Aug
24
what dog breed would be best for me?
ByI dont want a HUGE dog I really like the small ones, but meduim is fine too. I’m leaning towards a mixed breed, but a purebred is fine. Okay so i’m 16 i never had a dog before, i want a dog thats pretty playful but is relaxed too because i sometimes like to relax and sit or i have work to do and of corse i’m planning to go to college, so sometimes i might be busy. I would want one that can swim , i have a pool and i swim all the time, smart dog..easy to train..good with other pets and kids.. listens to you… affectionate… forgiving maybe…
anyways i saw a shetland sheepdog the other day, i thought they were pretty cute. maltese/poolde and cocker spaniel/poodle mixeds are cute too.
16 Comments
August 24th, 2011 at 6:01 PM
labrador
August 24th, 2011 at 6:27 PM
I used to have a Bichon Frise. They’re extremely playful and good with children. Also, they don’t shed.. so no cleaning of the pet hair! If you get the dog when it is extremely young, it’s easier to train him/her.
Go to a pet store that offers training. That’s the easiest way to train your dog.
August 24th, 2011 at 6:35 PM
pug they r some playful and easy 2 train i hav 1 n i get stand 2 b away from him
August 24th, 2011 at 6:59 PM
I can’t really say what breed would be good for you, but if you go to http://www.pedigree.com and take the puppy quiz (the what breed suits you or something) you can see there.
Also consider animal shelters and the cost (ie. food, grooming etc), exercise, garden, training etc.
August 24th, 2011 at 7:37 PM
The whole “16 and going to college in a couple years” thing, to me, says “it’s the wrong time to get a dog”. You think “sometimes” you “might be” busy? You have NO idea. There will be no time for a dog and having one and actually taking it to college with you would mean you wouldn’t be able to live in a dorm (a valuable experience if you ask me) and not taking it would mean your parents would get stuck with it.
Wait a few years.
August 24th, 2011 at 7:48 PM
Go to your local animal shelter and spend some time with the dogs there.
If you want a relaxed dog, you absolutely want to start with an adult dog: not a puppy. Puppies take a lot of work and dedication, so they can be really frustrating sometimes.
August 24th, 2011 at 8:34 PM
i would suggest a labrador retriever or a golden retriever. goldens are bigger than labs. both are very gentle loving dogs that are good with kids and other pets.
August 24th, 2011 at 8:53 PM
Shelties bark a lot more than most other dog breeds and they shed a lot and require a lot of grooming. Other than that they’re fantastic. I have two and have had them for over 14 years.
My main concern is what will happen with college? I had a dog through college, so I won’t tell you not to get a dog, but it is a LOT more work than you’d think right now. And it is hard in many college towns to rent with a dog. There are many many breed restrictions on rentals, you can’t take a dog in a dorm and many colleges require you live on campus your first year. If you can find a place to rent, if you have a larger dog it’s hard. It’ was even really hard with my 6 lb papillon, two roomates, and a cat. Also, with school and possibly work, you have to devote a TON of your spare time to your dog. No problem for me as I planned my social life around the dog and joined dog clubs we could both do things with. A lot of people that have dogs through college really don’t like it and feel like they miss out on a lot of things like partying and hanging with their friends. You might not get to do that because the dog needs to be let out.
Just some things to remember. It can work, but it’s hard work and you have to plan way in the future. A dog is for life and you need to make sure it will come first through all these major changes in your life.
BTW, if you want a dog for college, I would recommend NOT getting one over 35 lbs. From my experience renting restrictions in college towns will run about 20- 35 lbs. I would stay well below those restrictions just in case you have to move. I know of one apartment in my college town that would allow large dogs and it was not a place you wanted to live. I’d say 70% of the places didn’t allow pets at all and most of the college oriented apartments had many many restrictions.
August 24th, 2011 at 9:33 PM
laboders love to swim and playing my neighbor has one and its laid back and realy funny
August 24th, 2011 at 9:39 PM
You need a teddybear,not a live animal,until you can distinguish between reality & cartoons.
August 24th, 2011 at 9:42 PM
A lab sounds great. They are wonderful dogs. Great with kids (when my little brother John was born, she acted like a mother. She’d sleep by his crib and if he cried, she’d always go get us to make sure he was ok. He’s 4 now and she still is protective and gentle with him), they love the water, affectionate and smart….them or golden retrievers or austrailian shepherds are my favorite. But I would also recommend seeing a shelter. I’ve had many mutts and rescue dogs (2 of my 5 dogs that I have now are rescue dogs) and they are some of the best dogs I have ever had.
August 24th, 2011 at 10:26 PM
I’m not sure what dog that would be best, but i think you should get one from the pound and give it a loving home so it can love you back and don’t go to a breeder.
August 24th, 2011 at 11:09 PM
lab, freindly and active, but they can be relaxed if your also relaxed,dont shed mutch and great whith kids!!!!!!
August 24th, 2011 at 11:26 PM
Wrong time for a dog. Unless your parents want one. Other then that you should be hanging out with boys. I had to wait until I was 32. It just would not have been fair for the dog. Now my two dogs are spoiled.
August 24th, 2011 at 11:48 PM
i have a chug and it sounds like the perfect dog 4 u
they r playful and small cuz they r half chihuahua half pug. my puppy can learn new tricks in 4 days. he learns at least 1 new trick a week!!! hes a great dog over all. ill give u a pic 2 show u wat he looks like. they r great 4 first time dog owners too 
http://s277.photobucket.com/albums/kk42/kittylover617/?action=view¤t=puppy011.jpg
August 25th, 2011 at 12:41 AM
Since you’re planning on going to college soon, I wouldn’t recommend getting a a dog. A dog will only swim, be good with other pets and kids, listen to you, be affectionate, and be forgiving if you train it to be that way. Also, since it’s your first dog, you should probably get a shelter dog. They tend to be more forgiving and kind because they do realize that you rescued them.