h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Are those the Halti things? I bought one to try on Patsy. It took her about five seconds to work out the series of moves it took to get the control bit off of her nose...

I think to start with we'll be better off with the baby in a sling when I'm walking the beasties, and when we've got the hang of not pulling again then we'll try with the pram. Walks with the dogs are never walks in order to get somewhere anyhow, because I can't leave them tied up outside shops etc - they are only ever single purpose trips to exercise the dogs (and me).

They are really not going to be happy when I'm giving the baby lots of attention and them much less than they are used to though!

Ismarah, hello! I was wondering how you were getting on with your new (ish) beastie. Thanks for the kind thoughts, I'd be careful about making rash offers though

You can also get them as harnesses - I used a Halti harness for Fred. Occasionally he did get one of his legs out of it, but that was usually because it had loosened off a bit. I found it really difficult to walk him without it - I just don't like that feeling of being pulled around!

One thing I feel I have to mention (and apologies if this is worrying), Jack Russells bite more children than any other breed, so they will need lots of careful introductions to the baby, and should probably never be left unsupervised with the baby, even when s/he's older. Sorry if this is telling you something you already know. Of course we all say no dog should be left in a room with kids and no adults, but most dog owners will do so at some time or another.

This sort of thing doesn't make the news because JRT's only need to bite once or twice to kill the prey they were bred to kill (rats and foxes), so they aren't seen to be as serious as other sorts of dog 'attacks' that usually get in the news.

There are probably more JRTs than any other kind of dog too - they are one of the nation's favourite pets so I'm not surprised if they are high up on the stats. I already know that babies/children and dogs should never be left unsupervised, however placid and docile the owner thinks the dog is (and we don't have any illusions on this score).

I tried one of those "no pull" things on Zeppo, they're sold as "Gentle Leaders" here. I threw it out after a couple of uses. Maybe they're OK for a small dog, but for a large dog what they do is force the dog to twist his head in an unbelievably painful position if he pulls. There's nothing gentle about it - the dog heels to avoid breaking his neck. I ended up using the "pinch collar" that looks like medieval torture device but when used properly is merely uncomfortable, gradually increasing so that the dog gets *lots* of warning before any pain results. Zeppo likes his, and gets as excited to see his pinch collar as he does to see his leash - but the "no-pull" harness caused him to roll on his back with his tail between his legs.

But the most effective thing to keep Zeppo from pulling - a handful of treats with my hand just out of his reach. Usually. My fingers got nipped once or twice.

There are all sorts of 'no-pull' gadgets and gizmos, and for every one you'll find as many people swear by them as swear at them. Those 'pinch' collars I think are otherwise known as 'martingale' or 'half-check' collars. I hated the halti that Buster had, but the Gentle Leader worked fine. I've seen them used on big and small dogs, it depends on the individual dog which one works best.

Ideally they aren't used as a regular bit of kit but a training aid and weaned off, but I could never get Buster off his until he got too old to pull. Getting a dog to walk without pulling usually involves your entire life, or starting before they've ever had a lead put on them as far as I can see - I just never worked out how to do it! Luckily Greyhounds rarely pull!

Top ten list of fav dogs 2006

• Labrador Retriever
• English Cocker Spaniel
• English Springer Spaniel
• German Shepherd Dog
• Staffordshire Bull Terrier
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
• Golden Retriever
• West Highland Terrier
• Boxer
• Border Terrier

Labs have been at the top for years now I think, although these are KC registered dogs, rather than unregistered breeders or rescue pups, so could be complete rubbish as to what real life is like! I have to admit to seeing more labs and collies (which aren't on the list either) when I'm out walking than any others. Perhaps people with small dogs don't need to take them out for long runs? I know my friend with a JRT walks him round the block, rather than taking him out to parks.

I wasn't trying to say anything bad about them, I had one, Tess, for a couple of years, and of course Fred was a JRT cross. I'm not a fan of owning a terrier though, they are way too active for me. Beauty is rather too 'inactive'. I'm trying to find a breed somewhere inbetween!

You can't register jack russells with the kennel club as they are a type rather than a breed (or something like that) although I think you can register Parson's JRTs so i expect that is why they aren't on the list you found.

