Should I Get A Dog Or A Cat?

[melt71]

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My family and I and just in the process of deciding whether to get another cat (our previous family cat died recently) or to go for a dog.

We had talked about getting a dog before Maisy had died and it was something that we all said we would like to do, although no decisions were made at the time as we didn't feel it was the right time to have one. Our cat died very suddenly and it has left us quite undecided about what to do now - go for another cat (we all love cats) or take the plunge and commit to a dog.

Then the trouble starts, I have fallen in love :wub: with a beautiful Golden GSD X

I'm 100% for getting her, but my partner is still undecided (even though originally her was more for getting a dog than me :wacko: ). My daughter is all for getting a dog but she is only 7 so it's not really a surprise that she wants one!

Can anybody advise;

We have a 2 bed semi with a medium (secure) garden - would this be ok for a medium sized dog?

We don't have any experience of long haired dogs, although her coat isn't that long. Is it easy to groom longer hair and are they more likely to have a flea problem or is that a myth (I'm allegic to fleas!).

We both work, although I only work part time and may be able to take the dog to work somedays and my partner works shifts so is often home during the week. Is it ok to leave a dog for a few hours at a time or is that a big no no?

Sorry for the very long rambling post, if anybody can advise I would be really grateful.

Mel

 

[melt71]

I should have said that I have had dogs throughout my childhood (GSD) and my partner had a Rottie as his family pet. So we are both quite experienced with dogs.

 

[Rae]

Hiya and welcome to K9

I think your house and garden will be fine for any sized dog, so long as the dog gets plenty of exercise.

I dont think it will be a problem leaving a dof alone for a few hours a day, especially if they have been exercied first, and aleft with something like a 'kong' toy to occupy them.

It's great that you can take it to work with you on occassions. I'm sure you;d be an ideal family for a dog to share it's life with.

I've got very limited experience of long haired dogs, but I've found that they arrtract more dirt, it's harder to find ticks etc and they tend to smell more 'doggy. I have no idea if they are more prone to fleas though :blink:

You obviously sound very keen to have a dog, and are doing some research before hand which is excellent. Make sure that your OH is 100% sure he want a dog too though. It can be hard to settle in a new dog, and there will be accidents in the hosue, things that get damaged, escapades when out walking, so it's important that everyone is prepared for it and happy to put up woith whatever comes along. (w00t)

 

[melt71]

Thanks for your reply.

I've just spoken again to my OH and he has said that he is now 100% sure he wants to adopt the dog as well. He wanted to sleep on it before he made his final decision.

I've made the initial enquiries about her with her foster parents and I'm just waiting to see if we would be considered (I think they are quite far away). So fingers crossed.

Apparently she is not a typical rescue dog in that she doesn't have any 'issues' or anything like that, but her family are moving to another country and won't have the space for a dog in their small appartment. It sounds like she has already settled in quite well with her foster family and has only been there a few days.

I'm so excited I can hardly wait. I'll be devestated if they say we are too far away.

Yes I am doing as much research as I can beforehand as I don't want to get the wrong type of dog or suddenly decide that dog ownership is not for us after we have adopted!

You obviously sound very keen to have a dog

I didn't think that I was that bothered either way as I love cats AND dogs but then I saw and fell in love with this particular dog and my mind is made up! :wub:
Thanks again for replying, if we do end up adopting her I will be sure to post a pic on here.

Mel

 

[~elizabeth~]

I've got very limited experience of long haired dogs, but I've found that they arrtract more dirt, it's harder to find ticks etc and they tend to smell more 'doggy. I have no idea if they are more prone to fleas though  :blink:

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In my experience younger animals tend to pick up more fleas than older ones, not sure why. You can see them more easily on a short-coated breed like a whippet, but despite their love of water lab-types seem just as prone as any other breed.

 

[melt71]

Well we didn't manage to get the dog that I've fallen in love with as the foster parent doesn't know if she would be suitable around children. He thought she probably would be ok, but felt he wasn't prepared to risk it. I'm gutted

This is her Sasky

If anyone feels able to offer her a home, please please contact the people who have fostered her. I'm absolutely sure she would make a beautiful family pet.

We will continue looking and I intend to post a seperate listing with details of the type of home we can offer to the right dog.

Thanks for your replies.

Mel

 

[Janimal]

Aww Sasky looked really nice too :wub: Good look with your search - Im sure you will find the right dog for you. :thumbsup: Sounds like youve thought long and hard about it too and would give a dog a loving home.- so Good Luck. :luck: :luck:

 

[Susan]

It said on dog pages forum she was ok with a 2 yr old :wacko: ,,,she's a big girl too and beautiful :wub: .

