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I want a dog
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queenrobot
Platinum Member
That is a good idea. We want to get two animals at once though. How well would an adult dog do with a baby goat or a kitten?
Sounds like you have a kids movie in the works there.
KT
AreaCode707
Lifer
Ok, reality check.
1. Babies grow up. Are you prepared for the difference between a baby goat and an adult goat?
2. Eat cans; you clearly don't know the first thing about goats. PLEASE don't get one until you educate yourself. 🙂
Tips:
- Goats climb and can get out of ANYTHING. Prepare to fence really really really well
- Goats need a certain amount of space. A backyard is not sufficient. 1/4-/1/2 would be good
- Goats are social animals. One goat by itself is likely to be lonely.
- Goats have to be socialized with people or they can be aggressive/afraid.
- Goats are STRONG. And, unless you have them removed, they have horns. A poorly socialized goat can do a bit of damage.
- Goats, depending on the breed, can get big. Considerably larger than your dog. If you aren't prepared for that you need to look into getting a pygmy or nigerian dwarf goat.
- Goats are livestock and will need special vet care pertaining to livestock.
- Billy goats (unneutered males) are not good pets. Females can be but I would mostly recommend wethers (neutered males)
- Goats require shelter, regular and healthy feeding, etc.
There's lots more, but that's a start for thinking about it. Dr. Pizza has goats and could probably give you tips.
AreaCode707
Lifer
Most dogs have a strong prey drive and need to have been socialized with livestock and other housepets early if you don't want to have an issue. Get the other pets first and do not commit to adopting a dog until you've seen how they interact with the other animals.
SunnyD
Belgian Waffler
If you want easy going, loyal, always ready to play but generally not overbearing, go with a golden retriever. I was just thinking about my Sadie, it's been 5 months since she left us. She was always there when she was needed, and took so much shit over the years. All she ever wanted was to be loved and chase down a tennis ball, and most of all make sure her family was safe. Gentle as can be.
Only drawbacks are the hair... yeah, it gets everywhere.
Thing to keep in mind, with any dog, you have to put in the effort, spend time with it, train it, teach it, exercise with it, and develop a relationship with it. Only then will you not be stuck in the typical failure of "Gah! I hate this dog!" or just outright neglect.
If you're so inclined, go to your local shelter and find one to love. There'll be purebreds, but there'll also be mutts. For a first-timer, I'd go with a young shelter dog (mutt) or something easy like a lab or retriever. If you actually intend on devoting time to your dog, then I might go as far as recommending some higher maintainence breeds. If you aren't going to be there for the bulk of the day (work or whatnot), then stick with my original recommendations, otherwise you'll probably regret it later.
Adding a couple comments to various recommendations:
- Boxer : Yeah, hyper, requires a LOT of attention and exercise. Despite they're playful demeanor, they're actually very intelligent dogs, which can get them into a lot of trouble.
- Doberman : Very protective, NOT very agressive - don't confuse the two. They're loyal to their owner especially if you take the time to bond. Unfortunately, they're also very powerful and headstrong dogs which make them harder to handle. They also require a LOT of attention.
- Huskies : Very loyal dogs, but also the outdoorsman of the species. They require insane amounts of attention otherwise tend to be rather destructive. They also require copious amounts of exercise.
- Greyhound : They need EXTREME amounts of exercise. I'm not kidding... you better have a huge yard that's fenced, because they love to run (duh). Rescue Greyhounds also need special care. Sometimes they will have joint issues and definitely will have behavioral issues from neglect.
Each will also come with their own set of potential health issues as well. For example, Golden's are (as I learned the painful way) prone to pancreatic cancer. Greyhounds, as mentioned are prone to joint issues. Dobermans get bloat easily. I forget what's common with boxers, other than occasional infections in the eyes.
Only drawbacks are the hair... yeah, it gets everywhere.
Thing to keep in mind, with any dog, you have to put in the effort, spend time with it, train it, teach it, exercise with it, and develop a relationship with it. Only then will you not be stuck in the typical failure of "Gah! I hate this dog!" or just outright neglect.
If you're so inclined, go to your local shelter and find one to love. There'll be purebreds, but there'll also be mutts. For a first-timer, I'd go with a young shelter dog (mutt) or something easy like a lab or retriever. If you actually intend on devoting time to your dog, then I might go as far as recommending some higher maintainence breeds. If you aren't going to be there for the bulk of the day (work or whatnot), then stick with my original recommendations, otherwise you'll probably regret it later.
Adding a couple comments to various recommendations:
- Boxer : Yeah, hyper, requires a LOT of attention and exercise. Despite they're playful demeanor, they're actually very intelligent dogs, which can get them into a lot of trouble.
- Doberman : Very protective, NOT very agressive - don't confuse the two. They're loyal to their owner especially if you take the time to bond. Unfortunately, they're also very powerful and headstrong dogs which make them harder to handle. They also require a LOT of attention.
