Since the hiccup yesterday or the day before ate my previous post, here we go again.
My sister had her baby this past weekend and my husband decided that he thinks we should start a family in about 3 years. I'm not convinced I'll want to be a mom in 3 years, but I'm definitely willing to steer our life in that direction and see where things are then. Anyway, on my "things I'd like to do/see/have before a baby" list is a dog. Best case would be to get one next summer/fall so we can get past the puppyhood before a baby comes. So, breed suggestions...
1) Engery.
I don't mind a puppy that is pretty active and likes to go and do stuff, but having an off switch is important, especially once it hits 2/3. I'm looking for a dog that will be happy with a few walks a day and if the weather is bad a good romp in the back yard and some fetch, or whatever. Because of this, I have cut out a lot of the herding breeds because I find that most tend to be too high energy. I would like to dabble in things like Rally & Agility and my husband and I like to go hiking & camping
2) Good with kids.
I do know that socialization with kids is an important point here.
**Those are my top 2. I think everything else is important, but I'd be willing to sway a little.
3) Grooming.
I'm trying to avoid the double coat because of the shedding. I'm also trying to avoid breeds that mat easy & pick up everything that is on the ground (leaves, twigs, etc). Also, I'm trying to avoid big drooly dogs. I don't mind ones that drool after they drink water, but I'd rather not have to clean it off the walls and ceiling. :lol-sign:
4) Size.
I'm thinking 35-90 lbs. Basically, I want something that is big enough a toddler won't try to pick it up. I LOVE big dogs, but I do know that they are more expensive to feed, get heart worm/flea/tick prevention, other medications given by weight, etc. Also, I'd like the dog to fit in my car!
5) Strangers.
I want a dog who is polite to strangers, but doesn't want to be everyone's BFF 4-EVA.
6) DA/DR
As much as I adore the bully breeds, at this point I don't think I could handle a dog that is DA/DR since my parents and my sister have dogs. We live 9-10 hrs away so when we visit there will be other dogs. Now, they wouldn't be left together unsupervised, but my parent's dog is kind of old and a grouch. I just think at this time avoiding those breeds would be best.
7) Other stuff.
I want a breed that doesn't spend all of their free time trying to figure out how to outsmart me. I don't want to work THAT hard trying to train it.
I like velcro dogs. I want a dog that chills in the chair with me, always has an eye on me. A shadow. I already can't shut a door in my house because it makes my cat upset, so having a dog that is the same way is no big deal.
So, think I should just stick with my cat?
My sister had her baby this past weekend and my husband decided that he thinks we should start a family in about 3 years. I'm not convinced I'll want to be a mom in 3 years, but I'm definitely willing to steer our life in that direction and see where things are then. Anyway, on my "things I'd like to do/see/have before a baby" list is a dog. Best case would be to get one next summer/fall so we can get past the puppyhood before a baby comes. So, breed suggestions...
1) Engery.
I don't mind a puppy that is pretty active and likes to go and do stuff, but having an off switch is important, especially once it hits 2/3. I'm looking for a dog that will be happy with a few walks a day and if the weather is bad a good romp in the back yard and some fetch, or whatever. Because of this, I have cut out a lot of the herding breeds because I find that most tend to be too high energy. I would like to dabble in things like Rally & Agility and my husband and I like to go hiking & camping
2) Good with kids.
I do know that socialization with kids is an important point here.
**Those are my top 2. I think everything else is important, but I'd be willing to sway a little.
3) Grooming.
I'm trying to avoid the double coat because of the shedding. I'm also trying to avoid breeds that mat easy & pick up everything that is on the ground (leaves, twigs, etc). Also, I'm trying to avoid big drooly dogs. I don't mind ones that drool after they drink water, but I'd rather not have to clean it off the walls and ceiling. :lol-sign:
4) Size.
I'm thinking 35-90 lbs. Basically, I want something that is big enough a toddler won't try to pick it up. I LOVE big dogs, but I do know that they are more expensive to feed, get heart worm/flea/tick prevention, other medications given by weight, etc. Also, I'd like the dog to fit in my car!
5) Strangers.
I want a dog who is polite to strangers, but doesn't want to be everyone's BFF 4-EVA.
6) DA/DR
As much as I adore the bully breeds, at this point I don't think I could handle a dog that is DA/DR since my parents and my sister have dogs. We live 9-10 hrs away so when we visit there will be other dogs. Now, they wouldn't be left together unsupervised, but my parent's dog is kind of old and a grouch. I just think at this time avoiding those breeds would be best.
7) Other stuff.
I want a breed that doesn't spend all of their free time trying to figure out how to outsmart me. I don't want to work THAT hard trying to train it.
I like velcro dogs. I want a dog that chills in the chair with me, always has an eye on me. A shadow. I already can't shut a door in my house because it makes my cat upset, so having a dog that is the same way is no big deal.
So, think I should just stick with my cat?