We want to get a dog...

[TLynnHughes]

All these pictures are making me want a puppy!!! Must resist.... T.

You said it TLynn! Almost like looking at guns!

You're not kidding! But dogs require a bit more care than a new gun!

T.

[marksiwel]

I want one of these

[randomoutburst]

Thanks for all the responses and photos - I do love animals and it looks like there are a lot of happy pets out there. :)

oldgringo - We're mainly looking for a companion and the "warning bark" aspect is secondary. We aren't looking for a cheap alarm in dog form. :) On the same note, we aren't looking at large dogs because we don't expect the dogs to defend us - that's our job and why we have guns.

Kythas - We will probably not be adopting from a shelter. We will never buy a puppy from a store as I agree that those come from puppy mills and I don't want to support the practice, nor do I want a puppy who may have medical issues later due to careless breeding practices. My hubby and I intend to find an AKC breeder whose puppies are treated as part of the family, not an income machine. We want to purchase puppies and not adult dogs because we want to raise them and train them from the earliest point we can...otherwise we would be looking at a shelter and adult dogs for our new additions.

I believe my hubby and I are heavily leaning towards the Schnauzer now, and I promise we'll post pics once we've found the right ones to bring home.

[Oldgringo]

oldgringo - We're mainly looking for a companion and the "warning bark" aspect is secondary. We aren't looking for a cheap alarm in dog form. :) On the same note, we aren't looking at large dogs because we don't expect the dogs to defend us - that's our job and why we have guns.

Who is going to be the dog's companion the 12-15 hours a day that you're not in the dwelling place?

[randomoutburst]

oldgringo - We're mainly looking for a companion and the "warning bark" aspect is secondary. We aren't looking for a cheap alarm in dog form. :) On the same note, we aren't looking at large dogs because we don't expect the dogs to defend us - that's our job and why we have guns.

Who is going to be the dog's companion the 12-15 hours a day that you're not in the dwelling place?

Who says we aren't going to be home? Our school schedule means we are in class daily for a couple hours, then have an hour and a half break, a couple more hours of class, and then we're done. We live ten minutes from the college and usually come home during the break anyway. On the weekends hubby is home when I am not and vice-versa except for Saturdays when I get home a couple hours after he leaves. If there is an emergency or we will be gone for an extended amount of time, hubby's parents and sister live next door. His sister often comes over while we are away to do homework or watch a movie and loves dogs too. I really don't see a situation where they would be alone for extended periods of time since we don't go out to parties, don't travel frequently, and prefer to spend our free time in the comfort of our home.

[UncleBob]

I'm not a dog expert by any means, however over the years I've owned many dogs. By far the best dog I've owned is the one I have now. "Jake" - Red Heeler - the mad max dog, but the red version. There is a blue version too.

He is great with the kids, very smart, very affectionate, very protective - gets along with the other animals and most important follows orders.

This isn't my dog, I don't have a pic of him online, but this is close.

[TexasGal]

I'm partial to GSD's and English Mastiffs, but I'm surprised no one has mentioned Rottweilers. They are not especially large, love kids if raised with them and have a good bark. Don't get one with puppy mill breeding, but one from a breeder who is a member of the breed club and can show the dogs come from tested lineage for hip, elbow, and eye soundness. I have owned several and never had one with a bad temperament that was well bred. As for someone's problem with a stinky dog; If you feed them anything with beef tallow or beef in it, or any starch, they will stink. Try PMI Nutrition's lamb and rice diet. It's very good.

[chabouk]

I want one of these

Pugs are definitely not in the non-shedding category. They look short haired, but they have the double undercoat from hell.

[marksiwel]

Pugs are definitely not in the non-shedding category. They look short haired, but they have the double undercoat from heck.

Oh they shed worse than any other breed you can think of. But look at that face, how can you say no?

[Dave01]

If you are at all interested in the Aussie Cattle dog or Aussie Shepard, I would suggest finding a mix instead of pure breed. I have owned two cattle dog mixes, and neither one had a very strong herding instinct so there was no nipping. They both retained the natural ability (and desire) to catch a Frisbee, so they are very fun dogs in that respect.

Both were/are excellent early warning systems and really good pets in general. In my experience, the mixes can more easily adapt to a lower energy lifestyle, which can take some of the burden off. I never had the time to "work" either of my mixes, just a little playtime in the evening and some good petting while relaxing.

Dave

[TLynnHughes]

If you are at all interested in the Aussie Cattle dog or Aussie Shepard, I would suggest finding a mix instead of pure breed. I have owned two cattle dog mixes, and neither one had a very strong herding instinct so there was no nipping. They both retained the natural ability (and desire) to catch a Frisbee, so they are very fun dogs in that respect.

Both were/are excellent early warning systems and really good pets in general. In my experience, the mixes can more easily adapt to a lower energy lifestyle, which can take some of the burden off. I never had the time to "work" either of my mixes, just a little playtime in the evening and some good petting while relaxing.

Dave

Ah...you're probably right there about the mixes. Our's is an Aussie/Rottie mix so that might explain why she doesn't heel nip ALL the time. She was never much into Frisbees but she is obsessive about her tennis ball. She's been an exceptional dog!

T.

[marksiwel]

But look at that face, how can you say no?

Read my lips - NO!

Man, if I saw those staring, wide-set eyeballs at oh dark hundred, I'd think the aliens had returned and wanted to perform more of their... *delicate shudder* ... intrusive experiments. I'd be screaming like a girl and that poor pup would end up collecting a fistful of Golden Sabers

I might just pee the bed, too...

Who says they arent Aliens?

Say no to it, I dare you


I Found a dog for you Andy

[davidtx]

Ok, that Pug is a real cutey, but can he fly?



or drive a Hemi?


If you have someplace for them to swim, the shedding is greatly reduced...