I think as a high energy breed they really should be taken to the park and given a good run rather than trotted round the block - this is why you see so may barrel-shaped ones I feel very guilty that my two aren't getting to the park any more, I simply physically cannot take them but at least we have a 100ft+ garden that I can run them around in while I'm not too mobile. They'll be pleased after the baby comes to get back to proper walks again!

This has nothing to do with training, but I am determined to find a breed that doesn't shed for my next dog. I love Annie a lot, but she sheds worse than any dog I've ever owned. I have dog hair everywhere. I brush and comb and I'm still buried in the stuff.

I know poodles don't shed, but truthfully I'm not fond of poodles.

Hypatia, did you see this past Sunday's New York Times magazine? Cover story was about "designer breeds" or "half breed mongrels" (depending on your perspective) - things like "schnoodles", "cockapoos" and "labradoodles" - different breeds that are crossed with poodles to get the shed-free quality while losing the froofiness of the poodle.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/magazine/04dogs.t.html?_r=1&ref=magazine&oref=slogin

Anyway, it's only toy poodles that are to be avoided. A standard poodle with long hair is a very nice dog.

I was going to suggest labradoodles - I want a chocolate coloured one, they are *very* cute.

The beasties have had a wonderful time frolicking in the snow this morning

You can't guarentee a cross breed with inherit the correct genes from each breed to be sure it won't shed - you'd have to get an older one.

There are other breeds that won't - those with no hair for example! Yorkies don't tend to leave much lying around either. I don't seem to be getting as much dog hair on the floor now I only have a Greyhound. They've only got a very thin, very short layer of hair anyway.

When I had Fred I couldn't tire him out at all - it really wore me down that I'd take him out for an hour - if not two - and he'd still be on the go! My friend's JRT seems ok with a couple of 15 min walks a day and a big garden, and he's left on his own for around 6 hours a day while she's at work.

Don't forget that sniffing tires them out as well, so you can hide stuff for them to find while you're not mobile.

My brother in law is allergic to pet dander and hair, and they got a Pomeranian, as they're not supposed to trigger allergies like that.

HOWEVER, what maniac decided to breed a *toy* Pomeranian???? It's not as if they're huge to begin with! Shadow would bounce all the live-long day, more even than JRTs!

My boss got his daughter a cockapoo puppy for her birthday last August, chosen specifically to reduce allergic reaction. Since his office is in his home, that means we get to have an office puppy! His name is Cashew because he is beige and when he was tiny and curled up sleeping he resemble the nut.

Hypatia - there are lots of terrier type dogs that don't shed.

Miniature Schnauzers, Yorkies, Westies, Cairn Terriers and poodles are all non-shedding. They'll moult once as puppies but it varies how much that is an issue at the time.

They do require grooming though instead - my Sam (mini schnauzer) was sporting a very fetching dread locked look which made it very difficult to groom him, until he went for his first haircut in December. He looked like a new dog when he came out and it frankly took us a little while to get used to him. He loved it though, was spinning about and hopping like mad, clearly feeling very light on his feet.

cheersismarah

Glad I don't have to take mine for haircuts! Patsy doesn't shed (or if she does the hair is too fine and short for us to notice) but hairy Eddie loses some. Not as much as other dogs I've known though. We've tried brushing her but mainly she tries to eat the brush They both badly need a bath but as we don't have one at the moment they'll just have to smell a bit too doggy for a while.

Beasties are now flaked out - running in snow does seem to knock them out very quickly!

I'm not allergic to the dog hair, so that isn't a problem. I'm just tired of the constant mess. I don't know how one little dog can drop so much hair. She should be bald by now. She sheds worse than all the cats combined.

I love Westies. Thanks. Now I know what kind of dog I'll get next time.

Beauty was playing with my friend's JRT for most of the morning. It takes her a while to warm up to playing, but typical JRT he wouldn't give up!

She spent most of the afternoon curled up in her bed. Well, she normally spends a lot of time in bed, but she was definitely tuckered out.

It looks like I may be getting my foster dog back. He went to another fosterer while I had my op, and then was rehomed. After a couple of days he has been rejected. He *is* a lot of work. They have another person to see him, and if that's a no, he'll be coming back here. Honestly I'd rather he didn't - It's so much easier with just one dog - I'm welcome more places with one quiet (if large) dog than I will be with her plus this little terrorist!