Which pet would you recommend?

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Bob Russell — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:52:08 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]One of my neighbours assures me his hens live chicken korma! [/quote]

grim

[/quote]

Oh my god a recipe for mad chicken disease!

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Rob Davis — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:48:34 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]Don't have a cockerel if you have neighbours.[/quote]

That depends on whether or not you like your neighbours...

Our cockerel is a real character and is never aggressive. He gets very cross when our muscovy ducks escape from their enclosure and steal the chickens' food, but is far too much of a wimp to do anything other than cockadoodle-doo from a distance!

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:45:28 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]One of my neighbours assures me his hens live chicken korma! [/quote]

grim

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Mark Holmes — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:42:38 GMT

[quote user="Rob Davis"]

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]Great for disposing of kitchen and garden waste. Hens are omnivores and will happily eat insects or meat in dishes. One of my neighbours assures me his hens live chicken korma! [/quote]

From DEFRA website:

It has been illegal to feed catering waste to farmed animals in the UK since 2001,
and this ban was adopted by the whole European Community in 2003. If you are
convicted of feeding catering waste to farmed animals you can be fined or
sentenced to a maximum of two years in prison.

'Farmed animals' includes any pet animals that belong to a farmed species, such as
pet pigs, goats and poultry.

[/quote]

Absolutely, if you peel veg outside it is garden waste and can be fed to livestock, if you peal veg in the kitchen it is catering waste and illegal to do so.

Thankfully there will be far fewer public servants around to police this crap before long. Every cloud etc.

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Rob Davis — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 17:20:54 GMT

From DEFRA website:

'Farmed animals' includes any pet animals that belong to a farmed species, such as
pet pigs, goats and poultry.

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Mark Holmes — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 16:12:28 GMT

[quote user="bob lehner"]

[quote user="Mark Holmes"]The cockerel is a bit aggressive though and if not careful will have an axeident[/quote]

Indeed - cockerels can be horrible brutes. We had one when my kids were little and it absolutely terrorised them . It would come at you full-tilt at waist height , with very formidable spurs outstretched. I'm afraid it did it once too often to me when I happened to have a shovel in my hand - say no more. But then we later had one in France who was delightful and very gentle.

I agree, chickens can make lovely pets and are quite characterful. Our French ones had a wonderful life, spending all their time on the muck heap or trogging about the fields. Interestingly however they liked nothing more than to set about a rat or a grass snake.

[/quote]

Ours once kicked several bells out of a local seagull who managed to get cornered in the corner of the run. It eventually excaped but was considerably defeathered and flying witha limp.

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

bob lehner — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:43:22 GMT

[quote user="Mark Holmes"]The cockerel is a bit aggressive though and if not careful will have an axeident[/quote]

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:09:31 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]Tempted by the idea of a rescue greyhound.[/quote]

Just the job.

The only disadvantage is that some will pursue (and occasionally kill) cats, small dogs, and guinea pigs.

P.S.

Don't have a cockerel if you have neighbours.

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Mark Holmes — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 15:02:50 GMT

I have chickens and they are great. Lovely eggs AND they hunt mice. The cockerel is a bit aggressive though and if not careful will have an axeident

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Bob Russell — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:38:50 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]Get a middle aged cat. Cats rule. :)

The family friendliest dog breed? Staffie cross, believe it or not. They're only bad with bad owners.

[/quote]

If you want a Staffie I am offering £50 to a good home to take mine! She is a bl**dy menace. Perfect with children - gentle and quiet with children and adults unsure about dogs but a complete bouncy thug with thug-like kids. Best family pet in the world until she decides to bu**er off.

We have literally spent thousands trying to control her movements! The first Xmas she was with us I had to drive 20 miles to collect her. She had hitched a ride with some nice people. 9 years later she has mellowed a bit and is back within the hour (mostly)!

She has a 'dog-bo' after it took three Police cars to stop the traffic on the nearest main road (a mile away) so she could be caught.

The list of events in her life would fill a book. Do we love her? Absolutely! Would we get another Staffie? No way!

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 14:26:01 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]Are you saying I have a vermin issue because of my chucks??? [/quote]

More that I sometimes do because of mine, as do many poultry keepers. We have 7 hens in our garden, but have to keep the rat bait stations filled and the Patterdale on patrol or we do get rats with them. However clean you are there is corn and the like spilt that can attract vermin. If you decide to go down this route make sure the enclosure is fox proof!

I would thoroughly recommend producing eggs at home, they are comical to watch too. Great for disposing of kitchen and garden waste. Hens are omnivores and will happily eat insects or meat in dishes. One of my neighbours assures me his hens live chicken korma!

