Thinking about getting a dog (1 Viewer)

[Mars]

vizsla's have very short hair and are said to be odorless because they clean themselves

Vizslas are 99% odor free.

Wonderful dogs. They require a firm place in the family and a lot of attention though. Tons of social energy. Not to be left alone or kenneled. Very soft hearted.

Can be anxiety prone and nervous/sheepish if not handled properly. I don't think I'd own another breed though. Fantastic pets.

 

[Critter]

"Dad, I have one thing to say to you: Dog Hair".

Amy is more concerned with stinky dog smell.

Seriously take my advice write everything down that is a plus or minus and go talk to your Veterinarian. They won't charge you for a five minute consult on a pet for your family just on the assumption you will bring your dog to their clinic for treatment.

 

[fjfar80]

Brett -

The comments on the characteristics of the Vizsla are correct. As with German Shorthaired Pointers, Vizslas are almost odorless. I have experience with both breeds and they clean themselves regularly and as long as you brush them daily (2 to 3 times) they are perfect dogs for the house. They shed little, leave no smell, and are very clean...always cleaning their paws and licking their legs clean.

Cheers.

- Mark

 

[Tofudebeest]

Which commentary and opinion is because you are a starve-brained idiot who is out of touch with the norms of chat and humor in general. You probably get upset at billboards and drive the family crazy explaining why an ad campaign offends you.

Even if you were right, which you are not, you are an unwelcome nattering nabob of negativity.

I may be out of touch with the norms of chat, but my sense of humor is well-developed, as is my brain in general, as you are well aware. I do not get offended by much, in fact. I dislike billboards in general, true enough, regardless of what they say, because they're an eyesore. Most intelligent people do.

Quoting Spiro Agnew is not the brightest idea, by the way. And I imitate an influential negative person? Fellas, wait for actual wit to be impressed, not a ill-fitting, poorly-chosen quote. Further, I do not require your welcome, your Bitchiness.

Inadequate. Try again.

 

[Johnnymiz]

Brett,
x2 what Critter said..ask a vet
if hair and smell are issues, then you should be looking at dogs that get a haircut every few months instead of dogs with fur that shed (even short haired ones). also, these dogs tend to be hypoallergenic. im allergic to dogs (ive had a yellow lab, foxhound, mini and standard schnauzers, malamute, plain old mutts, and wheaten terriers). not allergic to the wheatens or the schnauzers.
terriers that get haircuts (wheatens, airedales, scotties, westies, etc), schnauzers, poodles, portuguese water dogs, etc. would be good, non-shedding, non-allergy, no smell dogs. keep in mind, the bigger the dog, the less yappy. wheatens only bark when the doorbell rings...unlike mini schnauzers or other small terriers. hope i helped and didnt just add to the confusion

John D

 

[bpassmore]

All of this advice is helpful. I hope others on this board find it useful too. This is a big deal and I want to make a wise choice; The right choice. Thank you for posting. If you think of other things to consider, please do post.

I will be going to our vet to day to discuss my list with him.

 

[Fast Eddy]

No offense to anyone, but there's some bad advise in this thread based on personal biases.

Your daughter has to be your #1 concern. She's not overly mobile, so you can't get a really active dog. We have a doberman, and he's great, but he needs a couple hours of serious exercise every day or he's up pacing and wandering until 11pm.

I don't think a big heavy dog is going to work out great for a little girl who's on the floor all the time. The dog will learn to dominate her, and walk all over her. For this reason I'd get a female as well.

I like the recommendation of a Jack Russell, a schnauser, a poodle (maybe a standard?). A german shorthair might work. I really like minature pinschers. They're very protective, but not very threatening. Lot's of people like pugs, but they can be pretty hyper when they're young.

You won't like a retreiver of any kind. They shed a lot, and they're too big for your situation. A german shepherd or Rotwiller would be a very bad decision. Beagles are kind of bossy. Hounds are kinda dumb, but Afghans have hair instead of fur, don't shed and are pretty docile for a large breed.

My $0.02 is worth what you paid for it.

 

[Tofudebeest]

No offense to anyone, but there's some bad advise in this thread based on personal biases.

Your daughter has to be your #1 concern. She's not overly mobile, so you can't get a really active dog. We have a doberman, and he's great, but he needs a couple hours of serious exercise every day or he's up pacing and wandering until 11pm.

I don't think a big heavy dog is going to work out great for a little girl who's on the floor all the time. The dog will learn to dominate her, and walk all over her. For this reason I'd get a female as well.

I like the recommendation of a Jack Russell, a schnauser, a poodle (maybe a standard?). A german shorthair might work. I really like minature pinschers. They're very protective, but not very threatening. Lot's of people like pugs, but they can be pretty hyper when they're young.

