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LiteraryLark
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Default Nov 14, 2017 at 09:08 PM
  #1
What made you decide on the dog you have? What were the qualities or expectations you had in the breed if you had a breed in mind AND/OR the reasons and expectations behind a rescue, and what makes you happy to have the dog you have? What were some of the rewards and challenges of raising your dog? Pros and cons of the dog you have?

My parents and I are discussing our wants and needs for a new puppy when we move to Oregon. You may think it's bad timing post-fire, middle of insurance to-dos, and a high-stress job my parents have...but puppy talks give us something to hope for and look forward to and it makes us feel good to talk about it. My parents do not want a high energy, high maintenance, excessive shedder and barker. They'd like a mellow, medium-to-small size dog that is easy to train. They are looking into a labradoodle. I would like a dog that is extremely loyal, highly intelligent, medium energy, small-to-medium-size, not-so-much a shedder, can teach tricks, obedient, and will go with me wherever I go. I am looking into a miniature schnauzer.

Also, humor me on this one...any advice on how to compromise on dog breeds? I've personally spent a lot of time with schnauzers and I do not think they conflict too much with what my parents have in mind. I also feel that if we have a labradoodle I will be the one to train it, so why not the dog I have in mind? Also, my parents and I have no experience with labradoodles, so can only make a decision based on photos and what we have read online.
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Default Nov 15, 2017 at 01:21 AM
  #2
Hmm, don't know about breed compromises. Would it do any harm to suggest to your parents the breed you want, since you'd be doing most of the training?

Seven years ago, when I got my pup, I took an online test that examined my lifestyle, and matched me with a good breed for me (I wish I could find it and link it now). It matched me with a German Spitz (American Eskimo), and I happened to find one in foster care in a city nearby where I lived at the time (Portland, Oregon actually). My aunt had a toy sized Eskimo when I was growing up, so I was already partial to them. My Soapy is a miniature Eskimo, which is the next size up.

Why Did You Choose Your Dog(s)?
Why Did You Choose Your Dog(s)?

Eskimos can be pretty nervous, and they are affectionate and loyal to a fault. I have never known a dog to NEED cuddles as much as her. I got her at nine months old, and she had potty training issues for another year. She also has developed anxiety over certain noises, which is a complete mystery to me. The sound of text notifications on phones (of ANY type) makes her tremble! Overall though, save for a shrill little dog bark, she is perfect for me. She knows tons of tricks now, and is the absolute light of my life. I originally wanted a full sized Spitz (which are still medium sized), but I don't regret having one her size. I take her everywhere I possibly can.

I saw all the great pictures of you and your fire cats. You will of course share pictures of the new pup when you get it, right?
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Default Nov 15, 2017 at 01:28 AM
  #3
I didn't choose my dog, she chose me.

My mom had brought her home one day. She was only 6 months old, a rescue. She was very shy and at first I was very annoyed that my mom brought her home. I didn't like dogs at all at the time.

But she warmed up to me. And one day she was standing at the door of my room and wouldn't come in. I brought her and set her on my bed. She started licking my face, and that's when I started warming up to her. That night I asked my mom if I could borrow her for the night, and she slept with me.

I fell in love. She was so very sweet and she made me love dogs again. I ended up adopting her myself, and she slept with me almost every night for the next 10 years.

She was put down last year due to many health problems. I miss her a lot. Thinking of her is one of the very few things that can make me cry. It really broke my heart when she was put down.
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Default Nov 15, 2017 at 03:54 AM
  #4
All of the best matches I've seen with dogs and their parents (when done thru a shelter), the parent made multiple trips to the shelter and got a feel for the dogs there. With a size in minds, it can narrow down the amount of dogs they have.

Some of the most mellow and quiet dogs I've met have been mutts actually. Labs are wonderful dogs and I think a lab mix of any sort would have potential to meet the needs/wants the you and your parents are thinking of. I've seen a range of schnauzers, mostly tho the ones I've met get anxious easily, which can lead to barking and some other issues.

Like someone said, there are quizzes online that can help match you to a breed. They look at your wants but also your exercise level and also your living arrangements. Some dogs need a yard while some don't. Some dogs need to be walked (sometimes multiple times a day) while some don't. They can also give a general idea of whether certain breeds are typically good with other animals or children, sometimes. Like beagles usually need a companion if they are home without their human for a long period. Also, a quiz may suggest a breed that you and your parents haven't even thought of, that could be perfect for all of your wants and needs.

Also, as was said, pics pics pics! I love seeing your kitties, and a new pup would make my day even more!

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Default Nov 15, 2017 at 05:16 AM
  #5
I always choose dogs from the pound or strays. They make the best pets because they are so appreciative about having a home again. They were all mutts. We think our last dog was half Tennesse Treeing Brindle dog and half boxer or pit bull. He was a great dog. In my youth, I noticed poodles are very smart and loyal but ours (he came along before I did) preferred adults over children (I threw toys at him). We had a poodle when we lived in the city. When I was 5, my parents bought a cabin in the mountains. Our neighbors there had a lab and an Irish setter. They followed me everywhere and protected me even chasing two baby mountain lions up a tree. When we moved permanently to the mountains a stray adopted us. He was half German shepherd and half some sort of hound. Now three dogs protected me when I hiked. In that wild place, many times, small fluffy dogs never came home! (there were packs of javalenas that roamed). We had dogs when we lived overseas--all mutts from the pound or strays. They loved camping on the beach. With these experiences, I prefer larger dogs but they require a decent back yard. Overseas, our dogs had the entire roof plus there was a walkway completely encircling the second floor we rented. Since we worked so much, I felt like we needed at least two dogs. With the sliding glass doors all around and rice paper screens just inside of them, we had to be careful not to leave a door open when we went to work--our dogs made the biggest messes when a door was left open. Rice everywhere. Delicate rice paper screen demolished in order to make way for the dogs... We recently lost our dog and miss him so much. Our last dog:
22154137_1502053483195844_5590166000767769717_n.jpg
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Default Nov 19, 2017 at 07:31 AM
  #6
I believe fur babies pick us, not the other way around. Many of my dogs have just shown up at the farm or I found them abandoned along the road.

I got my current dog (BG) from animal control (the pound). He is a heaven knows what breed. There's some pit bull in the mix, maybe some boxer or bulldog (drools like a bulldog), maybe some Dalmatian and some kind of houd because he bays like a hound. I spent several days visiting animal control and the SPCA. I kept gravitating back to him. We clicked and I adopted him. I can't give you a concrete, rational reason why we picked each other. We just did.

It sounds like you and your parents are making good plans to pick out your next dog. You mentioned you want something that doesn't shed much. Labs are notorious shredders. Since poodles don't shed, maybe a labradoodle won't? Labs also can have horrible behavior as pups. They are great dog, but horrible puppies.
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