Henrietta

My staffy x is a wonderfully 'easy' dog to train. Very compliant and a great work ethic, will work for everything from a game of tug to a cuddle. And always in that happy mindset that lends itself well to fun. But I wouldn't describe her as a good problem solver or a 'quick learner'. My Chi x is 'clever' and her favourite games involve shaping and finding things. But I am often left looking like the dumbo when she has decided that some particular training endeavour is not on her agenda right now. It doesn't help that I'm not the best trainer in the world, but we are making progress! The difference between the two learning styles is remarkable. (Edit - and my approaches to training)

I always thought it was to release the stress/tension of having a bath? But I really have no idea. My dogs are well behaved and calm for baths, but they just tolerate it - it's not their favourite activity. Mine carry on like pork chops after a bath too. And then they settle down for a nice groom.

I'm not sure, I'd have to time it. But I know when we do a suburban walk we are going at a fairly fast pace and when we go to a park/bush setting we are no where near as fast. We have short burst of running sometimes and some training, but mostly just explore and wander. On most days we do one of each of these walks (for my younger one and only one for the older girl usually), but if one has to fall off the schedule, it's the suburban pavement pounding. I won't say it's boring, but it's just not our favourite activity and I think they get more enjoyment out of their wander and games in the backyard. So I prioritise these. The fast-paced walk around the streets is better for my waist-line though. Edit - I think the suburban walk is around 40 mins, the wander can be anything from 45 - 1.5 hours, depending on what we do. When we go to the beach on the long line - omg, these dogs are energised. They RUN and tire themselves out in about 20 minutes. There is something about the beach that sends them silly. We spend the rest of the time relaxing, otherwise it'd be barely worth the trip. :D

Hi Cavvysavvy, I'd also post this in the breed sub forum, you may get some more responses? http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=164335

I'm not a Cav person but I was very taken with a Blenheim Cav I met at a show. I think all the colours are lovely and I don't usually find all colours in all breeds pleasing.

I'm still choosing my 'breed/s'. I currently have my parent's staffy x and my chi x. Both of them have helped me understand what I do/don't want in a dog. The staffy x is an 'easy' dog. Wonderfully sweet nature but not clingy, laid back, enjoys all activities (walks, training, car rides), is sociable and easy to train. My chi x is independent, not so easy to train but very clever, unsociable, active and quite spunky - sorry there is no other way to describe this dog. Now, in the future I'd love a dog with the attitude, activity levels of my chi x but with the confident and sociable nature of my staffy x. When I say sociable, I don't mean a dog park dog either, neither of mine go, but just a normal sociable dog. My staffy x has a select group of chosen friends and she adores puppies and takes her 'Aunty' role quite seriously. I could take a little less independence and a little more sweet nature, thank you, but I don't want an overly clingy dog. I don't mind a little training challenge. I have a few breeds in mind for a future dog. I feel that my lifestyle could suit any of my 'chosen' breeds. I'm starting to meet individuals of those breeds. I think that maybe when the time comes it will depend on the breeder as to what breed I actually get. Compare my current list to a list of dogs I wanted three years ago when I had just acquired my Chi x... Wow, has my outlook on breeds/dog ownership changed. My list fluctuations between 3 and 5 breeds, two of which have been there for a long time since I started seriously considering 'what breed for me' for next time. Edit - Adding stuff

Hey join the club. How hard is it, though. I was about to take my dogs into the local dog park at stupid o'clock one morning when a woman called out - do you mind waiting for me to leave because my dog (giant breed) has anxiety problems. no biggy - I just sat and waited outside. She said the number of times people refused was just incredible, poor woman. Yep, sad indeed. Obviously, there are many people who are just in it for themselves, stuff everyone else. I can imagine that woman would've been pleasantly surprised to have someone actually agree to wait. For a while there walking the dog was not an enjoyable experience. I dreaded it. Thankfully it's very enjoyable now, but having the dog I have has taught me to have eyes in the back of my head and a mind that is always two steps ahead of trouble. There is no way I could get away with acting like a stunned deer in headlights, which is honestly what my natural reaction would be. At least I know that I'll never be one of those inconsiderate bastards who says, 'But she just wants to say hi!', no matter how friendly my dogs are.

It beggars belief, doesnt it. What on earth makes people think it's ok to yell out to a stranger - hey I'm doing the wrong thing here because my dog is good with other dogs. Then if your poor little anxious dog lunged at the approaching dog there'd be all hell to pay. Just shaking my head. and then they tell you that it is your problem that your dog is aggressive and why should their dog be restricted? I get this all the time.... Story of my life... that's why I walk the dog at stupid o'clock, in places that I have already inspected and preferably where I can see people/dogs coming a mile off. It took a while to find some good haunts, but it was well worth it for our stress levels.

