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Personal Note: Dog days
My husband took our sweet Boxer, Kylie, to the vet this week. Her hips are breaking down, and it’s only a matter of time before we have to put her down. This is the most loving dog you can imagine. When she could stand more easily, she would walk over to wherever you were sitting, rest her chin on your leg, and stay there as long as you’d let her. Also, when anyone in the house is giving anyone else a hug, she yodels and wags her tail until you pet her, too. Now her world is mainly her bed and a path to her water bowl. Very sad.
We’ve always had Boxers (Kylie makes our third.) But when she goes, my husband and I are thinking about getting a small dog, maybe a miniature Yorkie or Schnauzer. A Yorkie, though, might become an hors d’œuvre for the hawks and coyotes that haunt the canyon behind our house. And I’ve heard mini Schnauzers are imperious little creatures who will tear up your throw pillows if they feel slighted.
Then there’s the whole slobbery big dog/yappy small dog debate. What’s your dog preference/recommendation?
back to top32 Comments to “Personal Note: Dog days”
We’ve always preferred Border Collies. They’re smart (boy are they smart!), energetic and usually friendly. I’m getting too old, however, to raise another such high energy dog. Therefore I’ve decided that our next dog will be a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. According to a breeder we talked to, they are the tofu dog. Just as tofu takes on the flavor of whatever it’s cooked with, Cavies will behave like their owners whether athletes or couch potatoes. And they’re incredibly cute.
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I am sorry, Lynn.
Our old collie, who was noble and kind and loving, got to the point a couple of months ago that he could not walk anymore at all. We had done everything we could, and far more than we could afford.
One morning, he just could not get up at all anymore and was in pain whenever he tried. He barked wildly; if a dog’s bark can break heartst, it did.
We had a decision to make. Pretty obvious, in hindsight. But it still just sort of tears you up inside.
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We are basset hound people.
I prefer lazy dogs over high-energy dogs, so the basset was the perfect choice.
Pros: Calm, even as a pup. Very content to lay on their bed and sleep all day. VERY sweet, especially with children. Can’t get on furniture (actually, getting up a step is about all they can manage). They are funny looking and make funny facial expressions–when we pass people on a walk or see people in the vet, they are always fascinated by our basset and almost always chuckle at him
Cons: Large jowls, which leads to slobbering. They shake a good bit, so sometimes you end up with drool on the ceilings. Their ears tend to get in everything because they drag on the ground a lot. They also get lonely, which leads to howling, like any good hound dog. They are stubborn–they need to be convinced that anything you want them to do was their idea in the first place.
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I too am sorry, Lynn. I haven’t been there yet myself except with my childhood dog, but several of my friends and family members have experienced this lately.
As to preferences, I’m certainly a collie person. They’re big, long-haired, beautiful, intelligent, sweet, you name it. They’re people dogs, so the perfect companion for someone like me who works at home.
But I have researched some smaller dogs for the possibility of getting a second dog. (I probably won’t actually do so. But my home is too small for two big dogs, and my collie likes little dogs.)
These are the small breeds that I’ve found of special interest–not yappy and with other good characteristics–with my hesitations in parentheses:
Boston terrier (drawbacks: too short-coated for winter and too short-nosed for summer; definitely an inside dog)
Cavalier King Charles spaniel (drawbacks: way too expensive and too prone to a vast number of health problems; off my list)
beagles (drawback: dumb dog, hard to train, must come from a reputable breeder because poorly bred ones can have a bad personality; I think I may have read they have quite a doggie odor–my sister is looking for an outside dog for her boys, and I’m recommending a pair of beagles rather than one Lab, but I’m not sure they’d make good inside pets)
Sheltie (drawbacks: can be hyper and noisy–not yappy, but like a collie they are “talkers” and bark a lot)
Once you narrow it down to a breed or two, get a book devoted to that breed and read it all the way through. That may help you determine whether a breed is a good fit for you. A great multi-breed book is Which Dog? or something like that. (It might be “What Dog?”) I’ve browsed it at PetSmart, and it has charts for each breed, giving a point scale for how that dog is in terms of obedience, destructiveness, people friendliness, and several other traits. It really is helpful in narrowing down what will or won’t work for you. On the collie page, for instance, it says bluntly that if you work all day, the collie is the wrong breed for you.
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Curbstone setter, Mutt
Watch out for long haired dogs-grooming is a cost.
