Dog Choices...

[Frizzle]

On a somewhat related not. Does anyone own a dog that hunts for iteslf occasionally? Meaning when it's bored or needs a little extra food? Or do you guys with dogs feed them dry food all the time, as opposed to meat?

Dry food for my dogs.

Of course, that doesn't stop them for gobbling up live creatures when they're bored. They've munched on birds and at least one rat.

Why do you ask?

Well my parents have 2 cavalier king charles spanials (stupid long name for a dog so small) and my mom feeds them both raw meat as opposed to the dry stuff. I've heard a lot of people gettin up in arms with how they are fed. I'm a fan of letting the animal be as natural as possible, hence the no chopping and cropping, but I know some think raw food is taking it too far, and is cruel to the animal.

 

[Frizzle]

I would say rottweiler, my cosins got one and they love'em. I have a Boston Terriar, their small, loyal, and great with little kids, and aparently are good at telling you if you have mice in your house.

i'll be sure to tell my girlfriend that. She wants something small like that. No kids though, i'm not gonna have a bunch of spawnlings running around for an extremely long time.

 

[Frizzle]

I'm a fan of letting the animal be as natural as possible, hence the no chopping and cropping, but I know some think raw food is taking it too far, and is cruel to the animal.

...how?


Dogs are designed to eat raw meat. What do you think they'd eat in the wild?

I totally agree with you, and i've had many arguements about this with people in the past. I just can't figure out if people are just disgusted by consumption of raw meat... or what. I've heard that dogs don't get enough vitamins etc. through that method, but dogs don't get any of that in the wild, outside of whatever the animal meat and fat contains. Plus i know the hair and stuff helps the digestive tract.

I was just curious how the people here felt. I know a lot of it comes down to opinion and preference, and only sometimes the dog's body's ability to use what it eats.

 

[Alone Disciple]

Rotts demand a lot of exercise and constant and continous training. Only you can be honest with yourself and think about the time you can seriously invest in training...not just in the short term, but for the entire life of the dog.

If you can't see yourself honestly devoting time for reinforced training in 5 years from now...I'd rethink getting the Rott. You will be doing yourself, the breed, and more importantly your dog a grave mis-service if you don't follow through.

I think the breed lends to very committed owners

 

[corporate_gamer]

I wouldnt go for a pure-breed dog. You want to get a mix-breed, possibly with setter or collie blood in them. Great loyal dogs those.

 

[Jamanticus]

Get a Great Dane. Cmon everyone loves them and think they actually rescue people with the barrel of alcohol around their necks. But really they are dogs of death! The alc lowers your body temp and just kills you faster.

Ha- I'll see your Great Dane and raise you an Irish Wolfhound:

Spoiler: Huge! The dog, I mean

 

[soren7550]

Well, my aunt used to have this sweet old Rottweiler named Kimberly, so that's about all I can go by. Can't say anything about Dobermans except that they look a little odd to me.

But if I had a choice, I'd probably go for a lovable mutt from a shelter. But that's just me.

But from your two choices, I'd say go w/ the Rottweiler. They're fearcly loyal and will help guard your dwelling.

 

[GloatingSwine]

Jack Russell Terriers are fun, but they're a handful.

They've also got terrible wee dog syndrome though, and can be really aggressive. Quite a lot of terriers can be like that. Also, yappy little shits.

...how?

Dogs are designed to eat raw meat. What do you think they'd eat in the wild?

Raw meat is impractical as a diet for a pet dog, due to the storage and cost problems. Occasionally, but not all the time.

 

[Frizzle]

Get a Great Dane. Cmon everyone loves them and think they actually rescue people with the barrel of alcohol around their necks. But really they are dogs of death! The alc lowers your body temp and just kills you faster.

I love big dogs, but i think if it needs 1/4" rope as a leash, then it might be a weeee too big to be practical haha.

Also, the dog with the alcohol. Wasn't that the St. Bernard? (sp?)

Jack Russell Terriers are fun, but they're a handful.

They've also got terrible wee dog syndrome though, and can be really aggressive. Quite a lot of terriers can be like that. Also, yappy little shits.

...how?

Dogs are designed to eat raw meat. What do you think they'd eat in the wild?

Raw meat is impractical as a diet for a pet dog, due to the storage and cost problems. Occasionally, but not all the time.

