*updated*Ok I think I'm about to give in and adopt a dog. But I need more advice.

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FearoftheNight

Diamond Member
Feb 19, 2003
5,101
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I've always wanted a dog ever since I was little. Parents were always against it. Now that I am older I don't think I want to wait till I'm married and settled down. I think for my dog I'll have to give up alot of things like laying around doing nothing, video games and other random stuff liek that. I am trying to decide what kind of dog is right for me in terms of sex, age and breed. I had an earlier post here Text

After considering it I think adopting is probably the right thing to do.
I have always been partial to golden retreivers, siberian huskies, shiba inus, samoyed and dogs of that type but I welcome any and all recommendations!

I have been looking at them via petfinder.com. I would appreciate any advice or insight from anyone with experience or knowledge in this area. I am thinking about getting a pup so I can watch it grow up and teach it. :eek: <-- Embarrasingly sentimental I know. :(

Ok I got a response from the foster homes so I'll wait a few days and see how things turn out.

"Thank you for your interest in our foster dog/puppy. I have sent your application on to our Adoptions Counselors who, together with the foster families determine the best fit for each of our pets. By living with the fostered pets they can best determine which ones will do well with children, cats and other dogs; which are high energy requiring fenced in playing areas; which need experienced pet owners to best handle dominance issues and so on. This process can take a couple of days. We like to contact each applicant individually, but sometimes there just are not enough hours in the day to manage adoptions, care for the fosters and work full time, but we do update our pet pages with "Pre-Adopted" and finally "Adopted" to post their status. If you do not hear from the foster mom within a couple of days, this particular pet was not a good fit for you, or has already been adopted. Please check back with Petfinder.com for other adoptable pets in need of a good home like yours."
 
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FearoftheNight

Diamond Member
Feb 19, 2003
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I have a yard in my house of a decent size but its not fenced. I am at my house roughly 1/2 the year. When I'm away at college I will probably be renting out a place. Its in upstate NY rochester, NY so theres alot of parks and open areas around. As for time I'm pretty liberal because I really really like dogs.
 
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Wuffsunie

Platinum Member
May 4, 2002
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Huskies need lots and lots and lots of attention, especially when they're young. Very demanding and dependant dogs. Lots of excerise, too. Oh, and expect an insane amount of shedding. I had a husky-shepard mix who was always leaving hair around, regardless of the time of year and how much we brushed him. I sware, we could have shaved him and he would still have found a way to shed.

I would suggest looking for a mutt of some kind. I've always had them (a lab-shepard-collie and husky-shepard) and they've great dogs. Not too expensive at all to get and you don't have to worry much if at all about the congenital defects some purebreeds have. Plus, some of them can look just so adoreable.
 
R

Relayer

Diamond Member
Oct 30, 1999
3,424
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:Q

When he arrived in rescue, he had a physical problem: his penis protruded from its sheath nearly a full inch.
 
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FearoftheNight

Diamond Member
Feb 19, 2003
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When I was saying the kinds of dogs I prefer I don't think I could get a purebred of that sort. So I will prob end up with a mix.
 
nboy22

nboy22

Diamond Member
Jul 18, 2002
3,304
1
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Get something that doesn't shed.. one of my pet peeves are dogs/cats that shed all over the house, one time my sister's friend brought her dogs over to our house and let them play in the basement, after an hour or so, seriously, the floor was pretty much caked with dog hair everywhere.
 
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Excelsior

Lifer
May 30, 2002
19,047
18
81
Originally posted by: nboy22
Get something that doesn't shed.. one of my pet peeves are dogs/cats that shed all over the house, one time my sister's friend brought her dogs over to our house and let them play in the basement, after an hour or so, seriously, the floor was pretty much caked with dog hair everywhere.
Click to expand...

Check this out.
 
N

NumbersGuy

Senior member
Sep 16, 2002
528
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Originally posted by: FearoftheNight
Originally posted by: NumbersGuy
Where's the dog going to be when you are at school?
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Friend probably. But does a dog need watching 24/7??
Click to expand...

I should have said "away at school", I realize you are taking the dog to college, not to class. :confused:
No, they don't need constant watching.

Without a fence you can cross out hounds, pointers, and the like, they'll dissappear.

Guardian/dangerous dogs, rottweilers, pit bulls, shepperds, not worth the trouble or risk of taking somebody's leg off.

Big dogs will be a problem at school also (specially if you take them to class!) Many see the Labs and Goldens as almost perfect, though they are big.

Else leaves you with medium-small dogs. Skip the mini's, catch cold &amp; die or step on them and kill them.

