Dogs!

[dgoodhue]

Re: Dogs!

I wasn't always a dog person. My wife is dog person, so I had to make a compromise early on. I probably wouldn't have gotten a dog on my own, but I do love them and they become part of your family. I do get irritated by barking dogs. There are 3 other dog on my street and especially in the summer, once one dog barks, it gets the other 2 going. My dog is not barky, but he barks at the mail carrier. My in laws dog seemingly barks at every single sound that isn't part of his routine. Some breeds are more prone to barking than others, but it does vary by the personality of the dog as well.

I have had 3 Boston Terriers (2 from breeders + 1 rescue). They are small but they are compact. My dogs weighed 20#, my friend has similar sized dogs and they are under 10#'s I currently have one Boston Terrier.

Steve is right on about making sure the dogs and walks. Some dogs needs more exercise than other, but they all could use some daily attention. My dog has dropped on the priority list since my son was born. I feel a little guilty, but I just don't have time M-F. By the time I come home, pickup my son, give him the attention my son needs, make dinner and get ready for bed time. It is 8:30p by the time usually have free time. I have a dog walker service. It costs me ~$300/month. My dogs haven't been cheap, I know some people have healthy reliable dogs, but it isn't always the case. Annual veterinarian visits are around $100. Usually if they are having problems it is a good $250+. I just put down one my dogs last month. She was the healthiest of my dogs, I probably spent $4000 over her life span. She had heart disease the last year and the last 6 months of her life I was spending $300/month in medications. My current dog, I have spent $7000 on him, he seems to always get at least one ear infection per year and he had a back injury that cost us $4K. My first dog had a lot of medical issues, I spent about the same amount on him as I have on my Syclone. My first dog had the best personality of all my dogs (he was a smart playful non alpha), when I get another one I will pay more attention to those traits. My current dog (rescue) is a playful alpha with abandonment issues.

 

[Damian]

Re: Dogs!

"It" doesn't work Mark. Newly wed guys get a dog hoping it will fill in for having kids for awhile. At least that's the plan. Not for the Mrs. They're wired different. Once they're married they have one goal, and one goal only: Get pregnant.

My neighborhood is like living in a f ucking kennel. I'm surrounded by f ucking barking dogs. There's 10 of them in 6 houses within ear-shot with the windows closed. Why is it OK for me to never make a damn peep or annoy anyone with my activities, but it seems to be just fine with dog owners that their f ucking dog can bark and annoy me every damn day, sometimes night too? Not 10 minutes goes by, some shit-for-brains dumb-ass dog barks. There's a German Shepard on the next block that barks at anything that moves. It's on the next street, it might as well be in my front yard. F ucking thing. Actually, I just sent a complaint to animal control on it. Been 7 years of this shit, I was hoping someone else would complain first.

Give some thought to how your dog will affect the harmony with your neighbors. My neighbors think I'm a lunatic. I scream and yell at them to shut the damn dogs up. Seems silly, and I don't like having to do it, but being a total flaming, yelling ass-hole IS ALL I CAN DO. Anything else like killing the damn thing risks jail time. The ONLY recourse I have to their discourteous barking dog is to be a dick. Think about it. Barking dogs is the #1 cause of neighbor on neighbor disputes.

Dogs make no sense to me. All they do is bark, eat, sleep, shit, slobber, stink, and shed. My house is a shit-hole, but it doesn't smell like dog. Bitch piss kills the lawn. Male dog piss takes the clear coat off wheels. Not to mention I've heard a minimum vet bill is about $500 when something goes wrong with it. Which by observation is at least once a year.

Many of the breeds in this thread are excluded from liability coverage by Homeowners Policies in California. Pit bull, Rottweiler, Akita, German Shepard, all cool dogs but if they get out and hurt someone, most owners in Cali aren't covered. I'm sure insurance policies in other states have similar restrictions for coverage. Why risk loosing your house to settle a tort claim because of a dog?

Not everyone likes dogs. Sorry.

:rotf: I agree with Dave. If you get a dog, be consdiderant of your neighbors. My dogs seriously never bark, and both are known for just doing that. My next door neighbor's dog won't shut the **** up when anyone in my family steps into our own back yard. That little bastard will follow you up and down the fence barking the whole time. I want to get ahold of that dog so bad! I have 3 other neighbors with dogs that bark at, I believe, themselves just because they can. Like Dave, I've had to yell at my next door neighbor's dog to shut the **** up numerous times. She keeps the back door open and she hears me yelling at the dog, so she just yells at the dog to come inside. She won't walk her fine ass outside, just yell outside. I live in a duplex, and my neighbor didn't even know I had dogs till I told him!

 

[Captain Morgan]

Re: Dogs!

my wife and I have two Australian Shepherds (females). They are amazing dogs, SUPER smart, easy to train, gentle and friendly with kids (they do try to heard them), they know their boundaries, mine are never leashed in the yard, they have never had an invisible fence and they just know where they are supposed to be, they wont even chase cats or squirrels into the street or past my property line.

