What Breed/type Of Dog Would Be Good For Me?
October 3, 2009 by admin
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
Alright so I know It’s Summer 09′ but next Summer I’m supposed to get a dog! Alright, well I’d get it at the end of June so over the Summer I could train it, walk it, spend time with it, let it get used to me, ETC. Well I need to know also what dog would be right for me because I’m at school 7 hours of the day. And it HAS TO BE a dog that does not bark a lot. Right now I’m kind of looking at a Jack russell terrier.
Like this: http://www.breederretriever.com/photopost/data/511/medium/jack_russell_terrier_roux.jpg
I need help! But when I get one, I’m just going to search free dog/puppy, and whatever come’s up. As long as it’s a small dog/that’s already house trained, that is NOT a chihuahua. Than I’ll probably get it… HELP, PLEASE AND THANK YOU 
And as I said, I want a free dog. It DOESN’T HAVE TO BE FREE, I’m not pooor. I can spend $100-$250. I just want a free one, so it’d be easier on all of us.
I’m not asking if a Jackrussell is good for me, but WHAT TYPE OF DOG IS GOOD FOR ME? Cockapoo, Chihuahua Pitbull, Boxer, what?
And it HAS TO BE a common dog. Not a Cavachon or anything, because they don’t usually sell those/they’re rare. It has to be a common dog people sell on regular basis.
+++++++ I was looking at french bulldog’s/boston terrier’s, I really liked those! But I heard they have high medical bills, and when they do have problems is it often? Or only certain dogs. Please help!!! Thank you so muchhhh
Related Cockapoo Training & Care posts:
I would say a pug but they need LOTS of attention and can not be left outside…I would say go to the local animal shelter every few weeks and to check what they have, or go to a rescue…try not to buy from a breeder save an animal instead…but hwta ever you do end up getting do extensive research before making a final choice
get a mixed less health problems than purebreds…
I wish I had a a boston terrier.
get a labrador retreiver!! i breed them and they are amasing dogs not that expensive either.go to dog breed info.com and go to purebreeds and look under L and u can reed everything about them
hi,
The goal here is to help you figure out what type of dog best suits you and your personality.
take this quiz:http://dogtime.com/matchup/start
hope this helps.
didnt you like just ask this?
Good heavens, you’re so excited! That’s the first good thing. You need to want to spend lots of time with a dog, and it looks like you do.
The first thing I notice is that you’re saying it’s easier to get a free dog. Well, no it’s not. It’s cheaper, but not easier. Free doesn’t mean free forever– you have to vaccinate, microchip, desex, etc. And you need to make sure you save money up regularly to look after the dog– the idea of “oh, I can’t afford to take it to the vet!” is like saying if a kid is sick and has a fever, you’re going to let it sit there and get sicker.
Sometimes that means that it’s incredibly helpful, and better in the long run, because a shelter dog, for instance, has a lot of these things done already. In addition, if you get a shelter dog, its temperment is often already known, because they have had it for some time, plus someone else may have already owned it. And mutts… ah, they’re wonderful.
Thing is, small dogs are very often much more bark-y than other types of dogs, and when you said Jack Russell I almost fell off my seat. No, they aren’t ALL bark-y, but wowee, they sure can be. And the same for many small dogs.
You need to find a breed that suits the amount of time you and your family can be with it, and that includes the amount of mental and physical stimulation it needs. For example, my family has a German Shepherd Blue Cattle cross, but my son is 13 and we all spend time walking her and running around the yard with her and stimulating her mentally and certainly physically. When she’s older and doesn’t need that so much any more, my son will be grown up and so her needs and his time available will match.
Take a look at your choices– all purebreed animals. Give a shelter dog a chance and you’ll more likely meet your other requirements– non-bark-y, and one that you know will be housetrained, and one that may not need you a lot during the day.
Good luck! Dogs are beaut!!!
If you want a dog that doesn’t bark much, the terrier group should not be a consideration. Not at all! LOLOLOL
Terriers bark. A lot. They are bred to do it, so you can’t train it out of them.
You need to think some more about what you can offer a dog, and then start researching breeds.
Oh, getting a dog is such fun! They are wonderful creatures, and will be loving and loyal to you forever.
