Been wanting a dog... tips/hints/suggestions ?

[MCummings]

This is definatly a commitment for me. I am going to keep my "first born" untill DDUP (Death Do Us Part).



My g/f have talked over it extensivly and she really wants the dog as well, but is somewhat concerned of teh large size, as she stands at only 5' 10" and 140Lbs.





I looked at PetFinder for a little while but I really don't want a damaged dog. I know the 8th to 20th weeks are trhe most important for setting routine, discipline and getting alot of socialization and I don't need a dog of this size to have any bad tendancies I don't know about.





I'll keep you updated and probably even get a blog going on him...





Merrick

 

[hammersley]

You have your mind set on a Dane - don't get anyother

kind - IMO..... Personally I've always had Labs - but I've been around Danes and I've never seen a mean one. They do recommend special bedding for them as they grow so fast---prevents distorted bones - they are almost like Bamboo - they grow overnight- and I'll tell you something - hard to find anything more "Cute" than a Dane Puppy... ... But the Piles - wow - we're talking Big Time and so is the chow bill..... and as mentioned they do have a shorter life... ... something that comes way to short as it is.....

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

Wow MMeier, that dog could be the twin brother to Spooled-ups.

 

[C. Harlan]

Border Collies, Australian shephards, and Blue & Red Heelers are all great dogs! I have one Red Heeler, Pete; and also 2 Blue Heelers, Shiner and Hank... Very smart dogs, easily trained, and loyal companions. . something to keep in mind. . I think you have seen Pete, haven't you Merrick?? He has been to some of our dyno days. . He goes everywhere with me , when possible. . Good luck with your choice!



-Chris-

 

[The patriot]

Try a dog rescue.

As to breed, I'm partial.

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[MCummings]

Chris,



Yeah, I did see your dog, he was cool, but my life style isn't active enough to support his needs. He'll be giving himself all types of "jobs" LOL.



I need a dog that can be lazy most of the day... but is layal, and trainable. I want to be able to take him everywhere with me, and not have to worry about how he will behave.



I need a people dog, and a big one at that. . hehe





Thanks,

Merrick

 

[lil red cummins]

our neighbor has a Great Dane - Harlequin variety. she is the sweetest dog.



she will run up to me and we put our noses together. i have no fear of this dog. she is extremely loyal and can not be seperated from the wife. her bark has the big dog sound. other than the potential shorter life span of a large breed, i think this is a good choice.



our dog is a chocolate lab and as many have said, she is loved as if she was one of my children. labs require quite alot of exercise and are VERY active. if i sit too long, she will be in my face barking for activity - even at age 9. if you want a laid-back dog, chances are a lab won't fit the bill.



good luck with whatever you decide and love them like today is their last day on earth.



jim

 

[HEMI®Dart]

What kind of dogs are these?

 

[AMink]

How ironic. I am sucking it up to have my dog put down this afternoon! I'll be digging this thread up in the future when it's time for a new companion.



We've had Maggie for 15 years and she was absolutely the best dog ever! She is having breathing problems (she breathes too hard and her larynx shuts) and the heat has made it really bad. I had to rush her to the vet today; she was "gut" breathing, temp of 105, and scared. The options are few on a 16 year old lab. What really amazed me was my boys (12 and 8) said they don't want her to have this again when no one is home and have to be scared by herself and that we should put her to sleep before she gets scared again. My 8 year old even wants to see the whole thing so "when he has a dog and has to do it, I'll know what to expect. " From the mouths of babes! Anyway, sorry for the threadjack, but this kind of gives the other end of the puzzle. R. I. P. Maggie, Sammy and Ditto are waiting to see you again!

 

[RustyJC]

AMink,



My wife and I had to put our 6-1/2 year old tri-color Sheltie down on February 28th. He had been fighting a chronic kidney problem for 2 years and suffered kidney failure. Even the best veterinary facility in Texas (if not the nation) at Texas A&M could do nothing for him. Sitting there holding him with my wife while he was put down was one of the hardest things I've had to do in the 58+ years of my life.



Bandit is waiting on Maggie where they can run and play in perfect health.



Rusty

 

[RGardner]

Try finding a reputable breeder of whatever kind of dog (Great Dane) you finally decide on. The puppies that you find in the pet stores may not have had all the socializing that they need or may have been bred by a puppy mill that only cares about turning out dogs, paying no attention to quality just quantity.

 

[AMink]

one of the hardest things I've had to do in the 58+ years of my life

Times like these make me wonder why we set ourselves up for such sadness. The kids took it very well, I did OK. The questions have already started about what kind are we getting next. I think that's a good way to live life... just get on with it! Learn from the kids!

 

[DieselPuter]

go with a Fila Mastiff, best dog you will ever have... ... ... ... .

 

[MCummings]

Well guys. It's been a little while...



We got a Pomeranian. He's about 6 months old now. Got him when he was 3 months. Great little dog, but hard headed and hyper. He listens only when not too distracted. We have trained him to listen to us. We don't blow kisses or whistle at him, unless we want him to look at us, and have his head turn from side to side while he tries to figure us out. LOL.



He has learned "sit", "Dance", "lay down", "stay", "get down", "come on", and my favorite, "leave it". If he is chewing, smelling, or about to do anything I don't want him to, we say "leave it" in a very stern voice. Anything in his mouth is dropped asap. I like it, because he just looks at me, and doesn't drop his head down in shame, or like if he just got swatted.

----



Last night, we bought a Great Dane. I have been looking for one since I typed up the first post in this thread. We picked up a Male Black, with white on his chest and some white on his chest. Classic Great Dane. I got to meet the owners of the dog, and the mom and dad of the puppy. He's 6 weeks old, and has all his shots, and will be getting the rest of his shots before I pick him up in 2 weeks.



The Dad was beautifull, but the Mom was a harlequin (sp?) which, I don't care for the coat much. The Dad's head was a little small, more like a lab, and not a great dane, but still just screamed Great Dane. Both Mom and Dad are purebreds.



Pictures to come!



Thanks guys,

Merrick

 

[AMink]

Earlier in the thread, I said I'd be looking it up when it came time for a new dog. Well, I forgot about it and got one anyway! We got a female black lab a few weeks back. Not a Maggie dog yet, but we'll be working on it!

 

[MCummings]

Sorry for the low quality. I only have a cell phone camera available to me right now.









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[Cummnzpowr]

...

LOL Merrick... that second pic looks like you after you woke up in your truck at the Kerrville TDR rally in 05' . . haha :-laf POMERANIAN? you must have given in to the g/f !

 

[HEMI®Dart]

Try finding a reputable breeder of whatever kind of dog (Great Dane) you finally decide on. The puppies that you find in the pet stores may not have had all the socializing that they need or may have been bred by a puppy mill that only cares about turning out dogs, paying no attention to quality just quantity.

Look at this Great Dane. Worlds tallest. About 7' standing.

 

[MCummings]

Here he is, at just over 8 months.



80Lbs.



Merrick

 

[Missouri Mule]

MCummings, my brother raises/trains/shows Great Danes and other breeds, ilf you need any pointers send me an E-Mail/PM and I give you his e-mail address.