Husband wants to get a dog for the family...

FilleBelle

This thread isn't about you and what you can do. Offering the OP advice on the type of dog YOU can own doesn't help HER.

I think your opinion is not worth much, not because you're a new dog owner, but because you are not reading the thread and therefore do not have all the information. She has been clear about the amount of time, space, money, and just plain energy her family has for this dog. She has also gotten to know the dogs she was interested in in the past and we can assume she will do so with future dogs until she finds one she believes is suited to her family.

I am sorry that your friend didn't do her research before buying her Husky. That is a problem easily solved...do research before buying a dog.

ValtheAussie

Personally, I think that you folk are plenty busy enough without the responsibilities of a dog. Just my suspicion, don't take offense.

wvasko

I don't really belong on this thread, one quick statement, there are thousands upon thousands of dogs in shelters that are great dogs. They are just homeless. After reading a number of mikedavid's thread/replies etc, at the end of which he admits to being a "new dog owner and his opinion isn't worth much" I agree fully with his disclaimer and would hope that people take his disclaimer seriously before using any of his training or dog care advice. His dog knowledge is not from personal experience and it needs growth. Good luck with your new dog mike.

mrslloyd09

So OP how goes the search? My hubby and I were in a similar situation where we fell in love with a dog and he ended up being adopted before we coul get to him. We were looking for a companion for our girl and the little guy we fell in love with was this beautiful long haired dachsund from the same rescue we got Mandie from. I had my heart set on him and when I contacted the rescue, he had already been adopted. I was so sad and we're still searching for the right "little brother" for Mandie. I hope you still are searching hardcore for the perfect addition to your family and I hope it proves as fruitful for you as it did for us when we found our two year old rescue darling.

Meshkenet

I think your friend's probem lies here: a good Husky breeder, well the ones I know of, would never let a dog go without taking the time to talk with the new owner about the breed to make sure they know if owner and dog are a good fit.

As for the OP, I think he/she is perfectly capable of figuring things out: the simple fatc that this person is here inquiring about dogs shows that they do not fall in your "average owner" category who would get a dog without getting information first.

The fact that an Aussie mix needs a lot of exercise and stimulation has been stated multiple times. I own an Aussie mix myself and live in the city, and my dog is perfectly well-adjusted and exercised. It's all about getting information.

upendi'smommy

Yes an aussie/boxer is going to be high energy, but I think the OP can be capable. They've already shown they're above the majority of dog owners by researching first.

From personal experience, I can say that I have an aussiexlab who is currently 6 months old. She is one of the best dogs I've had the pleasure of knowing, let alone owning. She's an absolute sweetheart and extremely obedient. At six months she has the impulse control to resist chasing her ball when in a stay until I release her, which is major for her because a tennis ball is the greatest thing there is in her book. For that matter she has the impulse control to resist greeting other puppies in petco when in a stay until I tell her too. It all comes down to proper exercise and training.

If you feel you are capable of it, then by all means I'd say go for it, but please look in a shelter. No reputable breeder is going to mix these two breeds.

TxRider

I agree, Having grown up with an aussie and owned a border collie mix they are astoundingly smart, very easily trained, and very loyal and protective.

They just need reasonable exercise, meaning not locked in a house 6 days a week without walks or daily game of fetch.

My two girls now are herders, GSD's, same deal. Very smart, very loyal, just need a walk every day or some fetch to be happy.

To me they are quite easy dogs to own, as long they aren't treated as couch potatoes and ignored and expected to behave that way. Very good for active young people.

mikedavid00

That's actually not true. These days they are making efforts to create new breeds and new associations have been established.

For instance, my dog is actually recognized and I feel is worth showing becuase of its even blend of maltese and poodle. Also its temperment.

American Canine Hybrid Club = Malt-A-Poo
Designer Dogs Kennel Club = Malt-A-Poo
Designer Breed Registry = Malt-A-Poo

There are also serious efforts being made especially with the Doodles. They are really trying to create low energy, non shedding dog for families.

These days owners can be away from the house for 11 hours a day including gridlock and traffic. Also homes are further away than every from the workplace and people simply cannot dedicate the amount of time to their dogs that they used to.