That's a good point. Not being able to order that stuff through the mail can be a downer if you don't live near a good pet supply store. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[cleverlymadeup]

My buddy has an Irish Wolf Hound. One of the nicest dogs ever. Only problem is that they are huge. By far one of the prettiest dog's I've ever seen though. Between your two choices, Rottweiler. Just don't let it get too vicious, my cousin almost lost his dog to one.

I have this theory wherein Irish wolf hounds are in fact mini horses and not dogs at all.

The only downside is there usually short life span.

Yeah they only live between 5 and 8 years which is short even for dogs

great danes have about the same life span, it's a lot due to their size, both are mini-horses tho i do believe you can buy a saddle for a great dane

as for the topic on hand, i've know quite a few ppl with rotties and they are great dog, they are very protective of their family and if raised right great with kids, i've seen kids hold onto a rotty and get dragged around by the dog

if you do get a doberman don't get it's ears cropped, that's just cruel and can be rather unhealthy for the dog

 

[Bulletinmybrain]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Bernard_(dog)#Famous_St._Bernards

These are the dogs of rescue, they were the ones who wore brandy barrels around their neck.

I am so getting an irish wolfhound. Heres what will happen when kids are on my freshly mowed lawn.

Kids come running into it
I yell " GIT OFF MY LAWN YOU PUNKS! "
The irish wolfhound chases after them, bigger then they are.

 

[Danglybits]

Many of you have said collie and while I love collies you're leaving out some salient points. Like they bark their heads off and nothing, chase stuff, nip heels and never stop moving. I've lived with several.

I know a lot about dobies and not as much about rotties but I am a dog freak so...
any way rotties aren't as velcro like as rots. They want to be by your side and with you a lot that's why they call them velcro dogs. Dobies are less stubborn but both dogs need a lot of exercise. By the way they're both just as intelligent as collies.

 

[Zac_Dai]

When I was a kid my uncle had an awesome Rottweiler named Conan (possibly best named ever for dog?), it was a damn huge beast but really friendly and good with kids playing rough.

But whatever you choose make sure you use a good breeder and know the background of the puppies parents.

 

[Jamash]

If you want a big, active, loyal dog which would suite a warm climate and will help you if attacked, what about a Rhodesian Ridgeback [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesian_Ridgeback]?

Being from South Africa they should be ok with a warm climate, and as long as you're not attacked by anything bigger and more savage than a Lion, they should be able to protect you too (they were bread to hunt Lions, keeping them at bay whilst the hunter moved in for the kill, so they've got courage & won't back down from danger).

As hunting dogs they're well suited to exercise, but apparently they're extremely strong, so if you're not also pretty strong yourself they may be a bit of a handful to retrain with a leash.

 

[Cousin_IT]

I grown up with pretty much always having at least one Alsatian in the family (till last year in fact). All have been smart, playful & pretty easy to look after. Though we re-homed the last one because he wasn't getting enough exercise. He also malted his fur permanently which was a PITA. lovable, dumb as a post animal though. As for the choice at hand, all I can really do is add my voice to those who raise warning about the task at hand in keeping one of these animals. Its a shame they get such a bad press, but thats because a lot of people who own these dogs do so because they think it'll be kewl to have one/make them look tough without realizing what they're taking on. If you just want a nice looking dog to go for walks/runs with etc, there are much better breeds to suit your needs (not that one should treat a dog as simply a wish fulfillment tool).

 

[John Stalvern]

I recently got a Shiba Inu. Cutest little dog ever.

 

[BlueInkAlchemist]

Anybody have any experience with either a Welsh Corgi or a Newfie?

 

[DuncanRR]

Jack Russell Terriers are fun, but they're a handful.

They've also got terrible wee dog syndrome though, and can be really aggressive. Quite a lot of terriers can be like that. Also, yappy little shits.

On the contrary, Jacks are pretty friendly. Ours is at least. But yeah, she's a bit on the yappy side.

 

[the monopoly guy]

Flat Coated Retrievers are reeally nice dogs, the one I ahd was so mellow, she almost neer barked.

...chewed up all my friggin' Leggos though...

I really wante a basset hound.

 

[Arsen]

German Sheperds.
Black labs.
Golden Retrievers.
Scottish Terriers.

There are your choices.