[ajfoggy]

No it will not be going the the F80, before anyone asks

Always wanted one as a kid, never got one.

Currently in a position where we could get one, just wondering what the running costs of a dog are? Looking at a Labradoodle.

Mrs works at home so that is good, holidays are covered.

What else do I need to think about?

[davyk31]

Costs are what you make it it really. My lab costs about £50 a month in food and very little more really. Vets are expensive but all he really needs so far is annual injections at about £30. Anything more serious gets expensive but a healthy dog doesn't cost much hence why I don't bother with insurance. Kennels needed if you go away on holiday and haven't anyone else to look after the dog.

Had a dog always since my teens and love them. Great company and our current lab is great with the kids although he is getting quite slow and lazy now.

Go for it.

[Mark1966]

Yup foggy you will get far more enjoyment from a dog than you will your new M3 and I am not joking

[....,,,,..,,..]

Do you like having impromptu trips some place, being able to get home when you feel like it, like having the odd lie in?

If so don't get a dog, they are very much a 24/7 responsibility.

We are about £50 a month food, £30 a month insurance, add in another £10 on treats.

Then there is the plethora of toys, night lights, beds, walking clothes, boots, leads, harnesses, etc.

Dog beds:



Toys:



However, they do bring so much in to a family.

A bit like kids at times.. Exactly who messed up the room?

[Consett Mag]

To your dog, you will be his world. Everything will be easier for him when you're there.

It's a proper commitment but they tend to give unconditional love.

If he stays healthy, the cost is around £55 / month in food and pet plan

[TouringPleb]

I'd definitely get insurance. As someone said a healthy young dog shouldn't need the vet but you never know. Most insurance also gives you a level of cover should say for example your dog run into the road and cause an accident.

If you are getting a puppy there will be costs to repair/replace anything that gets chewed. I've got two German shepherds. The youngest is now 9 months and he has chewed so far.. Two plaster walls, skirting boards, my car key, two hoodies, he has shredded 4 dog beds now and loads more I can't remember right now. And Labs are meant to be worse for chewing..

As Brigand says it's more about time. They need a walk before work, a walk after even when you are knackered and all you want to do is sit down and have a beer. Plus it might be nice walking them in the summer when it's light before and after work but remember they still need walking in November when it's pissing down with rain and blowing a gale.

Having said that, I absolutely love mine and can't imagine life without them. Yes sometimes they are a pain in the arse but I love them and there's nothing like coming home from a shit shift and seeing the pure unadulterated joy they have for seeing you.

[ajfoggy]

Cheers for the replies. Pretty much what I was thinking costs wise then. One thing that does concern me is keeping the house tidy. Obviously taking the dog out in the winter means it will bee covered in crap 8 times out of 10, or maybe 10.

How do you keep them from messing the house up, obviously if they are really messed up they need a bath but surely that can't be the case each time they go out?

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Cheers for the replies. Pretty much what I was thinking costs wise then. One thing that does concern me is keeping the house tidy. Obviously taking the dog out in the winter means it will bee covered in crap 8 times out of 10, or maybe 10.

How do you keep them from messing the house up, obviously if they are really messed up they need a bath but surely that can't be the case each time they go out?

We go in and out via conservatory and back garden gate.

Plenty drying towels and for muddy days (every day is a muddy day with a Dalmatian), we use something like this Paw Cleaner.

[ajfoggy]

Originally Posted by Brigand

We go in and out via conservatory and back garden gate.

Plenty drying towels and for muddy days (every day is a muddy day with a Dalmatian), we use something like this Paw Cleaner.

Cheers!

A bit mean keeping her in the conservatory

[Mark1966]

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Cheers for the replies. Pretty much what I was thinking costs wise then. One thing that does concern me is keeping the house tidy. Obviously taking the dog out in the winter means it will bee covered in crap 8 times out of 10, or maybe 10.

How do you keep them from messing the house up, obviously if they are really messed up they need a bath but surely that can't be the case each time they go out?

You have an uphill struggle there

We have hard flooring in nearly all the downstairs areas which helps but the carpets upstairs need to be changed on a pretty regular basis if you want to keep a nice house.

If they get really muddy and it is not too cold we leave them outside and the mud usually drops off after a couple of hours. The main problem with our two is that they love to roll in horse and fox shite and they then have to be washed in a Belfast sink that we have in the utility room.

Its not always easy having dogs but we wouldn't be without them, just don't expect to have a show house for too long

[TouringPleb]

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Cheers for the replies. Pretty much what I was thinking costs wise then. One thing that does concern me is keeping the house tidy. Obviously taking the dog out in the winter means it will bee covered in crap 8 times out of 10, or maybe 10.

How do you keep them from messing the house up, obviously if they are really messed up they need a bath but surely that can't be the case each time they go out?

