I'm prematurely excited

[Hilary B]

If you want something a 'fair size' but willing to be content with modest amounts of exercise, consider a retired racing greyhound. The ones with a nice temperament (and the society, the name of which I can't recall, only rehome the nice ones) are often so laid-back it takes some believing. My sister ended up with one (found straying, but the greyhound expert reckoned she had raced), for about 7 years. The only reason she had to part with Susie was the breakdown of her marriage. Probably the gentlest dog I ever met, my own included.

[binley100]

I had a dog (dalmatian) before I had kids and he was brilliant with them as babes. Then when he died I wasn't going to have another one but we ended up with a rescue dally and the kids used to sit and cuddle him and tell him all their woes. Now we have a bitsa dog who is a total nutcase and I blame the girls for teaching him that way, but I wouldn't be without him.

[lynda66]

children and pets are a wonderful idea .... be aware ... whatever kind of dog you get ... never leave it with bean alone however much you trust him, bitches are generally more placid ..... and always make sure the dog has it's own place to eat and sleep that bean is not allowed anywhere near ... bean will be low in the pecking order to start with.... if you're careful ... and remember then children and pets growing up together have a great time ... just make sure you get the right dog too lol ... much as i love ozzie if i'd had him with rob instead of my old dog he would have to go cos very boistrous dogs and babies dont mix either.

[binley100]

I also agree with what Lynda said.

[petal]

You have just got to get him a puppy. Bring him over to meet our labrador. Labradors are fantastic with children and they have such pretty faces Lady Wayne will be hooked! In my experience small dogs such as jack russels are harder work than babies and such self obsessed creatures.I would love one when the kids leave home! I find larger dogs more laid back and they seem to fit in around small kids without making excessive demands. My daughter was on her nintendo wii earlier using the dog as a pillow whilst she played rabbids go home. Dog loves watching the wii!

[Polly Fouracre]

T'was Paddy (the mongrel) that has the beer mat skills.

That Petit dog looks similar, but Henry was quite a bit bigger from what I can tell by the photos.

On account of my own stature I'm not really a little dog person. That said, we'd never be able to home a Great Dane or a Newfoundland (one of my faves).

Then maybe a Grand B. G. V.? Just as nice !

[Polly Fouracre]

If you want something a 'fair size' but willing to be content with modest amounts of exercise, consider a retired racing greyhound. The ones with a nice temperament (and the society, the name of which I can't recall, only rehome the nice ones) are often so laid-back it takes some believing. My sister ended up with one (found straying, but the greyhound expert reckoned she had raced), for about 7 years. The only reason she had to part with Susie was the breakdown of her marriage. Probably the gentlest dog I ever met, my own included.

Look on Greyhound Rescue West of England website. You will find many beautiful dogs there. I have to tell you though that greyhounds ars sensitive to pulls and tugs from wee folk and like their own space!

[Hilary B]

Look on Greyhound Rescue West of England website. You will find many beautiful dogs there. I have to tell you though that greyhounds ars sensitive to pulls and tugs from wee folk and like their own space!

Susie loved the children, who were aged not more than 3 and 4 when my sister found her (can't remember exactly, suspect it was significantly less), and didn't give any sign of needing to avoid them.
I would hesitate to get ANY dog with a child around who is too young to understand that the dog must be respected, and not mauled about (although a lot of people seem to get away with it). My Katy (first ever dog, a Scottie) treated children as puppies, tolerant of babies, told off (but never harmed) older children, avoided those who should have known better. From the day I brought my daughter home, Katy (then aged 7) saw her as 'my pack leader's puppy'. Some dogs are simply wonderful with small kids, others aren't, and there is no bred you can generalise about without finding exceptions.
The advantage of the retired greyhound is that they are very flexible about exercise. Susie got longer runs at weekends, but during the week, she just got taken along when my sister was going to the shops (walking, with pushchair) and a chance to play in the garden weather permitting (this was a 1960s council house, so not a massive garden).

[HeyWayne]

You have just got to get him a puppy. Bring him over to meet our labrador. Labradors are fantastic with children and they have such pretty faces Lady Wayne will be hooked! In my experience small dogs such as jack russels are harder work than babies and such self obsessed creatures.I would love one when the kids leave home! I find larger dogs more laid back and they seem to fit in around small kids without making excessive demands. My daughter was on her nintendo wii earlier using the dog as a pillow whilst she played rabbids go home. Dog loves watching the wii!

Cheers for the invite petal. Our good friends (our Gad-daughter's parents) have a huge black labrodor that they've had since a pup. He grew up with their older child (I remember when they bought him - the dog that is, not the son). He's fantastic, so docile and gentle with children. He's getting very old now, but he's still really good. Bean gave him a friendly slap and tugged his tail, but he never batted an eyelid. (we were there obviously as we'd never leave Bean with any dog - no matter how docile/friendly etc).

My Mum's dog however, some form of mongrel terrier is a lot more "tetchy" and we're very wary with him around. He attacks anything that squeaks, so we've only just started having him in the same room as Bean (who can make a noise similar to a squeak). They said hello of sorts, but both were clearly wary of each other.

Then maybe a Grand B. G. V.? Just as nice !

That looks very similar. We're having Beans 1st Birthday party at the pub, so I'll see if I can get an identification photo.

Look on Greyhound Rescue West of England website. You will find many beautiful dogs there. I have to tell you though that greyhounds ars sensitive to pulls and tugs from wee folk and like their own space!

I just don't like Greyhounds - sorry. Friends of ours had one, and he was just incontinent and unhappy. I've never been that keen on Greyhounds, but that kinda sealed their fate for me. Lovely as they are for some, they're just not my bag unfortunately.

[di]

One of my friends has a rescue Greyhound.Absolutely great with her little girl,however very sly and I think unpredictable around mine when we've been round.I guess all breeds are going to be protective of their family,but I'd want one I could trust with the kiddies friends,not just mine.

Part of me is desperate for a dog,Andi's not quite so keen.Although he's still not agreed to us getting one,the one ground rule he's set is that it would have to be weaker than us...if a dog were to turn on the kiddies then I'd want the strength to be able to get it off them.

I think the idea of borrowing one for a little while is a good one,give you a little taster of things to come before you commit.

[SueA]

Get a boxer dog Wayne, totally bonkers but very lovable, great with children, very loyal, completely entertaining but liable to wreck your house unitentionally. There are several owners/fans of boxers on the vine, if we ever had another dog I'd get another boxer, preferably a female one.

[HeyWayne]

Henry is definitely the Grand Bassett Griffon Vendeen. We just were at the pub organising things for Sundays party and I asked Doug the landlord and he confirmed that Henry is the Grand type.

He was happily sat toasting himself in front of the new wood burner they've just had installed.

A very happy pub dog if ever I did see one.

[ginger ninger]

Thought you might like some photo of Grand Basset Griffon Vendeens Wayne. The first one "Harry" belongs to my brother in law, he's 7 month old now and full of mischief (the pup). The others are of the net.
Fill ya boots mate.

[binley100]

I want one....they're gorgeous!

[HeyWayne]

Henry looks very much like this one: