Hello.
Well, I've really been wanting a dog for years. Not a pet, but a companion. A family member I can bring on my daily jog or just enjoy times with who'll stick with me and my family.
I would want an intelligent, compassionate, fun dog. I would definitively much prefer a big dog. I love the look of siberian huskies or golden retrievers. They seem perfect. There are a few problems with that though;
In a year or two I'll be moving into a small apartment, most likely with no courtyard. For high-energy dogs this is very bad news. And I am single, so I'd be out of the apartment 6-7 hours a day leaving them alone. Also bad. And to top that off, I've never owned anything bigger then a rabbit before, so dogs that are hard to take care of, like siberian huskies with their coat-shedding, mischievous behavior if you're not their firm leader and other such problems would be hard to deal with.
Money isn't really an issue when it comes to this, so are there any medium or large sized dogs with medium energy (to bring on my jogs and exercise in the park) that still will do well alone, in a small apartment that also aren't problem dogs, perhaps easy to own as a first dog?
I'm planning on getting a housebroken 1 year old pup so I won't have to deal with most the training. I'd love do, but as a first dog I'd worry that I would not be good enough.
Get a Corgi.
You might like border collies, they're herding dogs and need their exercise but they're extremely intelligent and very friendly
If you want a real companion, get a German Shepherd.
[img]http://www.pets4you.com/images/breed_description/germanshepherd.jpg[/img]
This may be a bit hypocritical of me because I own a dachshund, but I hear shepherds are friendly, intelligent, enjoy exercise, and are ridiculously loyal. I sometimes fantasize about getting one and naming him Cerberus.
[QUOTE=Ekalektik_1;36616005]If you want a real companion, get a German Shepherd.
[img]http://www.pets4you.com/images/breed_description/germanshepherd.jpg[/img]
This may be a bit hypocritical of me because I own a dachshund, but I hear shepherds are friendly, intelligent, enjoy exercise, and are ridiculously loyal. I sometimes fantasize about getting one and naming him Cerberus.[/QUOTE]
I would fucking love a german shepherd but they are very hard to own. They bark and they bite if you are not a godlike trainer and do not bode well in apartments, or alone. Not a good first dog to own at all.
[editline]4th July 2012[/editline]
[QUOTE=AugustBurnsRed;36615990]You might like border collies, they're herding dogs and need their exercise but they're extremely intelligent and very friendly[/QUOTE]
A border collie too would be awesome, but again small apartment, alone. Border collies need kennels.
[img]http://www.americanakitabreederslist.com/akita%20pics/jessy%20A.jpg[/img]
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akita_Inu[/url]
I've had an Akita for around twelve years, and I have to say that they're absolutely perfect companions. Ever heard of [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D]Hachiko[/url]? These dogs are pretty much as loyal as they come. They're extremely husky dogs, but mine has never really been that active. Since it's your first time with a dog, though, I would suggest going for the smaller breed, the Shiba-Inu.
[img]http://www.doggies.com/imageuploads/1224293637_shiba-inu-snow-ed.jpg[/img]
[url]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiba_Inu[/url]
Since my Akita passed away, I've owned a Shiba. These are also extremely loyal and independent dogs, though they may need a little training if you expect a lot of company. They're definitely not large dogs (They're name even translates to Small Dog), but they're not excessively small, either. My dog's not in the room at the moment, but I'd guess she's about 1'6" - 2', which is about the average height at the waist. Really it's comfortable, she's like a smaller Akita, and she's much more active.
Also, I would stay away from pet stores when searching for a dog. Get it either from a breeder or shelter if possible.
Thanks, yeah. I've looked at both. I absolutely adore both breeds, and I've read the book on Hachiko, and watched the modern American adaptation movie too. Very loyal dogs. One of the reasons I love huskies.
