Breeds...

[DogLover9501]

Does anyone know any websites that tell you alot about each breed of dog?? I have always thought that a boxer fits my lifestyle but we cant afford a boxer!
So if you know any good sites to find out personalitys of breeds please let me know, thanks!

[DogLover9501]

Also what could really help, is everyone tell me what kind of dogs you have and what they are like Thanks!!

[wolfsoul]

This is a great site! It tells you about some of the most common breeds, very rare breeds, and even some mutts. It also has a breed selector here. Every time I take this particular selector it always tells me to get a ainu dog.

My favourite breeds are the catahoula leopard dog and the German shepherd dog. However, I don't know if they'd be right for you. They both have alot of energy (mainly the cata) and they both need to be physically and mentally stimulated day in and day out. You can find their pictures and descriptions of the site I gave you.

[DogLover9501]

Thanks so much! I will check that out right now

[GoldenRetrLuver]

I have a Golden Retriever and a Collie. Both great dogs.
Daisy (golden retriever) is a big snuggle bunny, and loves everybody. Molly is more on the timid side, and is a goof nut. She always makes me laugh.

One thing though...If you can't afford a boxer as just the DOG portion, can you afford vet bills, food, grooming? A dog is a big responsibility and costs a good amount of money.

[DogLover9501]

Yeah I could of afforded it, but we had to pay over $2,000 this month for house and 2 vans insurance and plus x-mas comming up, and we have 2 other dogs also, that are shih-tzus, but I like big dogs better! Plus we had to get the boxer shipped It was really sad because we were even talking about what times would be better to pick him up and he had a name and I saw him on the webcam and I already loved him *sobs*

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by GoldenRetrLuver
One thing though...If you can't afford a boxer as just the DOG portion, can you afford vet bills, food, grooming? A dog is a big responsibility and costs a good amount of money.

I have to agree. The reason breeders make their dogs so much money is because they want to be sure that the owner will be able to pay in the future.

Just some rough estimates:

Vet check - $25-40, Collar - $5-20, leash - $10-50, Bowls - $10-20, Toys - $20-60, food $10-60, brush - $8-50, kennel - $50-200, obedience classes $100-1000, grooming - $30-40, treats - $5-10, doggy bed - $30-100, flea/tick control - $15-30, id tag - $8-15, carrier - $50-100, dog house - $50-100, microchip - $20-30...

..And much much more. Think about how much you'd have to pay for some of these a month. It's alot more than the first payment. Of course these are only estimates and they can change depending on what breed and what you'd bother buying for the dog.

[binka_nugget]

Dogbreedinfo is a GREAT site! When I take the breed selector test, the majority of my list are herding dogs.

I can understand about the dog costing too much. For instance, we are able to pay for dog bills and such but if Kai cost 2000 up front, we may not have been able to pay for the first month (or at least, we'd struggle a bit). If you truly want this breed, save up. Just wait and maybe while you're saving, you find a better breed for your lifestyle.

There are shelters you could go to and still find the perfect dog. Mutts are great but if you're fixed on a boxer, you can also try local boxer rescues.

The list of prices Wolfsoul listed are pretty accurate. Here's what we paid this month alone:
Vet:40
Neutering:100
Toys:10
Food:50
Obedience class:110
Treats:20
Flea control:40
Total:270
That's just this month alone. I didn't even include the crate, leash, collars and id tags.

[DogLover9501]

I know all the expenses, and I started babysitting 4 kids by myself to get my boxer and then my mom says that Im getting a valley bulldog, she says they are exactly like boxers except calmer and not as tall, I already had my boxer, he was planned to be shipped here on halloween, I only agreed to look at the valley bulls because they are like $500-550 cheaper

[wolfsoul]

Originally posted by binka_nugget
Neutering:100

I can't believe I forgot to add neutering. LOL.

A great place to get cheap pet supplies are dollar stores -- you might be thinking, ooh cheap supplies that will fall apart the minute I unwrap it, but it's true that dollar stores have great stuff. The one across the road from me had sooo many huge rawhide bones for only $1.50 each, loooong chains for only $2.00 each, nice collars for only $2.00 each (I got Sara's there about five years ago -- she still wears it), and tons of dog treats. I buy the rats' dog treats there, as they are healthy and tasty. There are bowls there, and leashes. Lots of stuff.

[DogLover9501]

yeah! I used to buy my black labs stuff there, Id buy him something from there every week, either a toy or a treat or something, Im really confused, my mom thinks the Valley Bulldogs are better for us because its more calm and all that, but I only agreed to one because they are cheaper to buy, but everyone says that they arent a real breed and that they are "muts" with a fancy name, Im really confused, and I still want my boxer...I cant even talk to my mom about it right now because shes really grumpy

[binka_nugget]

I love dollar stores! I bought 50 poop bags for a buck! LOL! I was so excited because petcetera and other pet supply places sell bags for 5 bucks at least! And you only get thirty lol. I also got Kai a 20 foot leash for a buck. I was sooo excited because I've always wanted a 20 foot leash to help with his recall...but the ones I've found were 20 bucks lol. It's amazing what you can get a dollar stores. I bought a leash a while ago for 5 bucks I think, and it's still strong. With Kai's pulling, I'm amazed. Although..once I bought a leash...and I came home and put it on kai. He pulled and it broke right away. It was a cheap looking clip though..so now I check out the clip right away.

[DogLover9501]

Well I'd really like to know something, Okay well let's say your in my shoes, you loved boxers your whole life, you have been daily begging for one for about 3 years, and been searching for a breeder around here(newfoundland) or Nova Scotia, and one day after being on the internet you find a Nova Scotia breeder and suddenly your getting a boxer in 3 months, then suddenly shes lowering the price by 500 dollars on the puppy she has now, and your getting one in 6 weeks, then your mom comes across Valley Bulldogs, which are basically a lil shorter and a lot calmer boxer, its almost the dog I always wanted, but its still not, would you change your mind and go with the cheaper calmer dog??

[GoldenRetrLuver]

I would go with the "more expensive" one, and the breed I wanted originally.

[DogLover9501]

Okay thanks, Im going to go with the $900 boxer lol, I mean Im paying for MORE than half and my mom doesnt even have to give me any x-mas gifts if she gets him, Im really happy about my decision, and thanks for helping, lots of people helped in my other posts too, so hes comming on Halloween and I will have pics of him as soon as I can, Also he is either Sampson or Jasper, or maybe I'll completely change my mind by then!
THANKS EVERYONE!!