STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Hermes

my puppiological clock is ticking

DC Shopper · Dooney & Bourke

I am in the same situation, except my apartment building doesn't allow pets at all. I feel like I'm going to burst if I don't have a pup in my life soon! At least my parents live near by so I get some time with their dog.

I had a cairn terrier for 15 years or so before she passed away last year. My parents' remaining dog is a cairn terrier-jack russell mix. I have to tell you cairns are the most loyal, strong minded, fierce and protective little doggies ever. They aren't really the snuggly type although they will sleep contendedly next to you in bed or near your chair as you read. They need to be around their "pack" constantly and will follow you from room to room. Allie (my dearly departed cairn) used to run up the stairs every time she heard the sound of the computer connecting to the internet so she could sit by me while I surfed. They can be barky so they do need obedience training. The tend to be a little jealous if you introduce a new doggie into their lives - if you get an alpha-type dog, the other dog needs to be of the opposite sex. So I would say getting two at once would be easier than waiting to get a second pup.

Good luck and let us know what you decide!

Oh - and as to leaving the dog at home all day - that is a consideration, but if you can afford a dog walker to come around noon or so that should alleviate some of the problem.

-- Edited by DC Shopper at 10:31, 2005-04-18

Hermes

...so sorry about your loss. Do you know what I mean about not wanting to get attached and go through that again? I visited my dog's grave yesterday (Mortie (pembroke welsh corgi)) and that may have fueled this as well...

you provided some excellent information though. so, if I got 2 boys from the same litter do you think I would have problems?

ejc423 · Coach

quote:

Originally posted by: detroit
I guess I can start with the negatives... First of all, the knowledge of knowing the pain of losing a pet is scary to me - do I really want to invest myself emotionally to that degree again?

I actually used to think this when I was considering a dog and my mom reminded me that you cannot live your life trying to protect yourself from "negative" emotions. Don't deprive yourself of the joy you could experience through that emotional investment.

We travel a lot... and there's added expense to boarding a pet - plus I would feel guilty leaving a pet at a kennel (and no, I will not push my dog on other people unless they offered - I had friends that assumed because I loved their dog, I would want to take care of it when they went out of town - they assumed incorrectly).

Yeah, a dog will put a kink in your travels. . .

There are inevitable poop and pee clean ups, chewing of shoes, attention and walks when it might not be convenient, and high vet and food costs. Also, the poor thing would have many lonely hours during the work day. I would want to get 2 dogs - but for some stupid reason the condo association rules don't allow it - it doesn't make any sense (I could probably successfully fight to have the rules changed though).

I think if the dog is going to be home alone a lot, it will be in the dogs' and your best interests to have two. It will release you from a lot of the pressure of having to entertain the dog and providing ways for her to expend energy.

Positives: Having a dog would calm my life down. I wouldn't be so apt to go out and have drinks with friends because I would want to go home to puppy. Just taking puppy for a walk is an activity in itself that I would enjoy; it's a free and a healthy activity (although I may beg to differ at times in the winter).

I just plain love animals - and would love a puppy so much. I don't know - I feel like I am craving the grounding that a dog would give me in my life... I was thinking a pug (I would have to do more research) or a cairn terrier (independent and non-shedding) the shedding/hair factor is a big deal for me because I will sneeze my ass off (I'm allergic to cats btw - love them but can't live with them).

So... I'm looking for some objective feedback from you guys as to whether or not a dog is a good idea or not. And if you think it is, what breed would you suggest that would fit my lifestyle (independent nature) and doesn't shed or doesn't shed too much (oh and I don't want one of those hairless rat dogs). I love Yorkies, but they require so much attention... If I decide to do this, I want a dog that is a little rough and tumble - one I can play with, but isn't an attention monger. Any thoughts about anything regarding this are appreciated! thanks! "

I think cairn terriers are great hardy dogs. I don't know much about pugs. Yorkies (which I adore too) are pretty much impossible to housetrain--and definitely require lots of attention.

Have you thought about rescuing an adult greyhound? They might not be the rough and tumble puppy to play with, but they are pretty independent, calm, and do really well in apartments/condominiums.

Also, I know a lot of people aren't fans, but poodles are one of the least allergenic breeds. I like standard poodles--they are goofy and not prissy like i think little poodles are.

