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Picking out a dog

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by Skeet84, Jun 23, 2009.

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  1. TJamesW_Phinfan

    TJamesW_Phinfan New Member

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    My family had one when I was a kid. Awesome dog.

    I agree completely with the humane soc. route too. I got a big lab mix from them that was the best buddy I ever had. Healthy, happy, loving, very smart and friendly to everyone. She swam like a fish. We had to lock her up when my mother went swiming. Pooch was convinced my mother (not a graceful swimmer) was in trouble and would jump in the pool grab my mothers arm in her mouth and drag her to the side. Was funniest thing I ever saw.
     
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  2. my 2 cents

    my 2 cents Well-Known Member

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    I have a black and tan daschund also...I agree great dog, very affectionate...BUT hard headed and they are the most glutanous breed on the face of the earth IMO.
     
  3. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    I have a couple of Shiba Inus. They are great apt. dogs.

    http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...a=X&um=1

    Here's a pic I found online. I don't know how to upload my own pictures.

    They have great personalities. I've even heard of some people who litter box train them. They are small, about 14"-16" tall and 18 - 20 lbs. They don't need to be bathed, they clean themselves like cats. They look like miniature Akitas although the coloring is different. It's more like a fox. My understanding is that they are common in Japan, kind of like their version of a retriever. The one downside is that they shed, a lot.
     
  4. BuckeyeKing

    BuckeyeKing Wolves DYNASTY!!!!

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    Siberian Husky
     
  5. DonShula84

    DonShula84 Moderator Luxury Box

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    I live in an apt and just got a dog. It's a puggle - half pug/half beagle and it's really cool so far. Only 6 weeks old, had her for a few days but it wont get that big and I cant see it destroying my place (knock on wood), but I'll keep you updated lol.

    [​IMG]
     
  6. The G Man

    The G Man Git 'r doooonnne!!!

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    I am very impressed with all the great advice. Way to go thephins.com forum members!

    And, sorry to repeat those that have already said it, but it's worth repeating for others considering a pet...definitely adopt/rescue as opposed to buying. Too many dogs in need of a good home. Too many are euthanized (MILLIONS, annually) because there are too many dogs, and aren't enough good homes. "Nough said...

    Being in an apartment does limit your scope IMO. Although, there is something to be said for nothing limiting you beyond what you are willing to take on. In other words, if you are an exercise freak, than you don't need to shy away from a high energy dog. Having said that, if I were you, I would look for a medium to smaller size dog with a medium to lower level of energy needs. Honestly, if you weren't in an apartment, I would tell you to get a german shepherd (or a german shepherd mix), and never look back. They're just so smart/loving and loyal, it's hard to go wrong. You could still pursue a GSD, just be prepared...they tend to be high energy dogs, and definitely require a lot of time and attention.

    My advice...go to your local shelter and walk through the maze of kennels. Stop at any dogs that may capture your interest, and look for an energy. I know that may sound kinda weird, but I swear it's true. You're looking for a connection. And, when it happens, you will know it. Trust me on this. This happened with me not once, but twice. And, in both cases we were blessed with amazing dogs. Family members really.

    In lieu of that, and if you decide on a specific breed...check out the associated rescue groups via the web, as there are plenty of purebreds in need of a good home. Just pick your flavor.

    Good luck to you, and I hope you keep us posted on your efforts and results.
     
    Fin D likes this.
  7. Fin Fan In Cali

    Fin Fan In Cali Dolphin fan since 1970 Luxury Box

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    Blue Healers are cool dogs. They are small, bright, and definitely no right from wrong. Very good at herding too. One my nephew had his dog Foxy in the garage, and my 100 pounder Sammy made a dash out the house through the garage. Foxy got in front of him barked, with all her 45 lbs or so, and my boy went right back in the house.:lol: He doesn't back down from dogs the get in front of him at all. This was the first time I ever saw that.:wink2: German Sheppard females are awesome, very loyal dogs as I have one. However for a apartment maybe too much.
     
