I'm getting a Dog!

K&J64

I'm with Nebb. We got Abbey at 8 weeks and while she's a little terror at times, I loved watching her grow. I don't feel bad about her being a pure breed either, I've had shelter dogs in my life too and they're amazing. FI wanted a corgi so that's what we got. Here she is a a little baby fluff versus in my sig where she's several months old:

kimheartsscott

Avs, I think I love your dog!  That's adorable.

dmiller9274

American Bulldogs are the bigger/taller ones. I didn't know about the c-section births for English bulldogs, but I do know a breeder for American bulldogs and they are born the good ol' fashioned way. (I don't know much about other health related issues though)

avsfan33

lol when we got him we were just going to look at him and decide overnight. I fell in love and took him home that night.

MLekathLEEN

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_im-getting-dog?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:761ec46b-7edd-49a3-9b8d-f067bc30d348Post:152d33d0-9f38-44e7-8fb0-6022c45aaa44">Re: I'm getting a Dog!</a>:
[QUOTE]You can change shelter dogs names, fairly easily.
Posted by kimheartsscott[/QUOTE]

Agreed. My 5yo cairn's name has always been Miles but he will come to Bosco, Binx, and now Riley. As long as you "pay" the dog each time they come to you, they will learn a name in no time. Miles learned Binx and Riley while we were training them to know their names.

Have you tried looking on petfinder.com? It could be give you the best of both worlds. You can specify which breed or age you are looking for.  We lost our chocolate lab Bosco in April and my dad wanted another lab pup. We found Binx on petfinder. He was 5 1/2 weeks when we got him and was also a rescue dog.

Puppies do take a lot of time and patience but it's so worth it when they are "behaving citizens of society".

garcias1

YIO, we adopted a lab/pit bull mix this summer.  She was 12 weeks old.  The shelter didn't tell us she was pit bull, just a lab mix.  She was rescued from a kill shelter in Atlanta, Georgia (insert Vick joke here).  As she's gotten older, some of the pit has come out in her face (wide set eyes), but she has the long lean body of a lab (vet says she def has some pit in her).  FILs had a heart attack when they found out she was part pit.  To be honest, I was a little worried too.  But she is so amazingly loving to animals and people.  We keep socializing her.  She goes to daycare every other week.  She even has doggie BFFs who come the same days as her.  Anyways, don't rule out pits or pit mixes!  They are fiercely loyal to their owners and can be great with other animals if socialized correctly.

Celles

The rescue I volunteered for renamed all of its dogs and cats, even if it knew their prior names (and it often didn't).  It was symbolic of a fresh start -- especially for abused or neglected dogs, who can associate their name with bad things if it is always being yelled or screamed at them.

Celles

P.S. You can get puppies from rescue, too!  Here's one my former boss at the pet sitting gig has in her rescue right now:

Y I Oughta

I hadn't thought about changing the name as being a possibility, so I will keep that in mind.

Garcias- I would prefer a Pitt or Great Dane, but his mom is afraid of the Pitt. It took a long time to get him to agree to get a dog period, I don't want to push it by bringing in a dog his mom is afraid of. I would rather have her comfortable with what we get as it is technically still her house until the paperwork is finished, and she lives there too. My mom had two Pitt Bulls and they were the nicest, sweetest dogs we ever had. I won't rule out the breed it we get a little puppy that she can adjust to, but I have to keep my reservations to an older as I don't know how it was treated previously and how it will react to my kid in the long run.

We will probably end up with a mixed breed of some sort and I will be happy either way. As long as it doesn't squeak or chirp when it barks and has a deep voice I'll be happy.

jasmineh7777

That's exciting YIO.

Here's my very honest opinion, I don't see a need to buy from a breeder unless you are going to have a show dog, or a working dog, etc. There are MILLIONS of dogs in rescue.

Many breeders are in it for all the wrong reasons. Andplusalso, you CAN get pure bred dogs and puppies in rescue. My pure bred, AKC registered australian shepherd is a rescue dog, and we got her at 1 year old. PP have given you many of the pros and cons.

I just wanted to throw in my adopt a dog, save a life line. Seriously, saving a life is a pretty awesome pro.

undyingmizery

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_im-getting-dog?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:761ec46b-7edd-49a3-9b8d-f067bc30d348Post:50dd2674-9f88-44d1-bf1d-e5303af1903c">Re: I'm getting a Dog!</a>:
[QUOTE]The rescue I volunteered for renamed all of its dogs and cats, even if it knew their prior names (and it often didn't).  It was symbolic of a fresh start -- especially for abused or neglected dogs, who can associate their name with bad things if it is always being yelled or screamed at them.
Posted by Celles[/QUOTE]

I couldn't agree with you more on this. When they get adopted it's like a second chance at life. So when they get a new name its like a fresh start they will relate that new name with a new life :) We change the animals names as well.

garcias1

YIO, I know what you mean.  Maybe it will be a good option for the future.  I just wanted to give my 2 cents about pitts, since you mentioned you like them.  I would definitely say to go with a mixed breed because they are cheaper and have less health issues.  And this is coming from a person who had both full bred and mixed breed dogs.

