I want a dog....
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Greyhounds make amazing family pets.
I want a greyhound so, so, so bad.0 -
I'm going to inbox you.0
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Well crap! My dog is ALL of these things:Although every dog is an individual, the Manchester terrier and the miniature pinscher were developed for different activities, which is reflected in their behavior and temperament. Bred to hunt vermin, the Manchester is a true terrier. That means he enjoys digging, chasing after small animals and generally getting into mischief. The miniature pinscher can be quite territorial -- he thinks of himself as a big dog. That can get him into trouble if he tries to take on a larger canine. Min pins have a reputation for constant barking and a high-strung nature, which isn't true of Manchester terriers. Either dog needs good, consistent training. The Manchester terrier soaks up training like a sponge. The min pin is relatively easy to train, with one caveat: housebreaking can take some time.0
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:-)
I do have a pure bred. A minpin.
Why do I have a purebred? Because someone got a purebred and then dumped her outside my house a few years ago. I tookher in, realized she wasn't house trained and trained her in two weeks. I'm guessing the person who dumped her thought she was "so cute" and had to have her. *grumble*
we have a toy manchester, which is a minpin without the ears and tail docked. He is the cutest little snuggly thing and was fairly easy to train. He's still a puppy though so we are working through house training. It's down to one room now.
Hmmm. Maybe that's what she is. The vet calls her a minpin and that's what I thought she was from the start, but she isn't docked (not that *I* would ever do that, but whoever had her before didn't, either).
She's such a brat. It really isn't a breed I would choose if I had a choice. But I never have a choice. Dogs and cats kind of just show up in my life. lol
Usually they grow out of that. My boyfriend's parents have raissed them for years and have a super well behaved one. It all depends how hyper they are and how well you get them to listen.
My poor dog has a half docked tail. The breeders did it wrong. They didn't look for the joint and messed the end up pretty badly. It's not a pretty tail.
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Be sure to check with your insurance carrier if you are a home owner. Some home owners insurance will drop you if you have a certain breed or will raise your rates. I don't know how it applies to rental insurance if you are a renter.0
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Adopt for sure.
I rescued my girl, she was around 2yrs old. She is the BEST dog. She's a standard poodle.
My boy I hunted down and paid for him but in a way I rescued him too. He almost died of worms 2 days after I got him. I called the person I got him from and she said 3 of the pups had died from worms. Thank goodness I got my Duff. He's a standard poodle too.
Good luck and I hope you find the dog of your dreams.
And I for one, wouldn't go the puppy route again for anything.0 -
Usually they grow out of that. My boyfriend's parents have raissed them for years and have a super well behaved one. It all depends how hyper they are and how well you get them to listen.
We've had her for a few years and guessed she was about a year or so when she showed up at the house. She's really a sweet dog in general, but very territorial. She does NOT like other dogs. If they walk anywhere near our house she goes crazy barking and growling. She chases and nips at the cats if they even glance at her food. Two of the cats have figured out the bark is worse than the bite and mostly ignore her, but the third won't go downstairs unless the dog is crated (only at night).
She's only territorial about the food around other animals and very small children (who I think she thinks are cats). So if friends with small children come over, it's leash or crate for the dog, though I don't think she'd actually bite. I don't want to chance it.
She was a breeze to house train, but otherwise, ugh! Even when I take her for walks away from home, she wants nothing to do with other dogs. I took her once to the dog park and she just sat on the bench with me. She'll sniff another dogs' butt, but that dog better not sniff hers.0 -
Usually they grow out of that. My boyfriend's parents have raissed them for years and have a super well behaved one. It all depends how hyper they are and how well you get them to listen.
We've had her for a few years and guessed she was about a year or so when she showed up at the house. She's really a sweet dog in general, but very territorial. She does NOT like other dogs. If they walk anywhere near our house she goes crazy barking and growling. She chases and nips at the cats if they even glance at her food. Two of the cats have figured out the bark is worse than the bite and mostly ignore her, but the third won't go downstairs unless the dog is crated (only at night).
She's only territorial about the food around other animals and very small children (who I think she thinks are cats). So if friends with small children come over, it's leash or crate for the dog, though I don't think she'd actually bite. I don't want to chance it.
She was a breeze to house train, but otherwise, ugh! Even when I take her for walks away from home, she wants nothing to do with other dogs. I took her once to the dog park and she just sat on the bench with me. She'll sniff another dogs' butt, but that dog better not sniff hers.
It makes you wonder what her life before you was like 0 -
I believe Welsh Corgis are very good with kids, and they're very protective of their families. They don't really drool or make huge messes, and they're fairly small.