Floppy-eared, long haired dogs can have ear infection problems.
Big dogs often have hip problems.
Smaller dogs often live longer.
Good luck!
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My favorite dog is a cat.
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The gravatar says it all.
That’s our Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. non-shedding. amiable. a little jumpy (so you have to be careful with training). Ours is off on the tail, relative to size (50#), most are in the 40# range. Finn is our second.
Downsides: prone to skin rashes. non-shedding means you have more upkeep to prevent matting. and they’re a terrier — smart or dumb they both have the capacity to look at you with a “who me?” look; and they don’t do fetch very well. Dublin, our earlier animal, would play fetch three times, then he was done and would walk to the door to go in.
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I believe in Doggie Heaven.
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My doggie btw is a combination of two of the smartest dogs: Border Collie and American Eskimo. I’m thinkin’ of changing my gravatar to one like Cheryl D’s, but with my dog.
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My vet once told me the mixed breeds are often the healthiest. And with the Internet, it’s easier than ever to search local shelters and sites like petfinder.
My friend had a miniature schnauzer, Asher (as in the tribe). He was a character, lots of personality.
One of the best and sweetest dogs I’ve ever had was Ellie, a 50-pound shaggy terrier + ???? mix. She came from the pound, looked like a stuffed toy, sort of Ewok-like, something you’d buy at a gift shop. She was almost 14 when I had to put her down.
I now have a border collie (Tess) and a border collie/Australian shepherd mix (Cowboy) — great dogs, incredibly loyal, smart in sometimes scary ways, sweet, so much fun, they make me laugh all the time.
I feel for what you’re going through, Lynn. No matter what the breed, pedigree or mutt, they all break your heart in the end. But oh, the joy they give … true blessings from God.
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We have a wonderful smart, sleek 40 pound Gordon Setter. She loves her one hour a day walk and then spends the rest of the time lying around, with occasional barking at innocent neighbors and squirrels.
We did have, however, have a “niece” miniature Schnauzer and Sophie was an elegent,smart, charming dog with a lot of heart. Small enough to transport without too much trouble, she efficiently patroled her yard for 13 years and caused few problems. Of course she lived with a “brother” Boston Terrier, Otis, whose peculiarities would fill 1001 Nights.
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Golden Retrievers are great! And females are easier than males. Our female stays in the yard – no leash or fence necessary. Our neighbor’s male frequently runs off.
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rofl @ Mommy #6.
any dog that goes WOOF or ARF is cool with ole Theo.
My aunt next door to us is picking up a mini schnauzer this Sunday ( 7 / 27 ). She’s named him “Duke”. I can hardly wait………….
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We have had our first boxer for just over a year now, and I absolutely love him! He is great with the kids and very smart. I’m so sorry, Lynn. For me, I prefer big dogs. But Boston Terriers are my favorite little dog.
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If you’re feeling energetic, you could get an Australian Cattle Dog. I have one, my sweet mcdoggles Augie.
Pros: Minimal drool, total people-dog, adorable in a dingo sort of way, doesn’t chew on furniture/pillows/shoes/anything you don’t want him to, loves to play tug, great guard dog.
Cons: Sheds like crazy in the summer, extremely hyper, prone to run out the door at anyone they see and scare the bejeebers out of said person, has a higher-pitched bark when he wants to play, thinks he’s a lap dog even though he’s 60 lbs., not very good at fetch, tries to herd younger children.
I’ve heard Labrodoodles are really good dogs too.
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My sympathies. It is hard to say goodbye to a beloved pet.
I will always have a cat, but if I ever got a house with property, I have often thought about getting a dog. What about a Jack Russell Terrier. I’ve heard they are extremely active, and I think I’d get a kick out of that.
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My condolances (I just had to go through the ‘last trip to the vet’ with my mother-in-law’s 17 year old sheltie, who spent the last several years living with my family).
My parents breed Boxers. My wife’s paents breed German Shorthaired Pointers. My wife & I have had a series of Norwegian Elkhounds. Through the years, various family members have had a Yorkie, Irish Setter, Westhighland White Terrier and some mutts.
If you aren’t wed to the idea of a purebred (no real reason to be) and don’t absolutely need a puppy – the mutt from a shelter is a very good idea. If yo’re getting a puppy, a purebred lets you predict ultimate size and some of the general traits to expect.
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How could you even consider one of those yappy little things after having boxers? Boxers are great!
