Hey guys,

I found this forum at random while looking up information on Boston Terriers and decided it would be a good place to get advice. I am a 20-year-old college student in Virginia who has wanted a dog for the past 3 years.

Let me preface my question by saying that I've owned dogs my entire life and LOVED them for the same amount of time. My dad owned a Great Dane before I was born and well after, and after that, we owned a mixed-breed (hard to determine her breed, maybe a northern-type, she was all white and slightly spitz-like) and then a golden retriever who was "my" very first dog and lived until my 17th birthday. Out of the three, I have to say that I liked the golden best.

After she died, I wanted a dog immediately, but it's hard in college. I lived on-campus for two years and now I live in a residence that allows pets but I don't think my roommates would want a dog. Next year is the first year that I will actually be living in a dog-friendly apartment with a dog-friendly roommate.

The thing is, I'm having trouble because I like so many different breeds of dog and I am so passionate about dogs that I'm not sure what breed would be best. I feel like I could accomodate a lot of breeds because I am prepared to spend a LOT of time (the majority of my time) with my dog. The dog will be indoors unless I am with it, and there is a dog park a few miles from my apartment that has a large fenced-in enclosure. I also am prepared to go on long walks with my dog on a daily basis, if need be. Ideally, I am looking for a devoted and highly affectionate and intelligent dog that wants to be with me often.

General Characteristics I am looking for:

-affectionate, not aloof.
-intelligent but with the potential to be very obedient
-medium amount of energy
-good recall ability
-good with other dogs and (the potential to be!) cat-friendly
-mostly attached to one person, although loving everyone wouldn't be a problem!
-likes water and the outdoors
-okay for apartment living with sufficient exercise

Retrievers appeal to me a lot. I would probably go with a lab over a golden because the tumbleweeds of golden hair rolling across my house were a little much. However, I find them a bit big for my liking. I love big dogs but since I want a dog that I can take with me whenever I travel or go anywhere (I don't travel often, but I often make the 2 hour trip home from college), I might want something smaller. I really like Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, but I hear they're a lot more hyper than labs and goldens. Is this true?

I feel like the dogs that really interest me are extremely rare and expensive. The Carolina Dog and Kooikerhondje seem like amazing dogs, but it would be extremely hard to find one. I am especially infatuated with the Kooikerhondje. Those ears! Their gentle nature! How impossible are they to find in the US?

This might seem like I'm going in an entirely different direction, but I am also interested in Boston Terriers. I have a few questions about them. I love their size and the fact that they act like a big dog in a small package, but can I exercise with them as I would a retriever? I'm not EXTREMELY athletic, but I would like a dog that I could go jogging/hiking/swimming with occasionally. Can I do that? I also hear that they're difficult to potty train. Is this true?

ALSO...are any of these breeds untrustworthy off leash? I know that you can't generalize but I know that most terriers and beagles, for instance, will run away at the sight of any moving object. I want a dog that I can train to be fairly reliable offleash. My golden would run out of the house at any opportunity, but my parents didn't do as good a job at training her as I plan on doing with my dog.

I also have not ruled out adopting from a shelter...that's what I hope to do, actually. I love mixed breeds, and just want to know what dominant breeds I should be looking for in a mix. I know it depends on the individual dog, but there still is something to be said about the breeds that the dog comes from.

Sorry this is ridiculously long, but I wanted some solid advice about what dog would be right for me. Thanks!

My email is . Email me with any suggestions, or reply here.

allygat0r07 said in
rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

The thing is, I'm having trouble because I like so many
different breeds of dog and I am so passionate about dogs
that I'm not sure what breed would be best. I feel like I
could accomodate a lot of breeds because I am prepared to
spend a LOT of time (the majority of my time) with my dog.

I think that it's pretty cool that you've considered many of the
downsides of owning a dog in your situation. But what's going
to happen when you finish college?

Retrievers appeal to me a lot. I would probably go with a
lab over a golden because the tumbleweeds of golden hair
rolling across my house were a little much.

Heh, tumbleweed hair I find *way* easier to clean up than other
types.

However, I find
them a bit big for my liking. I love big dogs but since I
want a dog that I can take with me whenever I travel or go
anywhere, I might want something smaller. I really like
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, but I hear they're a
lot more hyper than labs and goldens. Is this true?

Yes, though some are less hyper than others. I know quite a few
Tollers, and some I'd place on the mellow end of the scale,
though most are not.

This might seem like I'm going in an entirely different
direction, but I am also interested in Boston Terriers.

You seem to like active dogs, and the Boston Terriers I know are
certainly that.

