I want a Eurasier

[GoingNowhere]

badly...


I joined a facebook group and have been looking at the photos for a week now and probably could have filled up a bathtub with the amount of drooling I've been doing.

I posted to the group and a good 15 or 20 people responded and told me all about their dogs and the dogs sound just amazing, not to mention the people have been hugely generous to answer my questions. A woman in my local area even said that I could meet her dogs sometime - I hope I can take her up on that offer.

But alas, I'm not in a position to get any dog right now. Those of you that are young, how did you decide that it was the right time to get a dog? I KNOW that now is not the time, but I'll be graduating soon and I don't see myself waiting until I'm all settled in a house of my own (because goodness knows how many years that will be from now). But then life still seems so up in the air right now and I don't see that changing soon.

Also, how do you take the leap to make the shift from rescue to breeder? I've only ever rescued - I have nothing against good breeders, but I don't know that I'll find the gumption to put aside my "save a dog" mentality and get a breed that I LOVE but (almost) never shows up in rescue. I also know that it'll be a struggle to hand over $1,500 if that day ever comes when I know that I could walk into a shelter and leave with a new best friend for $25. [no need to educate me on the whole "proactive" vs "retroactive" spending thing with regard to buying a dog whose parents are health tested... I get it, it's easy to rationalize, but still hard to accept].

But, but, but, I WANT A EURASIER NOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW!

(photo taken from google)

 

[Slick]

But alas, I'm not in a position to get any dog right now. Those of you that are young, how did you decide that it was the right time to get a dog? I KNOW that now is not the time, but I'll be graduating soon and I don't see myself waiting until I'm all settled in a house of my own (because goodness knows how many years that will be from now). But then life still seems so up in the air right now and I don't see that changing soon.

I got Leo my last year of grad school/first year of working. The deciding factor for me was that this year for the first time I have roommates who really love dogs and are willing to hang out with Leo and take care of him when I am out of town. If I had my current living situation a few years ago, I totally would have gotten a dog earlier.

Yes, I work long hours (generally out of the house from 7-4) but because my housemates are around at different times from me and they actually take him out and play with him, he doesn't have to be cooped up all day. Next year, we are moving to a duplex, so we will have a backyard and it will be even better.

So yeah, for me, it was definitely the support system. Even though I do 90-95% of everything with Leo, I have people to fall back on if I need help.
In my opinion, owning a dog in college is totally doable. In fact, I almost think it is easier, because you take classes at various times and therefore aren't out of the house for one long block of time (or at least I never was).

It also depends on the area you live in though. In my town, there is a pretty decent amount of dog friendly apartments, so I would always have somewhere to fall back on if a housing situation fell through. I did have to search for a long time to find the dog-friendly duplex, but there is always that backup plan.

 

[Airn]

Uh.. I'm not helpful. I've always wanted a dog. So when I moved out, I got a dog :lol-sign:

But Gwen was from a shelter and not a 'puppy'. I would not get a puppy now and I'm glad I didn't end up with one when we were looking for a dog. I'm pretty determined when I want something. I wanted a dog so the SO grudgingly went to the shelter with me and picked out Gwen.

I think we could have waited and prepared more, but I don't' think there's really a 'right' time.

The money issue I totally get. SO still can't wrap his head around the idea of spending hundreds, let alone a thousand on a DOG. I've explained it to him and he kind of 'gets' it but not enough to fork over the money.

I will say moving with a dog, especially one over...20lbs is really difficult in my area. I'm not sure about your area but generally it is hard to find decent housing with a medium+ size dog.


Barring crazy circumstances and financial issues... I would get a dog!

 

[Grab]

I'm not helpful. I got my first "own" dog at 14 and then got my first dog from a breeder at 18. (still had my first dog, of course, lol)

 

[ruffiangirl]

Uh ya I moved out I got a puppy lol, it ultimately broke up my relationship (among other things, but he blamed the puppy) and I knew I couldn't stay with someone who never wanted dogs...had her for another 16 years. I was making like 8 bucks an hour and paid 1200 for her...still not of much help lol.


