Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Sept 17, 2014 17:43:41 GMT -5
I can't remember how old babybird is, but I would be careful about getting a dog if not all the family members want it. You'll probably need to do a lot of the training, not babybird. So make sure you are ready for that added responsibility.
But some of the key questions are :
Do you prefer- big, medium or small dogs? How much excersize do you want to do with it? " I run 5 miles a day" , "I'd prefer it sit next to me on the couch", or somewhere in between. How much fur do you want around the house? Do you want to groom (or have done) or a short coated dog that is easy maintenence?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2014 17:44:52 GMT -5
I will never agree that a dog from a breeder is a better choice unless it is for a guide dog, drug sniffing dog, search and rescue, etc.
I like the idea of dogs that make themselves useful (Tessercat has proven woefully inadequate in this department, she can't even catch an errant fly). If I was a hunter, this would be easy. I'd totally just get a hunting dog. most hunters just breed their own and then them when hunting season is over (the shelter in NC that I support always has an influx of hounds at the end of hunting season). in addition, in NC hounds are considered property not pets, so it's perfectly legal to beat them or starve them.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Sept 17, 2014 17:46:34 GMT -5
According to the quiz linked earlier, my top choices are:
Brittany (no idea what that is)
English cocker spaniel (cool)
English springer spaniel
Field spaniel
Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever (this is hilarious since I just said I'd love a hunting dog)
I guess the spaniels are calling to me.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2014 17:47:19 GMT -5
why are you set on a puppy? why not get a 2 or 3 year old dog that is out of the puppy stage and is much calmer and that way you'll already know its personality and size?
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ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ
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Post by ՏՇԾԵԵʅՏɧ_LԹՏՏʅҼ on Sept 17, 2014 17:48:09 GMT -5
Labs are gentle - as are most larger dog breeds. Shepherds are very loyal and protective/gentle.
I'm not much of a "dog" person, but I'd probably go with a smaller dog - probably a mutt - but absolutely would find one in need of a "forever home" at a shelter.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Sept 17, 2014 17:49:38 GMT -5
I can't remember how old babybird is, but I would be careful about getting a dog if not all the family members want it. You'll probably need to do a lot of the training, not babybird. So make sure you are ready for that added responsibility.
If we do this, it won't be until she's much older. She would help us decide which breed to get and be at least 50% responsible for her dog.
Right now it's just conversation. I was curious to hear how others chose their dogs. No intention of getting one in the near future (not adding more mouths to feed in ANY form until we move!).
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Sept 17, 2014 17:52:39 GMT -5
a breeder will also require home checks, vet references, personal references, spaying/neutering, will not adopt before 10 weeks, will make you bring the whole family, including other pets, for a meet and greet, and will have had vet visits and age appropriate shots done. I'm thinking those breeders are few and far between.
Our breeder did all those things. After 13 years we are still in touch with her. I always recommend vetting a breeder before considering buying a puppy and I'd never, ever buy a puppy from a pet store.
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lynnerself
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Post by lynnerself on Sept 17, 2014 17:53:15 GMT -5
We waited until our 2 kids were old enough to be home alone during summer vacation. And then we bought our dog in June. So the Kids were home with him during the day while he was still a baby.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2014 17:54:37 GMT -5
a breeder will also require home checks, vet references, personal references, spaying/neutering, will not adopt before 10 weeks, will make you bring the whole family, including other pets, for a meet and greet, and will have had vet visits and age appropriate shots done. I'm thinking those breeders are few and far between.
Our breeder did all those things. After 13 years we are still in touch with her. I always recommend vetting a breeder before considering buying a puppy and I'd never, ever buy a puppy from a pet store. so it sounds like you found a responsible breeder....
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Sept 17, 2014 17:56:51 GMT -5
According to the quiz linked earlier, my top choices are: Brittany (no idea what that is) English cocker spaniel (cool) English springer spaniel Field spaniel Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever (this is hilarious since I just said I'd love a hunting dog) I guess the spaniels are calling to me. Those are mostly sporting dogs. You can look here for others in that category. sporting group
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Sept 17, 2014 17:57:50 GMT -5
why are you set on a puppy? why not get a 2 or 3 year old dog that is out of the puppy stage and is much calmer and that way you'll already know its personality and size?
