Dog Shopping

[GoEagles]

Thats right folks, after mourning the loss of my cat for 6 months, I feel the time is right to purchase a new pet. I've grown up with cats all my life but have always liked dogs (not the kiddy killer types thou!).

I need your help to help me pick the best type. I don't want anything yappy or ugly faced or ones that drop their fur all over the house. Likewise I don't want anything that could harm/kill the neighbours (or me) and will send me broke paying for their enormous diets.

I was looking at either a Beagle or a Golden Retriever. I'm leaning more towards a Beagle because a mate of mine has one and it is a real cutie. My dad has a friend who breeds Golden Retrievers and could probably get us a good one, although I don't know if he will want to keep borrowing the dog if he finds a good mate to get knocked up with.

So I need your help - do you have a dog? What type? Can you recommend it? What are it's eating/sleeping/playing habits?

Then the big thread to follow - what will it be named!

 

[mantis]

Get a big dog you wuss.

A pure bred Neopolitan Bull Mastiff, they are big, cute, friendly & extremely smart, so very easy to train, they are a tad lazy, so don't require a lot of exercise, are quite happy chasing a ball for 5 minutes & love tug of war.

Quick edit, if they are too big, get a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, they are a great dog, similar size to a Beagle.

 

[carlyp]

Get a German Shephard...a long haired one!! Our family has one and he is beautifull! Its so not nice what people say about shephards being vicious! Its all in the way their brought up!! He will be a good guard dog and look after you through thick and thin!

 

[Richmondfan#1]

We have an Australian Sily Terrier at the moment, not my choice of dog, but still gorgeous and loveable. I'd love a Golden Retreiver, so that'd be my choice ...

Where are you going to get your dog, the pound or a pet shop? We get out last dog from a pet shop, but I think any next dog I choose, I'll be going to the pound.

 

[clucas91]

Australian Terrier is the way.

 

[tashibatts]

Go For A Labrador

Just like a golden retriever- without the grooming needs.



Wonderful dogs, just wonderful.. gotta watch their diet, put on weight easy, but have great personalities and are oh so cute

Labradors are the way to go..

Go Roos

 

[mantis]

Originally posted by tashibatts
Go For A Labrador

Just like a golden retriever- without the grooming needs.



Wonderful dogs, just wonderful.. gotta watch their diet, put on weight easy, but have great personalities and are oh so cute

Labradors are the way to go..

Go Roos

Just don't get a Springer Spaniel, unless you have 10 foot fences, hey Tashi.

PS: the only dog I have been bitten by for no reason was a Lab, so I am not a fan of them, have to be careful, because there is a lot of inbreeding, can affect their temperament.

 

[mantis]

Originally posted by clucas91
Australian Terrier is the way.

He wants a dog, not a soft toy.

 

[Deestroy]

We've had Labrador's and found them very good, providing you like large animals.

We also used to have a Beagle, was the stupidist animal I've ever seen. Used to chew anything it could, hated people, hated water and generally hated everything I think.

Now we have an Aussie Terrior cross, and apart from barking whenever outside at night, found the breed to be very good.

 

[JUBJUB]

Originally posted by mantis


PS: the only dog I have been bitten by for no reason was a Lab, so I am not a fan of them, have to be careful, because there is a lot of inbreeding, can affect their temperament.

Bloody Tasmanian dogs.

 

[tashibatts]

Originally posted by mantis
Just don't get a Springer Spaniel, unless you have 10 foot fences, hey Tashi.

