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Thread: Should I buy a dog?

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    God/dess Kisca's Avatar
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    Default Should I buy a dog?

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    Last edited by Kisca; 06-06-2012 at 11:57 PM.

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    Adopt don't buy. Every breed has a rescue group. Having a dog is a great thing if you can take care of them.

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    Featured Member tampadancer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    I have a cocker spaniel (Chloe), and she is the best little buddy a girl could ask for. I'm a big proponent of having dogs, as long as you have the time and means to provide for it. To me, a dog can add so much to your life. There is never a dull moment with Chloe...she makes me laugh...she snuggles with me when I'm sad...she's great company on long walks.

    I would suggest thinking hard about breeds though. Many places will not rent to someone who had a dog that qualifies for a breed restriction (dobermans, pits, german shepherds, etc). Also, they are big dogs and you really need to have a yard. If you are in an apartment/condo it's best to get a smaller dog, imo.

    As for your parents - I'm confused why they would care so much about you getting a dog? I mean, if you can take care of it, what should it matter to them?

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    Dobermen are great dogs, but if you live in an urban area then they're going to limit which apartments you can live in. They're often a 'banned' breed in many apartments here, and many private landlords will not be okay with them becasue of their perceived temperament and just the sheer size of the dog compared to you (the owner). It varies from place to place, but I know that in your area they area very sterotyped breed. Males can weigh up to 100 lbs - that's a person!

    Actually, speaking of temperament, do you know where you could get your Dobermen? You would have to be very careful about picking a breeder because if not bread well I've heard that Doberman's can have more aggressive traits. I don't know if I would recommended getting one from a shelter; because the breed usually bonds very strongly to their master and may not be very obideiant for a long time after you recuse one. That wouldn't be a good situation to be in; a large dog you can't control who needs time-consuming training that you might not be able to provide (due to school), living with another new, small dog. Chihuahua can be aggressive to new people and pets, so if the Doberman defends itself, it will win....whatever that means for the Chihuahua (what a thing to spell btw....).

    I think the guard-dog aspects and intelligence of the Doberman are great for you, but I think the training and the size of the dog are what make this dog a poor fit for you right now. A little apartment in the city is not the place for a larger sized dog with lots of energy and intelligence and an aggressive sterotype. They're also very sensitive to cold. I woudn't say getting a German Sheppard, Labrador Retreiver, Golden Retriever, Boarder Collie or Husky is a good idea either, even though I love all those breeds.

    What exactly are you looking for in a doggie? A guard dog? Companion? Is size an issue (do you want something big vs. small?).

    How do you feel about a Corgi or an Aussie Terrier?

    This might give you some good suggestions: http://www.selectsmart.com/dog/
    Last edited by 4everresolutions; 04-03-2011 at 08:53 PM.



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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    adopt try to search around for a doberman through adoption places and use to money to send the dog over

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    ^^^ you're lucky wherever you are living. In New York, pet owner liability and thus landlord liability has resulted in the de-facto banning of 'controversial' dog breeds like pit bulls, dobermans, wolf hounds etc. from rental properties. New York has even banned some 'controversial' breeds of cats like savannahs and servals from rental properties. The real reason of course is that, on rare occasions, 'controversial' animals have escaped their owners' control, have caused real or perceived harm to other tenants ( and children of other tenants ), and have in turn resulted in fat jury awards for 'damages' which have fallen on landlords as well as pet owners.

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    I definitely think you should get a dog...but thats my favourite animal and I think everyone should have at least 2! No human can ever show the patience, understanding and give the unconditional love that a dog can.

    Now as for breeds. I would just say do a little more research before you make a decision. Bigger dogs tend to have more health problems and are also more expensive to feed. Also pure breeds even with a known mother and father tend to have much more health problems than a cross because they are inbred.

    This is a really good video that they showed us at Uni... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhXHFOrBbEc

    WARNING FOR SOME PEOPLE THERE ARE SOME SAD THINGS IN THAT VIDEO

    Not saying you shouldnt go for doberman, just maybe read up on some more breeds to see if there are any others that interest you.

    Its great to adopt as well. One of my babies is adopted but it can take time to find one that is a right match for you. I guess the biggest thing is to be patient in making your choice. I know you want your best friend now but they will be with you for the next 10+ years so you wanna make sure you choose the right dog. I was volunteering at the RSPCA for 6 months before I finally choose are adopted baby. There were lots I wanted to rescue but I wanted to be careful with my choice. So many get taken back because the adopters dont think about how this dog is going to fit in with their lifestyle.

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    Veteran Member Camateur's Avatar
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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    if you're worried about breed restrictions google "service dog tags" and get some for your dog; easy, done. No one can legally refuse you and your dog in any rental including ones that are "no pets allowed"

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    I have a great dane and he is seriously the best dog ever!!! Such a lover and SUPER protective of me and my family.
    Never had a doberman but Ive heard there good dogs. .
    Deff do your research on the breed and make sure thats the dog you really want.

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    All breeds of dog can live together if theyre trained properly and are given enough time to get used to one another, i have a chihuahua and a staffordshire bull terrier and they absolutly adore each other. i was worried they wdnt get on at first but once they got used to each other they just play and play and play

    Look up 'Pablo & Ramsey' on youtube, its a dobie and chihuahua who live together and they are thr funniest pair youve ever seen.
    ''I love fake boobs''
    ''They're not fake! I grew them myself!''

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    I love dobermans. When I was young a friend of mine had two and they were the sweetest dogs I've ever met, one of them even protected the neighbors cat from another dog that was trying to attack it.

    I assume that was all due to good training though and not specifically because of their breed. I think most dogs can get along with other animals and humans if trained diligently and properly.