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  8. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    Jack Russell Terrier FTW!
     
  9. texanphinatic

    texanphinatic Senior Member

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    Cockers can be very sweet and loving dogs, but many of them have some serious health issues and they are dumb as rocks (tough to housebreak). Thats what Ive heard from every cocker owner I know.
     
  10. TheMageGandalf

    TheMageGandalf Senior Member

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    If you dont mind some hair, get a Pomeranian.

    They are small which is good for apts. since their poop is small.

    They are FIERCELY loyal dogs (as most spitz breeds are) and tend to forget their size as they 'try' to protect.

    They love to play, even when older, and are very, very smart.
     
  11. steveincolorado

    steveincolorado Spook, Storme & Pebbles

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    Max was a purebread Blue Heeler. Pudy, Spook and Storme are mixed breeds, but all look Heeler. Great dogs, but you also have to know how to take care of them. They are very smart, but they hate cats and they do nip. Spook and Storme like to nip, not bite, but nip and people that have them need to know this. They are also very good watch dogs, NOBODY will break into my place.:up:
     
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  12. HolliFinFan

    HolliFinFan Not a Face Painter Luxury Box

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    If raised up with cats or knowing that YOU endorse the cats, most all breeds of dogs will adapt to a cat/dog household. It's an endearing sight to behold. Due to work constraints, I only have cats now, but the majority of my life I've had both--and I miss it and their interaction. Domesticated animals are not in tune with our own biases unless we make them clear.
     
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  13. Frumundah Finnatic

    Frumundah Finnatic U Mad Miami?

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    Every Cocker I've known are overly aggressive and nutty.
     
  14. Fin Fan In Cali

    Fin Fan In Cali Dolphin fan since 1970 Luxury Box

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    You are right about warming up to people. Foxy is very picky about who she warms up to. She would come to me after that visit at my house, and she would always let me pet her and rub her. :wink2:
     
  15. steveincolorado

    steveincolorado Spook, Storme & Pebbles

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    Once Spook knows you, your fine, as long as I'm there:wink2: Storme is okay with everybody she meets, still likes to nip though.:wink2: Pudy never left my side, she would go to no one and Max scared the hell out of every one I knew.
     
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  16. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    rhodesian ridgeback

    [​IMG]
     
  17. steveincolorado

    steveincolorado Spook, Storme & Pebbles

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    Do the child ride them things:up:
     
  18. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    they can. these arent mine but i had two of them back in the day. the only negative is when they are pups they will eat all your furniture :lol: do not get these if you have expensive furniture!!!!:lol:
     
  19. steveincolorado

    steveincolorado Spook, Storme & Pebbles

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    I had to buy new furniture a while back, Spook helped me decide it was time:shifty:
     
  20. adamprez2003

    adamprez2003 Senior Member

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    :lol: they have a way of doing that :lol:
     
  21. UCF FINatic

    UCF FINatic The Miami Dolphins select

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    Another thing to consider when getting a dog from a shelter is the fact that some of them have seperation anxiety disorders and need some training to get over it.

    My family and I work with Florida Boxer Rescue and have so far helped foster somewhere in the range of 6 to 8 Boxers until they are adopted. They are great dogs, but I don't believe they would make a good apartment dog... Anyways here is the current dog we have:
    [​IMG]

    Well, when we first got him he had seperation anxiety, which basically meant he would go crazy if you left him alone or put him in a cage and tried to leave the house. The first time we put him in the cage and left he broke out of the cage via biting and scratching through the metal cage and was looking for us. This took some time to correct, but he is fine now. Anyways, I kind of like how he still have a very minor case of seperation anxiety because he always follows me around the house and is always by my side.

