My friend is thinking about getting a puppy/dog. We are going to look at some fell terrier puppies on Sat. Has anyone heard of fell terriers? We can't find them in any books and someone said they're not a recognised breed. (selling for £40!!!)
Also she's at work for 5 hours per day. I think that's too long to leave a puppy. What do you lot think? I suggested she would be better with an older rescue dog. Would they give her one in her circumstances?
She'd be a good owner and she's putting loads of thought into it-raided the library for all the doggy books. Any comments?
Jane

Fell Terriers are also known as Patterdales and are not a breed recognised by the Kennel Club. This doesnt mean they are not a recognised breed and have certainly been around for longer than some of the recognised breeds around today! If you have never owned a terrier then a fell terrier will be a very big shock to the system and you may have a few problems. They are bred primarily for work and have a very strong working instinct. They are aslo more ready than most terriers to get involved in a fight. This doesnt mean they are nasty dogs just very typical terrier and would be better going to an experienced terrier home.

Fell or Patterdale Terriers come from the fells in Cumbria and are keen Terriers. I own Border Terriers, they come from similar regions and are bred for the same purpose - vermin control. Fell Terriers I think are great dogs, but as Bec stated they ARE primarilly a working Terrier which is why I personally wouldn't have one (although my dogs are working Terriers). I have however boarded may of them and they are no problem. I think if you are experienced with dogs and don't own any small "furries" they can make great pets but do look into it carefully before going ahead.

I would echo Bec and Dawn's comments. Friends of mine have Patterdale terriers and although they are the most loving dogs ...they are not for the faint hearted !!! They are serious, no nonsense working dogs :-) Leigh

Thank you all for your help. I printed it out and she has cancelled her appointment to view on the strength of it (doh!!). Instead we are off to the Blue cross tomorrow. Shall I tell you if she gets a dog?
Thanks again
Jane

That'd be great Jane. Hope she finds what she is looking for :-) Leigh

Well we went to the Blue Cross. Spent 2 hours looking. They said they hadn't got anything suitable. Seemed a bit of a shame with about 50 dogs there without homes. She was really disappointed. However I think Sat am wasn't the best time to go-it was so busy the staff didn't have time to think properly. She's going back later in the week and see if she can get any joy. Meanwhile if anyone knows of a smallish dog/puppy suitable for a first time dog owning family in rural Oxfordshire-walks no problem-then there's a very loving home waiting for you! They have 2 teenage boys and a cat.
Jane

From what you say I don't know wither this family is really suited to have dogs. It is often the case that friends can pressurise the unsuspecting individual just because they have recently got one.
They are a lot of work and can play havoc with ones social life. Perhaps instead of owning one she would be better to just 'borrow' a friend’s for walks, especially if they have a cat!

Welcome to the forum Scotch :-) Leigh

Leigh
It is very kind of you to welcome 'Scotch' to the website. I have a sneaking feeling he is husband of aformentioned dog searching friend of mine who is pretending to abhor the thought of aquiring a hound, but actually secretly has large doggy shaped hole in his life. Tell me I'm wrong Scotch.
Jane

ROTFLOL ...... he can stay. I like his sense of humour ;-) Leigh

P.S.Scotch
Can I take issue with you on 3 points.
1. We are talking about you being suitable for A dog, not dogs.
2. There is, never has been, and never will be, anything unsuspecting about you.
3. Have you got a social life ?
Jane