Blueyed228

I could never be morally opposed to any dog.

AllAboutTheBenjamin

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_im-getting-dog?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:761ec46b-7edd-49a3-9b8d-f067bc30d348Post:6fce5f8b-2a3d-46a5-92c2-0043cd7669ac">Re: I'm getting a Dog!</a>:
[QUOTE]I could never be morally opposed to any dog.
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]

Ditto blue, *thumbs up*

Nebb

I just have to...


The day we got him


1st bath!


aaaaaand now haha.

sarah0725

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_im-getting-dog?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:761ec46b-7edd-49a3-9b8d-f067bc30d348Post:6fce5f8b-2a3d-46a5-92c2-0043cd7669ac">Re: I'm getting a Dog!</a>:
[QUOTE]I could never be morally opposed to any dog.
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]

Sorry if I want any animal that lives in my house to be the product of its parents merrily screwing each other.

Pesapenny

Get a rescue! My dog was abandoned and tied to a speed sign alongside a highway. He definitely was abused- he's missing his front teeth and he took a while to act normally around shoes and moving objects.

It took while, and he's still not 100 percent, but he is the sweetest dog I've ever owned. Well, I love all my dogs who had passed (all pugs- I come from a pug people family!) I didn't intend to rescue him, but I couldn't help it he is so cute! This little guy is the first mutt I've owned, and I'm hooked! I'll probably get a pug too, but I'm going to rescue first. Why not get a bulldog rescue? 

With bulldogs, you need to take into account their health concerns. As they age, they can become very costly- and often pet insurance (if you choose to go that route) won't cover bulldogs because of their health history. In all, they're probably a more expensive dog to own. Just something to consider. If you do go pure bred, be sure that you don't get your dog from a puppy mill, and do your research to get a reputable breeder- not a puppy store.

Blueyed228

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_im-getting-dog?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:761ec46b-7edd-49a3-9b8d-f067bc30d348Post:2d09e0ac-e0af-4de1-8fe5-7df6c1b7b43a">Re: I'm getting a Dog!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I'm getting a Dog! : Sorry if I want any animal that lives in my house to be the product of its parents merrily screwing each other.
Posted by sarah0725[/QUOTE]

Im just saying lots of beings are created by artificial insemination and delivered by c-section.

Its not the dogs fault that it exists.  And they all need a good home.  If you had said you do not support the people who breed them, rather than being morally opposed to the dogs, that would be different.

Or maybe that is what you meant to say, who knows, but it just came off a little weird to me.

Pesapenny

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_im-getting-dog?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:761ec46b-7edd-49a3-9b8d-f067bc30d348Post:44916972-3215-46cd-8c41-e4cf3296dd7e">Re: I'm getting a Dog!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I'm getting a Dog! : Im just saying lots of beings are created by artificial insemination and delivered by c-section. Its not the dogs fault that it exists.  And they all need a good home.  If you had said you do not support the people who breed them, rather than being morally opposed to the dogs, that would be different. Or maybe that is what you meant to say, who knows, but it just came off a little weird to me.
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]


Yeah...I agree...that comment came off as kind of weird and very ridiculous. All dog breeds, not just bulldogs, have been shaped and molded by breeders over hundreds of years to gain desireable traits- even pugs (my fav breed).That's why daschunds are long and Newfoundlands have webbed feet. These breeds weren't mere happenstance- they were intentionally made by humans, not dogs saying, hey you're a lab, and I'm a lab, let's do it!

Also, I'm pretty sure zoos do that with endangered animals-and horses too, because they often injure themselves while breeding.

sarah0725

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_im-getting-dog?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:761ec46b-7edd-49a3-9b8d-f067bc30d348Post:44916972-3215-46cd-8c41-e4cf3296dd7e">Re: I'm getting a Dog!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I'm getting a Dog! : Im just saying lots of beings are created by artificial insemination and delivered by c-section. Its not the dogs fault that it exists.  And they all need a good home.  If you had said you do not support the people who breed them, rather than being morally opposed to the dogs, that would be different. Or maybe that is what you meant to say, who knows, but it just came off a little weird to me.
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]

OK, let me make it more clear. It may not be true of all varieties of bulldogs, but there are at least some that can only exist with the help of human intervention, i.e. artificial insemination and c-section, and are bred specifically for cosmetic characteristics (short legs, big head, short snout, floppy skin, etc) that are detrimental to the dog's health and life-span. However cute they may be, these dogs live short, expensive lives full of health problems. I find it highly morally suspect to continue breeding animals that are basically trying to Darwinize themselves out of existence. Especially when there are so many dogs out there that need good homes, and came into the world naturally.