I hope this helps--keep us updated! I wish I could have one, but it is HARD to take care of a dog when you live alone w/ no one to share the responsibility. . . I will have to live vicariously through you!

DC Shopper · Dooney & Bourke

quote:
Originally posted by: detroit
"...so sorry about your loss. Do you know what I mean about not wanting to get attached and go through that again? I visited my dog's grave yesterday (Mortie (pembroke welsh corgi)) and that may have fueled this as well... you provided some excellent information though. so, if I got 2 boys from the same litter do you think I would have problems?"

Thanks, detroit - and I'm sorry for yours...it is hard to lose a pet, and I do get a little pang when I see a Cairn on the street, but I think ejc said it best - a dog can give you so much joy, and while it is very hard to say goodbye, just think of the great home you provided for the dog, the great times you had and the love you received and gave. dogs and people were just meant to be together.

You know, I'm not the expert on puppies, I would ask the breeder or a vet what they think. I think if you got any two pups at the same time you have a good chance of them getting along.

If you wanted to avoid the whole raising puppies thing, which can be very daunting esp. when you work, you could always consider adopting an adult dog (or two adult dogs that need to be placed together) from a sheleter. You'll still have plenty of good years left with them and you'd be doing a good deed (plus saving yourself some time and money on training...)

another note: pugs are adorable and have great personalities, but they can have some serious health issues - heart and breathing problems - so be sure to do research and go to a reputable breeder.

Sorry for the long posts, I'm just living vicariously through you!

CRM · Nine West

I too am longing to get a puppy, but my husband and I need to get more settled, and out of our apartment before we make the plunge. That def. doesn't mean that I haven't been looking! If you go to the animal planet website, they have a dog breed selector that ask you questions about what you are looking for, i.e. size, plyfulness, etc. and it spits out a list of compatible dogs. That may help give you an idea of what dog would be a good match for your lifestyle. http://animal.discovery.com/guides/dogs/selector/selector1.jsp

bex · Chanel

oooo! so exciting! i too, am on the puppy wait list!!!! we have to move out of our apartment (doesn't allow pets) into a condo of our own before getting one though. we want a maltese (also doesn't shed)... our friend has a male that she is breeding this summer so we will get one of his pups late this fall. i love maltese. my friend works crazy hours and he is so good by himself at home. he goes on a pee-pad- but she comes over around noon or one to take him out like a good mommy.... or her mom also lives nearby and sometimes comes over to take him out to play. he travels in the car really well and goes with her on a lot of trips.

i know it is hard to lose a dog. i lived on a VERY bad road growing up and have lost countless dogs in my life due to negligent drivers. even though you teach them not to go in the road, they eventually do...

good luck! let us know what (or if) you decide to do it! oh- and you better post pictures!!!

Farrah · Marc Jacobs

Yay for puppies!! The bf and I are most likely getting a black pug puppy in June. (I totally heart pugs.) You may not be able to get one though Detroit because they do shed. If you need a dog that doesn't shed you will have to stay away from all short hairs. Try for any dog that has to be groomed. I adore King Charles Cavalier Spaniels (Charlotte's puppy from SATC), but they are pretty steep in cost.

Mia · Kate Spade

Detroit - Don't expect objectivity here - GET A DOG!!!

Heh. Seriously, getting my dogs was one of the best things I've ever done for myself. The one negative would be the way they curtail travel. The walking etc. really isn't a hassle, in fact it's a positive, not a negative. No matter what kind of bad mood I am in, I can't be in it anymore while I'm watching my couple of idiots run around in the forest and attack sticks etc. As for traveling, I was always one of those people who thought people who would never leave their children with a sitter were neurotic dumbasses but now, I can't even leave my dogs with my parents without worrying about them constantly! I can't imagine leaving them with a stranger or at a kennel. I travel a LOT less than I did pre-dogs. This depends a lot on your personality, though. My dogs just massively brought out my overprotective/freakout-having-dog-mom side.

I have heard only good things about pugs - they are apparently one of the best breeds with children, no aggression at all, very sweet and goofy dispositions. I think the only problems might be a tendency to get fat and as someone else mentioned, a lot of them are inbred (this goes for a lot of purebreds, though).

I agree with Farrah on the King Charles spaniels - those things are ADORABLE. Ugh, I almost can't stand how cute they are.

