Dog Advice ..

[Why Syzygy]

Thinking of getting a dog. I haven't had a dog of my own since I was a little girl.
I have lived with other people's dogs though. They like me.

This is a dog city and people take them to concerts in the park, the water parks, some restaurants (ick), etc.

So do all dogs like to play in the water?
What kind are calm? I can't handle a hyper animal.

What's yall's advice?

[Connonym]

1. there are places online that will help you figure out what type of dog suits your lifestyle

I'm too lazy to look for one (sorry) but if you google I know you can find one. I wish you luck and I hope you'll post pictures if you get one :)

[pagerbear]

2. Please give a shelter dog a chance

Look at the ASPCA & Humane Society web sites...plus petfinder.com. Many shelters and private placement agencies (especially breed-specific) do quite a bit of testing to determine a dog's temperament and in what type a home a dog would be best suited. The intarwebs are full of resources like that.

[Why Syzygy]

14. Great resource.

Thanks!

[taterguy]

3. Get two

Seriously, two dogs are easier than one. They can entertain each other.

[skygazer]

6. See, I don't really agree with that

Not right off and especially with puppies. I like to get one dog at a time - that way, in training, they are focused on me and not the other dog. Once they're well trained, I'll get another and the second tends to learn a lot from watching the first. :shrug:

[Why Syzygy]

13. I have a one year old cat.

So, they will be companions. I always believed in getting two cats. But this should accomplish.
I agree they like pals.

[skygazer]

4. There are a lot of considerations to getting any pet

How much time do you have to spend with it?
Are you away from home a lot?
Can you afford proper veterinary treatment (not cheap)?
Are you willing to take responsibility for this animal's life for as many years as the animal may live?

Once you figure those things out, research breeds. The AKC (American Kennel Club) gives a pretty good overview of different breeds and their temperaments, suitability for city living, energy level, life expectancy, etc. That's a good place to start. You'll find out that not all dogs like to play in the water and many of them are not hyper at all.

Do your homework and then consider a rescue dog of some sort. Good luck. :hi:

[Connonym]

8. Skygazer brings up some very good points

One of the biggies that I don't think a lot of people think about is how expensive vet bills can get. My golden retriever broke her leg in January and I've spent well over 4000 bucks since then in treatment plus buying adaptive equipment for her. I love her to bits and wouldn't want to do anything less for her but it can be a huge financial strain if your animal gets hurt. Even routine vet stuff adds up fast. It's worth it in the long run though.

[femmocrat]

5. Do some research first.

Sounds like one of the sporting breeds might be for you. They usually like water and love a lot of activity. All puppies can be "hyper," though. I think it takes a good year to get a well-behaved dog.

Labs are the most popular of the sporting breeds, but Golden Retrievers are know for their gentle natures. My sister has Springers and she takes them everywhere, plus they love to swim. Cockers are nice small spaniels, but require a lot of grooming. Don't forget poodles... they were originally water retrievers, but again require a lot of grooming.

Good luck! :hi:

[MonkeyFunk]

7. Be sure to get one of...

the tastier breeds. Ya know, in case it doesn't work out.

[Connonym]

9. ...

:spank:

[seemunkee]

10. My dogs hate water

Italian Greyhounds do not like water, from what I hear neither do whippets.
If you don't have any specific needs or desire a specific trait why not look at the pound?
My wife has bad allergies so we needed a small short/no hair dog other wise we wouldn't have gone with a specific breed.

[Whoa_Nelly]

11. Try this questionnaire to help make a good match for you and your future pet

http://www.petnet.com.au/selectadog.asp

And here's another similar site:
http://ny.urbanhound.com/houndFinder/breedFinder.asp

[philosophie_en_rose]

12. You may try volunteering as a dog walker at a shelter.

Get to know the dogs and then find one that fits your life.

[xchrom]

15. i want to recommend your comment.

please, please please try to ge your buddy from the local shelter -- and please try to get a grown dog -- doesn't have to be a senior.

they need you -- desperately.

[LeftyMom]

16. An adult dog is the way to go

Adopt from a rescue- you can find one on www.petfinder.com and somebody will help you find a dog that's a good match for you, and one that's been fostered in a home will have a known temperament, vet care and socialization, so you don't have to start from scratch.

Puppies are cute, but not for the feint of heart.

[xchrom]

18. and there ya go.

[KurtNYC]

29. I love your post

says so much with so few words.

Older dogs of any breed are the 'least hyper.' We have 2 boxers -- the 11YO is anything but hyper, sleeps 18 hours a day. The other is about 7 (rescue) and very mellow. Demands a good head massage every once and a while. The books would tell you boxers are med/high energy. Age can be a good thing temperment wise.

