So I have been jonesing for a puppy for a while now. However, I have fear about taking the plunge since I never had a dog….never. Not even as a kid…well my stepmom had a dog and I lived in the house.
Its name was Shoo Shoo and it was a Shitzu. It’s long fur sported a pony tail on the top of its head. Why I wonder, it was best to leave that hair covering a face that looked liked it rammed into a brick wall at 70mph. Well this shitzu, shit and pissed all over the place. It particularly was fond of my Dad’s favorite Persian rug. They say that they lock in the color with camel urine and that is why the dog used it as a toilet, but that sounds like a tale to me.
That is my memory of a dog, my first pet was a bird. I name my green parroket George. From a bugs bunny cartoon from the abominable snowman.
“I will call him George and I will hug him, pet him and squeeze him”
http://www.nonstick.com/sounds/Abominable_Snowman/ltas_002.mp3
Hey, I was six so cartoons was my inspiration. I’ve had a horse, many rabbits (none named George). No dogs So if anyone has any tips, I would appreciate. ‘Cause I want one to love.
Here are pics of a couple Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppies. Don’t they look like there future mommy? Wavy red hair, white complexion with brown eyes…and oh so cute 
I’m more of a cat person ( don’t hate me for that ) but those are pretty cute doggies. I’m just tired of cleaning up after animals so I’ll be living alone.
I didn’t have a dog either when I was growing up, but I seem to be making up for it now. I have 2 Golden Retrievers and owned 4 other goldens before these two plus a Shetland sheepdog. Dogs are wonderful. They love you unconditionally and ask for so little in return. I knew someone who had a couple of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Extremely cute (just like you) little dogs.
I’m no expert but here are some tips I picked up from buying my own dogs and being around a lot of dog shows.
1) I think the most important thing every dog owner should consider is if they have the time to devote to the care and love of a dog
I think it is a good idea to visit dog shows. You can see the breeds, talk to the breeders, and interact with the dog if the owner allows it.
2) Unless you are set on a specific breed, consider getting a dog from a shelter. That’s where my Shetland sheepdog came from.
3) Get a dog that is suitable to your lifestyle. Golden Retrievers are probably not a good choice for apartment or condo living but a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel would be perfect. Also to consider, some dogs shed more and require more grooming then other dogs. You can get a lot of information about the different breeds including their health and temperament from the American Kennel Club, http://www.AKC.org. This is the organization that maintains a registry of all purebred dogs, sanctions dog shows and does many other things related to dogs.
4) Don’t buy a purebred dog from a pet store or from someone who has a sign in their yard or ad in the local paper. You are taking a chance on getting a dog that is the result of poor breeding.(See health issues below)
5) Buy a purebred dog from a reputable breeder. You can get a list from the AKC or from a club that is devoted to the breed you want. I believe there is a club called the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Club. Good breeders don’t advertise in the paper or sell dogs in pet stores because they don’t have to. Their dogs are in big demand but the downside is you will pay more.
6) Every breed seems to have health issues prevalent to that breed. Golden Retrievers, like a lot of big breeds, show a prevalence of hip dysplasia. For CKC Spaniels, I know there is an issue related to the heart. I think it is called mitral valve disease or something like that. There may be other health issues I’m not aware of but that can researched. Don’t let this discourage you. Many breeds have hereditary health issues and good breeders work to prevent it.
7) To prevent hereditary diseases like hip dysplasia or mitral valve disease from being passed on, breeders have set up various certification processes. I’m not sure how it works for Spaniels but it is probably something like this. The parents are both examined by a vet and a certificate issued that certifies the parent is free of heart disease. There are probably specific ages to do this. A good breeder will not breed a dog that has a history of health problems and you as the buyer can ask to see the certifications. A good breeder will have this information and probably volunteer it and will also give you certifications and information on any other health related issues. They may have this information not only for the parents but ancestors as well.
A dog is a mere refection of it’s owner. Weather it be kind or aggressive, is a learned trait from it’s owner. A pibull can be very friendy but if his owner is a jack ass and treats the dog ths same way, well then you get a jack ass for a dog.
With that said, My dog is my very best friend and would be lost without him
Having dogs all my life, I found that getting a mut at the shelter works out well and you save them from death in most case. So get a mut and live happier
I have a shitzu puppy who turns 1 next month. Puppies are some work, especially at first. They are great company though. As for house breaking, I started her out in a crate (open air, totally humane) and would take her outside regularly. When she was inside she was always in the crate. They will not go potty in a confined space where they have to stay and sleep.