Your right about that one

Bitten by a labrador? Bugger I forgot to mention before- my only problem with labradors (apart from the weight factor) is they are very protective of food, well my labrador is: lil Podgum, she enjoys eating without company, not one for dinner parties

As for the springer- well even he isn't allowed near the Podgums when she is munching away, he gets the inside luxuries of the laundry

Go Roos

 

[Aslan]

We have a mutt (blue heeler X) and he is the sweetest dog in the world. Smart, friendly, good with people and kids, good with other dogs, doesn't shed much, plenty of character, and he came from the Lost Dogs' Home. Every dog that goes there is evaluated- they don't adopt out dogs with unsuitable temperaments. You're saving a dog's life too, how warm and fuzzy.
Bad breeding has caused many breeds to be dog and human aggressive as well as several physical faults (eg. hip dysplasia in border collies). If you buy from a breeder don't be afraid to ask fifty zillion questions about them or better still, get in touch with the state breed club to be recommended a breeder of your chosen dog breed.
http://www.petnet.com.au/selectapet/dogselectapet.html is helpful for selecting a dog that suits you.
Good luck.

 

[mantis]

Originally posted by Aslan
We have a mutt (blue heeler X) and he is the sweetest dog in the world. Smart, friendly, good with people and kids, good with other dogs, doesn't shed much, plenty of character, and he came from the Lost Dogs' Home. Every dog that goes there is evaluated- they don't adopt out dogs with unsuitable temperaments. You're saving a dog's life too, how warm and fuzzy.
Bad breeding has caused many breeds to be dog and human aggressive as well as several physical faults (eg. hip dysplasia in border collies). If you buy from a breeder don't be afraid to ask fifty zillion questions about them or better still, get in touch with the state breed club to be recommended a breeder of your chosen dog breed.
http://www.petnet.com.au/selectapet/dogselectapet.html is helpful for selecting a dog that suits you.
Good luck.

Excellent advice there Aslan, only question mark I have, is that Blue Heelers are a working dog & need a lot of execise, so need an owner who is willing to spend a lot of time, walking & playing with it, they are not for people who want a dog just to lie around the house.

While I think it is great getting dogs from pounds, gawd knows the poor things need a home, you have to be careful, because a lot of them have been so badly treated, that it can affect their temperament. I think larger dogs from pounds, are better suited going to single people, or families without kids.

 

[Port1978]

Originally posted by mantis
Just don't get a Springer Spaniel, unless you have 10 foot fences, hey Tashi.

I used to have an English Springer Spaniel....my 1st ever pet. Well, actually she was already there when I came home from the hospital. Don't seem to recall having problems with her jumping fences though. She was a gorgeous dog, but unfortunately died from lead poisoning.

 

[mantis]

Originally posted by port1978
I used to have an English Springer Spaniel....my 1st ever pet. Well, actually she was already there when I came home from the hospital. Don't seem to recall having problems with her jumping fences though. She was a gorgeous dog, but unfortunately died from lead poisoning.

I only mentioned that, because Tashi has a problem with her Springer Spaniel, but the breed is known for their jumping abilities, maybe yours was one out of the norm.

 

[Port1978]

Originally posted by mantis
I only mentioned that, because Tashi has a problem with her Springer Spaniel, but the breed is known for their jumping abilities, maybe yours was one out of the norm.

Hmm, possibly.....she was the runt of the litter....maybe that had something to do with it?

 

[CarterS]

Don't get a bloodhound. They are huge, stupid, slobber like you wouldn't believe and if they ever get past your fence you would be lucky to ever see them again.

And their stomachs will twist and it will cost you upwards of $1000, leaving him looking ridiculous with half of his body hair shaved.

 

[GoEagles]

Originally posted by mantis
Get a big dog you wuss.

A pure bred Neopolitan Bull Mastiff, they are big, cute, friendly & extremely smart, so very easy to train, they are a tad lazy, so don't require a lot of exercise, are quite happy chasing a ball for 5 minutes & love tug of war.

Quick edit, if they are too big, get a Staffordshire Bull Terrier, they are a great dog, similar size to a Beagle.

Call me a wuss until the cows come home, but I have scary memories of me as a young tacker at my mates house and his dog as big as a donkey (looked scaringly like Brad Hardie's face too).