[flvegan]

17. Are you in Austin, TX?

You might consider calling these guys:
http://www.mixbreedrescue.com/

As I understand, they do pretty good work.

Petfinder.com is another excellent resource.

[Why Syzygy]

20. Yes.

I'll check into that. Thanks.

[InvisibleTouch]

19. My own personal bias...

...is toward a large sighthound, but then, that's what I breed. :) Very calm and quiet indoors, but they do need a fenced!!! outdoor area to run. They tend to hate water, and are not super-obedience dogs and will absolutely not return to you if you call them and they see something more interesting. (Thus the need to never let them run outside a fenced area.) Very secure in their own personalities, though, and they expect to be treated as an equal.

In general, your larger breeds are going to be more calm (but watch out for super-energized working breeds such as the border collie), smaller ones (especially terriers) are more energetic and hyper. A lot of toy breeds are very sweet, but they do tend to be yappers.

I think it's great that your city lets dogs into some restaurants! That's commonplace in Europe. I wish it were more common in the U.S. I remember being baffled and angered once when I was told I couldn't even have my little dog in the outdoor area of a restaurant. I never did follow that logic.

Anyway ... I'm sure you'll find a great dog. Do some research into the breeds that interest you, or into the breed-mix if you're looking at a mixed breed. Each animal is an individual, of course, but at least you'll have some general guidelines.

[Why Syzygy]

22. What is a

large sighthound? I would be interested. Thanks for the tips.

[seemunkee]

25. Whippets, greyhounds, wolfhounds, afghans

Are all breeds that hunt by sight.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sighthound
Greyhound rescue might be good if you are interested in a sighthound.

[StarryNite]

21. Please consider a pound dog

as other DUers have suggested. An adult dog would be forever grateful to you for rescuing it. And if you do get a dog, be sure to share pictures of it with us.

Puppies are a lot of work as my son is finding out with this puppy he got a week ago. I think the experience of housebreaking and house training it will make him a better man. :)

Here is his 12 week old pup.

[Der Blaue Engel]

23. I worry about behavioral issues

I'm thinking of getting a dog, too, but I have this fear that if I got a pound dog, it would turn out to have a housebreaking problem, or tear things up (or worse)...things that people often get rid of dogs for.

Can any of the pound advocates reassure me on that front?

[AllegroRondo]

26. I've had several pound dogs

our local pound is very good about letting owners know of potential problems with the dogs. good or bad with kids / good with other dogs / housebroken yet, etc. They even work on teaching them basic commands like sit and stay.
They would much rather make sure the dogs get a good home with a person who knows of their problems, than worry about the dogs coming back multiple times because they didnt warn owners of possible problems.

[StarryNite]

27. You could have those same problems

with a purebred dog from a breeder. Most often problems arise do to the lack of training and not the dog itself. We have had purebred and mixed breed dogs. They are all wonderful in my book. We have a mutt now that we got as a pound puppy when she was 4 1/2 months old. I wouldn't trade her for any other dog in the world. But then I felt that way about all my dogs.

Most pounds find out why the dog is being surrendered, whether it's because of a behavioral issue or just that the owners don't have the time or money for it anymore. Like the other poster said, they don't want them coming back so they are more than happy to let you know if the dog should be the only dog, or shouldn't be around kids or cats. The worst part about going to the pound is seeing all those soulful eyes looking at you and knowing you will only be taking one homeless dog or cat home.

[China_cat]

30. People who get rid of dogs who have those problems

are the ones who were too lazy to train them.

Most shelters now do temperament evaluations on dogs to make sure they aren't adopting out one that is aggressive. Rescue groups are even more on top of evaluations and you'll have to jump through more hoops because they won't just let you have any dog, they'll match the best dog to you.

No matter where you go, any rehomed animal is likely to regress in their training at first. It's new, it's stressful, they don't know yet if they're staying or if they'll have to go somewhere else. You might have an accident or 2 at first. It's part of the package. But what you will usually get with a 'used' dog is the most loyal, loving companion you could ask for.

Don't be afraid to give one a life.

[StarryNite]

32. That's very good advice.

Also, most pounds have a trial period where you can bring the dog back if it just isn't working and pick a different dog.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

34. The majority of shelter dogs...

are there because the owner was forced to move and couldn't take the dog.

They've got better, healthier dogs, IMO, then most breeders.

