I don't even have one and I know that they rule!

But I'm going to get one within the next year. I'm leaning towards Great Danes or POSSSIBLY a Greyhound. We need one that my son can grow up with ( although I understand that Danes don't live a long time. That's ok ) and it also has to keep the hair to a minimum for my wife's allergy reasons.

So yeah, I am swinging the pendulum WAAAAAAAAY the other way and away from Politics. I know I can use a breather from it. We've made our points ( or at least I have ) so I'm going to try and take it a bit more easy for while.

Dogs. They rule.

I have always had a big dog, but after my last dog died, my wife got a Welsh Corgi, its a great dog!

Hey CJ Greyhounds are nice dogs BUT be aware a LOT of them get really bad arthritis at a really young age and need a lot of medical care. My aunt went through HELL with her Greyhound, and it died at 6 years of age, If you have a kid, I strongly suggest getting a mutt over a pedigree. Mutts are usually better tempered and don't have the genetic defects that most full pedigree dogs have. They usually make better house pets and are better with kids.
Just my 2 cents. Plus I believe that a lot of Pedigree dogs are imbread. I've owned a lot of dogs in my lifetime, and I've never had the problems with mutts that I have had with Pedigree dogs. If you do want a pedigree dog I would suggest a lab or a golden retriever. Labs are the sweetest, most affectionate, most loyal dogs and are also REALLY good with kids.
Bottom line-Do your research before running out and getting a dog, too many people make the mistake of buying a dog and not doing any research on it before buying it.

Get a standard poodle. They are the bigger size and don't have the dander like regular coated dogs. Their hair is similar to human hair and they don't shed. Also very good for people with mild to severe allergies to pet dander for the reason previously mentioned.

Poodles.....UGH! Poodles are too prissy and have an aditude "im better than you". I've never been a big poodle fan. They just don't seem like a very neat dog.

CJ, seriously look at a Vizsla. I can’t recommend them high enough!

They have the perfect temperament for being around small children and bigger ones too. If you'd like to see one, let me know and I'll introduce you to our puppy (actually she's 2 1/2, but our other one is 14 1/2, so she's the puppy!)

If you like to bird hunt they are the perfect field dog.

They're not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

That being said please, please, please DON'T BUY A DOG AT THE MALL.

The majority of the mall or pet shop dogs come from puppy mills.

Research it thoroughly and buy from a respected breeder, or go to the humane society if you don't want a purebred.

Dogs RULE.....Cats drool!

They're not cheap, but you get what you pay for.


Sorry Bill, I have to disagree with that statement. You can find some amazing cheap dogs that are wondeful pets. Its so sad how many Mutts get destroyed at the humane society. So many people are obsessed with getting a purebread dog, yet Mutts make just as good pets(if not better)

JT, I agree 100% with you. Humane Society dogs can be excellent pets.

I was referring to the Vizsla breed. They are expensive, but fantastic dogs.

OK, here is a great way to get a mostly trained dog from a great place: http://www.guidedogs.com/site/PageServer?pagename=programs_dog_adoption
You can sign up to receive a guide dog candidate that did not quite make it for any reason. Most are lab/golden mix and are really well cared for. Check it out, it will cost a little up front but these are great dogs and a great cause.

I gotta go with Bill on the puppy mill thing.
You're right about Great Danes, the larger the dog, the shorter the average lifespan. Great Danes - 5 yrs, German shepherds about 8 yrs, Terriers usually live to 13 yrs.

Its pretty heartbreaking to have a dog die "young". I suspect your son would have better memories if the dog was alive his whole childhood -- know what I mean?

Yeah. I do.

I hadn't heard or read that Danes go at 5 though. 10 was what I was prepared for - but not 5.

And no need to spend anymore time cautioning me against the mall. It ain't happenin' for me. I can't stand to buy clothes at the mall - much less a living being of some sort. It has nothing to do with being a snob. I just hate shopping for anything.

I also would like a dog with some brains. I know that my family and I will be good pet owners. I already have BIG plans for the kind of spaces for the dog and I'll set aside the time to get it trained properly.

I won't be going with a poodle - long story. It's just a personal preference. They are fine dogs. They just aren't for us this time around.

We have specific reasons for wanting a dog. One of them, as odd as it sounds, has to do with the fact that our son will be an only child. I want him to have a dog. And he wants a dog. But right now we are spending time - taking time - waiting for the right time. He's 5 and he's getting to an age where other things will occupy his time more than before. Not to over analyize it, but hey - better that way than being careless, I guess. This will be our past year with our son where he doesn't have a school calendar with which to adhere. So having a puppy in the next couple months allows for the time to train throughout the summer and get into a routine when the boy starts school this fall.

And then when I was 7 and living with my mom I used to...geeze...ramble much, CJ?

AAANYway. I can never get too much information about stuff like this from you guys. Thanks in advance.

. . .With many Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds, for instance, geriatric at five years and dead at seven years, the aging process is relatively rapid. Contrast this with one of the small terriers, or miniature or standard poodles, which live more than twice as long. . . .

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/k9geriatrics.2.html

With a purebred bought from a reputable breeder, you can check the linage and inquire about the age of the grandparents, great-grandparents upon death . . . something that I failed to do. Had I done this in the first place, I would have discovered that very few German shepherds make it to 10 and dying from diabetes at 8 and heart congestion at 6 was not out of line.

German shepherds are damn smart and embarassingly easy to train. Get a puppy at 6 weeks before it develops bad habits!

Good luck!

I like Labs --chocolate labs the best.

Great dogs! They love water and outdoors, remain playful well into their old age. They have long and largely healthy lives too.

My brother in law just had his die at 23 years! Man, we miss that dog huge. He was pretty active up to 20, then slowly ran downhill from there. Was happy and enjoyable right down to the last coupla weeks.

A few others in the family have lived well past 10, some 15. Labs also get along well with cats, for the most part.

Labs are also fantastic with kids. Never had a bad experience there, ever.

One with papers from a good kennel will set you back about $400 or so. We made the mistake of not doing that once. Never again.

The absolute best thing about having animals is they are there for you period. A good dog will just make you happy sometimes and for no other reason than you need to be happy!

It does not get any better than that.

cats make for good chinese recipes..... (i have two)

I have a 70 lb mixed part husky part bear, part other stuff, got catarracts at two and is blind.

Can fix it but it is EXPENSIVE. as a rule the big dogs don't live as long many under 10 years.

Always had Pekingnese now too expensive and there are plenty of good natured mutts around Pure breed if you are breeding otherwise give a mixed breed a home..... small dogs for mostly in the house big dogs need lots of exercise.. I walk mine three times a day.....excuse my three cents... happy easter