Choosing a Doggie~

awesomeness365 • 27 December 2012 at 1:07 PM

Our family's thinking about getting a dog. We want a German Shepherd, since they're loyal and protective of their families. Our dad wants a protective dog. The problem is, we also have a cat, that is NOT as welcoming to another pet. D: So, we want a puppy German Shepherd, so our cat could get used to him/her easier. Our cat does not like big dogs.

We're also debating as to whether we should adopt a dog or get one from a pet store.

Adopting- We would be saving their life, so they won't get euthanized. They're usually cheaper than the ones from the pet store as well. On the other hand, we don't know they're personality that well because we don't know they're parents.

Buying- We would know their parents, so we could probably get a good estimate to the dog's attitude, personality, smart-ness, and whatnot. But they're so darn expensive. o-o We went to see a Golden Retriever, and he cost $3000 dollars. He was purebred and neutered, so that cut down some costs.

So, ah, I have a few questions.

1.) Do you think a German Shepherd is a good dog for a family that has a cat? If not, what breed would you suggest?

2.) Should we adopt a dog, or get one from the pet store?

3.) Should we even get a dog? o-o

Thanks. c:

jemmie • 27 December 2012 at 1:12 PM

@awesomeness365
Ask @j_chen or something o.O

And for 2,3
Yes, you should get a dog if you really want to take care of it, and everything. Don't if you don't think you're ready/responsible enough for it though.

Adopt!

Deleted • 27 December 2012 at 1:20 PM

@awesomeness365

1: Germans and cats don't mix. I would suggest a puppy lab(rador). They're sweet & they luv their family, so they would probably protect u in combat. Get a female, theyre easier 2 train. I've trained a lab(rador), and its gone well.

2: ADOPT IT. Get it from a private breeder or a qualified breeder. Some pet shelters have puppies that come from puppy mills. Puppy mills are breeders where they force two dogs to breed. A ton of abuse goes on in those mills.

3: GET A DOG! They r awesome!

roxypaw • 27 December 2012 at 1:29 PM

@awesomeness365
1.) Do you think a German Shepherd is a good dog for a family that has a cat? If not, what breed would you suggest?

Try to first of all, find a family that have puppies for adoption, take your cat with you, and see which puppy it likes.

2.) Should we adopt a dog, or get one from the pet store?
Stores are treating pets bad. Adopt a dog from a family.

3.) Should we even get a dog? o-o
yeah you should. Dogs are lovely ❤️

musicgurl333 • 27 December 2012 at 1:35 PM

@awesomeness365

1.) It depends on the dog. Any breed can get along just fine with a cat. 😊 Some breeds are better with cats with others (for example, you have to be careful if you get a greyhound, especially a former racer, because they are trained to chase small furry things...like cats...golden retrievers, on the other hand, usually do well with other animals) but ANY breed can get along with cats...animals are individuals, just like people. Just because a breed is MORE LIKELY to be one way doesn't mean that the dog you get will be like that. Whatever dog you get, make sure you introduce them SLOWLY to your cat, and don't leave them together unsupervised until you're sure that it's okay.

2.) Absolutely adopt a dog from a shelter. No question. You can get a great, loving, intelligent pet, sometimes even purebred, for less money than it would cost you at a breeder (please, please, please...do NOT get a dog at a pet store. If you must buy a dog, go to a breeder with a good reputation.). But the best part is that by adopting at a shelter, you would be giving a good life to an animal in need. 😊 I know lots of people who have adopted from shelters (including me! 😊 ) and shelter dogs are awesome. ❤️

3.) Dogs are a lot more work than cats, but if you're prepared for that, and you and your family want a dog, then go for it! Dogs are awesome pets. 😊

awesomeness365 • 27 December 2012 at 1:43 PM

@jemmie Ah, thanks. c: Yeah, I really do want to adopt one. >.>

@rushingwater Heh, thanks! Yeah, one of my dad's friends' brought his German Shepherd, and my cat hissed, scratched, smacked, and tried to bite. o-o What kind of lab do you suggest, or any type of lab? c: I've heard about puppy mills, and they're horrible. >.> Females also seem to be more gentle to my cat. C:

@roxypaw Good idea! My cat's really picky, and he'll probably like that he has a choice. c: Do you think finding adoption homes on a local newspapers or on websites are better?

