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Need Advice About Getting A Dog

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Re: Need Advice About Getting A Dog



  • Interesting! Yeah, I was researching the best "apartment dogs," and each has their different drawbacks- ie pugs and other short-faced breeds seem have expensive, chronic health issues (not trying to generalize), basset hounds can howl a lot, etc. Plus SO and I are gone all day at work so I would want to wait until I'm in a financial position to get daycare, or a dog walker, etc (since most of my disposable income is spent on travel, haha).

    But when that time comes I definitely want to look into fostering a dog or at least doing what you did and getting a dog that's been fostered in a city- that's a good idea.

    Yep I work full time so I have a dog walker that comes and takes her out for a full hour at lunch time.  then I always go straight home from work and walk and feed her and spend time with her.  If I do go out again, I make sure it's not for more than a few hours at night because I don't want to neglect her obviously!  
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  • Our big girl is part Great Pyrenees! She is also insanely huge and the world's worst guard dog. If our house was being robbed, she would be like "HI NEW BEST FRIEND! ARE YOU HERE TO PET ME? CAN I HAVE A PUPPERONI? I LOVE YOU!!!"

    Her most aggressive act so far is accidentally stepping on DF's nuts while trying to climb into his lap on the couch.
    I fell in love with a Great Pyrenees at the shelter. We got very close to adopting her but realized that our house just wasn't big enough. She had a tail that wagged like crazy and realized that she would just need more space than we could provide indoors. We have a huge backyard that she would have loved though....

    Maybe if we ever move somewhere bigger....
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  • It kind of sounds like you shouldn't get a dog.


    But because puppies, here's Franklin (blue healer/boarder collie) wearing my bra like a dirty drag queen.
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    Just at the bolded. Dog+Bra=Cute though.
  • Oh also keep in mind that your cat might be an asshole to a dog and hurt a dog, especially a puppy that would be similar size to a cat and your cat could get aggressive.  It's not just dogs who can hurt other animals.

    True story. My cat can be an asshole. 


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  • Our big girl is part Great Pyrenees! She is also insanely huge and the world's worst guard dog. If our house was being robbed, she would be like "HI NEW BEST FRIEND! ARE YOU HERE TO PET ME? CAN I HAVE A PUPPERONI? I LOVE YOU!!!"

    Her most aggressive act so far is accidentally stepping on DF's nuts while trying to climb into his lap on the couch.
    We had a Bernese Mountain Dog growing up, similar size to the Great Pyrenees, and he really was the worst guard dog. We had someone break in, set over the dog, make it all the way up stairs until my mom heard him. The guy ran and got out. Dog slept through the whole thing.


  • Our big girl is part Great Pyrenees! She is also insanely huge and the world's worst guard dog. If our house was being robbed, she would be like "HI NEW BEST FRIEND! ARE YOU HERE TO PET ME? CAN I HAVE A PUPPERONI? I LOVE YOU!!!"

    Her most aggressive act so far is accidentally stepping on DF's nuts while trying to climb into his lap on the couch.


    He's only a smidge more standoffish. He holds off on the "I love yous" until he gets the Pupperoni hahaha. 

    When he was younger, I trained him to "dance" - he'd put his paws up on my shoulders (only time he was ever allowed to jump on anyone; he's big enough to knock me over otherwise and we worked a LONG time on that) and we'd move around in a circle and then he would get down. I miss that; he's too old for it now. :(
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  • I agree that OP shouldn't have a dog.

    OKAY STORY TIME.

    1) Missy - Australian Shepherd/Border Collie cross.  She was beautiful.  She was a herding dog, but we didn't have cows at that point, so she herded our chickens off the garden all the time.

    2) Jag - Rottweiler.  We had him when we were little (got him when I was four, so C would have only been one).  A dog bigger than their kids, and Mom & Dad trained him so well that I could have waved a piece of meat in front of his face and he wouldn't move.  He was a big suck.

    3) Bill the boxer, Mom & Dad's current dog.  He's a fruit fiend.  He LOVES oranges and strawberries, so if you're peeling citrus or cutting berries, he stands beside you and DROOLS SPIT BUBBLES until you give him some.  He also gets pissy if he's tired and it's time for bed, but no one is going yet.  He sits and whines at us until someone goes to bed.  And when I say whine, I mean growl like Chewbacca.  He's hysterical.  He was already 4 when Mom & Dad got him, and the first time I met him, he was home alone.  I walked in and said 'hi Bill!' and he was really worried, but really trying to like me, since I knew his name.  Worst guard dog ever.  Now he dances every time I come home.

    4) Murphy the Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog.  This is probably the most gorgeous dog I've ever seen in my life.  He comes up to my thigh, and is so gentle.  My sister & BIL's niece is three now, and he's just a teddy bear to her.

