Questions for dog owners please

[Seren]

right Dh really wants a dog now so I have a few questions



1) where does your dog sleep?
2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? some dogs can be very smelly?
3) grooming, how do you groom your dog?
4) what bred is good with children?
5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog?
6)insurance? who is good for insurance?

Thanks
:kisshands:

[mumsiejudy]

Oh my! what a lot of questions. We have always had dogs and the breeds we have had with young children are border collies and labradors and have never had any problems. Mind you, if children are allowed to be unkind/cruel to them I wouldn't be able to predict what the outcome would be. I wish someone had told me how young dogs ruin the garden and are such a tie. We only brush ours and wash them outside when it is not too cold. Dog smell. Shake and vac is marvellous also candles and air spray. The dogs sleep inthe kitchen.

[snowy1974]

1) where does your dog sleep? At night ours sleeps in the kitchen on an old duvet, during the day he is normally found in his chair by the window.

2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? some dogs can be very smelly? If it does smell I don't notice it.

3) grooming, how do you groom your dog? We brush him and he has the occasional bath when he gets really mucky.

4) what bred is good with children? Of course I'd say boxers. They are very patient with kids, ds has a habit of laying on Buzzy and he's never grumbled once. The only problem is with my niece as he's face height with her atm so we have to watch that he doesn't lick her.

5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog? Someone will be sat in your chair as soon as you get up. Seriously we had thought of all sides before getting Buster and the only thing that gets tricky is when we have a day out that we can't take him along to, oh and vets bills are huge.

6)insurance? who is good for insurance? We are with Churchill and are just about to claim for his ear infection that he recently suffered so couldn't tell you if they are good or not yet.

Hope that helps

[Seren]

thanks

I really don't want to make a huge commitment as it is very important for the family and potential dog.


dh suggested a boxer, but I thought they as a breed were prone to illness???

[snowy1974]

Sadly yes they do seem to be.There is a high cancer risk with them, boxers very rarely make it past 9 years old.

Buster has been to the vets twice so far, once for his ear infection and the other time he had a problem with his foot.

My dh had always wanted a boxer so when one became available in our home town we went for it. He is great and there is nothing like a dog being so happy to see you their whole back end wags.

[duck_egg]

1) where does your dog sleep? at the top of the stairs on the landing, we have a stairgate to stop him from going in the bedrooms
2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? some dogs can be very smelly? he has doggy deo and i use carpet deo too, he has a bath every few weeks and only whiffs a bit when he gets wet!
3) grooming, how do you groom your dog? we have a wire brush and dh brushes him outside to get rid of most of the hair and he goes to a groomers for a proper clip and bath every few months
4) what bred is good with children? ours is a labrador and is naturally a good family dog, he is big and can be boisterous but he would never hurt one of them (he may knock them when he gets excited though because of his size)
5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog? lots! the amount of hair, and the hard work involved in training.
6)insurance? who is good for insurance? we are with tesco and it costs us £8.26 per month which was one of the cheapest with the best cover

[Seren]

my friend had a boxer once and she said she was really soft ect and very lovable.

I think a boxer maybe too large for us at the mo.

I think a bit more research and we may be there, not sure if we will go for a rescue dog or once from a breeder. Probably one from a breeder due to the children

oh my, just wait till dh hears I say yes!

[Amandax]

1) where does your dog sleep? She has her own rug by the radiator in the dining room. I dnt allow her up stairs as my son has asthma.

2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? some dogs can be very smelly? Febreze is good for dog bed etc and u can buy loads of products for dog.

3) grooming, how do you groom your dog? We have a special wee glove groomer so its more like getting pampered than groomed.

4) what bred is good with children? Personally i believe that it is the way in which a dog is brought up that makes it suitable for kids. My dog is a boxer, staffy cross and the most gentle giant u will ever meet. Although she will bark if anyone tries to come in the garden when the kids r playing in it.

5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog? nothing i enjoy having a dog and she is one of the family.

6)insurance? who is good for insurance? Petplan r very good as r Tesco's insurance.

[lizzie]

1) where does your dog sleep? In down stairs bathroom in a big bed
2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? some dogs can be very smelly? we have air freshers and Febreze
3) grooming, how do you groom your dog? we have a wire brush that DH uses every day
4) what bred is good with children? i think it goes off the owners
5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog? that they chew everything when there puppys
6)insurance? who is good for insurance? more than are pretty good

[hector]

1) where does your dog sleep? My first dog (king charles spaniel) slept in a chair at first then the sofa then on my bed.
When i had two labradors they slept together in a dog bed in the kitchen with a old duvet.
Then i had a cocker spaniel cross who slept on the landing by the bedroom door.
I now have a Newfoundland who sleeps under the kitchen table during the day and on the sofa at night.

2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? Fabreze or after a while you dont notice just your friends stop calling:cheesy:

3) grooming, how do you groom your dog? We have just had lola groomed by a mobile company and cost £60 very cheap as have had quotes of over £150

4) what breed is good with children? I have knowledge of all the above breeds and would recommend a newfoundland even though i do understand that would not be everyones first choice due to size and cost but fantastic with kids

5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog? that's its the best thing you can every do

6)insurance? who is good for insurance? i have used More than and pet plan and found them both very good.