@musicgurl333 Hmm. That's true. c: My cat really takes time to get used to other animals, but he'll get used to it eventually. So, maybe hold my cat and slowly get near the puppy, or even slower than that at first? c: And if you don't know the breeder, is there any way you would suggest to find out if he/she's kind to the puppies?

Thanks, all of you. C:

roxypaw • 27 December 2012 at 1:45 PM

@awesomeness365 I normally look at websites, because they have pictures and such ^^ heh

Deleted • 27 December 2012 at 1:47 PM

Adopt. Even if you don't find a breed you really want, the dog you get will love you forever
@awesomeness365

awesomeness365 • 27 December 2012 at 1:49 PM

@roxypaw xD Mmkay. Hmm, is there any way you suggest to find a good adoption home on websites for me? c:

roxypaw • 27 December 2012 at 1:53 PM

@awesomeness365 well I live in Denmark, so I don't know if I can help you.. <XD

musicgurl333 • 27 December 2012 at 1:54 PM

@awesomeness365 If you get a dog from a good breeder you should be able to meet them, meet the puppies parents, and see where what it's like there. Ask questions about what the breed is like. Here's some information from Animal Planet about getting a dog from a breeder.
http://animals.howstuffworks.com/pets/how-to-choose-a-pet-dog5.htm

(Although I would still really encourage you to adopt from a shelter. Seriously, there are lots of awesome dogs waiting for homes right now...sometimes even purebreds! 😊 Try looking on petfinder.com )

As for how to introduce your cat to a dog, here is some information from the humane society about introducing dogs and cats.
http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/adoption-pet-care/dog-behavior/introducing-dogs-to-cats.html

You can also find more information online. I hope that helps! 😊

Deleted • 27 December 2012 at 2:00 PM

2 and 3 I suggest you adopt dogs because pet store dogs are the more expensive ones and they do get sick a lot, adopting one means that he has a. been around a family already and has already had vet experience or b. has had a family, ran away and was taken by animal control, so they have built up an immune system. They also cost less money, and might already be potty trained. And of course you should get a dog! They are so cute. @awesomeness365

hay7199 • 27 December 2012 at 2:06 PM

1.) Do you think a German Shepherd is a good dog for a family that has a cat? If not, what breed would you suggest?

Answer: I personaly think you shouldnt get a shepard, we have two cats and four dogs, we used to have a German Shepard and we knew the owner and the mother and father where perfectly well behaved, well we let her into the house and she attacked one of our cats, and I have also heard this happening to others as well. Now Leo (Our cat) Hates dogs, but when we got our two lap dogs Addy and Doc *Chiwawa and Yorkshier Terrier* he warmed right up to them, so I think a lap dog would be a better choice.

2.) Should we adopt a dog, or get one from the pet store?
I would probly adopt if I where you, we adopted Addy (And found Doc wondering the streets) and she is the perfect lady.

3.) Should we even get a dog? o-o
Yes, it is actually they are therapy animals and can make you feel better when your upset, and even though I am a cat person, I still like dogs enough to do reserch!

awesomeness365 • 27 December 2012 at 2:53 PM

@leafpoolz Yeah. c: Thanks!

@roxypaw Oh. xDD Thanks anyways? xD

@musicgurl333 Thanks for the link- I read it, and it seems like it'll take forever. @-@ It'll probably be worth it, if we get dog. c:

@bluegirl80 Haha, true. C: Thanks!

@hay7199 Yeah. I personally like lap dogs, but my dad wants a big dog. o-o I think our cat would feel safer with a lap dog, though. C:


Another question: Should we get it from a breeder or an animal shelter?

ninjagirl • 27 December 2012 at 2:56 PM

@awesomeness365 I don't think breeds actually affect their personality. I've seen a lot of seriously protective small dogs (XD) and some really passive, quiet big dogs. 😸

awesomeness365 • 27 December 2012 at 3:09 PM

@ninjagirl Haha, yeah. C: I know this mixed lab, and she's so quiet and adorbs.@-@

ninjagirl • 27 December 2012 at 3:11 PM

@awesomeness365 Ohh. So cute. XD I love labs. I used to have one ;u;

awesomeness365 • 27 December 2012 at 3:13 PM

@ninjagirl :c That's the only thing I don't like about having a pet. When they pass away, it's so sad. ;-; Like my fishy. ;-;

ninjagirl • 27 December 2012 at 3:15 PM

@awesomeness I know :'O I had fish too. XD some day I want a pet turtle. It might outlive mee XD

aardbeix3 • 27 December 2012 at 3:27 PM

@awesomeness365 I had a German Shepherd, passed away 3 years ago though☹️
she was a lovely, very friendly loving dog ❤️

