Dogs are wonderful

[Montreal Wanderer]

What do people think of Westies? Moving in with the girlf in Feb and looking for a city dog from about summer. They seem perfect from what I've seen but wondered if anyone had first hand.

Not firsthand Pru, but a friend of.mine had one for 16 years. Lovely dog and very sociable. He reckoned some can be highly strung, so it's probably important to find a decent, experienced breeder. I presume you both work full time? If you're going to leave it for 8 hours or longer every day, personally I'd consider two, it could be incredibly stressful for a lone dog.

Pru and a gf moving in together? Could be stressful for more than the dog. Someone told me Pru only wants a dog for something to blame when he inadvertently drops a silent but deadly.

[thebish]

What do people think of Westies? Moving in with the girlf in Feb and looking for a city dog from about summer. They seem perfect from what I've seen but wondered if anyone had first hand.

how long will the dog be left on its own during the day?

[Prufrock]

What do people think of Westies? Moving in with the girlf in Feb and looking for a city dog from about summer. They seem perfect from what I've seen but wondered if anyone had first hand.

Not firsthand Pru, but a friend of.mine had one for 16 years. Lovely dog and very sociable. He reckoned some can be highly strung, so it's probably important to find a decent, experienced breeder. I presume you both work full time? If you're going to leave it for 8 hours or longer every day, personally I'd consider two, it could be incredibly stressful for a lone dog.

Cheers Bob (and others).

Girlf will be working silly hours during the week. At first I'll probably be around but long term there are going to be days where neither of us would be there for long periods. Getting two rather than one is an option but I'd still feel guilty leaving them for 8-10 hours a day. However, a friend was telling me about an App where dog owners are matched to nearby people who like dogs but for whatever reason don't have one (partner's allergies/ don't want the commitment/ cost etc) and who come around during the day and take them for walks/ visit them. Would have to see if that was suitable because our likely work commitments would make it too unfair otherwise I think.

[TANGODANCER]

Don't take this wrongly Pru, but I really wouldn't bother with a dog at this stage. It wouldn't be fair on it. They (especially pups) need lots of attention, playing with ( to the extent of being a perfect pest at times), and, most of all, regular exercise. . Wife wanted a Shi-htzu for ages but waited till we both retired before getting it. With both of you at work it would just get bored and confused.

[Bruce Rioja]

I learned yesterday that the collective noun for pugs is a Grumble. Just thought I'd share that with you.

[William the White]

I learned yesterday that the collective noun for pugs is a Grumble. Just thought I'd share that with you.

There's a feckin load of of pugs on this website...

[mummywhycantieatcrayons]

What do people think of Westies? Moving in with the girlf in Feb and looking for a city dog from about summer. They seem perfect from what I've seen but wondered if anyone had first hand.

Not firsthand Pru, but a friend of.mine had one for 16 years. Lovely dog and very sociable. He reckoned some can be highly strung, so it's probably important to find a decent, experienced breeder. I presume you both work full time? If you're going to leave it for 8 hours or longer every day, personally I'd consider two, it could be incredibly stressful for a lone dog.

Cheers Bob (and others).

Girlf will be working silly hours during the week. At first I'll probably be around but long term there are going to be days where neither of us would be there for long periods. Getting two rather than one is an option but I'd still feel guilty leaving them for 8-10 hours a day. However, a friend was telling me about an App where dog owners are matched to nearby people who like dogs but for whatever reason don't have one (partner's allergies/ don't want the commitment/ cost etc) and who come around during the day and take them for walks/ visit them. Would have to see if that was suitable because our likely work commitments would make it too unfair otherwise I think.

Let's talk about this offline and I'll tell you about the collage of arrangements that we make for ours.

[Lost Leopard Spot]

A grumble of pugs
A worry of Chihuahuas
A streak of greyhounds
A herd of collies
A bar of St Bernards
A bounce of Springer Spaniels
A wag of Golden Retrievers
A Winston of bulldogs
A barn of Irish Wolfhounds
A nancy of Yorkshire Terriers
A zoo of Jack Russells
and An argument of Pit Bull Terriers

[Always hopeful]

A challenge of Beagles.

