Need opinions, getting a puppy..what kind?

PKTSU01 · #1 01-30-2002, 01:57 PM

I'm moving out soon to get my own apt. down in the city, so the parents now have both kids outta the house. i want to get them a puppy so they kind of always have a little thing around the house to remember me by. The thing is though, what kind should I get?

My mom's a neat freak so I don't really want one that sheds too much. I really want to get a golden retriver, well, just cause ever since I saw one on a dirt devil commercial I've wanted one. But, a bud of mine has a black lab, and they are awesome dogs too. A pug is another option, they are like the perfect size to be a house dog. I don't know which one to go with. I pretty much want a dog that won't get too big, but nothing wimpy like a pomeranian or anything like that, know what I mean?

Anyways, I'd like some of your takes on good dogs to have as a house pet.
thanks

#2 01-30-2002, 02:24 PM

Puppies are awesome! I say go for the retrievers (labs or golden). Thats what I want to get when I get my own apt. Or a dog like Beethoveen from the movies.

PenguinTrax · #3 01-30-2002, 02:27 PM

Ok, I need to play devil's advocate a little bit...

You get high points for wanting to research the type of dog to get your folks but unless you parents are going to be ready for the commitment (time and monetary) involved in having a new puppy in the house, don't get them one! Having a new puppy is just like having a new baby - that means constant care and feeding, not to mention the issues of housebreaking, exercise, obedience training, etc. A puppy isn't something you can get, leave out some food and expect it to train itself to behave properly. Our 2 dogs are 3 years old next month and we still work obedience with them every day. They are housebroken, but every time we leave town we have to pay someone to stay at the house with them and our cats. If your parents travel a great deal, getting them a dog is a bad idea. It's not fair to your folks and it is particulary unfair to the dog.

If you want something that is small, doesn't shed a lot and is a good companion animal, I recommend something like a Bichon Frise or a poodle. Ideally you should try and rescue a dog from your local humane society or via a breed-specific rescue organization.

Some other things to consider:
Terriers are very energetic and keep a puppy mentality until they are 3-5 years old. Labs are about the same way - plus, they chew, a lot. Beagles chew and bark. Pugs are small, yes, but they have tremendous respiratory issues (read that 'high vet bills'). Dacshunds have back problems. Yorkies and Maltese don't shed, but require regular grooming. Same with Schnauzers.

Labrador and Golden retrievers are BIG and they shed and they require a lot of exercise and training. I do not consider them to be good choices for apartment living, unless you plan to have no furniture in your place. They chew and they like to dig. (our 2 are part lab, so I know from where I speak). Unless you can dedicate a couple of hours each day to exercise and training, a large breed is a an unwise choice.

Go to the American Kennel Club site (http://www.akc.org) and read their information about selecting a puppy. It is very informative. But, most importantly, check with your parents to see if your gift would be welcome. Because if it's not going to be welcome, you will save yourself and the pup a lot of heartache by not purchasing a new friend for your parents.

AchtungBaby80 · #4 01-30-2002, 02:33 PM

Yeah, poodles are good 'cause they don't shed. But if I were you, I'd get a mix-breed dog (a.k.a a mutt!)--they're generally sweet, and they aren't expensive to get but they can be wonderful buddies. My dog is a chow mix and I love her! I think it's better to get a dog who's at least a year old, though, as puppies really can be just like a new baby and need TONS of attention. Try the Humane Society, too; most of the people I know who have gotten animals there have been really pleased. They will spay/neuter the dog and give it all its shots for a pretty low fee, and there are usually lots of animals there to choose from who need homes.

xo_sue · #5 01-30-2002, 02:39 PM

I agree- I am huge on the adoption of dogs. I have a mixed chow also and for $5.00 - this sweetheart has never ran away, comes when we call her, will even get my morning paper for me and we have also trained her to wait at the door until her feet get wiped before entering the house (my husband is the neat freak- not me)-

I also think mixed live longer. Maybe that is a rumor.

Adopt Adopt Adopt - and make a dog's day

Sue

justamom · #6 01-30-2002, 02:44 PM

Almost all the hunting or working class dogs can be a problem up to about 3 years old unless you are really good at handling and training them. We had a Golden Retriever that ate part of the side of our HOUSE! (Of course it was wood)

In all my years and all my dogs, the very best have been strays.
They are so darn happy andloyal when you give them a home. They won't run off every time the door opens either.

valkyrie · #7 01-30-2002, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PnguinTrax

You get high points for wanting to research the type of dog to get your folks but unless you parents are going to be ready for the commitment (time and monetary) involved in having a new puppy in the house, don't get them one! Having a new puppy is just like having a new baby - that means constant care and feeding, not to mention the issues of housebreaking, exercise, obedience training, etc. A puppy isn't something you can get, leave out some food and expect it to train itself to behave properly. Our 2 dogs are 3 years old next month and we still work obedience with them every day. They are housebroken, but every time we leave town we have to pay someone to stay at the house with them and our cats. If your parents travel a great deal, getting them a dog is a bad idea. It's not fair to your folks and it is particulary unfair to the dog.

I completely agree!

