Recently ive been thinking about getting a dog. Ive never had a dog before and dont really know what it involves, but I think Im a dog person. I want to do some research so I know something but dont really know where to start. I live in an apartment in Austin, so I figure I need a small breed. I know you shouldnt get a dog from a petstore, so where does one go (around the Austin or Houston area) to find a dog of a particular breed?? Also, I want one thats not gonna get too big (like i want one that wouldnt get as big as a lab) and would prefer if it was short haired (dogs do come in short hair breeds right??). Well I figure that many of you have dogs and can offer some advice. Any info, help or first hand accounts would be appreciated. Thanks. ps- ive always wanted to say this.. fershizzle
One good way to get a dog of a specific breed is through a rescue group (google your city name, the dog breed & the word rescue) or you could go to the SPCA, either is a good choice.
My wife (I recently got married a month ago) decided to get a dog, and since we live in an apartment we decided to get a smaller breed. She wanted a poodle and I wanted something a little more masculine, we decided on a french bulldog. We found a good breeder online (www.puppyfind.com) just outside of Houston. Its one of the best decisions we've ever made. I haven't had a dog since I was six years old, but it was pretty easy to train the dog to use the bathroom outside and on the paper when we we're both at work. We picked the particular breed of french bulldog because they are loving, playful and actually like apartment living. If you're not too sure of being a dog person, try dogsitting a friend's or neighbor's dog and see how you like having a dog around the apartment. Its nice having a dog around the place, but it does involve alot of time at first because you have to puppy proof your place as well as train and play with the dog to gain its trust. One of the best decisions that we ever made.
My family got a dog for the first time a few years ago. First, you probably want to decide if you want a puppy. They're incredibly cute but they can be a real headache. (house training, obedience and what not) If you're not up to the task (like my family was), a good option is to adopt a dog from the SPCA or some of the other local sanctuaries. We adopted from the Houston Sheltie Sanctuary and got a great dog who was fully trained and had obedience training already. Plus these are dogs who were abandoned so its nice to give them a good home. Also take a look at shelties as an option. Ours has been great (fully trained) and as a bonus he really doesnt bark very much at all so he's great around kids.
Like geeimsobored said, you need to figure out whether you want a puppy or a grown dog. Raising a puppy in Austin is a blast, but house training him will drive you nuts, especially since you've never had one. But I think getting the whole puppy experience is totally worth it. 1. If you want a puppy, find out what breed you want and look in the classifieds, that's probably the easiest and best way. 2. If you want a grown dog, the SPCA is obviously a good place to start. As for the breed, there are a bunch of cool small to mid-size breeds for an apartment. My girlfriend and I have a mini-schnauzer in my 1-bedroom and he's a riot.
Watch out for dogs that might become too attatched, once you leave the apartment they might cry for hours and your neighbors will want to kill you!!
Puppies are a pain in the ass at first. I suggest reading a few books on dog training to get an idea of how you're going to properly train it. Dogs from the shelter are usually trained and abandoned, so you're doing it a big favor by chosing one there.
I know you won't be able to afford one, but if you could, I'd get one of these... They don't shed, have next to no odor, even if filthy, are protective, but don't bark unless they have a good reason, are terrific with kids and, overall, are the finest dog you can hope to get. I had one for 12 years, and didn't know he was practically hypoallergenic, although he didn't shed, and fit every other description the breeders have for them. I just happened to get one by chance at the animal shelter. It was before they were bred on purpose for people with allergic reactions to dogs. He weighed about 45 lbs., and loved to swim and fish in shallow streams. He learned a trick after showing him what to do 2 or 3 times. It was uncanny. I used to take him to parties, and he'd go up to girls (he loved girls), sit, and hold out a paw to shake hands. The more people that were there, the more he enjoyed doing his bag of tricks. Oh, the stories I could tell! A different color... It's called, these days, a labradoodle... half black lab and half standard poodle, like the one in the top photo, in the case of the Wonder Dog. Google them. If anyone wants a superb dog, and can afford one, or get lucky, as I did, then go for it. You won't be disappointed. The Blade Runner's best friend. It's been about 20 years, but he's not forgotten.
