Planning on getting a dog, need insight
 

Hi guys

I am planning on getting a dog for the family for Christmas. What I have in mind is a medium-sized/medium-energy dog. The dog will be kept mostly indoors. However, it will get at least 5 hours (over the course of 5 days) of exercise every week (this will take place outdoors). So the question is, what breed would be the most suitable for me. I am going to be a first time dog owner. I feel really confident about it thanks to Cesar Millan on the 'Dog Whisperer'. So yeah, I just want to hear from you guys. TIA

Also, if you guys know any reputable breeders, I would love to hear about them :)

a safe bet is always a Golden Retriever

5 hours every week may not be enough for the dog. You may need to take it out more often, because dogs can get frustrated and tear your house apart.

A good medium sized dog - miniature golden doodle? They're supposed to be really smart and hypo allergic too.

Just to let you know, if you are going to buy a pup, it'll cost you X amount of money. And then there are more fees like: shots, deworming, supplies, vets - obviously there are more stuff, and it'll cost up to maybe a $1000 extra.

But if you adopt, it'll save an animal, and if it's a good dog, it'll already be trained (like my adopted 2 year old Shiba Inu).

good luck!

^

go spca?

Pete - when'd you get a dog?? I wanted a shiba inu but my stupid allergies can't handle it! lol

but the thing is if you adopt, you miss out of the joy (and some frustration) of raising a puppy.

What type of place do you have? apartment? house? backyard? Also what type of temperament would you want in a dog? each breed has their own uniqueness in all aspects, have you searched around on the internet? I'm sure you and your family can find a few different breeds that you guys like, and then narrow it down from there. Next step is, make sure you feel comfortable with the place you get the dog. Not all breeders are the same.

I assume that you've given a lot of thought about becoming a dog owner. But don't expect all dog owning experience will be like what's featured in Dog Whisperer. Remember that a dog is a life and a commitment, not a Christmas gift. So months or even a year down the road, if things don't go according to plan, it's not something you can just give up. It shouldn't be that way. Far too many dogs end up being neglected or given up at a shelter because the novelty wore off for the owner who thought it was a good idea to get a dog for Christmas.

But assuming that you've thought things through thoroughly, having a dog is a very rewarding experience. He/she will bring immeasurable joy to your family. If you're not picky about breed, the SPCA is a good place to try and adopt. It's worth a try but it will be difficult for you since you don't have any dog owning experience. But you shouldn't let that deter you. They just want to make sure that the dog doesn't end up in a shelter again.

Purebreds are more prone to breed-specific problems, such as hip-dysplasia. If buying from a breeder, ask to see the parents of the pup. A reputable breeder will be more than happy to show you and answer any questions you have.

get a baby dog and watch it grow up :thumbsup:

american cocker spaniel.

Get used to cleaning poop, and pee of the floor, It will take a bit of time to train the dog. get a good cleaing solution. Pups are nice to hang out with in the store but when you bring home it can be a nightmare.

good luck.

Ya, that or a puppy would be cool. :)

If your not looking at at least an hour and a half of excercise a day, everyday (meaning 7 days a week) I would look for a breed that is a little more low key. Something like the whippet or greyhound. They do not require as much outdoor excercise as they were breed as sprinters. they'll exert a lot of energy in a short time then relax the rest.

I would strongly suggest not getting a dog as a christmas gift, most good reputable breeders won't sell puppies during this time, and some adoption agencies won't adopt out, unless the process has been in the works for awhile.

is it true that dogs will die if ingest chocolate?

I think it's poisonous to them. If there's still a piece of chocolate left, bring that and your dog to the vet and see what they can do. The dog might seem fine now, but may not feel too good later. Hope everything's ok.

Depends on type of chocolate, size of dog and how much they ate. My wifes old Shitzu ate a large bag of chocolate M&M's although he got diahria he never died. My staffie got into a bag of tinfoil covered chocolates at halloween and ate them all including tinfoil and didn't even the shits.

If a dog was to eat a bar of bakers chocolate it would be a lot worse then eating a chocolate bar.

my buddies dog ate a piece of rollo chocolate and of course my buddy was scared. so he called a vet and the receptionist i guess laughed at him when he asked if his dog was going to die. he didn't get diarrhea and its still very much alive..

So it is a rumor? i shouldn't worry about it then?

the key is how much chocolate they actually ate. Most of our chocolate treats today contain so much other ingredients that there is no where the amount to even make them sick. It may upset some dogs systems, but that is usually the dairy and high amounts of processed sugar that their digestive tracts have trouble with. The first thing is to read the label/ packaging. If it contains milk, nuts, etc then it is not pure cocoa.

any suggestions on breeders around lower mainland..all i've found so far is the one in Aldergrove. The others are too far and I don't feel comfortable about my puppy being "shipped" here...

What breed ?

maltese or havanese