I have decided to adopt a furry child substitute. What breed shall I go for?
I've had dogs before (well kind of they were always family pets really or came with partner etc), we had a couple of poodles when I was a kid which were fun and dead clever -did tricks and things.
Later on in life I shared a german shepard and a sort of black and white mongrel thing. But they were very old and passed away some years back.
I feel like I'm ready to get my own very first proper K9 -starting out as a puppy and everything!
Now, I have a little more 'me time' these days so I can devote a fair bit of attention to this little beast and I love going out for walks etc so a breed that enjoys all that would be cool. Erm... I like jumping around and playing etc -so something fun loving/energetic would be ace.
Not into those little handbag dogs or anything thats too big either. Something that gets on with cats would be important.
Anyone have any ideas? (Nothing slobbery either, don't do drool!) :)
|
I have decided to adopt a furry child substitute. What breed shall I go for?
Huh? Child furries??
Oh...
Um, well... I have an Australian Shepherd, and I'd recommend something like that. They're midsize (ours is really big, weighing about 65 pounds; he's got about 15 pounds on most other aussies), very energetic and usually quite smart. Most of them are pretty sociable as well - the only downsides are that they shed a lot and require a lot of attention. Other somewhat similar beasts would be border collies or beagles.
As for the cat issue - it doesn't really matter what kind of breed you get. If the puppy spends a lot of time with cats, it'll be just fine with them. Ours didn't spend time with cats, and, as a result of that, he chases every feline critter he sees or smells.
I have decided to adopt a furry child substitute. What breed shall I go for?
Huh? Child furries??
Oh...
Um, well... I have an Australian Shepherd, and I'd recommend something like that. They're midsize (ours is really big, weighing about 65 pounds; he's got about 15 pounds on most other aussies), very energetic and usually quite smart. Most of them are pretty sociable as well - the only downsides are that they shed a lot and require a lot of attention. Other somewhat similar beasts would be border collies or beagles.
As for the cat issue - it doesn't really matter what kind of breed you get. If the puppy spends a lot of time with cats, it'll be just fine with them. Ours didn't spend time with cats, and, as a result of that, he chases every feline critter he sees or smells.
Yeah, we have a dog who's 3/4 Australian shepherd and 1/4 border collie. looks a lot like a border collie, though...
They're need a lot of attention. Heidi is friendly with cats, but they don't really like her (then again, Heidi's always trying to play with them...). Heidi can't stand it if we give anybody else attention, but we have been rather lax. I really want to get a JRT, but they're a lot of responsibility. Also, they were bred to hunt foxes, and are very clever, and (yeah, I've done a lot of research)... anyways, they might attack the cats at first, seeing them as foxes. they're real friendly, though.
Also, Heidi tries to 'herd' the chickens. BOCK!!! I imagine, though, that a border collie would work pretty well, as long as you give her lots of love and attention, and are firm with her.
My family breeds Yellow Black and Chocolate Labs. They're loving, smart, kind, good with kids and other dogs. They also tend to be hyper. They are really smart and work very well with people. My family is in law and law enforcment, and the ones they breed are trained as drug dogs and hunting.
I also like huskys and great danes. They are both loveing, but there are big so some don't work well with smaller animals or children. I had an incident with my husky when I was about 10. I was playing and walking him with my hand looped on the leash, he got excited and took off running and pulled me like I was nothing for about 50 yards.
I like hounds to, but they can be loud and love to chase smaller animals so depending what setting you live in ie apartment. They may not be a good choice if you like you neighbors.
Each dog is different find one that fits you personality
Fizz
I have decided to adopt a furry child substitute. What breed shall I go for?Mutt.
Seconded! Mutts are healthier, smarter, and longer-lived.
El Skootro
Standard poodle:)
They are active, intelligent, medium size dogs and they don't shed (much).
And they are easily (house)trained.
If you don't see anything you like on this thread , maybe this can help:)
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselectorindex.do
I agree! plus, there are too many homeless mutts. get on today!
I agree! plus, there are too many homeless mutts. get on today!
Of course, you might want to get a smart mutt. Maybe one descended from one of the smart breeds, like JRTs or collies. Though sometimes intelligence makes them rebellious.
No, I will not say poodle.
Wow, this thread is getting posts at the speed of light!
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
|
I'm involved in pit bull rescue - there are a lot of them, and they need good homes.
Fantastic dogs, despite what the media would have you believe. Like any other dog, you have to judge them on an individual basis. (i.e. if you beat, starve and raise a largeish dog for dogfighting, you will have a babyeater on your hands regardless of the breed.)
I have two currently, and have owned several in the past. Very loyal and owner focused.
LIGHT SPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED!
Contributor, RPG Superstar 2008 Top 6
|
We dearly love our two wiener dogs. Very smart and friendly, but somewhat inclined towards naughty behavior. Easy to keep out of things by virtue of the shortness :)
Edit: Oops. While not really handbag dogs (they have mass, just not height), dachshunds and cats really don't like each other in my experience. Our four cats and two dogs require a no-pet's land in the middle for peaceful coexistance.