Ps...get a puppy

 

[*blackrose]

I'm not helpful, either. I bought Abrams with my graduation money when I was broke, on my own, living in a two room apartment, and knew a huge lifestyle change was in my future. It worked out perfectly.

But for me, anyway, I just go with my gut. I recently had an opportunity to adopt an American Bulldog puppy and was SO CLOSE to getting her...but my gut kept screaming "now is not the time". So I didn't get her. When it feels right...I just go with it. If it doesn't feel right, I reevaluate.

 

[krissy]

I got Summit in my fifth year of University. I got an older, low energy breed but I did have classmates who got puppies. The money issue was less of a factor since I got a discount at school and we had a food program. Deciding to get Kili... I knew I wanted a second and felt like we were okay to do it financially (again, being a vet makes the bills easier... so did having insurance because Kili ended up being a nearly 10 thousand dollar puppy).

 

[Toller_08]

I bought Dance as I was nearing 17 and Journey after just turning 22. Sometimes I think life would have been easier if I had waited, as when I do think of returning to school, I think about the dogs and how I don't know how I would afford living with them on my own (and finding a place that would allow them) if I moved out of province to go to school. But my life would also completely suck without them. Dog hobbies are what I do outside of work and for fun. They are my outlet. If i didn't have them, I wouldn't have the friends that I have and I wouldn't know what to do with myself. I am one of those people that needs a dog in their life, so for me, buying my two dogs young has been more than worth it. And if I one day decide to go to school out of province, I will find a way to do so with them in tow.

As for rescue vs. breeder, I have done both, but I can't really help with your question unfortunately. I love the idea of adopting a dog, but I haven't had the most pleasant rescue experiences and vastly prefer buying from a great breeder myself. Even with the price tag, which is not ideal, but worth it to me.

 

[GoingNowhere]

You all are no help! I so wish I didn't deliberate so much over things. It's probably good that I'm doing it right now - but I'm hoping that it starts to settle as I enter into a position where I really could get a dog and make it work. The issue is, that if my past history suggests anything, I will continue to deliberate until the day the dog comes home. Can someone just place a eurasier puppy on my doorstep? Then I'd have to keep it.

(I'd also take a greyhound... or a bernese mountain dog... or an english shepherd... or a newfie... or a spinone italiano... just for reference.)

 

[JacksonsMom]

I bought Dance as I was nearing 17 and Journey after just turning 22. Sometimes I think life would have been easier if I had waited, as when I do think of returning to school, I think about the dogs and how I don't know how I would afford living with them on my own (and finding a place that would allow them) if I moved out of province to go to school. But my life would also completely suck without them. Dog hobbies are what I do outside of work and for fun. They are my outlet. If i didn't have them, I wouldn't have the friends that I have and I wouldn't know what to do with myself. I am one of those people that needs a dog in their life, so for me, buying my two dogs young has been more than worth it. And if I one day decide to go to school out of province, I will find a way to do so with them in tow.

As for rescue vs. breeder, I have done both, but I can't really help with your question unfortunately. I love the idea of adopting a dog, but I haven't had the most pleasant rescue experiences and vastly prefer buying from a great breeder myself. Even with the price tag, which is not ideal, but worth it to me.

This. I think of stuff like this and I only have one dog.

I got Jackson when I was 18, now am 23, and it wasn't really thought out at ALL - overall, yes, there are a lot of things that I probably miss out on because I have him ... but it's by choice, really, I love him so much and we're so close, and so many of my hobbies and interests have changed because of him and so much of my world revolves around him that I can't even imagine him not being here.

I kind of wish sometimes I could just go back to being naive and just... go get a 2nd dog, but since I now know what I like in a dog, and I know my limits and I know my life is so up in the air right now, that I worry so much about adding a 2nd and screwing things up. Which is why Jackson is 5 1/2 and I still only have him

But basically, it was overall probably a stupid idea to get a dog when I was 18, fresh out of high school, first semester at community college, but he has improved my life so much. Most of my friends went away to school and he gave me something to "do" and have a new responsibility and I met so many good people through him and he's my little dude. I never knew I could love a dog so much. So even though 'on paper' I probably looked like I'd be a horrible dog owner..... 18, living at home, community college, no idea where or what I was going to be doing in life, it's been nice to be able to share it with Jackson, and he will be a part of me no matter what I do or what I'm going through. He will be there through all of my life's changes WITH me.

