Dog Community

does size matter?

Posted : 7/18/2006 11:42:11 AM

ok i posted this in another section but i think i posted in the wrong section....sorry. so here goes,

ok. my sister wants a dog and she wants a dog that is a runner (she loves my husky) but she is not too experienced with dogs...i was willing to take her to our local husky recscue because that was the first dog on her list; she has researched it and knows what shes up for. i also thought it would be a good idea so my husky will have another husky to play with. anyways...although she wants a husky, she thinks that it may be easier to care for a toy breed becauase there smaller then the husky. so what im trying to ask is, does size matter? like toys are easier then medium/larger dogs? im not trying to start any conflicts or anything but i wanna help my sister make the right decision. i perosnally dont think size really matters, i had a husky for my first dog, was fun training him even though he had a mind of his own (husky), loved him eversince.

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 7/18/2006 11:46:53 AM

I'm not a runner and really don't know anything about this, but all the people I see doing serious running with their dogs have pretty good sized ones. I might be wrong, but it doesn't seem like a toy breed would be able to run far enough or fast enough to keep up with a runner.

Joyce

whitewidow

Posted : 7/18/2006 11:53:54 AM

thanks for the reply, thats exactly what im saying. i think a larger breed would make a better jogging companion, even though a toy breed would still make a great companion. but running wise i WOULDNT think a toy breed would be a big fan of running a marathon....lol

glenmar

Posted : 7/18/2006 11:55:05 AM

gotta go with Joyce on the size issue for running.

The smallest breed I've ever had is cockers...have had slightly smaller mixes as well. In my experience, the little ones are MORE work...but I'm the crazy lady with six german shepherds......[8D]

Melaney B.

Posted : 7/18/2006 11:59:47 AM

Actually, in my opinion, size doesn't matter! it's the breed that counts. I mean think about it, a know the laziest large dogs and small dogs. And there are plenty of large and small energentic dogs too. i guess it depends on what your friend is interested in, not size!*

Melaney B.

Posted : 7/18/2006 12:01:24 PM

Forgot to mention, i know this because i have a little cocker. She runs right along and sometimes even tires out my friends black lab and sheperd mix! lol!

glenmar

Posted : 7/18/2006 12:08:43 PM

I'm going to disagree with a cocker as a serious running partner. It's just not GOOD for them. I raised cockers for many years and they were all in tip top conditions and could run for short bursts, but for a SERIOUS runner who does 15-20 miles a day? Nope.

Melaney B.

Posted : 7/18/2006 12:14:19 PM

well, maybe my cocker is just a fluke because i swear that ball of hers gets 200miles on it per day. lol! she has both endurance and agility and seems to Never get tired! My friends dog on the other hand is liek you mentioned, Glenda, more of a short powerful burst dog. so i guess, in this case, it depends on the dog itself. All dogs are different (most of the time)

tina robinson

Posted : 7/18/2006 12:22:15 PM

maybe a smaller dog that is very like a husky, I have Shiba Inu, they are very athletic, look much like a husky, just different colors, are smaller and dont "talk" like husies are prone too

rwbeagles

Posted : 7/18/2006 12:37:13 PM

Shiba wouldn't be my first reccomendation as they can have quite a lot of erm..."personality' for a first timer to handle.

Then there are the dogs like Brittany's and Springers that have been bred to be out in the field all day, they are slightly smaller but do have "coat' to care for. Harriers are hard to find but excellent jogging companions and companions in general....they look like Beagles but larger...but not as large as the Foxhounds.

The myriad of mix breeds available at shelters and rescues are another option of course []

Toy dogs definitely are NOT bred or made for long runs. They are companions and many can in fact have issues if overexercised.

tina robinson

Posted : 7/18/2006 12:57:50 PM

I am very aware of a shibas personality, but if this person has resurched a husky then I am sure they are capable of reading a book about shibas, and the training for a shiba is quite a lot like that of a husky, never off lead and whatnot. As both are primitive spitz dogs they have alot of the same training needs.

rwbeagles

Posted : 7/18/2006 2:44:07 PM

reading a book...is not the same as owning one tho. I think we both can agree on that.

I know someone with 5 and another with a couple and neither recommends them to first timers. Their input prompts my post.

Sibes in general like people (anyone really) and attention from said people....Shiba's do not, they are quite choosy about attention and who gets to give it to them...Sibes generally can get on well with other dogs and children...Shibas have a harder time with that, in fact the 5 Shiba owner has to protect her AKITAS, from her Shibas lmao...

jennie_c_d

Posted : 7/18/2006 7:44:23 PM

I'd say a JRT is good, but, honestly, Emma (and every JRT I know) is higher maintenance than a big dog. A well bred JRT should have the build and stamina (once acclimated, of course!) to run at LEAST 5 miles a day.

They are, however, known to be a difficult breed. They are terriers, and they were bred to think independently. That means they don't always care what you say. Of course, most huskies are the same

grab01

Posted : 7/18/2006 7:55:53 PM

I was going to suggest a JRT as well, assuming she's already ok with a high energy dog. There's a lady in town who runs constantly with her JRT, and the dog is always right there keeping pace, looking happy as can be.

dasher

Posted : 7/18/2006 8:17:26 PM

I agree a JRT would have the energy to run for days [

] However, I have never gone running with Dasher. I used to run with my dal, Reese, he was a great running partner. I would also think a greyhound would be a good running partner and would also be low maintinance during "down time", with a JRT, there would be no "down time"[

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