You won't like a retreiver of any kind. They shed a lot, and they're too big for your situation. A german shepherd or Rotwiller would be a very bad decision. Beagles are kind of bossy. Hounds are kinda dumb, but Afghans have hair instead of fur, don't shed and are pretty docile for a large breed.

My $0.02 is worth what you paid for it.

I agree to much of this. A small to medium sized mutt seems to fit the bill, and go with a female. If you rescue, she'll come spayed already. The standard poodle and German short-haired pointers are both at least as big or bigger than a lab or golden, and the pointers are absolutely energetic dogs, by and large, so neither are good suggestions whatsoever. The poodles tend to be as well. The min-pin and Jack Russel suggestions are not good becuase they are among the most high-strung breeds around. You need a low-key, low-mass, low-maintenance, healthy, evenly-tempermented dog.

My mom just rescued a soft-coated wheaten terrier (~28 lbs.) and this seems like a great fit for your situation as well (excpet the coat is a bitch to keep up with unless you just shave it). A "Benji" type terrier mutt would work. A small labradoodle, a terri-poo, you get the idea.

I was born three weeks early because an Afghan jumped up on my mom, knocking her to the ground and breaking her water. They do tend to do goofy things and are clumsy at times. Fast as all get out, but clumsy, like an Irish setyter...and dumb.

 

[OZCAL]

I may be out of touch with the norms of chat, but my sense of humor is well-developed, as is my brain in general, as you are well aware. I do not get offended by much, in fact. I dislike billboards in general, true enough, regardless of what they say, because they're an eyesore. Most intelligent people do.

Quoting Spiro Agnew is not the brightest idea, by the way. And I imitate an influential negative person? Fellas, wait for actual wit to be impressed, not a ill-fitting, poorly-chosen quote. Further, I do not require your welcome, your Bitchiness.

Inadequate. Try again.

lol - you can't help biting and you will never stop chewing. Get a chew toy.

 

[scottm]

a schnauser, a poodle

A schnoodle? I can make you a deal...

 

[sirenmoses]

All of this advice is helpful. I hope others on this board find it useful too. This is a big deal and I want to make a wise choice; The right choice. Thank you for posting. If you think of other things to consider, please do post.

I will be going to our vet to day to discuss my list with him.

I've seen everything from a Yorkie-poo to an Italian Greyhound to a Bernese Mountain Dog work as service dogs; it depends on what service needs to be provided, and what sort of canine you want in your life. Small dogs are good w/seizure disorders and wheel-chair bound folks, bigger dogs can help better with mobility impairments, and all dogs can learn to bring the keys, leash, etc.

One of my dobers is a re-homed service dog (person graduated, didn't need/want dog in new life). He loves being a goofball with me, but when a harness or backpack goes on he is all biz. A relative of his was placed in your area with someone who has Cerebral Palsy.

Critter & fjfar80 gave some really good advice -- let us know what your vet recommends.

 

[Critter]

I would personally think given her handicap that a jack russell would be too much, I dated a girl with one and they are a handful.

Then again because of her handicap (activity level and the hair concern) you could erase about 90% of the dogs listed here, or that are popular in general.

I would in general lean towards a smaller, less active dog that doesn't shed. Like one of the akc toy breeds shih tzu, toy poodle, pomeranian, maltese, etc (bascially any dog a grown man doesn't want to be seen walking with out in public)

Also remember there is no such thing as a non-shedding dog, all dogs shed some just like people do. But there is a significant difference between the amount a Lab sheds vs a Poodle.

 

[Johnnymiz]

schnoodles are supposed to be great...heard many good things about them.

wheatens really are great. i have a 12 year old female...30lbs. sweet dog, my kids could pull her ears or tail and she'd never bite.(i, on the other hand, kicked their asses for that) she just walks away from you. had to put down my 15 year old male wheaten over the summer...he just expired of old age. 45lbs. very gentle...little kids could take his food bowl away from him and he wouldnt think of snapping. just not territorial at all (unlike most terrier dogs). didnt bark unless the doorbell rang. but if he felt my kids were threatened, he'd step in between the kid and the threat and make sure u knew to stand down. we are not the brushing type of family. every 3-4 months, when they got fairly well matted, i just shaved them down. i dont like the foofoo terrier cut anyway. i'll probably get another one.....but theyre getting kind of trendy here in ny. i had the first one in my town, now there are like 50. so my next dog might just be an airedale...always liked them, but theyre much more dog than a wheaten.

 

[D'Animal]

Get a Beagle and be done with your search.

Non-Dominating
Very submissive
Non-Active, unless you have rabbits in your house.
Calm Demeanor
Protective.
Sheds like a human.

