Siberian Husky.

harrise

I have never had a puppy of my own, always been grown rescues. Training went fairly smooth for him, with one caution. I had to increase his distance from distractions so I could get his attention before the fury kicked in (his only major issue was reactivity to leashed dogs). Being 6'2" and outweighing him helps too.

rosemaryninja

If it's any comfort (and I hope it is), I wouldn't bother worrying about this at all. The potential for bonding with your dog should be the least of your concerns IMO.

JustTess

I adopted two adult dogs who lived together previously from a shelter. One of them was a husky. I was also concerned about the bonding, especially since I have always raised my own dogs from pups and I never had bonded with adult dogs in the past.

I can tell you at first they were depressed and very nervous about being in a new environment. Afterwards, they feel like my very own dogs just as if I had rasied them myself. It took about a month for them to fully trust me and their surroundings.

I also had a lucky bonus. Whomever had these two dogs previously has also trained them well. We went out on 50' leashes this weekend to practice recall, and what do I know... they already knew how to come and sit infront of me the first time I asked. (well, the husky did 85% of the time if he wasn't distracted by a smell)

I'm kinda glad I skipped the housetraining and chewing phase.

wolfsong442

It is a concern. If I'm going to get a dog, I don't want it not to love me. I had enough of going through that with my cat. I know cats and dogs are nothing alike, but I don't think I could stand loving something that will never love me back though.

It was always a small fear that the dog wouldn't love me, but I think it's been alleviated in my mind somewhat.

I'm curious though. Why do you think it should be the least of my concerns?

JenTN

I have 4 cats and a puppy. Only one cat was adopted as an adult, in fact I hand raised one cat from a week and a half old. 2 are still kittens. Even as kittens they are not crazy about being attached to me. My puppy is. Don't try to compare cats to dogs, or you will go mad. It is apples and oranges. I looove cats and have had at least one since the day I was born. But after getting a dog, I know what I have been missing out on in the "companionship" department. Dogs are just prone to be like that. Instead of worrying about age affecting how it interacts, check out breed characteristics. Some breeds are Velcro dogs (dobermans) some are more aloof (as RBark said of Huskies). Those are just 2 examples, and there are tons more with variations between needy, Velcro dogs to dogs who want to be left alone. I think that affects bonding/closeness more than the age of the dog.

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rosemaryninja

I said it should be the least of your concerns because, well, you just don't need to worry about it. When a dog is fed by you, sleeps with you, goes on walks with you, is trained by you, is cuddled by you...it's hard NOT to form a pretty strong bond between pet and owner, regardless of breed or age. I'm just saying that you shouldn't be worried about your dog not loving you at all. Which is a good thing!

Edit: I just thought I'd mention something I've read/heard before - that Huskies can be a little 'cat-like' sometimes. I certainly don't mean catty, but they are more aloof than most breeds. They're much more likely to just turn their head when you enter the room and then go back to sleep, rather than follow you all around the house or run over wagging the minute you enter the room. I've never raised a Husky, so I don't know if this is true. But it's something you might want to look into, or something that the Husky owners here might be able to expand on a little.

wolfsong442

Thanks so much. This whole thread has been a very great comfort to me. You all have totally alleviated any fears that I had in adopting a dog. Now that I know which breed I want, the worst part now is being able to wait until I can get this dog.

I've found myself looking on Petfinder, but it's horrible, because I find a dog that is perfect and yet can't adopt it because I don't have the room for it yet. I should probably focus on getting the money for college and living instead of getting a dog so that I can find the perfect one when I finally do move out.

Edit: Does anyone know where to find purebred Saint Bernards? I looked on Petfinder, but the search comes up with more mixed breeds than pure breds and you can't put in an actual age range, just baby, young, adult and senior. I know from personal experience that rescuers ( well, the one that I am involved with), have no idea what age the dogs are. I just want a 1-2 year old dog that is a purebred. I think I'm leaning more towads a neutered male as well.

rosemaryninja

Wolfsong442, where are you located? And is buying from a breeder an option at all?