Action is being taken and that is why there are so many Doodles around and being worked on by breeders.



If I was to breed myself, I would do a designer breed and attempt to stabalize it. Everyone wants Doodles these days. Even my neighbour has one.

The puppy to your right with the brown pigment is the winner here. Has the Lab characteristics WITH a non shedding coat so it will demand top dollar. Could be thousands of dollars if it's a smaller female.

Laurelin

No, not everyone wants doodles.

I am actually quite a fan of the well bred labradoodles I've met but it's just plain stupid to say 'everyone wants one'. Everyone does not want one. I personally don't want one and obviously many other people don't either because I see lots of kinds of dogs around. That's the wonderful thing about dogs... something for everyone.

Labradoodles are good dogs but they DO have some potential downsides. They require more grooming than most breeds. They'll require clipping or a lot of brushing to keep the coat long. Poodles and labs are both sporting breeds and taking after that doodles tend to be high energy and smart. Parading them around as the miracle dog that poops gold isn't going to do anything good. I would in no way call them low energy or insinuate they need less time than other dogs. That's just not good for the dog.

None of those are remotely reputable registries.

pugmom

How is breeding a S.Poodle and a Lab together going to get you a dog that is low energy and can be left alone longer....am I missing something here?

Dog_Shrink

All hybrid and designer breeders are doing is ruining the work that has been put into breeding for type and standard for hundreds of years by REAL breeders who actually care about the breed and aren't trying to produce a marketable goldmine peddled to an ignorent public for nothing but pure profit... there is sooo much debate even amongst hyrid breeders that they are at least another couple hundred years away from being taken seriously. when making a "new" breed of dog they were developed with a specific intenet and purpose. These doodle breeds serve no purpose aside of over glorified over priced mutts.
And like laurelin said those clubs aren't crap.. I could take my mutt delux and find 20 different registeries that would "register" him. It means nothing but a piece of paper for the ego maniac that feels that having a slip of paper somehow validates their mutt. "These lesser quality registries are sometimes referred to as paper mills for puppy mills. Some registries will allow the registration of designer mutts, sometimes called "new rare breeds", for breeding purposes. Puppy buyers are sometimes fooled into paying pay hundreds of dollars for a "registered" mutt. Being a registered mutt does not make a dog any different from a similar one sitting in a shelter, and it certainly does not turn a mutt into a purebred. Any registration can often cause the price of a mutt to skyrocket, when the paper it's printed on may only be worth using for housebreaking. Many of these breeders are breaking away from AKC and now registering their pups (often found for sale in pet shops nationwide) with other, less restrictive, registries. Regardless of where you get your pup, if your pup is registered with anything other than AKC or United Kennel Club, the chances of your pup being bred by an irresponsible breeder rises dramatically. It's up to you, the potential puppy buyer, to educate yourself and to avoid being part of the puppy mill/ backyard breeder problem. Do not put your money into the pockets of irresponsible breeders under any circumstances. The only thing they'll feel is getting hit in the wallet.

Red Flags!!!!! Be careful of kennel club/registry sites that have:

Recognizing mixed breeds (such as Cockapoo) for breeding purposes
Been founded around a single new breed that someone has recently "created", often not even set in breed type or has vague standards - that can mean the breed isn't "breeding true".
No competitions to prove the dogs' qualities (or links to competition pages that go nowhere and the site is not very new).
No suggestion or education about OFA type health testing/screening, and none or very few of the breeders seem to know what it is.
No limited registrations available.
Advertising sections for breeders, and most ads don't mention health clearances beyond a vet check if at all.
Listing private breeders as "breed clubs", or breed clubs are composed of a very small group of just a few breeders.
Breed standards missing or have very, very broad descriptions - can cover up the fact that the dogs are really mutts. Multiple breed standards recognized by single registry, for a single breed, can cover up lots of problems too.
Clubs that have same or similar initials to more reputable clubs (to confuse people who haven't done their homework). UKC can be United Kennel Club or Universal Kennel Club, CKC can be Canadian Kennel Club or Continental Kennel Club, FIC can easily be confused with FCI, etc....
Supported mainly by a pet store, pet store chain, or other special interest groups who's interest may not be the welfare of dogs, but the welfare of their wallets.
Clubs and registries who have emphasis on what the registration certificate looks like ("includes a gold seal for only $5 more") " http://www.wonderpuppy.net/kc.htm

The only true registeries are those that show in national and international competition and point dogs according to the breed standard. Those doodle abominations can't even decide on a working standard let alone what being a true hybrid entails...

