Thinking about a dog...any ideas? - Page 2

Hmmm. That's interesting, DobermanGuy. I've been working with dogs for thirty-five years and have never heard that before. As compared to the issues caused by *not* neutering/spaying a dog (including a bunch more of those "problem" shelter dogs from people who couldn't be bothered to spay or contain their pets), I think I'll continue to take whatever health risks might be associated. The only dogs I've ever had die under 14 years of age were both hit by cars, and the only one who ever had health issues was the lab/husky/wolf mix -- he developed the benign fatty cysts labs are prone to, and one got so big it had to be removed. So there was only one out of all my dogs over the years who had major health issues, all were fixed, all very long-lived -- but then again, they were almost all problem shelter mixes .  The only other one who ever had health problems was my family dog, acquired when I was two -- pure-bred malamute, developed cancer at age 14, we lost her shortly after her 15th birthday.

 

By the way, I have no doubt that you're an exceedingly responsible dog owner! If my post in any way seems to imply that, it's truly not meant to. But yeah, I get seriously steamed at the number of people who *won't* spay/neuter their pets because it's "unnatural" and who also feel free to dump the unwanted pups on the side of a highway. Having reclaimed many, many abandoned, injured and abused dogs, it's a bit of a sore spot with me :-)

 Let me preface with I'm a strong believer in a trained dog; well worth the effort. So the first requirement is a trainable dog. For detailed info on many breeds, the good and the bad, find Mathew Margolis' book, good dog, bad dog. Gives the pros and cons on every dog. I may be mistaken on the title, but he has a fabulous book on breeds

Edited by Arielle - 8/5/12 at 8:24pm

Hi,

Make a list of the breeds you think you want. Then contact the breed clubs in your area, now days most of them do breed rescue. The one I have worked with here in my area are very thorough on evaluations for the right dog for the right family. Most breed clubs have the contact information for their rescues in the area. Some of them even take in mixbreeds that are part of their breed. I have placed many dogs this way. I have also euthanized dogs that are not adoptable. I was very active in rescue for over 25 years. Rehabing, training,ect.

Just remember it will take as long as it takes for the right one to come along. Don't be in a hurry, take your time.

Maye

Ride the Glide......Got Gait......I Do....

Great advice, Maye and Arielle!  :-)  Nikki, for what it's worth, once you've got your list of breeds you think you might like, I'd go through and cross off every one that has a strong hunting instinct, as opposed to herding instinct. That's something that can't be trained out of a dog, although they CAN be trained to control it. Doesn't make it go away, though, and all it takes is one slip for your prize hen to go poof :p 

 

Labs do come in a variety of sizes. The smallest one I knew came up just to my knee at the withers (I'm 5' 6") and weighed maybe 40 pounds. She was an absolute love, and extremely laid back. I'm also very fond of Shelties, but there you have a LOT of fur to contend with! Maybe a water spaniel? Of course, they might tend to have a lot of fun "flushing" your birds...
 

I am reminded of a dog that needed rehoming, and the information I got was thru a third party. Well much of the information was incorrect from all parties. Owner and middle man. Fortunately I said I would take the dog on trial and see how she managed at our farm with a zillion cats inside and out. Within 3 days I knew this dog , a weinmarana, would kill my cats in a heart beat given a chance. I returned the dog.  No regrets.

 

Many shelters test the dogs and can help match the dog to the right home; they want the dogs to have forever homes. 

 

We will have to disagree. My statement was based on the experience of two professionals in the field that work with dogs on a daily basis combined with my personal experience. My daughter has been a vet tech for 8 years in a practice that focuses on dogs. She sees this proven daily. The vet in that practice - who was our vet prior to my daughter working there - states the same based on his 30 years of practice. 

 

I find it irresponsible that you would broad-brush rescue dogs in such a cavalier manner. You can get health and temperment issues from purebread dogs, as well. Either way, it's a crapshoot. With a rescue dog you do have an opportunity to get to know the animal and observe his/her health providing you're working with a responsible rescue organization.

