Thinking about getting my first dog

Antony101 · 5 Dec 2014 at 20:14

Small dogs are **** dogs, get a cat if you aren't going to get a real dog.

Uncle Petey · 5 Dec 2014 at 20:16

lol, small dogs only often seem that way because as someone said earlier, they usually get mollycoddled and end up being little ****s as a result.

Bring 'em up right and they're as cool as any other dog can be.

Heliospherez · 5 Dec 2014 at 20:54

We got a full bred golden retriever last xmas and even though he completely destroyed my garden, rose bushes, flower beds etc. We wouldn't be without him now - and he is the most loving, affectionate dog I know and our kids love him.

He is quite a lot of work (2 walks a day) - needs lots of hugs and sheds a ton of hair around the house - he is well worth it.

Expect at least £50 a month extra at least to keep a big dog (£20 for doggy savings account insurance, £20 for dry food and £10 for doggy chews)

Antony101 · 5 Dec 2014 at 21:01

Wish our dogs only needed walking twice a day, I've walked ours for about 4 hours straight before, running around in the sea and the moment I got home he went out for another walk with my sister.

German Shepherds are crazy dogs.

Wouldn't ever get a different breed though, they are absolutely outstanding dogs.

bloodkil · 5 Dec 2014 at 22:22

We got two Border Collie, one we got as a pup and the other we got as a rescue, both lovely and affectionate dogs although they are high maintenance!

This was after one of them had an abscess on her paw which got drained, hence the bandage!

jkb · 6 Dec 2014 at 07:14

I would recommend the RSPCA and rescue dogs. I've always been frightened of dogs but when our cat died my wife persuaded me to go and look at a rescue German Shepherd. Eight months on and I absolutely adore him, he is so loving and loyal and a real gentle giant. The RSPCA were great, he came with an information pack on his history, vaccinations etc and someone came to see him after three months to make sure he had settled in.

ZG002 · 6 Dec 2014 at 09:09

I came to the conclusion earlier this year that me and the other half couldn't give up enough time for a dog. Wait till you have a child or two maybe and one of you is home much more. Dogs are a fairly big responsibility, a lot of people don't think it though and just get the first cute dog they see. Good choice op

Uncle Petey · 6 Dec 2014 at 09:30

jkb said:
I would recommend the RSPCA and rescue dogs. I've always been frightened of dogs but when our cat died my wife persuaded me to go and look at a rescue German Shepherd. Eight months on and I absolutely adore him, he is so loving and loyal and a real gentle giant. The RSPCA were great, he came with an information pack on his history, vaccinations etc and someone came to see him after three months to make sure he had settled in.

Good on you and your wife mate

Always nice to see someone get over their fear/misconception and see these animals for what they are.

I was the same until I moved into a shared house (Over 10 years ago) with a guy that had a Shepard. I was nervous as hell around that dog at first, but it quickly became clear that he just wanted to be buddies and we became the best of friends.
He was an awesome dog and I have a lot to thank him for. If not for him, I wouldn't have my own amazing dog right now.