As Twas the above doggy:)

hi Rob.. Truth is, they would need more exercise than I could REALISTICALLY give them,.

Just being honest.... :(

:2 cents:

I own a Labrador and it's a great dog but they love attention.

^^^I'm saying. Every cat I've adopted I picked out from the shelter online or found myself as a stray. I cannot bear going into the general 'cat' room at animal shelters anymore. I used to volunteer in one, and now they just remind me of how cruel peple can be. I've always chosen older/special needs cats cuz they're less adopable in general

the only dog I ever had was a Black lab and she was awesome, but every dog is:) @CurrentlySober, I know you had one difficult experience with a shelter dog, but maybe think about trying again? Every dog is different, and there's a huge chance your past experience won't be the case this time around

Either way, I'm so sorry you lost your cat...I remember you posting about it the day you made that vet visit. I'm glad you've decided to open your home to a new furry one.

When my current pets move on, I'm getting one of these:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...-SandCat12.jpg

:2 cents:

Bulldog hands down
ds

That's a common misconception...they are used to being crated/penned all day and really don't require that much exercise.

They are an acquired taste but this is true -

From http://greyhoundgap.org.uk/homing-a-...hounds-as-pets

Lesbians always seem to have them for some reason - Very odd....

FIFTY DOGS

glad to see a real thread from you. Have you ever had a weiner dog? Or what they are really called dachshund. They are great buddy dogs and smart. Jack Russels I have seen have all been nice too. Full of energy funny dogs. Lots of good ones posted so far

proper breeds don't have inbred problems.. stop buying from shitty breeders..

whats with all the pound pushing going on around here? Do you guys love endless vet bills or guessing at temperament tendencies? If you only want a dog for about 5 years or so its a great option, but other than that its a silly gamble.. Save money on something else, dogs shouldn't be bought with coupons.

I have labs and a curly coated retriever. If you are used to and prefer smaller dogs those may not be the way to go as they need a lot of exercise and will get fat on you if you don't get them out enough--especially the labs.

Pointers are a bit smaller and very friendly, that may be a good way to go. I like the german wirehair myself.

Go the the shelter and get one that would otherwise be euthanized.

these are the dogs i would recommend also. you have to trim the hair around their bum though or it gets poo caked in it

Now you've done it....

Get a Rat Terrier they are the most affectionate small dogs and really super smart. I have had mine for 8 years and she is amazing.

I highly recommend a rat terrier if you're size constrained at all. I've been just pleased as punch by my Daisy. They are not yappy and just chock full of character. They really think they're 50lbs or so. Great for a jogging companion, if that's your thing. They definitely need exercise! http://www.rat-terrier.com

EDIT: I highly advise against a Jack Russell. They are very, very job-driven and if left bored, will get neurotic quickly. ie: licking themselves, barking, etc. They are NOT dog friendly and fight easily. They are very independent and as such tend to wander off on terrier adventures. The females can be especially aggressive.

They look like Jack Russels.

In fact I think that is my Eddie on the back right in their header....

They better have her 2257 :disgust !!

get an askal

There are subtle differences. Rat terriers are finer boned, more laid back, and more attentive than jacks. You can find stockier rat terriers, but they won't be square like a jack, they'll still be fairly rectangular (from the side.) I could go on... :)

Go to your local animal shelter and get a MUTT. Mutts are best. Longer life, less health problems and incurred vet bills. Plus, you will be saving a life. Adopt.

All breeds are going to have their strengths and weaknesses. I guess you first have to establish what you can live with.. and what you wont. Hair type and grooming needs, size, temperament, exercise level suitability to your life style, as well as medical draw backs (this part is a bit of a crap shoot either way, there are examples of breeds that buck the trends, some that will creep up on you no matter what guarantees you've been given ie. hips dysplasia etc.) Remember that certain types of dogs are prone to specific behaviors, Terriers love to occupy their time looking for vermin and getting into mischief, Hounds can tend to wander, many small dogs can be yappy.

An even bigger crap shoot is the whole pound dog thing. Ive seen awesome examples of pound dogs that are grateful to their owners, and others that had problems that just couldn't be overcome. The younger you can get them, the less likely it is that there is less damage done, but then again, you always risk that the previous owner abandoned the dog for medical reasons that you may not be aware of, and could subject you to hugely expensive vet bills.

I've had small, medium and large breed dogs and enjoyed each for different reasons. Current one is a French Bulldog who is tonnes of personality and surprisingly pretty rough and tumble for a little dog. And thankfully he came with none of the issues usually associated with the breed. Also recommended are Australian Shepherds, and Doberman Pincers. But Im biased on those. Good luck with whatever you go with.

I'd also agree with Robwod and the Siamese cat option. As a companion, they can be surprisingly un-cat like. Ive had 2 part Siamese, and have a friend with a Siamese female who thinks she's a dog. She fetches too. And you get get the low maintenance factor with a cat

http://i.imgur.com/5X3Lh.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/BFr8i.jpg

That's my little Eddy - She spends hours in the pool - When she gets out she cant walk her legs are so tired....

Not sure about Canada, but in the UK and Spain, you're more likely to get a ill dog from a shop/breeder than the pound.

The pound local to me has a vet, and if you got your dog from them, you can use that vet, she's much cheaper and knows the dog. They even get 3 month checkups for free.

Also it's not about saving money, it's about rescuing an animal that would otherwise spend the rest of it's life in a cage. My dog had been in the pound for a year because she's 5 and huge, 2 things against her.

A male Pug. Mine is chill and is snuggled up on the couch with my little girl and I right now.

Yes they do. Breeding to a set standard causes all sorts of breed specific health problems.

I have on of these:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_Mastiff

pretty interesting breed. he drools, sheds and stinks. would not have any other breed but maybe a Great Dane or Anatolian. be fine in a small location... vert low key dogs, very loy. 20-30 walk a day will do the trick...

I didn't grow up with dogs and have only had 1 in my life so take my opinion for what it's worth... with that said, my Labrador is just the best dog ever. He is so gentle, loyal and loving it's incredible. My mum and brother have cats and he is so caring towards them, looks out for them and lets them jump all over him.

I hand picked this dog myself from the breeder, took about 20-30 minutes watching all the puppies playing and trying to see their personalities, in the end my dog was perfect. When we walked in, all the puppies ran over to us, my dog just continued eating lol. He knocked over a trash can as well when the other puppies were trying to get to the bag hanging over the edge, just silly things that made me love him from the first minute.

Pure breds can be a hand full and so can rescues. Just look and look until one finally adopts you.

Get a mutt