Hi there. I don't have a dog as of yet but I'm getting pretty close to being able to get one. I just wondered about some behavioural things and any advice you could possibly give me. I adore salukis and borzois and I think they might suit me. And after being wary of dobermans most of my life, they've started to grow on me. I don't have the largest garden in the world but I walk on average 2-4 miles a day and more at weekends. I met the owner of some groendaels (spelling?) at a show and they were gorgeous, real stars. They were three full males and they didn't fight or bark or cause a commotion with any other dogs. She said they didn't mark or chew either. Is this a rarity with all males? The reason I ask is that I was told that borzois etc are sensitive to anaesthetic so it might not but such a good idea to neuter them and I know I couldn't bare to keep a bitch in season all cooped up. Are males that aren't castrated difficult to handle? Is it a bad idea to keep more than one?

Also, do dogs learn by example? Like if I had a dog that was more inclined to obedience and then had another dog that was younger and less trained or less inclined to obey, would the younger dog pick up skills from the older dog?

Hi Salukipuppup,
You sound as if you are looking for your 'First' dog.  So let me start off by saying that I don't advise you to get two pups straight off.  You are doing the right thing in going to dog shows to help you decide which is the breed for you, but just because the dogs you like at the shows are well behaved and quiet does not mean that your new dog will be well behaved and quiet.  Show dogs have had a lot of training to reach the show ring.
Puppies Need Training: So you will have to train your pup yourself, via dog training classes etc, and this can take a lot of time and effort.  Remember, you only get out of a dog what you put into it.  That is why I advise getting just one puppy for the first year or two.
Which dog to buy?  That has to be your personal choice.  But look for one that will fit into your lifestyle.  (Not a good idea to get a Great Dane if you live in a tiny one room flat). 
Having a garden is definitely a plus if you get a dog.  Walks of 2-4 miles is OK for some dogs, but nowhere near enough for others. (Border Collies for instance need lots of exercise and mental stimulation, a working collie can average 40-50 miles a day).
I have never found male dogs, castrated or intact, to be any more difficult to handle or train than a bitch.
I wish you well in whichever breed you decide on.  A Dog is a "Best Friend" for life. 
Harry C

From experience I would say that borzoi males make fabulous pets - loyal, loving, clean, quiet in the house etc but don't expect to be able to take it down the local park and let it off it's lead. I've had 7 borzoi males over the years and even the ones with fabulous temprements couldn't be let off their leads where they might meet other dogs. They are sighthounds and have a strong prey drive. They are generally well behaved and will race back to a whistle...but only if they don't see something else that they'd rather chase! Don't worry about neutering a dog or bitch though, vets use a special anaesthetic for sighthounds that they recover from quickly. Hope this helps, Jane :) 

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Hi - One thing which might help you choose a dog is to think about whether it's important to you to have a dog you can let off lead.  Some people do let their Borzois and Salukis off lead but a lot of people in the breed advise against it, because, as sighthounds, if they see something to chase, they'll be off and no amount of you calling can get them back again.  They can run across roads or get hurt in other ways.  As a result most people with them suggest that you never let them off lead - at least, not unless you are in a secure fenced in area they could not get out of.  So think about if that's important to you or not.

Don't think about getting another dog until you've had your first one for a year or pref two years.  No, they don't learn the things you want them to learn from each other (how to do a down, for eg), they just imitate each other in the behaviours you DON'T want (like trashing the bins!!).  So wait till you have one dog well trained before you add another one to the mix.  That way it won't teach the new one any bad habits and you will have time to focus on the new one's training. 

Onetwothree is quite right. My collies are rarely on their leads - even the 12 week old pup but you couldn't do this with the borzois. My borzois do get free running every day, which they need, but it's not easy. You do have to search around for empty, fenced fields to exercise them in...unless of course you're lucky enough to own your own field. When they are off lead they're wonderful to watch but you can never really relax and must be continuosly scanning the horizon looking for things they may chase. In my experience borzoi bitches are a bit easier than the dogs. They have the same prey drive, sometimes they are keener hunters, but they tend to be better with other dogs. After reading what I've written I wonder why on earth anyone would want a borzoi but this is the only down side really. they are gorgeous gentle pets - honest :)

Whatever you choose, don't make a judgement on  a breed on the basis of meeting a couple of examples, get to see lots, go to shows and make sure the behaviour that you see is not unusual or atypical...........

On that note, why don't you come to Discover Dogs at Earls Court in London?  There you can meet practically every breed of dog known to humankind, several of each breed usually, and chat to their owners - and it might help you decide.