Dogs...

[bellydancerakn]

[quote name='Rani' date='18 May 2010 - 09:31 PM' timestamp='1274243517' post='468606']
[quote name='bellydancerakn' date='18 May 2010 - 09:12 PM' timestamp='1274242338' post='468602']
[quote name='Rani' date='18 May 2010 - 07:16 PM' timestamp='1274235397' post='468585']
[quote name='bellydancerakn' date='17 May 2010 - 11:56 PM' timestamp='1274165806' post='468483']
[quote name='KeepItSimple' date='17 May 2010 - 04:48 PM' timestamp='1274140083' post='468452']
I'm thinking about a Schnauzer. I like the look of them, and they are semi-hypoalergenic, which is good from my girlfriend who I live with.
[/quote]


Miniature, standard, or giant?

They're all pretty small.
[/quote]

My family owned Schnauzers for many years. Great dogs but the giants are not small by any means and if you check the AKC information you'll see that viciousness is still common enough in giants to be warned against. Miniatures and standards on the other hand tend to be more pet and family oriented. They shed almost not at all, and their coat is managed through stripping, though most owners have just have them clipped because it's easier.

'Rani
[/quote]


I grew up with a 120lb rottweiler mutt, so anything under 100lb is considered small to me. And yes I did look it up. That's why I asked.
[/quote]

I'm with you on big dogs. I love, love, love great big dogs. The bigger the better. My favorite dog ever was a Great Pyr named Gypsy. Snow Queen's Gypsy Maiden to be exact. I loved all 147 pounds of her. I'd yell, "Let's go to bed!" And she'd grab any handy throw rug to the floor at my side of the bed and lay down on it. I'd say 'TV" and she'd stretch out in perfect position to serve as a backrest. "Doggie Doctor" sent her running to my car because she loved her vet and all the attention they lavished on her whenever I took her in for anything. Of course I had a sports car and of course she had to ride shotgun. I think I'll always miss her. She was the best dog. Scared people half to death with her size though.

If I ever buy another house, with a yard, first thing I'm doing is getting another one.

'Rani
[/quote]


Awww Pyrs are sweet, they had 4 of them at the santcuary I worked at. I got bit by one. Thats always fun. I didn't give him a cookie cause he didn't sit like I told him. He didn't like that lol. Of course now I have an awesome scar to show people. I personally love pitts and rotts. Also mastiffs. Esspecially Dog de bordeaux and neapolitan mastiff. I just love great big "ferocious" drooly dogs. They are the sweetest usually and most loyal and loving animals ever. Plus nobody steals from you cause you have the big-ass dog in your front yard. There was a string of thefts around the neighborhood a few years back. Almost every house got hit except ours. Because we had a giant rottweiler/lab guarding it! lol. Everyone got a big dog after that. Scares off cougars, coyotes, and robbers.
My dream is to become really really rich and adopt like 20 giant breed dogs from sheltars. And everyone of them will be incredibally well trained lol cause there is no other way. It's all about the training. I am so annoyed by people who do not take the time to train and alpha their dog. And then they're like wow you're dog is so well trained I could never do that. And I'm like, if you would actually pick up some books and take the time your dog will be just a well behaved as mine.
But anyways yes big dogs are amazing. I couldn't ever imagine myself not having a big dog.

[twoapplesplease]

I highly recomend adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue

[Rani]

[quote name='bellydancerakn' date='18 May 2010 - 10:21 PM' timestamp='1274246507' post='468613']
[quote name='Rani' date='18 May 2010 - 09:31 PM' timestamp='1274243517' post='468606']
[quote name='bellydancerakn' date='18 May 2010 - 09:12 PM' timestamp='1274242338' post='468602']
[quote name='Rani' date='18 May 2010 - 07:16 PM' timestamp='1274235397' post='468585']
[quote name='bellydancerakn' date='17 May 2010 - 11:56 PM' timestamp='1274165806' post='468483']
[quote name='KeepItSimple' date='17 May 2010 - 04:48 PM' timestamp='1274140083' post='468452']
I'm thinking about a Schnauzer. I like the look of them, and they are semi-hypoalergenic, which is good from my girlfriend who I live with.
[/quote]


Miniature, standard, or giant?

They're all pretty small.
[/quote]

My family owned Schnauzers for many years. Great dogs but the giants are not small by any means and if you check the AKC information you'll see that viciousness is still common enough in giants to be warned against. Miniatures and standards on the other hand tend to be more pet and family oriented. They shed almost not at all, and their coat is managed through stripping, though most owners have just have them clipped because it's easier.

