have a dog question

[BirdbyBird]

I do want to speak up for responsible breeders. There is a reason many people like specific breed or breeds of dogs. Just go to a all breed dog show and you realize that there are folks that worship and love each of these very different breeds and they can tell you the pluses and minuses of their beloved breed. Believe me there are many that I could not see living in my home. Individual dogs still have their unique qualities and personalities but most breeds still have some general characteristics that have come from years of being breed for a specific purpose. Prospective owners need to research each breed and not be surprised to find out that their "terrier" is a little head strong. Or that their Border Collie has so much energy and keeps circling the children and nipping their ankles.....

Some breeds do have some specific health issues due to the extreme focus on a specific breed quality....(I am thinking of the extreme shortening of the noses that then effect ability to breath, hind legs and hips on American GSD or the back problems with some of the long backed breeds....) But pure breed dogs do not necessarily have more health problems than a mix breed....it is just that what health issues there are have been tracked and recorded. Not so many specific statistics follow the all American around.

I know that in English Cockers there have been several conditions that have shown up but because there has also been extensive studies and research in the breeds there are now tests we can use to help both pure breed and mixed breed dogs.

Anyway I will get off the soap box....but for anyone I recommend research on breed type and asking lots of questions whether you decide on a mix breed or a pure bred. Most all of us earn to love the one we are with but it helps to aim in the right direction whe it comes to temperaments and talents to begin with. Few people confuse living with a poodle with a living with a Golden with living with a terrier....

[Acadianmom]

Most of the dogs we have had have been Border Collies, Blue or Red Heelers, an Australian Shepard and Butch, a Boston Terrier. I would be partial to these dogs but don't think a working dog would be a good house dog. They are so smart but have a lot of energy. The Australian Shepard would have been a perfect dog to travel with but she just had so much hair.

I wanted a dog for my son for his 8th birthday. Did a lot of research on a dog that would be good with kids. I knew I didn't want one that had to be groomed a lot. I got him a Boston Terrier and he was a perfect dog for a little boy. He would ruff house as much as the kids. I have seen some older ones that would bite but Butch was raised with the boys so he was no problem. The only person he didn't like was the neighbor. She would fuss at him for getting in the ditch when we walked. He would look at me as if to say "Do I have to listen to her".

We only have a Border Collie now. Since we don't have a fenced yard anymore he has to be in a kennel unless he is supervised. If you don't find something for them to do they will find something to do.

Since vet bills have gotten so high I think about making a commitment to another animal. The vet bill for the kitten I took in was almost $200. In a few months they will both have to be neutered. If you are where there are mosquitoes you have to give dogs heartworm preventive. That's not cheap. Be sure if you get a dog, that it doesn't have heartworms. To treat a dog for heartworms is about $600.

Martha

[OregonLuvr]

I acquired my dog from a breeder. NOT because I wanted a purebred but because I loved the temperment of this breed. My friend (CougarFan) would come to visit me and bring her dog Harley, he was sooooo good. A little hyper for 5 minutes and then looking for a place to snuggle in. We went to the breeder where she acquired her dog and I looked at several dogs, puppy....nooooo, 4 yr old, 6 yr old, and a 7 yr old. My infamous words were "I dont want the old dog". WELL the old dog came over, greeted me, then went and found a bed and just looked at me with the sweetest face. Guess what dog came home with me??? The best part is this dog is Harley's mother. She has the perfect temperament for my lifestyle. I travel for my job and have to leave her about 14hrs a night when I am working. She just sleeps. She does not bark (at all). She will come get me tho if someone is at the door. She likes her loving but also her alone time. Not a very good Motorhome traveler at first (she turned in to devil dog in her crate) Guess she didnt think our house should move. She is much better now. She loves to go in the car but the MH not so much. Downside......lots of dog hair. I brush her every day..her favorite thing I might add, but I still have lots of hair. She is totally worth it tho. The Furminator is my friend but there is still lots of hair. Most of my wardrobe used to be black, I now only buy beige clothes HA HA

My dog was imported from Finland for breeding stock. (She still has a Finnish chip. Had to get her rechipped). Shown for a couple of years. Bred for 2 years (this breeder only breeds her dogs twice) then spayed and a "forever" home was needed. She certainly fits the bill for me as she loves to go camping, ride in the car, and go for walks. I dont need to take her hiking tho . My other friend loved my dog so much she also went to the breeder and acquired "Ruby" another older dog needing a forever home.

She was very well behaved at the GTG last month and just loved being tied out watching all the happenings. She liked all the other dogs too.

karen

[Redwahine]

Yes, I too would like to say Hooray for responsible breeders. English Setters have an inherited thyroid disorder that doesn't show up until they are mature dogs. The responsible breeders are trying to not breed dogs that are diagnosed with the disease to try and reduce the gene pool carrying that defective gene. Even though Tyler was beautiful and a perfect strutting dog for the judges and earned enough points for champion, the breeders neutered him when they discovered he had the hypothyroidism and the gene. I take my hat off to breeders that are contentious and will sacrifice the $$ they could have made on stud fees to help further the breed as a whole. Then finding a forever home for dogs that need constant meds twice a day for the rest of their lives is not easy as well! These breeders are a good source for finding that perfect forever fury companion.

[Dawn309]

We have had many Schnauzers and love the breed. I got Luke and Bo knowing about potential health problems from having had Schnauzers before. Bo has never had any, but Luke does have thyroid and liver enzyme problems. No matter. More than willing to keep him on the medication. Want him to live as long as possible. There has never been a sweeter dog as far as I am concerned. Rascal, my other Schnauzer, has a very gentle temperment too. Now Belle, the Yorkie, is another matter. She is all terrier. She is very independent and head strong. Since she has always been blind, she doesn't know any different. She is my baby. When Chuck and I picked her out, we wanted a feisty dog. She is definitely that! Having said earlier I would probably get a mixed breed dog next, I really don't know about that. I think I will probably always have at least one Schnauzer and one Yorkie. I love both breeds. I cannot imagine not having them with me. They do both require regular grooming, but that has been a fact of life for us for well over 30 years, so I guess you could say it is a budgeted expense and always has been. I have had dobermen's, border collies, blue heelers and Anatolian Livestock Guardian Dogs. They were all great dogs, but living in a much smaller space, I will stick with a smaller dog.

[retiredhappy]

My Lab Buddy has daily medication, mostly old age related. Glucosomine in AM in food, right after breakfast has one pill to help his breathing and his daily arthritis pain med then another pill for breathing in the PM. With all the meds I take and all the meds he takes I really need a schedule. My Sassy had to take two pills a day for a urinary problem for her entire life. When you get a pet you're in it for the long run, meds and all. Wouldn't have missed a day of having them.

[Getupngo]

Snowball, if you're talking about "my" rescue group, those folks will let you take a dog on trial for a week or so -- a test drive, if you will. These dogs are in foster homes, so the "parents" can tell you lots about a particular dog's temperament. It's a win-win.

A dog would provide company and something to spoil and snuggle. Visit Hearts4Paws on Facebook. How can you resist all those little faces?