 

Many times you bring home a purebred puppy that has been delivered from a puppy-farm mother and you don't have a clue as to the problems you've purchased until months later when they appear. I have a neighbor who purchased a purebred and it was 6 months before they learned it had an immune system disorder which has the animal in constant pain, requires daily medication, and has cost them several thousand dollars at this point. The dog is not yet a year old. I know this because my daughter dog sits for them. They need someone with vet skills who can give the medicines if they go out of town. 

 

My dogs are neutered and spayed and I would recommend that everyone do so. I've not seen - but have not looked for - evidence that doing such shortens their lifespan but it's one of those risks we'll have to take. Puppy birthing is not without its own risks so it's a trade-off for her.  

 

I'm sure you hope your purebred will outlive my mixed breed but you truly have no clue. Maybe we should get back to each other in a few years to compare notes? As far as quality of life - other than health, the quality is purely subjective. 

 

BACK TO THE ORIGINAL POSTER - Find a good humane society in your region. They usually have open houses, special events, etc., where you can go in and see how they operate. They should have a full history of each animal, including where they got it from and the circumstances. They do NOT want to pass on animals with problems as they don't wish to be held responsible and they don't want the dog coming back to them via an unhappy adoption. 

the myth of hybrid vigor in dogs - http://home.comcast.net/~NoPuppyMillsVA/Poo-dogs___Designer_Mutts/Hybrid_Vigor/hybrid_vigor.html

Have you considered:

 

standard poodle-- a light wt dog and not like the toys at all. A real working dog class.

Bernese mountain dog--very pretty, med-large in size; becoming more popular.

 

Not akc approved yet is the maremma-- a smaller version of the big white sheep guard dogs; this is an Italien dog and much smaller; Heavy coat but doesn't need a lot of care. Maremmas are a working dog. 

 

Spaniels--some are better than others, but fall into the retreiver family just a smaller package.  So they are family friendly. 

 

I looked at each catagory of dogs to determine their job and if that groups would work for me; I eliminated the toys, the terriers, the hounds. The working dogs are bred to work with people and take orders; they are usually easy to train. 

 

What you need to also consider is temperament testing. When I bought my first Rottie  the puppy had been temperment tested by a rottie judge. I got a dog that was both brave and not fearful. A dog that is vey concerned for its well being is likely to be a fear biting, which I consider a dangerous dog only for a pro to manage.  THis is why I do suggest a lab, either black or yellow; a breeder told me most chocolates have temperament problems. Off the 50 dogs on her property only 3 adults were chocolates. She was very picky. THe dog I bought from her was exactly as she described. A gem with my kids. 

 

Have you considered going to an AKC sanctioned show and look at he dogs; you can see a lot at once. And talk to handlers and breeders, if they have time. 

 

I purebred dogs so I know what I am getting.  I predicatability. Can this dog do the job I need done?

 

I took 6 months looking at breeds, talking to vets, etc. I found a breeder highly recommended by a reliable source ( my brother had bough one of her dogs) and I bought a lab. But he was too friendly and didn't protect my house. I bought a rottie puppy who was guarding the car at 15 weeks old. Well the lab just needed a little more time to grow up and the protection mode did develop. I let my kids play with the Lab, but not the ROtties. As my kids learned on the lab, and got taller than the dogs I trained them how to handle the rotties.  THey now have a good handle on managing the rotties. ( Very hard to win the respect of a rottie.) Labs are very easy dogs. 

To give good, professional breeders their due (sorry for the quick thread hijack!) there are plenty of people who breed dogs because they love them and love a specific breed, just the way there are many, many fabulous poultry breeders who are constantly attempting to improve their chosen breed(s). To those breeders, my hat is off But yeah, we don't eat dogs, so it's not quite equivalent to chickens -- with them, we can always eat the unintended mutts. With cast-off or unwanted dogs, their endings are seldom as quick or humane.

 

Sorry! Touched on a sore point with me. Let us know when you find your new family member, Nikki!