Somehow they also know things they have never even been taught as well, this has happened on multiple occasions where I have asked them to go somewhere or get something they have never been asked to before, and they have done it.... I cannot explain it.

I have some pics on my phone, Ill try and get them up later.

 

[Baythan]

Re: Dogs!

My next door neighbor's dog won't shut the **** up when anyone in my family steps into our own back yard.

Had this issue with my neighbor whose dogs were outside 24/7...barking mostly non-stop (ah ha! They were NEVER walked on leash, hence the incessant barking). THREE Himalayan Mastiffs...barking.

My township has a noise/disturbance ordinance. She was cited. Eventually she moved out and it's been peaceful ever since.

By the way...advantages to smaller dogs:
1. Smaller poops, easier clean up
2. Less food (potentially)
3. You can pick them up and put them where you want.
4. They don't take up too much bed space. (there are different schools of thought about letting your dog sleep in the same bed)

 

[AUSyTyIN]

Re: Dogs!

+1 on a rescue dog. I don't see us ever getting another dog from a breeder.

 

[Damian]

Re: Dogs!

Had this issue with my neighbor whose dogs were outside 24/7...barking mostly non-stop (ah ha! They were NEVER walked on leash, hence the incessant barking). THREE Himalayan Mastiffs...barking.

My township has a noise/disturbance ordinance. She was cited. Eventually she moved out and it's been peaceful ever since.

By the way...advantages to smaller dogs:
1. Smaller poops, easier clean up
2. Less food (potentially)
3. You can pick them up and put them where you want.
4. They don't take up too much bed space. (there are different schools of thought about letting your dog sleep in the same bed)

As long as you get good quality food, not that cheap crap, your dog will eat less since it has a higher nutritional value. I use Blue Buffalo and I pay $55 or so for a 30lb bag. For both dogs, that bag will last just a hair over a month.

 

[Baythan]

Re: Dogs!

As long as you get good quality food, not that cheap crap, your dog will eat less since it has a higher nutritional value. I use Blue Buffalo and I pay $55 or so for a 30lb bag. For both dogs, that bag will last just a hair over a month.

Agree!

Dogs don't eat grains in the "wild" and don't need wheat, corn, or rice as pets. There are many foods on the market now that have eliminated grain fillers...and that's all they are.

I use Natural Balance (Low Ingredient Diet). My dog will only eat the venison/sweet potato flavor so he eats better than ME! $36.00 for a 13 pound bag!

 

[hatrik8]

Re: Dogs!

I had a mini schnauzer as a kid and now I have another as an adult. I never thought I would have as good of a dog as I did when I was a kid, but our current dog has been great.

20lb dog, very family friendly, playful, smart, doesn't shed (needs haircut grooming), doesn't eat a ton. I like all dogs, but never really wanted a huge dog.

 

[Don W.]

Re: Dogs!

On the food thing, my Lhasa from many years ago ate nothing but old fashioned Purina Dog Chow. She self regulated her own intake. All I had to do was keep food in the dish. Made it to 14 yrs. BUT she wouldn't eat if no one was home. Occasionally when I had to be gone more than, say 12 hrs, I'd have someone come over and sit with her so she would eat.

 

[RealFastV6]

Some other advantages to small dogs...

1. They travel in a car easier.
2. More hotels allow them (many have 25 or 40 lb weight limits)
3. Potentially can fly with you.
4. Kids can walk them (my GSD used to drag my 120lb police officer wife up the street when he saw a squirrel)
5. More Kennels will take them.
6. Friends or neighbors will take them for a weekend.

Also worth mentioning; my GSD killed a neighbors dog that got loose. He was just protecting mama but whether you're in the right or wrong it's not a fun thing to have to deal with. If you have a "go dog" you should understand the real possibility.

All that said he's awesome and I wouldn't trade him.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

 

[Chevymec]

Re: Dogs!

We have a Boykin Spaniel. Never worked him but he is a great house dog. We have had him for almost 10 years.

 

[green73]

Re: Dogs!

Have had Mix breed dogs, and a couple of pure breed English Bulldogs. My current little buddy is an English Bulldog. Generally a mix breed will be cheaper to care for in the long run due to inbreeding causing specific problems to that breed. This can also go for temperment issues as well. That said there is something about selecting a breed that's general attitude, predictability or basic personality traits fit your expectations. One thing I will suggest if you choose a pure breed dog is Pet Insurance. Yeah, some may laugh, scoff, or whatever, but vet bills for breed specific issues make it less of a wallet hit for potentially BIG bills for a beloved pet. Also for a pure breed dog, much like here there are forums to join, and a wealth of info on the vastness of the interwebs. Go into pet ownership informed. Research housebreaking, destructive behavior control, etc... at nauseum, like you would any modification or maintenance on your Sy/Ty. The best place to start pet shopping is your local pet rescue/shelter, dog pound, etc... those furry friends deserve a loving home. If that is not for you look up your choice of breed adoption, as many pure breed owners have these dogs that they can't take care of anymore for whatever reason. The sources are endless, and all of them need good homes.