Shiba Inus look fantastic too. But I want as good of a life for the dog as possible, and looking at dogbreedinfo.com it says;
[QUOTE] It is moderately active indoors and will do best with at least an average-sized yard.[/QUOTE]
However
[QUOTE]The Shiba Inu is an undemanding dog that will adapt to your circumstances, so long as it gets a daily walk. It is a very active dog and will be healthier and happier with regular exercise.
[/QUOTE]
So it's very high on my list. Thank you very much.
I own a St. Bernard. If you're looking for a loyal companion their pretty top tier. Mine sheds like hell though, and used to get really energetic and forget how big she was, though she's since grown out of it (for the most part).
I'd recommend one, but there's probably better choices if you're living in an apartment.
Also, I'm not sure if it's gender specific but mine doesn't drool on shit as much as most others of the breed, not sure of the reason for that though.
Sounds like a more medium dog with shorter hair would be what you want.
Somebody said Corgi which could be good. A Boston Terrier would also fit into that category.
They're also not super high energy but still active dogs. Plus they're not typically very noisy which is good for apartments.
I think St. Bernhards are also good choices. The image I have of them in my head are the ones that go up mountains and save people, the go home and flop in front of the fireplace the rest of the day. I should mention I live in Norway though so the dogs better tolerate -15*C on winter days.
St. Bernards are fucking awesome, my friend's parents have three, and they are all gigantic babies (we're talking 130-180lbs here)
but alas, apartment space limitations
Don't know about corgis or boston terriers though. Something I don't like about them as much. Grew up around a mixed breed large mostly Australian shepherd that I loved. Friend of mine owned it. Also this fella' with one eye.
[IMG]https://dl.dropbox.com/u/75010084/dz.jpg[/IMG]
Corgis are cute and all but they feel more like pets then companions to be honest. If I don't find a breed I really like that does well in an apartment that I can handle, I'll have to wait until I move out to some place bigger.
My suggestion would be a Boston Terrier. I have had one for a little over 10 years and she is such a great low energy dog to own and mine is extremely loyal.
I don't know much about other dogs but I can share my experience with mine. I've had a Golden Retriever a few years now.
The vet said that he's really big compared to other retrievers, he has an enormous head.
At a young age he was really hard to control because we picked him and others up from a bad environment, where they had to fight for food.
Everyone didn't survive because of starvation and sickness.
But a retriever is really a nice dog. They are super friendly, they like to exercise, intelligent and they love their master.
The only problem is the shedding.
I've had a japanese spitz for about 7 years now, and I don't think I ever wanted an other dog, He's smart, super friendly, never bitten anything or never really barked, his fur is kinda special which makes all dirt just fall off and you rarely need to comb or bath him. Oh and, his fur doesn't give allergy, so if you're allergic against fur (like I am) here's your pick!
He weights about 13 kilos (28 pounds) which makes him quite easy to control when walking.
However, 7 to 8 hours sounds like a long time for your dog to be alone, aren't you able to go home at lunches?
[IMG]http://www.dogs.net.au/daesdaemarjapanesespitz/images/extra_112.jpg[/IMG]
Where do you live?
I'd go for either a Bernese Mountain dog if you can find one.
[t]http://www.petfinder.com/images/breeds/dog/2360.jpg[/t]
Or an australian caddle dog.
[t]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cc/ACD-blue-spud.jpg/220px-ACD-blue-spud.jpg[/t]
I've owned 2 bernese dogs and know somebody who has a australian caddle dog. Both kinds are very friendly and aren't too hyper. The bernese's I had were always playful and not rough. Bernese's can sometimes shed quite a bit unless you go with a greater swiss bernese.
[editline]July 4 2012[/editline]
Bernese Mtn Dogs also are adorable as pups.
[t]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wxtdziSoI_M/S9Kl92QaPoI/AAAAAAAACDg/_CeUDM8leLs/s1600/Bernese+Mountain+Dog+puppies.jpg[/t]
[img]http://i597.photobucket.com/albums/tt52/Barinya/american_staffordshire_02_terrier_p.jpg[/img]
get a staffy
I'd recommend a blue staff.
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