Help?

[doharty]

I'm moving in about a year, we're going to buy land. Like acreage. So I'm getting a dog when I move, I'm looking into what breed now because I like to research and I'd like to put my mind at rest.

I have no problem with adopting but I've adopted every pet I've owned minus one cat. And a dog that didn't work out, I'll explain the dog later. My dog Checkers, a dalmatian, was a stray and she's a great dog, don't get me wrong. But we've never been able to train her. She does not listen, the most she'll do is come when you call her, most of the time she'll just prick her ears. Back to what I was saying, I'd like to be able to train a dog. My dad always talked to me about his German Shepherd he had growing up and how it was pretty much his companion.

See, I really like hunting dogs and hounds. Larger dogs. My favorite dog ever would definitely be a black mouth cur, here is my problem. Cats. I have two, one is about 12 now and the other is 7. That dog I mentioned that wasn't adopted? We got him from a breeder, he was an Akbash. The breeder told us he would be great with cats, she swore it. Well, he killed one of our cats, a tabby named Daisy. So we gave the dog back to the breeder, of course. I NEED a dog thats good with cats but will still be very obidient. :/ Character is great too, I mean I don't want a robot or anything. Also, my dad is really pushing for me to get a Belgian dog, I don't know much about the shepherds and (I love) my mother despises Schipperkes. She's weird about dogs, she thinks pugs are the ugliest creatures alive. :0 A low maintenance dog is key in terms of grooming, I'll brush checkers every now and then but nothing beyond that (baths in the summer and before winter). And we take her to the groomer once a year. I trim her nails myself. With a dalmatian I'm used to shedding, I'd prefer if it was minimal but I guess thats not really going to happen. I'm also used to barking, so if a dog is more vocal than others I can live with that, on second thought the thought of a quiet dog is kind of weird.\. So what I'm looking for is a medium to large dog, easy to groom (probably short haired, but I LOVE fluffy dogs), obedient and very good with cats and older dogs (Checkers is 11 or 12), and vocal. Most of the dogs I've found and considered seem to fit one key aspect of what I want but not the other key aspect. I think a greyhound would work, but I just don't like them, its just me.

Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, I was unsure so 'general' just seemed like a fit. Also, I know that there is no 'bad dog' but I've had terrible experiences with German Shepherds, standard poodles, labs and retrievers. Especially shepherds, they're beautiful though. :/ Also if you have any questions that I didn't address feel free to ask. I know there are probably tons of dogs what I'm looking for, I just can't seem to find it.

[Novel]

Welcome to Global Paw.... I'm going to give your post some thought before I reply, and I'm sure others will come and comment as well. Good Luck with your search.

Oh, will this be your dog entirely? Will you be paying for it yourself, or will it be a family purchase?

[doharty]

I'll be paying for most of it, I can afford like $500 dollars on my own, I'm not looking for a show dog or anything... but still purebred. In a sense it will be a family dog, but there are only two of us. So it wouldn't be around a lot of people.

EDIT: regarding pricing, I probably can't afford shipping so breeders around Northern California and Northern Nevada would be appreciated.

[oc_spirit]

Just a note, I don''t think hounds will fit yur bill too well if youre hoping for a well-trained dog. They tend to be quite independent and follow their noses. Not to say they CAN''T be trained, they just wont be a Lab, if ye know what I mean...

[calgal]

If your worried about the cats and all, I would just simply suggest you get a puppy and train it. It will get used to the cats that way too.

[bigdoglover]

First, welcome to GP!! I want to tell you that I think its great that you are thinking ahead and doing some research. There are several breeders here, and other folks who not only have adopted from shelters, but do foster work as well. GP is a wealth of information!

That being said, I too am going to really give this some thought. One question I do have.....you said your mother hates Schipperkes and Pugs, (hope I read that correctly!)....how much of an influence on your purchase does your mother have? Do you live with your mom? If you do, I think you'll have to come to some sort of compromise.

Ok, back to the dog.....hhhhmmm.....if you are going to have acreage, you'll want a dog that respects the bounderies, and is inclined to stick around. Low maintenance, easy to train, good with small animals.....ok, I'll have to think about this too....

[Odetoadream]

What about a Collie, either rough or smooth if you don't want the coat, smooth would work.

They are easily trainable, great with other animals and live to please their owners.

