Canine Companions - your experience and recommendations

[Radrunner]

Thanks for all the info so far! 18 comments in one day? Wow.

I understand everyone's support for adopting from a humane society, SPCA, rescue center and so on, and I have been keeping my eye out. So far nothing has come along though.

I looked into the Norwegian Buhund, and it definitely fits the bill. It has made it onto the list...

Scratch that earlier thing about no dogs being at the SPCA... a German Shepherd husky cross just popped up... I shall have to look into that...

 

[RockFarm]

I have an 2 year old Anatolian Shepard/ Great Pyrenees mix from a family that could not handle him in town, and a 5 year old Bull Mastiff/ Border Collie mix from the shelter. Both are great dogs and protect the farm well, but I am really fond of the Anatolian personality, the poor Bull Mastiff does not realize that he is not a lap dog!
http://photos-b.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v463/101/101/1582481028/n1582481028_42681_552.jpg

 

[Steely_Gunz]

It really warms my heart to see all shelter dog love
I know that sometimes a pure breed is needed or simply desired. That's OK
However, being the big softie that I am, I can't bring myself to ever "buy" an animal again.

As I type this, my furry 25lb friend is keeping me company coiled tightly next to "dad" and sawing logs. The wife and I won't be far behind him

 

[Karda]

Let the SPCA know what youre looking for and ask them to help look around for you. Most are more than willing to help you find the "One" even if it doesnt come from them specifically....you may have to travel a little to check the dog out, but it's a small price to pay for a great companion. Most mutt type dogs are very hardy in nature.

I myself prefer shelter dogs and mutts, we have two dachshund/chiuahua mix.... but we ended up with two pedigreed dachshunds also. One my wife had to have, from the pet store she worked at and we sorta had to keep the other one we got at our son in florida's request..he got to big to be flown down there.

the choice is yours...look til you find one that fits your needs and calls to you as the one.

 

[b.c.molin]

and a 5 year old Bull Mastiff/ Border Collie mix from the shelter... the poor Bull Mastiff does not realize that he is not a lap dog!

A most unusual cross to be sure but one I would like to behold (you said he thinks he's a lap dog) if able?

Many thanks for the picture and the character description. It gave me a great big smile.

Oh, here is my other canine companion, Becky, who is now 13 years old.

 

[Pete1977]

When I lived in Tampa my brother, my roomate and I had Dante, a rhodesian ridgeback/black lab/sharpei mix we adopted from the humane society and Copper, a rottweiller/german shepherd/??? mix we later adopted from some agency associated with petsmart. they were loving beautiful dogs and I miss them every day. When I moved out my brother and roomate kept the dogs. My roomate still has Dante in NYC and Copper was given to a great family when my brother moved and couldn't take him.

My parents have Portugese Water Dogs, being that my dad is an avid boater and recreational fisherman. The AARP recommended this breed for people with rhumetoid arthritis as they are active and extremely intellegent, good swimmers (and beach dogs). He's become more active with them and has shown drastic improvement with his arthritic flareups.

When my girlfriend moved to Chicago we got her a black cat from a feline adoption agency. I moved here a year ago and love this cat (and I was never a cat person).

+1 for adopting a loving pet who needs a home from a shelter. If you go the purebred route, get one from a reputable breeder. Stay away from "puppy mills" as the chances of getting a healthy pet diminish and the conditions in which they are kept range from poor to cruel.

Pete