Once you have chosen what breed is right for you ring a few breeders they are always willing to give advice to help you make the right decission also he kennel club will give you great advice.... also there are 1000's of resuce dogs looking for a good home.

[nicholamarie]

1) where does your dog sleep?he sleeps in a basket in the kitchen but when dh is away he sometimes sleeps on my bed

2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? some dogs can be very smelly?we dont notice our dog smell but when we look after a friends dog we always say he really stinks but i suppose you get used to the smell. you can buy lots of things for dog odour.

3) grooming, how do you groom your dog?i have a conb and brush i also have a clipper set as he gets really fluffy

4) what bred is good with children?we have a cavalier king charles and he is fab with kids.

5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog?no answer to this as i had dogs when i was younger so didnt really need to know anything

6)insurance? who is good for insurance?we use pinicle because they are good. i phoned around lots of places but you really need to look into insurance as if your dog has a long term illness some dont renew your cover the following year for the same illness so not worth having in the first place. these are mainly companies like tesco,argos and many more

[rach04]

1) where does your dog sleep?

in the kitchen. In a wicker basket

2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? some dogs can be very smelly?

febrezze baths and airwick

3) grooming, how do you groom your dog?

with a wire brush thing twice a day but shes a collie cross springer and has quite long hair and is black arggghh

4) what bred is good with children?

i have a collie/springer and the kids can jump all over her (apart from when shes in season- pmt ) even then she just warns them has never bit or gone for them. she is as nutty as a fruit cake but highly intelligent.

5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog?

hmmm hard one cause we have always had dogs as dads a farmer

6)insurance? who is good for insurance?

more than costs me about £13 a month for dog and cat

[boyzmum]

1) where does your dog sleep? Hi mine have their own room as we dont use the dining room but during the day they go anywhere they want downstairs & when we go to bed they sleep in either their room or the kitchen. They have blankets in their room & a large rug in the kitchen but prefer the lino when its hot
2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? some dogs can be very smelly?mine only smell when they roll in something or have been in the rain
3) grooming, how do you groom your dog? being quite short haired they just need a brush down with a wire brush daily, more often when moulting & a bath once a month with a wipe down if they roll in anything
4) what bred is good with children?well ive had rottweilers since youngest son was 18 months old & never had any problems,they both adore children,are very placid & calm around them even young babies. 1 was from a breeder the other we adopted aged 10 months from a dedicated rottweiler rescue
5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog?how great it is to have them about, 1 is never enough
6)insurance? who is good for insurance? my oldest (3yr) is with animal friends.she is on their top cover which is just over £20 a month, have claimed just under £1000 in one go before without problems.My younger one (2yr) is with M & S, they were cheapest at the time & apparently really good but their prices have really hiked up & ive never had to claim from them

sarah

[Chell]

Just remember that insurance increases as they get older. Casper now has a stomach problem, his insurance is going to be so high now that my parents may not insure him. I don't think any new insurance would cover his stomach problems as its an exisiting complaint which they have already claimed for.

Do you have care for the dog when you go on holiday? What about if you go out for a full day trip? Someone will need to be back to let the dog out for a wee.

[Seren]

thanks, still not sure about this yet

think I will wait till the kids show more of an interest

thanks for all the replies

[Headbanging Vonnie]

Sorry I'm late in replying but thought I'd put my bit in!

1) where does your dog sleep? They have their own beds in my bedroom.
2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? some dogs can be very smelly? Better to get short haired dogs if you are worried about this. I don't think my house smells. My mil's house would smell as she has a few big hairy dogs but she just cleans regularly and has air fresheners in the house.
3) grooming, how do you groom your dog? Once again get a short haired dog and you don't need to worry so much about it. I used to have a scottie and just booked him into the groomers during the summer but if he got dirty I would stick him in the bath and shower him.
4) what bred is good with children? I have a greyhound and great dane and they are great with children. I would avoid breeds like West Highlands or Jack Russells.
5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog? I have always lived with dogs since I was born so its like a way of life for me.
6)insurance? who is good for insurance? All I know is M&S have drastically put their prices up. Try the supermarkets or Argos.

[Headbanging Vonnie]

Just wanted to add if you don't want a large dog a Scottish Terrier could be good. My Charlie was great with the girls - if he didn't want to sit with them he would just walk away - and he was just perfect in every way, a great guard dog as well as being playful. The one downside was that he needed more grooming but he never moulted.