I like my pets to be with us from the beginning of life (or as close to it as possible). I realize this involves more training and that's fine. It's a big part of the reason I'd want Babybird to be older.
Potty training the kitty was bad (and disgusting) enough - full on behavior training for a puppy is like 400% more responsibility for a pet than I personally care to take on at this point in my life. And I'm perfectly fine with never getting a dog at all. So this would definitely be a family decision and a shared family responsibility.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Sept 17, 2014 18:00:24 GMT -5
a breeder will also require home checks, vet references, personal references, spaying/neutering, will not adopt before 10 weeks, will make you bring the whole family, including other pets, for a meet and greet, and will have had vet visits and age appropriate shots done. I'm thinking those breeders are few and far between.
That's the kind of breeder I'd want.
We're not really in touch with Tessercat's breeder anymore, but we were trading phone calls with him at least once a month until she was probably around a year old. He was great about answering our questions.
He also had us sign a contract that we would spay/chip her ASAP and never declaw her. I would not have taken a cat from anyone who didn't have us sign a contract to that effect.
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Firebird
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Post by Firebird on Sept 17, 2014 18:01:19 GMT -5
We waited until our 2 kids were old enough to be home alone during summer vacation. And then we bought our dog in June. So the Kids were home with him during the day while he was still a baby. That's a really great approach, actually.
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Abby Normal
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Post by Abby Normal on Sept 17, 2014 18:01:45 GMT -5
I can't remember how old babybird is, but I would be careful about getting a dog if not all the family members want it. You'll probably need to do a lot of the training, not babybird. So make sure you are ready for that added responsibility.
If we do this, it won't be until she's much older. She would help us decide which breed to get and be at least 50% responsible for her dog. Right now it's just conversation. I was curious to hear how others chose their dogs. No intention of getting one in the near future (not adding more mouths to feed in ANY form until we move!). I grew up with dogs. So when I finally grew up and had my own house and could pick out my own- I went to the shelter. There was one that I just couldn't leave there. So we adopted her. She had many issues that we had to train and totally worth it. It was our obedience trainer who suggested I do agility with her to get her to gain some confidence. When we went to get our next dog, I knew I wanted another agility dog so I was looking for a rescue with that in mind. Later yet, I knew I wanted a kick ass agility dog and decided I wanted an Aussie. Went through breed rescue and was really specific on the size and temperament. I thought I would have to wait 6 months for a match, but two weeks later I had my dog. She's perfect.
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Tiny
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Post by Tiny on Sept 17, 2014 18:08:13 GMT -5
I'm ambivielant about the breeder/petfinder/shelter route... just please don't call a mixed breed designer dog a "purebred" anything. As to the best way to choose the dog? I'd suggest thinking about your lifestyle - do you want a dog to go on your daily runs? Do you have time to keep an easily bored dog amused (can you say boder collie or aussie and sometimes even beagles)? How much 'traffic' comes thru your house - ie kids and their friends? (really, you have to supervise kids and dogs - all dogs. all kids - really you do.) Do want to be able to travel with your dog? Are you ok with routine grooming bills? How about surfing over to the ASPCA site and searching for how to choose a dog? Maybe your local animal shelters have advice on this online (if you live in a densely populated area). FWIW: you don't always get what you expect from a known breed. My SIL had an austrailian shepard that was hyper active and needed to be kept busy and amused constantly. The next aussie was so laid back he had three speeds: slow, slower, and asleep. Loved that second Big Guy. Lots of fun to take on walks and easy to take care of. The first one was a nightmare. I use to dog-sit. I think she got both dogs from the same breeder - just alot of years between. I'm enamored of her Irish Wolfhound at the moment. A huge, mildly drooly, laid back dog.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Sept 17, 2014 18:20:46 GMT -5
I will never agree that a dog from a breeder is a better choice unless it is for a guide dog, drug sniffing dog, search and rescue, etc.
I like the idea of dogs that make themselves useful (Tessercat has proven woefully inadequate in this department, she can't even catch an errant fly). If I was a hunter, this would be easy. I'd totally just get a hunting dog. most hunters just breed their own and then them when hunting season is over (the shelter in NC that I support always has an influx of hounds at the end of hunting season). in addition, in NC hounds are considered property not pets, so it's perfectly legal to beat them or starve them. I'm not sure what hunters you know, but the ones I know treat their dogs well.