Of course...I have to plug this breed: mini dachshunds. Apparently they dogs are becoming v. popular in NYC and Japan because they are super adaptable to apartment/urban life. They can be litter/pee-pad trained, although I would also say they get attached to their owners and being left alone for long periods wouldn't be good for them. They are also sometimes not the most gregarious creatures (mine isn't, anyway).

Anyway...also consider a shelter dog. In my experience, and from what I've seen with friends, mutts are the best! My beagle/spaniel X is a sweetie.

EDIT: "Puppiological clock" needs to be trademarked, btw.

-- Edited by Mia at 15:43, 2005-04-18

bumblebee · Dooney & Bourke

pugs have great personalities and are very loving--they aren't too hyper like jack russels, but they are definitely energetic enough to go for walks, etc. they are also supposed to be very good in apartments.

have you checked out miniature schnauzers? they are really cute and independent and don't shed. they do bark, however (which pugs don't really) so that's a consideration.

i've been pug-obsessed for years now--but can't have one in my current apartment. someday my pug will come...

mckenke · BCBG

We had a few hesitations before we got my dog, but once you get them they totally disappear. There is nothing like the greeting you get when you come home. We still travel quite a bit, but luckily we have many dog loving friends that can't have dogs and love to stay in our apartment. We miss him like crazy when we are gone and even while we are sitting on some beautiful beach or picturesque setting we will ask each other "I wonder what Gus is doing now?"

I also want to make a plug for adult dogs. We got our dog from a shelter he was already trained, so that made it easier for us. But shelter dogs do have some baggage...Gus was abused, so he gets really scared and meek around some people and it took a while before he would play with us.

luckylily · Gucci

I *love* having a dog, so you aren't going to hear many negatives from me either.

I never really feel like my dog prevents me from doing anything. I just bring him with me as much as possible, a well trained dog is welcomed in a lot of places these days. I love spending time with him, he's a great exercise companion and always makes me giggle. (See my silly avatar of him balancing a bone on his nose.) As far as going out with friends, I still do that quite a bit. I just make sure that my husband isn't going out w/ his friends the same night. And, if we are out a lot during the week, we make up for it on the weekend by taking him on his favorite hike or something.

We still travel at least once every few months. The key is to find a top notch facility. I kid you not when I say that our dog loves going to the kennel where we board him. When we drive up the driveway he gets so excited. We spent a lot of time looking at boarding facilities and they had the best staff and set up. It is super expensive, but I don't really care, we just have to factor that into the cost of any trips we take. I actually feel more comfortable with him there than with any of my friends or family. They are professionals. Not that there aren't horrible people that call themselves "professional", but you can find top notch boarding places if you do your homework.

Most trainers highly recommend against getting two pups from the same litter. Early in life, these dogs are likely to bond more with one another then with their owner. As they age, they are more likely to compete and fight. This problem is more prominent w/ two girls, but can also be an issue for two boys. I do think that having 2 dogs is a great idea, but ideally one should already be trained to the degree you would like before adding a second.

I'm a big dog person, so I don't know a lot about pugs. There is one that lives in our building that my dog is friends with. He's really sweet and funny. The owner tells me that he does fine at home while she is at work.

kenzie · Chanel

My clock is ticking, too!! I want a dog (dogs) really bad, but with the smelly, nasty roommate around, we can't get one. My bf wants a pug and I know that they are supposed to be very nice, docile dogs.

And now, I'll take this moment to gratuitously plug Westies. My mom has a Westie and she is a riot. She has so much personality and she's just adorable. She was pretty easy to train and she is now a very good little dog. At first she wasn't super snuggly, but the longer my mom has had her the more of a little snuggle beast she has become. She loves to be with her people and loves to be on their laps, although she's slightly larger than lap dog size (20lbs). She's such a cutie! I get my dog fix for now, through her. She does have skin allergies (a common Westie trait). She gets very itchy sometimes and has to get occasional allergy shots, but other than that, she's a healthy animal.

-- Edited by NylaBelle at 20:19, 2005-04-18

jen · Kate Spade

Totally off topic. Detroit, tell me about this antique market! Is it every weekend? Details please

lilmissdiva · Kenneth Cole

Pam's Pug Puppies - Pamela Brown, Missouri

Holy smokes, Kris!!!

