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Im getting a dog!

B

BlackStorm

New member
Hey,
Im going to get a dog hopefully in the next few weeks.
Looking for a bit of help from members that know about dogs

Not sure what type would be best for me...
Im looking for one that isnt cat or rat size 😉
I would rather a middle to large size dog
A breed that wont go mad if left on their own for a few hours during the day (I have known a lot to do it...)

It will be spending time inside and out, a good bit of space for it outside but remember, Ireland is cold 😉
It will have somewhere to go that gives it cover though incase it starts to rain and its not inside.
I also have a cat, so a breed that eats cats would also be preferred

Oh yeah, also has to be good with small children 🙂

Thanks
John
 
I hear Germand Sheppards are very good "mid/large size" dogs. They are good for cold and hot weather and head they are really good protectors around there master and take care of the children.

Labs are good dogs also and think they can handle the cold.

Dolmations are really good around kids but not sure about the cold.
 
John Diver said:

so a breed that eats cats would also be preferred
Click to expand...

Don't you mean a breed that does NOT eat cats???

God I envy you. I love dogs but I'm allergic and so i can't have one. It really bugs me as I love playing with dogs. My favorite is by far the sheep dog. My aunt in England has had a sheep dog for as long as I can remember.
 
I hear Germand Sheppards are very good "mid/large size" dogs. They are good for cold and hot weather and head they are really good protectors around there master and take care of the children.
Click to expand...

They are very good guard dogs for their owner but that isnt always a good thing, they can turn on people they think are attacking the owner, I know that from personal experience 🙄
Even the best of that breed can do it because they are very protective

Labs are good dogs also and think they can handle the cold.
Click to expand...

I know a few people that have a lab and I think they are great, that will be on the top of my list 🙂

Dont know anything about dolmations at all though

Thanks Robert 🙂
 
I have a couple of great dogs, they can be viewed here
http://pickleweed.com/ourpets/beckypuppy.html
She is a Boston Terrier, they are known for not being barkers, but they have tremendous gas
http://pickleweed.com/ourpets/pennypuppy.html
She is the mellow one. Loving to all and Clumsy.

Just had to show them off. Now to answer your questions John.
Not sure what type would be best for me... Only you can decide this one, based on what your lifestyle is. We can't ever go anywhere here in Europe as our dogs can't be handled by anyone but us, they would starve to death. Little one is a biter, big one does what ever little one does.

It will be spending time inside and out, a good bit of space for it outside but remember, Ireland is cold
Just don't get a very short haired breed, Our big dog has short hair and loves the cold but our little dog is very thin skinned and has to sleep under the blankets.

A breed that wont go mad if left on their own for a few hours during the day (I have known a lot to do it...)
It will have somewhere to go that gives it cover though incase it starts to rain and its not inside.
I also have a cat, so a breed that eats cats would also be preferred
Oh yeah, also has to be good with small children
Click to expand...

All these last ones are easy to answer, from the moment you get the dog, make sure it is around children and cats, the cat is there first and the dog will learn it's place.
I recommend you take that puppy everywhere with you that you can and let people handle it, especially kids. Also get it plenty of training time in either by you or a professional trainer, that really is the best way. You want the dog to know you are the boss and obey your commands.
If you travel a bit get the dog used to the kennels or you will have a hard time leaving them somewhere as they will tend to get aggressive even with the proper training.

Our dogs obey all our commands, sit, shake, speak all the fun stuff but we never trained them for other people or for out travels without them and so we are limited, but they are our babies and no one to blame but ourselves.

Because your dog will primarily be an outside dog you could probably get any larger dog permitting you have a large yard or plan on talking them to fields so they can run. Some dogs need a lot of exercise, like Shephards, Border Collies etc. Read plenty of books or look at the kennel clubs online, if you don't think the dog will get a lot of exercise then don't get any type of herding or hunting breeds. Some dogs are known to be one owner dogs and though you train them not to be agressive they can get tempermental with age and strike without notice. I had a chow do that once. Make sure you get to see the parents of your puppy, if that dogs shows aggression, it may be an inherited trait. So remember training and knowledge is the key.

Hope this helped you just a little
 
Don't you mean a breed that does NOT eat cats???
Click to expand...

No, I dont like the cat 😀
:lol:

Thank you VERY much Freckled, thats all great info that Im sure will really help me 🙂

I couldnt get the second page of your dog to work but I really like the first one!
 
How about a wolf. They eat cats but they might eat you as well. Keep plenty of cats around so they don't eat you. I could not resist, lol 🙂
 
I would recomend a German Shepard or a Huskie (lovely white/grey coat with blue eyes). Both get around 50-70lbs in size and are great with kids.

You will need to brush them 3-4 times a week or you're gonna find dog hair all over the place. They are dogs that need exercise too. If you leave them in the house and dont pay attention to them they will become very independant dogs.

I actually want to get a Huskie. They are $400+ though. Then you gotta get the kennel, food and all that good jazz.
 
No I havent decided but Im getting someting pretty big with short hair.
Dont know on the actual breed yet though.
Wont be getting it for a few weeks.
Theres a reason for that but will post soon 🙂
Plus some pics to do with that 😉
 
Im looking to get one which isnt a pup but still quite young.
I will be sure to post some pics once I get the dog!
Also have a few other pics I want to post around the same time 🙂
 
Huskies are cat eaters so avoid that breed(but they are very beautifull and well manered). German Shepards can be good pets depending on the personality and training. So the Labs are the best suggestion. Overall the are smart, friendly, loyal, and easy to train. Have you ever noticed how many service dogs(seeing eye, siezure alert) are labs. That is because of how easy they are to work with.

You might also consider Aussie Shepards. They are a little smaller than a German Shepard, easy to train, friendly and exceptionally smart. You can also find some with blue eyes.

Since you are concerned about children and cats stay away from the smaller dogs. Some(rat terrriers, fox terriers, jack russells) were origianly breed to hunt small rodents and animals and could see the cats as someting to attack. They sanller dogs are also easier for children to mishandle and can lead to accidental bitings.

Your best bet is to contact a local animal rescue group. If the groups is fostered based they can tell you about the dogs behavior in a home and how the animal reacts to children and cats. You are also helping save the life another dog.

I have fostered/volunteered for local animal rescue groups for about seven years and have been through quite a few cats and dogs. You will be suprised how good of a dog you can find.
 
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