If you're going the way of purebreed:
Keeshond/Keeshonden sounds about the right size for what you're describing. They're lovable, adorable teddy bear dogs and cats like to snuggle in their fur. Give more ideal traits and I can help to narrow it down for you. I've spent a lot of time with most every breed of dog out there. I'm such a whore.
We dearly love our two wiener dogs. Very smart and friendly, but somewhat inclined towards naughty behavior. Easy to keep out of things by virtue of the shortness :)
Ah, the little dictators. I love dachshunds.
As for the Aussie sheps and cattle dogs... they are brilliant dogs and can get bored and depressed if not mentally stimulated. Leave them at home with things to do (like creme brulee preperation or your taxes) or don't own one.
|
|
Bassett Hound.
Name him Flash.
Ain't they cute?!?!
Here are some more!!
And what NOT to do to a Bassett.
And they can fly.......sort of.
Bassett Hound.
Name him Flash.
Ain't they cute?!?!
Here are some more!!
And what NOT to do to a Bassett.
Cute pix!
My mother had a basset named Gloria (after a Lily Tomlin's Edith Ann material). Gloria was sweet beyond measure.BTW, in my opinion Disney has a odd way of really effing up a breed. When Lady and the Tramp came out everyone bought American Cockers and many American Cockers tinkle whenever they get excited, I'm not sure if that was due to overbreeding because of the film's popularity but that just what happened with another breed. When 101 Dalmations came out everyone wanted a Dalmation and so they were overbred, leading to 1 in 20 being born deaf, a trait which causes children to bit when they rouse a deaf sleeping dog. What's the latest? Ratatoille. Fun film. Now kids are getting rats as pets.
|
|
As for the Aussie sheps and cattle dogs... they are brilliant dogs and can get bored and depressed if not mentally stimulated. Leave them at home with things to do (like creme brulee preperation or your taxes) or don't own one.
True dat. My aussie gets three walks per day and spends the day in the backyard, where he busies himself with moving his toys around and chasing lizards and birds. Leaving sheepdogs at home with nothing to do is a recipe for disaster, especially when they are pups.
My favourite 'fashion pet' is owls. Apparently lots of kids wanted owls for pets after the Harry Potter books came out. Unfortunately, owls are antisocial monsters who like nothing better than shredding the flesh of little kids... It didn't work out too well. And how do you get an owl, anyway???
I love my Boston Terier and Pug. Also when I get the chance again I will be getting a English Bulldog.
Yes, I like snub nosed dogs. Wanna fight about it? ;)
I'm friends with a pug named Hercules, and he is the most squishable dog I know. Whenever I see him he lets me mash my face into him and hug him close. You just want to eat him up.
I highly recommend against werepoodles.
I'll add a fourth recommendation for mutts. "there is no dog, so brave, so loyal, so lovable as the mutt. Who saw Old Yeller? WHo cried when Old Yeller died?"
I highly recommend against werepoodles.
I'll add a fourth recommendation for mutts. "there is no dog, so brave, so loyal, so lovable as the mutt. Who saw Old Yeller? WHo cried when Old Yeller died?"
I cried for 45 minutes after I saw Old Yeller as a kid. Never cried for more than three minutes up to that point. It was an experience.
I cried for 45 minutes after I saw Old Yeller as a kid. Never cried for more than three minutes up to that point. It was an experience.
I never saw the film myself. Cried reading it as a kid. Wept a couple of years ago reading it to my son. Some story. Great writer to get me twice.
Wow. I'm thinking I have to read the book now.
I just thumbed through a book called "A Dummies Guide to Dog Breeds" or something like that. It was essentially an official dummies book (which are very good - don't let the title fool you) on picking the right type of dog. I have paid $12-$15 for similar dummies dog books.
For the record, I am about to adopt my neighbors Rottweiler. It will be our first family dog.
I would recommend a rat terrier. They look a lot like jack russels, but are bigger and not quite as perky. Our rat terrier is the BEST DOG! He loves everybody, is great with kids, and tolerates our three cats. (Which, for a terrier, I find pretty impressive)
Mutts totally rule. Bust whatever breed you opt for, just be sure to get a DOG, not a guinea pig.
Need more info:
What is the weather like where you live?
Will it have enough room to run or exercise if it requires it (greyhound, etc..), assuming you feel like exercising too?
Indoor / Outdoor?
Does it need to be people friendly (can be a negative in some cases)?
Looking for a cuddly lapdog?
Personally, I prefer wolf / malamute mixes (best dog I ever had), though they can be illegal depending on where you live, and Ibizan Hounds.