Now we have a White Swiss Shepherd,she's also very lovely and adorable.. I love pets ❤️

Deleted • 27 December 2012 at 5:57 PM

@awesomeness365

One more piece of advice- Keep them separated for the first few weeks. Make a fenced-in pen for ur dog. Then, once a week, pick ur cat up and put him in with ur puppy for 5/10 min. They should slowly gain respect 4 each other.

DO NOT FEED A DOG RAWHIDE BONES!!!! They cough and cough and choke and choke. Rawhide isn't good 4 dogs. (Get KONG!)

I think the type that we got was a lab, mostly purebred but with some Retriever in her line. I would suggest a cross of Retriever and Lab.

kalateevolk • 27 December 2012 at 6:11 PM

If the family thinks the dog will be a good match then get the german shepard, At adoption centers they generally have posted whether they get along with cats or not.l

Deleted • 27 December 2012 at 6:14 PM

you should really get a dog!!! if you do have a cat it can get along with it. but the best thing though is to get them used to each other. if the cat is still young, you should get a puppy. it is easier to get them to get along. but you should NEVER get a dog from the pet store, they could come from puppy mills *shudders*. you should check to see if a german sheperd is the the right dog for you though. bigger dogs tend to live only 10 years though. you should check out these websites though: dogster.com, akc.org, petango.com, petfinder.com, petsmart.com, and petco.com. hope you find the perfect dog! : )

awesomeness365 • 28 December 2012 at 9:57 AM

@ninjagirl xD Turtles do live a long time. 😱

@aardbeix3 Yeah, that's why I love German Shepherds. I love pets, too! 8D Did they both come from shelters or breeders?

@rushingwater 😱 Thanks for the advice! Should we get something like Invisible Fence, build the fence ourselves, or get someone to order it for us? And by the way, did you get your lab from an animal shelter or from a breeder?

@kalateevolk Oh, okay. c: We want a gentle kind of dog, but still very protective of her family.

@abbyeggpal Aw, big dogs only live about ten years? :c So small dogs live longer? 😱

Deleted • 28 December 2012 at 10:02 AM

@awesomeness365

Don't get an Ivnis!!!! A whole crew has 2 come in, install horrid wires in ur yard...so do not get 1! Put a dog on a "tieout." You order this form a store, its a heavy-duty rope with a stake on one end and a clip on the other. Push the stake into the grass, clip your dog on and BINGO! Free-range 4 ur dog, but still in seeing-range.

I got Ninja (my former lab) from a breeder.

Or, if ur not ready....

Do a Leader Dog program!

Its kinda heartbreaking, but, you adopt a puppy, (Ninja), train it and give it away 1 yr later. Then, Ninja/the dog is put through a test.

Then, they are paired with a blind person if they pass!

So you are helping someone in need. Its so heartwarming when u see ur dog and their person together on Graduation Day. 😊

hemester • 28 December 2012 at 10:25 AM

@rushingwater

You shouldn't took pup from pupy mills 😱 They usually come with lot of disease which you can't cure and which can be transferred to humans.

Deleted • 28 December 2012 at 10:25 AM

@hemester

IT WAS FROM A PRIVATE BREEDER, QUALIFIED TOO, NOT A PUPPY MILL!!!!!!!! D:<

hemester • 28 December 2012 at 10:26 AM

@rushingwater
I was talking about first post.

Deleted • 28 December 2012 at 10:27 AM

@hemester

WHAT IN THE HECK DO U MEAN???? I DIDNT TAKE MY DOG FROM A PUPPY MILL! 0_o

hemester • 28 December 2012 at 10:30 AM

@rushingwater

No, I think I misunderstood. You said "ADOPT IT" and after that you were talking about puppy mills and how some animal shelters have puppies from puppy mills. I tough you were saying to take those puppies.