Don't get me wrong, I love big dogs, and if you can adopt that's even better. It's funny that this topic showed up because my husband and I are debating on whether or not this is a good time to get a dog, and that's the one I'll be getting
and they dont have tails to pull, and they train REALLY well
BUT you can't go running with them. as dogs, they want to please you and will run to keep up with you. they will run themselves into a dangerous exhaustion. they are small dogs with small legs, sprints are awesome for them, but i can't even take mine on a 3 mile jog, he starts to get so tired (he is only 18 months so not old age holding him back) and you can see he still wants to run with me... so they are not good for distance running
but like I said, he loves to sprint with me. I will toss a ball and we will run toward it together (he always beats me) 0 -
It makes you wonder what her life before you was like
It's really tough to tell. She was spayed and in relatively good health when I found her -- not overly skinny, but covered in ticks from being outside for a while. She always acts like we're going to beat her, even though we never have.
But the breed is normally nervous, so it's hard to attribute that to treatment. Even the vet techs have said they wish all minpins were like mine. She isn't afraid of other dogs, just not interested in them unless she's showing dominance.
If she were a big dog, her behavior in some respects would be an issue, but since she's never bitten any person or animal and she's small, I just let her be instead of driving us both crazy trying to fix her.
Oh, she's also terrified of rain. Like, even if it's just a little sprinkle and I don't even realize it's raining, she hides under the couch. SMH0 -
Not sure how far you are from me but I have a gorgeous mixed breed dog that is adorable, friendly and great with kids, he is a little skiddish at first to new people but warms up quickly.
He is a puppy from my dogs litter that I didn't get rid of but I am moving soon so he will need to find a good home.
He is boston terrier/corgi/boxer mix he is a sandy brown color he is about 25 to 30lbs full grown and he just turned a year.
He has his shots but needs to be neutered if desired. I am sure that he could be crate trained.
I know you didn't ask for my opinion, but it would be a great idea if you had your dog neutered, then you wouldn't have to worry about him becoming part of the "overpopulation = euthanization" problem.0 -
I love my shelter mutt. I'll never know what she really is, but she's mine and that's all that matters....
Do it.
oh my gosh! my family dog of 13 years is almost identical to your dog! adorable 0 -
Definitely go for adoption... you can even foster for a bit to try it out, but once you do that, you won't want to give up your new friend!
I have a 3 legged poodle-mix rescue, and he's awesome!0 -
Look online to find the right breed and good training tips. I like dogbreedinfo.com they have good advice and lots of information on different breeds, and quizzes to find a good breed for your family. Dogs are a big commitment, plan for them to chew everything until they are trained. If you can stick though it, having a dog is amazing and rewarding 0
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Great answers from everyone!
I'm another vote for adopting but also want to stress the importance of teaching your kid(s) how to act around the dog as well. So many people spend all their time worrying about how to get the dog to behave properly and forget that it's all new for the children too and they need just as much guidance.
I adopted a pit mix last year that's become our world so of course I'd recommend a bully breed but they're definitely not for everyone.
Good luck and don't forget to research!!!0 -
Great answers from everyone!
I'm another vote for adopting but also want to stress the importance of teaching your kid(s) how to act around the dog as well. So many people spend all their time worrying about how to get the dog to behave properly and forget that it's all new for the children too and they need just as much guidance.
I adopted a pit mix last year that's become our world so of course I'd recommend a bully breed but they're definitely not for everyone.
Good luck and don't forget to research!!!
Aw, the bully breed, misunderstood and the first "Nanny"..0 -
Go for a ST. Bernhard. They are so gentle and very good family dogs.0
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English Springer Spaniels. Wonderful, waggy, intelligent, happy dogs. They rock.
Buy from a reputable breeder ( not a puppy mill or a pet shop!!) and I'd NEVER adopt some rescue mutt. You never know what the health and temperament background on those are, I want a registered, preferably show-quality, purebred ( spent many happy years in the dog show world.)0 -
Definitely consider adopting a dog, one that is already house trained and lives in a foster home. You'll know a lot about his personality, so no surprises!
And take your dog to obedience training if he hasn't been already, it makes such a huge difference!
The breed doesn't matter as much - get a dog that is the right size, energy level, shedding, etc. But really look for the dog's individual personality/behaviour, no two dogs are alike, even if they are the same breed. I used to hate chihuahuas, but mine were so sweet, so calm, smart, gentle, friendly even if a bit shy, never ever bit anyone, never barked unless someone was at the door, never left messes in the house, never jump or climb on people, walk off leash most of them time and just follow me... the opposite of what I though chihuahuas were like!
I adopted two dogs, 3 and 4 years old, they had been to obedience classes and WOW, the perfect dogs! Adopting them was the best thing I ever did
PETFINDER.COM <---- best website ever.0 -
go to your local animal shelter. you can find a dog that is already out of the puppy stage, is housebroken and properly trained. they're often free too. and they deserve a good home.
and the best is that since they're already adults, their personality is already formed. you want a fun playful dog that just wants to be outside? or you want a dog that is a little quieter and is happy to just follow you around?
puppies are cute and all, but there are so many animals out there that deserve a chance. and in my experience, adopted rescue pets are often so much more loving. it's like they know you rescued them.0 -
We adopted a puppy this year. Was labeled a "Lab mix" - well she may be some lab, but she's certainly a lot of mix. But sweetest dog ever. Even with all the puppy craziness it is worth it. (and this is coming from a self-proclaimed cat person!) 0
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I want a dog, too! Unfortunately, we have cats already, and they have a hard enough time getting a long with each other as it is, so bringing a dog into the house wouldn't go down so well!
