Since this is going to be my very first pet, i need some help from existing dog owners with a few questions.

At this time i am looking to get a German Sheppard or a Doberman Pinscher or a Basset Hound(Pure Bred)

From your experiences which would suit me as a first time pet owner? because i read bassets are hard to maintain and have mental issues and picky, also Dobermans cannot be left in small spaces for long hours or they get cranky and start barking.

Basically i work and i am out atleast 9 hours of the day. And i have a apartment. How expensive is it to maintain a dog like this? Also are there any specific places online or in person i can goto adpat a dog of any of these breeds?

Any help would be good. Thanks!

quote:

Originally posted by monishb Since this is going to be my very first pet, i need some help from existing dog owners with a few questions. At this time i am looking to get a German Sheppard or a Doberman Pinscher or a Basset Hound(Pure Bred) From your experiences which would suit me as a first time pet owner? because i read bassets are hard to maintain and have mental issues and picky, also Dobermans cannot be left in small spaces for long hours or they get cranky and start barking. Basically i work and i am out atleast 9 hours of the day. And i have a apartment. How expensive is it to maintain a dog like this? Also are there any specific places online or in person i can goto adpat a dog of any of these breeds? Any help would be good. Thanks!

_having an apartment isn't really the ideal place for a dog! if you were to have one, you would probably best be getting a toy dog. [little shitty dogs]

_you mentioned you are out 9 hours of the day. get a cat.

_ vet bills are #$%#$#$% expensive, are you ready to fork out that kinda of cash?

I would highly recommend getting a cat or not getting a pet. as much as we love pets they can be a total pain. Dog shit, yapping, fur, the list goes on!

Those breeds are not good apartment dwellers, and also very poor choices for a first-time owner.

Check out www.nextdaypets.com, they have a huge encyclopedia of breeds and talk in detail about which ones live best in which climates and environments, which ones require the least training, etc.

If you're going to be out for 9 hours a day, you're going to be much better off getting a dog that's several months or even a few years old and has already been trained. They'll never get trained or socialized right if they're left alone for so long as a pup.

My two cents, anyway.

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Honestly if you live in an apartment, unless it's absolutely massive or you are planning to move out soon, it's not a good idea to have a large breed and most breeders will tell you this as well. Shepherds and dobies require a lot of excercise and need plenty of open space. The fact that you are out for so many hours is a problem too unless you plan on paying for doggie daycare - espcially while the dog is still a puppy as leaving them alone for such a long time will result in you coming home to a trashed apartment.

Breed-wise: basset hounds are not my favorite breed on account of the fact that they are picky eaters and often have stomach problems. They are also known for being difficult to housebreak and need quite a bit of training. They're also prone to being overweight so you would have to feed it only small portions of proper diet food. Also that breed is what's called a constant shedder, so be prepared to have hairs EVERYWHERE (believe me, it's a pain in this ass, i have a beagle who is like that).

Dobies - Better with experienced dog owners, mainly because you have to make sure to socialize them and train them properly. They are amazing dogs and have a huge amount of energy so they don't do well in apartments. Also they need a lot of interaction with the owner(s).

Shepherds - This breed really needs his people and should not be left alone for long periods of time. They are also known to be wary of strangers so again, socializing them is a must. They need firm obedience training as puppies and make sure that if you get one, you get it from a reputable breeder because some of the ones that seem timid might become fear-biters. Other than that, it's one of my fav breeds because they are extremely intelligent! They do best though when they feel they have a purpose in life and are extremely affectionate! However that breed does well in apartments (as long as it has sufficient excercise) because it is relatively inactive when indoors. Hair wise, another constant shedder. You need to brush them daily unless you don't care about hair all over the house.


I don't want to seem mean or anything but if I were you I would either get a smaller breed that is good in apartments and okay with being left alone for long periods of time or just wait until you move into a house with a backyard.

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quote:

Originally posted by monishb Since this is going to be my very first pet, i need some help from existing dog owners with a few questions. At this time i am looking to get a German Sheppard or a Doberman Pinscher or a Basset Hound(Pure Bred) From your experiences which would suit me as a first time pet owner? because i read bassets are hard to maintain and have mental issues and picky, also Dobermans cannot be left in small spaces for long hours or they get cranky and start barking. Basically i work and i am out atleast 9 hours of the day. And i have a apartment. How expensive is it to maintain a dog like this? Also are there any specific places online or in person i can goto adpat a dog of any of these breeds? Any help would be good. Thanks!

german shepherds come with several health related problems. They are prone to hip dysplasia (sp), causing severe pain in the back legs. you've probably seen it in older GS...how their back sloops down, almost to the point where they are dragging their back legs. This is the most common. They also get a lot of other joint problems. They have a very weak skeletal system. Also, because of their fur, they get hot spots a lot.

We have a german shepherd/husky cross and so far, no hip problems, although we have to be careful with the hot spots.

almost all large dogs will need vigorous exercise. that is not to say you cannot have a dog if you are out of the house 9 hours a day (as long as you have someone who will let it out during the day and give it proper exercise before and after work. If you cannot give a dog enough room to move around, like a decent back yard and/or several walks a day, including a mid-day one, you might want to re-consider..or at least look more into getting a smaller dog)

Larger dogs that work well in smaller spaces are mastiffs (spanish mastiffs are beautiful, and when properly trained, they make great pets), malamutes, newfies, dobermans (also need proper training. if you've never trained a dog, i would get lessons), old english sheepdogs (very friendly..can be too friendly). Avoid setters, pointers, collies, huskies, hounds etc. They will need more space and more activity then i think you are prepared to give.


spanish mastiff


rhodesian ridgeback..personal favourite

quote:

Originally posted by spitty rhodesian ridgeback..personal favourite

Actually i had a ridgeback when i was younger and those dogs need a lot of training and socialization with other dogs and people. And even then they can still be aggressive, we had a lab at the same time as the ridge and they ALWAYS fought. We ended up having to give the ridge away He was a damn good dog though, i was so sad to see him go Also if you leave them unsupervised, they will wreak HAVOC on your place, no jokes. Notorious for that.