 

[bpassmore]

I have visited a few shelters in the area now. This is very hard on a softy like me.

I'm a push over for those big eyes looking up at me. I saw at least 20 pups that i could have taken home. I'm going to take Kirsten this week to look at some others and see if any of those pick us out.

Thanks for all you help guys.

 

[CruisinMT]

I vote for Jack Russel we have one. If you know how to train dogs that will benefit you a ton. Jack's are super smart and loyal, as well as always on alert. We trained our Jack to roll over at about 5 weeks old. Yes they are hyper but with the right amount of training jacks can be amazing dogs. If your daughter is old enough you can let her do a lot of the traing and the bond that is created will be very evident.

 

[calico kid]

I vote for Jack Russel we have one. If you know how to train dogs that will benefit you a ton. Jack's are super smart and loyal, as well as always on alert. We trained our Jack to roll over at about 5 weeks old. Yes they are hyper but with the right amount of training jacks can be amazing dogs. If your daughter is old enough you can let her do a lot of the traing and the bond that is created will be very evident.

I like jacks too. we have one that chose us she jumped in to the car a few years ago and has been a lot of fun.



Want to email somebody a link to this photo?

 

[peepers]

i think i read about every post as i dont want to repeat what someone has said or offend. i just went through the process you are going through now. we were looking exclusively at shelters and the pics below is what we ended up with. We were told he was a border collie lab mix and was going to be <50lbs. He is now 11 mos and 75 lbs. My point? If you get a mix, you will likely not be given accurate information about what it is mixed with and you truly never know what to expect.

There is one point that a couple people have made that I strongly disagree with and that is to seek advice from a vet. Bear with me here. Simply put, vets know about the mechanics and biology of a dog but they do not know about the personalities of dogs. The simply fact is that good trainers, or even better, dog behaviorists know more than vets in this area. I suggest you seek their advice. Over the years I have had the pleasure and pain of dealing with all 3 and I can tell you from experience, vets know the least about temperament, disposition, trainability and training. If you call around, you might even find a behaviorist to come with you to the pound to find the dog you are looking for.

The piece of advise I will agree with that one of the same people mentioned was to write everything down... what you ultimately must have, must not have, then move onto wants and dont wants. Take that list to a good, reputable behaviorist.

I just did a quick search on the web and found this page on puppy temperament testing:
Volhard Dog Training and Nutrition: Behavior and Training: Behavior
It may not be the bible on it, but it gives you a good idea what to look for. Then you can consider size and such... This is what we did and we could not be happier with the results.

I suggest you do some reading. Some of the books by Patricia McConnell are amazing!
Amazon.com: Patricia McConnell: Books
"The Other End of the Leash" and "For the Love of The Dog" are two great places to start.

I will shut up now, after I recommend the Poodle as a good dog for you. A female one so its not too big. You can find one that will come in around 35 - 45 lbs. They don't shed, they dont stink and they are extremely intelligent, caring and devoted dogs.

My two cents on some of the other dogs mentioned:

• I would stay away from anything terrier... they tend to be very stubborn, extremely active and have minds of their own.
• Working dogs - well, they will want to be working and with out jobs to do, they will get themselves into trouble. This includes herding dogs and hunting dogs.
• Guard dogs - Iffy... in this case I would be absolutely sure you get a sound puppy and keep on top of the training. You could end up with the most loyal incredible dog ever, or a skittish loose cannon. I would avoid the issue all together but that is just me.
• Possibly dog aggressive breeds - chows, pits (which I adore), canarios, cockers believe it or not... again, why take on a potential project if you dont want to?

Please PM me with any questions... I could go on and on and on about dogs. I learned a lot in the 3 months I was looking for mine.

 

[D'Animal]

I agree to somewhat disagree.


I have several Beagles.

As a breed, their characteristics are similar and are the stereotype of a Beagle. Eat, Sleep, Poo, Sleep, Sniff, Sleep, Bark, Sleep, Dig, Sleep, etc.

As an individual, they are night and day different from each other. Their individual personality shines through making each one of them special in their own way.

I have taken my 15" male to the children's burn center as well as the children's cancer center in Fresno. He knows something is not right and is extremely gentle with the kids and very tolerant. I would not take my others to do that. They would be jumping in laps and licking everybody.

There is no Vet or Behavior specialist that can pull the magic wand out and tell you how the dog will behave.

You have to take generic breed characteristics into consideration.

 

[D'Animal]

Several have posted up about the Jack Russell Terriers. They have really good luck with them.

The ones I have been around are hyper, mean, possesive, nipping at you all the time, etc. Maybe it is because I smell like a Beagle? I don't know.