And I'm looking for suggestions. My wife and I have a house with a yard and a park across the street (dog park two blocks away). We both work full time. She works close by and can come home for lunch and I work from home from time to time. Also, we have a five year old cat. Our criteria is that it be medium sized, not too hyper or too lazy, not too stupid or mean, not a poodle or a toy dog (my rule), not a cocker or a beagle (her rule). I'm fairly sure that we want a mutt. Just wondering what type of mutt. I have looked on the net for suggestions of dogs that are good with cats and have found nothing helpful. Same goes for online quizes. They all suggest a different type of dog. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Go Rockets
have you either of you had a dog before? if not, be ready for a big surprise. i would suggest a labrador but they are quite hyper.
Best dog I ever had I got from the pound. He was half standard poodle (the big ones), and half black lab, and was 50-60 pounds of fantastic dog. He was what is today called a "labradoodle," a very expensive new "breed" that doesn't shed, that people with dog allergies don't react to, and has terrific traits. Protective and loyal like a lab, and dexterious and intelligent like a standard poodle. I never even knew I had a Labradoodle, lol! Good luck with your search!
That's simply not true. Labs, a good one from good parents, are not hyper at all. Like any dog, it takes a year or two to "settle down," and mature. Perhaps you have been unlucky with labs, or have known people who were.
Thanks for the suggestions. I think a lab would be too big for us. She is against beagles because someone told her they were hyper and destructive.
Theoretically, any puppy you get should do okay with cats. If you get them young, it's all good. It' be better if the cats were young, too, though. Speaking from experience you could definitely run into a cat that just doesn't like dogs, but if you get a puppy and don't let it grow up out of control, you should be fine there. Are you in Houston? If so, there are plenty of rescue groups around town. We got a 5 month old Viszla/Pitbull/Hound mix at a Petco about a month and a half ago. She was through http://palsforpooches.com/ This is another good one: http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/scoutshonor.html The there is also BARC, which is the city one....though they do euthanize there, which on the positive means you could save a dog who would be put down otherwise. http://www.houstontx.gov/health/BARC/index.html - click the yellow photo link to look at the dogs. In fact, I think the Scout's Honor place tries to save some of the soon to be euthanized ones from BARC and they just sent out an email with a bunch of puppies that need to get rescued asap. Email Charlotte Liberda at: Cliberda@pmrg.com Hope this helps!
The smarter the dog, the more things they get into while you're away - and the more things they figure out how to destroy, devour, or break into (or out of for that matter)
That's interesting. So would you suggest a dumb dog (like I hear cockers are) for someone who doesn't want the dog to mess up her grandmother's furniture?
A good lab is a heck of a large dog. The great dogs I've had happened to be between 50-60 lbs. Big enough to pick up and throw around, if you have to do that, and to scare someone if you want them to do that, but not the great, immovable objects an 80-90 lb.-plus dog is.
I'm biased against labs because we house sat for someone who had labs and they kept knocking me out of the bed. Thanks for the links Jayz.
My dog is pregnant. if you can wait You're more than welcomed to buy one of the pups. They would be Jack russell terriers. She's about 1 month along so I'd say about another month before she has her litter and then 6 weeks before they'd be ready for you.
I have quite a few jacks and each display their own character that's for sure. All of them love to play and crave for attention that's for sure. The mother is calm and she just likes lying next to you and loves fetching balls. the father loves to get walked but yet hates balls. he just chases the mother down when she runs for the balls. The baby girl is a jumper. she can't stop hopping to grab stuff out of your hand, and the baby boy is curious and mischievious and quite the bully and pest.
I'll mention it to the wife. I had heard negative things about them, but your description of the parents sound really good. Honestly, I have heard negative things about every type of dog.