    (I personally plan to get either a doberman, boxer or english bulldog in the future.)

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    ^If you do end up going for it. You may want to look into pet insurance too. I sometimes worry about my girls because I dont have much savings right now and how I would get the money if something big happened, but since Im a vet student I get a pretty good discount at our clinic. If I had a pure breed like the boxer or king charles I really wanted (but decided against because of $$$ and health) I would have def went for insurance.

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    If you are worried about vet bills, food costs and space issues, as well as the fact that your roommate already has a small chihuahua, I would suggest you go for a smaller breed instead. In fact, since you're so interested in Dobermans, a Min-Pin could be just perfect for you!

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    Min-Pins are so finicky. The Doberman would be a better guard dog.

    Let me know if you get your doggie!!!



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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    Ditto to all of the excellent advice you have been given in the posts above.

    Just to emphasize points that have already been made...

    1. Please educate yourself about the breed. Each breed has certain characteristics; advantages and disadvantages. Dobermans tend to be large, strong dogs, who will thrive with obedience training and daily vigorous exercise. Here are a couple of websites to get you started; I'm sure there are plenty of links within these websites:

    http://www.dobermantalk.com
    http://www.ildoberescue.com

    2. Getting a dog from a rescue group has its advantages. The dog has lived with a family who is knowledgeable about the breed; they have observed the dog's behavior in a natural setting--living in a home with a family. They will give you accurate information on the dog's health and behavior, directly from their observations.

    3. Dobermans are large dogs. They are smart dogs and they are very strong dogs! They respond very well to dog obedience training; this means daily practice. Let's face it: an uncontrolled, untrained large dog of any breed coould easily become a neighborhood menace.

    Once again, please do your research on Dobermans and the other various breeds--especially how much care is needed. I'm sure you're like so many of us who love animals: as soon as you see a dog, the emotional bond has formed! It would be very difficult emotionally if you had to give up the dog at a later date, simply because you didn't have the time or the energy (or the money!) to give the dog a good home.

    Simply because you asked the question "should I get a dog?" indicates to me that you would do your best to be a good dog owner, because you clearly are giving the matter some consideration and not acting on impulse.

    IMHO, your next step is to learn as much as you can about the various breeds.

    Best wishes for giving a life-long home to a very lucky dog!

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    ^Pet insurance is definitely not mandatory. I mean to cover medical expenses of your pet. If it were to be mandatory it would be covering attacks not the health of your pet unfortunately. I wish it was like that because it would make things a lot easier for Vets.

    Im Canadian too and I dont know a single person in canada who has pet insurance interestingly enough. Its good that your parents are on top of that though. Not many people have it here either, but I do think it is good to have if you have a pure bred. It doesnt usually cover much, but it usually covers breed specific issues ie. Nose reconstruction in pugs and you can usually get some amount back on desexing. As far as I know the only mandatory thing in Canada is registration... I dont think your dogs even have to be microchipped by law.

    I found this that has links to specific Canadian city bi-laws... might be of interest to you

    http://www.responsibledogowners.ca/d...regs-legis.pdf

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    Veteran Member Sia's Avatar
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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    Dobes are awesome dogs, but DCM is rampant in the breed. http://www.dpca.org/PublicEd/PEC/PECGeneticCardio.html

    If you are serious about a Dobe, do a lot of research into the various lines, and plan on spending at least $2000 for a pup.

    Also, a previous poster mentioned possible problems renting an apartment with a Dobe, this is a very real issue as well. Landlords can evict you for having a "dangerous" breed....stupid, I know, but it can happen.

    Have you ever known any Dobes in person? You should probably start by contacting a reputable breeder and going for a visit. Most breeders absolutely love talking dogs, and you could get some firsthand experience. They are smart, loyal dogs, but they are also very very strong, and possibly intimidating for a first time owner.

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    I have a Chloe too! My furbaby is my most fulfilling relationship right now..LOL

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    If you have a dog already, and she stays at your parents, why isn't she staying with you?

    Also, the CKC (the continental, not the canadien one) is crap.
    I would be highly suspicious of anyone saying that they'd done their
    research if a person is touting ckc as a good option to get a good dog from.

    To me most ckc's are puppy mills or dogs of dubious origin bred by ignorant
    people trying to make money off of people who don't do their research and are
    happy to tout acronyms without knowing what they really signify.

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    if you think it will add to your happiness and detract stress instead of increase it, i think you should get one

    i want to get a puppy because i live all by myself but i get grossed out really easily and worry about the potential smell and shedding. i have a VERY sensitive nose and get nauseated around most dogs, and most animals for that matter, i hate the way they smell

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    ^gotcha. Glad to hear it on both counts.

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    Default Re: Should I buy a dog?

    Two things you should keep in mind are: The amount of time you are able to dedicate to your doggie and the expenses.

    The dog will rely solely on you for their every need for its entire life. They also need companionship and lots of attention. Just keep in mind all of the responsibilites (feeding, walking, grooming, vet, playtime). And although regualr vet visits can run you a few hundred, remember there might be a time when they get sick and that can run you thousands of dollars.

    As long as you can handle budgeting for the new puppy and dedicate your time towards them, i say go for it! They are absolutely wonderful companions and never let you down.

    I brought home a chihuahua in october, and he is the love of my life! THe second day i had him he was hospitalized due to hypoglycemia and stayed three nights, the vet bill ran me $2,300. But it was worth every penny just to have his companionship.

    PS chihuahuas are great low maintenance dogs. Maybe you might want to stick to a short hair, toy breed due to the fact you dont need to walk them much, they can potty on a weewee pad indoors, and grooming stays to a minimum.

    Good luck! Keep us posted

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