Researching dogs.

[niss]

So I want to get a dog over the next couple of months and I am trying to figure out what kind of costs to expect.

I would like to get a puppy so does anyone have an idea of what shots, spaying/neutering, de-worming, checkups, licensing, food, insurance, etc costs are?

I'm going to the animal hospital this week to try to get an idea but I thought I would check in with you real world dog owners.

Thx.

Niss

[Nark]

This guy would know:

[. ._]

Go down to the pound.

Find the happiest, quietest little mutt that doesn't look like a purebred.

Lots of genetic diversity= healthy dog= less veterinary cost.

Quiet runt of the litter= a dog that will obey your alpha-dog commands.

And they're cute as hell. Good luck bro, and have fun scoopin' poop and cleaning piss off your floor.

Personally, I think people should have children before having a pet. That will get them ready for the responsibility.

[Darkwing Duck]

1st I would figure out what kind of dog do you want. Then What is your lifestyle like? Do you want a lap dog or a guard dog? Do you have chitlins or are you single? You mentioned cost so what and how much they eat and hereditary diseases could be an issue. Do you like docile dogs or active dogs? Do they have to be smart? Granted they will not do your taxes or program the VCR but the smaller they are they start getting into the "DLD" (pronounced dilld) variety (Dumb Little Dog). Also do you want a female of male. Males piss on everything marking territory and the female pee kills the grass unless she is shoveled (spayed/spade). Puppies, like a baby will keep you awake at night so if you have to get up in the am real early, good luck on the sleep for a bit. Also do not get a dog until they are at least 8wks old.

Unless you are going to be a breeder, as Bob Barker would say, "Please spay and neuter your pets" There is the basic scalpel and cut version or the new laser procedure which cost a bit more. Upkeep of shots for rabies, and partho and the like probably vary from vet to vet so I would check out the prices. Then there is licensing. A PPL or CPL for a dog will run on average of twice as much if you were a human because they are just not a intellegent, unless it is a DLD then the price goes up. They have problems working the rudder and hand paw coordination is a bit off. Food runs me about $50 a month for a big bag. It isn't the best but it is not the grocery store variety either and she seems to do well on it. I have paid up to $75 a bag for breed specific, go figure there is such a thing, but did not see any difference and the dog didn't eat it quiet as fast. Doubt she liked it.

Myself personally, I went with a Golden Retriever. A beautiful and loyal companion who is intelligent and active. Love her lots. I also researched a German Sheperd, a Newfie (you can't swim with the buggers because they will try to save you and also eat you out of house and home) a Doberman, and a Saint Bernard. ISTP has it right though, going with a mutt could be a great idea as well. All are great dogs and breeds. I do prefer the bigger breeds as they do have a bit of grey matter between the ears, with the exception of the Jack Russel.

Any who, good luck. I am sure others will throw in a few words of advice.

[niss]

Thanks guys. I think I want a female (spayed) as my childhood dog was one and she worked out pretty well. I'm thinking something like lab/retriever/border collie/ german shephard somewhere like that. I would probably go for a mixed breed and I would like to get one from the SPCA should the circumstances allow.

I want a calm dog that will be a fun companion. I love huskies but I don't have the open space for one. I am in a basement apartment and the dog would come with me to work so I don't intend on leaving it alone for long periods of time. I don't want poodle or shnauzer. I like the idea of a dog that doesn't shed but I prefer to stick to a combination of the breeds above.

I also want a dog that will take command well. I dont want a hunting or a service dog but I would like a dog that wont need to be on a leash (it will be, but I want to know when its off it will stay by my side). One that will also understand hand signals for when it cant hear me in the plane (sit, relax, so I can calm it down, etc).

I want one that will be good outdoors as well, so if I take it camping it won't run off when it sees a squirrel, but at the same time wont piss itself anytime another animal comes near.

[Siddley Hawker]

I want a calm dog that will be a fun companion.

Niss you've just described either a lab or a golden retriever. You might also look at short haired pointers or Australian shepherds, as opposed to a German shepherd, but be advised an Ozzie'll shed something fierce if you don't keep him combed. Newfies and St. Bernards are great dogs, but they'll eat you out of house and home with comparable amounts of poop to clean up, and they also slobber a lot. A brother in law has a short-hair German pointer, great dog but you have to walk them daily. They get rambunctious otherwise. The way to go though is via the SPCA. The animal is almost always housebroken and have their shots up to date. We've owned schnauzers, they're yappy little buggers that'll antagonize the neighbours in an apartment. They also don't like to be left alone.

[Icebound]

So I want to get a dog....