As she got older, I would take her for a regular walk on a leash around 7:30 in the morning and 7:30 at night, in addition to letting her out when she seemed needy. Over time those regular walks became her time to go no. 2. (Twice a day is usually her limit there.) No. 1 is more frequent, about 3-4 times per day, but I can now tell when she needs to go and I just walk out with her and let her find a spot. (Hope this isn’t TMI.)
Now she has the run of the house and rarely has an accident. (Those rare occasions were when I got distracted and didn’t focus on her signs.)
Moral of the story – some investment of time and effort is needed, but it should pay off in the end.
You have a shitzu, Jay, so that comment about hitting a wall probably was not funny…right
Thanks all for your information, very helpful.
No offense taken. Shitzus are definitely nasally challenged.
But they can lick the snot off of their own nose, that must be pretty cool when you have a cold.
Yuck! I’ll try to get that visual out of my head before dinner time.
You gave me the low down on your dog’s bowel movements, but a little snot comment turns your stomach. Geez man, I just don’t get dog owners….opps did I say that?!?
Touche!
FYI: Those aren’t my old lady hands in the pic. I’m sure there is at least one person who thinks I am holding the puppies…but nope, not me. I wanna hold them, but I’m not. They are in ohio…..I need to go to ohio.
Those two puppies are so cute. I like the first pic. I’m sure either would make a great roommate and addition, to your house.
Never had a Dog, so take my comments with a grain of salt (but I did take care of one once). Be careful of allergies and they can be messy, so be prepared.
Thanks ffred, no not a roommate, a baby. A baby girl had without all the pregnancy and stretched out pussy.
Andrew and Shooter: I’m not asking none dog lovers, you all can ignore this post. I don’t want to hear from you
You must be cat people. I never would want a cat.
Oops! I’m a cat person too. True story.
I am constantly sticking my foot in my mouth with you. You must be totally insulting by my comments, by now? Or is it please ma’am I would like some more?
I’m not a non-Dog lover, just never happend to own one. One of the sadest things I ever had to do was bury two of them when they passed away, one year apart. That’s another consideration, they don’t live as long as we do. It’s rough when they go. But, not a reason not to get one, just something to be prepared for.
P.S. I’m definitely not a cat person.
..)
Jessie,
I love the dog in the pics. Very cute! Another good choice for a dog is a Cockapoo, (mix breed of cocker spaniel and poodle). Very good, fun and lovable dogs. I am partial as I own one. The other great things is that they do not shed. They have hair not fur. Only downer is you have to get their hair cut about once every 2 months or so. I also agree with the comment above that it is good to go with a reputable breeder. I am sure you will pick a dog that is appropriate for you. I look forward to meeting “George” soon. Take care.
Oh no, my babygirl will not be named George….oh no no. I will check out cockapoos, thanks. Care to share a pic of your friend. Sounds like something you can order in a chicken restaurant. “One order of cockapoo to go please”
LOL!!! I always thought the name sounded rather erotic, but that’s just my perverted mind at work. I will send you a an email with the picture.
Yeah~! When I see you I’ll use my Kate Hudson voice from “How to Lose a Guy in 10 days” (chick flick you probably did not see it). Anyway, she used a baby voice to turn off a guy. So, I will greet your member with, “How’s my cock a poo poo poowie poo pooooooo”.
Is the name still erotic for you…huh.
No that pretty much killed it for me. Now it sounds more like a chicken dish at a Thai restaurant. Thanks for the visual though…
If you want visuals, just posted new pics. I’m sure you’ll desire to stick your cock up my poo hole now.
I am looking forward to it.
It was a play on words, don’t get too excited about it.
BTW: Where you referring to a restaurant in Bangkok Thailand?!? har har
I love, love, love dogs, but haven’t owned one in almost 20 years. Until recently, my wife and I simply worked too many hours to be able to spend enough time with one, or to be home early enough to take one out for an afternoon walk. Also, travel was sometimes a problem in getting either a friend to take care of it while gone or putting it in a kennel.
But if you can deal with the little hassles, there is no better pet. They define the term unconditional love.
There are breed info books in pet stores or the library which will give you an idea of which breeds might suit your lifestyle and preferences. I always liked medium to larger dogs over lap dogs. Some combination breeds have started to become popular, like the labradoodle, combining the friendliness and playfulness of the labrador with the intelligence and shed-free fur of the poodle.
Good luck