dog that's been shut in a flat all day. Come on, you wanted a Dalmatian before and now your want a slow version of a greyhound! Where are you and this lazy dog going to live? Your not going to be able to go into halls at Uni as no pets are allowed. Most private landlords do not allow pets. . Shared houses may not be an option unless you know all the people before hand as other tenants may not want to live with a dog, or the landlord.
Most students are skint, assuming you find somewhere that will take you and this mystery dog, what happens if it gets ill??? You are not going to be able to take a part time job as the dog would be on it's own even longer...

You may think I am having a go. I suppose I am but I think they are all valid points.

Originally posted by neeeeeeeeeek
Sorry to offend but your looking for a medium sized dog that could well be stuck in a flat all day on it's own. You can take it out but you can't run about with it so I can't see it really getting much exercise. standing in the park and throwing a ball for it, that is not enough exercise for a medium sized dog that's been shut in a flat all day. Come on, you wanted a Dalmatian before and now your want a slow version of a greyhound! Where are you and this lazy dog going to live? Your not going to be able to go into halls at Uni as no pets are allowed. Most private landlords do not allow pets. . Shared houses may not be an option unless you know all the people before hand as other tenants may not want to live with a dog, or the landlord.
Most students are skint, assuming you find somewhere that will take you and this mystery dog, what happens if it gets ill??? You are not going to be able to take a part time job as the dog would be on it's own even longer...

You may think I am having a go. I suppose I am but I think they are all valid points.

Ok, I'm only actually replying because I don't like people thinking badly of me!

I have thought about these points believe it or not!
The person I spoke to about a dog at uni said she had more time for her dog then, than she does now.

I have already sacrified the halls for a dog. I'm not big on the social side, and prefer to stay in and work, or go for quiet walks (hence wanting a companion). So I'm not bothered about the halls.

I would have a dog as a sort of help as I can walk, but have trouble bending and picking things up as I have a disability, and have already started looking for landlords that would let me have a dog in their property.

What else? Oh, the walks. I'm looking specifically for a dog that I can walk, not run with because I can walk but I can't run. I wouldn't just throw a ball to it in the park, that would be part of it, but have plenty of places I can walk it round. And have a car so I can get to go to the Lady Bower/Rivelin for walks as well as around my area. They say it's good for dogs to walk on concrete to reduce the amount their nails need clipping, so I would have plenty of places to walk it as well as in the park.

I don't want a slow version of a greyhound. Greyhounds don't exercise very much. Everywhere that I've posted/looked up have said that they sleep a lot and only need a little walking.
I also stated that this was not what I had decided to go with if you had read my post properly. This was because it wouldn't get to run as I can't run with it.

I do care you know about the dog, that's why I was asking advice which would be best of living with me, I don't want to make any dog miserable.

I know that students are generally skint, however, if it did get ill, I would the find the money to have it treated.

I can't believe that all the people that own dogs give all their time to them, and even with a job, I could fit the hours around a dog and uni.
I've had jobs before that fitted around school, and that's far harder to do!

Thankyou for trying to bring me back down to earth, but I have thought about all of these things.

Lottie

Have you thought about a mongrol or do you specifically want a breed?

Right. Am getting utterly fed up with all these people who seem determined to p*** all over Lottie's ambition to get a dog.

First of all, the girl has obviously done her homework. She's spent the last few weeks finding out about all the hidden costs, breeds and dog care. She's even given up her hope of having a dalmation because she realises the breed won't be suitable for her. There are many many people out there who are incredibly reckless about buying pets, but Lottie isn't one of them.

Secondly, just because Lottie has a disability doesn't mean she won't be able to give a dog a good home. Plently of elderly and disabled people own dogs. As long as Lottie finds a placid-mannered pooch, and is able to throw a ball or frisbee for it in her local park, she should be fine. I'm sure she'll do a hell of a lot better at exercising it than these obese families who never take their dogs out and feed them left-overs from the table.

And finally, so what if she's going to be a student? On an earlier thread I advised her to think twice, but if she's really determined and has taken full consideration of the commitment then why should we stop her? After all, not all students stay out 'till 3am drinking every night.

Lottie - I think you'll make a very consciencious dog owner. But perhaps it's time to stop these forum threads, where you're just lining yourself up to get slated by ignorant idiots, and go and talk to a vet, dog trainer or animal charity worker for some proper advice.