I miss him so much especially now they have started that monopoly advert whre she carries one in her bag.cryingsmil

[brindle]

1) where does your dog sleep?border terrier (bt) sleeps in a cage on landing, big irish wolfhound (iw) sleeps on mattress in kitchen
2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? some dogs can be very smelly?i put in a scented sachet into hoover bag, also clean floors with dettol to remove smell,(i have laminate) I also bathe the dogs once a month and use baby talc inbetween washes.
3) grooming, how do you groom your dog?very gentle with the correct brushes, teeth cleaned twice a week with toothbrush, eyes cleaned out each day with soft cotton wool.
4) what bred is good with children?most breeds are good with kids, my (iw) is fantastic with kids although very big and tends to knock us over, my little (bt) is also good with kids but needs lots of exercise, i have found that labradors are great with kids too, or even your every day mongrel, it depends on upbringing and the laid back attitude of the kids.
5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog?that they need lots of reassurance and exercise, even in wet weather, that mud is traipsed in all over the clean floor on wet days, they eat anything then throw up on your best shoes, they chew your tableleg off.(BUT I WOULDN'T BE WITHOUT ONE
6)insurance? who is good for insurance?i used to use tesco insurance but it is cheaper with 2 dogs at direct line insurance, although bestbuddies is good too.

[saluki]

The best dogs with kids are spaniels, But they are very energetic, my dog used to sleep in her bed beside my bed lol, Pampered!! And grooming, I used to do it myself, Take her out in the garden or to a park and do it, That way no hair in the house, Also depends what you feed them as to how much they smell!! Tinned food is the worse as full of rubbish and also Is 80% water!! The really good non expensive food is a dry food you soak called wag, You can get puppy one too also charcoal biccies as a treat each day are very good as they absorbe gasses in the tummy and stop wind and bad breath. Sorry to rabbit on lol, my mum was a dog breeder so im a fountain of information, though she bred german shepherds, spaniels dont have a nasty bone in their body and will even welcome the burglers with a big sloppy kiss and tail wag!! They are tolerant and great for kids. Good luck!! xx:woot:

[saluki]

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/petplanet/breeds/dogs-breeds.htm

Check out this link, has every breed profile in the universe with all the info you are asking. hope this helps. xx

[Mary Poppins]

1) where does your dog sleep? Our dog sleeps in the kitchen at night times but during the day she has the run of the downstairs and usually sleeps on the settee - on her back with her legs in the air, snoring. :hysterica

2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? She doesn't tend to smell much unless she gets wet. I have one of the Airwick airfreshners that squirts every 18 minutes.

3) grooming, how do you groom your dog? She gets brushed every couple of days but with being a white dog, we have to bath her too.

4) what bred is good with children? Our dog is a Westie and they are brilliant with children.

5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog? That you get too attached to them. We put her in the kennels once and I cried the whole time we were away and didn't settle, so we can't go anywhere on holiday without her now as I won't put her back in there.

6)insurance? We don't have insurance for her. Have thought about it but never got around to it.

[nicholamarie]

Just remember that insurance increases as they get older. Casper now has a stomach problem, his insurance is going to be so high now that my parents may not insure him. I don't think any new insurance would cover his stomach problems as its an exisiting complaint which they have already claimed for.

Do you have care for the dog when you go on holiday? What about if you go out for a full day trip? Someone will need to be back to let the dog out for a wee.

you need to phone round fior dog insurance as chell says it can mean that they will not insure against a exsisitng complaint but if you chose the right company from the beginging they will. which i why i use pinacle as if toby had a problem this year they will still insure me for it next year.

argos,tesco etc dont do this and i am unsure of the rules with pet plan i think they allow so much per illness claimed and once your money runs out they will not reinsure for that complaint.ie if you had an ongoing ear infection they may allow say £3000 but once it has run out for all claims it wont renew so if you used £2000 this year and renewed with them for next year you will only have £1000 left. iyswim.

pinacle renew your money back up to the start every year

[Jen]

1) where does your dog sleep? in the conservatory (her choice)
2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? some dogs can be very smelly? regular baths with a good doggie shampoo
3) grooming, how do you groom your dog? a good wire brush
4) what bred is good with children? we have a cavalier King charles, fantastic with everyone including children
5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog? Make sure you have insurance
6)insurance? who is good for insurance? wish I'd taken one out

[raverbabytin]

1) where does your dog sleep? in the hall in a huge bed
2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? that new 3 scent air fresher
3) grooming, how do you groom your dog? she short hair so dont need 2
4) what bred is good with children? im got a staffie she good with the little one but can get a wee bit exicted when people pop around
5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog? dont spoilt them!!
6)insurance? who is good for insurance? nope but i should really

[Ellie]

1) where does your dog sleep? - in the kitchen
2) dog smell, how do you stop your house smelling of dog? some dogs can be very smelly? - vacumm regularly and use air freshner!!
3) grooming, how do you groom your dog? - short haired dog, so occassional brush
4) what bred is good with children? Staffordshire Bull terriers - despite their reputation, if trained properly are incredibly tolerant
5) what do you wish someone had told you before you had a dog? Have dogs, not children, they are easier trained!!!
6)insurance? who is good for insurance? Have Petplan, expensive but so worth it. Our pup was sick twice in one year, would have cost us almost £2,000 if not insured, all we had to do was sign a form they sorted it all out, no probs and great communication from them, really pleased.

[saluki]

Did you decide what dog you were going to get hun?