Does that make sense to you?

Blueyed228

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_im-getting-dog?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:761ec46b-7edd-49a3-9b8d-f067bc30d348Post:19adec76-3534-4828-a536-5c81781c054e">Re: I'm getting a Dog!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I'm getting a Dog! : OK, let me make it more clear. It may not be true of all varieties of bulldogs, but there are at least some that can only exist with the help of human intervention, i.e. artificial insemination and c-section, and are bred specifically for cosmetic characteristics (short legs, big head, short snout, floppy skin, etc) that are detrimental to the dog's health and life-span. However cute they may be, these dogs live short, expensive lives full of health problems. I find it highly morally suspect to continue breeding animals that are basically trying to Darwinize themselves out of existence. Especially when there are so many dogs out there that need good homes, and came into the world naturally. Does that make sense to you?
Posted by sarah0725[/QUOTE]

All of your posts have made sense.  I just said I didnt agree with being morally opposed to the dogs because their parents didnt create them during a merry hump.

Breeding can be dangerous.  Everyone knows that.  But it can be done correctly.  There are dogs with lower life expectancies due to health problems as well.  Should they not be bred either?  OP mentioned Great Danes.  They only live to about 7 on average.

Pesapenny

If not for human intervention, many animals would have been "darwinized" out of existence to extinction.

Kate C

I have two very trained service dogs, Maddox is my retired seeing eye dog, he was a guide dog for 3 years before he got hit by a car. Handsome Hank ( Yes that is his formal name) we just call him hank or hanky-panky...( cheesy) was a drug/cadaver rescue dog ( beagle)  I always knew I wanted a retired seeing eye dog then a friend asked I would take hank in.
I was on the waiting list for Maddox for 2 years and had an extensive backround check and had to prove my self as a responsible person..
Rewards free vet services for the life of the dog, we get a free dog walker, free grooming services. The Seeing eye pays for 2 years of dog food and any meds that are considered pre exisiting conditions...... He is SOOOO sweet, he does not know how to bark, he squeeks and that scares him. He can call 911, open doors, he is my heart. I would take a retired service dog in a second. Just a thought and good luck finding your next family member!

Blueyed228

KatieC- I think thats a wonderful thing to do.

Steph0871

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_im-getting-dog?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:761ec46b-7edd-49a3-9b8d-f067bc30d348Post:19adec76-3534-4828-a536-5c81781c054e">Re: I'm getting a Dog!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I'm getting a Dog! : OK, let me make it more clear. It may not be true of all varieties of bulldogs, but there are at least some that can only exist with the help of human intervention, i.e. artificial insemination and c-section, and are bred specifically for cosmetic characteristics (short legs, big head, short snout, floppy skin, etc) that are detrimental to the dog's health and life-span. However cute they may be, these dogs live short, expensive lives full of health problems. I find it highly morally suspect to continue breeding animals that are basically trying to Darwinize themselves out of existence. Especially when there are so many dogs out there that need good homes, and came into the world naturally. <strong>Does that make sense to you?</strong>
Posted by sarah0725[/QUOTE]

<div>Sarah, I usually enjoy reading your posts because you're so obviously intelligent.  But just because you are, doesn't mean someone who has an opposing opinion is a moron.  Maybe you didn't mean it that way, but that last line came across extremely demeaning.  "Does that make sense?" is one thing... "does that make sense to you?" sounds like Blue couldn't possibly have understood anything you said before this.</div><div>
</div><div>Ditto PP.... without human inference, there are quite a few animals that would cease to exist.  Should we let them all die too?</div>

sarah0725

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_im-getting-dog?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:17Discussion:761ec46b-7edd-49a3-9b8d-f067bc30d348Post:8e0d2a8c-e255-4abb-ab18-b026ff6eb02d">Re: I'm getting a Dog!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I'm getting a Dog! : All of your posts have made sense.  I just said I didnt agree with being morally opposed to the dogs because their parents didnt create them during a merry hump. Breeding can be dangerous.  Everyone knows that.  But it can be done correctly.  There are dogs with lower life expectancies due to health problems as well.  Should they not be bred either?  OP mentioned Great Danes.  They only live to about 7 on average.
Posted by Blueyed228[/QUOTE]

I can't claim to know everything about every dog breed, so I don't know what causes Great Danes to have short lives, or what their lives are like in the years that they have.