    5) Dirk the Great Pyrenees/Australian Shepherd.  Looks like an Australian Shepherd, but is as big as a Great Pyrenees.  Or at least, he will be.  He's only 9 months old right now, but he's already as big as Murphy.  He's a huge suck, too.  He'll try and sneak under the table to put his head on your lap (sneaks because he's not supposed to be under the table), and then sighs and mopes when you tell him to get out from under there.  He also thinks he's a lapdog, which is awkward when he's as tall as you on two feet.

    Both Murphy and Dirk had never been around cats until I had to send my two cats (who had never been around dogs) to live with my sister.  They ignore the cats, even though the cats themselves acted like dog food for the first little while and ran like the dickens anytime the dogs were let out.  They never got chased, though.

    **The OMH formerly known as jsangel1018**
  • I have another question for OP, if this is your first dog you will have on your own as an adult and seem to be a bit timid about stronger breeds, why do you want a big dog? I know everyone has their preferences but just out of curiosity is there a reason you want a big one? I always wanted a bigger dog because we are very active and like to hike so I wanted one that could keep up. I got a 20lb mix breed and she is a freaking beast, she out hikes both of us and easily goes running with me. She also turned out to be easier because if we take out the snowmobiles she fits nicely on the seat in front of me and just rides along, same thing on the dirt bikes. Asking because if you are so worried about your cat then any large breed has the capability of harming the cat and a smaller breed when trained correctly can do everything a big dog can do.

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  • I have another question for OP, if this is your first dog you will have on your own as an adult and seem to be a bit timid about stronger breeds, why do you want a big dog? I know everyone has their preferences but just out of curiosity is there a reason you want a big one? I always wanted a bigger dog because we are very active and like to hike so I wanted one that could keep up. I got a 20lb mix breed and she is a freaking beast, she out hikes both of us and easily goes running with me. She also turned out to be easier because if we take out the snowmobiles she fits nicely on the seat in front of me and just rides along, same thing on the dirt bikes. Asking because if you are so worried about your cat then any large breed has the capability of harming the cat and a smaller breed when trained correctly can do everything a big dog can do.

    Your dog must be so happy doing all those activities. I've heard of people keeping huskies in their apartments here in Chicago and it makes me sad. They don't do activities, they just wanted the breed. 
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  • I'm joining the "OP probably shouldn't get a dog at all" camp. Based on your posts, I really don't think you know what you're getting yourself into. I agree with a PP (don't remember who) that your personality/age/weight/breed/etc. requirements are insanely specific, especially with a small puppy that you probably won't know much about.


    Honestly, IF you get a dog, personally I think your best option would be to get an adult rescue, preferably from a foster in a home that has cats. The foster parents would have an excellent idea of the dog's personality and how it interacts with cats. But since you've completely discounted so many breeds and mixes, it's going to be much harder to find a rescue that fits the bill. If you're diligent in searching petfinder.com you can find one, but just know that puppies in particular may be somewhat unpredictable, if for no other reason than that the foster just hasn't had the same opportunity to experience the puppy's specific behavior or personality when they're likely taking care of an entire litter, plus any other animals in their home.

    If we're going by anecdotal evidence, dachshunds are clearly the most aggressive breed because the dachshund in my building has tried to bite me and/or my pup probably a dozen times. Like legitimately growling and lunching and gnashing his teeth at us and getting as close as his leash will allow.

    Also, eff the concept of "bully breeds." It's so fucking ridiculous I could scream. And people who believe it (along with irresponsible breeders and owners) are the reason thousands of amazing dogs are killed in shelters every single year.
    This is also a relaly, really good idea.

    "Love is the one thing we're capable of perceiving that transcends time and space."


  • Your dog must be so happy doing all those activities. I've heard of people keeping huskies in their apartments here in Chicago and it makes me sad. They don't do activities, they just wanted the breed. 
    That is sad to me, you wouldn't be happy stuck in your house all day every day so what makes you think your dog is? I got a dog because I WANTED to spend time with them, it makes me sad that people will get a particular breed because it's "cool" but not really think about their needs (same about getting a dog in general). She is our baby and she goes everywhere with us! She doesn't love the snowmobiles because they are loud but she is a trooper when we use them to get into the cabin, then she gets to go snowshoeing which is pretty much her favorite activity even though most of the time the snow is over hear little head. 

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  • Your dog must be so happy doing all those activities. I've heard of people keeping huskies in their apartments here in Chicago and it makes me sad. They don't do activities, they just wanted the breed. 

    This bums me out, too. Certain breeds are more high energy than others and require more exercise. 

    We have some friends who got a german shorthaired pointer "because it's a beautiful dog" (no doubt, gorgeous dog), but they live in a small, 2 bedroom apartment in the city and their lifestyle is to go to work for 10 hours a day and come home and watch TV. They have a little balcony where the dog has a pee turf pad thing. After the dog became an adult, they started complaining that he was neurotic and antsy. Well, no shit y'all? I'm just shocked. Shocked, I tell you. 


