calliecritturs
Posted : 11/18/2010 9:01:34 PM
I'm going to ask more questions -
are you OWNING or renting? If you are renting then honestly you may want to re-define your size criteria. If you are still somewhat in transition you want to keep this at a size/breed you can handle EVEN IF everything falls apart and you have to live in an apartment (job change? divorce can do that to you *sigh* btdt!)
Most apartments have size restrictions -- and you may also want to check on what your homeowners insurance will allow as far as breeds.
I would tell you to go get the ASPCA Complete Guide to Dogs - it's got a GREAT little breed snapshot guide where it gives you a darned good thumbnail of breeds, activity levels, grooming needs etc. -- and then later in each section it shows you what a MIX of this and this might look like. It's a darned handy little book and practical.
Remember -- the rule of thumb tends to be the smaller the dog the longer lived -- and by the time your son graduates and goes on to school lthen you're left with a larger dog who may be bigger than you can transport to the vet alone? My own personal rule is (and this is borne out of kicking myself after a divorce to be honest) -- I gotta be able to MOVE the dog MYSELF if the dog is sick and no one else can help me get him to the vet. I have no family nearby -- it can make things complicated.
That's not meant to be harbinger of doom -- that's just practical stuff if you're newly on your own.
I like going with a nearby rescue -- lots of rescues have adoption days at nearby PetSmarts, etc. -- go and MEET them -- let your son help fill water bowls and maybe bathe dogs. Don't get sucked in the first day -- but rather get to know the people and see what's available and in particular keep your own eyes open when you see someone turn IN a dog ....
But it's a GREAT way to spend a Saturday with your son -- and getting involved in a rescue can really help. It can also tell you real quick DO YOU want to adopt from *these* folks?? Not all rescues are good!! Keep your eyes and ears open.
Mostly tho - brainstorm with your own child -- MAKE LISTS --
What do you REALLY want to do with your dog, Son?
If his idea of FUN is a dog that will go with him on leash while he rides a bike? You may NEED a bigger dog. Or ... you may simply need a dog fit enough to keep up. (and NOT a puppy either -- they need to be fully grown to keep that sort of pace).
However -- if this is a kid involved in 4H who may want to get into training?
If you have a budding flyball or frisbee trainer on your hands -- you may want to think a different breed.
Things like Rally don't require a purebred.
In particular when you're looking at the ASPCA book? look at health related issues for the breed -- if you're thinking lab then make SURE you get one with good hips if he wants to run the dog. Sometimes a mix can be a better bet -- often healthier and more well rounded. Heck -- I'd take Amanda's Brinxx in a heartbeat!! *grin*