Those puppies were sooooo adorable. I was telling Mark about Gucci and Missoni. I can't remember the rest of their fabulous fashion names.

Pugs, like any dog, will have their share of health risks. Look at Rocco- but I get so much joy from him everyday. :) People say that all dogs shed but Rocco doesn't shed at all. Just think of the savvy collars and outfits you could get them! Heehee....

There's Camp Bow Wow for $25 a day, they'll watch your poochies and you can even get a link to check on them via web cam. :) Plus there are tons of websites that provide which hotels are doggy friendly and with the craze of taking dogs everywhere there are tons all over the place.

Here are some helpful links-

http://www.akc.org/breeds/pug/index.cfm

http://www.michiganpugrescue.com/

About getting two from the same litter, typically with two males there will always be one dominant ALPHA male. Sometimes two males will fight but since they will be from the same litter, probably not.

The #1 reason to get a pet-- UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!

Keep me posted and let me know if you need any help! Pam's Pug Puppies - Pamela Brown, Missouri

RyanJ · Coach

I can't imagine not having a dog. I will never live in an apartment because I will always have to have one.

Dogs seem like a lot of responsibility at first, but once you have them for a short time and everyone gets into a routine they are very easy to take care of.

I volunteer at an animal shelter and we always recommend that people who are a little nervous about their first dog to get one that is at least a year old. They are still playful puppies, but you already know what their personalities will be like. There will not be any surprises that way. I would check out an animal shelter or rescue organization- they are so many great dogs that need homes

I think getting two dogs is also a good idea- that way they have a buddy. We have never had any problem introducing a new dog to the old ones. You could always get one dog and if you like it and want another then in a few months get a second dog. The closer in ages the better.

quote:
Originally posted by: detroit
" And if you think it is, what breed would you suggest that would fit my lifestyle (independent nature) and doesn't shed or doesn't shed too much (oh and I don't want one of those hairless rat dogs). I love Yorkies, but they require so much attention... If I decide to do this, I want a dog that is a little rough and tumble - one I can play with, but isn't an attention monger.
Any thoughts about anything regarding this are appreciated!thanks! "

When I read that the first thing that came to my mind was “French Bulldog”. I had a Frenchie and he was such an awesome dog. He was small lap dog, but love to go to the park, run in the mud and get dirty. He like to sit on your lap or next to you, but was not needy. He was definatley playful, but didn't drive you crazy. They don't shed very much and they come in a bunch of different colors. There are so many dogs out there though- if you wanted to get a purebred check out the www.akc.org. They will give you descriptions and pictures of dogs and recommend good breeders. If you are interested in adopting a dog then check out your local humane society or rescue group. They can always help you try to find a dog that will fit your lifestyle.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Oh, Detroit, I hope you choose to get a dog. While it is hard to lose a pet, they bring so much joy into your life for the 15 or so years that they are around.

I agree that pushing a dog on a friend when you travel is bad form, but there are a lot of places now that are more like puppy day spas than kennels. They get their own rooms and are fed the food that you bring and get more social time than regular kennels.

The first year of puppy ownershipis a little crazy because of all the puppyisms, but you can attend obedience training classes and pick a breed that is a little more apt to respond to training.

As for vet bills, our yearly spring check up with shots and the heartworm medicine and flea medicine (just in case) and whatnot is about $250. There aren't any regular vet visits during the year. However, my dog had to have knee surgery and that set me back $1000. You can get pet insurance for that kind of thing though. Also, shelters have vet offices that offer discounted fees from vets in independant practices. A dog license is about $10, and food runs about $50 every other month (for my 35 pound dog). The only other cost I can think of (besides toys and treats) is grooming, and I go to the Dog-O-Mat (it's in A2, and is the most genius thing ever. I would love to open something similar in Oakland county), and that's about $20 per visit.

I would go to a pet store and check out the prices on some of the things. And, look through their books at the pictures and choose a few breeds that interest you, then do research on them. Lots of breeds have rescues, so you could save a puppy (perhaps an older one if you didn't want to train it) or, you could just wander into a shelter and pick the cutest one you see (that's how I chose my dog)

I wouldn't worry about not being able to get you potential dog a companion. It will be okay.

You can get on petfinder.com and put in your zipcode and it will locate all the dogs in shelters and rescues near you.

-gd