I
have a few questions about them. I love their size and the
fact that they act like a big dog in a small package, but
can I exercise with them as I would a retriever? I'm not
EXTREMELY athletic, but I would like a dog that I could go
jogging/hiking/swimming with occasionally. Can I do that?

Maybe, though probably not. The Bostons that I know would sink
rather than swim. And, while not as brachycephalic as other
similar breeds, probably aren't the breed of choice for more
than moderate levels of the activities you mention.

I
also hear that they're difficult to potty train. Is this
true?

I've had good success housetraining many breeds and sizes of
dog.

ALSO...are any of these breeds untrustworthy off leash? I
know that you can't generalize but I know that most
terriers and beagles, for instance, will run away at the
sight of any moving object. I want a dog that I can train
to be fairly reliable offleash. My golden would run out of
the house at any opportunity.

There's your proof. Working breeds *should* be the most
reactive to your recall, but real life doesn't work that way. I
have two herding breed dogs and I sometimes joke that I like
their built-in recall but, in fact, a good deal of training has
gone into it.

No matter what dog you get, training is a must, though breed
will make somewhat of a difference. Don't be dismayed if
genetics rears its head.

I also have not ruled out adopting from a shelter...that's
what I hope to do, actually. I love mixed breeds, and just
want to know what dominant breeds I should be looking for
in a mix.

That's my preference, especially when looking for a dog of a
specific temperament, like you seem to be. In your situation,
assuming that you've considered your living situation after you
graduate, I'd adopt an older dog (3 years and up) from a shelter
or breed-specific rescue.

I know it depends on the individual dog, but
there still is something to be said about the breeds that
the dog comes from.

I've both and still can't decide.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.

"allygat0r07" wrote in message
...
Next year is the
first year that I will actually be living in a dog-friendly apartment
with a dog-friendly roommate.

Like Matt, my concern is that you need to look further ahead than next year.
There are cities that are more dog-friendly than others and in some places
it can be difficult to find an apartment that will allow pets. Having one
can limit your housing options and you have to be prepared to handle that.

You also need to consider how much time you will have in the beginning
months and years of a career. My daughter went from college to grad school
and now - at almost 30 - is finally living in a place and at a place in her
career where she can start to consider getting a dog. The twelve hours days
have ended and even when they do happen, she has the freedom to go home for
a while. (Or some places even allow your well-mannered dog to come to the
office with you - depends on the situation.) Dogs DO get in the way
sometimes - and that is true for all of us. Just know what your trade-offs
will have to be. Sometimes on Friday evening, you're going to be at the dog
park while all your friends are going out for pizza. Your dog is going to
be very happy about this. You need to be sure that you will share at least
some of his happiness.

Retrievers appeal to me a lot. I would probably go with a lab over a
golden because the tumbleweeds of golden hair rolling across my house
were a little much.

I've lived with labs and I've spent weekends with goldens. I don't see much
difference in the amount of shedding. Labs are *incredible* shedders.
Shorter hairs than goldens but prodigious shedders nonetheless. You would
probably be amazed at the ability of the average beagle to match them for
shedding abilities. Some breeds with longer hair may actually shed less.
And shorter hairs work their way into material (your couch, for instance)
much more firmly than longer ones. Just know that whatever you get, dog
hair always has to be dealt with one way or another.

I really like
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, but I hear they're a lot more
hyper than labs and goldens. Is this true?

And much more difficult to find and afford. The "more hyper" part is more
likely true than not. Even the average one is a dog that needs to have a
job.

This might seem like I'm going in an entirely different direction, but
I am also interested in Boston Terriers. I have a few questions about
them. I love their size and the fact that they act like a big dog in a
small package, but can I exercise with them as I would a retriever?

Although they are not as "bad" as some other breeds, if you are anyplace
where there are warm seasons, I'd think you have to make some exercise
adjustments during warmer weather.

My golden would run out
of the house at any opportunity.

You can train the dog so that this does not happen. (Certainly with a
golden.) Plan to take some beginning classes in dog/puppy obedience as soon
as you get your dog. These will help you more than you can ever imagine.
(Training you to train the dog.) And, what the heck, it's time spent with
your dog. And it will make all the days of your life with the dog MUCH
better.

I also have not ruled out adopting from a shelter...that's what I hope
to do, actually.

A wonderful idea. And (I think Matt mentioned this also) definitely
consider an older dog. Puppies take a lot of time and have immature
bladders. And there are all those puppy issues and teenaged dog issues to
work through. Getting a dog that is past all that gives you a little jump
start. And they are usually more settled and therefore find it easier to
handle longer separations than puppies can.

In general, the best, first question to ask yourself when you are
considering a dog (and/or a breed) is "what do I see myself doing with the
dog?" Consider what you expect to happen in an average day with your dog
and your life. You have started to do some of this and that's a great
start.

