Results 1 to 15 of 16

Thread: Chosing the right breed (help??)

Hybrid View

  1. #1

    Chosing the right breed (help??)

    One of my friend's sister (I don't want to name her, so we'll call her Jane here) has recently moved into her own house and wants to add a dog to the family. The problem is, she's a very superficial person who chooses a dog because she thinks it's cute, and has done no actual research on any dog breeds. She recently saw a Weimaraner puppy and has now decided she wants one because she loves it's color and thinks it has a cute face. However, I know these are very active dogs who need a lot of attention and lots of training. Jane is the sort of person who wants an affectionate dog that she can cuddle, look after and pamper, but she has no interest whatsoever in training it. She also is quite active, but she and her boyfriend have jobs, so she says there might be days where she can't walk her dog. She is planning on having kids in the next few years.
    I know that Weimaraners can be great family dogs, with the right amount of exercise and appropriate training. But an untrained, under-stimulated, under-exercised Weimaraner... wouldn't that be a danger to her kids (and her house and possessions)?

    Personally I don't know why she's even getting a dog if she's not prepared to attend to it's needs, but she's stubborn, and I can't change her mind, neither can anyone. However she is open to a different breed choice, if we can give her valid arguments. The problem with Jane is that she is very superficial, as I said. She loves pretty things, so she wants a purebred puppy. Therefore no shelter dogs (even though I've told her that a shelter is a great place for adopting). No, for her it has to be a puppy. (She's a bit like an adult version of the child who sees a barbie in a shop window and immediately she HAS to have it).

    This is going to seem really weird, but I'll write down a list of criteria that are important for her in choosing a breed:
    1) She doesn't like small dogs, so medium to large in size.
    2) She doesn't like dogs that bark excessively.
    3) She's not interested in doing any training, so she's looking for a breed that's naturally pretty mild-mannered and not too rambunctious.
    4) She likes elegant dogs (superficial, as I said), like the Weimaraner, so any sort of breed that's sleek and graceful.
    5) She doesn't like longhaired dogs.
    6) She needs a breed that doesn't need a lot of exercise, up to an hour a day.
    7) She has two cats.
    8) She and her boyfriend both work, so she needs a breed that isn't too prone to separation anxiety.
    9) She has a collection of expensive shoes and designer stuff so she wants a dog that won't become too destructive.

    That's about it. Any suggestions are welcome. Obviously no dog is perfect, but can you think of a breed that would do well with a person like this? I'm trying to get her interested in training, but a part from sit and down, she doesn't really care. I'm really annoyed at her, because she does not understand the commitment of owning a dog, she just wants a cute dog. I don't think she should own a dog, but since we can't change her mind, we might as well try and find a breed that's better suited to her, for her own sake, but especially for the dog's!

    My friend owns a Belgian Tervueren and I have a Golden, both are very well trained and happy, so hopefully she might change her mind about training one day thanks to them

    Thank you to everyone who answers!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Windham, Vermont, USA
    Posts
    40,827
    Wow, what a conundrum! If she's not interested in training, and has expensive stuff she does not want destroyed, she really should NOT get a puppy. Is there any way you can talk her into getting a at least partially grown (already housebroken and past the teething state) dog?
    I've Been Frosted

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Methuen, MA; USA
    Posts
    17,105
    There are breed selectors online, I usually suggest folks do several of those. Then, the breed which comes up the most often is more likely to be a good fit for the family and life style.

    You can Google: dog breed selector to find them.

    Does she know about potty training? Maybe if you discuss some of the work involved with the puppy stage - very like having a baby - that may break through to her about the work involved. NO breed comes already house trained, she is going to be coping with lots of pee and poop.

    Definitely steer her away from the bichon, (if she somehow learns about that breed), as they are notorious for being difficult to house train and often take 12 months of serious dedication for them to 'get' it. They are just very busy dogs and house training does not even make their 'to do list.'

    Would you feel comfortable letting your dog stay with her for a weekend or for 24 hours? So she could learn how often she has to let the dog out, let the dog in, feed the dog, exercise the dog? Do NOT put your dog at risk (I know I few people I would never trust with one of my dogs!).

    Could this be a passing fad and in a few weeks she will move on to another novel must have? I sure hope so, from what you have written!
    .

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2011
    Location
    Indiana
    Posts
    412
    Wow what a mess! I definitely like the idea of letting her have your dog for a while so she can see how much work they are, provided it won't be in any danger (as Freedom said...). Good luck!
    Owned by my baby and heart-dog Lolli.

    If each pet we love takes a part of our heart and replaces it with a part of theirs, my heart is a very strange collection of pieces, but I wouldn't have it any other way


    Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go, and then do it. --Ann Landers

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Delaware, USA - The First State/Diamond State - home of The Blue Hens
    Posts
    9,321
    It doesn't matter what breed that she gets, because from what I've read of her, it's likely she would end up dumping the dog in a shelter in a relatively short period of time. Reasons: doesn't have the time or patience, costs to much to maintain (food, vet, toys, and various never ending needed supplies), pees on things, poops on things, chews things up, won't listen and behave, barking is annoying - and those "reasons" are the tip of the iceberg.

