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We're thinking about getting a dog... Need help!
I've never had a dog, but when my hubby was younger he had one. We want to get a dog. What's a good breed that likes to stick around you, likes being active, and is just adorable?
Re: We're thinking about getting a dog... Need help!
Personally, I would go to a shelter. We have a pit mix and a border collie mix and they are both extremely playful and VERY protective of my husband and I. The thing that is really great about them is that they, especially the pit, play rough with DH and I but when my six year old SD is in the room, the pit will flop over on her back and expose her belly - they never roughouse with my SD even when she tries to instigate it. So great with kids. And of course they are both adorable!!
Also, crate it. I used to think it was so mean but my dogs LOVE their crates. They know it is "their" space and it is much easier to potty train them.
We have two cats and were always cat people - then we found the pit on the interstate - she was 12 weeks - and our lives have forever changed in a really great way. I have never had dogs or been a dog person and now I can't imagine my life without my little monsters! We got her a "friend" about four months ago - so fun. I just love them!
I would adopt an older dog (maybe 1 or 2). Puppies are cute and all but they are a lot of work. Also, make sure you research activity levels and don't just get a dog because they are cute. If you aren't active, don't get a dog that needs a lot of excercise because it will just be bad for you and the dog.
But I agree, you would have better luck on the pet boards. If you search, there are several similar post with great advice
FWIW, we have an English Chocolate lab and an American Bulldog, both were older when we got them.
We adopted a one year old schnuazer, he is my first dog, but DH grew up with pets around. He is very active, right now that he is 4, he is starting to mellow down a bit, but still needs his daily play time, since we live in the apt, he gets to walk 3-4 times a day. But when he was younger, we had to exercise him a lot so he would get tired. I have heard and read that they live a long life. And he is very smart, learns commands quickly.
We got our dog from a breed specific rescue. In our case it's a Weimaraner with a tad of lab in him. He's a wonderful dog, great with kids but super active. He's lovely as are most of the dogs in the rescue. Most of them are fostered at people's home so the foster parents have a good handle on their personality.
He's a great dog. If you are new to dogs, I would definitely steer away from puppies. They are hard work and need tons of attention (getting up in the middle of the night to take out and potty train, etc) There are tons of lovely dogs that have already passed this stage that would love a home.
There are online quizzes you can take that will help you pick a breed. But things to consider are...
1. Allergies/shedding (a few breeds shed less than others).
2. How large of a home and yard you have (having a big dog in a tiny space isn't fair to the animal).
3. Life expectancy - larger dogs have shorter lives.
4. Food costs - larger dogs eat more.
5. How do you feel about hair and potentailly pee and poo in your home if the animal has an accident?
6. Also, if you are a renter, some communities refuse certain breeds the ones that are more prone to attacks including pit bulls, german shepherds, akitas, dobermans, etc.
7. Some dogs require more exercise than others otherwise they get destructive (jack russell terriers, border collies, etc.)
And, so you know, a few of the top breeds in the U.S. are labs, golden retreivers, and beagles.
We have a black lab/boxer mix who is attatched to my hip, always up for whatever, and is so adorable I just want to kiss him all the time...I love my dog!! He's great around kids and other people, but he's protective of me when I'm home alone too.
"And, so you know, a few of the top breeds in the U.S. are labs, golden retreivers, and beagles."
And not coincidentally, these are some of the top breeds that wind up in back at breed-specific rescues or shelters. When animals become popular, people often don't do their "homework" before buying a purebred- they just go out buy what's popular and cute- and they realize a few months in that they can't care for the animal properly.
You're doing the right thing to do homework before bringing an animal into your life.
Everyone I've ever talked to who has adopted a shelter dog says that dog wound up being the most special animal in their lives, ever.
And the same was true for me. My parents brought home a terrier-golden retreiver mix from the shelter when I was 8, and Frisky (who grew to about 70 lbs and shed like the dickens! she looked like Orphan Annie's doggie) was the best companion ever. She was a goofy, at times wild, sweet, protective, loyal friend. As an only child she was my sidekick growing up. I'll never forget when my mom called to tell me she passed when I was away at college.
Dogs are a lot of work, responsibility, sometimes a mess. But the love and devotion they bring to you and your family is worth it a million times over.
Please do rescue a dog. There are umpteen million stories/documentaries/websites out there that share the sad stories of wonderful loving companions that wind up gassed to death because they only lack a place to call home.
Good luck-- and enjoy the adventure!
And to add-- for the past 10 years, my husband and I have adopted retired greyhounds. They race at tracks in some states (like horse racing) but once they're no longer good at racing, they're basically disposable to the racing owners.
So rescue organizations form to take the greyhounds in, foster them, give them their shots, spay/neuter, etc. and adopt them out.
They're usually 3-4 or older when you adopt them. They're mellow creatures, very docile, goofy, sweet as can be. They have their moments of excitability like any larger dog, but for the most part they're really chill.
If you decide you really like a specific breed, check out the rescues associated with that breed.
Hi there, I have had Bassat Hounds all my life, they are cute as puppies, and very loyal, they need about 2 short walks a day, and fed twice a day, don't let those big eyes or floppy ears fool you, or you will have an overweight diabetic bassat hound, all my Bassat hounds I have had are very low energy and like to sleep a lot once they hit about 4 years old, they like there walks too.