On another note though, we always had a family dog when I was growing up, and one thing you HAD to do (someone in the family) was walk the dog. You couldn't NOT walk the dog, because that's what dogs need - walks. So getting a dog would be a great motivational tool!0 -
I recommend fostering from a local shelter first. It will give you the opportunity to see if your family is suited for a dog and if you can be responsible pet owners (cleaning the yard, walking, feeding, playing, etc). Often times the shelter has already housebroken animals so that part isn't so difficult. The only downfall of fostering is getting attached and having to let go but if you get especially attached to one, you adopt it!
I started off fostering my dogs, and got attached....as soon as I was told a family was interested in meeting them and considering adopting them, I panicked. They are the dogs I adopted lol. So happy that I did though
So yes, fostering is an option, but be careful because your kids especially may get too attached, and you might not be able to adopt them. The organization I fostered for didn't allow foster parents to adopt their foster dogs, but through a loophole, I had my parents adopt them for me, but I take care of them and took them with me when I moved out. so adopting your foster animals is not always an option.0 -
Good luck! BTW - pit bulls are amazing dogs and there is a high need for fostering / adoption with this breed due to their unwarranted bad reputation. Make sure the shelter knows you have kids and what ages they are so they can match you with one that is kid friendly.
Yeah...I might have to pass on the Pit Bull...got attacked by one last month (and a set of rabies shots to go with it), kind of gun shy with that breed right now :noway: :laugh:
I just adopted another dog from the pound and first let me say that she is AMAZING, and I love her with all my heart, she is approx. 1yr old lab, Florida cur mix, she does so good with my 14mo old. Oakley (her name) was attacked by the neighbors pit bull 3 weeks ago, FOR NO REASON. This pit bull has just in the last 4-5 months started hating other dogs and we were out for a jog and she escaped from the fence ( they recently put up for her) and she almost killed my dog. We were at the vets office for over 4 hours while my little Oakley got shaved and stitched from the tip of her front legs all the way up to the tip of her ear, almost lost her eye. She is doing much better now but I would never, ever recommend a pit bull to anyone. BTW, we have known this pit bull since she was a puppy, and loved her. She just turned mean 4-5 months ago, no one knows why.
BTW again, this is our 4th pound puppy adoption, and they really are the best dogs you can find. Go to your local pound, pick out some dogs that you like, take them outside and play with them, get to know them a little. I bet you will find a best friend.0 -
Oh, she's also terrified of rain. Like, even if it's just a little sprinkle and I don't even realize it's raining, she hides under the couch. SMH
Mine was bit by a squirrel about 2 months ago and now he's afriad of any animals smaller than him. He still thinks he can control the big ones though.0 -
I couldn't agree more about adopting!
After losing our beloved Jack Russell terrier in June (after nearly 16 years with him) we decided to adopt about a month ago. The dog we chose was a puppy who was found in a ditch in the side of the road with all of his brothers and sisters in Alabama. His name is Oliver (Ollie) and he is an absolute delight. Four days later, the rescue called and said of the whole litter, there was just one brother left, and asked if we'd like to adopt him as well.
We did it. Tobias (Toby) was added to the family, along with his biological brother!
They have brought such joy into our lives! We still have some work to do with the chewing (mostly on our fingers!) but the house-training is going very well, and they are so playful and adorable! Ollie had a little separation anxiety at the beginning (not that we left him alone much - I'm talking going out to get the mail and he would cry and cry) but now that he has his brother, he's just fine!
The thing is, you can almost see it in them that they know that they were rescued. They just seem so appreciative of things. I know that sounds weird. Our Simon (the Jack Russell) was not a rescue and while he was the greatest dog, very smart and loving, he also had a way of being stubborn and wanting things his way. These new dogs don't seem to have that, because they had a rough start in life and now have been given a second chance!
Good luck!!!!
Oliver
Tobias
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^^^^ Holy cuteness!!!!0
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rotweiller for sure0
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You'll get a host of people advocating whatever their favourite breed is ("get a Rottweiler", "get a greyhound", "get a labrador"...) but only you know your family situation.
I would recommend you really think carefully about what type of dog best fits into your family. Research your breeds well. Do you want an active dog you can go running with? Do you want a couch potato? Do you want a dog that's intelligent, for stuff like agility? Do you want a relatively undemanding dog? Does size matter in terms of your accommodation / car? Do you have enough money for decent food, insurance/vets fees, microchipping, vaccinations? Do you have enough time for it to have decent daily walks? Do you have time to devote to train it? Some dogs are better with kids than others.
Once that's all ok, I agree with everyone who said "adopt, don't shop".
Don't buy from pet shops who get most of their puppies from puppy mills and you would be supporting an awful trade. Google CARIAD if you want to know more about that.
We got a border collie cross from a rescue. I knew we needed a dog who can keep up with us. She's great.
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