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 13:14:00 GMT

[quote user="Niall Taylor"]Gillian's 'chucks' sound great - like having a garden full of extras from Coronation Street![/quote]

Maybe that is why I used the word - commonly spoken round here!

Hang on while I fetch my shawl and clogs - just gonna take the whippets for a walk..... chuck!

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Niall Taylor — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 12:51:37 GMT

[quote user="bob lehner"]This may sound a bit OTT[/quote]

Not at all, there have been a couple of such cases in the press over the years, I imagined that was why there was reluctance over a dog in the first place.

Gillian's 'chucks' sound great - like having a garden full of extras from Coronation Street!

Niall

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Dagmar Steele — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:56:17 GMT

agree with Bob, I have no reservations against Staffies but would not recommend them in a household with small children either. I'm still pondering about the idea of a kind of help-dog. Here in Germany one would have the option to get one of these if certain criteria is met, meaning that medical care for the dog would be paid by the health insurance. At least this is the case with guide dogs for the blind. If your daughter is severe epileptic as you said, wouldn't it be very helpful to have an indicator and to know beforehand when the next seizure lurks around the corner? Just thinking aloud here as I don't even have an idea in which part of the world you are living :-)

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

bob lehner — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 10:47:31 GMT

[quote user="Mark Hedberg"]The family friendliest dog breed? Staffie cross, believe it or not. They're only bad with bad owners[/quote]

That may be your opinion, but Mr G. whatever you do, I implore you not to go to a rescue centre and get anything like a staffie-cross.

I would have very serious reservations about this type of dog, particularly in your case, having an epileptic child. I would be very, very concerned at any situation where a dog might ever be alone with a child which had an epileptic seizure, as I fear this might be seen by the dog as a 'distressed/weakened prey' scenario and could trigger an aggressive/attack response in the wrong sort of dog .

This may sound a bit OTT, but you just can't be too careful with vulnerable children and dogs.

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:44:00 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]That's genius Gillian, buy the chickens, get the rats for free! [/quote]

Are you saying I have a vermin issue because of my chucks???

Actually, mice is my issue - I cleaned out the garden shed at the end of last year - they had eaten my garden chairs, windbreak, plastic bags etc etc but had made some beautifully soft furnished nests with them....best looking nests in Bury! lol! Have made the chicken feed and straw a bit more mouse-proof now!

Although I'd agree that a dog makes the most interactive and rewarding pet, it is also the most time-intensive. For someone who already has a lot of time pressures due to young and occasionally sick children, it may be too stressful to accommodate the dog's needs too. Having said that, a middle-aged dog from a rescue centre (properly behaviourally assessed obviously) would probably fit in beautifully to what you need.

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Arlo Guthrie — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:42:59 GMT

Thank you SO much everyone for all that very helpful advice. Must say, I was surprised rabbits fared so badly in this discussion, but you've successfully dissuaded Mrs G. (no mean feat after the 'aaaah' photo).

[quote user="Alan Tevendale"]G.pigs or rats do generally make for good pets in my opinion - I know a fair few house trained rats too. Not sure if Mrs Guthrie is happy about rats though?[/quote]

She's not. In fact, since I can't differentiate between a pet rat, and the thing the size of a spaniel I saw scuttling across the kitchen in our last, rented house, nor am I.

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"] I have trouble seeing rabbits and rats as anything other than vermin that are to be poisoned or shot![/quote]

I rather agree, though more so about rats than rabbits.

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]As far as using the garden to its full potential - get a few chucks! [/quote]

Sorely tempted. Love the idea of fresh eggs.

But, very worried about:

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"] That's genius Gillian, buy the chickens, get the rats for free! [/quote]

Everyone I've spoken to says that if you have chickens, rats are inevitable.

If that's true, it looks like a choice between a guinea pig and a dog.

[quote user="Dagmar Steele"]Plus its much easier to cuddle on a dogs bed and tell the dogs how nasty the teacher has been today.[/quote]

Dagmar, that swung it for Mrs G!

[quote user="Laurence Webb"]you've just moved to a lovely part of the world so a dog is a great way to explore it. Plus you can use dog walking as an excuse on a Saturday afternoon to nip to the pub[/quote]

And that swung it for me![quote user="Mark Holmes"]Get a whippet the nearest thing to a dog you can turn off when not needed. [/quote]

Was already thinking along those lines. Had a couple of lurchers when I was growing up. Lovely, calm, intelligent things. And as you say, they exercise at 475mph for about five minutes, then you switch them off.

Tempted by the idea of a rescue greyhound.

Still, got to figure out the running costs, and whether we can really afford one.

Also

[quote user="Richard Carter"]There are charities that do dogs for helping epileptics - apparently they can pick up on impending attacks [/quote]

Yes, we'd heard about these. I think the jury is out on how effective they are. And I think there is a very long wait for one. Still, I need to look into it a bit more.