I just want a middle sized dog that won't be small enough to step on, but not big enough to start fights (with neighbours... or me)

I went to the Dog Pound/Haven in Shenton Park on Sunday and it was a little sad to see so many dogs without loving and caring homes to go to. Still, It is better to see them get the care there with the volunteers than being mistreated elsewhere.

Labrador - isn't that what Lassie was? I don't want to get mocked too much.

RF#1 - we're still unsure about if a pet store or a breeder is the way to go. We are still going to do a bit more looking and talking to various people. I definately don't want to buy on impulse without checking all options available.

Deestroy - don't all dog's chew on things? I thought Beagles were fairly intelligent, like they are sniffer dogs at customs and they were from the Sherlock Holmes books.

Aslan - I did your survey and these were the results:

BOSTON TERRIER
BASSET HOUND
BEAGLE
DACHSHUND (SMOOTH HAIRED)

Don't those big floppy ears just make ya wanna go out and buy an entire litter of them?

 

[GoEagles]

Ok I just had a look at the photo's of all 4, In fact I'll post them up here.


Dachshund (Smooth-Haired)

These dog's look like they are trying to lay an egg. Also why does it look like they don't have back legs?

Boston Terrier

Ugly Face Syndrome. I also think these are a yapping type of dog.

Basset Hound

"Known to his fans as the armchair athlete because of his habit of lounging around the house" I think he could fit in quite nicely Ok, it's getting cuter...

Beagle

"He tends to keep himself extremely clean...with a handsome appearance and musical voice, the Beagle has something to offer just about everyone." It's like a cat - self cleans and I won't need to turn on the radio if I have a Beagle.

 

[Eagle_Fan]

Well we had a Basset Hound first, who lived to 16 or so, and she was the loveliest dog. Really big though, and she had a few health problems (from birth, that's why my folks took her. She was their baby pre-me, haha), but was so good natured. Great with kids the whole time we were growing up. Beautiful dog, but not exactly active, and pretty big.

Anyway, the next dog is a Jack Russel x Beagle (Jack Beagle). She's a great size, still small enough to cuddle, but big enough to be a 'real' dog too (none of this toy dog crap). She's really active, we play soccer Definately good value. She's got the temperement of the beagle, but when she barks can get a little yappy. I still adore her though.

I reckon you couldn't go wrong with a straight beagle, although crosses are great too, with less health concerns.

Great idea to check the pounds and animal havens though. I can't go without trying to bring half the place home with me, so I'm not allowed to go until I get my own place


ps- get a dog and you'll never go back to a cat

 

[Greaves]

SHAR PEI

 

[evade28]

Originally posted by GoEagles Labrador - isn't that what Lassie was? I don't want to get mocked too much.
[/B]

errm no, lol!
collie perhaps?

 

[evade28]

as for dachshunds they are agressive little bastards, they are in the hound family but they are really terriers, and terriers are agressive.

bassetts are grose all they do is slobber and you cant see their eyes, i dont even know how they can see their skin is all droopy and all u can see are these red patches where the eyes r supposed 2 be!

also the above 2 dogs get back problems and you have to make sure they are not over weight.

sharpeis get skin problems and u have to keep them clean bcos of all the folds in their skin.

i have a dobermann and it is a great dog.
i also have a sausage dog and as mentioned above i give it the thumbs down it is a piece of **** and good for nothing.

 

[evade28]

another breed i like are akitas, but they are big dogs and powerful so prolly not what youre looking for!

 

[Unwritten_Law]

Originally posted by GoEagles


Labrador - isn't that what Lassie was? I don't want to get mocked too much.

I can't believe you don't know what a labrador looks like. Ever seen a guide dog?

I think in general Labradors are a little smaller than Golden Retrievers. A mate has a retriever and it is abnormally HUGE, my poor little Labrador pales into insignificance in comparison.

They are fairly timid, mine rarely barks and you can train them easily. We get ours to fetch the paper, she loves it. I open the gate and off she goes full bore up the driveway.