• Hello!

    Either you have not registered on this site yet, or you are registered but have not logged in. In either case, you will not be able to use the full functionality of this site until you have registered, and then logged in after your registration has been approved.

    Registration is FREE, so please register so you can participate instead of remaining a lurker....

    Please be certain that the location field is correctly filled out when you register. All registrations that appear to be bogus will be rejected. Which means that if your location field does NOT match the actual location of your registration IP address, then your registration will be rejected.

    Sorry about the strictness of this requirement, but it is necessary to block spammers and scammers at the door as much as possible.

Dog recommendations???

Nitelion94

I am The Nitelion
Well it turns out im not moving(yesss soo happy about that) and the only reason my mom said I could not have a dog before is because of the move(I dont think thats it but HA I used that and now she could not say no) Its not going to be an inside dog or outside. It's going to spend most of the spring/summer/fall(untill it gets cold) outside but still come inside. I cant get anything huge because of that. I plan on checking local shelters but I am going to get a dog I really like so if they dont have one I will look else where. I want a dog that just likes to umm lol well hang out. I am outside all the time and walk/hike a lot so I want something that can come with me. Right now I am thinking a begeal all tho my local shelter did have an amazing welsh corgi that I loooved(its gone now :( ) so I will be checking on those. Thanks Nitelion.
 
If you are going to have a dog that lives outside, why bother to have a dog?? Dogs are at their strongest, most compelling selves when they are an intimate part of family life.

Thats a great point and I think inside dogs are amazing but at the same time I dont feel all dogs should live in a house.
 
If you are going to have a dog that lives outside, why bother to have a dog?? Dogs are at their strongest, most compelling selves when they are an intimate part of family life.

I agree 100% with this statement.

Dogs are pack animals. A dog left outside by itself is an unhappy, pitiful creature, unless its human pack is outside with it the entire time it is.

Our dogs are our family. We treat them as such. They are never "just" a dog.

You're what? About 16 or 17, right? Have you thought about what you'll do with a dog once you're an adult? Even the best-intentioned young people find that their lives are busy and complex once they're in college, working a full time job, or raising a family. If you can't guarantee you're willing to sacrifice whatever you need to, to keep your dog happy and healthy for its entire lifespan (12-15 years is average), you might want to think about whether you're really ready to get a dog at all.

I'd think about asking at the local shelters for advice on if, when, and what kind of dog would be best for your particular situation. Heck, you may even want to think about volunteering at one of them before you make your final decision. Then you get the fun part of having a dog (getting to walk it, play with it, etc.), without the commitment, long-term responsibility, or the not-so-fun stuff like taking care of its medical needs, cleaning up after its messes, etc.
 
Look people I understand people have different opinions but I would really rather not talk about them here if you dont want to recommend a dog then please done post. I will gladly take in everything everyone has to say bee it good or bad just do it in a pm please. As to what Irish Eye's said. I have spent lots of time with dogs caring for them feeding them walking them and cleaning after them. As for them being a pack I am not saying that I will only get one and no matter how many I get they will be cared for. If you want to know why I dont think all dogs should be inside then as I said pm me but I dont want to talk about it here.
 
"If you are going to have a dog that lives outside, why bother to have a dog??..."

That was EXACTLY my first thought! I grew up with collies (up in Wisconsin). We had a large outdoor pen for them during the day while we were at school and my dad was at work. But whenever we were home, they were wherever we were. Plus we had TWO - they kept each other company during the day.

OTOH, my best friend had an outdoor only dog. It was SO PITIFUL whenever we went outside to visit him, or took him with us on a walk. He would jump like mad, so happy to see somebody.

At the very least, get two if they have to live outside. They (unlike snakes, lol!) ARE social animals, and need company. Better yet, if you can't keep it inside whenever you are home, consider fostering dogs from a local shelter for short periods of time. Then you could save a life, enjoy a dog, and have no long term commitment. If they have dogs that are used to being outside, fostering that way for a little while would be much kinder than doing it as a long term solution.

When people have hunting dogs or other working dogs that live outside, they may enjoy them as "sort of" pets, as well as use them for whatever purpose they need them for. But in my experience, outdoor dogs just never become a true family member in the same way that indoor dogs do.