    This person DOES NOT need a dog in her life at this point. Maybe someday when she grows up and becomes more responsible, she MIGHT be ready.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Wolfy ~ Fuzzbutt #3
    My little dog ~ a heartbeat at my feet

    Sparky the Fuzzbutt - PT's DOTD 8/3/2010
    RIP 2/28/1999~10/9/2012
    Myndi the Fuzzbutt - Mom's DOTD - Everyday
    RIP 1/24/1996~8/9/2013
    Ellie - Mom to the Fuzzbuttz

    To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.
    Ecclesiastes 3:1
    The clock of life is wound but once and no man has the power
    To know just when the hands will stop - on what day, or what hour.
    Now is the only time you have, so live it with a will -
    Don't wait until tomorrow - the hands may then be still.
    ~~~~true author unknown~~~~

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2000
    Location
    Windham, Vermont, USA
    Posts
    40,827
    I reread her inital requirements, and each items on the list knocked any potential breed off as a good choice. Get her a stuffed animal in the shape of a dog. That's the only thing that will meet her "requirements," frankly! Any medium to large size dog will need training, and exercise. She's planning on kids in a few years, and whatever dog she gets now is going get less attention and exercise then, and end up in a shelter.
    I've Been Frosted

  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Freedom View Post
    There are breed selectors online, I usually suggest folks do several of those. Then, the breed which comes up the most often is more likely to be a good fit for the family and life style.

    You can Google: dog breed selector to find them.

    Does she know about potty training? Maybe if you discuss some of the work involved with the puppy stage - very like having a baby - that may break through to her about the work involved. NO breed comes already house trained, she is going to be coping with lots of pee and poop.

    Definitely steer her away from the bichon, (if she somehow learns about that breed), as they are notorious for being difficult to house train and often take 12 months of serious dedication for them to 'get' it. They are just very busy dogs and house training does not even make their 'to do list.'

    Would you feel comfortable letting your dog stay with her for a weekend or for 24 hours? So she could learn how often she has to let the dog out, let the dog in, feed the dog, exercise the dog? Do NOT put your dog at risk (I know I few people I would never trust with one of my dogs!).

    Could this be a passing fad and in a few weeks she will move on to another novel must have? I sure hope so, from what you have written!
    Thanks for your help I think I seem to have painted a really evil picture of 'jane' in my initial post. She does know about house training a dog, and she is ok with doing that, as well as teaching her puppy not to chew things. By training, I mean, she is not interested in teaching her dog all the other stuff like not jumping up, loose lead walking and all the other good manners. She sort of "expects" her dog to do it naturally, which of course no dog does, but which is why she would be better with a pretty mild-mannered dog in the first place. The thing is, she really does care about animals, so I would trust her with my dog for a week-end (no more than that, as my dog is used to at least three hour-long walks every day). She also looks after her sister's Tervueren shepherd when she's not there, and is very good with feeding her, playing with her, and walking her. She also has two cats, and she dotes on them, they're very well looked-after. She just wouldn't do well with a dog that needs tons of exercise and attention. She could do well with a dog that's quite cat-like in personnality. For the moment she's still stuck on her Weimaraner idea, but from what I've heard of them (please correct me if I'm wrong, I've never owned one), they're quite a demanding breed and not the best dog for a novice owner.

    I tried some of the breed selector websites, and I kept coming up with greyhounds and whippets, would they be a good pick for her? (It's definitely not a passing fad, both her and her boyfriend are intent on getting a puppy, I just hope they can find a breed that's better suited to them.)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    Methuen, MA; USA
    Posts
    17,105
    I wanted to have HER do the breed selectors. Several of them. As she reads (and re reads) the questions, over and over, it may make an impact on her. It will give HER some info, even if only subconsciously.

    And frankly, if YOU do the breed selector and tell her get X breed, she gets one and it doesn't work, then it is 'your' fault. Make HER do the up front work and the choice, as well. Nicely, of course! Sit with her as she works through them if you wish, but try to keep your boundaries in place, so she can't 'blame' you if things do not work out.

    She has to take on responsibility from the start, right from the decision making to get a dog, which breed, and such. You've looked at the selectors now, so you've seen the sort of things they get in to. (Probably you were aware of most of it anyhow: coat maintenance, exercise, lifestyle and so on).

    Also perhaps have a frank discussion with her as to how she will manage the first year - the puppy stage - while she is at work. Draw her out, how will the dog be occupied, how will she give the pup exercise when she gets home from work tired and (in winter) it is already dark out.
    .

  9. #9
    How about a pretty plush stuffed dog? They are well behaved and come in all colors. Some are even remote controlled. Seriously, I don't think there is a right dog for her unless she is willing to hire someone to do all that doggy stuff for her.

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

Copyright © 2001-2013 Pet of the Day.com