A terrier mix may do the trick. Avoid long hair, get a dog that likes you &amp; plays w you at the shelter v. one that goes for your hand/throat. You may be able to put dog on hold and go back for a 2nd look.

Dog pounds will give you any dog you want, rescue groups will want to check you as for adopting a kid, maybe more.

If you crate train the dog it won't do #1 or #2 inside the house. Not hard, I did it.

Petfinder has many useful links of the "what kind of dog should I get", there's also dog user groups.
There's work involved (say walking the dog twice a day, in the snow), but it's very nice to have somebody who's always happy to see you.

Good luck :)
(and once you can handle a dog, a guy will be easy)
 
B

Brutuskend

Lifer
Apr 2, 2001
26,558
4
0
Originally posted by: FearoftheNight
When I was saying the kinds of dogs I prefer I don't think I could get a purebred of that sort. So I will prob end up with a mix.
Click to expand...

In my opinion and experience, mutts are better dogs over all, and they tend to have fewer health problems than most "pure breeds".
 
M

Mloot

Diamond Member
Aug 24, 2002
3,038
25
91
How active are you? Some dogs, like the Husky and Australian Shepherd are very active and require lots and lots of attention, or they can become bored and destructive. I have a Great Pyrenees, and she fits my family's lifestyle perfectly. When we go somewhere, she gets excited, of course, but not so hyper that she becomes a nuissance. But when we are inside the house, she is very low-key and mostly prefers to either lie next to me or the wife. The only drawback is all the hair.
 
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FearoftheNight

Diamond Member
Feb 19, 2003
5,101
0
71
Originally posted by: NumbersGuy
Originally posted by: FearoftheNight
Originally posted by: NumbersGuy
Where's the dog going to be when you are at school?
Click to expand...

Friend probably. But does a dog need watching 24/7??
Click to expand...

I should have said "away at school", I realize you are taking the dog to college, not to class. :confused:
No, they don't need constant watching.

Without a fence you can cross out hounds, pointers, and the like, they'll dissappear.

Guardian/dangerous dogs, rottweilers, pit bulls, shepperds, not worth the trouble or risk of taking somebody's leg off.

Big dogs will be a problem at school also (specially if you take them to class!) Many see the Labs and Goldens as almost perfect, though they are big.

Else leaves you with medium-small dogs. Skip the mini's, catch cold &amp; die or step on them and kill them.

A terrier mix may do the trick. Avoid long hair, get a dog that likes you &amp; plays w you at the shelter v. one that goes for your hand/throat. You may be able to put dog on hold and go back for a 2nd look.

Dog pounds will give you any dog you want, rescue groups will want to check you as for adopting a kid, maybe more.

If you crate train the dog it won't do #1 or #2 inside the house. Not hard, I did it.

Petfinder has many useful links of the "what kind of dog should I get", there's also dog user groups.
There's work involved (say walking the dog twice a day, in the snow), but it's very nice to have somebody who's always happy to see you.

Good luck :)
(and once you can handle a dog, a guy will be easy)
Click to expand...


So the breeds in the OP. Are those okay? Are you saying german shepherd are vicious? :eek: What is crate training?

PS: I am a dude. I'm 6 feet tall and 200 lbs. I'm on a sports team and I work out regularly. I think I can handle other guys who mess with me just fine most of the time. ;)
 
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FearoftheNight

Diamond Member
Feb 19, 2003
5,101
0
71
Originally posted by: Mloot
How active are you? Some dogs, like the Husky and Australian Shepherd are very active and require lots and lots of attention, or they can become bored and destructive. I have a Great Pyrenees, and she fits my family's lifestyle perfectly. When we go somewhere, she gets excited, of course, but not so hyper that she becomes a nuissance. But when we are inside the house, she is very low-key and mostly prefers to either lie next to me or the wife. The only drawback is all the hair.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty active. I can't stand being indoors all day so I have to get out and walk around.
 
rh71

rh71

No Lifer
Aug 28, 2001
52,844
1,049
126
you should really wait till you're done with school. honestly.
 
T

thedarkwolf

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 1999
9,035
127
106
One other big problem atleast around here the vast majority of rental places will not let you have pets. Thats pretty much why I ended up buying a house instead of renting :).
 
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Grimbones

Senior member
Jun 12, 2004
551
0
0
I think for my dog I'll have to give up alot of things like laying around doing nothing, video games and other random stuff liek that.
Click to expand...

ARE YOU KIDDING...dogs are sweet, you just chill out with them, and pet them to relieve stress, lay around all you want, pet your dog, play your video games, and continue living the American dream!! huzaaah!
 
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