Niss

Niss... walk past the dog pound to the beer store, get a supply, go home and keep drinking until the feeling goes away.



...

[System Message]

From the title it sounded like pollsters were phoning you.

[North Shore]

Niss, if you want a 'calm dog', under NO circumstances get a Border Collie. They are working dogs, and if you run the heck out of them, then they'll be calm; if not, they are pretty high-strung. My roomie had one, and it pretty much took our combined efforts to keep the dog exercised - I'd take it for my morning run, and then Chris would take the dog for his afternoon run. In between, George (the dog) was more than happy to play fetch until your arm fell off from throwing the ball.

I've heard that younger Labs like their exercise, too..

[niss]

Good to know.

I know that they are very energetic. That said, I am not looking for a lap dog. I'm ok with one that is lively. My only concern is that I hope taking it to work with me and having it lay around or wander around and throw the odd ball will work for it. I would walk it and play with it much more but for the 10 hrs I'm at the office will it be ok?

Niss

[cdnpilot77]

I have a chesapeake bay retriever. She is all things described by you but can be high energy too. She has been in the airplane a few times and just looked out the window the entire time. Initial costs were about $500 for all the things mentioned and then 2-300/yr for regular visits, heartworm etc. This of course on top of the initial purchase costs. She is intensly loyal and very quick at picking up and following direction including hand signals. Her temperment is very playfull and laid back unless she has been alone for 8-10 hrs then she wants to run!

[Beefitarian]

We love border collies but they do like to be super active. Our new one is a rescue and we don't know what he's crossed with. He was neutered pretty young so he only ever tried to mount our kid once quite a while ago and we told him no while laughing, it never happened again. He doesn't mark his territory but probably will somewhat when he figures out the process.

Our first one had the hearding instincts, she'd crouch, cut and watch the other dogs at the park. She was a prime athlete and the only ways to execise her were to ride a bicycle or use the . it (a brand of plastic ball catapult.) She needed to go at least once a day or there would be trouble.

Our new one is awesome, sometimes as a puppy having a dog that's super smart is a challange but if you train them well it soon becomes a real treat. The only issue we have is he really likes to visit people that he doesn't see all the time and so he gets too excited to listen while we tell him to calm down and leave that person alone.

Shedding is going to happen even if it's a labradoodle, spring time shaving is a pretty good prevention. I won't bother telling you Alberta pricing on the vet and stuff.

[bandaid]

I have a Aussie sheperd/border collie mix. We have always had dogs in our family and this is by far the best and most easily trained and calmest dog I have ever owned. Be prepared to keep it busy and excercise it a lot, I call mine my personal trainer. Costs should also include training, it is the best money you'll spend. Border Collies need jobs, I have mine run down to the street and get the news paper from the paper boy every morning and then a hike and he is good for the day.

[Pavese]

Thanks guys. I think I want a female (spayed) as my childhood dog was one and she worked out pretty well. I'm thinking something like lab/retriever/border collie/ german shephard somewhere like that. I would probably go for a mixed breed and I would like to get one from the SPCA should the circumstances allow.

I want a calm dog that will be a fun companion. I love huskies but I don't have the open space for one. I am in a basement apartment and the dog would come with me to work so I don't intend on leaving it alone for long periods of time. I don't want poodle or shnauzer. I like the idea of a dog that doesn't shed but I prefer to stick to a combination of the breeds above.

I also want a dog that will take command well. I dont want a hunting or a service dog but I would like a dog that wont need to be on a leash (it will be, but I want to know when its off it will stay by my side). One that will also understand hand signals for when it cant hear me in the plane (sit, relax, so I can calm it down, etc).

I want one that will be good outdoors as well, so if I take it camping it won't run off when it sees a squirrel, but at the same time wont piss itself anytime another animal comes near.

A mix from a rescue is a great way to adopt a puppy, we're taming #3 right now. Been about 15 years since the last one was a puppy so we're figuring it all out again LOL!.

You've gotten good advice about Border Collies or anything with them or Huskies in the mix, pretty demanding of exercise. We've had good luck with German Shepherd +?? mixes although the latest has something very energetic in there too so she's a bit of a hand full at 15 months but we're optimistic that with time and training we'll come to a balance!

Speaking of training etc., you want your puppy to have 8 - 10 weeks with mom & the litter to learn how to behave in a group and respect their elders (you) and you will want to do socialization & training sooner than later so you will get the obedience you are looking for (voice/hand signals etc.). Find a well recommended class and work hard with your furry friend, it's worth it!