Xeph

Are my cats just weird? They love being held and cuddled and snuggled...my Twinkle Star (RIP) slept on my bed with me for 15 years...most of the time she slept on my chest!

My current Siamese sleeps with me every night (usually on my hip so I can't move her :-p), and my moggie, Kida, is always looking for someone to pet her o.O!

wolfsong442

I live in Indiana. I would buy from a breeder if they had a dog for uner a thousand dollars, but I was under the assumption that breeders sell their dogs for thousands and thousands of dollars.



My cat HATES me. He hates to be held, hate to be touched. If you go to sit down by him, he'll scratch you and then get on the floor. My cat is evil...and I don't think I've ever been around a cat that was that affectionate.

I don't hate my cat, but I find it hard to have a huge affection for something that wants nothing more than to scratch my eyeballs out. I love him, just not as much as I do my dog.

Kuma'sMom

Me too! My cat LOVES to cuddle,and most cats I've met have been the same. I wouldn't discount cats just because of a bad experience or two.

JenTN

YES, your cats are wierd, lol. Now, I have one who does want to be loved on, but usually on his own terms. I will say, when I had major surgery, he stayed in bed with me all day and night for weeks. If I got up (even to go to the bathroom) he would follow me and cry til we got back into bed, like he knew I was supposed to be resting. My one girl is not touchy-feely- she will squirm and pass gas if anyone picks her up- except my 6 year-daughter- she lets her carry her around anywhere. But the devotion and attention of Bo trumps them all.

Dogstar

Seriously, this is NOT a big concern. From doing husky rescue? The most bonded I ever got with a dog was a 4 year old male that came in as a semi-feral stray and ended up in rescue because the shelter rated him as unadoptable. He wasn't SCARED of people- he just didn't see any point in interacting with them, since he could get all the things he found valuable (food, things to pee on, and cats to chase) without needing them. He came down with kennel cough shortly after coming into foster which developed into pneumonia, and was getting over it at the same time I was getting back on my feet after a car wreck- initially, he was the only dog I could walk on crutches because he wasn't strong enough to pull me off my feet!

I watched this happen time and time again. The dogs that really are bonded with their owners? Are the owners that work to train them. We got lots of older puppies surrendered (9-10 months) despite the fact that they'd lived with their owners from babyhood, because they just were out of control- the owners didn't train them at all, or used methods that don't work well with huskies. Some of the most bonded dogs we adopted out? Were older dogs- adults, whose new families could enjoy working with them to fit them seamlessly into their new homes- not spend all their time putting out one behavioral fire after another.

ETA: after reading the WHOLE thread (I missed the second page :P)....

I think you might do well with a husky or GSD mix, but again, I'd look for a lower key one. On the plus side for the GSD, rot, sporting breeds? You may be able to wear out the dog more easily on bad-weather days with training, which is going to be tougher with a husky. My biggest worry with the GSD would actually be finding rental housing- it cna be tough since so many places don't allow them (or bully breeds.) You *can* find it, but it often will not be anywhere NEAR the cheapest, and it's just something to keep in mind.

You might also look at some of the smaller spitz breeds- particularly the Eurasier. Not many in rescue at all, but they're a lovely, striking dog with a laid back temperament that would fit your other requirements pretty well. They're not small- 50-80 pounds (so they're actually BIGGER than a husky, but most are a touch shorter with heavier bone, and the coat makes 'em look more massive).

wolfsong442

I probably will get a husky mix. Those are often in the rescues that I volunteer for. There are also plenty of GSD and Husky Mixes near where I live. I am, however, thinking of getting a Saint Bernard for my first dog. They are laid back, mellow and not overly active without being totally sessile. I could give the dog 1-2 hours of exercise a day ( bike rides XD ), and take it to a dog park.

I'm actually thinking of getting a puppy from a breeder, because if I move before college starts, I'll have a year or more to spend with the puppy before school/work/volunteering starts.