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Hmm i am still re-considering, thanks for all the input! really helpful. A big dog is then out of the question. Since i work 9 hours atleast a day and i dont mind working out the dog, since i go for evening runs anyhow. Problem might be leting it out and no i dont intend to pay for doggie day care.

rhodesian ridgeback and the spanish mastiff look nice, but i was really keen on a doberman or german sheppard since i could use the excersise to keep me fit also. But i think ill have to hold off on a dog and get a cat. For the timebeing will be okay without a pet.

does anyone know any rhodesian ridgeback breeders? ill keep in mind for the future ..spitty it is indeed a amazing looking dog i wouldnt mind having.

Another breed i thought was golden retriever? what do you guys think? what other toy dogs can you recommend?

quote:

Originally posted by loca Actually i had a ridgeback when i was younger and those dogs need a lot of training and socialization with other dogs and people. And even then they can still be aggressive, we had a lab at the same time as the ridge and they ALWAYS fought. We ended up having to give the ridge away He was a damn good dog though, i was so sad to see him go Also if you leave them unsupervised, they will wreak HAVOC on your place, no jokes. Notorious for that.

oh yea...i wasn't recommending it. I think they are beautiful..and its on my list of dream dogs to have...when i have the money and time to train and care for it. stunning body structure though!

I just got a chihuahua/miniature pinscher mix 2 months ago.
He is perfect for my condo cuz he won't get very big (8 lbs and a little bigger then a chihuahua). Although he loves his walks still.. he can get a lot of exercise within my apartment as well.

He has been crate trained and he is home all day (I come home on lunch to feed and walk him though) but for the most part he does well by himself. He hardly barks and is just about house trained too (minus the odd accident cuz he needs to go out every 2 hours with having such a small bladder). He can also come just about anywhere with me with being so small.

On the other hand, he hasn't been easy to train. Although he is still only 4 months old, he is very stubborn and likes to do his own thing when he wants and doesn't listen well. His attention span is very short (although it could be just his curiousity) and if he isn't kept entertained he manages to get into trouble ALWAYS! I have read that it is the min pin breed itself that has this type of temperment.
I have the patience to work with him, but I don't think everyone would be suitable to do this.

That is just one option. There are many sites you can visit though and find out everything about the breed before you invest in a dog.

http://www.canadogs.com/Choosing_a_Breed.htm

Be prepared though to not have much of a social life unless you are going to get a sitter for your puppy or until he is older or you are going to take him out with you. I have given up nights out for mine, but he is totally worth it

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All the advice you have gotten (in regards to large breeds) is spot on. I don't think you should get a large dog until you have the space for it. Somedays no matter how hard you try it is just not possible take the poor guy to the park for his 45-60 of exercise, and without a back yard he will chew your place to pieces out of frustration. You will also feel guilty for neglecting your new friend.

May I add, that regardless of the dog you get, try to go through a legitmate breeder. I know that bastard dogs need owners as well, but I didn't go through a breeder and my poor pup had many medical issues that cost me thousands of dollars (i didn't want a new car anyway), and put me through a rollercoaster of emotions.

Dogs are enough of a responsiblity already. If you are unsure if you can handle one, then you for sure can not handle a sick one.

Good luck in you decision. I look forward to seeing you puppy pictures in the "I love dogs Thread"..

*edit* I noticed my boy was 'dumb' or had 'no attention span' as a pup, but as he got older everything seemed to sink in nicely. Trainers say to start young which is true, but some dogs just don't 'get it' until they mature. So results may take some time. Persistents is key. Don't falter until you get your desired result.

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quote:

Originally posted by magikb Be prepared though to not have much of a social life unless you are going to get a sitter for your puppy or until he is older or you are going to take him out with you. I have given up nights out for mine, but he is totally worth it

Too True. Don't get a sitter. You will be surprised how quickly puppyhood will pass by. Enjoy it!!!!!! Take a lot a pictures too, because in a quick few months you won't have those sweet puppy moments again.

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quote:

Originally posted by magikb I just got a chihuahua/miniature pinscher mix 2 months ago. He is perfect for my condo cuz he won't get very big (8 lbs and a little bigger then a chihuahua). Although he loves his walks still.. he can get a lot of exercise within my apartment as well. He has been crate trained and he is home all day (I come home on lunch to feed and walk him though) but for the most part he does well by himself. He hardly barks and is just about house trained too (minus the odd accident cuz he needs to go out every 2 hours with having such a small bladder). He can also come just about anywhere with me with being so small. On the other hand, he hasn't been easy to train. Although he is still only 4 months old, he is very stubborn and likes to do his own thing when he wants and doesn't listen well. His attention span is very short (although it could be just his curiousity) and if he isn't kept entertained he manages to get into trouble ALWAYS! I have read that it is the min pin breed itself that has this type of temperment. I have the patience to work with him, but I don't think everyone would be suitable to do this. That is just one option. There are many sites you can visit though and find out everything about the breed before you invest in a dog. http://www.canadogs.com/Choosing_a_Breed.htm Be prepared though to not have much of a social life unless you are going to get a sitter for your puppy or until he is older or you are going to take him out with you. I have given up nights out for mine, but he is totally worth it

Aww Jenn, how is the delightful Rocco?

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