Sean Dempsey
Member
I have become fixated on getting a big dog. I grew up from the instant I was born til about 17 years old with ALWAYS having a pair of full-bred black labs in the house. They were my dads dogs he took everywhere, he worked construction, so they were the old "back of the truck, jobsite dogs" and at home there were just totally awesome. Fun, loving, never a problem. We had 4 total, each living about 12 years, staggered about every 5-6 years? All died of old age Of course, we lived on the edge of a decent sized desert, probably 10-11 acres right in the middle of our little town, so the dogs had unlimited backyard area, and we didn't have any fences back then (rural utah in the early 80's +++good). This was back when dogs were usually "neighboorhood dogs".
I appreciate a fullsize dog. I love em. My wife brought home a Yorkie, about 2 months old, a few weeks ago. After about 2 weeks, we found a new home for it. Couldn't stand it. I never wanted it, but she said she'd take care of it.
Well, I ended up being the one who had to put up with the incessant yapping and bullcrap that comes with a rat-dog. Not my thing.
But now, after being on these boards for a while, I am really wanting a big dog. A black lab would be good, but the german shepard is what I am fixated on (those are my ONLY 2 considerations for breeds, fyi).
Here are my factors to help you analyze the situation:
1 - I have a house with a frontyard and a small back/side yard. Big enough for a dog to live comfortably, but not big enough to play in much. I DO have a park in my subdivision (its a closed community) less than 100 yards down my street. I live in the suburbs more or less, and there is plenty of open space within walking or a short drive distance. My neighborhood is very dog-walk friendly.
2 - I have an adult cat that is a permanent family member. Extremely well mannered. Declawed. sleeps on my pillow next to my head every night.
3 - I have a 10 month old baby boy. Now, my dad had his 2 labs since before I was born, and I don't recall any problems with me or my brother growing up with big dogs as babies.
4 - I do not own a truck or SUV... we have 2 cars. I want a truck though. I have no problem with the "dirtiness" dogs bring, he can ride in the front seat covered in mud for all I care. I treat animals like people, so he/she is more than welcome to come with me anywhere I can legally take a dog, the mall.. restaurants... whatever
5 - our house is empty from 9-5
6 - I want to train the dog to be a family dog, but have enough sense to be a relatively good watchdog at nights and a protective dog when out and about. I also would intend to train it pretty good with numerous commands. I had good experiences trianing my black labs to voice commands. Plus, I can do it in german.
So that's the long and the short of it. What do you all think? Did I leave any factors out? If this is the wrong forum, please move it somewhere more appropriate. This is a big decision for me and I don't want to mistreat a possible new family member by getting a dog when conditions aren't ideal.
Thanks.
I appreciate a fullsize dog. I love em. My wife brought home a Yorkie, about 2 months old, a few weeks ago. After about 2 weeks, we found a new home for it. Couldn't stand it. I never wanted it, but she said she'd take care of it.
Well, I ended up being the one who had to put up with the incessant yapping and bullcrap that comes with a rat-dog. Not my thing.
But now, after being on these boards for a while, I am really wanting a big dog. A black lab would be good, but the german shepard is what I am fixated on (those are my ONLY 2 considerations for breeds, fyi).
Here are my factors to help you analyze the situation:
1 - I have a house with a frontyard and a small back/side yard. Big enough for a dog to live comfortably, but not big enough to play in much. I DO have a park in my subdivision (its a closed community) less than 100 yards down my street. I live in the suburbs more or less, and there is plenty of open space within walking or a short drive distance. My neighborhood is very dog-walk friendly.
2 - I have an adult cat that is a permanent family member. Extremely well mannered. Declawed. sleeps on my pillow next to my head every night.
3 - I have a 10 month old baby boy. Now, my dad had his 2 labs since before I was born, and I don't recall any problems with me or my brother growing up with big dogs as babies.
4 - I do not own a truck or SUV... we have 2 cars. I want a truck though. I have no problem with the "dirtiness" dogs bring, he can ride in the front seat covered in mud for all I care. I treat animals like people, so he/she is more than welcome to come with me anywhere I can legally take a dog, the mall.. restaurants... whatever
5 - our house is empty from 9-5
6 - I want to train the dog to be a family dog, but have enough sense to be a relatively good watchdog at nights and a protective dog when out and about. I also would intend to train it pretty good with numerous commands. I had good experiences trianing my black labs to voice commands. Plus, I can do it in german.
So that's the long and the short of it. What do you all think? Did I leave any factors out? If this is the wrong forum, please move it somewhere more appropriate. This is a big decision for me and I don't want to mistreat a possible new family member by getting a dog when conditions aren't ideal.
Thanks.