Please think long and hard about your plans before taking on this commitment that could last 10 - 15 years or so. Fostering could be a great way to "try out" a dog to see exactly what it entails.
 
Sorry - I was writing while you posted. I will not offer my opinion / experience on the subject again.
 
I agree with Irish Eyes and Lauren.
So lets try this you name dog, i.e. Beagle not a great dog to be left outside as they tend to howl and your neighbors may not like it, and we'll give opinion.
I don't understand you want advice but in pm so if you want help you have to give reasons for saying some dogs don't belong inside. How can we help if we don't understand your thinking.
Our dog is 50# and wouldn't dream of being left outside, he doesn't like it. He likes to play with other dogs outside for a while, but soon wants in. Mostly after he has gotten covered with mud and needs a bath. We have had dogs that like to be outside, dogs that like water, dogs that bark, howl and not much of it is breed specific or size specific.
Hopefully you will find a dog that fits your needs, but know you will only get out of this dog what you put into it. No matter how many you get you are the pack leader and need to act as such.
 
I agree with Lauren & Irish. Dogs are pack animals, they are very social animals & if they are going to be left alone outside, why bother having them. My neighbors don't understand why I don't leave my dogs outside all the time. I've told them many times, "where I am, they are..." if I'm outside, they're outside, if I'm inside, they're inside. They sleep in my room (on my bed) with me.

I think that volunteering at a local shelter or rescue is a wonderful idea.
 
I agree with Irish Eyes and Lauren.
So lets try this you name dog, i.e. Beagle not a great dog to be left outside as they tend to howl and your neighbors may not like it, and we'll give opinion.
I don't understand you want advice but in pm so if you want help you have to give reasons for saying some dogs don't belong inside. How can we help if we don't understand your thinking.
Our dog is 50# and wouldn't dream of being left outside, he doesn't like it. He likes to play with other dogs outside for a while, but soon wants in. Mostly after he has gotten covered with mud and needs a bath. We have had dogs that like to be outside, dogs that like water, dogs that bark, howl and not much of it is breed specific or size specific.
Hopefully you will find a dog that fits your needs, but know you will only get out of this dog what you put into it. No matter how many you get you are the pack leader and need to act as such.

What I mean is this. I love while I may not all ways show it I love it when people give me advice even if it hurts me I know in the long run its going to payoff. But I started this thread to get info about types of dogs so I dont feel like this thread is the place for people to say that if its an outside dog whats the point of having it? I would gladly answer that question just not in this thread. As for the advice please please Dont think I dont want it because I do just not in this thread. I am very sorry if I came off in the wrong way I in no way intended to and am very very sorry if I did.
 
Look people I understand people have different opinions but I would really rather not talk about them here if you dont want to recommend a dog then please done post. I will gladly take in everything everyone has to say bee it good or bad just do it in a pm please. As to what Irish Eye's said. I have spent lots of time with dogs caring for them feeding them walking them and cleaning after them. As for them being a pack I am not saying that I will only get one and no matter how many I get they will be cared for. If you want to know why I dont think all dogs should be inside then as I said pm me but I dont want to talk about it here.

The point of them being pack animals, is not meant that you have to have more than one, but that you, as the owner, are part of the pack, & isolating them (being kept outside) leads to unhappy dogs.

I am sorry that you do not like what people are saying, but someone else might also benefit from reading answers from those of us that have experience with dogs.
 
I agree that dogs are pack animals, but dogs can be happy outside, just like cats can be happy outside. Most of my childhood I had dogs that lived outside, and never once had a problem. Though I did have more than one, so they had their pack.

If I were you Nitelion I would get a Catahoula, they are great animals, and if you have enough land for them can be quite happy. They are hunters, herders, guard dogs, and great pets. I actually cannot wait to have land of my own so that I can get another one, and insure its safety. They are by far my favorite type of dog.
 
Sorry - I was writing while you posted. I will not offer my opinion / experience on the subject again.

I am very thankful for your opinions and telling me you experience. All tho sometimes I think I do I am 16 and I know I dont know everything. I know that hearing peoples experience/getting advice is a great way to learn so I thank you very much for the post I just meant for this thread to b about people giving me info on types of dogs. I am very sorry if I came off sounding bad as I said it was not my intention at all and I am very sorry if I did.
 