Since we have had cattle, we’ve had two Australian Shepherds – wonderful dogs, just as loving as boxers – well almost. And very helpful with the cattle.
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RRBAR:
Is there a difference between Aussie cattle dogs and Aussie shepherds? I always thought shepherds were furrier and slightly bigger. Could just be me, though.
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I second the motion for bassett hounds. They’re great.
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Condolences Lynn:
We had a black cocker who died suddenly. We all cried. It would be no easier if we had put him down.
On the lighter… our youngest had begged for another dog and my wife finally gave in… to an indoor pet… we’d never had one indoors! She went to a local pet store and swears that this little dog (puppy at the time) picked HER out! He’s a white toy poodle (5 lbs full grown) who is extremely intelligent (name is Einstein). Having never had a toy breed, we didn’t know what to expect. The sheer love he returns to us all is wonderful. No shedding, no doggy odor, great with children, smart–learns quickly. Just a joy to have. He’s not a dog… he’s a little person in a fur suit! Hope you find another one for your home!
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He’s not “yappy” either!
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Our last dog was a Border Collie and my husband and son are still grieving over her. She was very smart and had a better vocabulary than some of my relatives. My son wants a puppy but we have decided that another Border Collie wouldn’t be a good idea.
I like poodles. If you don’t give them a fancy clip and they don’t know they are poodles, they are great dogs. But my husband doesn’t like them and they are expensive to keep groomed.
At heart I am a cat person and the owner of the cabin we are now renting for our vacation is trying to get us to take home a beautiful, friendly, blue gray tom cat that has taken up at the cabin. I am tempted, but the precious poo kitty back home would not like sharing her kingdom.
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A pug might be a good small dog for someone who’s previously had boxers. I haven’t researched breed problems and the like, but they’re adorable little dogs with great dispositions; at least all the ones I’ve met have been. (I know no breed of terrier of which I’d say that.)
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Female urine makes dead spots on grass lawns. Is there anything you can give her to stop the spotting?
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Opinionated Teen,
Yes, there’s a difference and you have it right. Australian Cattle Dogs, aka Blue Heelers or occasionally Red Heelers, also have a short bristly coat. Australian Shepherds have a longer coat, similar to a collie.
A blue heeler showed up at our place a few months ago and we kept her. She’s a pretty good dog, but I’m still partial to the shepherds.
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Bob,
Petsmart has several products, but they all look more expensive than they’re worth. I know some people who put straw or something other than grass in the dogs’ area.
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Correction to the above description of my pup: Augie is more like 50 lbs. than 60. Sorry about that.
RRBar: You wouldn’t think my dog had a short bristly coat from the way he sheds!
Thanks for clearing that up!
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We just purchased a wheaten/poodle mix. He is a soft teddy bear that loves to sleep on my feet…
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I have a small dog who yaps alot. It gets really annoying but I love him. He is a miniature doberman pincher. He’s very cute and cuddly. He’s a pretty good tempered dog and he was very easy to housebreak. He’s getting old now and I feel for you with Kylie. my dog is tweleve and his face is going gray. He’s still very peppy though. Tigger was ( and still is) my closest companion when I was a kid.I’ve had him since I was three. My mom has a big slobbery dog thats a cross between a husky and a beagle. Wander loves to herd tigger and me.She also loves to sniff. It’s kinda funny because she has a huskies chest and a beagles legs.
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I like the big dogs. I have a mutt and I think that she is the best dog. Very easy to please and take care of! We go for our walks and that pretty much makes her day, she is super happy all day long. She does love junk food, thus the walks, and her other vice is chasing cats. Oh how she loves to chase the cats! If she can’t find a cat(they avoid our house at all costs now) she will make do with a squirel. It is a little scary when she catches one, the joyful way that she shakes them is just creepy! But all in all she is a very loveable dog…..unless you are small and furry then……
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Hi Lynn
Yes, it is so hard to handle and you have my sympathies. If you want to consider a smaller dog may I recommend my personal favourite – the poodle. A miniature or toy variety is a great home dog. I think poodles are the nicest and smartest four-legged people in the world.
I’ve had two now, both came to me needing new homes and I had years of wonderful blessing with each one. Both have succumbed to old age now and I’m on the lookout for another. Its such a joy to be able to give a new secure and loving home to a dog that has been through hard times. The Lord bless you through the hard decision you have to make and through your hunt dfor a new friend.
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