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Our tech team has launched updates to The Nest today. As a result of these updates, members of the Nest Community will need to change their password in order to continue participating in the community. In addition, The Nest community member's avatars will be replaced with generic default avatars. If you wish to revert to your original avatar, you will need to re-upload it via The Nest.
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Vets??? Dog tips?
Ok...talked with DH and we're thinking we'd like to get a puppy sometime in the near-ish future to start our family. We're thinking a beagle because they aren't supposed to shed a lot, are incredibly cute and friendly, good with kids and because there are not too many health problems they're prone to (according to this one website I looked at).
Sooooooo.....in preparation for our furbaby - any recommendations on vets in the area? Any dog tips? I have never had a dog, DH has.
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Re: Vets??? Dog tips?
Our dog is part beagle/ german shephard and manchester terrier. She is a real mutt!! I would suggest getting your new family member through a local rescue. You can go to petfinder.com and search the different ones in the area. We went through A Better Life Pet Rescue and they were GREAT! Full bred beagles have a lot of "other" things you may want to research too. They howl for one (Casey does this occassionally) and need firm training. Casey is a mutt, but was a pretty crazy puppy. Thankfully she is out of that phase now! I personally LOVE the mutts, that's all I have ever had growing up and they make GREAT family pets!
We go to a vet on Oak Ridge called Animal Veterinary Hospital. Not in the best area but we like them there.
I'm not trying to be negative either, but one of my former roommates got a beagle and they are definitely a high maintenance breed. They have TONS of energy, howl, bark, etc. and they do shed. Trust me. I've seen the giant furballs in former roommate's current home (I have them too with my basset
). And like most dogs, they really do require a LOT of very firm training.
Sorry if that is really negative, but like PP said, it's important to really know the breed you are getting.
We have a white westie (west highland terrier) and a yorkie. We love them both so much. The yorkie does tend to shed but not a whole lot.
This is a test to see which breed of dog you should get - check it out for fun
http://sometests.com/tests/SelfAssessment/WhatBreedofDogShouldYouGet.html
Okay, first of all, just a warning, the girls from the Pets board MAY come over and flame you...they tend to do that
Now that that's over with, my advice: I don't advocate choosing a specific breed and buying that breed. There are just too many variables - yes, MOST beagles are intelligent, but not ALL of them. MOST Yorkies have a lot of energy, but not ALL of them. So instead of picking a breed based on the averages, why not just go down to the pound and get a dog that you KNOW will meet your individual needs?
We had a purebred golden retriever when I was a child, and I loved her, but after volunteering in numerous animal shelters, I will always have pound puppies from now on. I have seen so many dogs in shelters who would make wonderful pets that are just waiting for thier forever homes, and when I think of all the breeders who churn out puppies just to make a buck (and most of those puppies end up in shelters because the owners aren't prepared!) it makes me a little sick.
If anything, at least go visit a shelter before you make your decision.
HTH. Good luck!!
www.petfinder.com is a great website. You can search by breed, size, age, and area (zip code). They list rescue groups, shelters and local animal control.
We go to Dr. Mc Abee
Winter Park, FL 32792
Phone: (407) 671-5858
He is great and very friendly. The other Vets in his office are also very good so you don't have to worry if you can't see him specifically (which isn't a problem). They're not pushy and don't try to sell you on everything - instead they suggested common things at doggie doses like benadryl, neosporin and using baby shirts (we have a mini dachshund so she gets rashes from the grass). He's awesome!
Yay for rescue pets!! I have 2 rescued cats and 1 rescued dog....all from either local rescue groups or humane societies. I guarantee you that you will want to rescue one the moment you step into a shelter and see all the "orphan" animals' little faces!! There are SO many wonderful ones already waiting for someone to take them home.
On a side note, I also recommend considering adopting adult dogs...usually means no potty training or other puppy habits like chewing on things they are not supposed to.
)
I want to ditto all the pp's who advocated rescue. It's a shame not to with all the dogs available who need good homes. If you want a specific breed that does not mean you can't still rescue. Just search petfinder for the bread and/or age you want. Or you can google rescue groups that specialize in the breed you want. Trust me, there is a rescue group for every breed out there, usually multiple in a state. These are definitely worth a try if it means rescuing an animal that otherwise wouldn't have a home. Plus, I would never buy from a breeder or petstore because I could not stand the idea that I might be supporting irresponsible breeding or (even worse) puppy mills.
Good luck and let us know what you decide!
Plenty of beagle mix puppies through rescue organizations. I would suggest a mix manly because most people I know with beagles had trouble house training them (they're not the smartest dog breed; not stupid, but not smart).
We adopted at PetCo which hosts Save a Life Rescue of Sanford. The adoption fee was $200 cash (no checks and no cards). It covered his first series of shots and neutering at a local veterinarian. Dr. Glenn in Altamonte is who they recommend and I really liked him; I just wish his facility was cleaner (or at least smelled like bleach).
I was able to stay home with our puppy for the first week. It really helped with getting him to adjust to our house and get potty trained. We were able to potty train Brutus in 2 weeks (no lie, we haven't had an accident since). He's my baby even though he is now 50 lbs (he stay likes to lay on my chest and nap like he did as a puppy).
We just got a puppy 4 weeks ago. He is half cocker spanial and half bichon. So far he has been AMAZING. He is a quick learner and so far we have been able to teach him to sit, lay down, and go through the doggy door. He is quickly learning to be potty trained so I think we got a smart pup!
I go to Banfield at the PetsMart at Waterford Lakes and I love it. We have taken him there twice (he had kennel cough) and we got the Puppy Premium Package - so far we have saved over $400. We pay $22 a month and his neutering, shots, flea meds and vet visits are free. It's totally worth the $22 for 12 month to cover the neutering alone. I highly recommend it especially if you don't have a huge disposable income to spend on a puppy.
Hope that helps and good luck on your puppy adventure!
I totally agree. Just take a walk through the adult dogs section and see if one catches your eye, even if you're set on a puppy!
P.S. Feed the dog good food. I never thought it made a difference until I put Brutus on Canidae. I went from going to the vet once a month for eye and ear infections (and an allergy injection!) to over a year without a vet visit other than for yearly vaccinations and tests. Plus, everyone always comments on how healthy Brutus looks (his fur is so shiny and velvety).
Here's a great website for comparing dog foods. http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=main (Looks like I may be switching to another food because i think Brute-Brute is allergic to gluten and they are starting to add gluten to the formula.) At the very least use this to see what ingredients are bad for dogs and should be avoided: http://www.dogfoodproject.com/index.php?page=badingredients
*I think my dog eats better than my family.
ditto! You can avoid a lot of problems and vet bills if you start out with a good food.