[AssinHT]

All the advice is fantastic and most welcome. I have already started looking into American Kennel Club and Australian Cattle Dog Association of US certified breeders in the state. I would never purchase a dog or cat from a pet store. Those places give me the creeps.

I have also looked into ACD rescue farms groups in Michigan, but from what I've read so far, early training is of great importance with this breed. We've rescued all of our pets thus far from Humane Societies, so I won't feel too guilty about buying directly from a breeder.

Additionally, I've been reading into particular issues with hip dysplasia, deafness and retinal problems that are common with this breed. The OFA has some excellent resources, and it seems that some breeders already screen for these maladies. Still need to do more reading though to be prepared for potential medical costs.

Reading is obviously going to be the main thing that I can do for now, and I plan to read up on disciplinary techniques, obedience training and anything else that may be of use before making a final decision on whether to purchase and when. All of your help here will be of great use to me as I continue to learn about this great responsibility, and I plan to wait perhaps a year before finally taking it on.

Thanks again, guys. Please keep sharing.

Oh, and I'd love to see this just become a discussion on dog ownership. Feel free to stray from my original topic.

[loginereQQ]

Hi!

Hahaha, At first, I thought you wanted to teach your dog kendo!

Well, you first need to keep in mind you have very small children who may pull a dog's tail or ears, hit them, push them away, or, cry or scream if they come close, etc. especially if the dog is too big. My 5 yr old niece doesn't like big dogs and will get mad at my dog or my parent's big dogs if they come to her. She's even tried to hit mine and I've had to teach her that's not nice. Do that to the wrong dog, and she'd get bit.

Kids aren't born knowing how to deal with pets big or small. So, you'll have to teach them how to act around a dog. Dogs are definately not like cats! I grew up with cats as well as dogs. I just love them!

So, if I was you, I'd go for a small dog until your kids get older. With a big dog, you'll have to worry more about them possibly hurting the kids by biting or knocking them down. And, larger breed dogs as puppies tend to nip very hard! They do this in play as puppies and then as adults if you allow it.

With a smaller dog, it's easier to keep control of any situation with the dog.

Puppies are loads of work especially if you get them too young. A good breeder will not sell you one until it is at least 12 weeks old.

Anyway, be careful what breed you get. Chows are not good with kids. I know that because my Aunt had one a long time ago. Airdales, while they don't shed, have loads of energy. A friend of mine's(whom I've known since Jr. High) parents breed champion Airdales and holy cow, I never met a more lively type of large dog! They're lovely dogs for adults and older kids.

Poodles are awesome-if they are the miniature size.(They are bigger than the tiny toy.) They are good with kids if you get them as puppies and raise them together. Otherwise, they can be nippy as adults if they've never been near kids. I personally just adore poodles! I really miss mine...

Pugs are really slobbery. No joke. I've got neighbors with two pugs. They slobber everywhere! They're cute, though. I don't know how they are with kids. I do know they can get health issues from talking to my neighbors.

My recommendation is a poodle. They are cute, cuddly, and don't shed.

Get a female dog. Males spray everything from the flowers to the car wheels even when fixed to mark territory. You can't train them out of it, either.

Oh. Having a dog means being responsible and not letting them run loose in the neighborhood or unleashed in your front yard. You are liable if the dog bites someone or another dog who walks by and the dog goes off the front lawn.

It also means obeying the leash laws in your or any park and neighborhood in your city/town. I HATE dog owners who let their dogs run loose in the park and neighborhood. My dog already got into it with an unleashed dog last year. The stupid owner didn't even come over or call his dog. I was so mad I ended up telling him off. I had MINE on a leash and was just walking and
minding my own business! My dog is big, but she's a sissy. She's afraid of other dogs. And, she didn't really know what to do but try to get away. And, what if I got bit?? I cannot tell if a dog is loose or not until it is too late thanks to my vision. It can be scary seeing a dog and not being able to tell.

And another time last year, she and I took a new route down a street I normally don't go on, and this pug came zipping out of the front yard of the house we were walking by, and this pug started biting
my dog's legs and barking at the same time and my poor dog just went in circles trying to escape that little monster and then tried to hide behind me. The lady didn't call off their dog until the husband came out to get the dog. At least he apologised. I suggested to both, to put the dog on a leash next time after I thanked him. To this day, my german shepard/lab mix is afraid of small dogs as a result. She liked them before.

So, you need to make sure to be careful with your dog.

I personally would never take my dog to a dog park. You never know what diseases they could have and, if there are agressive dogs there.

I have a small house and
yard too. But my dog is very happy because I walk her and toss balls for her in the yard and in the Spring through early Fall, I can let her run in the enclosed tennis court in the park. And, I love her a lot and let her sleep on my bed.

