In a long time of working with dogs, Ben Randall has seen each doable breed of canine — these are the three he’d advocate for household life.
This week’s column is one which’s very well timed, given the article in Country Life magazine this week about Britain’s favorite canine breeds, decade by decade, from the Nineteen Twenties till as we speak. Let’s get straight to it.
Dear Ben
We’ve been speaking about getting a canine for ages, however have ended up chasing our tails (ho ho) on which breed to decide on. Which breed (or breeds) would you advocate as a canine that’s each an ideal household pet, and a four-legged buddy joyful to become involved in our lively way of life. — T.Ok. through e mail
Great to listen to that you just’re eager to get a canine, and actually happy additionally that you just’re giving it the thought it wants, since in addition to being enjoyable and rewarding, it’s a giant dedication. As effectively as coaching dogs, my household and I run a luxurious boarding kennel, Ledbury Lodge Kennels, the place we see an enormous number of dogs each day.
As you possibly can think about, we see each sort of canine possible, and dogs who’ve had all kinds of ranges of coaching – from really very good to… effectively, to not nice. It’s the ultimate store window to see what breeds’ temperaments are like.
And the primary breed I like to recommend for a household nation home? No surprises right here: it’s the Labrador. I’ve had many myself, and bred some too, and or me personally, if the Labrador is chosen accurately, you’ll be all however assured a beautiful pet. If you are taking care with breeding traces and well being checks, you’ll have a canine with an incredible temperament, one which’s capable of be skilled accurately, and one which can make a loving and affectionate member of your family.
They actually do make the ultimate household canine: calm and relaxed at home, make for nice enjoyable whereas coaching or out and about on walks, but fairly joyful sitting with you in pubs, espresso retailers and so forth. They’re usually very laid again, and very happy to sleep and chill throughout the days and evenings at home. Get the coaching proper and it’s a canine that may provide the better of each worlds.
There are some things to be careful for while you select: attempt to keep away from a puppy whose dad and mom have poor hip and elbow scores, or ones the place there’s an absence of well being checks available to verify. Not solely might these recommend the puppy may face well being issues later in life, it will also be an indication that the breed traces aren’t proper, so the trainability and temperament won’t be what you’d hope.
If you’re searching for a smaller household canine, the Border Terrier is great. We personal a border terrier known as Tweed, who’s 9 years old, and we additionally see a number of them at our kennels. If skilled accurately, they may make a ravishing household companion: very happy to twist up on a rug within the lounge, snooze within the kitchen by the Aga, cuddle up on the couch within the night — but in addition they love countryside walks and have enormous power at playtime.
Ronnie Irving’s Border terriers Alfie, Dora and Maude, pictured at home in Kings Sutton, Oxfordshire. Credit: @sarahfarnsworthfieldsports for Country Life.
The solely factor you may encounter is that, if not skilled correctly, they’ll tend to be barely yappy and make a high-pitched squeal when excited. But as I say, if skilled accurately there’s a really low share chance that this might be a difficulty.
There’s one other breed I’ve an enormous smooth spot for: the Cocker Spaniel. It’s in all probability additionally the breed I see most of, each in kennels and for coaching, since they’ve turn into super-popular within the final decade: everybody from the Royal Family to the Beckhams and Gordon Ramsay are followers, to call however a couple of.
But they actually do want to come back with a warning, for whereas they’re my absolute favourites, they’re a notoriously exhausting pet for household houses to coach. Over the final decade I’ve sadly seen many homeowners having issues with this breed, invariably after they’ve been purchased as puppies (and the puppies are really irresistible) by inexperienced homeowners swayed by trend traits. They then find yourself getting taken to bribery-focused trainers who don’t have expertise with working breeds, the canine will get skilled incorrectly, and the issues being. Resource guarding, barking, pulling on the lead, chasing different dogs, livestock and wild birds, and really poor recall are all the types of issues I see lots of. Working breeds have 5 fundamental instincts — discover it, chase it, catch it, kill it, eat it — and these might be significantly robust in Cockers. So a lot in order that should you’re not cautious, they turn into so good at these 5 issues {that a} sixth is available in to play: not coming again when known as.
All that stated, although… they’re really implausible dogs, and in case you are completely on level with their coaching, the rewards of studying find out how to harness the breed’s pure drive are second to none. Get it proper, and they’re the ultimate household countryside canine.
These are the three breeds I’d recommend — and those that I do know greatest — however I do know everybody has their favourites. Springer Spaniels, for instance, are far more placid than Cockers. Dachshunds are vastly widespread for the time being, and they’re cute — however once more, they actually need cautious coaching. Also in that bracket is the German Shepherd, a canine we see rather a lot right here on the kennels — and I’ve to confess, I’ve seen up to now 15 years or in order that we’ve seen a giant distinction on this explicit breed.
They was rather a lot calmer, higher constructed, thicker set, quieter and extra placid, however extra just lately we’ve seen examples with lighter frames, longer legs, and who’re far more reactive to different dogs and other people, by way of their barking and temperament. They is usually a handful, should you don’t know what you’re doing — and even should you do — however as with all breeds, if the proprietor, breeder and coach are devoted, they’ll turn into pretty household companions. And a well-trained German Shepherd is all the time a pleasure to see, like a stunning massive brother pottering across the household home, skilled, assured and trusting.
With all that in thoughts select fastidiously, good luck — and be sure you bookmark my page for training tips!
Ben Randall’s e book, ‘How to Train Your Gundog’, is out now. You can order it here at £40.
For extra detailed recommendation about Ben Randall’s optimistic, reward-based and confirmed BG coaching strategies, one-to-one coaching classes, residential coaching or five-star dog-boarding at his BGHQ in Herefordshire, phone 01531 670960 or go to www.ledburylodgekennels.co.uk. For a free seven-day trial of the Gundog app, which prices £24.99 a month or £249.99 a yr, go to www.gundog.app/trial
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