Getting a dog, puppy or older dog?

shegirl

delain wrote: »

Grooming should also be considered.. We took in a small poodle (supposedly temoprarily) when I was a child and he had to have regular trims around the bum or he would get very dirty doing his business. He was also extremely randy and used to 'get friendly' with any shoes that were left within reach :eek:

So you will need to consider both those things.

I don't think anything pet wise has made me laugh more than my beagle pinning down and humping my 3 foot snowman on it's rear:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

I_try

Do you have the time and energy for a hyperactive toddler? If not then a puppy is not a good idea. They also have razor sharp teeth to be aware of!!!

Lots of research into the type of breeds that would suit your lifestyle needs to be done before you look for a dog.

Labradors, retreivers and greyhounds make good family dogs and there are breed specific rescues if you google the breed and rescue. A good breeder or rescue centre will ask you lots of questions about your home, family situation and lifestyle before they let you have one of their dogs. If they are not asking you these things you need to be concerned as they have neither your or the the dogs best interests at heart.

mumtomolandroo

Puppies are hard work, much harder than having kids and they cost a small fortune, food, grooming, insurance, toys etc you really need to think very carefully before taking on such a big committment. i'd had a dog before which unfortunately passed away and decided to get a puppy but NOTHING prepared me for just how hard it is, he's 2 now and still takes up a lot of my time, then there are the finances, insurance is £15 a month, he's just been groomed which cost £30, £80 for puppy training classes and he has an appointment next week with the vet for his annual booster, £41, there are worming tablets to buy, flea tablets, the list is never ending so if you have an abundance of time, energy and finances then go for it, if you have any doubts then think a bit longer because once you have a puppy its a lifelong thing, sorry to sound a bit negative but if someone had given me the same advice it would have made me think a bit harder about getting a pup and i may have looked for an older dog or rescue dog instead

Cullumpster

a border terrier is the best ever, soft as sheeiiiitt and lovely with other dogs, loves our cat and rabbit and is our little boys (5) "best friend"

lilymay1

Puppies are seriously hard work, even more so if you are having some emotional difficulties.

I got my now 20 month old mutt (Staffy/Jack Russell X from a rescue home) when she was 8 weeks old, shortly after my daughters death because I needed a distraction. For that reason, she is just as important to me as my 6 month old son but she is still hard work and needs a 5-7mile walk every day.

She has also had several health problems which have cost me somewhere in the region of £5k so far. Some of it covered by insurance, some of it not. Oh, and she has also just been diagnosed with hormone related incontinence and will need lifetime treatment. If only they had a doggy NHS

Please think really carefully about whether you can give as much pleasure to your potential dog as it will give you.

alias*alibi

I'm beginning to think victory is a troll... Posts dramas about her husband walking out and didn't update the thread now it's all happy families and talks about getting a dog?!

Is it just me?

Toothfairy4

No, not just you. For a start she has been a member for long enough to know that there is a dedicated pet forum... i'm sure as that forum doesn't get as many views as this one she would miss all the attention she usually gets here though *rolls eyes*

Cullumpster

[IMG][/img] Clive and margaret x

shegirl

Cullumpster wrote: »

[IMG][/img] Clive and margaret x

Too cute!

Suspiria

Cullumpster wrote: »

[IMG][/img] Clive and margaret x

Awwww....they are so cute together!