What pets do you have? Feel free to post pics!

[Falkenbach]

I was never afraid of any breed until a Boxer jumped its 5 ft fence to attack my Border Collie.  Then a year later, another Boxer attacked us at a dog park.  .... I am pretty cautious of Boxers, Pitts and other aggressive breeds now.  ..... I'm a firm believer that no one should own a dog that they cannot themselves physically overpower and control.

I can understand your fear. When I was 4 a German Shepherd tried to bite my face - he sort of got me, too, but I pulled back in time so that I only got scratched down the chin by his teeth. When I was 13 I was bitten by an Australian cattle dog (blue heeler). Before I got right into dogs like I am now, I was a bit scared of these breeds. But I saw very quickly that it was not a breed issue. It's individuals within those breeds, and individuals within any breed can be like this. There might seem like higher number of individuals within certain breeds, and indeed that can happen with the popularity of certain breeds - remember when everyone was scared of dobermans? Before the term "pit bull" was ever being bandied about by the media? You only need to think back to the 1970's to remember this.

I don't have any breed prejudices now, but if you asked me what breed bit me most when I was a dog groomer then you might be surprised that Border Collies were number 2 on my list (top of the list, due to their sheer numbers probably, not to mention poor breeding, were maltese X shih tzus - those little brats always wanted to eat me). I don't, however, take this as representative of what the border collie breed is like as a whole.

[Rerun]

Thank you both for your information.  I don't feel as afraid anymore.  As a small dog owner I hate big dogs who come bounding over to play or attack.  It doesn't matter to a little dog it is an attack.  I have been carring Pepper Spray just so I have some defense if things get nasty.

[Falkenbach]

Yeah, I agree with what you're saying, I also hate it when dogs bound after me and/or my dogs. Especially when my dogs are elderly - I had a dog that made it almost to 18 and I was furious whenever dogs came running at him. I would have kicked the crap out of them if I had to, in order to protect Diesel. I once told off some teenagers who kicked a football out onto the path whilst we were walking past! I'm pretty protective of my dogs, but I was especially protective of Diesel in his old age. Even Chloe, who I still have, is now 13 years old.

[angela515]

Questions approaching.

I want a dog... however, I was a small dog, one that stay small, they don't grow big... one that preferabbly don't shed alot or if at all, and one thtis good with children since I have a 5 and 6 yr old.

Advice? Never had a dog before... Thanks!!!

[goofynina]

My first advice is, make sure it is allright with your mom and dad first of all.  Especially if it is going to be an inside dog.  There will be accidents and unless you get a poodle that dont shed, not too sure what kind that wouldn't shed.  Your going to be looking for a job, who will care for the dog if and when you get a job?  do you have a fenced yard?    It is so easy to just "get a dog"  but to be physically and mentally ready for one is the real question.  Please make sure you are ready for one before you get one and then realize you werent ready.  Having a dog is so great for anyone, especially kids, helps them become more responsible for one and they have a better outlook on pets as they grow older, a better appreciation for them.  Good luck to you and keep us posted. 

[kitkatz]

I love my dog, but it is like having a kid. You have to find a place for it to stay if you go anywhere and it has to have company daily. And they can be expensive.

[angela515]

My first advice is, make sure it is allright with your mom and dad first of all.  Especially if it is going to be an inside dog.  There will be accidents and unless you get a poodle that dont shed, not too sure what kind that wouldn't shed.  Your going to be looking for a job, who will care for the dog if and when you get a job?  do you have a fenced yard?    It is so easy to just "get a dog"  but to be physically and mentally ready for one is the real question.  Please make sure you are ready for one before you get one and then realize you werent ready.  Having a dog is so great for anyone, especially kids, helps them become more responsible for one and they have a better outlook on pets as they grow older, a better appreciation for them.  Good luck to you and keep us posted. 

Hey Susie, thanks for responding!

Yes it ok with them, if it's going to be a small doggy. My parents and my brother will help out they said. My brother is here all day cuz he works nights, so that will help in the begining No fenced yard, but I plan to get an invisible dog fence. I'm ready for one.. my brother had one while he lived with us for 8 months, but it was a big dog... it was part pitbull/bulldog, suh a cutie, but I need a small one. I would be willing to get a puppy that does shed, but I would really like it if I found one that didn't or shed little instead of tons.

