If I get a dog...

SoWal Staff

Jan 9, '07 · 10:12 AM4,203

I'm not saying I am. But, IF I did. What breed should I get? I already have a few names in mind. :wub:

Edited Jan 9, '07 · 10:12 AM

Replies

SoWal Expert

Jan 10, '07 · 3:21 PM#77

I love that everyone has posted pics of their fav dog! It's gonna to make my future decision very difficult. So far my favorites are:

1. Beagle
2. Pug
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Good size choices- smaller is best since you are not home during the day.

I would skip the beagle- lots of energy and won't want to be by himself during the day, which would lead to destructiveness. Plus the bark factor- your neighbors would HATE you- they bay and bay. (I love beagles- don't get me wrong- but I don't want to own one or live near one!! :lol:

)

CKCS - I love love love these dogs, but they are expensive to buy, and potentially more expensive down the road since they can have serious heart issues that require monitoring and sometimes meds. They love their people though and are the sweetest dogs ever, but it is potentially a larger financial commitment than most people realize.

Pugs- OK I am Doggie Debbie Downer. Yes, there are Pugs without problems, but most have one issue or another that will require $$$ in vet care. Eye issues are common (you can tell by looking at a pug that the eyes are not "normal"- and the cute eyes that we love are actually problematic), their face structure is a nightmare (elongated soft palate, breathing issues), skin problems, tendency to get overweight which cause joint problems (owners overfeed/over-treat)- but dammit they are so cute!! Dogs like pugs who are cute because of their structural "defects" (and yes, they are defects) will have problems because of them.

I am so wary of purebreds anymore just because so many breeds are overbred and many owners think it would be "fun" to let their doggie have puppies, but are completely unqualified to match a breedding pair. And you could end up with a puppy that has a lot of genetic problems, which would be horrible and expensive. I swear you are better off going to a shelter ands getting an older dog that is housetrained. Or a breed rescue where some of the health problems, if they exist, may already be known.

Ah you know me and my doggie .02....:roll: I just saw too many bad dog decisions where everyone, including the dog, was miserable! :bang:

Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname

Jan 10, '07 · 3:34 PM#78

Here is my Buddy. A Jack Russell/Beagal Mix. Sweetest thing in the world!!! Kat, you babies are precious!!! All the babies posted here are precious!! Love them all!!! Good Luck Whitey!!!

SoWal Insider

Jan 10, '07 · 3:54 PM#79

What about a Puggle, since you list a Pug and a Beagle as favorites. Good friends of our have one and he is absolutely adorable and so sweet. Very happy and playful too.

Meow

Jan 10, '07 · 4:07 PM#80

I have contacted a vet who specializes in animal behavior. She is going to come meet with me and Molly and try to figure out why she barks so much (I know, she is a sheltie) and why she pounces the windows when we leave. Don't laugh too hard...remember at this time last year she was in braces.

SoWal Insider

Jan 10, '07 · 4:11 PM#81

I have contacted a vet who specializes in animal behavior. She is going to come meet with me and Molly and try to figure out why she barks so much (I know, she is a sheltie) and why she pounces the windows when we leave. Don't laugh too hard...remember at this time last year she was in braces.

See if she can tell you why Molly and my 2 ,Cujo'd sweet, lovable, adorable Bettis! Poor Bettis. :wub:

Meow

Jan 10, '07 · 4:12 PM#82

See if she can tell you why Molly and my 2 ,Cujo'd sweet, lovable, adorable Bettis! Poor Bettis.

...I have to fill out a form before we meet. This will definitely go in the report.

Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname

Jan 10, '07 · 4:18 PM#83

I have contacted a vet who specializes in animal behavior. She is going to come meet with me and Molly and try to figure out why she barks so much (I know, she is a sheltie) and why she pounces the windows when we leave. Don't laugh too hard...remember at this time last year she was in braces.

I think it is time to call in Caesar!!!! ;-) Good luck!!!

Meow

Jan 10, '07 · 4:21 PM#84

I think it is time to call in Caesar!!!! ;-) Good luck!!!

I wonder what she will use for a crate for me?

Darlene is my middle name, not my nickname

Jan 10, '07 · 4:23 PM#85

I wonder what she will use for a crate for me?

:funn:

SoWal Insider

Jan 10, '07 · 6:32 PM#86

I have contacted a vet who specializes in animal behavior. She is going to come meet with me and Molly and try to figure out why she barks so much (I know, she is a sheltie) and why she pounces the windows when we leave. Don't laugh too hard...remember at this time last year she was in braces.

Sounds like she is telling you she wants to go to SoWal. :lol:

bean

Jan 10, '07 · 6:39 PM#87

I have contacted a vet who specializes in animal behavior. She is going to come meet with me and Molly and try to figure out why she barks so much (I know, she is a sheltie) and why she pounces the windows when we leave. Don't laugh too hard...remember at this time last year she was in braces.

Does Molly get in enough walks every day? Cesar says that solves a lot. :idontno:

SoWal Insider

Jan 10, '07 · 6:55 PM#88

Does Molly get in enough walks every day? Cesar says that solves a lot.

Since John died, Mr. JR takes Rudy for a nightly 2 mile walk and he's like a new dog. So much calmer. He only barks at the "letter carrier" instead of every single movement outside the window!!! I can actually talk on the phone now w/o a dog going bezerk, barking. :clap_1: Who would've thunk that would do the trick.

SoWal Expert

Jan 10, '07 · 7:06 PM#89

I have a pretty big yard. NO kids. :shock: I work all day but mornings and nights I can spend time with "him."

I think you would be a candidate for owning a turtle. I am a little bit serious. Don't get a dog if you will not be around all day and no one else will be around to play with the dog. Since you are gone all day, you should avoid all hunting breeds, including pointers, retrievers, terriors (this may be a RiverOtter spelling), and hounds, as they require much exercise. Some of these dogs which need much exercise may go psycho on your furniture if you are not around all day to play and run with them. I think JB mentioned something about the Hounds, and that is very true for most. I am lucky in that my pound dog (similar to German Short-haired pointer) doesn't howl and bark much more than my fairly quiet dog, but when he puts his nose to the ground, forget about! -- He is gone into the zOnE, and forgets everything he knows, except tracking that smell. Funny short exert: There is a very small hole, less than the size of half a dime, at the door seem. Sometimes while we are inside the house, I see that pound hound smelling into the air and looking out the glass door. I wonder what he smells. He will shove his nose into that crack and make the funniest sound while trying to narrow the smell.

Edited Jan 10, '07 · 7:20 PM

needs to get out more

Jan 10, '07 · 7:12 PM#90

I love that everyone has posted pics of their fav dog! It's gonna to make my future decision very difficult. So far my favorites are:

1. Beagle
2. Pug
3. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

pound puppy.