Foyerhawk

Uh....

Yeah.

Walking away. That's best.

Laurelin

I wish I had your self control.

Dog_Shrink

wow have we ever made a shambles outta Buggzters thread... she's gonna be like what the hell when she gets back to this...

Xeph

IME herders are the EASIEST to train! LOL!

Very much NOT true

Next to all the electrical cords you have all over your floor?

That is YOU. YOU are not the OP

Well she could have warned herself by, oh, I don't know. RESEARCHING?! It's not our fault or anybody else's if she was too lazy or ignorant to do so.

You have shown us with every post how little you know...

It wouldn't mean much if you'd own your dog for 10 years instead of 10 days and still spread this misinformation,

And please, for the love of God. It is mainstream.

Lizmo

Really? R e a l l y ? ?

I've NEVER met a person who doesn't atleast know that Goldens usually have pretty decent, loving temperments and Border Collies are high energy breeds.

If you knew about sheepdogs, you would know it's not spelled Sheep Dog. It's Sheepdog.

Buggzter

Wow, OK. My computer broke for a week, and I'm back.

My communication skills are kinda... broken, I guess, by the fact that I don't think in words and have sometimes a hard time getting them back into words after reading responces. It's annoying, but I deal with it.

As I've known a few boxers in the past, and this week was introduced to a dozen more (actually, a bakers' dozen: 13), I think I'm up for that breed's needs gener- and the dogs' owners think I could handle it as well, and so could my daughter as she got along very well with MOST of the boxers we met (some were a little too rough in their play for her, but those two were REALLY hyper according to the owners for the breed). I have not PERSONALLY met any other Aussie/boxer mix, but all those that I've talked to say they are just about the same energy needs as a boxer - just more agile and a bit more of the smarts of Aussies rather than boxers. Again, each individual is different. *sigh* I'm not sure if I'd go in that direction or not when we really are ready - I'll see what happens, but Tony I think is going to want to find a fairly local dog and not have to search F-O-R-E-V-E-R for the dog we want and then not be sure of the attitude and all...

BUT, I do know that an Aussie/boxer mix is extrememly unlikely, no matter what we decide. I AM talking with lots of dog owners in person so I can learn as much as I can, and I'm interacting with the dogs in thinking about what it is to own one instead of just playing with someone else's dog (just like playing with someone's baby is NOT like having one of your own!!!). Have you ever just fallen in love with a certain dog, and decided that you are willing to make it work for the sake of the dog?

Again, I'm not too busy - if you discount the time we bowl, we're home more than other families as my schedule and Tony's schedule are different. If you then just say that we are out two evenings a week doing other things for a variety and ONE of those days I'm home until noon... Thus I'd say we have more time for our animals than many families with two full-time jobs. No, dogs that need you home nearly all the time would NOT work for us. But dogs that would be OK with us giving a 1 hour walk in the morning, 1-3 hours of outside play time in the evenings, and all day on weekends while they are crated or in the kitchen during our work hours with 1-3 potty breaks on those work days... I'd say that's enough for most dogs.

Again, the appartment is about 1400 square feet, and there is a HUGE dog-play-area (likely 50x75 feet, and I'm NOT exagerating - I was thinking 75x100+, but didn't want to go over) that is grassed and fenced where we can play as long as we want. It would be no different from a 3-bedroom HOUSE with a large yard, where the people crate the dog while they are at work, other than the fact that the neighbors are a little closer and can hear more.

So I'm revamping my criteria for a dog:
1) Good with kids, including able to handle a baby either when the dog comes into the home or having a baby ENTER the home.
2) NOT "high" energy, OK with most days having 2-4 hours of activity plus downtime with family but Mondays having just the long morning walk (Saturday and Sunday have HIGH energy output days, and Tuesday a long walk and lots of evening play to make up for Monday).
3) Willing to put up with our Conure - at least be able to live in the same home with her, as she'll live longer than they do if she doesn't get strangled first by my husband (JUST KIDDING!!!!)
4) Lower on the shedding scale, as Tony is slightly allergic to dog dander (not really a big issue, though), and I am NOT big on cleaning daily - although for the right match for our family, I'm more than willing to bend on that rule as long as Tony can deal with it.