I used to have a lab/border collie mix.. got him from the shelter at 5 weeks old... ultra friendly, super smart... but you have to "tail proof" everything. And an apartment would probably be small for any lab breed, aside from the "doodle" above. If raised from a puppy, these dogs are extremely loyal... some dogs are not so much. I now have (recently) 2 mini-dachshunds, got them at 8 weeks old... awesome personalities on these dogs. It's funny though, small breeds and minis like to be very vocal, and they bark loudly at just about anything until they realize you don't get worked up over it... so like someone suggested make sure your neighbors won't get hacked off at barkers. The pekinese we used to have (at the same time we had the lab mix) was also very loud... we got him full grown and trained... but still very boisterous. I think minis really believe they are huge.
When I went back to China, there were a lot of Dog meat restaurants. Just thought I'd throw that in here to screw up all the happiness
I got a dog a year ago, it is a white sheppard, and she is the best dog there is(i know every dog owner says that). you should look at this site(it is mostly dutch only this page is english, but the pictures are great) it is the site of my parents, and there you can see pictures of my dog and her mother, just look at the part of Ayla http://home.planet.nl/~hoetm004/engels.htm One thing you have to realise is that getting a puppy is great, but it is a lot of work, the first few days we had to let her out every 2 hours, and after that we increased it to every 4 hours, But that means also in the middle of the night, now she can be inside much longer. maybe you should baby sit a dog for about a week, and if you like that you should get a dog. have fun i love having a dog
dogs, especially puppies are a great way to meet chicks. i just take my little Rot to the park and chicks would just come up to me. i am trying to train it to go up to a girl and stick his paw out.
I have a German Shepard I got through the SPCA. I went there <100 times before I adopted our dog. She's smart, well trained and great with the kids. Right now she is living with my grandma to help her feel safe at night. Now I'm wanting a dog around the house. I'm looking at a labradoodle or goldendoodle because I don't like having hair all over everything in the house. I would suggest you not get a puppy if you are in an appartment or don't have the money and time to spend on obediance classes. There is nothing worse than a stupid dog that doesn't listen.
OT: Reminds me of the story my friends told me of going out for their anniversary. The restraunt they were going to go to had English menus but when they got there it was closed for a private party. They went to another place they hadn't been before and communication was a problem. They were able to say "No dog". Well they ate and got the bill which seemed kinda high but they paid it. They took the bill home to the babysitter to see if they got ripped off. She said, "No, that's about right for rat".
definitely don't get a lab if you've got a small apartment. their energy will destroy everything you've got. and like someone said above, you gotta "tail-proof" everything. by the way, anyone got a doghouse they wanna sell? big enough for a 75 lb labrador, of course.
Go to town lake animal shelter and see what they have. Check with your landlord to make sure its ok first
i asked Jeff this one day...figured I'd ask some of the rest of you... anyone ever adopted a greyhound??? or know someone who has?? are they good with little kids???
Owning a dog is a HUGE responsibility; you have to ask yourself if you really see yourself having the time to take care of a dog. Nothing is worse, IMO, then people who go out and buy a dog because they think it would be "cute" or some other reason like that. Then the people never do anything with the dog other than neglect it. I know, from experience, because my family was that way with our first 2 dogs. We just didn't have the right lifestyle to be good dog owners. Fortunately, with the last 2 dogs we have owned (Rex and Jake), we have made the commitment to keep them inside (they are both American Cocker Spaniels) and that makes a big difference, IMO. Some dogs you have to keep outside because they are so big or more suited for the outdoors, etc. But when you have a little creature that follows you around all the time, it is a heartwarming feeling (at least to me). I actually don't have the best lifestyle to own a dog since I am gone from the house for 10 hours or so a day. However, I told my parents I would only get a dog if they would be willing to look after him during the day (my dad is retired). They were only going to be "doggie daycare" for Jake's 1st year, but they have grown to love him so much that they want to see him every day. It is remarkable how attached you can become to a dog. Just make sure that your lifestyle is one that can lead to a good relationship with a dog or if your lifestyle is like mine - see if you can find someone (preferably a family member) who can look after the dog. Dogs love being around people; sure they will adjust and adapt their life to yours (one of their biggest strengths) but their quality of life is not good if you are never around.
