Any dog owners?

[cpals]

I'm thinking about dog ownership for security purposes if/when I get my own house.

What are good dogs to have that have low up-keep. What's a typical monthly cost for these types of dogs?

My bro has a pitbull but they're pretty big. Not sure if I'd want a dog that big in a small house.

 

[venk]

no matter how cute the dog, you still have to clean up it's poop.

 

[tfinch2]

If you get a dog for security and keep it in the house, forget having friends over without it being a pain in the ass.

 

[Atheus]

Are you going to look after it proprly? Do you actually like dogs?

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Pit bulls are pretty small compared to most guard dogs, like German Shepards and Rottweilers. I dunno if you're going to be able to find guard dogs much slower.

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: Atheus
Are you going to look after it proprly? Do you actually like dogs?

Yeah I like dogs... my family has a dog now. My only thing would be keeping the dog inside all day since I'll be at work most of the day. I would feed him and stuff if that's what your asking.

 

[1sikbITCH]

Originally posted by: cpals
I'm thinking about dog ownership for security purposes if/when I get my own house.

What are good dogs to have that have low up-keep. What's a typical monthly cost for these types of dogs?

My bro has a pitbull but they're pretty big. Not sure if I'd want a dog that big in a small house.

Edit- took out the first part seeing as how you do actually enjoy having dogs as pets.

Any dog that will seriously protect you will take a HUGE amount of upkeep (and a good bit of money) for the first 2 years of it's life, because if you don't train it properly, it will bite someone at the wrong time because it THINKS it's protecting you. It will become more trouble than it's worth.

I have 2 German Shepherds, and if I didn't love dogs, I would have just got a shotgun and a burgler alarm. My dogs take up at least an hour of my day every day, not including 3 hours during the weekends at the dog trainer. You have to feed them, exercise them (allow them to run and play for a long time, not a 10 minute walk), and pay attention to them. You can't just go away for the weekend, or even decide to not come home after work. Your dog is home, waiting to be let outside and fed.

A dog (especially a breed like you are talking about) is a large commitment. For me it's worth every penny and minute I have invested.

 

[wvtalbot]

Umm how about a security system? More efficient and prob cheaper in the long run (money and time wise).

 

[cpals]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
Umm how about a security system? More efficient and prob cheaper in the long run (money and time wise).

Well, that was the idea... get a dog or an alarm system (or both, but then it's getting very costly.)

 

[cpals]

Now with 100% more poll.

 

[shopbruin]

Originally posted by: wvtalbot
Umm how about a security system? More efficient and prob cheaper in the long run (money and time wise).

doesn't work. some guy tried to break into my parents house, there is a sign as plain as day that we have a security system, and he still tried it. if my parents had a dog it might have at least barked up a miniature storm and attracted some attention.

 

[datalink7]

Originally posted by: 1sikbITCH

Originally posted by: cpals
I'm thinking about dog ownership for security purposes if/when I get my own house.

What are good dogs to have that have low up-keep. What's a typical monthly cost for these types of dogs?

My bro has a pitbull but they're pretty big. Not sure if I'd want a dog that big in a small house.

Edit- took out the first part seeing as how you do actually enjoy having dogs as pets.

Any dog that will seriously protect you will take a HUGE amount of upkeep (and a good bit of money) for the first 2 years of it's life, because if you don't train it properly, it will bite someone at the wrong time because it THINKS it's protecting you. It will become more trouble than it's worth.

I have 2 German Shepherds, and if I didn't love dogs, I would have just got a shotgun and a burgler alarm. My dogs take up at least an hour of my day every day, not including 3 hours during the weekends at the dog trainer. You have to feed them, exercise them (allow them to run and play for a long time, not a 10 minute walk), and pay attention to them. You can't just go away for the weekend, or even decide to not come home after work. Your dog is home, waiting to be let outside and fed.

A dog (especially a breed like you are talking about) is a large commitment. For me it's worth every penny and minute I have invested.

Good post.

If all you want out of the dog is security, you're better off getting a security system. If you are looking for companionship, the dog is the way to go if you are willing to put in the commitment.

 

[0roo0roo]

not much good with guns and poison/baseball bats best they can do is early warning for u to get ur gun. even a tiny dog can pull that off, esp since they yap at anything.

 

[CheesePoofs]

My dog dug a hole under our porch and hid there when there were deer in our back yard. He's not much of a guard dog.

 

[NTB]

Our dog doubles as the burglar alarm - he's too small to do any real damage, but he can sure make a hell of a racket

Nate

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: CheesePoofs
My dog dug a hole under our porch and hid there when there were deer in our back yard. He's not much of a guard dog.

One of my buddies at work has a pitbull - that runs and hides in the bathtub

Nate

 

[Ornery]

...the dog is the way to go if you are willing to put in the commitment.

Owners of both dogs and cats are responsible for picking up after their pets, both on public and private property.

Picture this. My ditzy neighbor (who has since moved, thank God) was walking her PITA dog up the street when I was passing by in my car. The dog was squatting, and she had the plastic bag under its ass to catch it, instead of having to pick it up. :laugh:

 

[vi edit]

Rhodesian Ridgeback.

The are very clean and docile in the home. The only time they bark is when they sense something is amiss. They are really good companions too.

They are big...males can get over 100 pounds. Females around 80. So they will eat more than a dog that weighs 40 pounds.

 

[JDrake]

Just get the alarm
only get the dog if you plan to love it

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Rhodesian Ridgeback.

The are very clean and docile in the home. The only time they bark is when they sense something is amiss. They are really good companions too.

They are big...males can get over 100 pounds. Females around 80. So they will eat more than a dog that weighs 40 pounds.

Again, depends on training. My uncle has one that scares the crap outta me.

 

[Strk]

An alarm system would make much more sense. Among other things, it would report a break-in to the police if one ever occurs.

 

[ultimatebob]

I'm sure that my cat will defend me, but I have a gun anyway just in case

 

[preslove]

A dog is a step below a kid. Only plan to get the dog if you love dogs.

It's also helpful to have a family to help take care of it (unless they have a large pen to chill in while you're at work).

 

[NTB]

Originally posted by: preslove
A dog is a step below a kid. Only plan to get the dog if you love dogs.

It's also helpful to have a family to help take care of it (unless they have a large pen to chill in while you're at work).

our dogs have always had run of the house while we were at school, work, etc. Only had a problem with one, and he was nuts to begin with Our current dog just curls up on the sofa and sleeps most of the day once everybody leaves.

Nate

 

[Codewiz]

Pitbull would be the best choice BUT I would not recommend it. It doesn't sound like you have any experience with dogs. ANY type of bulldog breed needs an owner that can deal with them. Pitbulls especially need extra care, knowledge and training. Get a security system before you get a pitbull and give reason for all the bans on them.