 

[Baythan]

Re: Dogs!

BUT she wouldn't eat if no one was home. Occasionally when I had to be gone more than, say 12 hrs, I'd have someone come over and sit with her so she would eat.

Not uncommon. Dogs are pack animals and eat in packs even if that means waiting their turn.

My dog's "problem" is that he's so spoiled, he won't eat his kibble unless I "spike" it with something good...like real chicken, turkey, or some of the organic, grass-fed beef I buy from a local farm. :roll:

Did we scare Mark away? ? ?

 

[BigDaveZJ]

Re: Dogs!

This is Odin. He's roughly 6-7 years old. Yellow Lab mix, we think with Akita but not sure. He was a rescue that we got 4 years ago. Incredibly gentle dog for being 85-90 lbs and almost solid muscle. He's the alpha, but isn't huge on asserting it, but if the pack is threatened he will certainly step in. Sheds like mad, but overall a very sweet and loyal dog. Very skittish around storms, loud noises, and refuses to be kenneled. Something traumatized him before we got him.

Then there's his goober "brother" Loki. We got him at 8 weeks old. I don't think he's quite 100% purebred black lab, but very close. Loves being with and pleasing his people and has no problem letting Odin be the alpha, but when they play in the backyard it's like clash of the titans as they love to wrestle and are both 85-90 lbs.

Neither dog barks all that much outside, and Odin will only got vocal if needs to. Loki will fire off a few warning barks from inside at anything from the mailman to a leaf that looks a little sketchy, but never anything excessive. Outside they hunt rabbits together but only bark when the neighbor's dog provokes them.

We take them both camping and once we establish their boundaries they do just fine off leash.

We had another black lab that we had to put down about 4 years ago. Another great dog, he had diabetes insipidus (sp??) so he had problems concentrating water. No major expenses incurred there, but they can get costly. But my dogs are my kids, so if they get sick, they get whatever help/treatment that we can give them.

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: Dogs!

French bulldogs are awesome..

Monster:

Shar-pei/pit mix, fantastic guard dog...
Caddy:

Caddy was a rescue, monster was a purchase (big $).. couldn't be happier with them both.

 

[fauXGT]

Re: Dogs!

I grew up with selfish cats, so this is my first dog.
It was the ex-wife that wanted a dog, and I gave in once I told her she had to do all the dog chores, such as poop patrol. That changed her mind on the size of the dog, being she had her heart set on something like a German Sheppard. When I hurt my ankle and was in a recliner for 7 months, he was soon my buddy, and my protector. I was also so drugged up that I fed him people food, which now he won't touch dog food. That is a bit of a problem.
He is 1/2 Maltese, 1/2 Shih Tzu, referred to as a Shima. Hypoallergenic, Which is great with several in my family have allergies. Non shedding, but the hair grows, which means monthly visits to a groomer.Very soft hair. Verrrrry friendly, affectionate and cuddly. He can tell if someone is not friendly and do a low 'gurrrr'. Definitely a lap dog. Smaller breeds are harder to train, but when they get used to how things are, he seems to mind. A dog needs more care and planning when doing any family outing, such as vacations. Smaller breeds are easier to plan for hotels or family/friends stays, packing food and poop patrol. A cat can get away with food and a clean litter box and stay at home.
Good luck.
Oh, edit. Forgot to add that he is verrrry afraid of thunder storms and fireworks. Will climb up and sit on your shoulder for protection. He shakes and whines.
Edit again. I'm a big guy (6'3" 220lbs) but I don't give a shit what people say or think about the size of MY dog. He sits on my arm at people view height and hangs out in public. What I can't stand are people that don't take care and treat their dogs with respect.

 

[RealFastV6]

My parents had a beagle and I'd watch it while they went on vacation. They used to feed him people food so when he'd come to my place we'd call it "boot camp". Walks twice a day. No people food. No getting on the couch. No getting on the bed. No begging at the table.

The first 2 days he'd go on hunger strike and wouldn't eat the dog food. On day 3 he'd always eat it. I would put it down at 6pm and whatever was left at 7pm went in the trash.

I said to my dad "I've never seen a dog starve to death next to a bowl of dog food." Dogs learn quick.

Just sayin'.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: Dogs!

There is some great info in here and some excellent looking dogs! Thanks to all. Much food for thought! :tup:

 

[BigBadSmoosh]

Re: Dogs!

There is some great info in here and some excellent looking dogs! Thanks to all. Much food for thought! :tup:

i was able to hold off the baby thing for years with 2 dogs :tup:

good luck