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Schweiz (Deutsch)reccomendations for dogs
reccomendations for dogs
Posted: Monday, June 1, 2009 - 19:01
i'm thinking about getting a pug. what kind of dog would you guys reccomend
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that question is not so simple. What type of life do you lead? Do you have young children or other animals at home?
Visit your local animal shelter and find the dog that you respond to and that responds to you. I love mutts myself. They tend to be healthier and less inclined to behavioral extremes.
I second the animal shelter suggestion! Finding a dog with a good personality is way better than focusing on one breed in particular. However, if you do have your heart set on a certain breed, there are plenty of purebred rescues that can set you up with your ideal pup. I'm partial to Bernese Mountain Dogs myself but I don't think they're for everyone haha.
im in love with border collies. they are great dogs. they are good with kids, lively but not to lively, and very smart. it is best to have a big yard though so they can run around. (they are sheep herding dogs)
I actually got a rescue dog...well, she picked me really. Shes been the best dog I have EVER EVER had. Shes perfect for me. Very mellow. You could always look into adopting a rescue dog. I paid 150 bucks and she was "fixed," treated for heartworms, everything for free. I just needed to give her a good home. Check out IAR.org...you won't be disappointed. Good luck with the dog search!
"that question is not so simple. What type of life do you lead? Do you have young children or other animals at home?"
Zealot - you hit the nail on the head... unfortunately, a lot of people do not do their homework on a breed, before getting the animal and many times the dog is the one who suffers the most and the owner feels the headaches of not " having the perfect dog" many dogs need certain types of physical / mental stimulation... and if they dont' get it, they will find it somehow with usually acting in ways taht the owner would nto prefer ( ruining things, chewing shoes, etc).... then if the dog isn't exactly what that owner wanted - they'll give it away to someone else, or send it to an animal shelter - which is just horrible
after looking for a year and a half, I finally found the dog for me.... its called a Small Munsterlander and they are just now gaining popularity in the US - its a great home animal as well as can be a great hunting dog as well ( i'm a duck hunter and am also getting into upland bird hunting as well)... here are some pics - http://images.google.com/images?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS276&q=sm...
this will probably be the first and last dog that i actually buy - i'm a big fan of Shelter dogs - for some reason I have found many of them are the sweetest dogs you can own.....
if you are really thinking about a dog and really are wanting to know where to start - i highly suggest using this site as a guide and search the web for other tips, b/c there are plenty out there > http://www.akc.org/future_dog_owner/about_buying_a_dog.cfm
Awwww Drew, that is the dog my grandfather had for many many years. His name was Hank. Such a great dog and a friend to my pawpaw.
Do you have a pic of yours?
It definitely depends on your lifestyle, and you should absolutely go to your local animal shelter or Humane Society. I see that you live in Greensboro (as I do), and there is a Humane Society way up Wendover towards Jamestown (past the Kohl's, Target, Petsmart shopping center). My family has almost always had shelter or rescue dogs, and I really think that those dogs love you more, because you saved them. They always seem to act differently than pet shop dogs, in my opinion. Plus, it's pretty much a guarantee that you'll save a boatload of money.
(Dolph, Otter hounds are cool! We had one at the Humane Society in Greenville for the longest time, and he was great.)
Obviously I think a lot depends on your living situation, esp. what kind of space you have. If you're set on getting a particular breed, and you have room for a larger dog (i.e., a yard), the best family dogs I have seen are great danes (gentle giants), bernese mountain dogs (absolutely gorgeous dogs and so so sweet) and golden retrievers (fun, loyal, friendly). I don't know so much about smaller breeds.
