Puppy thoughts

Rescued racing greyhound!

I wouldn't do rescued just because you don't know what your getting. When you bring a puppy into the house, they truly become part of the family.

We went with an Mini Australian shephard, but for the size of your yard, you might consider a full. They are the smartest dogs I've come across. Easy to train, lovable as all dogs are, and beautiful.

Have fun

I have two Golden Retrievers (both rescue dogs) and I have never meet a nicer more loyal dog. They are high energy and need some attention (as most dogs do), but nothing is better than the unconditional love of a dog. Not to mention they make great running partners. Good luck but my biggest recommendation is to get a rescue dog of some kind and remember all you pay for when you buy a dog from a breeder is an inbreed dog!

I'm of no help but I can make a suggestion for what *not* to get. One of my bestfriends has a Mexican Hairless and it's seriously the ugliest dog I've ever seen. Ever. Dog has no hair or teeth. My other friends call it "Skindog."

just say NO to the bassett hound... great w/kids... to much hair

Beware: some dogs just don't dig kids because kids play rough as do dogs (ear pulling, screaming, yelling, throwing can be stressful on a dog, as can a dog's roughhousing/tugging/barking for a kid). Example: Scottish terriers tend to be "adult" dogs, prefering the calmer environment of an all-adult household.

On rescue dogs: I've owned nothing but rescue dogs, only one was adopted as a pup. Fuzzy (a wire haired terrier grab bag) was the best, sweetest, kindest, smartest dog you could ever ask for. She was 3 when we adopted her. Allready house trained. Copper was 3 when we got her too, allready house trained, she was surrendured for "Destructive chewing"...she has never chewed anything in our house (chewing was probably a result of lack of exercise/attention). It's important to meet/greet potential pups at the shelter, play with them, see if they connect, see their temperment, ask volunteers what their experience has been with this dog on leash/off leash.

The point I'm making is that, for a first dog, perhaps an older dog might be a better choice. If you decide to get a pedigreed dog, perhaps look into breed rescue organizations which often have older dogs who are at the end of a show career/ didn't work out in the competitve ring.



Edited by phoenixazul 2005-11-04 1:00 PM

Terriers are my very favourite breed.
They're cute and cuddly and easy dogs to feed.

Seriously though, I like German Shepards. I don’t know if my advice means much as I’ve never owned a dog. Up until 2 weeks ago, I had been volunteering at the SPCA for the past 3 years, so I have some experience with rescue dogs. I think the shelter should let you spend some time with the dog before adopting it and even let you bring it home to see how well he/she fits with your family. I don’t think that you should hesitate to get a rescue dog.

Jen

Generic answer....lab...they are great with kids, but they do shed...

My answer...I rescued an Irish Terrier mix and she is amazing...very little shedding, loves anything that moves including kids, loves to run, loves to chill, and the most eager to please dog I've ever had..

Spend some time at shelters. Don't just go and buy. Look for a pet you really want. We have two purebred bloodhounds, both rescued dogs. Pound dogs are great, but don't always have to be mutts. You can get just what you want if you look a little. Just my .02





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They'll bring you up whenever you are down.
Terriers average 20 pounds.

Maudie was supposed to be roughly 25 to 30 pounds...she's 43.5 and not fat at all!!!!





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Wow Maudie is really pretty. Great pic.

Terriers are my very favourite breed,
Cute and cuddly, easy dogs to feed.

Yeah...I love terriers...their personalities are great...yeah, that has to be my favorite pic..between Maudie (I had only had her for about 5 days then) and I am marked up for my first Tri ever....

yeah, and you don't really ever know what you are getting ever- dogs, like babies, are both biologically and environmentally rasied. My dogs wer e puppies when we got them from a rescue, and are truly a part of our family, and while there have been "issues," who's to say a diff dog would not have had issues (chewing, barking, accidents when they were puppies-- all dogs are a pain in the butt at some point!)

we have a beagle/pointer/foxhound and a husky shepherd.

at the dog park



Edited by possum 2005-11-04 3:35 PM

rcjeffers this is for you.
http://www4.ncsu.edu/~ransom/bonnie/terriersong.html

I second the Boston terrier!! We have a ten month old and he's great with the kids and sheds very little.
We also have a pug- great with the kids, but sheds...A LOT.
If I can ever figure out how to post pics I will. Good Luck

Definitely check out rescue. There are a lot of good dogs available.
Getting a puppy is like having a new baby....its a lot of work.

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AWESOME!!

heh, didn't expect such a backlash. I'm of the belief that the dog that was beaten/starved/deprived of love/left to the environment by his owner and ends up playing with your five year old MAY one day let loose some bottled up agression that you had no idea was there. I certainly don't want the potential for those influences in my living room. If you want a project, then by all means, do the PC thing. There are certainly advantages to both, I just think that the puppy you raise will be closer to center than the dog that just got out of the joint.

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