I fear I am one of those people who doesn't notice the doggy smell.

Although I'm not a lab person, my favourite colour is black. The choc doesn't do a lot for me, but yet I really like liver GSP over black ones, so go figure.

I do not think that people are saying BM + 6 year olds = disaster. It's the combination of this, plus the mother has been saddled with this responsibility and was not consulted and, by all accounts, not interested. Father will not be there to take much responsibility - yet he chose the breed. They do not sound dog saavy - choice of breed under the circumstances plus father was hoping that the 6 year old could take the dog to dog training. Hell, I hope they take the dog to training, but I hope the whole family is on board. Six year olds should not be the main care provider for any dog. Do I think a BM could work with a six year old? Yes. But the main adult caregiver would have to really, really want the dog and really do their research. It couldn't just be a dog 'for the kids', that gets left out in the yard 24/7 and should just magically behave without being taught what is appropriate behaviour. Not that I think any type of dog should be bought under these circumstances. Edit to add something

Oh, good on you Rastus_froggy, helping out this gentleman and his gorgeous dog. That is really wonderful. I'm sure the training will help them both.

Hi gissellle, I would also have a look in the Cav thread below. You could even post some questions as well. http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=164335 Good luck with getting a new family member!

My next dog will not be for aaaages. Definitely not while my Abby is around for sure. So that frees me up for a dog of either sex. I have never owned a male and I'd really like to experience this so my preference would be leaning toward a male BUT I'm after a pup of the right structure and temperament first. If I had two - one male and one female - that were considered the best for me I considered the male first, but then if the female just felt right... who knows. I'd have no problems taking a female if she was the right dog for me.

My grandma's old GSD x Kelpie (RIP) used to dispatch mice with one crunch. No playing or eating, just one dive and a clean kill. This would be my first preference, but my dogs are useless at this. One is too slow and too busy wagging her tail gleefully at the sight of a mouse, the other finds mice scary. I would rather get a trap (the ones Perse has described have been successful for us and as far as I can tell as humane as possible) than use poison or a glue trap. *shudder*

Yep, Corgi pups win. Sorry, the evidence is clear. Thanks for all the pics guys, so cute it's almost sickening.

Yep, she is gorgeous Deerhound_lover! I didn't realise they had a 'joey' stage lol. Edit- Kitkatswing - Jack Russells are another breed that I think are cute for their whole lives. What your little one's name? Clover's Harri and Cosmolo's Gilbert - they are just beautiful!

This beautiful puppy looks like a kangaroo. Just the face combined with the way s/he is sitting.

Ok, James is very cute! I also think the little PBGV griffon is just gorgeous. I once met a little Cav puppy at a show that I was absolutely besotted with. The cutest, most confident thing with so much get up and go. Oh, I wanted so bad! All these puppies are cute though.

I wanted to quote them ALL! This is why corgi puppies are the cutest puppies ever!

Would've been quicker, but I was still editing Fresh off the camera, just for you. I can't be recycling photos. Oh gosh, I have been spoilt! You do take beautiful photos, huga.

Bahahaha, huga it only took you 18 minutes to post me a Sid picture. Sid is indeed very cute. Not that you need to be told of this fact!

Paps are pretty darn cute... but I think they stay cute forever! Edit - Yes, all the pups posted are cute. You win.

I think if I meet a puppy in person, s/he could make me melt. It's all about the personality and the way they 'discover' the world around them. Just based on photos though, some puppies are just cuter than others.

This is very objective research. Which breed has the cutest puppies in your opinon? I'd have to say that Corgis are the cutest puppies in the world to me. Both Cardigan and Pembroke. Whippets are also very cute as babies. And Italian Spinoni. I love seeing puppies and saying hi, I'm not such a big fan of raising baby puppies (just prefer the older pups and adults is all). It's nice when the puppy is someone else's - you can just admire them. I would never consider a breed based on cuteness as puppies, obviously. Corgis are not a breed I'd consider, although Whippets are. I really like Poodles (smaller varieties) and Tibetan Terriers, but I don't think as puppies they are very cute. I think they make beautiful adults though. To me, the most beautiful dog in the world as an adult is the Saluki. Gorgeous. But not for me. I can see there may be a lot of Sid references here. Feel free to post pics of gorgeous puppies. Edit - Ooops - Spinones!