I'm also wondering on the whole good-with-kids issue... With dogs from shelters or rescues, you don't KNOW their history most of the time. Tony and I are talking about having a baby sometime in the next couple years. We want to make sure of a couple things. 1) the dog is of course good with Becca. 2) the dog is good with other kids, even babies.

How do we find out if a dog is good with other kids? How about with babies, as I don't want to put any babies at risk, and I also want to make sure that the dog I'm getting would do well in my home and with a baby when we have the child. I know some of you will say to have the child first and the dog later, and we ARE considering that. Truely we are.

Since that one factor is the BIGGEST part of what dog will be good for us (as an individual, not as a breed - that's a separate subject), we have even thought about looking for a younger pup than we otherwise would. We would only do that IF our schedules changed so we had more time for training the puppy, but... Even at that we'd look for a shelter/rescue dog that was already partially trained and work CLOSELY with a few big dog people we know in our area to raise the dog well...

Also, as we are kinda leaning boxer (biggest reason for me: great with kids, and with the variety of personalities I likely could find one on the calmer end of the scale for Becca's sake although I don't mind the knocking down - Becca does though!), I want to make sure I get in contact with the right rescues, the right shelters for that... And I want to make sure I know what to look for in a rescued/sheltered boxer. If it's from a rescue, I doubt I'd adopt one that was not fostered with children in the family, or interacting a LOT with kids so as I KNOW how the dog does with children - it's my biggest factor. We're also not looking into getting a dog right NOW - we've at least 6 weeks until we want to bring one home (we've talked, and as the one we REALLY liked is not possible we want to wait until my parents at least are gone, if not waiting until after we have a baby which is also quite possible - it depends on how things are going with our jobs and with Becca at the start of the year).

Now, we're NOT set on a boxer, I'm still looking at all the small dogs too - it all depends on what dog "fits" with us properly at the shelters. If we got a puppy, we'd decide on a breed first and then pick the personality that fits us. Instead, we're looking at size/breed/energy and picking the personality from there with what fits us. But I do think it's likely a maltese or Boxer (yeah, two TOTALLY different sizes, but both GREAT with kids - downside of a maltese is the grooming, downside of the boxer is the higher-possible energy needs, though we'd look for one that is a little calmer than the average... I know there are other downsides, those are just the biggest). But then, the fact that we're looking at shelter/rescue dogs we'll be likely getting a mutt - but I do think I know what I'm looking for.

I've read many of the other posts around here about all the different issues, the breeds, the good parts and the bad... What brands are good and not... I think I know what I want for a leash, crate, collar, harnesses, food, bowls, treats, toys, what I'm looking for in a vet, and what I'm looking for in a groomer if I get a dog that needs a pro groomer.

Only think I need to still choose is the dog, and WHEN I'm getting the dog.

If anyone has suggestions for what rescues are good and bad in my area (west coast of Florida, a bit south of Tampa), I want to talk to multiple so as I can get all the pre-adoption issues taken care of - then when we're ready to bring a dog home we have everything else taken care of. We also can educate ourselves on what dogs the rescues feel would work best for us one-on-one (it's HARD to really get a feel for people, as well as give a REAL perspective on my family, just online on a forum - and with my odd communication issues it's not any easier. Plus then I can really see a person's reaction, not misread a person's written statements - very easy to do onine.).

One of my friends, who has raised over a dozen dogs of all sizes with and without her family (she's 23), feels that if we do enough research and are willing to do the amount of walking the dog would need and whatever else is needed, we could handle most breeds of dogs. She IS going to help us look at dogs when she's able, as well as researching different dogs and handling them, training them, and she's talking to us about what obedience classes would work best for us and whatever dog we get. She did feel Carly would have been a challenge for us, but that we could have handled it with the excercise and obedience classes she suggested. She DOES suggest to be careful with which boxer we do get IF we go that route, and we'll have her help us choose to make sure we have a good match - taking in the opinions of a LOT of individuals for the choice. She's a lot more open with other dog choices (the small dog breeds, really), as many of the ones we've talked about more than fit in our "needs" for the most part.