[Montreal Wanderer]

A grumble of pugs
A worry of Chihuahuas
A streak of greyhounds
A herd of collies
A bar of St Bernards
A bounce of Springer Spaniels
A wag of Golden Retrievers
A Winston of bulldogs
A barn of Irish Wolfhounds
A nancy of Yorkshire Terriers
A zoo of Jack Russells
and An argument of Pit Bull Terriers

Nearly 50 years ago when I worked in reference there was a book (dictionary) of collective nouns. It was called An Exaltation of Larks. No idea if it has been updated. I suspect some of the above are whimsical inventions that do not enjoy general usage....

[Bruce Rioja]

A grumble of pugs
A worry of Chihuahuas
A streak of greyhounds
A herd of collies
A bar of St Bernards
A bounce of Springer Spaniels
A wag of Golden Retrievers
A Winston of bulldogs
A barn of Irish Wolfhounds
A nancy of Yorkshire Terriers
A zoo of Jack Russells
and An argument of Pit Bull Terriers

Nearly 50 years ago when I worked in reference there was a book (dictionary) of collective nouns. It was called An Exaltation of Larks. No idea if it has been updated. I suspect some of the above are whimsical inventions that do not enjoy general usage....

Of a bored Spotto.

[IggyTheDawgster]

My boy is bandaged up at the moment, They have a pad behind the wrist on their front paws and he has sliced it open somehow. I've been keeping it clean and re dressing it regularly, hope it doesn't get infected. Don't fancy a trip to the vets.

[clapton is god]

I miss having a dog

[thebish]

here's ma girl - she's not that keen on the cold!

[Lord Kangana]

Nearly 50 years ago when I worked in reference there was a book (dictionary) of collective nouns. It was called An Exaltation of Larks. No idea if it has been updated. I suspect some of the above are whimsical inventions that do not enjoy general usage....

Well you've just very publicly ruined my-interesting-fact-that-hardly-anyone-else-in-the-pub-knew. I hope you're happy.


We might as well let a murmuration of Starlings out of the bag now that its all in the open.

[Raven]

Oh dear anal glands again and this time with a vengeance, dear god the smell, followed by the squirts and wind.......the smell was unbearable, all ok now but dear god eyes did water and gagging was in order! There isn't a smell like it imagine a cross between rotten fish, rotten eggs, ammonia and runny poo its the closest I can think of, have been on many sewage works and they don't come close

Still would not swap him for the world

[Harry Genshaw]

2 weeks in our new pooch has settled in well. No anal gland problems yet thankfully but a wind problem that can make your eyes water!! Went to our first ever clicker training session tonight. Really impressed with how easy it was and how quickly the dog picked it up

[thebish]

2 weeks in our new pooch has settled in well. No anal gland problems yet thankfully but a wind problem that can make your eyes water!! Went to our first ever clicker training session tonight. Really impressed with how easy it was and how quickly the dog picked it up

I've been around dogs for every single one of my 50yrs of life - and never once come across any bother with a dog's "anal gland(s)"... the first time I heard the concept was from a ditzy dog-groomer on the telly who (for reasons best known to herself) insisted that as part of some grooming process they had to be squeezed....

what the jigger is this all about???

[Harry Genshaw]

^ our last one had it on occasion and I can vouch for what Raven says. It smells horrendous. A common misconception when a dog 'scoots' is that it may be worms. It's usually full glands that need emptying. Some groomers do it, and the odd adventurous owner but I always left it to the vet

[TANGODANCER]

^^

Our fella broke his leg when just a pup and spent some months unable to be trained in much apart from toileting. He still can't come downstairs, despite the attentions of a trainer and even cheese
treats which he normally crawls over broken glass for. He then, when eventually his leg was sorted, proceeded to train us in his daily needs of two walks per day, several game sessions, eating and sleeping and generally being a bossy little so and so. We are now fully trained to his requirements.