As the others have said plenty of old towels. Luckily my two love being rubbed down with a towel, they know when it's wet they will be towelled off and as soon as I open the garage door they fetch the towels themselves!

Another thing you can do is use a baby gate to get them in or out of various rooms. I have one across the kitchen door and it means when they are wet they can stay in the kitchen until they dry.

However wooden floors will be your friend!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by TouringPleb

As the others have said plenty of old towels. Luckily my two love being rubbed down with a towel, they know when it's wet they will be towelled off and as soon as I open the garage door they fetch the towels themselves!

Another thing you can do is use a baby gate to get them in or out of various rooms. I have one across the kitchen door and it means when they are wet they can stay in the kitchen until they dry.

However wooden floors will be your friend!

With our previous 2 Dalmatians, we had a baby gate at bottom of the stairs, they were never let upstairs.

However, with Ballach, as we had a spare double room, he claimed it lol.

[davybull]

Currently have three.

Murphy - Long Haired German Shepherd, 9 yrs old. Been an amazing dog but now has congestive heart failure and doesn't have long left.


Bobby - Working black Lab. 2 years old. This fella would walk, run, dig or swim for ever.


Both these fellas are wonderful with everything, kids, other animals and even birds (lots of geese and swans where we walk).

Then there is Elvis - Miniature Dachshund, 6 months old. This fella is a little shit!!! Thinks he is the size of a Rottweiler but 10 times harder.



I wouldn't have a clue about running costs, I leave that to the wife. You do need to factor in a new vac every year if you get a breed that sheds!

We have never insured our pets. Murph is at the vets a lot now but our vet is brilliant. He doesn't now charge us to check Murphy over and gives us a discount on the tablets which are still quite expensive.

Bob and Elvis have plans in place where you pay £99 quid and all their yearly jabs are covered for life.

I would personally give my kids up before my dogs.

Go for it but if you do socialise, socialise and then socialise some more. A dog can learn to be obedient but if it hasn't been socialised whilst tiny you will likely get some issues.

Dave.

[Consett Mag]

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Cheers for the replies. Pretty much what I was thinking costs wise then. One thing that does concern me is keeping the house tidy. Obviously taking the dog out in the winter means it will bee covered in crap 8 times out of 10, or maybe 10.

How do you keep them from messing the house up, obviously if they are really messed up they need a bath but surely that can't be the case each time they go out?

It's not as horrendous as a continuous walking messing machine in winter!

I bring Yogi into the kitchen and use an old towel to dry his paws. If it's a bit wet, he gets his belly towel rubbed also - he thinks I get pleasure from doing it ...

He doesn't like vet though ...

[Mark1966]

Originally Posted by davybull

Currently have three.

Murphy - Long Haired German Shepherd, 9 yrs old. Been an amazing dog but now has congestive heart failure and doesn't have long left.


Bobby - Working black Lab. 2 years old. This fella would walk, run, dig or swim for ever.


Both these fellas are wonderful with everything, kids, other animals and even birds (lots of geese and swans where we walk).

Then there is Elvis - Miniature Dachshund, 6 months old. This fella is a little shit!!! Thinks he is the size of a Rottweiler but 10 times harder.



I wouldn't have a clue about running costs, I leave that to the wife. You do need to factor in a new vac every year if you get a breed that sheds!

We have never insured our pets. Murph is at the vets a lot now but our vet is brilliant. He doesn't now charge us to check Murphy over and gives us a discount on the tablets which are still quite expensive.

Bob and Elvis have plans in place where you pay £99 quid and all their yearly jabs are covered for life.

I would personally give my kids up before my dogs.

Go for it but if you do socialise, socialise and then socialise some more. A dog can learn to be obedient but if it hasn't been socialised whilst tiny you will likely get some issues.

Dave.

That Dachsund looks bad to the bone, I love him

[planemad]

We have a German Shepard called Kai he is 4yr old and a retired police dog. He retired early because he broke his leg in a ditch but after rehab he is now fine and does not limp in any way.
Actually he is not a dog, he's more like a machine.
He thinks his sole job is to protect our two little girls, age 3 and 1.
When the youngest was born last year from birth he did not leave her side for longer than 2 mins.
When she cried he got up and looked at them and then called for mum.
He absolutely adores them and they love him so much. The 1 yr old sleeps on him and he won't move an inch when she is laying on him.
He walks on a lead with the 3 yr old holding him to preschool and he does not pull in the slightest and is very disciplined and listens to the 3yr old commands and obeys them immediately.

At night he sleeps on the landing at the top of the stairs between both girls bedrooms and is commanded to protect. I tell you now them girls are very very safe at night. He get up regularly and goes into their rooms and checks them with a sniff and goes back to his position he will not move from his station until he is told in the morning.
He will not allow anyone in the house who is unknown or not with a member of the family. My 335d keys are pretty safe on the top bannister during the night.