'Rani
[/quote]


I grew up with a 120lb rottweiler mutt, so anything under 100lb is considered small to me. And yes I did look it up. That's why I asked.
[/quote]

I'm with you on big dogs. I love, love, love great big dogs. The bigger the better. My favorite dog ever was a Great Pyr named Gypsy. Snow Queen's Gypsy Maiden to be exact. I loved all 147 pounds of her. I'd yell, "Let's go to bed!" And she'd grab any handy throw rug to the floor at my side of the bed and lay down on it. I'd say 'TV" and she'd stretch out in perfect position to serve as a backrest. "Doggie Doctor" sent her running to my car because she loved her vet and all the attention they lavished on her whenever I took her in for anything. Of course I had a sports car and of course she had to ride shotgun. I think I'll always miss her. She was the best dog. Scared people half to death with her size though.

If I ever buy another house, with a yard, first thing I'm doing is getting another one.

'Rani
[/quote]


Awww Pyrs are sweet, they had 4 of them at the santcuary I worked at. I got bit by one. Thats always fun. I didn't give him a cookie cause he didn't sit like I told him. He didn't like that lol. Of course now I have an awesome scar to show people. I personally love pitts and rotts. Also mastiffs. Esspecially Dog de bordeaux and neapolitan mastiff. I just love great big "ferocious" drooly dogs. They are the sweetest usually and most loyal and loving animals ever. Plus nobody steals from you cause you have the big-ass dog in your front yard. There was a string of thefts around the neighborhood a few years back. Almost every house got hit except ours. Because we had a giant rottweiler/lab guarding it! lol. Everyone got a big dog after that. Scares off cougars, coyotes, and robbers.
My dream is to become really really rich and adopt like 20 giant breed dogs from sheltars. And everyone of them will be incredibally well trained lol cause there is no other way. It's all about the training. I am so annoyed by people who do not take the time to train and alpha their dog. And then they're like wow you're dog is so well trained I could never do that. And I'm like, if you would actually pick up some books and take the time your dog will be just a well behaved as mine.
But anyways yes big dogs are amazing. I couldn't ever imagine myself not having a big dog.
[/quote]

Yeah, taking time is crucial. It took me 6 solid weeks to teach Gypsy not to jump on people because I took the gentler route of grabbing her front paws and just holding her up instead of kneeing in the chest. But she learned so well that the first time my then boyfriend met her, he patted his chest for her to jump up and she looked to me for permission first. She was so incredibly smart. Her only bad habit was that Pyrs are diggers. Well, excavators really with those big feet and all that muscle power. She was tunneling under the pool decking. I had to dig it out all around and line it with rocks so she'd quit on her own. She had one of those digestible rope toys she'd drag all through the house and garden. I'd just throw it in the washer and she'd sit staring at the washer until it was done and she could get her rope back. I remember the first time she barked at the mailman from behind the iron gate. Scared herself silly. And then she was so proud of herself for a couple days she would bark and then just prance all happy. By then she was so easily trained in less than a week she knew not to bark unless she had reason.

I love Rotweilers too. Also smart, loyal great big dogs. With a bad reputation they really don't deserve. Because of irresponsible breeding, pits can be difficult. I've known several that were just fine around their humans but get them around other pits and they would compete with each other for dominance and usually a human would get in the way and get hurt. But again, it's not the dogs fault. It's the way they've been bred and then reared on top of their already competitive nature.

'Rani

[TheScotsman]

[quote name='twoapplesplease' date='19 May 2010 - 12:47 AM' timestamp='1274248065' post='468619']
I highly recomend adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue
[/quote]

"She whom must be obeyed" and I do IW, wolfdog and collie rescue. from experience I [u]really[/u] advise against adopting a rescue/shelter animal for the inexperienced, or anyone that lacks the time, patience, or resources to deal with a headcase. You want a good puppy, from a real person who is not trying to make money breeding.

Sounds horrible, I know. But it's a decade+ long commitment. You nor the dog will ever be happy if it's not a good match. If you still want to go this way, find a breed-specific rescue, and have them help you out. Rescues are almost always neurotic to an extent, some allot more than you want to deal with. The person doing the rescue can tell you what to avoid (like that IW that was beat with shovels, now wants to take apart every person she sees with garden tools.) Getting in over your head, then having to pass the animal on yet again, does neither of you any good.

