Dog question...

[Ronin13]

I'd advise against a puppy, unless you have time to train, house break, chewing etc them. a 1.5 year old is still young but old enough to work with. We use to try and adopt puppies but they are time consuming. Time spent looking for our latest pet was equal to buying a truck, research and pounding the pavement.

Regarding a "wolf" hybrid GFL. Having been involved with the "breed" you will need a few things before bringing one home
1) Very secure dog run, easy 10x10 minimum.

2) Very secure dog run, making sure the top is covered and you have at least 6-12" under the pen secure with fencing and or brick.

3) very secure dog run. The "hybrid" outside of being a pack animal is a very good escape artist. They like to DIG and JUMP. The 2 i had hands on experience turned their shelter into a labyrinth of tunnels and hiding spots.

4) No other pets especially cats. In their heart they are hunters, if it moves it's a meal.

5) Lots of time dedicated to the "breed" no matter how hard you try to train it, they have a mind (wandering) of their own.

6) Do NOT buy any new furniture or think about making the hybrid a house pet. They are not and house breaking one , or trying to, is like the Borg, futile.

This looks like you are going to buy a BMW of pets, STAY AWAY unless you do a lot of research and spend time with one of the wolf rescues. They are a handful and you more than likely will be trying to find a home for it within the year.

This is exactly what I was looking for! I'm sold, not getting a hybrid. I would love to start out with a puppy because it's like raising a child, adopting at 5 years old just isn't the same (I know bad comparision but it's all I've got). Great advice on getting a dog that matches my activity level, I do like to go out and I take Bear on lots of walks- I take him to the Bark Park up here in Evergreen where we can pop the leash off and he can run, so in that I could hypothetically get a husky, but again, with all the health issues of pure breeds I'd rather get a mutt maybe with some husky or shepherd in the mix.

Gabe, those are some good looking dogs, as the summer progresses I'll look into those as well. Now I can't find it, but I cannot get a pitt, my mom just has issue and the rare chance I might go out of town for a week or long weekend she would refuse to have one over, it's not that she believes the BS hype, we had a pitt once and they do tend to be more dominant and aggressive towards other dogs, just how they're wired. Also I cannot get a hybrid if they don't get along with other dogs as I do spend time at my mom's with Bear, and the little brother has mentioned he wants to get a dog as well (it's only fair). So thanks for the advice all, keep it coming; Jim, looks like yours hit the hardest, as much as I'd love to have one, I'll pass on the headache .
Looks like I'll start researching soon at some 9mo-15mo old pups to see which would fit best, I also wouldn't mind a Dogo Argentino, I think they're pretty cool dogs too. Anyone have experience with them?

[hollohas]

My pup came from here. They rescue both pups and adult labs from all over the country. My doggie came from TN. They show you pics and tell stories about all the dogs that are available for adoption. They are a great organization.



http://www.milehighlabmission.com/

You can see my pup's story here under the name "Fifi"...we renamed her Kimber...yes, after the gun. She is now 2 years old.

[Zundfolge]

...with all the health issues of pure breeds...

Pure breeds only have health issues when they are poorly bred or are breeds with know health issues (for example flat faced breeds tend to have respiratory problems and most large breeds, even mutts have tendencies for hip dysplasia).

Mutts can be just as unhealthy if they're inbred or the product of an unhealthy sire or dame.

I'd rather get a mutt maybe with some husky or shepherd in the mix.

Getting a mixed breed where you know the parent's breeds is a good way to go ... its all about predictability.

[Great-Kazoo]

Pure breeds only have health issues when they are poorly bred or are breeds with know health issues (for example flat faced breeds tend to have respiratory problems and most large breeds, even mutts have tendencies for hip dysplasia).

Mutts can be just as unhealthy if they're inbred or the product of an unhealthy sire or dame.



Getting a mixed breed where you know the parent's breeds is a good way to go ... its all about predictability.

+1K

Also look at rescued for life out of saudia aurora.
We drove down for a meet & greet with a very nice 2 yr old heeler. Not only did ithey ask for info such as references, they also drove up here to make sure we actually owned a house had the type of yard we described and not some 1 room apt, etc.

[tmckay2]

So the general consensus is to get a rescued dog? I'd rather not go with the oldest dog possible as this is technically my *First* (on my own not-family) dog, and I'm just gonna go ahead and be honest here the puppy>chicks factor is possibly the best unintended consequence of having my favorite companion. I am pretty active and have already vowed that regardless of breed this dog is going everywhere possible with me, he/she is gonna be a for sure car dog. Thanks for the advice.

shelter dogs are great, my bro has one and hes the quirkiest mutt ive ever known, i love that guy. but if you for sure want a young one and want to know the age, try some of the local rescues. many are at petcos on the weekends and are basically mom and pop organizations that take pups about to be put down and foster them locally until adopted. they do an interview and stuff but its just to make sure you aren't a d-bag. thats where i got mine and i love her to death.

shelter might be better for a seasoned dog owner. some of them have hard habits to break. pups you can make them what you want. i agree though a mutt is the way to go, i love all dogs and had a golden retriever as a kid but ive always seen pure breds have health problems earlier

[tmckay2]

I was reading a story the other day about a woman who goes into the shelter and picks out a dog that has obviously had the hardest life and will be put down a few days later due to illness. She'll take it home, give it all the love and attention she can for a week and then then make sure that it's passing goes as easily as possible.

I don't think I could do that, but it's about the best thing I've ever heard.

imagine if we did that for people in similar situations.

[Mtn.man]

Get a chee waa waa, they are tough hombres.

[scratchy]

Here's a great Husky rescue. I have 2 of their dogs.

http://www.northstarhuskyrescue.org/

[ChadAmberg]

Here ya go... http://www.thepuppyrescuemission.org

[jmg8550]

I personally like the Rhodesian Ridgeback. They can be found at shelters occasionally. Great dogs, and they sound like they would be a good match for you.