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swamp
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THEY’RE EATING THE DOGS!!!!!!!
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Post by swamp on Sept 17, 2014 18:22:07 GMT -5
According to the quiz linked earlier, my top choices are: Brittany (no idea what that is) English cocker spaniel (cool) English springer spaniel Field spaniel Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever (this is hilarious since I just said I'd love a hunting dog) I guess the spaniels are calling to me. Cocker spaniels are snappy and high strung. I wouldn't have one around kids
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Sept 17, 2014 18:25:04 GMT -5
Newfoundland. Huge, lazy, and friendly. Be prepared to get wet. They drool. Those dogs are crazy cute. I used to see them a lot in NYC and wonder how people managed to keep dogs that size in their miniscule apartments but they were freaking adorable. They don't do badly in small apartments as long as their people are willing to walk them regularly. Bull Mastiffs, as big as they are, are the same. Some dogs just don't need a lot of room even if they're big. We had a St. Bernard when the kids were young and she did fine in the house with regular walks with the kids.
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cronewitch
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Post by cronewitch on Sept 17, 2014 18:25:31 GMT -5
Look at Cacalier King Charles Spaniel they are cute little spotted dogs with really soft ears. My nephew got one and she is sweet.The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small spaniel classed as a toy dog by The Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club. It is one of the most popular breeds in the United Kingdom.
Also agree with finding a good used dog, I got a 3 year old pure bred black lab already spayed, had shots, house trained and you know exactly what you are getting. Many people have to get rid of dogs in a divorce when they lose a house and will give away perfectly good dogs. People being deployed sometimes have to also and after death leftover pets. Unless you want a puppy for the puppy experience skipping house training and past the chewing stage is good.
Brittany spaniels are nice midsized dogs with spots. The Brittany is a breed of gun dog bred primarily for bird hunting. Although the Brittany is often referred to as a Spaniel, the breed's working characteristics are more akin to those of a pointer or setter.
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Sept 17, 2014 18:38:23 GMT -5
Some friends have Cavilier King Charles spaniels. They ARE cute and small enough to take on a plane. One has had some serious health issues, but the other has been fine. If I were to go with a smaller dog, I'd consider them. Not sure how they do with children (the friends are childless)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2014 19:17:18 GMT -5
I am going to suggest getting from a rescue even if you want a purebred. You can get one that has been fostered where they know how the dog does with cats and babies/toddlers. Since you don't even know what type of dog you want, why are you insisting on a purebred? I understand for your cat it was i guess the hairless part. Are you looking for a dog that doesnt shed/minimal shedding? I think poodles and pit bulls dont shed, probably some other breeds but goldens and labs shed crazy.
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mmhmm
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Post by mmhmm on Sept 17, 2014 19:22:27 GMT -5
There are also breed rescues online. Just put the name of the dog breed you're interested in and the word "rescue" into Google. You can get young dogs, puppies, or older, pre-owned and trained dogs through the rescue organizations. Sometimes, someone passes away and their dog needs a home, or the owners move and can't take the dog. This also works for purebred cats.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Sept 17, 2014 19:24:02 GMT -5
I'm not even reading the other posts. I'm a bad person.
What you do is you call me. You talk to me about what exactly it is what you want. I talk you out of a puppy. I give you some good ideas of breeds (with the caveat that each dog is an individual and all don't have typical breed traits), and then I even help you find either a breeder or rescue organization that has the dog you are looking for.
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Tennesseer
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Post by Tennesseer on Sept 17, 2014 19:56:13 GMT -5
Labs are gentle - as are most larger dog breeds. Shepherds are very loyal and protective/gentle.
I'm not much of a "dog" person, but I'd probably go with a smaller dog - probably a mutt - but absolutely would find one in need of a "forever home" at a shelter. We had a German Shepherd when I was a kid. My dad probably selected that breed of dog to protect his 4 kids ranging in age at the time from 3 to 8 years old. She was a real sweet dog and got along with adults, kids and other dogs-except for daschunds-they probably reminded her of large squirrels. She was named Penny Ante because my dad had won some money in a poker game the previous evening.