And I wouldn't dismiss my earlier suggestion of a greyhound so easily. They may be fast on their feet, but they're incredibly lazy. I interviewed the president of the retired greyhound society once and he told me they only need a short burst of exercise every day, and they often re-home them to people who are elderly or infirm for that reason. They are also used to being left alone because they spend so much of their lives in kennels while they're racing, so should be able to cope with you going out to uni. And they're short-haired, so no mess!

Why don't you check out their website at http://www.sheffieldretiredgreyhounds.co.uk/

I quote from their website: "Everyone thinks that because greyhounds are so athletic they must need lots of exercise, not true, because they are pure sprinters they actually need a lot less exercise that some other breeds of dog.

"Did you know that greyhounds are lazy and gentle? Like all other pet dogs greyhounds have been bred to be affectionate and obedient, they are a most faithful of breed.

"Greyhounds are great with kids they are one of the safest and most tolerant of breeds.

"A typical dog is happy with a 20 minute walk twice a day. They then become generally bone idle, just lazing around."

Originally posted by Lotti

I know that students are generally skint, however, if it did get ill, I would the find the money to have it treated.


A bit off track but... definitely invest in pet insurance. It will probably only cost about £15 a month for your average dog but it's well worth the money should your dog get ill (although you will still need to pay the excess, so keep some savings too, just in case :thumbsup: )

I think you're right to be really thorough with your research too - good on you :)

PS... I had a collie cross for a while - not recommended if you want a dog that needs minimal exercise... he was the most energetic dog I've ever met :) Also, some breeds of dog are prone to chewing (labs in particular) and if you need to leave him alone whilst you are at university then that's probably not ideal for you (I still have the chewed up textbooks to show for my troubles :roll: :P)

PPS. what will you be studying?

sent you a PM. :)

Thankyou very much to all who have replied since my last post! And thanks for your pm Ally.
Thankyou for your support JBee, I appreciate it!

I would invest in pet insurance yes.
I'm studying French. This would also mean, I would have to get a pet passport as my doggy would otherwise be left in england with someone when I need to go to France for a year!

I'm seriously considering all different options and will let you know, if I know any more.

Lottie

Ok, I'm not going to be negative or anything, I really hope you find a dog and it works out.

I just wanted to say, from my own experience, that I would ensure you find a) somewhere to live (for certain) and b) any people that you will be sharing with first. I never managed to find anywhere in 4 years that would allow me to keep my HAMSTER with me, and this year he is lodging back at home with my parents. (I managed to hide him in my room in the first 2 years, but obviously this won't work with a dog!).

And pet insurance is a must as you've already said :thumbsup: We had a guinea pig that in one episode of illness ran up a bill of £200 in one day, and dogs' bills can run to thousands.

Good luck!

lottie,,, igonore all the negative comments as i know you have done your homework, i know how much it means to you and i know you would make a perfect owner. taking a dog to a park and throwing a ball is good excercise for it, i dont run with my dogs and they get all the excercise they need.

jbee what you say about greyhounds is so true. people always walk by in the shelters thinking they need loads of excercise but as you say this is not the case. they are very lazy animals who are loving and love to plod along. but unfortunaltly i do not think they are suitable for lottie as they are quite hard to train to do "normal" dog stuff and she would like a dog to train as her helper. also she has a cat and they are terrible for chasing cats,its just in thier breed. but to anyone else reading this a greyhound makes a fab pet and if i did not have 2 crazydogs and 4 cats i would get one!!!

There are a few at the Greyhound rescue that have been brought up with cats and I'll be moving out possibly even before I get one so I'd only have my playful cat with me if at all. The quiet worried one wouldn't be coming with me and I'd have to think twice about bringing my baby smudge with me because she's an outdoor cat and they're not good for moving as they try to go home. Also, she's used to having a cat flap so is not house trained and i don't think my landlord will be very impressed if I cut his door up!

I don't need a dog to help me, but it would be a bonus. I want a companion more than anything and so far this looks to be the best breed.

I might go for a mongrel if i go to a rescue centre and click with them, the trouble is, I want one that I can sort of predict what it'll be like!

We'll see!

Lottie