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Seriously considering getting a dog
- Thread starter KillahBee
- Start date
Yeah, but they actually don't like being treated like they're cute, they prefer to be treated like they are short humans with fur. Accepting cat psychology is kind of like loving, say, your children. You accept them for who they are, not what you wish they were.
See, here's the thing that gets me with "anti-cat" people. Most have NO idea what a normal cat is really like. Most cats have been raised by dog people who don't understand cat psychology. Far too often young cats are treated like they are bratty children who are hard of hearing, which results in a twitchy, neurotic, unpredictable animal.
Cats hate loud noises, rough treatment, sudden movements, being manhandled when they aren't in the mood. Dogs don't give a fuck because it's part of being in a pack, you do what the alpha tells you to do.
And for the smart ass who says "yeah, show me an alpha cat." No problem, it's called the adult male lion in the pride. There is ONLY one species of cat that acts pack-like, and it's the lion and then it's still different from wolves since only females form the cooperative hunting group.
Feral cats provide a valuable service in maintaining rodent populations (which is why there are so many catch/neuter/inoculate/spay programs) whereas feral dogs are a menace.
Look, I've owned many, many types of animals my entire life, probably many more than most people on this board. I've done rescue, adoption, breeding and training of many critters (and their owners) and I can say pretty much categorically, all animals, wild and domesticated, have their place in our world. An unreasonable prejudice against any one species is as ignorant a stance as bigotry against another human because of the color of their skin or nationality of birth.
Now, fleas, ticks and mosquitoes, don't get me started.
This is a very smart idea and will let you have a feel for the responsibilities.
If you really decide to buy a dog take some things into consideration:
Neighbors: if you're house is too close to theirs, if they are touchy or if they have a dog of their own than a small/yappy breed (which are MOST but not all toys) may not be a good idea
Weather: if you will have the dog mostly outdoors then you have to get a dog that can stand where you are, pugs, Neapolitan mastiffs, sharpeis, Chows and others do not thrive in the heat and chihuahuas, chinese cresteds and many small breeds do not do well in the cold.
Food: If you are only able to feed them once a day then you will want to stay away from large breeds that are prone to bloat/gastric torsion like great danes, mastiffs, Irish wolfhounds, etc
Energy level: if you wont have much time to walk them then you will want to stay away from active breeds such as border collies, boxers, husky, retrievers, etc you may want to look for a pug, a bulldog or so
Special requirements: some dogs need special care like bulldogs, mastiffs, pugs and french who require cleaning of the wrinkles, other dogs like most toys, chows, afghans, new foundland and others require grooming and combing.
Education: some breeds may be a little bit more difficult to handle if you do not spend time educating them and making sure they understand you are Alpha, certain breeds such as pits, amstaffs, husky, sharpei, akita, chows require discipline. Others are just not very bright and need additional training and more repetitions to understand commands afghans, bulldogs, pugs and others are not the sharpest tool in the shed
Puppy temperament: once you decide on a breed and you go see litters PLEASE do not go for the cute one, the one biting everything or the active one, instead try applying a temperament test to see which has the best qualities.
Children: This one is important since some breeds may harm children, not because they are aggressive but unintentionally, so if you have toddlers around constantly then dogs like danes and mastiffs may whip them in the face or get over excited and push them.
Useful links:
Animal Planet :: Guides :: Dog Breed Selector
INTELLIGENCE OF DOGS - The ranking by breed
Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test
The main reason I didn't bother mentioning walking dogs for a shelter is because any decent shelter is going to require you to go through a training program and prove you're not a wingnut (i.e., not going to mess the dogs up more than they already are) and that you're willing to make a commitment to being a volunteer before you get to walk the dogs.
Your friends, on the other hand, don't give a shit and will be happy to get a free doggie babysitter.
KillahBee
New member
Ah, well, KB, that is the risk one runs with a dog, you really have no say as to what degree of geighness it will be prone to once it's grown
