I want to get a dog. But what are some good breeds to get? I want something smallish, loyal and that doesn't shed.
I'm thinking of getting a dog.
- Thread starter Trekker4747
- Start date
Something tiny and with a lot of hair. A Pomeranian or a Poodle, perhaps? 
Dogs are an incredibly huge investment. They need lots of time and attention, especially if you get a puppy. If you're not at home all that often, you're not going to get a particularly well-adjusted animal. You live in an apartment; is your landlord OK with animals? Have you budgeted for the enormous expenses that go along with pet ownership?
I'm just afraid that you're taking your deep-rooted dissatisfaction with yourself and with your life -- a dissatisfaction that you have made explicitly clear to us during your time on this board -- and trying to fill that hole with a dog. And that's not a good idea.
That being said, you would probably be smart to consider adopting an animal from your local humane society.
I'm just afraid that you're taking your deep-rooted dissatisfaction with yourself and with your life -- a dissatisfaction that you have made explicitly clear to us during your time on this board -- and trying to fill that hole with a dog. And that's not a good idea.
That being said, you would probably be smart to consider adopting an animal from your local humane society.
I wish I had a big enough home for a dog. I would be hard-pressed to choose if the option were open to me.
Guys with small dogs look like sissies.
What you need is a Doberman, German shepherd, or something else cool and menacing.
Guys with small dogs look like sissies.
What you need is a Doberman, German shepherd, or something else cool and menacing.
Something tiny and with a lot of hair. A Pomeranian or a Poodle, perhaps?
I want a manly dog.
Agreed.
Pick a breed whose temperament and needs fit your lifestyle. If you aren't planning on exercising the dog regularly and/or don't have a fenced-in yard, don't get a high energy dog. Do the research & don't pick a breed (or dog!) based on its looks.
You also have to be prepared to spend a lot of time with this animal. My Mom's friend has a border collie that she keeps in the crate pretty much all day - not good.
You also have to be prepared to spend a lot of time with this animal. My Mom's friend has a border collie that she keeps in the crate pretty much all day - not good.
Oooh, get a cat!
I am a bigtime dog enthusiast. I currently own a year old, male, chocolate Lab. He's a great dog for my personality and lifestyle and I have put significant amounts of time and money into making him a good companion.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
1. Why do you want a dog?
2. What are you looking for in a dog? Working breed? Lap dog? Active or mellow? Good with kids? Etc...
3. If you get a puppy, are you willing/able to drop about $1500 or more in the first year on the cost of the dog, vet bills, and supplies?
4. How much time and effort are you really going to be able to devote to him? A puppy needs a lot of training and work to not be a menace.
5. Are you ready to make a committment to this animal for 10-12 years or more? What will you do if you are unable/unwilling to care for him?
Not trying to be all doom and gloom on you, just some questions to think about. It's really easy to buy a cute little puppy on implulse.
Here are some questions to ask yourself:
1. Why do you want a dog?
2. What are you looking for in a dog? Working breed? Lap dog? Active or mellow? Good with kids? Etc...
3. If you get a puppy, are you willing/able to drop about $1500 or more in the first year on the cost of the dog, vet bills, and supplies?
4. How much time and effort are you really going to be able to devote to him? A puppy needs a lot of training and work to not be a menace.
5. Are you ready to make a committment to this animal for 10-12 years or more? What will you do if you are unable/unwilling to care for him?
Not trying to be all doom and gloom on you, just some questions to think about. It's really easy to buy a cute little puppy on implulse.
I'll second this. From reading your posts here on the board, Trekker, I think you would be better suited to be a cat owner. They're more independent and don't require the same level of care as a dog (ie, less need to walk it, can entertain themselves, can be left alone for longer periods).
Something that'll chase bunnies?Something tiny and with a lot of hair. A Pomeranian or a Poodle, perhaps?
I want a manly dog.
Doesn't appear that way. Small, and doesn't shed? Looking at what? Poodles and poodle variants (labradoodle, etc)?
There's got to be other breeds out there that don't shed, or at least don't shed much. Sorry, I'm not vaccuming up hair for the better part of the next 15 years.
that's one of the popular (i.e. not expensive, easy to find) breeds that has what you seem to be asking for. Could go Obama and get a Portuguese Water Dog, but price there has likely gone way up, and wasn't cheap before...
Other options include breeds of terrier, or a Bichon. "Manly" dogs they are not. Not a lot of options for non-shedding dogs that don't yip, or want to be punted.
Along those lines, if you can't handle a little dog hair, you might not want to get a dog. Of all the problems and messes dogs will cause, hair is VERY low on the list...
Other options include breeds of terrier, or a Bichon. "Manly" dogs they are not. Not a lot of options for non-shedding dogs that don't yip, or want to be punted.
Along those lines, if you can't handle a little dog hair, you might not want to get a dog. Of all the problems and messes dogs will cause, hair is VERY low on the list...
I'd love to own a dog myself one of these days, but would never do it while living in an apartment and working 40 hours/week. Leaving the dog along while I'm at work every day just seems cruel to me under those circumstances.
If I had a house and a yard- maybe, if it was definitely an outdoor dog.
If I had a house and a yard- maybe, if it was definitely an outdoor dog.
Well, I'd likely leave the dog out and about in the apartment during the day with his food and water readily available so he won't be kenneled up during the day while I'm at work. I mean plenty of single people who work FT jobs have pets.
Bathroom messes are easily managed and cleaned up. Hair gets EVERYWHERE. On furniture, on clothes. Ugh.
Please make a dog really happy and don't get it. Seriously. If you already know you can't stand a little hair around then don't do it.
A dog also wont make you happy. You have to like yourself before you can invite someone, or somedog, else into your life.
I like the cat idea for you. You need someone to run your life and a cat will do that.