A happy dog is a dog that is allowed inside and does not have to live outside or in the garage alone during the day or night. And, small dogs can NOT be outside dogs, period. Plan on treating it like a family member. If you want it to sleep in the garage or outside and always be outside during the day and/or night, a dog is not for you.

Anyway, I hope you will be happy with whatever dog you choose!

Kaoru

[pkopwqzsdcvbn]

By the way ...

Should you get a dog, or a cat for that matter, keep up with all the recent pet food recalls;

http://www.menufoods.com/recall/index.html

Merrick, IMO, is the best pet food brand.

[GroosteFoessy]

Ive owned several cattle dogs and kelpies in my time. Any kind of working dog is going to need LOTS (and by lots I mean s***loads) of exercise. You cant tire the buggers out.

My aunty has 2 and even though they are over 5 years old each, they still need to be walked twice a day, EVERY DAY, to keep them docile at her small home. Luckily she doesnt work!!

For the first 2 years of thier lives they will destroy everything in sight. I knew one that go so bored being left alone that it ate the owners wood pile and 2 volumes of the yellowpages. It pooped rope for days.

Another friend has one in a large backyard, and she cant spend heaps of time with her due to shift work. Darling doggy holds the record for escapes, eating laundry, ripping up plants (her lawn looked like a moonscape), and it has also eaten and digested two kiddypools. Its working on the third. She also barks nonstop. And eats cats.

They are the most wonderful and fabulous dogs, but you need to really think hard before getting one. If you dont put in the amount of work needed to keep them happy and sane, they will make your life a living hell.

If theres someone at home all the time who can walk them for hours every day and keep them entertained, then go for it! Or just buy one that is already over 2 years old.

Good luck!

[LarryRda]

For the first 2 years of thier lives they will destroy everything in sight.

So will German Shepards, even if they are a mix. My German Shepard/Lab mix ate my parent's outdoor Chrismas lights one year when she was let out to play.

I knew one that go so bored being left alone that it ate the owners wood pile and 2 volumes of the yellowpages. It pooped rope for days. That's a sign they shouldn't have a dog. Poor thing!!

Another friend has one in a large backyard, and she cant spend heaps of time with her due to shift work. Darling doggy holds the record for escapes, eating laundry, ripping up plants (her lawn looked like a moonscape), and it has also eaten and digested two kiddypools. Its working on the third. She also barks nonstop. And eats cats. She shouldn't be leaving it out all day. The dog could die one day if it got sick from eating that stuff out of loneliness and boredom. It needs a warm bed, love, and loads of chew toys and bones inside the house. Or, find a new home for the dog. It's her responsibility to make sure the dog is happy and safe from dangerous things. Geez, the dog isn't an object or just property! The dog barks all day because it's sad and unhappy. I feel really sorry for it! I can leave my big dog all day in the house and she is not bored because she has stuff to do and so doesn't eat my stuff.
I always find her sleeping by the front door when I come home.
I love to spoil her when I'm home and like taking her on walks. She's fun!

Sorry for the griping, but those two things you said are so sad for both dogs. I didn't like it!
>_

[Eviftilia]

Yep, its not good. Unfortunately very common though.

[Ekzamenov]

So will German Shepards, even if they are a mix. My German Shepard/Lab mix ate my parent's outdoor Chrismas lights one year when she was let out to play.

(20 years ago) My dalmatian got excited by something outside (I forget what exactly) and he jumped out of the closed front window in the living room. Not a scratch on him

[Janarealiti]

@ Dervish: Australian Cattle Dogs do have some Dalmatian in them. And now that scares me.

The children thing isn't an issue. They get along fantastically with all of my friends' giant dogs, and with all of my cats. The kids are quite gentle, but my daughter likes to give hugs to tiny animals a bit too much. If they lick back though, then that solves the issue; she won't stick around to get her face licked.

Alison, I really appreciate your input on the AuCaDo behavior. I've worried about having the energy to keep up with such an active dog. Part of the reason why they interested me in the first place was because I knew that I could have a partner who could keep up with me while I went running everyday. However, at this point, I'm not sure if I can keep up with one of them yet. My wife and I were talking about this yesterday, and we decided that I need to continue to work on exercising regularly and getting my endurance up sufficiently before I can properly take care of a heeler.

So, it is sounding like I am going to be in for a year of research, reading, and training before I get one. Hell, I hadn't realized that kendo could be training for dog owning, but before taking it up, I don't think that I ever would have been able to prepare properly for this.

