Dog shopping

[catinthedark]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Well, when you stop and think about it, a pet will always love you unconditonally. Not so for a boyfriend.

but don't let that be your prime motivation for getting one.

i will second everyone who is saying do the research, think long and hard, make sure the breed and lifestyle is right for you. if you're getting a baby puppy, are you prepared for the housetraining? and the regular good manners training? can you take time off from work for its first week or two home with you? will you be able to be home to walk it, or let it out, on a regular schedule? you travel a lot - what will you do with the dog when you go? getting a dog as a single person is very different from having a dog with a second person or a family. all the responsibility is yours.

dachshunds also have lots of back issues. could mean vet bills.

i am not trying to discourage you, david. it's just that nothing breaks my heart worse than people who decide they need a dog. and they get one. and then realize they didn't really want a dog, they just liked the idea of it. dogs are a huge responsibility and a lot of work. but they are completely worth every single second of it - if you're ready for it.

[catinthedark]

Originally Posted by goldie

I wouldn't exactly say that dachshunds are not solitary dogs ... it all depends on the dog's personality. I have 2 dachshunds. The first one we had for 2 years before we got the second one. The first one is very much a loner. The second one has more of the doxie personality that you guys are speaking of .... goes nuts unless someone is around paying attention to him. But I really think it is the individual personality of each dog and not the breed. Dachshunds are great pets, I highly recommend them!!

Here's the little buggers sunning themselves. The black one is Otto, the chocolate one is Olana.

oh my lord.

i thought i had the cutest dog in the world. damn you.

[KristinG]

Goldie, those dogs are beautiful!!

[GODDESS6]

i must say doxie's rule!!!~ my hubby had them all his life & when we got together, & moved in together, the 1st thing he got for me was a mini long-haired doxie, i named her weaner marie ~ we didn't have our son then & so we spoiled that dog so much, i took her everywhere, even to wrk w/ me~ in turn she worshipped us back & once when we went on a 3 day vacation, we had my mother-in-law come stay at our house w/ her, but she still made herself so sick from us not being there, she had to be hospitalized~ so from then on whenever we traveled we found a hotel that took pets~ she was the best dog~ when she was 13, she went to nip at an itch on her back & broke her own back & was paralyzed instantly~ we had to put her to sleep & that was 1 of the hardest things i have ever done~ i couldn't even think of having another dog for 3 yrs~ then 1 sunday i was reading the ads & saw that the same family that i had got weaner from had a new litter of doxie's these being short-haired mini's & let me tell you i couldn't get there fast enuf~ & i came home w/ a cute little female & named her sweeney lynn~
doxie's are fabulous companions, they have an attitude all their own & i wouldn't have any other dog~

for once i found my pet file, so pics to follow...

WEANER MARIE
3-28-88~1-15-2000
R.I.P

SWEENEY LYNN

and to not piss off my cat & leave her out...
ARADIA GYPSY

[goldie]

^ what cute kids!!

Yeah, doxies can have back issues. You just have to make sure they don't jump up on things, use the stairs, and most importantly, watch their weight. Many doxies end up paralyzed because they are too heavy - it's too much for their long back to handle. We've got our pups on strict rations and out vets chews us out something AWFUL if they are even a pound or two overweight!

But they are cute, loyal, and will love you FOREVER!! What more can you ask for?

[BlackWidow]

Originally Posted by KristinG

Yes, dachsunds definitely are not solitary dogs. Anyone I know that works has always bought two so that they can keep each other company.

I also would highly recommend a rescue service.

Good Luck!

good advice.

[skcin]

Originally Posted by DavidMn

Well one thing I have going for me is that my aunt and uncle will be helping me. LIke I said they are the top Samoyed breeders in the state here and I know they know people that can and will help me.

Why don't you get a Samoyed from your family?