And honestly, I have gotten to spend so much time with him and put so much energy and effort into him because I am young, and I don't work full-time yet, and raising a puppy is easier when you've got the time and energy that's for sure! lol.. so in a lot of ways, being young can be the best time to add a dog if you're up for it and responsible enough (which clearly you are). I mean really... your life can change at any point in your life. I've met enough unstable 40-some year olds to know that life can change in an instant... so if you wait around forever waiting for the "right" time, it'll never happen...

 

[JacksonsMom]

I'm not helpful, either. I bought Abrams with my graduation money when I was broke, on my own, living in a two room apartment, and knew a huge lifestyle change was in my future. It worked out perfectly.

But for me, anyway, I just go with my gut. I recently had an opportunity to adopt an American Bulldog puppy and was SO CLOSE to getting her...but my gut kept screaming "now is not the time". So I didn't get her. When it feels right...I just go with it. If it doesn't feel right, I reevaluate.

This too - I literally had like $400 to my name when I got Jackson. I paid $550 for him :rofl1: and asked my grandpa for the extra money as a Christmas present. Talk about stupid. But, hey, it just worked itself out.

 

[*blackrose]

This too - I literally had like $400 to my name when I got Jackson. I paid $550 for him :rofl1: and asked my grandpa for the extra money as a Christmas present. Talk about stupid. But, hey, it just worked itself out.

Abrams was $1,000...and that was more than I had in my checking and savings combined. LOL But, he was a purchase that I didn't want to skimp on and I didn't feel at all guilty buying him. Still don't.

 

[sassafras]

Yea pretty much after moving out of my parents' house, as soon as I lived somewhere I could have a dog I had a dog.

 

[Equinox]

I'm no help, I got Trent when I was 15 years old, the moment that I had permission to bring a dog into the household. I definitely knew that there would be a lot of complications once I went into college, but honestly my #1 priority was just to get a dog. I told myself that I'd cross those bridges when I got there, and in my case it ended up being okay. I did know I'd have options, of course. Was it the best time to get a dog? Nope. But was it a decision I'm glad I made? Yes, absolutely, and without a doubt. In high school I did have the time to take care of a dog, though admittedly underestimated how much work it would be to do it right.

When my dog had to stay with my parents for my first few years of college, it was difficult for me. Even recently, I had a few things going on that meant me asking my mother to watch Trent for me for a few weeks (moving and several instances of me getting very sick on top of everything else). I've realized that I am not happy without a dog and nothing can really take place of having a dog in my life. So yeah, I'm definitely glad I decided to get one all those years ago.

Now, I'm in a pretty similar situation as you. I'll also be graduating soon (well, in a year), and am hoping to go to grad school. That might mean me moving all the way across the country, depending on where I get into. But I know I'll always be able to make time for my dog(s), and dogs handle moves just fine. Or, I might take a year off to work or find an internship. Some big uncertainties at this point, so yeah, I have to think that all out and figure out how I want to plan it. It's not going to be the best timing, but like you I also have a potential puppy that I'd really like. If I think things through and feel like I can make it work, it's going to be a possibility.

Because yeah, I'm not going to wait until I'm all settled down in a house of my own and two kids LOL

I know my life is so up in the air right now, that I worry so much about adding a 2nd and screwing things up. Which is why Jackson is 5 1/2 and I still only have him

Yep, this is definitely me. Right down to having a 5-ish year old dog.

 

[Oko]

Well, I basically went with the well informed, well thought out 'as soon as I'm allowed to get a dog, I'm getting one.' method. No really, I did put thought into it. I raised the money to pay for Feist and to cover her food/vet care/whatever else she needs, I researched carefully and talked to breeders for over a year and a half before I even got her, went out and met a bunch of border collies at a sheepdog trial, etc.