[horaAppagob]

I dunno - a 5 mile run pretty much does my dog in. He's pretty frisky at the start, but by the end he's dragging his ass. Maybe he's just not that active - but if you're picking a dog for distance running, not all breeds are suitable.

[AnypecekceS]

I also think that Dogs are great...




..With a little coleslaw and a dill pickle.

So, you gonna wok your dog?

[Longwow]

My best friend is a 7 year old Bernese Mountain Dog... He is the most beautiful, funny, good-hearted creature on this here planet (IMHO)...

However... He is 42 kilos, sheds hair like it's going out of fashion, typically BMDs will chase a stick or ball but won't return it... (so a bit of a hollow undertaking really!) and really needs company ... the BMD is not the dog that I would recommend for you...

I believe that someone already mentioned the Springer Spaniel... they have boundless energy, sunny disposition, will retrieve, good with kids and are intelligent medium sized dogs...

Labradors are great with kids, friendly to the max, excellent retrievers, good family dogs... but they do tend to fart a lot and are extreeeemely greedy (God bless them).

Another new breed which has Kennel Club recognition as a sustainable breed is the Labradoodle... These may well be the dog for you... perhaps a little on the large side... but worth checking out... (and your kids will love saying labradoodle....!).

Get in touch with the breed organisations and find a local (if you're lucky) breeder to visit... The Breed Org will also know when litters are due and advise you on how much you should pay...

Ref Hip Dysplasia... a reputable breeder will have the hips and elbows of their breeding dogs and bitches so you can make a more informed judgement...

Good luck and let us know how it goes...!

[Thifiadardivy]

Thanks, Crabbi. I'll let you know when I eventually figure out what I'm gonna do. And thanks to Neil, Kaoru, hunnysan, Bokushingu and anyone I've missed for all of your input. I figured that even though this is a kendo site that dog owners everywhere are fierce about making sure that people know what they are getting into with getting a dog. I appreciate it, and my best friend will as well someday.

[ThzinChang]

Shiba Inu
They're smart, loyal, and they aren't big. Not to mention they have got to be one of the most beautiful dogs on the planet. They also can withstand cold.(Not a good choice if you live in a hot and dry enviroment)

[Eromereorybig]

Blue Heelers are herding dogs like Border Collies.
Had a heeler/doberman cross which had to be exercised from a car as I could not run fast enough. Dog ran on the grass verge of a country road about 20mph for about 2 miles twice a day. This in addition to walking all day wherever my wife went and we were in a small town so walked almost everywhere.

Herding instinct, a heeler will attempt to round up anything, sheep, ducks, geese, children, off leash in a park is a very bad idea unless the dog is trained, and the training never stops.

Allison covered chewing pretty well, yep they chew things.

[Seerseraxlils]

Hmmmm...

Thanks Manuka....

I meant to mention Border Collies as well... Great medium-sized dogs, good family members, very intelligent and keen to learn, lots and lots (and lots) of energy (nearly as much as the Springer Spaniels...!)... Good longevity...

That's another point to reckon with... Any dog owner will agree that there's nothing quite like coming home to a dog... really makes you feel needed... Dogs give so much affection and will soon be a treasured family member...

They will slow down as they get older and... unfortunately... like all other family members they will also pass away... which is absolutely devastating for the rest of the 'pack'... (I hate to think how I will feel when my T'Challa goes... irreplaceable...).

BMDs last (on average) between 9 and 12 years (if you're lucky).
Springers last up to 14 years.
I had a Lab that kept us company for 14 years.
Other forumites can fill you in on other breeds... but you should easily be able to get this info frmo the Kennel Club... any difficulty just ask...

Generally ... the larger the breed, the shorter the life... sad but true... and you may want to factor this in as well... Just a thought (morbid aren't I...!)....

[Angelinaaiiiiiiiii]

Hi, I have 4 caaats and a dog, medium size, mix of chow-chow and labrator.. it´s actually like pumba. however, the dog arrived after 2 of the cats and we haven´t got any problems with them, in the beggining the cats were scared and angry with us because we bringed another animal to the house and cats are very sensitive so they kinda felt betrayed. but afet a couple of months they were ok and playing together, now after 4 years or so, the dog thinks of itself like a cat and the cats asume it´s another big one that barks, so no problem about that issue in my opinion, but anyway be extra careful because instinct can be very powerful so clear instruccion and not leaving your cats behind would be my advice, good luck, I actually think cats are way better, but dogs are funny !

[PIORARMADDERI]

I thought from the title this thread was going to ask if anyone had any experience of teaching dogs kendo...

[PharmACT]

I thought from the title this thread was going to ask if anyone had any experience of teaching dogs kendo...

What makes you think it's not?