Just to comment on somthing Outcast said about space my grandparents are buying 80 something acre beside me that will b fenced in. I am not getting the dog for a while I plan to wait till maybe summer so I have time to research/study any dogs I like.
 
My family has always had outside dogs. They can be healthy and happy, but I too would not recommend it for a single dog. We just lost our male beagle after 18 years of outdoor living. The pack consisted of the beagle, a GSP and 3 of their mutt pups.

Check out pointers (and pointer mixes), if you get a chance. They can be a little hyper, but most are great dogs. 40 lbs, athletic, smart...everything you need.
 
NO breed of dog does well primarily outside and at a remove from its pack (family). Most will bark, or howl, or dig, or do other destructive neurotic behaviours. Studies have also shown that dogs that are isolated from people like that are more prone to bite.

Let's go down the list:

Laboradors or any type of retriever: Will chew incessantly. On everything. Often barky. That's no good.
Any dog under 25#- At high risk from coyotes, hawks, racoons.
Hounds: one word- BAROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Coursing dogs: tend to be delicate and will chase anything that moves. Need tons and tons and tons and tons of exercise as in create a coursing lure now and be prepared to run your dog many times a day.
Sled dogs: Please enjoy your multiple 15 mile + runs with these dogs. Also escape artists to the extreme, and they will *scream* when they want something.
Mastiffs: Huge.
Spitz: These dogs already tend to be iffy with anyone outside the family. By not having a family to bond with, they will be iffy with *you* as well.
Herding breeds, including dobies: Energy energy energy drive drive drive. These guys massively need a *job* to do, and to keep them from going neurotic you're going to be spending all your free time outside with them anyway so they might as well be in the house with you.

And that covers the majority of your options.
 
If you are 16 a shelter won't adopt to you. I would strongly recommend volunteering. I volunteer up to 8 hours a week at the local shelter and it is a great experience.
 
NO breed of dog does well primarily outside and at a remove from its pack (family). Most will bark, or howl, or dig, or do other destructive neurotic behaviours. Studies have also shown that dogs that are isolated from people like that are more prone to bite.

Let's go down the list:

I'll add to this
Laboradors or any type of retriever: Will chew incessantly. On everything. Often barky. That's no good. Shed like crazyAny dog under 25#- At high risk from coyotes, hawks, racoons. little yappers
Hounds: one word- BAROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! They follow their nose everywehre
Coursing dogs: tend to be delicate and will chase anything that moves. Need tons and tons and tons and tons of exercise as in create a coursing lure now and be prepared to run your dog many times a day.
Sled dogs: Please enjoy your multiple 15 mile + runs with these dogs. Also escape artists to the extreme, and they will *scream* when they want something.
Mastiffs: Huge. Same for Newfoundlands huge but gentle giants love to play and the newfies in our family like indoorsSpitz: These dogs already tend to be iffy with anyone outside the family. By not having a family to bond with, they will be iffy with *you* as well.
Herding breeds, including dobies: Energy energy energy drive drive drive. These guys massively need a *job* to do, and to keep them from going neurotic you're going to be spending all your free time outside with them anyway so they might as well be in the house with you.

And that covers the majority of your options.

You could do all the research and the outcome of the dog you end up will depend on you. Our dog doesn't like crowds, we hate crowds, he doesn't like kids, we aren't around kids, doesn't like certain male voices, was abused by a man (before we got him). Hates being left home cries and howls the whole time. Herds the cats, would herd the rats when we had them. On the other hand he tells us when he needs to go outside by bumping his leash, never has accidents in the house. I could go on and on about our dog as many could on this forum, but that is because they have put in the effort 24/7.
 
I have a feeling that my Isabelle was abused by her former owners before being found as a stray and taken to animal control, where we rescued her from death row. She acts scared when we move fast and I got on to her the other day for jumping up and knocking dishes off the counter and she was so scared she peed on the floor. But, she refuses to go to the bathroom on the floor normally, and will hold it all day if she has to and lets us know when she wants to go out by whining. She is so weird that she will hold it until we are at least 200 yards from the house before doing her business... She is a very smart dog.
 
Back
Top