Best dog we have had. Wherever the children are in the house or garden he is there close by. His original trainer said He will see me as the alpha male and he does not really protect me because the alpha can look after himself, Kai see's himself as second in command who's duty is to protect the lower ranks (wife and kids).

[Consett Mag]

Originally Posted by planemad

Best dog we have had. Wherever the children are in the house or garden he is there close by.

A German Shepherd dog can be steadfastly relied upon to guard your home and children.



But just don't leave him protecting your bacon sandwich

[Kal101]

Originally Posted by planemad

We have a German Shepard called Kai he is 4yr old and a retired police dog. He retired early because he broke his leg in a ditch but after rehab he is now fine and does not limp in any way.
Actually he is not a dog, he's more like a machine.
He thinks his sole job is to protect our two little girls, age 3 and 1.
When the youngest was born last year from birth he did not leave her side for longer than 2 mins.
When she cried he got up and looked at them and then called for mum.
He absolutely adores them and they love him so much. The 1 yr old sleeps on him and he won't move an inch when she is laying on him.
He walks on a lead with the 3 yr old holding him to preschool and he does not pull in the slightest and is very disciplined and listens to the 3yr old commands and obeys them immediately.

At night he sleeps on the landing at the top of the stairs between both girls bedrooms and is commanded to protect. I tell you now them girls are very very safe at night. He get up regularly and goes into their rooms and checks them with a sniff and goes back to his position he will not move from his station until he is told in the morning.
He will not allow anyone in the house who is unknown or not with a member of the family. My 335d keys are pretty safe on the top bannister during the night.

Best dog we have had. Wherever the children are in the house or garden he is there close by. His original trainer said He will see me as the alpha male and he does not really protect me because the alpha can look after himself, Kai see's himself as second in command who's duty is to protect the lower ranks (wife and kids).

That's pretty impressive !!!

Just proves 99% of the time it's the "owner" not the dog that's the real issue

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by Kal. 101

That's pretty impressive !!!

Just proves 99% of the time it's the "owner" not the dog that's the real issue

Yeah a huge number of the population should not be allowed children, never mind pets.

We help out with Dalmatian welfare and on Saturday are transporting a rescue dog from North Wales to Wyboston / St Neots (near Huntingdon).

Then have the annual Dalmatian welfare fun day just south of Oxford.

Around West Midlands far to many have Staffies or Staffie crosses, very type cast but the same people should be banned from having kids (usually 4), in fact sterilisation should be carried out.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

All valid responses so down to your choice now.

However, in my opinion - get insured. If your dog bites someone or attacks another dog or runs into the road causing and accident it will include public liability.

Equally, if some other dickwad's dog attacks yours and it requires multiple Neuro, orthopaedic and soft tissue operations, a week in doggie hospital with 24 hour 1 to 1 care and everything you would throw at any other member of your dearly beloved family, this will also be covered.

We lost our little treasure last year due to an attack and traumatic as the experience was for the kids, my wife and I - we didn't need to be concerned about the £10,000+ bill racked up at Fitzpatricks.

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by planemad

We have a German Shepard called Kai he is 4yr old and a retired police dog. He retired early because he broke his leg in a ditch but after rehab he is now fine and does not limp in any way.
Actually he is not a dog, he's more like a machine.
He thinks his sole job is to protect our two little girls, age 3 and 1.
When the youngest was born last year from birth he did not leave her side for longer than 2 mins.
When she cried he got up and looked at them and then called for mum.
He absolutely adores them and they love him so much. The 1 yr old sleeps on him and he won't move an inch when she is laying on him.
He walks on a lead with the 3 yr old holding him to preschool and he does not pull in the slightest and is very disciplined and listens to the 3yr old commands and obeys them immediately.

At night he sleeps on the landing at the top of the stairs between both girls bedrooms and is commanded to protect. I tell you now them girls are very very safe at night. He get up regularly and goes into their rooms and checks them with a sniff and goes back to his position he will not move from his station until he is told in the morning.
He will not allow anyone in the house who is unknown or not with a member of the family. My 335d keys are pretty safe on the top bannister during the night.

Best dog we have had. Wherever the children are in the house or garden he is there close by. His original trainer said He will see me as the alpha male and he does not really protect me because the alpha can look after himself, Kai see's himself as second in command who's duty is to protect the lower ranks (wife and kids).

I'd love a Shepard.

Just remember, it's still a dog - an animal - and kids have been in inadvertently bitten on the face in a freak 'accidents'.

Much as I love dogs, I'd never trust them 100%

[ajfoggy]

Going to have a good think about it now. I can see the negatives and think I can live with them and the extra work will be worth it. But the wife has to 100% in as well.