Thanks to everyone who replied to my doggie post

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck) 01/25/2016 at 15:40 • Filed to: Dog

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Much research and work to be done, but I appreciate testimonials from actual dog owners on here.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/25/2016 at 16:09

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I hope you find a good dog from shelter. The best pets I’ve had were from shelters. I think they are grateful for being rescued. Our Husky-mix was from a shelter and he has been a great dog.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/25/2016 at 16:10

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One of the best parts about my dog is that I can pick him up and carry him away when he’s in trouble and lift him in and out of the truck. He’s 45 pounds give or take, he’s still strong as hell and also the fastest dog I’ve ever met. German Shepherd and American Staffordshire Terrier.

zeontestpilot > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/25/2016 at 16:14

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You looking for a dog? My wife would recommend a sheltie. Let me send MrsZtp this link for you. She knows 3 things really well; dogs, guitars, and knives. She’s a unique breed.

BrtStlnd > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/25/2016 at 16:18

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Then why did you cut off his front legs?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > BrtStlnd 01/25/2016 at 16:23

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Can confirm, they are still there.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/25/2016 at 16:25

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No pob. Gives me an excuse to post my children. Cute when they’re young. But yea checkout shelters furst plenty of big breeds old and young.

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whoof

MrsZeontestpilot > zeontestpilot 01/25/2016 at 16:28

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Looking at your other post, it sounded like you would really like a Newfoundland. Rescuing is always a great thing, but I think that for first time owners, especially those that haven’t been around them a lot (not sure if either of those applies to you, I just got that impression), it really helps to know what to expect. That’s what I like about specific breeds, you have a much better idea of what you’re getting into.

Also, if you had your heart set on one specific breed, but compromise for whatever reason, you might end up regretting it later, and pets are not disposable. If you are really open to anything, and taking a chance on a rescue, more power to you. The most important thing to remember, in any and every situation (first time or very experienced), is that you must train them, professional obedience classes are a must if you’ve never trained a dog.

I’m not sure where you were looking for a puppy that you had bad luck, but there are a lot of Newfoundlands on puppyfind.com Also, you can search for breeders on the official akc website. You may have to wait for a litter, but getting a purebred from an actual breeder is the only way to go. Pet stores are not good, and backyard breeders... I don’t recommend them. Anyway, good luck. It’s not impossible, but do be prepared.

BrtStlnd > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/25/2016 at 16:35

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Those dog parks can turn into Thunderdome really quickly. I was watching my buddy’s boxer while he was out of town... holy shit. I have a hard time telling when dogs are just playing aggressively and when they’re about to go full Revenant on each other.

Iheartmy365kHonda - Car enthusiasts do like FWD > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/25/2016 at 16:36

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Damn it, every single time I come across a dog, I turn into a squealy, pig-like sounding creature overcome by too much cuteness overdose.

Jayhawk Jake > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/25/2016 at 16:41

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I missed the original thread, and I’m more of a cat person, but please adopt from a shelter. I volunteer at the local humane society. There are so many great dogs there and too many of them fail to find a home, especially older adult dogs.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > BrtStlnd 01/25/2016 at 16:51

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Yeah, I watch him pretty closly, some dogs can be real dicks. He has his own set of dog-kung-fu moves when the going gets rough.

zeontestpilot > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/25/2016 at 17:09

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Heres her reply: http://oppositelock.kinja.com/looking-at-you…

MrsZeontestpilot > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/25/2016 at 17:18

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I would recommend checking out this site: www.puppyfinder.com there’s info on every ‘official’ dog breed (and some mixed), as well as a quiz to help determine which breed might be best for you.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > BrtStlnd 01/25/2016 at 18:28

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Lol!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > MrsZeontestpilot 01/25/2016 at 18:31

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Thank you!

VincentMalamute-Kim > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 01/25/2016 at 19:16

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I absolutely second Highlander’s comments - rescue group / shelter is the way to go. Someone said get one from breeder so you know what kind of dog you’re getting. Dogs (like people) are so individual even within a breed (do all the kids in families you know have identical personalities?). Same with dogs. Yes, Border Collies are usually nuts with tennis balls, Labs are nuts with water but personalities are so variable.

I would argue that if you get a dog from a rescue group or shelter that has fostered the dog in someone’s home, that someone will be able to tell you exactly what the personality of that dog is that you’re getting. Much more accurately than any breeder will be able to tell you.

Example: I fostered Rin in my house for over a year. I was able to tell anyone looking to adopt a Malamute that she does not follow many of the Malamute breed descriptions. Malamutes often are not good with other dogs, especially same sex. They are not good with cats. They must always be kept on leash as they are runners. Yard must have a 6 foot fence minimum, preferably with the bottom buried so they don’t dig out. Etc.

