Help Ymir choose a pet!

[YmirGF]

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!

Wow, two for the schnauzers, so far. Excellent. And don't worry, I'd never have the ears or tails mangled. Au natural for me (and them). I've never really understood the need to chop off parts or trim their hair in weird designs like with poodles. I couldn't do that to a living being.

 

[icehorse]

I loved my Border Collie mix, but they do need a lot of exercise. We have an Icelandic sheepdog now. Very nice, but rare. A friend has a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Usually I'm not a fan of smaller dogs, but this dog is wonderful.

A bit of a tangent - we never thought we were "bird people", but we've had a parrotlet for the last 5 years and he is absolutely, mind-bogglingly incredible every day.

 

[MetallicHue]

I have horses but I only recommend them if you want to be broke for the rest of your life.

 

[YmirGF]

I loved my Border Collie mix, but they do need a lot of exercise. We have an Icelandic sheepdog now. Very nice, but rare. A friend has a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Usually I'm not a fan of smaller dogs, but this dog is wonderful.

A bit of a tangent - we never thought we were "bird people", but we've had a parrotlet for the last 5 years and he is absolutely, mind-bogglingly incredible every day.

Ohh, that's two for the King Charles Spaniel.

What a cutey!

The parrotlet looks awesome. I had a budgie years ago named, Ferd. Yep, Ferd the Bird. He was dumb as a fence-post though when you could pry him away from his cuttlebone.

 

[Ancient Soul]

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.

I've been with dogs ever since I was about 5 years old, and I'm now retired, and would not really enjoy life without one.

As to Beagles, they are thick headed and LOVE to run off. If they get a scent of any kind of critter, they're off, and are oblivious to any calls to stop, no, come here, etc, and you stand a good chance of never seeing them ever again.

And yes, a backyard is soooo not enough exercise for any mid-sized and upwards dog. You should expect to walk any good sized dog for at the very least 1 hour EVERY DAY. And if you can bring it out hiking, and let it lose without it running off, even better. I have always brought my dogs out hiking for at least 2-3 hours every day, and they have all turned out to be calm well adjusted dogs with no health problems. As most behavioral and health problems are largely due to their exercise needs not being met.

As to the breed, I would suggest that you search the Internet for a website like the AKC for an idea of the size and traits of all the different breeds to figure out what breeds would best suit your needs.

For myself I always get a puppy as close to 8 weeks old or not too much older . That results in a stronger life-long bond and understanding. It's way more work cleaning up after them and keeping them out of destroying everything, but it will pay off in the long run. And I have always brought my puppies out hiking right from the start. That way they become "woods wise" and if they try running off and ignoring my calls, they are super easy to catch until they figure out what "stop" and "come here" means. And afterwards they are too tired to go chewing up everything when we get home.

Also getting an older dog has some risk in inheriting someone else's failures, and getting a dog with serious behavioral problems. They can be worked out, but it takes a lot of time and effort trying to figure out what caused him to be that way, and then what can be done to help him out of the bad habit.

Well, that's my input. Hope it helps.

 

[Ancient Soul]

Shelties are another cool small dog that I've owned... Looks like a Lassie, but only about 15 inches high. They are easy to train, but kind of shy--probably not good if you have a lot of rowdy kids around.

Lotta work to brush them and stuff too...

I can't take all that high pitch Sheltie yapping all the time, my bleeding earsssssssssss!!!

 

[icehorse]

The parrotlet looks awesome. I had a budgie years ago named, Ferd. Yep, Ferd the Bird. He was dumb as a fence-post though when you could pry him away from his cuttlebone.

Yup! Budgies are cute, but parrotlets are true parrots and they are scary smart. way, way smarter than parakeets.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Maybe a border collie? That would be my first pick. Highly intelligent, not too big, and pretty. My neighbor has one -- so well behaved, she never barks at me, and she can leap five or six feet to catch a ball or Frisbee.

Following a border collie, a black Labrador. Had one once. Intelligent, hugely loyal, and capable of taking on dogs larger than him. But peace loving overall -- he didn't get in many fights. The downside is their fur is a bit oily.

@YmirGF, knowing what I know about you, Paul, I'm going to second Phil's suggestion of a border collie. They're known for being whip smart (voted the smartest breed by many) and make an excellent companions.

 

[YmirGF]

@YmirGF, knowing what I know about you, Paul, I'm going to second Phil's suggestion of a border collie. They're known for being whip smart (voted the smartest breed by many) and make an excellent companions.

I will admit to leaning in that direction too, but will just see what is available at the local SPCA next time I'm in town, maybe....

 

[Father Heathen]

Here @YmirGF, to make it easy for you: Sea Monkeys Ocean Zoo Kit | World Market

 

[icehorse]

I will admit to leaning in that direction too, but will just see what is available at the local SPCA next time I'm in town, maybe....

My Border Collie was 3/4 BC, 1/4 lab. That 1/4 lab really mellowed her out.

 

[Audie]

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.

Gila monster

 

[Axe Elf]

Do you like bird dogs?

 

[Revoltingest]

 

[Brickjectivity]

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.

miniature pinscher

Temperament: Clever, Energetic, Responsive, Outgoing, Playful, Friendly

Weight: Male: 8.8–11 lbs (4–5 kg), Female: 7.7–8.8 lbs (3.5–4 kg)

Colors: Stag Red, Black & Rust, Chocolate & Rust, Chocolate & Tan, Black & Tan, Red

Miniature Pinscher Dog Breed Information, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts – Dogtime

 

[Axe Elf]

miniature pinscher

Temperament: Clever, Energetic, Responsive, Outgoing, Playful, Friendly

Weight: Male: 8.8–11 lbs (4–5 kg), Female: 7.7–8.8 lbs (3.5–4 kg)

Colors: Stag Red, Black & Rust, Chocolate & Rust, Chocolate & Tan, Black & Tan, Red

Miniature Pinscher Dog Breed Information, Pictures, Characteristics & Facts – Dogtime

Yay! Another vote for MinPins!

 

[Estro Felino]

Pas de chats...un chien
N'oublie pas que les chats donnent la chasse aux souris

 

[Thief]

Any suggestions would be great and if I have it wrong about Beagles

we had a beagle......

we tried in every way to keep him close to the house

nope

we even tried shock collars and a buried wire......nope
I saw him do it
he would stand to the wire and shake
take the full charge to his throat......drain the battery
and then run

get a miniature collie

we did
and she is the cutest little ball of fur ever
and already she is following in line about living with humans

 

[YmirGF]

Gila monster

 

[Revoltingest]