You might look into breed rescues. They often have adult dogs and occassionally puppies, in need of homes that are good with cats and temperment tested as well as current on shots and spayed/neutered. Might fit your price range better, as well as save a dog who needs a home and are purebred.

Best of Luck finding that new family member!
Cinthia

[mulroony]

From what you are describing a Lab sounds perfect. Plus you will be able to find them in shelters (since you will probably not get a very well bred dog from a breeder for $500). I have seen a toss up as far as how they do w/ cats, but if it comes from a rescue they will be more honest then some of the breeders out there, or if you get a puppy they can learn.

And welcome

[Dogsareme]

Welcome to GP

A Lab sounds good. They are really people pleasers which makes them easier to train That is a good choice. Can't say much for the shedding

If you teach your dog right off to get along with your cats and set rules, you won't have a problem.

My dog was 7 months old before he met a Cat, and he just loves cats now. He would never hurt them.

Any questions just ask away. Everyone is so helpful. Lots of posts already up too, so looking around

[doharty]

Thanks for all the help so far, but I don't think I'll be getting a lab. I love my dalmatian but I won't ever get another. I loved by lab but I probably won't ever get another. Its not because I didn't like the breed or the dog, its just an emotional thing for me.

What about a Collie, either rough or smooth if you don't want the coat, smooth would work.

I think collies are gorgeous, but my mom doesn't like them. :/ Which brings me to...

...how much of an influence on your purchase does your mother have? Do you live with your mom? If you do, I think you'll have to come to some sort of compromise.

I'm fully aware I'll need to compromise with her, basically she gets veto power. I do live with her but its just my mother, Checkers, Shad and Rudy. I decided I'd give some information about what kinds of dogs she likes. Redbone Coons, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Irish Wolfhounds (her favorite), Pitbull mixes, Irish Setters, and pretty much anykind of dog that comes in brindle. I like these dogs too except the wolfhound.

And just for some general information that hasn't been asked... I live in the mountains and it gets pretty cold so I need a dog that will live up to that because my dalmatian doesn't really suit the cold at all, we lived in Southern California before moving up here. My cats are indoor (because of the way the house is situated, no way for them to get inside unless we leve our front door open and because of cyotes) and one will sometimes 'beat up' Checkers my pawing, she's REALLY fiesty and agressive then the other will curl up with my dog infront of the fire but generally shys away from everything else. I really like Large Münsterländers and most kinds of spitz, so I'm looking for information on those types.

[Cassiepeia]

Irish Setters make great pets. They're wonderful with other animals and people (remember, this depends -in all dogs- on how well you socialise them), take a little longer to train than other gun dogs but are very intelligent and not a dog you're going to pull your hair out trying to get it to pay attention to you.
They thrive in large open spaces like that and are "puppy-like" for a very long time.

They're also very good looking dogs, with an easy to care for coat (although show quality Irish Setters can have quite a lot of coat on them).

Cass.

p.s. I think your mum has great taste in dogs. Love the Wolfies!

[Leslie + Chessies]

If you like the sporting group, take a look at the Chesapeake. They are very trainable with the right motivation. They are wonderful companions, being silly and clownish one moment and intense and focused the next. They are extremely loyal and protective. If raised with cats, they can get along great with them. My two chessies live with three uncaged parrots and do just fine. According to Chessie rescue, they will even go as far as protecting your cat:

Protective: Chesapeakes are protective by nature. They feel a strong sense of responsibility to protect their owner's property - the yard, the house, the car, the children, the cats, the houseguests. Our dog even claims any isolated mountain summit we've climbed - she's very inhospitable (at first) to new hikers that join us - her form of "planting the flag!" As long as dog can be controlled this is not unacceptable behavior. Chessies must never be encouraged to become aggressive.

There are hundreds of Chessies in rescue right now: Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief and Rescue

[anaconda]

Lab or Golden, though I'm biased. Finn loves cats (though they don't love him, lol) and he is really sociable, ready to make friends with a T-Rex. Labs and Goldens are pretty big, and they're active dogs, good at retrieving and hunting. Finn chases rabbits all the time. He's never caught one yet, and I wonder what he would do if he did, lol.

[doharty]

Weelllll. It turns out she doesn't like Irish Setters, she thinks thinks they're neurotic. However, she does love Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and upon looking around I do too. I think i've met one before too that I really liked. I'll definatley be looking into those.