New Dog - Changed Perspective

[whiteslashasian]

Hung out with a huge Rhodesian Ridgeback over the weekend. Huge like 90lbs but trim, not fat, huge.

Makes me want a big, loyal, lovable, smart, and laid back dog.

*edit* forgot to mention that while the ridgeback was huge, it was still a beautiful dog with great proportion, coat, and has a perfect ridge (not always a given).

 

[Rambo]

Originally Posted by Douglas

I have good news for you - you and your partner are now able to legally wed in the state of California. Congratulations!
This coming from the man with the gayest looking dogs on earth is quite the statement.

 

[tiecollector]

Originally Posted by Rambo

I've never understood the love that some men have for large dogs. Maybe its a scat fetish compensation thing. Weird.
Totally agree.

 

[Rambo]

Originally Posted by tiecollector

Totally agree.
Its bad enough looking for **** in one direction...

 

[StephenHero]

dogs > people

 

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by kwilkinson

Says the guy with 4 of the girliest dogs in the thread.

the irony was not lost on me, much as i'm sure the irony of you being the first to jump on this is not lost on you.

 

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Douglas

My four:

I'm a huge fan of terriers, and yours look terrific, but given their personalities and energy, how do you manage four at one time? My hat is off to you!

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by IUtoSLU

For the duration of my life, I've found dogs to be boring. My family never owned a dog when I was growing up and the only dogs I came into contact with were those of friends. Dogs always seemed like a crapshoot - some friendly, some that like to bite, some that growl a lot, and many that were annoying. I never really had a desire to buy a dog.

I'm still at this stage. Wife LOVES dogs and always had one growing up. She insists that once our boys are a little older (maybe 3 or 4), we have to get a dog. I'm sure it's a great idea and they would love the dog to death but I'm still not sure how that works in a NYC apartment with working parents.

 

[tiecollector]

Originally Posted by gdl203

I'm still at this stage. Wife LOVES dogs and always had one growing up. She insists that once our boys are a little older (maybe 3 or 4), we have to get a dog. I'm sure it's a great idea and they would love the dog to death but I'm still not sure how that works in a NYC apartment with working parents.

Small one who is professionally trained very well. Lots of people in Korea have small dogs and everyone lives in an apartment. You can tire them out indoors pretty easily.

 

[StephenHero]

If you can pick it up with one hand it's not a dog. More of a mega gerbil.

 

[gomestar]

Originally Posted by gdl203

I'm sure it's a great idea and they would love the dog to death but I'm still not sure how that works in a NYC apartment with working parents.

how would this be different if you weren't in a NYC apartment? Dogs sleep all day and kids would leave it exhausted by night anyways. We would always come home from school and find a Yorkie with bedhead.

You can also have a dog walker in the day if need be or there are a handful of doggy day cares if you don't want to leave it at home.

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by gomestar

how would this be different if you weren't in a NYC apartment? Dogs sleep all day and kids would leave it exhausted by night anyways. We would always come home from school and find a Yorkie with bedhead.

You can also have a dog walker in the day if need be or there are a handful of doggy day cares if you don't want to leave it at home.

Well I don't know but I'd assume a dog left alone all day (except when the kids are back from school) would be lonely. I also assume that a dog with access to a yard would be happier than one locked in an apartment every day.

 

[SpooPoker]

Originally Posted by gdl203

Well I don't know but I'd assume a dog left alone all day (except when the kids are back from school) would be lonely. I also assume that a dog with access to a yard would be happier than one locked in an apartment every day.

Before my kid, my dog was home for 9h while my wife and I both worked, and was happy as a clam. We walked and played with her at night, and she still slept through the night after only 3-4 hours of "working out" at night and 1-2 hours in the AM. It really depends on the dog and their background.

FWIW We lived in Hells Kitchen for the first 8 months we had her and she was great as a city dog.

 

[gomestar]

Originally Posted by SpooPoker

Before my kid, my dog was home for 9h while my wife and I both worked, and was happy as a clam. We walked and played with her at night, and she still slept through the night after only 3-4 hours of "working out" at night and 1-2 hours in the AM. It really depends on the dog and their background.

FWIW We lived in Hells Kitchen for the first 8 months we had her and she was great as a city dog.

our dog is the happiest dog I've ever seen and she is home alone all day. She just sleeps all day, literally. In fact, a 3 day weekend would often throw her off and she'd be all lethargic on the third day from all of the activity around the house.

 

[tiecollector]

Pet activity level seems to be directly proportional to quality of food. Even my old-man cat went from sleeping around all day to running up the walls.