But just because a dog fits what we are looking for logistically, doesn't mean that's a dog we're really interested in...Although, we know there are dogs that are NOT good for us (certain dogs of any breed that are "ideal", even, as each are individuals). We'll get there, either sooner or later.

Thanks everyone - I'm out for now, but I'll be back most days (packing for the move).

Buggzter

ps - I HAVE researched about how much dogs do need exercize, of many different breeds. I do see how much pure Aussies need. I see how much various boxers need. I see how much pugs need, malteses need, bishons need, APBTs need... I've looked into it all. I also have met high energy dogs that will be excercized until exhaustion the day before and after a day where the owners cannot do much with the dog other than a half-walk... They think that a full hour's walk on Monday, following a TON of excercize on Saturday and Sunday and then followed by a lot of evening excercize Tuesday would be good for most higher energy dogs, although I'm not likely up to a true high-energy dog no matter what - which is why I'd be VERY careful to find a lower-energy needing boxer IF we go that way (again, IF). I'm not saying I need a low-energy dog. 2-5 hours a day during the week should be sufficient for any dog (with the one hour on Monday and much more time on Saturday and Sunday), according to most of the people I've talked to.

If 2 VERY ACTIVE hours daily plus more in-home play time isn't enough for a dog, then I wouldn't get that dog. I'm up for 1-2 hours daily of rigorous play/walking/running, which every person I've talked to says is enough. As the dog park at my complex is around 30x50 conservatively, and the dog would likely be allowed in the kitchen with a baby gate while we're at work (again, Tony giving 1-3 potty breaks each day, depending on the dog's need).

I also DO understand that dogs will howl, bark, and destroy incessantly if they are not kept mentally and physically active enough - and we don't want that. I'm not kidding myself about how much work a dog will be. Heck, a BABY is a ton of work, and a child even more. I KNOW it will be work, and I know that I've decided I'm up to it and an willing to do the work needed for the dog's NEEDS. That's also why picking the right individual is also important - even if MOST dogs of a certain breed need barely any excercize outside, there will be those that need LOTS of outdoor time. It is a personal issue, depending on the dog. Thus, we WILL try to pick carefully, and take our time doing just that. No awe-it's-so-cute-at-the-pet-store dogs, it will always be a situation where we need to sleep on the decision. We slept on Carly, spoke with people. We made up our minds but it didn't work out. Some think it would have been horrible, but that IS from generalizations knowing both breeds. I understand that, and Carly WAS an individual - not necesarily what her breeding-mix would "normally" be nor maybe what our impression said of her either. No way to know though. From here out, we ARE still going to research and see what we find.

I'll update as I know more. Have a great night everyone, and good luck with the work week!

the_mighty_khan

I have a boxer mix. I walk her in the mornings and in the evenings when I get home. We also play and do training for a while in the evenings. That's about 3 hours of exercise per day during the week and more on the weekends. She is not destructive or neurotic at all.

There's a boxer rescue in Tampa. This girl is apparently good with cats, so she may do okay with your conure too. Of course you'd need to speak with the rescue workers about it. Good luck with your search.

Siye

This is just my 2 cents, but a boxer could be a bit much to handle. I'd recommend a more newbie breed and a smaller size.

They may be generally good with children, but a boxer is still a 50 pound dog. Personally I wouldn't be comfortable leaving a 4 year old toddler with ANY medium sized or large dog (i would be wary with small ones too) unsupervised for any period of time. The only exception perhaps... would be after years of trust and no problems. But I've never been a parent so perhaps my opinion holds little validity in this case.

Boxers can also be stubborn too... this just means you may have to be more patient and persistent with training.

I hope the best with your search, but my key factors would be.

1. An older dog (atleast 1-2 years)
2. A breed known to be more "docile" and low energy
3. Smaller in size. I know small doesn't necessarily mean "easy" of an "angel" but atleast it's "physically" safer with such a small child.