Since I fostered Rin and know her, I can tell you with certainty that Rin is good with other dogs, including same sex, she actually likes cats, she’s not a runner, she’s not an escaper. She’s an example of how any breed description will not fit any given dog and no breeder can tell you exactly how that puppy will grow up to be. But a foster parent like me can tell you exactly what to expect from the dog you adopt from them.

I eventually adopted Rin myself because it was over a year without much interest from adopters and she does have a couple of issues that may dissuade people. Spay incontinence which is controlled with meds. She’s timid with new situations. But I would have told people that after she learns to trust you as her protector, she does well. She is such a sweetie.

I would also argue against adopting a puppy. The training, peeing, chewing is such a pain to deal with compared to a pre-trained dog that is beyond the troublesome puppy stage like Rin. http://www.iamra.org/ is the Malamute Rescue group I help out. I’m not recommending a Malamute for you because usually they require a lot more owner knowledge and experience than most other breeds. But since every dog is an individual, a Malamute like Rin would be easy to own for a beginner.

VincentMalamute-Kim > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever 01/25/2016 at 19:20

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I agree completely. I gave Dr. Zoidberg with a novel length reply as a complement to your short readable synopsis. Along with a huge picture to go with all the text. All my dogs have been shelter / rescue dogs and they have all been wonderful each in their own way. Good looking husky mix, especially from the front!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > VincentMalamute-Kim 01/25/2016 at 20:10

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Big dog

MrsZeontestpilot > VincentMalamute-Kim 01/26/2016 at 10:02

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Just curious, are you comparing an x weeks old puppy from a breeder to a dog that was fostered for a year? Naturally, the more time you spend with a dog, the better you’ll know it. I would compare dogs with that were with y or z for the same time frame. Breeders have more experience with one specific breed, and by saying that by going with a breeder, you have a better idea of what you’re getting - they know about how big the dog will be, for example, whereas a shelter pup often they guess at the breeds, because they really don’t know, so overall size is unpredictable. I think rescuing is a great thing, I just find it less predictable. Again, I’m talking pup vs pup, not pup vs dog raised for extended period of time. It all comes down to how you handle and train them; the rest is moot. I just personally prefer certain characteristics.

MrsZeontestpilot > MrsZeontestpilot 01/26/2016 at 10:22

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After reteading this, it sounds like I’m saying getting a purebred from a breeder is the only way to go. (Man I hate typing lots of words on mobile...) What I meant was, I do feel a specific breed is more predictable than a mixed breed (especially if the breeds in the mix are not completely certain), but I didn’t mean to say ‘definitely don’t rescue’. I think anyone willing to do that, should. I would also agree that a dog that’s been with someone for a longer period of time is more predictable than a puppy. I prefer to get puppies at 5-6 months old, still young, but not as crazy as younger puppies, and definitely should be housebroken by then. Ultimately, I say do your research until there’s nothing left to research, then when you’ve made your decision, do some training.

My last comment in the original post, ‘getting a purebred from an actual breeder is the only way to go’ I mean if you want a purebred. That is to say, don’t support puppy mills (pet stores) and backyard breeders. Nothing against rescuing.

VincentMalamute-Kim > MrsZeontestpilot 01/26/2016 at 18:42

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I’m especially comparing “backyard” breeders who sell you the puppy way too early to an adult dog that’s been fostered. If the shelter dog is even fostered, fostered for several months is the more common scenario. Fostering a dog for a year isn’t too common although not uncommon either. The rescue group I help out with currently is an all foster rescue so a any dog you get from them, we can tell you all about their personality. And you will also know it’s a Malamute, not an unknown or guessed at breed like you say from a shelter (not that that’s bad either, I’m just saying for people who want a specific breed. I’ve had mixed breeds who were fantastic dogs).

No, I didn’t have an interest in making equal comparisons because I was trying to sell the benefits of getting an adult dog through rescue / shelters, not a puppy through a breeder. Because I help with a rescue group and I don’t breed dogs.

We’ve had litters of puppies being born in rescue when we’ve taken in pregnant Mals. Those puppies have had the best socialization according to current known research and were brought up through their formative weeks/months the equal of the most conscientious breeders. And so will the puppies from any future pregnant Mals.

I’m definitely not knocking good concientious breeders who do their research and homework and have learned the science of genetics and breeding. The customer has to work to find them - exactly like the OP’s analogy about buying a car or finding a good mechanic or good doctor or good anything else. Good breeders are less common than the “backyard” ones who are only trying to make as much money as they can.

BTW, I’m not necessarily anti-breeder, I’m anti-backyard breeder. We have several of those concientious breeders that help a lot with my rescue group. That’s one factor that tells you you’re dealing with a good breeder - they will take any of their dogs back if you ever had to give up the dog.