Wanting a dog....

[Ajay]

well, i'm 14 now and through out pretty much my entire life I have always wanted a dog. I'm a very responcible person but have never been allowed one. I've asked year in and out and still have never been delighted with the words "maybe" or "Yes you can" . I have however do and have had other pets, and took full responcibily and cared for them. I know a dog is a huge responcibilty and isn't something you can just get without thinking things through, but I have. But anyway. The main reason why I can't get one is beacsue we have a cat, a Chinchilla Persian. So they think he would either be afraid of it or fight it, he probably would be to start with but wouldn't he eventually get used to the dog? If anyone has a Persian cat you would know there not normal. But anyway whats made this all change or is making me think I might have be able to get one now is because, a while ago my dad went for this card reading thing, Taroh cards, so it told the future about the family and some stuff of what was already going on, it was really amazing like you didn't tell her anything and she came up with everything all making sense, but anyway she said about me really wanting a dog and that I would benefit so much from having one, so I thought well yeah I know I want one. But now this has brought the subject up about having a dog again.

Could someone tell me some good breeds of dogs that would tolerate a cat. the cat's really friendly. I need a small breed of dog, images would be helpful. No bigger than say a Yorkshire Terrier and smaller would be even better.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

First you need to think about what breed would really fit you best. Think about your lifestyle.
Do you have time to housetrain a dog?
Do you have time to teach a dog it's basic commands?
How long are you gone each day?
Why do you REALLY want a dog?
Do you want a good guard dog?
Do you want a dog that is good with kids?
Do you have at least ten minutes to groom a dog each day?
How much time can you spend exercising a dog each day?
How much time can you spend playing with a dog each day?
How much money can you spend on food each month?
How much money can you spend on vet bills each year?

Yorkies are pretty small...you might want something a little sturdier that can handle itself around your cat.

 

[Richie12345]

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

That test is pretty good....but try to meet some of the breeds it comes up with and that you're interested in, to make sure the breed is right for you.

Why don't you go to www.petfinder.com and search for dogs in your area? You could find a few dogs that interest you and then meet them to see what they're really like

 

[yoko]

doesn't always have to be a purebreed your local shelter might have a nice small mix that fits everything you want in a dog. but first think of these things:

1.) you are 14 and are in school. do you do anything outside of school that would make you be away from your dog even longer?
2.) dogs live a long time. what's going to happen to do your dog when you go to college?
3.) when your dog gets sick/injured will you be able to take her/him to the vet and pay for it?

and reguarding the dog. like said in a pervious post. a yorkie is an EXTREMELY small dog. if i were you i'd stick to small dogs, but i would get something a bit bigger. they can get hurt easily. and anything smaller, you'd have to be even more careful. my grandfather had a small yorkie dog and it died when i jumped off of their couch. it landed wrong and broke its neck. if i were you, at your age, i'd get a bigger dog that would be able to handle your lifestyle.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

Yorkshires weigh around four pounds if I'm remembering correctly...I think you should get something that weighs at least around ten. You want something that's sturdy and won't fall over easily, LOL.

2.) dogs live a long time. what's going to happen to do your dog when you go to college?

Good question!! Dogs tend to live a while, especially small breeds. My Aunt's yorkie/poodle mix lived into his twenties.

 

[Ajay]

Thanks for all the replys, I've thought about the cost of insurance and vet bills, also about going to college or even uni.My family are great animal lovers and wouldn't mind taking care of the dog, while I might be at uni. I don't know about the USA but in the U.K you come home after everyday at college at about 4:00 depending on what classes you take, so that really isn't a problem. There's a park just around the corner and also a green up the road. If we were to go on holiday relatives would be more than happy to take care of it.

Do you have time to housetrain a dog? 6 hours everyday and at weekends

Do you have time to teach a dog it's basic commands? Like sit etc, I guess but I didn't know they were really needed.

How long are you gone each day? 6 hours, but my mum goes to work at 11:30 and comes back at 3:00

Why do you REALLY want a dog? I want to have a dog because I want a companion with me, an animal that I can enjoy company with and have fun with, as well as having the satisfaction and care of taking care of something that respects you and that you love.

Do you want a good guard dog? No

Do you want a dog that is good with kids? Not needed

Do you have at least ten minutes to groom a dog each day? More than that

How much time can you spend exercising a dog each day? 2 hours at least

How much time can you spend playing with a dog each day? 2 hours a day at least

How much money can you spend on food each month? 10 pounds which is like $20

How much money can you spend on vet bills each year? That's not up to me, a big reason why I can't. I have ways of income, also if insurance is like 20 pounds a month I could probably afford that as long as it covered all kinda of injury and illness, operations etc can cost more than 1000 pounds, I know that, Insurance.

