Should I get a dog?

[LumberTubs]

Good afternoon Ram brothers and sisters.

Apologies in advance for the length of this post but I know there are lots of dog owners on this site so I thought I'd come to you for some advice.

Some background: My wife and stepdaughter (16) have been periodically trying to convince me that we should get a dog for the last couple of years or so. I'm getting the sense that this campaign is being ramped up hence this post.

We're a family of 5. My wife doesn't work and regularly goes for walks for her fitness anyway so a dog would have company during the day and would get the exercise it needs. It would only be left alone for maybe 2 hours in the day at most. Our two youngest daughters (7 and 4) are both autistic and dogs are supposed to be good for autistic kids. My parents' neighbours have two small dogs that my youngest absolutely loves - she becomes the 3rd member of the pack when they're around. My eldest (the 7 year old) is ambivalent to them.

If we go on holiday, it tends to only be once a year and not abroad so finding somewhere that will allow dogs won't be an issue. I don't think holidays abroad will happen for a long time because of the autism.

My youngest has recently started full time education so my wife (who is a very sociable person) is getting lonely in the day which is why I think the campaign is heating up a little.

From my point of view, I love the idea of a dog in theory but I can't help thinking of the practical considerations. For example, we don't have a particularly big garden and I don't like the idea of the dog doing its business out where the girls play although I realise that they can be trained to only use a certain patch so that might not be the end of the world.

My wife and stepdaughter want a cockapoo. No idea what their personalities are like.

Any thoughts or advice friends?

 

[ozarkram]

I would suggest going to your local shelter or pound first amazing what you can find there. If you are set on a small dog understand it will be in your house 98% of the time. And almost all small dogs believe they are big dogs. Meaning they fight anything and can be killed by everything including accidents. Most are car chasers. This can be heartbreaking for a family. Also the smaller breeds have been back bred,inbred. and side ways bred to the point of being insane. Not to put you off dogs I have many ( 9 at last count.) Just some things to consider.

 

[LumberTubs]

Thanks @ozarkram. I welcome any comments anyone has

 

[Boston Ram]

Every person should own a dog at least once in their life. There amazing animals and it a great experience.

 

[Dieter the Brock]

I would advise a Yorkshire Terrier
Just great dogs
They are snall and don't shed and have great personalities
I have always had big dogs but i have to tell you my Yorkie is by far and away the best dog ever - she is remarkable

 

[tiger1971]

My biggest issue was always who would be responsible for walks etc.

In the end it was me but that was not the original plan.... long story won't bore you.

Wouldn't be without with Max or Radley but it does mean I am up at 0530 every weekday to walk them before work.

I did my research pre decision and was adamant I wanted a breed that wouldn't shed (as much) and was hypo-allergenic (spelling?) which is how we ended up with two miniature schnauzers, the lack of shedding is fantastic and you wouldn't know there were dogs in the house if it wasn't for all the bloody toys everywhere!!!

Plus they both travel really well in the car, the miniatures are known for this as opposed to the giant schnauzers who are pretty poor at car travel.

In summary - you can't do too much research + mutts / mongrels generally have better health then pedigree's (and cheaper pet insurance)

 

[dieterbrock]

I cant imagine what life would be like without a dog. My oldest daughter had such a phobia of dogs, it was terrible. And it was real, she would be physically ill around them, would be like me walking in to a room full of rattlesnakes. She couldnt go to birthday parties if he friend had a dog. Then 2 years ago she said she wanted a dog for christmas. We rescued a dog who we though was black lab, which would be good temperment. Instead we have Elvie, a border collie who is the most energetic thing in the world. End of the day, my daughter is cured of her fears, loves dogs.
Just keep me away from rattlesnakes...

 

[LumberTubs]

My biggest issue was always who would be responsible for walks etc.

In the end it was me but that was not the original plan.... long story won't bore you.

Wouldn't be without with Max or Radley but it does mean I am up at 0530 every weekday to walk them before work.

I did my research pre decision and was adamant I wanted a breed that wouldn't shed (as much) and was hypo-allergenic (spelling?) which is how we ended up with two miniature schnauzers, the lack of shedding is fantastic and you wouldn't know there were dogs in the house if it wasn't for all the bloody toys everywhere!!!

Plus they both travel really well in the car, the miniatures are known for this as opposed to the giant schnauzers who are pretty poor at car travel.

In summary - you can't do too much research + mutts / mongrels generally have better health then pedigree's (and cheaper pet insurance)

I reckon finding time for walks and having to leave a dog on its own for extended periods while at work are probably among the biggest reasons why people don't get dogs.

We don't have that problem. It would fit in fine in that regard cus my wife doesn't work.

 

[IowaRam]

Two words

German Shepherds

smartest dogs on the planet

 

[DCH]

Get a dog, so long as you're willing to put in 10+ years of taking care of it. Train it, socialize it with both people and other dogs, feed it on a regimented schedule, give it regular trips to the vet, and it will be a part of your family.

