So... I very much want a dog... have wanted one.. have always had one....large breeds.. English Springer Spainel... Golden Retiriever..

I located a Black Lab... that is 4 years old... she is being re-homed from a very caring family.... she is a "nipper"... with children - if the children push at her...too much...and since this family lives in sub-division - there are children all around...

I have been trying to decide.. if I can do.. an adopted dog... or if I should get a very small breed puppy.. and grow the puppy up...

I am worried about having enough energy for a large bred dog, whether the dog will "adopt" me too...

I have fibrom... so walks are out for me....

what do you think???

[Lenny]

I think it is a wonderfull idea freewill...

Go to any of the SPCA shelters and they will generally have a fenced in area for you to get to know any Dog you might be interested in..

You can sit and play and touch and "talk" with each other for as long as you wish..

And most shelters will have many breeds and sizes and ages...

There is a tremendous sense of gratitude expressed when a pet is saved...is becomes the platform for a wonderfull relationship...

Lenny

[crazybones]

dogs are great you dont always have to have a lot of energy just simple things will keep them happy probably starting with a puppy might not be good cuz they have lots of energy and need to be constanly active you have many options keep your mind open to new idea's

[nothemama8]

if you are renting you can get a letter from your doctor or pdoc stating they want you to have an emotional support animal/dog, the landlord can not turn you down, Fed law, thats how we got Tara

[thelostone]

i would go with a smaller one if i were you. i have a little maltese who uses potty training pads so she doesn't even have to be walked. a bigger dog will need walking and more exercise than you might be able to do. research breeds, there are many small breeds who are calm and loveable like big dogs, not all are little yappies. i was worried about having a small one as i had always had big dogs, but my little one is a big dog in a tiny body. she gets all the exercise she needs just running around the house, and when she does get to go for a walk outside it is a special treat.

lost

[TaintedGoth1]

If you get a bigger dog, remember that they need their room to run and play. Smaller dogs don't usually require lots of space to run but the bigger dogs are better if you live in the country, IMO.

[bebop]

I vote small dog. I have chihuahua's. they are great little dogs and very loyal and will let you know when someone or something is outside. they don't know they are little though lol. but they don't require alot of walking. Ilove mine!

If you can not walk a dog, please don't get a Lab or a Golden or a Husky or any dog that is : a herding dog or a retriever. These dogs NEEDS LOTS OF EXERCISE and walks.

Labs and Goldens stay "puppyish" until they are 6-8 years old. Then they calm down. But they are very, very active dogs.

Do some research into a breed that fits your lifestyle. Dogs in the Working Group, Sporting Group, and Hound Group usually need alot of exercise. If you can't walk the dog, think about a dog in the Toy Group.

If you are going to adopt a dog from a shelter, find out what "breed-mix" it is. Again, stay away from breed-mixes in the Working, Sporting, and Hound Groups.

PLEASE, more dogs get returned to shelters and killed because people do not do enough research about the type of dog that would be best for their LIFESTYLE.

[radio_flyer]

Riptide made some excellent points...

It is really important to find a type of dog that fits your lifestyle. I would think that maybe a small dog would be best suited for one that cannot do "daily walks". And even with "smaller" dogs, you need to find a dog that suits your personality.

My son got me a pug puppy for Christmas. And well, he picked the most active lil bugger in the bunch. This lil guy has to have his nose in everything. To be honest, we did not "match up" at first. In fact, I did not think I would be able to take care of this lil monster. He is way active, a biter, and a pain in the butt at times. I am older, ( shh mid 50's) and not nearly as active as this lil pug. But over the months, we have bonded and I like him now.

The only time he is quiet is when I am at the computer. He lays under the desk and waits for me to pick him up and carry him to bed. When I pick him up, he gets all limp like a lil baby and then stretches. I take him to bed and put the covers over him and he peeks out from under the blanket and watches me till I go to bed.

He looks like a dog. They say he is a dog. I sometimes wonder what the heck he is tho. He dances on his hind legs, sits on the sofa with one leg propped on the arm of the sofa. He sits on the kitchen chair next to the table and waits for his food. And like a dummy, I give him his food on the table.... shrugs shoulders. ... I should mention tho, sometimes he will run and jump on the back of my legs and try to bite my butt. He hides my glasses. I shared my salad with him this evening. Gosh, I can't wait till he grows up and moves out.