[radfringe]

24. before you go looking for a dog

write out a list of things you are looking for - large dog, medium, small? long hair, short hair? A particular breed type? Consider where you live - rural, urban, suburban?

You've already mentioned you don't want a hyper-dog, and you are concerned about behavior problems.

If you are not sure what type/breed of dog would be a good match for you - go here and it will give you a list based on your lifestyle and preferences: http://www.glowdog.com/bestdog/

my first suggestion is to check out your local shelters. I saw above you are worried about behavioral problems. many dogs are brought to shelters for reasons other than behavior, like the owners are moving or divorcing and can't take the dog with them

If it's a good shelter - they do evaluate the dog behavior and temperment.

2nd suggestion is to check out local breed rescue groups.

I'm a bit bias here - but urge you to consider a greyhound. THEY ARE NOT HYPER - we refer to them as 45mph couch potatoes. Yes they need exercise and a place to do a bit of running - but no more than any other dog. They have short hair, easy to groom and well behaved. We have an 11 yr old airedale, 2 greyhounds and 5 cats - they all get along. We've also done some fostering of greyhounds and have never had a problem with any of them.

This is the website I run for a pennsylvania greyhound rescue - http://reghr0.tripod.com/

this page has FAQs about greyhounds: http://reghr0.tripod.com/id4.html

Q: Are Greyhounds high energy or "hyper" dogs?
A: No. They are a true couch potato. They do need exercise, but more often than not prefer to curl up in a warm soft place. Don't be surprised if you find your greyhound laying claim to a couch or your bed. If you don't want him/her on the furniture, firmly call the greyhound off the furniture, show him his bed and praise him when he lays on his bed.

Greyhounds are good dogs in all types of homes from apartments to county farms. They average about 28" at the shoulder, 60-65lbs for the ideal racing weight,but once in a regular home they gain weight.

check google for greyhound rescues in your area, give them a call and ask if you can meet a few. Many rescues do 'adoptathons' at places like petsmart on a regular basis. there is usually an adoption application and an adoption fee. Fees vary. Some greyhounds are already neutered/spayed prior to adoption. The majority of them are fostered prior to adoption to give them time to adapt to living in a home enviroment, and it gives the rescue group the opportunity to evaluate the dog's behavior, temperment and personality.

[Why Syzygy]

28. Well. Thanks for everyone's

reply and links. I am now totally confused. I want them all.

I am intrigued with the sighthounds. I never knew such a distinction existed.
From all the surveys I filled in, no one breed just jumps ahead of the rest.

The first to stand out is an Affenpinscher (mix). I have no desire for a puppy. An adult mix is just great.

This is Summer. She's blind. She is adorable.


And I really like Major. He's a Dogo.


There are lots more. I really appreciate the information. Like I said, I never knew and I'm glad I asked.

edit: I'm also looking into something like a border terrier.

[StarryNite]

31. Those two look like great dogs.

Summer is such a cutie. I prefer females because I think they are cleaner and don't hike their leg on furniture and outside walls. But I had a male Irish Setter that never did any of that either.

I have also heard that male dogs bond more with women and females bond more with men. I don't know if that's true or not. The mixed breed we have now is a female and she has bonded more with me but then I'm the one who is home with her on a daily basis. Our German Shepherd was a female and even though I was the one who fed and walked her she seemed to be more bonded to my husband.

You will know when you have found the right dog for you. Keep doing your research to see what type would fit but you will know when you feel the tugging of your heartstrings.

I'm anxious to see pictures of your new best friend. :loveya:

[trof]

33. If you're (ick) about dogs in restaurants, get a parakeet.

seriously

[Why Syzygy]

35. I think it will be okay.

Some of them will be fine with the right dog. An ex's dog whined loudly whenever we took her places. That wouldn't be appropriate. Common sense is all. There are lots of other places to take dogs.

[rainbow4321]

36. Don't get a Jack Russell if you don't want hyper

Cuz they are a ball of caffeine all the time...very smart, but very hyper.

What about a mini schnauzer? Very lovable, they get attached to their "person", smart, good watch dogs.

I got mine from a mini schnauzer rescue group. They had found her abandoned on the street...cleaned her up, got her all the needed shots and medical care, put her in a foster home, and then I found her on
www.petfinder.com. Wonderful website, btw. Lets you look thru thousands of dogs in your area (just put in your zip), hundreds of breeds to pick from. They even put up pictures and a mini-bio on each dog. They do list animal shelters there, also.

Here's my 2 babies...the gray is the mini schnauzer, the other is a mix of Jack Russell and dachshund (stumbled across/fell in love with her at our city animal shelter when I went to register the mini)