A Second Dog

[Kane]

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In the next 24months I would like to get another dog. I am in no rush at all as it is going to be a l-o-n-g commitment and I'd rather take lots of time over the decision. My main concern is that it gets along with my existing dog, Dill.

Dill is a heeler (farm bred, not KC regd.) If you can imagine the offspring of a Malinois and a Huntaway that was modified by a team of mad scientists and condensed into a package of solid muscle, but only 9.5 inches ats - that's him

He is 2 years old now and needs at least 2 hours' off-lead exercise, including a few interactive games (preferably involving running and jumping along the way) each day. He is generally steady with livestock, due to the effort I have put in. Left to his own devices, he would tour the country, arranging everyone's cattle and sheep into a nice long, orderly line and then move it along at a brisk pace - stopping off only to slaughter the odd rat en-route!

To keep him amused, I am training him for working trials, which he loves, although I am definietly not a 'dog-contest' sort of person. I find working with dogs amazing and I love doing it, but I've never bought into the dressing common sense up as science thing. I find flyball, heelwork to music and competitive obedience a bit.........well, not my thing!

To date I've owned Irish Terriers, a deerhound, a heeler and worked closely with GSDs, collies (search & rescue training) and puppy-walked a foxhound. I did some gundog work with the second Irish.

Whatever dog I choose, it will be worked, as the older and more cynical I get, I firmly believe that dogs should be dogs and bred only for a purpose and then used for that purpose - or something that replicates the necessary agility/ hunting / speed etc. It would live in the kitchen / yard and be fed on raw meat, bones, veg, yoghurt etc. (barf type diet)

I can't decide whether to go for another working trails dog, or to have a go at training a dog up as a gundog, or a rabbitting dog (or even a dog that I can work with a hawk if ever I win the lottery / marry a millionaire just in case a few grands worth of bird decides to fly off into the sunset - which might otherwise be annoying )

I'd love to hear suggestions as to what breeds might fit the bill. I've plenty fo time to do my research and I have lots of ideas - but am open to more - in case there is something I haven't thought of

Sorry for the rambling post! I'm just hoping someone will say 'Ah yes.........a ********** would be perfect!'

PS - I definietly do not want a border collie!

 

[Louise_Simon]

I'm going to say the obvious, try a Whippet. There are some fab working whippets out there. Whippets can do loads of things racing, lure coursing, agility, working plus anything else you might ask of them. Although most prefer a sofa to curl up on imo, so I'm not sure about the yard/kitchen thing.

My friend has 3 lankashire heelers and my 3 whippets get on great with them

 

[Debbie b]

I would if i were you, bearing in mind what type of work you will decide to do, firstly gundog trials and such like i would recommend an irish waterspaniel as they are a hardy breedy ideal for outside living, the only draw back would be the coat, they do need quite a lot of grooming, secondly for rabbiting or bush work, and even retrieving at shoots i would suggest a lurcher, beddy crosses are resilent or a kelpie/whippet/greyhound they come up to about 23 to the shoulder, but good luck in what ever you decide

 

[affieluver]

a whippet makes a fantastic working dog as you know they are quiet adaptable and do get on with most other breeds or how about an italian spinone ny friend has 2 and they are fantastic gundogs good luck whatever you decide the only other thing i will say is whippets do like thier home comforts so would really be happy inside or have a heated kennel

 

[Kane]

I do love whippets and Irish Water Spaniels! I like Spinones and Braccos too - and lurchers!

My favourite breed is Irish Terrier, but finding the type I like is getting more and more difficult. I also like Kerry Blues and Airedales and Wheatens with the Irish type coat - but again, it's finding the right dog.

I was also quite taken by curly coated retrievers, but the person I spoke to at Discover Dogs put me off, because she suggetsed that there was no real difference in working ability between working and show bred labradors - which I personally disagree with totally. I am sure there are lots of working type labs out there who have been bred without much attention to bloodlines and possibly not reared very well, that are no more effective retreivers than show bred dogs and I know there are a few dual purpose work and show and do well at both. However, she said no curlies were bred as working dogs anymore but they would all 'retreive' (and even for a peg-dog, there is so much more than just being able to retrieve!)

I was fond of poodles, but having spoken to a breeder, I was advised that modern day poodles have coats that take forever to dry out (I know - I could just keep it clipped short!)

So many dogs and only one lifetime (sigh!)

Thanks for the suggestions - keep them coming!