    Lord, I live in a 2 bedroom house on 3 acres of land and I don't have the room or the time for a German Shorthair. They beautiful dogs and I love them (our neighbor has 3), but at least I'm smart enough to know that isn't the breed for me.

  • madamerwinmadamerwin member
    1000 Comments 500 Love Its Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    edited May 2015
    ashley8918 said:Based on anecdotal evidence, Chihuahuas are by far the most aggressive dog breed. My extended family has suffered 3 separate Chihuahua bites.
    ------BOX-----

    THIS IS ACTUALLY TRUE (anecdotally)! FI's brother had all of his chickens killed by a pack of chihuauas who broke into the chicken coop. Chihuauas can be very aggressive.

    I also agree with @lyndausvi re: the anecdotal evidence about the husky killing the cat. If the dog was not trained not to chase cats, then things like this can happen. It IS important to train dogs how to behave around cats.

    We have two cats, and just got a puppy. Granted, we crate train the dog (so he isn't around the cats unsupervised often), but we are training him not to pursue the cats. And he's actually afraid of them, since he gets a whap on the head (from the cat) if he gets too close.

    ETA Words and Box
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  • ElcaBElcaB member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    I haven't read through the bajillion posts on here, so I'm sure someone's already offered the advice I'm about to give:

    Call a few reputable shelters (key word: reputable). Talk with someone and share your requirements. Good shelters do their best to match a pet to a family's lifestyle and preferences, so chances are, even if they don't have the perfect puppy right now, they'll have you in mind when the perfect pup does come along. 

    BTW, your desires are not at all impossible. 
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  • ElcaBElcaB member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its First Answer
    Not trying to derail the OP, but is there a breed that doesn't take a very strong owner? I'm willing to put in the work with training, but when push comes to shove, well, I'm a push over at times. H and I have been looking at adopting for awhile now but haven't decided. 
    dolewhipper, check out a prison dog program! The dogs will have already gone through obedience school & it will be easier for you. 
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  • BTW, you can teach cats not to be bully assholes to your "tasty" dogs, your large breed dogs, your kids, etc.

    I lived in a house with 5 cats and we did not tolerate fighting.  If one cat started hissing at another, and the 2nd cat choose not to get the hint and back the fuck off the 1st cat, and they started posturing to fight. . . we physically stepped in and broke the two up and made them go their separate ways.  Bad Kitty Juice- lemon water- and Nerf guns also work well on those days when you just can't be bothered to pause Netflix and get up off the couch.

    Eventually the cats got to the point that if we heard their fuckery and told them to knock it off, they did. . . just like dogs and kids!

    One day when we get a house, I really want a pair of Shepherds or Rotties.  I like big dogs, if you couldn't tell I'm an Alpha and a bitch so I have no issues being a strong master :-P, I have experience working with and training a very stubborn, rescue horse and horse/dog social behaviors are actually quite similar,  and since these breeds are stigmatized it will work well for me if I'm out walking alone.  People should keep their distance and not try to approach me, which is what I want if you are sketch.  And these dogs will know they are down the pack order from my beloved smoosh faced cats. . . but the cats will not be allowed to bully them.

    "Love is the one thing we're capable of perceiving that transcends time and space."


  • ElcaB said:

    dolewhipper, check out a prison dog program! The dogs will have already gone through obedience school & it will be easier for you. 

    Also, I would stay away from the exceptionally smart breeds if you think you will be a pushover, if a border collie gets away with something from you, they are smart enough to know they can do it again and WILL try. Mine is part terrier and is terribly stubborn, if I give in once she will try again and is always pushing the limits of what she can get away with. 

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  • ElcaB said:

    dolewhipper, check out a prison dog program! The dogs will have already gone through obedience school & it will be easier for you. 

    This. My aunt and uncle got a prison dog. Very well cared for and behaved dog.
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  • Just because they live in an apartment doesn't mean that they don't take them out and do "activities" with them.

    Signed,

    Pit Bull-owner in a condo (which is really just an apartment that I own)
    I've been told by some owners that they don't do activities with them. Once a month, maybe the dog park, but nothing like hiking, biking, running, etc. They take the dogs for walks a couple times a day, for 5 minutes to do their business. I'm not saying a dog can't stay in an apartment/condo, but if you admit to not doing things with them, then it will make me sad. 
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  • That is sad to me, you wouldn't be happy stuck in your house all day every day so what makes you think your dog is? I got a dog because I WANTED to spend time with them, it makes me sad that people will get a particular breed because it's "cool" but not really think about their needs (same about getting a dog in general). She is our baby and she goes everywhere with us! She doesn't love the snowmobiles because they are loud but she is a trooper when we use them to get into the cabin, then she gets to go snowshoeing which is pretty much her favorite activity even though most of the time the snow is over hear little head. 

    Wait. Does your dog wear little snowshoes?! Is that a thing? Are there pictures? Because that sounds so freaking cute. 
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