I am a fan of mutts too though. There's nothing quite so sweet as a big pile of scruff loping along with his tongue hanging out, just happy to be there, man. Go to a shelter or two or three until your dog picks you out. Good luck!
jrlooney - i haven't gotten it just yet... i'm on the breeders list and the puppy should be born and ready to come home by the first weekend in August.... i'll get you a pic as soon as that day comes...
thanks for the info - i'm extremely excited about it
We love our Basset hound. They are a perfect breed if you have limited space, they are also great cuddlers and love to chill. But they are very stubborn dogs and will find a way to get or do what they want. good luck in your search.
ahhh, nice Drew. I think you'll love it. Hank was a great great dog.
I have a Dachshund and a Chiweenie (Dachshund+Chihuahua). They are pretty level headed...can easily be excited are laid back for the most part. They are very territorial, and not particularly well around kids they don't know, but they are super affectionate!
Plus if you have a Dachshund your entitled to wearing great t-shirts that say stuff like "I heart my wiener" or "My wiener stays up all night."
thankyou for all of the replies! I do like basset hounds, leedle.
its not all just buy dog food and walk the dog every night. its a new way of life. as in no going out after work for a drink or a movie. always making arrangements for people to watch your dog if you go to an avett show. it seems like you are only really free on the weekends. just keep that in mind.
There is so much more involved as enjoicashwell said. It is a total change of lifestyle. You can't be gone for extended periods of time. Be prepared to get up early every morning. Dogs don't sleep in.
They need a lot of attention and it can almost be like having a child. Our dog gets taken out at least 5 times a day, sometimes more and gets walked at least a mile three times a day. Every outing or trip out has to be planned around their needs. They can't be left alone a lot because they are very social and want your company.
The pleasure you receive makes all the adjustments worth it. I wouldn't trade my extremely active Jack Russell Terrier for anything!!
I also agree with those that said check your local animal shelter. The dogs there need love and already will have been spayed/neutered and have their shots up to date.
another thought if you are going to get a shelter dog is to perhaps get a dog that's a little older. puppies, while cute and cuddly, can be a real pain as far as potty training and the amount of your possessions they can and seem to destroy. my oldest dog was almost one when i got her so the transition was much easier than when we got her a brother as a young puppy. a majority of the dogs out there needing a good home aren't puppies anyway.
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And I spent the last one hidden away
Screaming my lungs out with nothing to say.
The only type of dog I would ever suggest is a rescued one.
Take a walk through a shelter & all those sad, beautiful eyes can win over any heart. A great place to look online is : www.petfinder.com.
I agree with Bob - mutts definitely tend to be healthier & have less behavioral issues than pure bred dogs... they also are much more desperate & in need of love.
If you are thinking about a pug though, there is a pug rescue nearby (I am in Cary.) Just let me know if you want their contact info. (I am involved with a local rescue that works with them from time to time.)
Personally, I do not & will never support animal breeding. I cannot understand intentional breeding of dogs when thousands of pups are killed every day due to a lack of homes for them. I am an animal rights activist & this is a major issue to me (along with countless others.) I'll try to stop now before I go overboard...
I agree with everyone that has suggested visiting animal control or your local humane society. And don't be discouraged if the dog you like seems psycho at the shelter... it's such a stressful environment it's really impossible to tell how they act based on seeing them there. Take one out and play with it AWAY from the other dogs if you can.
Also, check out www.dogbreedinfo.com for a great resource on specific breed characteristics such as temperament, activity level, even shedding frequency. This site is also useful after you get a dog, with tips on proper training for walking on a leash, handling dominance issues or food aggression, everything.
Good luck!! Hope you find the right dog for you.
i love my black lab more than words could express...
and my hound dog is the greatest addition to my family (before the baby of course) that anyone could have asked for...
both were rescues of sorts...
i got the lab from a family THAT WAS GOING TO TAKE HER TO THE POUND THAT DAY and i found my coondog on the Appalachian Trail along with her mama and seven brothers and sisters... (they went to a rescue in MD).
there's something to letting life give you a dog that is so special. once you are on the lookout, i've found that the dogs end up finding YOU instead of the other way around. keep your eyes and heart open, and the right (four-legged) baby will walk right into your life.
good luck and congratulations!