[goofynina]

My first advice is, make sure it is allright with your mom and dad first of all.  Especially if it is going to be an inside dog.  There will be accidents and unless you get a poodle that dont shed, not too sure what kind that wouldn't shed.  Your going to be looking for a job, who will care for the dog if and when you get a job?  do you have a fenced yard?    It is so easy to just "get a dog"  but to be physically and mentally ready for one is the real question.  Please make sure you are ready for one before you get one and then realize you werent ready.  Having a dog is so great for anyone, especially kids, helps them become more responsible for one and they have a better outlook on pets as they grow older, a better appreciation for them.  Good luck to you and keep us posted. 

Hey Susie, thanks for responding!

Yes it ok with them, if it's going to be a small doggy. My parents and my brother will help out they said. My brother is here all day cuz he works nights, so that will help in the begining No fenced yard, but I plan to get an invisible dog fence. I'm ready for one.. my brother had one while he lived with us for 8 months, but it was a big dog... it was part pitbull/bulldog, suh a cutie, but I need a small one. I would be willing to get a puppy that does shed, but I would really like it if I found one that didn't or shed little instead of tons.

I definetly wouldnt recommend a chihuahua or a wienie dog unless they are older already,  with your kids being so little they want to handle it and carry it and if they drop it, it could really hurt the pup (i've seen it happen)  Jack Russells are highly intelligent BUT they are so full of energy,  they can climb a 6' wall with no problem.   There are so many to choose from but for now, i think it might be best to either go to the pound and rescue one or check the paper for free puppies, the only problem with getting one out of the paper, your going to need to make sure you take it to the vet to spay or neuter it, get it its shot and flea dip and so forth, usually if you get it from the pound, the fee includes all of that.   Make sure you take the kids and get them involved and you let the kids interact with the pup before you take it.   I am so excited for you and the kids, i hope you get one soon,  my cousin has been talking about getting a teacup poodle for the longest time and just today he decided to go to the Pet Adoption place and got himself a mutt, sometimes, those are the best kinds to get... Good luck again girlfriend... 

[George Jung]

Angela, have you gotton your drivers license yet?  It might be a good idea to take care of that prior to taking on new responsibilities that dog owners are responsible for.  I know you don't want to hear that but it is a valid point.  I have been a dog owner so the experience is first hand.  It's not just simply getting a pet, there is a lot more that goes into it.  Anyway, just something to think about.

[brenda]

I have a miniature Schnauzer, Nelly. She is great with the kids, her and my 11 month old granddaughter play very well together. She is very gentle with Lauralie. And the best part she doesn't shed at all, that's why I picked that breed.  She was very easy to train to go outside, I never used the "paper" thing. She was only 5 weeks old when I got her, too young to be away from mommy but she did well. She was only 1.2lbs at the time and now fully grown she is about 15lbs. She's a little spoiled and has never been left alone, she goes to work everyday and if I just can't take her with she goes to the puppy sitter or grandma's house. Crazy, I know. Anyway just a suggestion for you Angela.

[charee]

My son has just moved in with his girlfriend and her 3 kids, he  decided they wanted a dog they got a cute bully cross pup a week later the 14 year old son wanted one so he got the brother of there pup, 7 weeks later the first pup is living with my mum , they are alot of work and responsibility but on the positive side my mum and the pup have never been happier ! Dogs are a great thing to have in your life but they are just like having an extra kid. I wouldn't be without mine. Good luck with your decision..

[Falkenbach]

Breeds that don't shed much - poodles, schnauzers etc - are excellent choices BUT one other thing to be aware of - the grooming requirement. Every 6 weeks or so, such breeds will need to have their coats clipped. You can learn to do this yourself, but a decent set of clippers plus blades will set you back a good $250 (Australian dollars). There are plenty of cheap options on the market that are simply not worth it.

If using a groomer, you are looking at $40 - $70 per groom every six weeks. You will also need to train the pup from a young age to be calm and quiet whilst be handled/groomed. Some people think this isn't important - they just pay a dog groomer and let them worry about it! But groomers are busy people, and if they have a dog that is too much trouble, or bites too much, they are entitled - and often will - to refuse to groom that dog again.

Just another important point to keep in mind!

My suggestion for small-ish breeds (though they are both still quite solid) that are particularly excellent with children are usually:
1) Staffordshire bull terrier (not to be confused with the American staffordshire terrier, which is larger)
2) beagle.
However, whilst having very short, very easy to care for coats, they still shed.

[Falkenbach]

'scuse the double post - but I wanted to post these breed selectors which may help angela with her decision.