 

[JRT4ME]

Any pup that is brought up with a cat, should be ok. My Jack Russell(high prey drive) was brought up with a rabbit, and she is harmless, they cuddle sometimes. I would advise going to a shelter, they are the best ones out there, and have so much to offer! Good luck...

 

[Ajay]

Thanks

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

Do you have time to teach a dog it's basic commands? Like sit etc, I guess but I didn't know they were really needed.

Basic commands are VERY important. They could save your dog's life.

 

[Fran27]

I agree about basic commands. It really doesn't take that long to teach though, in my opinion.

My favorite breed selector is http://www.k9country.com/perl/dogBreed.pl. I also advice to look in shelters first though, and otherwise to make sure you get your dog from a GOOD breeder.

I don't have too long or I would make a longer post, but if you have questions, ask, people will gladly help.

 

[BigDog2191]

It sounds like you're set to me.

And btw, you don't need a small dog for it to get along with a cat. Any dog- if you're getting a puppy, that is raised with a cat- it WILL get along with it. Regardless of breed or size, they'll see it as part of their pack.

 

[Zoom]

Let's put it this way: What do you think of when you think of the dog you want? Is it hyper? Calm? Obedient? Free-spirited? Do you care about dog hair all over the place?

 

[Ajay]

Yeah, my mum would deffinatley care about the dog fur. I wouldn't want a dog that was too energetic. But it would be fun to take it to the park everyday.

I've been trying my entire life to get a dog. The main reason why I can't is beacuse of the cat. Could someone find some information like proof that a cat can get used to and get along with a dog, but I'm sure she already knows that... If you wern't to get a dog as a puupy like a young aged dog but fully grown would the cat get used to it then?

 

[Sirius]

About the university; your dog will know you for awhile. The dog will probably miss you! As you get older you will want to spend less and less time with the dog and more and more time with your friends. This happned to me. "Mom, I swear, I will take care of the dog and, I will do everything"! So, my mom's boss's boxer was having puppies, and she brought one home for me. When I hit 16, I forgot all about Tessa. Trust me, you really shouldn't get one unless your parents are willing to pick up the slack if you need to go somewhere or do something.
Also, let's say someone asks you to come over. Call your mom/dad, "No, sorry, you need to walk the dog".
Think about it.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

Trust me, sometimes you really just don't feel like walking the dog, lol. Sometimes it'll be cold out and you're tired and you really just don't want to walk the dog. Sometimes it's just really boring.

 

[oc_spirit]

It sounds like a toy poodle would be right for you...small, minimal shedding, high activity level, good endurance sociable, easy to train, good with kids, low prey drive, compatible with other animals.

 

[Fran27]

Trust me, sometimes you really just don't feel like walking the dog, lol. Sometimes it'll be cold out and you're tired and you really just don't want to walk the dog. Sometimes it's just really boring.

Soooo true. I'm so glad i have a fenced yard.

 

[Ajay]

Yeah, I have a green just up the road, which is like a big area with trees big enough to play fetch on, about the uni thing, I might not even go to uni and even if I do people are only at uni for 10 weeks at a time and if nots far away you can come home everyday, or maybe come home once a week. So It would take me a minute to get to the green, and there's a park near. It's perfect really. The green's circular. The whole roads kinda one big colde sac. There's a neighbour opposite who has 2 German Shepards.

 

[Dizzy]

Hiya Ajay

I am in the UK aswell, so maybe a little advice from our side of the water!

I always wanted a dog. Like always always always obsessed little bunny! Worked in Kennels, went to puppy classes and all sorts. Had a family dog, but not one of my own.

I am 24 now, and only just getting a dog now. And, I feel I am ready now more than I ever was when I was younger. I realise there is a lot more too it now than I did then (although, I would have probably told you otherwise if you had told me that!).

I think getting a dog would be great, BUT! ONLY if the rest of the family are prepared to view it as their dog aswell. You can take responsiblity and walk/feed/love/groom it and all that, but it must be everyones dog.

As I got older, I still loved dogs and wanted one, but I left home, went to Uni and all that, and I tell you, you won't want ANY responsibility when you first leave home!! Nights out, parties away etc etc!

And as you get older there will be other interests for you to explore, and if it is a FAMILY dog it will get all the love and attention it needs when you have other things to do, and you won't have SOLE responsibilty for it, but all the pleasure!

Plus, mum and co can help with costs, I think at 14 you should spend your money on all the other stuff you probably want!

If you do get one, check out your local council dog pound. Strays and unwanted dogs are up for rehoming after a week if they are not claimed. You need 2 forms of ID and £40, and you can take one away. I think it is the only place they will be put down if they don't find a home aswell Only think is, you may not know what kind of problems a dog may have from there unlike RSPCA or something.

I hope that is helpful to you, just my opinion, so feel free to do as you please anyway!