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Gardening Grandma
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Post by Gardening Grandma on Sept 17, 2014 20:05:19 GMT -5
I'm not even reading the other posts. I'm a bad person. What you do is you call me. You talk to me about what exactly it is what you want. I talk you out of a puppy. I give you some good ideas of breeds (with the caveat that each dog is an individual and all don't have typical breed traits), and then I even help you find either a breeder or rescue organization that has the dog you are looking for. shanendoah, Not to hijack firebird's thread, but if/when we decide to get another dog, i would love to talk to you.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Sept 17, 2014 20:06:51 GMT -5
swamp - Brittney's are Spaniels. Taller than Cocker Spaniels, but probably not any heavier as they have a slimmer build. Very sweet dogs. All Spaniels are actually hunting dogs. They are generally water fowl dogs (bringing back the geese). The Brittney we see on a regular basis is a little hyper (he's still young) but is very well trained and sweet as can be. I've known a couple of families who only have Duck Tolling Retrievers (Tollers) and lovs them. (I'm guessing there's a good breeder somewhere in the PNW.) They are one of the cutest Retriever breeds I've ever seen.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2014 20:14:17 GMT -5
I bought our purebred lab fom a gasp, pet store, a small town, 'reputable' store went out of business long ago, but a pet store none the less. He had his pedigree and parent hip papers, but honestly, I didn't know a thing when we got him as a a pup. We'd been to the pound, but hadn't seen anything. This was the first one we saw that moved us. He's 12 now.
The mutt we have was a rescue, we found him on the mountain. He had been mistreated. He is a nice dog, but he is unpredictable. Probably because of his background. I can't leave him alone with kids that aren't mine, even ones he knows well. The neighbors got a new pup and he bristles if he sees it, tried to bite it this week. I love them both, but he, an adult dog with a past, is much more difficult than the pure bred pup.
i know this is just anecdotal.
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shanendoah
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Post by shanendoah on Sept 17, 2014 20:16:51 GMT -5
Gardening Grandma - I would love to help you! Just send me a PM or whatever when it's time. And I can't remember if you're one of the other Seattle area folks or not (there are lots of us, but we never get together), but if you are, I would also happily go to a shelter with you, if you were open to shelter dogs. For the record, my philosophy on getting your dog is this: Every dog deserves a home, true, but every home deserves the right dog. If we can get to that, then there will be fewer dogs in shelters, regardless of how the dog entered the family. I would ALWAYS rather help someone get a dog they loved and adored from a breeder than get a dog they only keep out of guilt from a shelter. That said, all of my dogs (as an adult) have come from shelters, including two purebreds. But, we can go this route because C and I both have a lot of dog knowledge and experience, know what we're looking for, and know how to handle any issues that arise. Personally, I would not recommend a shelter dog for someone as new to dog ownership as Firebird. I would much rather have her go through a breed rescue or breeder where we have some behavioral analysis (or at least extensive observation) because good breeders and rescue groups will also remain resources for any issues that do come up.
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drivingaround
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Post by drivingaround on Sept 17, 2014 20:17:08 GMT -5
Boston Terriers are good family dogs and relatively low maintenance.
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violagirl
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Post by violagirl on Sept 17, 2014 20:32:10 GMT -5
In my view puppies in particular are like having another baby. So unless you are ready (and willing to take on) another child, then just say NO to dogs.
It is kind of like having perpetual toddlers that get into things, have to be kept entertained and will follow you every where. You will not have one moment alone. They need daily physical and mental stimulation. Do you have that kind of time?
Now the upside to dogs - they strike me as childlike in their sense of the world. If you are gone for the day or just were in the bathroom with the door closed they greet you with unbridled enthusiasm. Feels good to be wanted that much.
They never get out of bed in a bad mood. Mine run madly downstairs, run in circles while I catch up and then just dash outside to greet the day. It is always amusing.
Mine are not agility champions but are very good snugglers.
They make you get outside and get some exercise whether you like it or not or it is convenient or not.
My biggest question is - if you go to a breeder and pick the perfect puppy. Get it home and it turns out to have "issues". What if it is reactive? or doesn't end up liking other dogs or barks a lot or digs up your garden or under the fence or your couch? Will it end up at the pound?
Right now I have 3 reactive jack russel mixes. They are a handful. But they are wicked smart and fun to train. Would I get three again? No. Funny enough, I think the next dog might be a Brittany spaniel - just because it would be the exact opposite of my current crew.
Who am I kidding? I'll probably end up with a Jack.
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