Also, I wanted to add a point about a personal dislike for invisible fences. It's personal choice, of course, but sometimes the draw of something on the other side (e.g. a squirrel the dog wants to chase) is so great that the dog will ignore the signal and run right through it. Trouble is, once that drawing point has gone, the dog cannot return into the yard, because they don't want to hear/feel the signal. I've heard of this happening. So you might like to consider getting fences or at least building a dog pen for assistance with keeping the dog contained.

Anyway, some breed selector assistants:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselectorindex.do
http://us.iams.com/iams/en_US/jsp/IAMS_Page.jsp?pageID=DBS

[brenda]

Cycobully is right about the grooming. Nelly doesn't get clipped in the winter but she needs it in the summer a few times at $50 a each time. Then there's all the shots, and the Parvo vaccine. Never mind dog food every month. If they get sick the Vet is very expensive. All the collars and leads as they grow. Pooper scoop bags, treats, toys, puppy sitters, cute little coats, it goes on and on. It's like having another kid in my house.

[Rerun]

I heard on the news that a person spends on average $16,000 on the life of a dog.  That could very well be true considering a dog may live to be 15 or 16.

Here is an article:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1671&articleid=1543

[tamara]

Being a beagle owner, I'm not sure how well they would be contained with one of those fences. These dog's are ruled by there noses and there sense of smell can take

over, have been known to be wanderers . Just my 

But they are a great dog and great friend, cuddler and best of all "sleeper" as I'm typing this Woofa is all cuddled up next to me on the couch, sleeping!

[angela515]

'scuse the double post - but I wanted to post these breed selectors which may help angela with her decision.

Also, I wanted to add a point about a personal dislike for invisible fences. It's personal choice, of course, but sometimes the draw of something on the other side (e.g. a squirrel the dog wants to chase) is so great that the dog will ignore the signal and run right through it. Trouble is, once that drawing point has gone, the dog cannot return into the yard, because they don't want to hear/feel the signal. I've heard of this happening. So you might like to consider getting fences or at least building a dog pen for assistance with keeping the dog contained.

Anyway, some breed selector assistants:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselectorindex.do
http://us.iams.com/iams/en_US/jsp/IAMS_Page.jsp?pageID=DBS

Thanks for the links!

I have a 2 acre yard, and it's not my house, so building a fence is not an optio. besides  I want an inside dog... the only reason my dog would go outside is to go for walks on a leashe, and potty.

Im going to check these sites out!

[Falkenbach]

Fair enough, re the fences. Then forget my suggestion about beagles, because what Tamara said is correct (I was going to point out to never let a beagle off leash, 'cause he'll be off after his nose and you'll lose him!).

[George Jung]

If you are going to get the dog you might be interested in looking into an insurance plan for him/her.  They can be a good value.

[Falkenbach]

It's certainly worth considering, 'cause an accident such as being hit by a car, or swallowing something they shouldn't, can cost a small fortune at the vet. And I mean thousands!

Here in Australia, most insurance policies don't cover the routine things though (e.g. check ups and vaccinations) so look into any policy well before choosing one.

[carson]

my girlfriend just had a plate and 6 screws put in her German Shepherd's leg because they played too much this winter (he's only 2). I can't imagine how much that cost but her husband said, "na, we don't need insurance"
I don't have insurance on my dog. I just pray something doesn't happen to him. My mom spent a fortune on her last dog after it got hit by a car (crushed pelvis, extensive internal injuries) and then years later ate a peach pit that lodged in her stomach and slowly began to poison her as the pit leaked cyanide. Poor thing. Still, she lived to be 21 yrs.

[Falkenbach]

I don't have insurance either. The worst bill I had was $750, and that was extremely difficult by itself. That was a 4-day stay in hospital for Diesel, when he got pancreatitis. He was a good 15 or 16 years old at the time, and he'd had pancreatitis before so he must have got good care. One bout of that is usually enough to kill a dog half that age.

But if you are thinking about insurance you'll find with most companies that you have to take it out before the dog reaches a certain age.

[bolta72]

I have a 10 year old pomerian,not of the small size but at about 17 lbs. The smaller ones tend to be yappy but mine is quite and very very friendly. He gets washed and clipped every 6 weeks at 38.00 a pop. He is a happy dog while also a handful. He is so much like family

[angela515]

Thank you everyone for your input! I have decided to wait a little longer, maybe 6 month's (or longer if needed but hopefully 6 months!!) and see how everything is financially and such. In the meantime, I'll be looking into making my decision on the *type* of puppy I would like. How exciting!

[Falkenbach]

It is very exciting! Also, if you haven't already, please go over to the Transplant Stories forum and check out the thread on post-transplant pet care, because there are some important issues raised there.