Always a good site to visit, take a look at www.dog-play.com There is a
wealth of information there. With a lot of very valuable links.

~~Judy

That was one of the reasons I was thinking a smaller dog might be easier to travel with (and finding housing is easier) and why I wanted to get a dog in college. I have tons of free time to train the dog, so by the time I graduate, I won't have to worry about coming home to a destroyed house or struggling for enough time to go to obedience lessons. Even after college when I have a job, I still plan on spending ample time with the dog. Ideally, I'll live with roommates for a few years afterward, not alone, so the dog won't be left by itself for more than a few hours. Even farther down the line, I hope to get a second dog.

Thanks for your response!

Ally

"Judy" wrote in message
...

Like Matt, my concern is that you need to look further ahead than next
year.
There are cities that are more dog-friendly than others and in some places
it can be difficult to find an apartment that will allow pets. Having one
can limit your housing options and you have to be prepared to handle that.

I also have not ruled out adopting from a shelter...that's what I hope
to do, actually.

A wonderful idea. And (I think Matt mentioned this also) definitely
consider an older dog. Puppies take a lot of time and have immature
bladders. And there are all those puppy issues and teenaged dog issues to
work through. Getting a dog that is past all that gives you a little jump
start. And they are usually more settled and therefore find it easier to
handle longer separations than puppies can.

In general, the best, first question to ask yourself when you are
considering a dog (and/or a breed) is "what do I see myself doing with the
dog?" Consider what you expect to happen in an average day with your dog
and your life. You have started to do some of this and that's a great
start.

adding to Matt and Judy's great info...

a lot of dogs in shelters in my areas are Lab/BC mixes. my sister has one,
and he seems the perfect dog. very young, and yet so easy to train it's
disturbing. able to hold a down stay in another room all the way through a
buffet dinner, at 15 months? yes, training goes into it, but as you've
said, some dogs just have the aptitude for it. recall seemed to come
instantly to him. finding a mixed breed that mixes that retriever
personality and lovability with the intelligence and smaller package of a
BC, with your exercise requirements, sounds like it might work out.
just look for the medium, moderately coated black dogs at the shelters. the
ones that won't stop looking at you. :-)

(yeah, my new favorite mix, Buddy stole my heart).

-kelly

On Tue, 1 Nov 2005 11:44:38 -0800, "culprit"
wrote:


"Judy" wrote in message
...

Like Matt, my concern is that you need to look further ahead than next
year.
There are cities that are more dog-friendly than others and in some places
it can be difficult to find an apartment that will allow pets. Having one
can limit your housing options and you have to be prepared to handle that.

I also have not ruled out adopting from a shelter...that's what I hope
to do, actually.

A wonderful idea. And (I think Matt mentioned this also) definitely
consider an older dog. Puppies take a lot of time and have immature
bladders. And there are all those puppy issues and teenaged dog issues to
work through. Getting a dog that is past all that gives you a little jump
start. And they are usually more settled and therefore find it easier to
handle longer separations than puppies can.

In general, the best, first question to ask yourself when you are
considering a dog (and/or a breed) is "what do I see myself doing with the
dog?" Consider what you expect to happen in an average day with your dog
and your life. You have started to do some of this and that's a great
start.

adding to Matt and Judy's great info...

a lot of dogs in shelters in my areas are Lab/BC mixes. my sister has one,
and he seems the perfect dog. very young, and yet so easy to train it's
disturbing. able to hold a down stay in another room all the way through a
buffet dinner, at 15 months? yes, training goes into it, but as you've
said, some dogs just have the aptitude for it. recall seemed to come
instantly to him. finding a mixed breed that mixes that retriever
personality and lovability with the intelligence and smaller package of a
BC, with your exercise requirements, sounds like it might work out.
just look for the medium, moderately coated black dogs at the shelters. the
ones that won't stop looking at you. :-)

Or go through rescue to find one that meets your needs.

Yes, I am addicted to petfinder.com. Why do you ask?

--
Paula
"Anyway, other people are weird, but sometimes they have candy, so it's best to try to get along with them." Joe Bay

"Judy" wrote in message
...

I've lived with labs and I've spent weekends with goldens. I don't see
much
difference in the amount of shedding. Labs are *incredible* shedders.

I'll second that! Its bad no matter what but black labs are the worst (and
right on par with a Rottie) IMO. If you don't sweep everyday you'll have
Lab hair decorating your baseboards and holding conferences under hard to
clean places. Try moving (or removing) something that had a small opening
underneath to find enough dog hair to make a dozen doggy wigs.


--
Tara