Should I get a dog?
- Thread starter LumberTubs
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- Name
- Phil
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- #23
It's very early days yet and I suppose I'm pre-arming myself with information and advice in the event that I'm cornered in the near future.
I appreciate all the responses everybody
I appreciate all the responses everybody
RedRam
Pro Bowler
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I pretty much read only the thread title.
My response is an unequivocal yes!
Dog = unconditional love. You can't get that from another person.
To me, that is why dog is God spelled backwards.
I hope to never be without a dog.
Dogs are the coolest!
My response is an unequivocal yes!
Dog = unconditional love. You can't get that from another person.
To me, that is why dog is God spelled backwards.
I hope to never be without a dog.
Dogs are the coolest!
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You should find a local no kill shelter and volunteer and get you doggy fix and not feel guilty about leaving them alone.
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My family has had German Shepherds since long before I was born , going all he way back to my great grandparents
There has never been a time when we never had one , me and my siblings learned to walk by holding onto the sides of Ben ( he was our parents German Shepherds when we were small )
many times we even had two at a time , over the years
The wife and I currently have just one , Manfred , smartest dog in the world
German Shepherds are so easy to train , it's like they come pre-trained , even at 8 weeks old..........................lol
Me and Manfred !!!
There has never been a time when we never had one , me and my siblings learned to walk by holding onto the sides of Ben ( he was our parents German Shepherds when we were small )
many times we even had two at a time , over the years
The wife and I currently have just one , Manfred , smartest dog in the world
German Shepherds are so easy to train , it's like they come pre-trained , even at 8 weeks old..........................lol
Me and Manfred !!!
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- #30
@RamFan503 your dog is stunning. If my ladies said to me can we have a dog if it's a black lab I'd struggle to say no
Edit: @IowaRam the above applies to German shepherds too. Beautiful animals
Edit: @IowaRam the above applies to German shepherds too. Beautiful animals
RedRam
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DOG THREAD!!!
I love my dog. They are amazing animals and it sounds like you check the boxes for a good owner. Here are my tips you didn't ask for.
1. Big vs Small Dog: I like big dogs personally, but I see the reasons why people would want small dogs, they take less space, shed less, and are just in your way less. However with kids they are also more fragile animals. Kids can intimidate smaller dogs if they are not gentle enough. Also, in my experience, big dogs are easier to train. Can't speak for others, but that's my experience
2. Rescue?: Animal rescue is important, and I love all the people that do it. I've always been given grown dogs from friends that need to move. Rescues can end up as such great dogs, and they deserve it. With that said, you can also end up with a dog that has some issues and requires extra care and attention. Some of these dogs are rescued from pretty big tragedies. I only bring this up because of the kids, dogs with issues could be a potential danger to children. Last thing you want is for a dog to go through some PTSD and bite a kid.
3.Shedding: I have a German Shepherd. She is beautiful, listens amazing, and is the greatest pet I've ever had. Literally the only problem is that she sheds so damn much. We have hard wood floors, so it can't hide in the carpet, and we have to sweep every day as well as run the Roomba vacuum daily. Still hair every where. A friend told me that GSDs only shed twice a year, 6 months at a time lol. Some breeds don't shed, but those breeds generally need to be groomed more often.
4. Sex: I've had so many dogs, my last pro tip is to get a female. Boy dogs are hyper and have that humping and/or peeing on stuff problem. Female dogs rule.
Obligatory picture of my dog Athena. She's a German Shepherd/ Rottweiler mix
I love my dog. They are amazing animals and it sounds like you check the boxes for a good owner. Here are my tips you didn't ask for.
1. Big vs Small Dog: I like big dogs personally, but I see the reasons why people would want small dogs, they take less space, shed less, and are just in your way less. However with kids they are also more fragile animals. Kids can intimidate smaller dogs if they are not gentle enough. Also, in my experience, big dogs are easier to train. Can't speak for others, but that's my experience
2. Rescue?: Animal rescue is important, and I love all the people that do it. I've always been given grown dogs from friends that need to move. Rescues can end up as such great dogs, and they deserve it. With that said, you can also end up with a dog that has some issues and requires extra care and attention. Some of these dogs are rescued from pretty big tragedies. I only bring this up because of the kids, dogs with issues could be a potential danger to children. Last thing you want is for a dog to go through some PTSD and bite a kid.
3.Shedding: I have a German Shepherd. She is beautiful, listens amazing, and is the greatest pet I've ever had. Literally the only problem is that she sheds so damn much. We have hard wood floors, so it can't hide in the carpet, and we have to sweep every day as well as run the Roomba vacuum daily. Still hair every where. A friend told me that GSDs only shed twice a year, 6 months at a time lol. Some breeds don't shed, but those breeds generally need to be groomed more often.
4. Sex: I've had so many dogs, my last pro tip is to get a female. Boy dogs are hyper and have that humping and/or peeing on stuff problem. Female dogs rule.
Obligatory picture of my dog Athena. She's a German Shepherd/ Rottweiler mix
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I've had Labs for the last 35 years. Other dogs have lots of special attributes and I love almost all dog breeds. For me, the Lab just has more best friend qualities than any other dog.
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Too funny. Yeah - most dogs with a coat you would even want to pet have shedding issues. And generally the thicker the coat, the worse the issues.
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She adds so much to my family's life though, so I'm not bothered by it. I mean, my baby shits and pees on me, my dog just sheds lol. But I'm sure some people would not want to deal with the hair.
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This is why you need to make sure the rescue you deal with knows their shit. They will make sure that the dog is a match to your family, including the kids and keeping everyone safe. Make sure the rescue knows the history of the dog.
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I will admit that I won't do the rescue thing. Sorry if that makes me seem harsh but I am not about to adopt an animal that someone else has turned into a mental basket case. Did it twice. Never again. I especially wouldn't do it with small children in the picture.
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It is not for everyone. Between myself and kids we have 4 rescue dogs. They are some of the sweetest dogs ever. I believe that these dogs know that they have been saved and look at you different because of it.
I do think it is important to spend some time (not saying you didn't @RamFan503) with the rescue dog at the rescue to make sure you are a fit for each other. We have a really good bully rescue in our area and they will make home visits to make sure the dog is going into a good place and they know which dogs should be the only dog or if they should be adult only dogs.
yrba1
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Definitely recommend it if you're willing to put the time in raising it. Make sure you select a breed that fits your lifestyle (i.e. Small dogs if you're sedentary or medium sized, hyper energetic if you go on routine runs or walks outside)
I currently do not own a dog but I spend a lot of time playing with this lovable bitch (friend's dog)
Hope to have one at one point in my life as an owner but my work/life balance sucks at the moment so I'm holding out until the right job/career permits me to raise one properly; looking to get a Shiba Inu
I currently do not own a dog but I spend a lot of time playing with this lovable bitch (friend's dog)
Hope to have one at one point in my life as an owner but my work/life balance sucks at the moment so I'm holding out until the right job/career permits me to raise one properly; looking to get a Shiba Inu
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I love that pic in the car, wasnt that your profile pic at one time?
Love labs, I think they are the best dog.
And there is nothing wrong with your opinion on rescues.
We got ours, she was only 2 or 3 months old.
I'd post pics but Ive never been able to figure out how to do it from my phone Lol