Go to a shelter. Rescue a cute mutt. You save a dog's life, and you get something with less chance of a genetic disease than a purebred. I've had three dogs in my life. All of them were 'your guess is as good as mine' type mutts, one about 50 pounds, the other two around 80 pounts. All three were incredibly friendly and sweet (and fat, but my father spoiled them.)
If you don't want a shelter dog because they have personality issues (from being abused or mistreated) that's ok. Adopt a puppy. Tabula rasa.
P.S. For the record, our guesses for the dog's heritage was Irish Setter + Brown Lab + something short for the 50 pound one, and Lab + Collie + Golden for the bigger ones.
|
RPG Superstar 2011 Top 32
|
If you're going to get a mixed dog, I'd recommend one that's part lab. Labs are some of the greatest and friendliest dogs in existance, though they suck at being guard dogs. (One source says that the lab is more likely to show the thieves where the jewels are than attack them, except with slobber and hundred-mile-an-hour tail wags)
My first dog was a lab/???/cow mix that we found in our garage one winter.
well, my mixed yellow lab does his job; he barks a few times then stops; looks at me as if he is saying; well did my job; its on you now buddy. If someone is at the door he stands about 8 feet away and looks attentive and growls; once he sees everything is ok; he just goes back to his blanket and chills.
I got him at the pound; he was scheduled for death; he has been great; have had him for about 12 years. Be aware that older pound puppies can tend to have some self esteem issues; must be all that culture of death around them at the pound; have seen this mostly with labs as they are bit more sensitive and smarter than most other dogs; which is why they are the breed mostly used for visual aids for the blind.
when choosing a pet; consider how much room you have for the dog and how much time you will have to devote to him; some breeds need a lot of company and some breeds do well spending much time alone; large dogs need room to move; some dogs are runners and need a lot of room to excercize; is your pet to be a guard or companion or both; most working class dogs are both; small dogs tend to be more vicious as most were breed to fight rats or other small vicious animals. consider also if you want a lap dog; if you have problems with dog dander you need a poodle and I heard of poodle mixes that also do not shed; also; some dogs shed; a whole lot and have multiple coats; consider the color of you dog and the color of your carpet for example; you may wish to get a dog whose hair tends to blend in rather than sticks out. Also, consider your finances; how much will you have to feed this dog and how much will he eat and how much will that cost you every month; can you afford it; if not; consider a smaller dog.
well; just some practical advice; hope it helps.
Hell Hound.
...
...
...
Oh...you mean a real dog.
Real dogs require attention even when you're sick; they're like kids that way. Maybe something in the stuffed variety, or a K-9 that could at least do your bills and cook a superb eggs benedict while solving Einstein-Rosen-Schwarzschild equations...
Andrew, I can't believe how alike we think. Look at what I said about smart dogs above. I had them doing taxes and preparing creme brulee. Seperated at birth, ya think? :)
Can dog shelters usually tell what breeds a mutt is composed of? I have been thinking of getting a dog and have had good experience with mutts in the (distant) past.
Depends on the acumen of the volunteers who work there. I've met vets that cannot properly guess a dog's composite breeds. It's an art more than a science.
|
|
My recommendation would be Black Lab (although the other colors work as well). Truly great dogs. Between my parents and my brothers, the family has owned 5. The chocolate labs are the ones that tend toward being hyper. Other colors can also be that way, but they tend to calm down after they are about a 1 1/2 years old.
As purebreeds, Labs do have one genetic flaw, which is that their hips tend to go bad as they get to a certain age (on average, around 11-13 years). Once the hips crack, they can't walk anymore and have to be put down. Two of ours have gone that way. Breeders have been working to eliminate that problem for years now, similar to efforts with Dalmatians and deafness.
English bulldogs are also really cool. My younger brother has one of those. The big problem with them, from what he's told me, is that they can overheat very easily. If you live in a really hot environment, you have to really watch them sometimes.
I would recommend a rat terrier. They look a lot like jack russels, but are bigger and not quite as perky. Our rat terrier is the BEST DOG! He loves everybody, is great with kids, and tolerates our three cats. (Which, for a terrier, I find pretty impressive)
I will hesitantly second this, as my pup is a rat terrier/pointer mix, so my experiance with the breed has been quite different. I have two indoor cats and several strays that hang out outside, so at first she was really into chasing them if they ran and still will. But, we've been working on gettin her to stop, which may be impossible. Super smart, super sweet (this morning, she climbed in my bed and laid her head on my shoulder, then gave me a little kiss to wake me up!) or super obnoxious, depending on her mood. Fairly high energy, but she is about 8 months old, so I've seen her energy levels actually go down over the past 4 months.
But, I would also recomend going to the pound and looking around. I found Gilly on petfinder.com, and if I remember right, you're in Britain, so maybe there's something like that for you? It was a huge help though.
Good luck and I want pictures!
I like whippets the bestest.
Because you like to whippet...whippet good? :)
|
I like whippets the bestest.Me too!
Wait... what were we talking about?
The dog; I'm not threadjacking. (this time...)