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Rob Davis — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 08:38:45 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]That's genius Gillian, buy the chickens, get the rats for free! [/quote]

Then you'll have an excuse to get a terrier to keep the rats down - be aware, these things spiral (currently 2 dogs, one cat, 2 rats, 4 chickens, 4 ducks and 2 lambs...)

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Mark Hedberg — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 23:51:08 GMT

Get a middle aged cat. Cats rule. :)

The family friendliest dog breed? Staffie cross, believe it or not. They're only bad with bad owners.

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Michael Woodhouse — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 22:14:13 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

I'd go with the rats idea - great pets!

As far as using the garden to its full potential - get a few chucks! They are wonderful cheeky creatures but also give you something back - tasty fresh laid eggs!

[/quote]

That's genius Gillian, buy the chickens, get the rats for free!

Guinea pigs brilliant children's pet, and it's not a rat.

I have trouble seeing rabbits and rats as anything other than vermin that are to be poisoned or shot!

A small dog is an idea. We have a little Patterdale Terrier who doesn't need a long walk every day [she doesn't like rain] but will walk all day if allowed to. Very affectionate, doesn't take up much space. Cheap to keep

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Laurence Webb — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 22:00:45 GMT

It's a shame you don't like cats as they can be good companions but also very low maintenance when other things occupy you - a bit of food and a cat flap and they're fine.

I'd agree with most of the comments about rabbits - they can be good pets but not ideal for small children. Stress can cause havoc with their health so handling has to be careful and, as with all pets, you need to be sure that you want it as much as the children as you'll be the one who ends up looking after it. Also, if you get a rabbit then you need a second one to keep it company. Rats and ferrets are much keener on interacting with you (but ferrets are a bit whiffy)

If you want something that the children can really play with then a dog has to be a good choice - you've just moved to a lovely part of the world so a dog is a great way to explore it. Plus you can use dog walking as an excuse on a Saturday afternoon to nip to the pub, and you've got a great one to go to! They do need more looking after, but that's also part of their attraction as they adore you unreservedly and view you as God.

If your daughter's epilepsy affects the odd day then that shouldn't be too large a problem - the occasional day when the dog is just let into the garden isn't a disaster as that is counteracted by the fact that I think you work from home so a dog would get lots of interaction the majority of the time. If it's very frequent then that could be more of a problem. You could, of course, consider the suggestion a friend (now a RCVS specialist) gave years ago of getting one with an underactive thyroid. On the days when you can't be bothered to walk it just don't give it any medication

I'd also second the chickens idea - very easy to look after and good fun, plus fresh eggs on tap. You can get some ex-battery chickens for a little as 50p each if you don't mind them looking like they're ready to go into the oven

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 21:48:51 GMT

I'd go with the rats idea - great pets!

As far as using the garden to its full potential - get a few chucks! They are wonderful cheeky creatures but also give you something back - tasty fresh laid eggs!

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Laurence Webb — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 21:24:05 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]Laurence, your opinion particularly useful, since I guess you will be getting the 'by appt to the Guthrie family' plaque / coat of arms above your practice front door![/quote]In that case get a Shar Pei - times are hard and we could do with a guaranteed income of a few thousand pounds per year

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Dagmar Steele — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:27:44 GMT

I'd second all the opinions that rabbits are not for children. But then, if you get something else as rats or guinea pigs the children will loose some interest as the novelty wears off anyway. So I'd always think about what kind of pet I would like for myself and what would be ok with the children, too. For me the answer is rather a dog than some kind of "cage" animal. It is not that much more work than (I'm speaking from experience here, we have guinea pigs, cats and dog(s) and two children) but you can do a lot more with a dog than you can with a guinea pig, ie. an eleven year old girl can do agility with a dog - if she tries it with a GP it will end up with paralyzed hind limbs for three weeks :-((( Plus its much easier to cuddle on a dogs bed and tell the dogs how nasty the teacher has been today. Walking, especially in the rain will be a parents chore :-) but that leaves you with a better health and a better mood in the winter season. What does Mrs. G. think about having a dog, presuming she will have to deal with it at least as much as you?

Re: Which pet would you recommend?

Niall Taylor — Wed, 16 Mar 2011 20:09:57 GMT

[quote user="Arlo Guthrie"]

Do rabbits make good indoor pets? Can they really be house trained?

If not a rabbit, any other ideas.

[/quote]

1/ No

2/ Yes (so; what's your point? - see answer 1)

... and 3/ Get a rat, better still get 2 rats, they're brilliant, they have a reasonable life span (up to 5 years) are clean, hardly smell at all, friendly, intelligent and playful. Bit like having little dogs really.

Niall