WRT it pooping in the garden, if you or your wife or your kids walk it every day at least three times, that can be avoided. Poo bags come in rolls of 50 and are super cheap... and so long as you get a reasonably-sized dog (read: 25 pounds or more), you should be able to teach it to schedule its poops two or three times a day and to only go while on walkies.

 

[RhodyRams]

As someone else mentioned, check out local shelters.

You might be able to just foster a dog until a home us found for it, or end up being a foster failure, which means you ended up keeping the dog you fostered lol

I am sure your local shelter would have no problem with your family showing up 1 or 2 times a week just to help out with feedings,walks or whatever. Might cure the empty nest syndrome for a bit.

 

[LumberTubs]

Two words

German Shepherds

smartest dogs on the planet

This or a black lab would be my choice but I live in a house with 4 females. I have very little say in anything

 

[DCH]

Breed is important, but less important than an individual dog's temperament. My dog is a Beagle/Cocker Spaniel mix... 30 pounds, good energy, smart, not horribly loud.

Have an idea of how high-energy of a dog you want. I love Boxers, but their energy level is through the roof, and I couldn't fathom having one.

My ideal dog is an English bulldog. Lazy, adorably ugly, big enough but not huge, and can stay distracted for hours on end just chewing the hell out of a tennis ball.

 

[SteezyEndo]

Me and my girl are thinking of getting a Norwich Terrier. We live in a apartment so a smaller dog would be ideal. I have a toy pomeranian, but she lives with my parents. I am small breed type of person. I would recommend a dog they bring a lot of joy.

 

[cvramsfan]

Please go the rescue way. Some many needs homes. We have had dogs always and many different breads.

For a little dog our favorites would be a mini dachshund (which we have right now) or a fox terrier mix.

For a large dog we love our pit bulls one of the most loving dogs there are, don't believe the hyperbowl about them. If you go this way on a rescue i would recommend to go with a rescue that specializes in this breed of dogs as they will be able to match you with the right dog for your family. Right now we have a bull terrier which is a nice medium dog and a lab mastiff mix. The bull terrier is about 45lbs. They are great dogs. They are a higher energy dog and our clowns. They seem to want to make you laugh all the time. Our lab mix is a 95lb lab dog lol. He is also a great dog.

Of the 3 we have right now the bull terrier is the best all around dog for us. A great traveler and loves to play catch.

My wife has grown to love the full size poddles and have done some checking on them and talked to alot of owners of them and they love them. They don't shed are hypoallergenic. The goldendoodle or labradoodle also fit into this and most likely one of these three will be our next dog. What ever we find that needs a rescue.

Good luck and let us know what you get.

 

[Selassie I]

Poodles are actually the smartest dogs. They are being mixed with many other breeds now and that is just one of the reasons why.

Another, is the poodle does not shed. If you look into the breeding process for this... and you want a dog that doesn't shed... make sure that it is what's called an F1B. That almost guarantees that the dog will pick up the poodle gene for not sheding.

I see the ladies want a cockapoo. Reading that is a big reason I wanted to chime in.

Many years ago when I was very young... my parents brought home a cocker spaniel. According to both of my parents... it was the dumbest animal... not just dog... that they had ever seen. They ended up giving the dog to our neighbors because it was so stupid. So, I have always thought of a cocker spaniel as being mentally challenged... and that may not really be true... but mixing it with a poodle will no doubt be a huge assist to the dog's intelligence.

My wife and I are waiting for a GoldenDoodle right now. We are waiting for a very specific kind, so our wait has already been over 7 months. We are willing to wait though even though we really miss having a dog.

We had a wonderful dog who lived to be 16 years old. He was a schnauzer (Awesome dogs). It's been almost 2 years now since he's passed, and it took us a long time before we were willing to even think about getting another dog. We can't ever replace him... and that's the reason we decided on a GoldenDoodle. We wanted a completely different breed because there will only be one Harley... getting another schnauzer would have been too weird.

I recommend doing some solid research on all breeds. Maybe you guys have already done that... but if not, I'd try and do that process together as a whole family. Or... just let the ladies decide LOL.


Anyway... we always walked our dog for his potty breaks. For 16 years we did this (rain or shine). It's great for the dog in many ways and it will force the humans to get outside as well.

Now go get a new member of the family asap.

 

[IowaRam]

small dog vs large dog

you have to be careful with this one

I got 20 bucks that says my 110 lbs German Shepherds takes up a whole lot less room then most those little , over hyper active ankle biters.that can't sit still when company comes over.......................lol

 

[IowaRam]

 

[Angry Ram]

I don't have a doggie but most people in my family do. I'm sure you've already done this, but make sure you can afford it.

Food, vet bills, medicine, training classes (if you want to), kennel costs, dog-sitting, toys, accessories, etc. It adds up quickly.

 

[RhodyRams]

Just had to post my boy Max