    Its kind of weird to say this, but I feel that when you adopt a dog from a shelter they appreciate you a lot more. Anyways if you get a dog and it has any behavior problems just PM me I should be able to help you out... Another thing to consider is fostering a certain breed. Fostering basically is you provide a house for a dog until a family meets the dog, likes the dog and decides to adopt the dog... As a foster family you have do have first right to the dog and if you fall in love with the dog, you can adopt it yourself. Only downside is that I am not sure if the breeds you are interested in have Rescue programs for them, but check it out man its worth a shot.
     
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  22. Pauly

    Pauly Season Ticket Holder

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    Blue Heelers, so nameed for their ability to control cattle by nipping at their heels, need to run about 1,000 miles a day. Great working dogs and damned near indestructible, but not the best pet if you don't give them the exercise they need.

    Me, I've always liked terriers. I had a Cairn Terrier and he was an independent minded grumpy wee doggie who took no crap from nobody. Never bothered Pomeranians or Pappilions, but put a Rhodesian Ridgeback in front of him and the phasers were set to "kill". His opinion of what part of the city belonged to him was very simple, all of it.

    One of the things I like about terriers is that you're either a friend and welcome or a foe and mistrusted. Since most terriers were working dogs until very recently in their breed history they tend to be very robust and have few health problems. Being intelligent and independent minded can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on whether or not you can control them. After extensive negotiation my Cairn agreed that "Stop", "drop it" and "come here" were acceptable commands that he may consider agreeing to, but anything beyond that was a waste of time. If you're not prepared to own a dog who will hear your command, understand it and then reject it don't bother with terriers.

    Jack Russels, irish terriers, and smooth haired fox terriers are at the most extreme psycho-nutter end of the terrier scale. They can be great dogs but need a lot of work. Some of the terrier breeds like the Cairn, Sealyham and Scotty really are one person dogs and will be insanely loyal to you, which can upset the GF when your dog ignores her attempts at command or attempts at buying their loyalty through treats. Welsh, Border and Australian terriers are at the more tractable end of the terrier scale, although that still is completely psycho nutter compared to a lab or a poodle.

    PS If I didn't own terriers I'd get a boxer.
     
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  23. gafinfan

    gafinfan gunner Club Member

    As a dog lover all of my life its been a pleasure to read everyones input. I'm surprised that no one has said anything about Goldens. My best dog while growing up was a cross breed Golden/mutt by the name of Sandy, RIP fella.
     
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  24. TiP54

    TiP54 Bad Reputation

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    Live from the Internet.
    Huskie or a German Sheppard :)
     
  25. NJFINSFAN1

    NJFINSFAN1 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Lab's

    Hands down the best dogs on the earth.

    Case closed
     
  26. Big E

    Big E Plus sized porn star

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    I agree...but I dont know about them being the best apartment dogs.
     
  27. steveincolorado

    steveincolorado Spook, Storme & Pebbles

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    Case reopened....
    Blue Heelers are the best dogs on the earth:yes:

    Now case closed:pointlol:
     
  28. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

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    Mutts are the best dogs on the Earth.
     
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  29. Skeet84

    Skeet84 New Member

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    I am very shocked as well. I think from top to bottom its one of the best breeds (if not the best). Had a Golden and we have looked into getting anotyer one. Labs and Golden are fine for apartments if they get enough exercise
     
  30. steveincolorado

    steveincolorado Spook, Storme & Pebbles

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    You can't go wrong with a Lab or Golden. If I didn't have Heelers, I'd get one of those.
     
  31. Stitches

    Stitches ThePhin's Biggest Killjoy Luxury Box

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    Labs are 2nd only to JRTs. :yes:
     
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  32. Skeet84

    Skeet84 New Member

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    You've lost me on this one sorry. Lol I think you just got a great dog. Not sure about the breed
     
  33. Frumundah Finnatic

    Frumundah Finnatic U Mad Miami?

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    He'd have to walk a Lab alot then, they dont settle down for awhile.
    they are chick magnets though.
     

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