Haleigh
Posted : 5/25/2007 4:05:01 PM
WELCOME!!!![sm=welcome2.gif]
How active is you're 13 year old? I can easily take my border collie jogging every day, so if your 13 year old can, then get a more active breed.
There are MULTIPLE things you have to remember:
Will you provide about 50 dollars a month for a PREMIUM dog food like Solid Gold or Egle Pack, not Purina?
How far will you take it into training? Basic manners (walk nicely on leash, sit, come) basic obedeince training from a facility (before, plus stay, stand, correct heel, watch, and maybe some fun tricks), advanced (all before, just making it increasingly harder, prepping you for competition)?
How often can you play? 15 minutes every hour?
Are you home all day?
How's your childs responsiblity level? Can they provide basic requirements like feeding, watering, brushing and pottying? These are the basic requirements MINIMUM at my house, but also considering I have a puppy and it was my choice to get a dog for myself, I have 100% responsibilty.
Do you mind shedding?
What size? Teacup :chihuahua sized Small: terrier sized (jack russel, bichon, lhasa apso) medium (aussie, border collie,small german shepherd, airdale terriers) large (german shepherds, boxers, dobermans) xtra large (anatolian shpeherd, irish wolfhound)
What coat do you prefer? Curly, wavy or straght? Long, medium or short? Coarse or smooth?
Over all, I suggest a bichon frise. Small, don't require a lot of excercise, bright, easy to train, sweet, easy to socialize, and you can even paper train them, since they don't poop and pee in large amounts like an Anatolian! I kknow that when composers get into a groove, they don't want to stop to potty the puppy.