Talk to your parents first, and make sure that they WANT a dog. I am a vocal advocate of adopting older dogs (not puppies) from shelters, because when you adopt an older dog, not only do you have less work to do, but by then, the dog's personality is already developed and you are more likely to know what you will be getting. Ideally, you would all go to a shelter together, visit with the dogs, and see if one seems like a good fit. A great site for finding adoptable animals is www.petfinder.org -- you can search and everything.

Good luck!

Hootie · #8 01-30-2002, 03:57 PM

I have been living without a dog for 3 weeks now and it's driving me crazy. Dogs become such a huge part of most people's lives.
My family has a little mut dog that we got in 86 and then we have a pure bred yellow lab. I adore my yellow lab!
If you don't mind training them properly so they don't tear up your house, they are great dogs. Yellow labs have a soft mouth so if you hunt they will gently pick up your catch. My dog has never bitten anyone, but even if he did I doubt it'd hurt.
Yellow labs shed and that's the only problem I have with ours. That and when the seasons change his coat will sometimes get a little more dander which causes me to itch if I pet him too much and then immediately happen to touch my skin.
Other than that they are loyal and mostly obedient dogs. But they do want attention and will show it through their actions. My family was always on the go, so if no one played with Yogi enough, he'd tear through the trash to show his anger (or whatever you want to call it).
Now that I'm living in an apartment and really really really want a dog, I've been doing research and I think Will and I want a pug because they're smaller. PetSmart has puppies for adoption on the weekends only so we're going to go there just to look.
Like Barb said, they are wonderful animals but requier time and comittment!

Good luck and let us know what you decide!!!!!
Hootie

bucutie02 · #9 01-30-2002, 04:43 PM

get a pekingese! thats the kind of dog we have, he's going to be 13 years old in march and he is sooooooo sweet! they are small dogs and even though they have A LOT of hair, we take him to get groomed- that way he doesnt shed. I love my dog so much, trust me, if you get a pekingese, you dont be dissapointed!

josh8o · #10 01-30-2002, 05:35 PM

get a golden retriever!!! they are the best dogs. i have grown up with them, and my parents have even bread two of ours. the puppies are so much fun. Imagine 20 little round, golden, fuzzy puppies running around your backyard? it was great! they are good family dogs.

josh

Tom Earp · #11 01-30-2002, 06:03 PM

Only way to go is ROBOTIC, Does Not PEE or POOP!!!

Thought about having a Shit Soo but have no time to spend with it!

Beef · #12 01-30-2002, 06:28 PM

GERMAN SHEPARDS!! They are the best dogs in the world!! My brother and his wife have 2. They are the coolest dogs, I almost miss them as much as I miss my brother and his wife!

Lil_G · #13 01-30-2002, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by skip101

Has anyone ever had a Dogue De Bordeaux like the dog in Turner and Hooch. I think thats a cool looking dog.

My sister has one - simba, appropriately named because he looks like a lion....I love that dog so much, he's definitely the coolest dog i've ever seen.

Two problems - this dog is massive, we've had all kinds of dogs growing up and none of them can compare to the strength of Simba. Since it's such a large dog, only a certain type of ppl are fit for them.

Also, this thing drools NON-STOP...it's so gross, if you're about to hit the bars, you have to keep your distance or you'll get drool all over your clothes.

It's also the same dog in payback and can also be reffered to as a French Mastive.

Rosealum · #14 01-30-2002, 08:12 PM

English Springer Spaniel!

volgirl2376 · #15 01-30-2002, 10:53 PM

i agree with all the people that have said to check with your parents before getting them a dog.

if they do decide they would like one, i would accompany them to the local animal shelter and let them pick one out. people vary on their tastes of animals!

ok that being said, i want you to promise me you will think of a few things before you buy them a dog.

(1) will this dog be an indoor or outdoor animal? it is best to have an animal that can remain indoors for lots of reasons. Its safe. The dog will not risk the chance of getting run over by a car, stolen, poisoned, or especially being exposed to harsh weather - ie rain, snow, heat, cold. Having a dog indoor is the best way to really make your pet a part of the family.

(2) Dont judge a dogs personality based on size. I have heard nothing but amazing things about retired greyhounds. I know you want a puppy, but these greyhounds, that are usually apart of a rescue program, are said to be the sweetest, calmest, best behaved dogs. They love to just lay beside you and be with you and just be quiet. But they are big- no shedding though and make an ideal indoor pet! Another example would be the jack russell terrier. These are dogs that for the most part should NOT be indoor dogs - they are very very very active...its in their genes to hunt! My brother has 2 boston terriers. Small dogs but hyper as hell! They want to play all the time!

Im a little worried that you said your mom was a neat freak. My mom is too...and she always makes a HUGE deal if she sees one dog hair on my floors in my house and makes the statement "there is no way a dog could live in my house!"

I do have several friends who have shitzuhs (no clue how to spell). They are great indoor dogs, seem to be happy if you are there, content if you arent...and dont shed! They do require maintance though - in the doggy salon lol - as well as the bichon frise or other foo foo dogs.

I suggest adopting a mixed breed - they are generally healthier because they arent genetically prone to getting the diseases common in their breed

i love dogs!