Bob the Unbeliever
Well-Known Member
Oh. Dogs. I got all excited about the title, and was going to suggest a shelter kitty rescue.
nevermind.
nevermind.
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Help Ymir choose a pet!
- Thread starter YmirGF
- Start date
Father Heathen
Veteran Member
My parents had a pomeranian that lived 16 long years. Was always a happy, friendly little fuzzball. Despite their reputation for being high energy yappers theirs was laid back and quiet unless at play or strangers at the door.
Pick not based on size, but the activity level YOU have. This is the important thing, certain breeds need to run and go on trips or they lose their minds and get in trouble. If you like spending your free time reading don't pick a pug, lol, the they are high energy and get into trouble if they are not constantly played with while you're around. Pugs are pretty much on or off -- running around like they're on speed or sleeping.
Some dogs, like bull dogs are completely the opposite and really just want to chill. Nearly all the smaller dogs yap a bunch, but there are exceptions: Shih Tzu, Basset Hound, Pekingese, Shar Pei, French and English Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels (needs a daily "run"), etc.
Beagles all bark a lot and do not stand any time away. They are pack animals and in lieu of another dog with them, you are the pack. It's not good for the dog to be alone, so don't get one if you aren't around the house more than a work-day.
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YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
Thanks for the feline vote, but sadly, I do not especially like cats.
Bob the Unbeliever
Well-Known Member
I understand fully. I feel somewhat the same way about dogs... although I do enjoy being around other people's well behaved canines companions. Just not for me, though.
Over the last few days, I've been toying with the idea of getting a smaller dog breed just for companionship. The critter would have the run of a large yard and would live life like a king or queen. That is a given at Chez Ymir. The other neat idea is that I would have to take the little critter for walks and that would get me out even more than I am and mingling with my fantastic neighbors.
I have ruled out ANY dog breed that drools as part of their character. Think Mastiff, Rottweiler, St. Barnard etc... Plus I've seen the adult versions of those and don't think there is room in my 1300 sq. ft. house. So, that is why I'm think a smaller breed.
When I was a kid, we had two Pomeranian's and they barked their heads off relentlessly over anything. We loved 'em but didn't miss 'em when they finally kicked off.
So, part of me is thinking Beagle, but I've heard they are really finicky to deal with and can have medical issues.
I have also had a great German Shepard, MaXx, and think that might be doable again too, but they shed so much hair and can get fairly big....
Price isn't really an object, but I would prefer to do a shelter rescue, if possible.
Any suggestions would be great and if I have it wrong about Beagles PLEASE say so!
Thoughts? Comments?
Full Disclosure: I am not 100% on this, but am looking favorably at the idea. Your thoughts might tip me in the right direction.
King charles spaniel or any of the spaniels... Lovely, friendly may be a bit to fussy
Border collie... Great excercise but tend to round up all the local children
Labradore ... Very social, good for taking to the pub.
Golden retriever... Energetic, friendly
YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
YmirGF
Bodhisattva in Recovery
When I had MaXx, my roommate had a lovely golden retriever and the two died about 2-3 months apart after 10 years together.
Both were rescues from the pound. Lovely dogs. In fact, only my friend's Mastiff has a nicer personality. "Beau" is now 2 years old and weighs in at about 220 pounds and stands over 4 feet tall. His head is enormous and he drools EVERYWHERE, but he has the most amazing, friendly personality I've ever seen in a dog. But you need a shower after petting him for 3 minutes.
Father Heathen
Veteran Member
Yeah, not a fan myself. Dogs are loyal, intelligent (they can be trained; never seen a blind person guided by a cat), and express genuine empathy, reacting accordingly to your state/situation, whereas with a cat you could be dying in agony on the floor and they would just sit there and give you that vacant, indifferent stare.
My first dog was a Schauzer cross Maltese. He was smart, cheeky, and didn't shed at all. Loved people.
He wasn't super happy about being left alone, and was more dog-like when we got a second pup (foxie cross corgie)
He could learn pretty much any trick for a packet of potato chips, but also taught himself tricks, including how to open cupboards and baby gates...lol
He also had a major ball fetish, which made him easy to exercise.
He wasn't super happy about being left alone, and was more dog-like when we got a second pup (foxie cross corgie)
He could learn pretty much any trick for a packet of potato chips, but also taught himself tricks, including how to open cupboards and baby gates...lol
He also had a major ball fetish, which made him easy to exercise.
MetallicHue
Member
I’m a big sheltie fan. Drove four hours to pick her up and she puked all the way home. Dramamine became our best friend after that. Seriously though a very loyal and sweet dog. That herding instinct makes her try to bite your ankles as you leave.
metis
aged ecumenical anthropologist
The best is a pet rock, as they don't eat much, poop much, bark much, etc.
BTW, beagles are really good dogs but if they get out of your yard get ready to chase them as they are notorious for not being able to find their way back home, and I also know this from personal experience. Much the same with huskies, btw. My son has had two Great Danes, which is such a mild-mannered dog but you need a lot of room for them, plus they don't tend to live long.