- Huskies : Very loyal dogs, but also the outdoorsman of the species. They require insane amounts of attention otherwise tend to be rather destructive. They also require copious amounts of exercise.
- Greyhound : They need EXTREME amounts of exercise. I'm not kidding... you better have a huge yard that's fenced, because they love to run (duh). Rescue Greyhounds also need special care. Sometimes they will have joint issues and definitely will have behavioral issues from neglect.
Each will also come with their own set of potential health issues as well. For example, Golden's are (as I learned the painful way) prone to pancreatic cancer. Greyhounds, as mentioned are prone to joint issues. Dobermans get bloat easily. I forget what's common with boxers, other than occasional infections in the eyes.
nakedfrog
No Lifer
It can work out pretty well
Now, we already had two cats when we got the dog, so he was already used to them. So whether or not the dog has been socialized with cats is probably a big factor.
Capt Caveman
Lifer
Correct. It will depend on the dog and how it was socialized. I'm currently in the process of adopting a dog that has been in a foster home with cats and been fine with them. Goats are another story though and will depend on the individual dog.
1) There are different websites that you can use to help select a dog by what characterisitics you are looking for, i.e. activity level, size, intelligence, space needed, shedding, etc. Do a little searching on Google.
2) Before you go out and get the dog(s) make sure you research them thoroughly, every breed has it's own characteristics.
3) If you're not going to be around a lot, i would recomend something like a bulldog, basset hound, or bernese mountain dog. They are all very friendly and do not require a lot of exercise/attn.
4)Regardless of what breed you choose, realistically you should take off AT LEAST 1 week to devote to housebreaking and training. You need to get the basics established young or else it can be a nightmare to get them on the right track. Get yourself a book on how to train the dog; they make books specific to every breed as all types of dogs are unique.
5) Personally i am partial to larger dogs; Rottie's, Pit's, Lab's...but all of these require lots of strict training which you will not be able to provide. Stay away from really intelligent breeds like German Shepards and Bordie Collies, they are awesome dogs but not the type you want to learn how to train on. I'm not saying buy a Pug (the dog equivalent of DiCaprio in Gilbert Grape) but you want to find middle ground; too smart or too stupid can be a pain to train.
EDIT ADOPT!!!! There are sooooo many dogs that need a better life!
2) Before you go out and get the dog(s) make sure you research them thoroughly, every breed has it's own characteristics.
3) If you're not going to be around a lot, i would recomend something like a bulldog, basset hound, or bernese mountain dog. They are all very friendly and do not require a lot of exercise/attn.
4)Regardless of what breed you choose, realistically you should take off AT LEAST 1 week to devote to housebreaking and training. You need to get the basics established young or else it can be a nightmare to get them on the right track. Get yourself a book on how to train the dog; they make books specific to every breed as all types of dogs are unique.
5) Personally i am partial to larger dogs; Rottie's, Pit's, Lab's...but all of these require lots of strict training which you will not be able to provide. Stay away from really intelligent breeds like German Shepards and Bordie Collies, they are awesome dogs but not the type you want to learn how to train on. I'm not saying buy a Pug (the dog equivalent of DiCaprio in Gilbert Grape) but you want to find middle ground; too smart or too stupid can be a pain to train.
EDIT ADOPT!!!! There are sooooo many dogs that need a better life!
krunchykrome
Lifer
I always wanted a dog I could wrestle with. Something big, or medium at least
I really wanted an english bulldog or a st bernard
a ended up getting two dogs after I got married
I'm now the proud owner of a half-maltese/half-yorkie and a shit-zu :laugh:
I really wanted an english bulldog or a st bernard
a ended up getting two dogs after I got married
I'm now the proud owner of a half-maltese/half-yorkie and a shit-zu :laugh:
El Guaraguao
Diamond Member
Get a GSD.
Capt Caveman
Lifer
Well, get another one and you can juggle them.
So
Lifer
nakedfrog
No Lifer
I never really liked little dogs, but my wife wore me down to the point where we got a Maltese. Quite a contrast from our other dog that outweighs him by 120 lbs or so 😛
I do like the little guy, even if he is a bit of a retard. At least he's not one of the nightmare ones that barks all the time.
queenrobot
Platinum Member
All of these are very valid points that we have considered. We were thinking more of a miniature goat like you mentioned.
Our back yard is definitely big enough to house a "baby" goat, it is about 1/4 of an acre. (the yard also has a stone fence surrounding it)
I wouldn't feed my goat cans, I just find that idea funny. (perhaps too many Looney Tunes as a child?)
We will be socializing whatever animal we decide upon, goat, dog, or otherwise.
We understand the difference between livestock and just a "pet" and are willing to follow the proper steps to make sure any animal we obtain are cared for in the best possible manner.
I hope I touched up on all the points you mentioned.
I guess I just wanted to respond to clear up that I am not just planning on buying a young goat and then start posting threads about how my goat grew up, got really sick from eating all of the cans I laid out for him and then rammed me with his horns. 🙂
JeffreyLebowski
Lifer
He needs goslings to juggle, not dogs.
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