I also think you're being a little semantical here. Obviously, it isn't the dogs' fault that people breed them, and I'm not for rounding up all existing bulldogs and killing them or anything. I feel like you're trying to find something to disagree with if you don't realize what I meant.

What I do know, though, is what I saw of the two bulldogs an acquaintance of mine owns. These are not elderly dogs - they may be about two or three. As I already mentioned, one of them nearly died because one day she was excited about a new toy, snorted funny, and then had to be taken to the hospital because her sinuses had collapsed or something. These dogs can't walk further than around the block without being winded, because their legs can't support their heads. Their eyes have all sorts of issues. If my friend doesn't clean their neck folds constantly, they get icky sores. She has to wipe their butts after they poop, and I think she sometimes may have to help them. And they constantly have to be watched, because the slightest thing could injure them. And it's not like these problems are unusual to the breed.

I think people who adopt and nurse sick or injured animals are saints, and I think that sort of thing is wonderful. But I think that specifically manipulating nature in order to create a sick animal is in itself sick and cruel.

Blueyed228

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_im-getting-dog?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:761ec46b-7edd-49a3-9b8d-f067bc30d348Post:efc98cec-3eba-493c-8e5e-9f1a88dc47fb">Re: I'm getting a Dog!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I'm getting a Dog! : Sarah, I usually enjoy reading your posts because you're so obviously intelligent.  But just because you are, doesn't mean someone who has an opposing opinion is a moron.  Maybe you didn't mean it that way, but that last line came across extremely demeaning.  "Does that make sense?" is one thing...<strong><u> "does that make sense to you?" sounds like Blue couldn't possibly have understood anything you said before this</u></strong>. Ditto PP.... without human inference, there are quite a few animals that would cease to exist.  Should we let them all die too?
Posted by Steph0871[/QUOTE]

Exactly.

Steph0871

I feel ignored. Blue's getting all of Sarah's attention.

AllAboutTheBenjamin

Maybe I'm on a bizarre track here... but I think if someone wants to raise and care for a bull dog, genetically engineered or not, that's their prerogative. 

I cannot stand little fluffy yap ass dogs but I'm not going to judge anyone who owns them.  That's the type of dog they want to have, and it's none of my business.

I also think there are far worse things in this world that are going on that are actually worth advocating for or against than telling someone considering getting a bull dog that you're "morally opposed" to them.  People are morally opposed to tons of things.  So what?  People use IVF to get pregnant these days - are we morally opposed to that too?  ...Or am I preaching to the choir here?

Meh.  I like burritos.

Blueyed228

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_snarky-brides_im-getting-dog?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding BoardsForum:17Discussion:761ec46b-7edd-49a3-9b8d-f067bc30d348Post:4d475de4-73de-4d04-94e8-3573a7680ff3">Re: I'm getting a Dog!</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: I'm getting a Dog! : I can't claim to know everything about every dog breed, so I don't know what causes Great Danes to have short lives, or what their lives are like in the years that they have. I also think you're being a little semantical here. Obviously, it isn't the dogs' fault that people breed them, and I'm not for rounding up all existing bulldogs and killing them or anything.<strong><u> I feel like you're trying to find something to disagree with if you don't realize what I meant</u></strong>. What I do know, though, is what I saw of the two bulldogs an acquaintance of mine owns. These are not elderly dogs - they may be about two or three. As I already mentioned, one of them nearly died because one day she was excited about a new toy, snorted funny, and then had to be taken to the hospital because her sinuses had collapsed or something. These dogs can't walk further than around the block without being winded, because their legs can't support their heads. Their eyes have all sorts of issues. If my friend doesn't clean their neck folds constantly, they get icky sores. She has to wipe their butts after they poop, and I think she sometimes may have to help them. And they constantly have to be watched, because the slightest thing could injure them. And it's not like these problems are unusual to the breed. I think people who adopt and nurse sick or injured animals are saints, and I think that sort of thing is wonderful. But I think that specifically manipulating nature in order to create a sick animal is in itself sick and cruel.
Posted by sarah0725[/QUOTE]

Sarah- I know what you meant.  I just dont agree with your reasoning behind it.  I'm not purposely trying to disagree with you. 

Not every discussion needs to be an argument on who is more knowledgeable on the topic.  All I said was that I would never be morally opposed to any dog.  Im not interested in a long winded discussion on Darwinism.