Hope you find your family dog soon :thumbsup:

 

[whippynit]

Good luck in finding a dog :thumbsup: You sound like you've really thought about it and done research which is good.

personally though, and although it is rewarding 'rescueing' a dog, i would go for a puppy because at least then it can grow up with you, I would be a little wary with a rescue dog around children if you are novice owners too because you dont know their background. :cheers:

 

[ILoveKettleChips]

I would be a little wary with a rescue dog around children if you are novice owners too because you dont know their background.  :cheers:

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Not necessarily - not every 'rescue' dog is a stray, and even if they are, good rescues operate fostering programmes so that new owners can get a good idea of the dog from the perspective of the foster family. This is a common misconception, and understandable, but rescues do put a lot into making sure they know the dog well before they home it! )

 

[whippynit]

I would be a little wary with a rescue dog around children if you are novice owners too because you dont know their background.  :cheers:

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Not necessarily - not every 'rescue' dog is a stray, and even if they are, good rescues operate fostering programmes so that new owners can get a good idea of the dog from the perspective of the foster family. This is a common misconception, and understandable, but rescues do put a lot into making sure they know the dog well before they home it! )

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Think i am just a little wary because we had a bad experience... my parents had alot of experience with dogs, showing/showing in obedience, etc and about 9years ago after not having a dog for a while decided to adopt a black lab from the RSPCA, only 2yrs old i think so it was thought he was young enough to be trained, etc.

To cut a long story short he was a lovely dog, until you had to correct him or basically when he didnt want to do something - he literally lunged at my dad one day, drawing blood. but beings as we didnt want to give up on him and my mum was upset by this they gave him another chance....a few weeks later he did the same to my mum, and i dont mean just snapping,,,he was proper nasty!

In the end he had to go back and i think they had to put him down because he just could not be trusted It was all very upseting, and i just think that unless a dog is up for rehoming for the reason that its owners died, or split up, etc why would anyone want to put a perfectly behaved, happy, loved dog in kennels? I think alot of them do have issues and i personally would just be wary......saying that a friend had a lab x from the rspca and were really lucky with him, theyve had him ten years and hes great :wub: :thumbsup:

If anyone read my posts on 'savaged chloe' the other day, thats one of the reasons i was so annoyed.......because my dad has rotties now and we have a EBT as well as whips and they have never once threatned to bite, growl and are so soft.....whereas this 'lab' which people presume are ALWAYS placid was like that!

I just think theres no bad dogs, o its just the way they are brought up. The rspca lab we had was obviously allowed to do his own thing in his previous home and ultimatley his previous owners ruined him

 

[melt71]

Thanks for your replies.

It turns out that Sasky is on the brink of being rehomed now (just waiting for homecheck) so this may have been another reason why that they didn't want us to go for her.

whippynit; We can't go for a puppy because I would have to take it into work with me or leave it for 3 hours at a time, I don't really think this is possible or fair with a puppy. That's why we are aiming for an older (2 years +) dog.

I'm amazed that a labrador showed such bad aggression though, I thought they only did that when you messed with their food! Aggression is obviously a big concern for us with a child in the house, so we will try to make sure that it is child-tested or comes from a home with children.

We are continuing to research and fostering with the possibilty of adoption is something that we are considering. We will probably go to a couple of rescue centres within the next week or so as I'm not having much luck over the net.

Mel

 

[whippynit]

Good luck :luck: think you'd prob be betta off in your local area too, i think sometimes web pages arnt updated that quick so you may keep missing out.

Be sure to let us know how you get on.......and photos are a must :thumbsup: :cheers:

 

[kirsty]

Hi,

What about thinking of which breeds you like and getting in touch with the breed clubs to see if there are any rehomes? as you may find that some breeders are willing to give dogs they have ran on to see if they are show quality and are a good bit past the puppy stage a good home with a suitable family. One of my friends got a female dog from a breeder that only had a couple of litters from her and were really happy to find her a good home. I know some breeders do this but many will keep the dogs themselves to love and cherish.

Many xbreeds have wonderful temperaments. If you are getting one from a rescue centre surely they might have something with a bit of background knowledge.

Can't you get a cat and a dog? I had three cats 1st then the dog and they get on brilliantly.

Good luck in your search whether it be a xbreed or a pedigree.

Kirsty

 

[ILoveKettleChips]

It's a shame about missing out on Sasky but I'm sure the right dog will come along. The fact that you're in no rush gives you a much better chance of getting the right one! :luck:

 

[Pennymeadow Whippets]

I DO BELIEVE THERES A REASON FOR EVERYTHINK, ITS SAD THAT YOU FELL IN LOVE WITH THE DOG ON SEEING IT ,BUT THINGS WILL COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT. YOU WILL FIND THE RIGHT DOG SOON :luck: :luck:

SUE