Have you considered a mixed breed? I had more luck with them, plus they tend to live longer on the average.
Axe Elf
Prophet
For the most part, that's true, but cats do vary by personality. I've had cats that would comfort you if you were sick. My cat can barely come up to be pet because my dog is so jealous that she chases her away, which annoys me.
The idea of a seeing eye cat made me crack up, though. Lol
When I had MaXx, my roommate had a lovely golden retriever and the two died about 2-3 months apart after 10 years together.
I had a boyfriend like that... Only joking.
Mastiffs are so friendly but you also need to consider the food bill
Weve had couple of dogs. A pom called yappy for obvious reasons, old when we got him from a relative who became unable to cope. And a border collie rescue that was thick as two shot planks but a wonderful animal.
We prefer cats for their independence.
I hear ferrets are popular on your side of the Atlantic puddle
Subduction Zone
Veteran Member
I had a beagle when growing up. We lived on a farm so she had plenty of running around space. We then bred her and had six beagles, one we sold and the rest we ended up giving away. Of course the one that was sold was my favorite. They did need to run around a bit and saw quite a bit of action. They used to follow us as we walked down our half mile long driveway to wait for the school bus. There was a wooded patch on the way and they would always head off into that to chase rabbits. It appears that they caught some going by the occasional tufts of fur and one rear rabbit leg that we found on our driveway. Very friendly dogs and very smart. As puppies they figured out how to get out of a chicken wire pen by climbing up and out of it.Over the last few days, I've been toying with the idea of getting a smaller dog breed just for companionship. The critter would have the run of a large yard and would live life like a king or queen. That is a given at Chez Ymir. The other neat idea is that I would have to take the little critter for walks and that would get me out even more than I am and mingling with my fantastic neighbors.
I have ruled out ANY dog breed that drools as part of their character. Think Mastiff, Rottweiler, St. Barnard etc... Plus I've seen the adult versions of those and don't think there is room in my 1300 sq. ft. house. So, that is why I'm think a smaller breed.
When I was a kid, we had two Pomeranian's and they barked their heads off relentlessly over anything. We loved 'em but didn't miss 'em when they finally kicked off.
So, part of me is thinking Beagle, but I've heard they are really finicky to deal with and can have medical issues.
I have also had a great German Shepard, MaXx, and think that might be doable again too, but they shed so much hair and can get fairly big....
Price isn't really an object, but I would prefer to do a shelter rescue, if possible.
Any suggestions would be great and if I have it wrong about Beagles PLEASE say so!
Thoughts? Comments?
Full Disclosure: I am not 100% on this, but am looking favorably at the idea. Your thoughts might tip me in the right direction.
The only "bad" thing that they did was to join up with a pack of dogs that would roam and started to go after a farmer's chickens. There was a note in the local paper about it and then one day they all came home with a few shotgun pellets in them. That was it for the dog pack. One lesson was enough for them.
I do recommend them if you can give them lots of outside time. They are only "barky" if they cannot work off that excessive energy.
Nah.
They're just watching to see how soon it will be safe to start eating you.
And I say that as more of a cat person than a dog person.
Tom
metis
aged ecumenical anthropologist
Our oldest daughter has had really good luck with rescue dogs but she's had enough dogs over the years to know what to look for, especially with temperament.
Treks
Well-Known Member
Hi Ymir
All the best with your search for a furry companion.
I have the company of a miniature schnauzer and highly recommend. I chose this breed because they are compact and low-shed. They are generally intelligent and not yappy but will bark to guard your house. He likes people and is ambivalent about other dogs.
Schnauzers need grooming - for us that's a visit to the groomer for a haircut every few months, and if his fur is longer, brushing once a week to prevent matts.
Health problems include sensitive skin/ears, tendency to upset tummies especially as puppies, and they are prone to liver damage so keep to a low-fat diet. You should make sure the dog's jaw is aligned properly before purchase.
If you do go for this breed, if you can, please don't dock the tail or crop the ears. They are beautiful just as they are.
Please share pics when you get your new friend!
All the best with your search for a furry companion.
I have the company of a miniature schnauzer and highly recommend. I chose this breed because they are compact and low-shed. They are generally intelligent and not yappy but will bark to guard your house. He likes people and is ambivalent about other dogs.
Schnauzers need grooming - for us that's a visit to the groomer for a haircut every few months, and if his fur is longer, brushing once a week to prevent matts.
Health problems include sensitive skin/ears, tendency to upset tummies especially as puppies, and they are prone to liver damage so keep to a low-fat diet. You should make sure the dog's jaw is aligned properly before purchase.
If you do go for this breed, if you can, please don't dock the tail or crop the ears. They are beautiful just as they are.
Please share pics when you get your new friend!
All our animals except the pom and our youngest cat have been rescued. Back in the uk we had a small menagerie including ducks, geese, hens, goats, cats and the collie all rescued.