There is no such thing as a “free” dog…even if someone gives it to you. You will have licensing fees, vaccinations, general vet visits, emergency vet visits, grooming (if you are not going to bathe the dog yourself), dog food, toys, treats, beds, leashes, collars, tags, microchipping, insurance (health for the dog, homeowner’s for yourself if you have certain breeds), pet sitter or boarding, etc. It’s all a part of owning a dog. I have four dogs, so I plan on about $250 a month for dog food, treats, and toys. For monthly heartworm and flea meds, that’s another $60. Last month, one of my “kids” needed surgery and a dental cleaning…nearly $1400. This month, two went in for annual shots and physicals. One needed meds for a UTI, the other for an ear infection…$475. Next month the other two go in, hopefully it will be MUCH cheaper because neither is sick, but… A year and some ago, I had one that needed back surgery and in-residence physical therapy so that he could walk again….$5000. I spent more on vet bills last year than I did on my own medical bills. And I would do it all again in a heartbeat.
DO NOT BUY A DOG from a pet store! If you feel you must have a purebred, papered dog, then go to a breeder, but do check around and find out who is reputable. Puppy mills are hell on earth for dogs, and you never know what you’re going to get in the way of the product. They are only in the dog breeding business for the money, not for the enhancement of the breed or the good of the dogs. As previous posters have mentioned, check out the rescues and shelters in your area. If you have a particular breed in mind, simply search the internet under the particular breed name + rescue + your state, and you will find plenty of listings.
Rescue dogs are wonderful and are sooooo grateful to have a forever home with someone who will love them. (Shameless plug here—I have four rescued Bassets…would not trade them for the world!!) And, consider a slightly older dog…many senior dogs are surrendered to shelters and rescues because their owners have died or can no longer take care of them. They are generally a lot more settled, house broken, and beyond teething, which is a real plus. There may be some health issues, just like with an older person. But not always, and even a young dog (like mine) can have health problems. You have no guarantees how long a dog will live, but with the seniors, unless they are very, very old or sick, there’s usually quite a bit of life left in them. Any of them will have untold amounts of love to offer you. Just having a comfortable and loving home makes them real treasures to have.
Check out the American Kennel Club’s website. They have a list of dog breeds on it, and you can take a look to see what is most compatible to your lifestyle. (www.akc.org)
Another website that is helpful is the one from Eukanuba (http://www.eukanuba.com/EukGlobal/GLOBAL… Again, it will list the types of dogs and what might work best for you.
You will want to think about how much time you have to spend with the dog. They are social creatures, and really want to be a part of your “pack”–whether the pack is just you or you and your other family members. If you are away from home a lot, you might consider adopting two dogs so that they can keep each other company while you are gone. Large or small, young or older, dogs do require time and interaction with you.
Do consider your living arrangements,too. Where will the dog live? Hopefully, inside the house with you. You will need to decide whether the dog has run of the house or is confined to certain areas, whether it sleeps on the bed with you or in a particular room or in a crate. Big dogs need space to move around, little dogs need less, but still need to be able to exercise. If you have a lovely yard with lots of landscaping, you will want to make a dog-proof area that is safe and well fenced. If you live in an apartment, is there a place for you to walk the dog several times a day? Lots of other considerations to keep in mind when you choose your four-footed furry child.
Have fun with this, and do your homework now while you are getting ready so that you will be a confident and prepared dog owner when the time comes.
You mentioned that you would consider a Pit Bull, and shelters everywhere are always plum full of them. They are definitely my favorite! For me they have always been a very well-balanced dog, great with everyone and everything. when it’s time to play they go all out! they can be the most amusing and fun dogs ever! Then when its in home time they’re always sooo laid back. All the ones that i had loved to swim, and would dive under to fetch things, their determination is unreal. It all depends on the type of person YOU are, you need to be a stern, strong, and responsible type for these ones.
Reasons you should adopt a Pit bull:
1. Shelters are overwhelmed by them, most get put to sleep and aren’t even given a chance for adoption.
2. Adoption fees run around $75-150, and the dog comes fixed, microchiped and sometimes even housebroke.
3. A lot of Pit Bulls in shelters are purebred, some even papered, but were given up or confiscated.
4. pit bulls are very low maintenance as far as shedding, bathing and don’t suffer from many genetic diseases unlike say, English bulldogs.
5. Most pit bulls don’t bark much and are rarely “yappy”
the list would continue but i’d run out of room!!
Most pure breeds have medical issues. so you are probably safest with a cross.
Some pure breeds that don’t have health issues are:
Cairn Terrier
Poodle
Skye Terrier
… and that’s pretty much it!
I am going to get a Cairn next year, they are really lovely dogs! Their only problem (?) is that they tend to dig a lot. They are about 30-40 centimetres. But still need a daily walk.
Skye terrier’s are like a smaller version of the cairn (25 cm tall)