Someone mentioned smart & not so smart dogs, we've been blessed with a smart little bugger that gets bored easier and figures out very quickly what she can get away with but on the other hand she's quite teachable so with time and patience we're looking forward to a well behaved adult.

Oh, and crate train! Keeps the accidents down and gives the pup it's own personal space (cave) to hang out. They get used to it quickly.

Good luck and keep us posted, I'm sure there are going to be plenty of LOL! stories to come

For inspiration here's a puppy picture, Kira at 8 weeks.


D

[Rowdy]

Two Huskies when i was a kid and the last 14 years we had a pure bred border collie. She was... eccentric! Great dog in the regards of loyal and bright and a phenomenal ... but skittish unless worked. EVERYDAY. I'll echo the mutt sentiments. Pure breds always tend to be higher strung and because they're essentially inbred.. They will have a lot of faults. as far as costs.. i think it was somewhere around $500/yr in food alone for an average sized female border collie, and then tack on another couple hundred in shots/accesories, assuming you got lucky with a healthy new-best-friend. A good family friends annoying yappy football sized pile of overpriced purebred fur has cost him 9k so far in vet bills... YMMV

[cdnpilot77]

A good family friends annoying yappy football sized pile of overpriced purebred fur has cost him 9k so far in vet bills... YMMV

I call them speedbumps

but here is mine...taken with Blackberry Camera, sorry for the quality

[2R]

Cairn Terrier ,you can carry it in your pilot pants or flight bag
Small and smart.Not too smart like dobbies.They can be trained to fetch blondes

[photofly]

Granted they will not do your taxes

Actually mine does. (They are simple taxes though.)

Didn't Hedley have one that could look out for traffic? That would be handy for hood-time.

[Pavese]

Didn't Hedley have one that could look out for traffic? That would be handy for hood-time.

LOL! Mine is all over that, at least from the car. Been several times we spotted her looking up out the window at a funny angle following something and she's locked onto an airplane!

Gotta get her up in the plane soon.

D

[grimey]

Had a Siberian Husky. Playful as hell. Rough as hell. Lucked out and got one that wasn't inbred all to hell, and had near zero vet bills until it was 10 or so. The person we got it from had regular vet bills in the high hundreds due to the dogs getting away and finding porcupines, roughly 4 times a year. Ate my brother's cat. That was an awkward night. If you get a purebred, see if you can find any other dogs from that breeder, to check whether there are health issues. Or get a mutt as istp suggested and avoid most problems.

[Beefitarian]

Didn't Hedley have one that could look out for traffic? That would be handy for hood-time.

LOL! Mine is all over that, at least from the car. Been several times we spotted her looking up out the window at a funny angle following something and she's locked onto an airplane!

Gotta get her up in the plane soon.

D

Carefull, you don't want to get violated for using her as a safety pilot. Unless she's a PPL.

[Beefitarian]

I also want a dog that will take command well. I dont want a hunting or a service dog but I would like a dog that wont need to be on a leash (it will be, but I want to know when its off it will stay by my side). One that will also understand hand signals for when it cant hear me in the plane (sit, relax, so I can calm it down, etc).

I want one that will be good outdoors as well, so if I take it camping it won't run off when it sees a squirrel, but at the same time wont piss itself anytime another animal comes near.

Some of that depends on you teaching them and a little bit is luck. You may have a dog that just can't go in an airplane no matter what you try to do. You might have one that curls up and goes to sleep and you have to wake it up to get it out of the plane when you're done.

A mix from a rescue is a great way to adopt a puppy, we're taming #3 right now. Been about 15 years since the last one was a puppy so we're figuring it all out again LOL!.

We took our time and kept looking for well over a year before our new one picked us. He was just the right one, calm and cuddly didn't lick us until he was home for a while. Now he licks us and everyone except the 4 year old tells him to quit it. The kid does usually need some food cleaned off him though.

[wingandaprayer]

If you're looking at a pure bred, I suggest doing some reasearch first on what the breed was originally bred for. That'll give you an idea of what kind of activity level and general temperment you can expect. Also, different breeds are prone to different health issues. A good breeder will more than happily show you the dog's bloodlines and tell you which bloodlines to stay away from, especially if you intend to breed the dog later.

[photofly]

Carefull, you don't want to get violated for using her as a safety pilot. Unless she's a PPL.

Didn't we all agree that the safety person (or dog) doesn't have to be a pilot? There's no CAR that says they do, and I've used non-pilots while under the hood.

[Dagwood]

There is no CAR either that states the PIC has to be onboard. If your dog can be a safety pilot, why do you have to be onboard anyway?

So... send your dog up flying, find a nice poolside bar and relax as you log very un-illegal PIC time.