Daisy

Ok lets spin this around a little, out of all the dog breeds, large and small no matter what they are......which is the best companion dog?? and not crazy high energy???

ok I know I suggested greyhound before but didn't elaborate - here is my experience... I grew up with working kelpies, we lived in a semi-rural area so that was fine, but as mum was a member of the working kelpie council I heard a lot about people who tried to keep kelpies as suburban pets without adequate exercise/stimulation and the problems that could arise... the first dog I ever owned myself was a papered long haired chi... i was 16 and fell in love with the tiny ball of fluff... but he actually thought he was a kelpie As an adult I have owned JRTs, an Irish Wolfhound, a couple of cross-breed rescues, and now greyhounds and a whippet. I have also rescued dogs for somewhere around 6 years now and have fostered many cross breeds (around 60 odd) and several greyhounds (about a dozen). I have also researched different breeds and spent a bit of time hanging out at dog shows and talking to people about their dogs (just because I like doing it )

If you ask ME which breed I think is the best companion dog, I would say greyhound hands down. I will ALWAYS own a greyhound. They suit ME to a tee. Affectionate, friendly dogs, low exercise requirements, minimal grooming, no doggy smell, very clean in their habits and most come already house-trained (it just seems to be a natural thing with them), easy to get along with in that they don't tend to be 'naughty' dogs and just fit in with my lifestyle perfectly. Anyway, hope that helps, enjoy your journey of discovery, get out and meet all sorts of breeds, talk to people about their dogs, and eventually you will find the one that suits you

ETA if you want a dog that is a little smaller than a greyhound, a little more energetic, a little more mischievious, but completely adorable, try a whippet

Naomi there is a greyhound thread in breed sub-forums, feel free to pop in and ask questions There are also some very experienced greyhound rescuers on DOL - greytmate, anniek and layka spring to mind and I am sure they wouldn't mind answering any questions you might have

Daisy - I have never thought of them, but I hear they arn't great with cats...I have 2

as long as you go through a reputable greyhound adoption group they can find you one that is safe with cats There is usually a waiting list for cat-safe greys though.

I am amazed that you do not have a greyhound on your list... it sounds as though they would be the perfect breed for you

it was so cold when i got up this morning

but with the help of trackies, some thick woolly socks and a scarf, Hugo and I still made it out for a walk

eta, weather.com.au says it is 0 degrees here at the moment

Join the club MM. Why do you think I got an iPhone? So I can access DOL wherever I go of course

ETA and it doesn't wear off either... just looked at when I joined and it was nearly 5 years ago, and i still have to get a fix at the very least once a day

Go walk your dog and then post about it! ;)

That's about it

You can jut pop in and say hi now and again, or log your walks every day, or even better tell us if anything funny or unusual happens on your walk

A while back I was lamenting that nothing eventful ever happens when I go walkies.... then I think it was the next day that I managed to trip up a gutter, bruise hands, graze knees, really hurt my big toe.... just goes to show you should be careful what you wish for

glad to hear she is doing well

at least you are getting out there having a go :p I am about to go out with the greyhound boys, but it is cold this morning and I don't wanna go

he is beautiful! and hasn't he grown

thanks for that Jake-k9 But I think it is a psychological thing more than anything. I am so much more active during the warmer months, even my house does not get cleaned as often over winter, all I want to do is snuggle up by the fire!

And keep posing away.... there is already a couch to 5k thread in off-topic that you could join.... I think you need 150 posts to be able to go in there

No collars on when at home here either. I had a foster dog who died after getting her collar caught on a gate a few years ago, and I have heard stories from other DOLers whose dogs died either from getting their collar caught while jumping, or while playing with another dog

don't worry about taking over, you are more than welcome to post in here I have been out with the greyhounds this afternoon, as I finished work early today. I am starting to get worried though, as I really really HATE winter, and i know that when the days get shorter and the weather gets colder it will be VERY hard to get out and walk, i am one of those people who really does hibernate in winter

;)

Hi abby dog, great to have you join us! And don't feel bad about your dog's manners, I have a few problem dogs here - I always think that if I only had one or two I could spend more time with them and they would be better behaved. But I love them all, and we just do our best! My two easiest dogs to walk are my greyhounds, Clyde and Ryan, they are extremely well-behaved, but no credit to me , they were like that when I got them ;) Then there is Ari the whippety mischief maker, she is ok when walking by herself, but if we take one of the other dogs, she HAS to be in the lead at all times - thank goodness she is only very light, because if she was stronger I am sure I would get dragged along behind. And Dozer the staffy cross is the worst puller of the lot! He pulls so hard he wheezes most of the time - I really must look into a harness or something, but wouldn't you think he would realise eventually that a walk would be much more pleasant if he didn't half choke himself! And last but not least, Hugo the foster dog! Hugo is not too bad, except when he sees a tree (MUST pee on every tree!) or another dog (MUST go play!). And soon we will have another foster boy added to the family, a brindle greyhound cross that I am thinking of naming Steve.... or maybe Mike... watch this space!

Hi Jeanie,

hopefully you will get some more advice soon. I just want to say this politely though, be prepared for some flack, as this is a pure-bred forum that is frequented by people who do not believe in the deliberate crossbreeding of dogs such as cavalier x poodle as your puppies are. Also, a lot of breeders do not believe in rehoming two littermates together, there are a lot of problems that can arise from having two puppies of the same age. You will be in for a lot of hard work. Try searching the forum, there have been quite a few threads on the difficulties of raising two puppies together. I truly hope that your pups are not both females, as that can also mean more problems as they mature, worst case scenario being they may try to kill each other and have to be kept permanently seperated. For the sake of the pups I hope none of the worst consequences happen. If you had bought your pups from a reputable, registered breeder, they would certainly have discussed all these issues with you before you got the pups, and would now have been available to give you support and guidance. I am not trying to give you a hard time, obviously you did not know any better, but hoping that you will stick around and learn why people here are so against 'designer' cross breeds, so that you will know better in the future.

well done

I am just about to head out for a walk, I have been away for 5 days and have had people coming and feeding the dogs, but they haven't been for a walk, so i am sure they will be happy to get out

I have used it two or three times I think, but only to report comments that were particularly nasty or offensive made to other people, not to me, and once to report a thread that was just degenerating into one person slinging off at everyone who posted in the thread, even though the other posters were actually being polite and constructive.

I always thought it was 14 days after the last cough was heard.

My little fella done well. He behaved himself in the ring that is all I can ask for. :D

I would just like everyone (companies, vets ets) to get their act together, work together and agree! It would make it much less confusing for those of us that are the consumer.

It just does my head in!

If research say a 1 year vaccine works for three years, then label it as such. If they are not sure test it and then label it - I am just getting so annoyed at all the to-ing anf fro-ing.

Aarrgghhh.

I totally agree!

I'm allowed to post Diva's brag

Her girl, Shikata Miss Katerinka was 7 points away from her title. She took out Bitch challenge, getting 7 points and TITLING, then got BOB, and then went on to win BEST IN GROUP :D :D

Congratulations Diva!!

woohoo! woohoo! Woohoo! So glad to hear this ;) Great news for a very beautiful girl

congratulations ;)

thanks Have to pop down to woollies this afternoon, will have to see if they have any - would it be with tea/coffee or in the health food section do you think?