[bellydancerakn]

[quote name='TheScotsman' date='20 May 2010 - 01:19 PM' timestamp='1274386798' post='468813']
[quote name='twoapplesplease' date='19 May 2010 - 12:47 AM' timestamp='1274248065' post='468619']
I highly recomend adopting a dog from a shelter or rescue
[/quote]

"She whom must be obeyed" and I do IW, wolfdog and collie rescue. from experience I [u]really[/u] advise against adopting a rescue/shelter animal for the inexperienced, or anyone that lacks the time, patience, or resources to deal with a headcase. You want a good puppy, from a real person who is not trying to make money breeding.

Sounds horrible, I know. But it's a decade+ long commitment. You nor the dog will ever be happy if it's not a good match. If you still want to go this way, find a breed-specific rescue, and have them help you out. Rescues are almost always neurotic to an extent, some allot more than you want to deal with. The person doing the rescue can tell you what to avoid (like that IW that was beat with shovels, now wants to take apart every person she sees with garden tools.) Getting in over your head, then having to pass the animal on yet again, does neither of you any good.
[/quote]


We rescued my dog Grissom and he is not neurotic at all. He is crazy, but in a lovable run in to walls ways. He's a flatcoat so it is to be expected. I do get what you are saying. Don't pick a high energy dog from sheltar, they do have a greater chance of being completely psycho. Pick a dog that is low energy and low key. Pretty chill and calm. Easier to train and alpha. All dogs have their quirks, the matter is just breaking them of it.

[Arcane]

if it's a good shelter, i'd hope they don't just give out any dogs to whomever wants one....

in Colorado Springs, I volunteered at one of the shelters (just walking dogs)...and they would decline adoption for some people after talking with them....they would tell me, "I don't think they would have been a good match." or "We would have just seen them return her a week later."

that shelter wanted to make sure their dogs went to a good home and one that is compatible with the dog's temperment. they weren't just looking to clear out a kennel....

[Tom1]

[img]http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/6634/dogzs4.jpg[/img]

Take a look at my beast.... ehehe! Edited May 21, 2010 by Tom16689

[mustafabey]

All my dogs are rescue dogs. I presently have three. I used to volunteer at a no kill shelter and became sold on the idea of adoption. There are good breeders out there and they are usually expensive, but the are many you just churn out puppies,puppy mills. that can lead to poorly bred dogs with discipline problems and medical problems. I love huskies and have had a few including an awesome malamute. He was prone to hip dysplasia and lived only 10 years. Read up on the dog you want,get a breed that suits you. Generally mutts are easier going and have less breed specific health problems

[Rani]

[quote name='mustafabey' date='22 May 2010 - 10:25 AM' timestamp='1274549103' post='469028']
All my dogs are rescue dogs. I presently have three. I used to volunteer at a no kill shelter and became sold on the idea of adoption. There are good breeders out there and they are usually expensive, but the are many you just churn out puppies,puppy mills. that can lead to poorly bred dogs with discipline problems and medical problems. I love huskies and have had a few including an awesome malamute. He was prone to hip dysplasia and lived only 10 years. Read up on the dog you want,get a breed that suits you. Generally mutts are easier going and have less breed specific health problems
[/quote]

Have to agree. Both my cats even though appearing to as close to purebred as possible without actual paperwork, are from the same shelter, weeks apart. (I wasn't looking for a particular breed, but my I fell in love with Kaballah the moment I saw her, and Kabuki was a happy coincidence.) The only time I insist on going through a private breeder, (not a pet-shop who do get their puppies from mills), are when dealing with the very large breeds, because they take the extra precautions in breeding to eliminate hip dysplasia. My Pyr was certified twelve generations dysplasia free and she was x-rayed before me being allowed to take her home in case I chose to breed her and continue the certification. So if you're going for a breed that does have issues, then yes, I'd say take the time to find a great breeder in it for the love of it, not the money.

But man, it's still hard for me to not believe you're better off with a shelter. No matter how a dog looks, it's how it behaves and how it relates to you that is going to make it a great pet. And you'd be surprised how many dogs and cats appear to be nearly purebred in shelters. My grandmother found her first Schnauzer in a shelter.

'Rani

[Pissing off mushrat]

Just showing off our two crazy dogs....

An english bulldog named "mama" and an akita named "kavik"

[Pissing off mushrat]

Izzy Mama