How do I find a good breeder? How do I avoid the back yard breeders?

Dogstar

Start by attending local dog shows. For a companion breed- and the Berners really ARE a companion breed, despite their working heritage at this point- that's the very best place to start. Go see the dogs in the ring and get to know local folks who show them. Visit the homepage for the breed club (http://www.saintbernardclub.org/) and see if you've got a local breed club as well. If you can manage it? Attend a few specialties and get to see LOTS of the dogs. Join the mailing lists for the breed, talk to people about health and what health testing should be done and just generally educate yourself- you'll learn what to look for and it becomes pretty easy from there. I've found the hardest step is usually finding the breed club and the dog shows in the first place for folks!

I actually wouldn't recommend buying a pup this summer. Spend this year looking and look next spring. That gives you time to really get to know people (and people to get to know you and that you are serious- a lot of good folks are going to have reservations about you because of your age and unsettled situation- I would frankly be surprised if you found many reputable breeders willing to sell you a pup right now, but even with your age and situation, you will be able to find a breeder if you're willing to put in the time and energy into proving that you're dedicated, responsible, and this isn't a whim). Foster for breed rescue in the mean time and see if this really is the breed you want to live with without making the commitment of 10 years. (See how much the vet and EVERYTHING bills are for a giant breed- that's a BIG issue.) Meet similar breeds and get a feel for the subtle differences (the two I would say to also look at? Bernese Mountain Dog adn Greater Swiss Mountain Dog- different heritage, similar overall 'look', but a little more energetic- the BMD is the only giant breed I would like to own someday. (Okay, one of three, because I'd also like a Leonberger and a borzoi but that's not really a giant breed, just ridiculously tall).

wolfsong442

Thanks for responding. I don't know about waiting for a whole year, because if I wait for a year, I won't be able to adopt a puppy because I'll be in school and I likely won't have the time to devote to a puppy, but I'll just wait and see what the future brings and what my schedual will be like once I do move out. It might not be as hectic as it sounds like it might be. I might only have school three times a week, and work only on the weekdays and volunteer only two or three times a week.

I emailed the Saint Bernard club in my state and will see what they say. Maybe I can get involved with them. What you said about the dog shows...how do I find dog shows that are happening locally? I have no idea how to go about doing that. How do I find a Saint Bernard rescue in my state, or locally? I also know someone who owns a Saint Bernard and has experience with the breed ( someone surrendered a litter of nine month old Bernies to the rescue I volunteer for and she handled the dogs and fostered them), I could talk to her, but she is kind of in the outs with the owner of the rescue at the moment, so I don't know if I could contact her.

Edit: Is the Newfoundland in the list of those dogs similar to the Bernie? There is a Newfoundland rescue in the city I plan to move to.

rosemaryninja

Just wanted to pass you this link - it's quite a lot of reading, but it will help you locate a responsible breeder and pick out the BYBs.

http://www.wonderpuppy.net/1breeding.php

wolfsong442

Thank you!

wolfsong442

I'm going to name some breeds and I want to see if they will be okay together. I don't plan on getting all of these dogs at once. I'm getting the Saint Bernard first and it will be likely the only one I'm buying from a breeder as a puppy. The rest will be rescues later on.

Saint Bernard
Great Dane
Greyhound
Teacup Chihuahua
Teacup Poodle
Husky Mix

I'll likely foster for Great Dane and Greyhound rescues and will probably foster the Chihuahua, Poodle and Husky mix before I adopt them.

This makes it seem bad to buy from a breeder because you've no idea what the temperment of the dog will be and you can't foster the dog beforehand...

JenTN

If you purchase a puppy from a REPUTABLE breeder, they will know the temperments of their dogs and put a great amount of effort into pairing their bitch with an appropriate male to acheive a certain temperment. Also, some breeders have older dogs that they kept as show prospects but ended up not showing them that they will sell on a spay/neuter contract.

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