Basically, I really wanted a dog and I know there are going to be things I'll 'miss out on' because I got a dog when I was seventeen, but I can't imagine regretting Feist. I'm kind of a dork that enjoys spending a lot of time alone with my dog, I don't think I'm going to miss partying it down on the college scene. I am so much happier in general since I got her, and whatever problems I'll have to deal with, I'll deal with them. So, my life is pretty much completely up in the air and crazy, and I made the decision to get her anyway. Ask me in five years how good of an idea that was.

 

[Elrohwen]

I completely thought through the dog thing and waited until I was out of college for 6 years before getting Watson. I spent the first few years after school traveling for work a couple times a month, and DH wasn't willing to take on all of that responsibility by himself while I was gone. Once I left that job I was unemployed for a bit, and we were still living in no pet housing (though the landlord did agree to bunnies). As soon as we moved into our house I started looking for a puppy and brought one home about a year later (my breed is rare and it's not always easy to find puppies). What can I say, I'm a planner by nature! I'm not one to do things impulsively and I wanted to be in the absolute best position when I got my pup. My husband is also a planner and wouldn't have appreciated if I just came home with a dog. My family dogs passed away while I was in college, so I always had dogs growing up and got to see them on breaks in college. I would have been much more antsy about getting a dog of my own if I didn't have family dogs around.

As far as breeder vs rescue, I can't really help you there. The cost of a dog from a breeder is such a drop in the bucket compared to caring for the dog over its lifetime. And since I'm a planner, I want some idea of what my puppy will grow into. I wouldn't be opposed to an older rescue, but for a puppy I'm more comfortable with a good breeder.

 

[Tortilla]

I'm no help either.

Well, I basically went with the well informed, well thought out 'as soon as I'm allowed to get a dog, I'm getting one.' method. No really, I did put thought into it. I raised the money to pay for Feist and to cover her food/vet care/whatever else she needs, I researched carefully and talked to breeders for over a year and a half before I even got her, went out and met a bunch of border collies at a sheepdog trial, etc.

This essentially, except replace sheepdog trial with agility trial.

I got Paris in the second half of my final semester of university .. and I pretty much planned for her during my entire undergrad. I joke that she's my graduation present to myself, but there was obviously a lot more to it than that! It only really sucked during my final hell week (studying for finals for credits that I NEED to graduate with a crazy eight week old puppy jumping on me ), but once I powered through that it ended up being the best timing ever. I got all of the crazy partying and studying abroad and backpacking through Europe stuff out of the way, and now I have a lot more time to spend with Paris which is awesome. She makes me so happy.

I got Seamus when I was fifteen and, though he's mine, he's sort of a family effort. Paris is my first breeder dog that is all my effort and responsibility and stuff.

 

[k9krazee]

I got "my" dog Jack my junior or senior year of high school....and then moved away for college. Totally wrong timing and as much as I love him, it probably wasn't fair. He has a good life with my parents but he's always been MY dog. He gets SO HAPPY to see me, and is devastated every time I leave. After 8 years of me coming & going he's finally getting better about it. I always planned to take him when I was ready for a dog--and I tried but it didn't work out. He doesn't do well with change and even though he was finally with me, he wasn't happy. So he's with my parents and I'm constantly told by them and extended family how awful I am for replacing Jack with Crossbone, blah blah blah.

I waited to get Crossbone until I had a career, husband & house...which I am happy for. Even though it was painful going 8 years without a dog.

 

[GoingNowhere]

I just wanted to say thanks for all of the comments, everyone! It has been interesting to read when everyone got their first dogs.

 

[SoCrafty]

The first thing I did when moved out in my early 20's was get a dog. It was a disaster. I was not ready financially, and I was in a REALLY bad/negative relationship. I feel like if I had been afforded the opportunity to have one as a kid, I probably would not have made the decision to get one when I wasn't ready. I was naive, I had already waited my entire childhood and I was NOT going to wait one second longer. In the end, I left the person I was in a relationship with and the dog found a new home. I miss her more and more as the years go by.

I grew up, learned about myself, learned how to manage money and became financially stable. I still don't have a dog. Now we are waiting until after the wedding, and I think even then we will wait a while so we get used to living together. It feels like I will always be waiting.

BUT my advice is wait. Wait until you have the space, and the money. Yeah, it feels like you will wait forever, but I am SURE that the result of waiting will be worth it.