Help on 1st-timer pet owner.?

Question

i have never in my live own a dog. i feel lik getin 1 soon.
1. wad breed shud i get if i wan a dog dats either -cute, sporty(impt), fun, emotional,nt ugly!!!
2. is tere a good dog website 4 me 2 lok at?
3. any tips 4 choosin my dog?
4.help!!!

Answer 1

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/abc.htm

There is a list of all dogs including mixes.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

There is a quiz you could take too.


Tips would be:

1. If you're athletic, get an athletic dog like a boxer/golden/lab/spaniel.
2. If you're a little on the lazy side, and prefer to walk a dog (like me) I would suggest a little - medium sized dog. That only need a walk once a day.

Also, if you really find a breed you want, do alot of research and find a reputable breeder, do not go to a pet store.

And you have to ask yourself, do you want a puppy? Do you have the time and energy to train it? If you get a puppy you would have to wait a couple of months to go jogging or any of the bigger exercises or else the puppy will have trouble growing.

If you get an adult dog, you are up and ready to go in a couple of days! I suggest trying http://www.petfinder.com
Just put in your zipcode/state and you will find many dogs that are in need of a good home!

Good luck!

Answer 2

What has changed in your life that you now, all of a sudden, want to get a dog? Not that there is anything wrong with that, but just make sure you are aware of all of the responsibilities of a pet owner.
1.) Will you have the time to properly care for and socialize the dog?
2) Will you allow the dog to stay in-doors? Especially when the temperature is extreme? (No tying Rover up to the tree!) Do you have the time needed to walk the dog if you do not have a fenced yard?
3) Will the dog get enough exercise and do you have the money it cost to keep the dog in good health through vet visits?
4) If you are seriously stumped as to what breed to get, you need to do some research on different breeds. Your local animal shelter/humane society has lots of dogs that need GOOD homes. They have pure bred dogs and mixed breeds, which make wonderful pets!
5) Be prepared to spay and/or neuter the dog if this has not already been done.
6.) What is an "ugly dog"? I didn't know there was such a thing!
You should think about "WHY" you want a dog. If you want one for the right reasons, then whether it is 'ugly' (in your opinion) or not should not matter. You need to love the dog, and pretty much dogs in general, and if you loved dogs in general, then you wouldn't think of any of them as "ugly".

Answer 3

Google (or Yahoo) a search on animal shelters in your area.
1. Take a visit, meet all the dogs, speak with a volunteer (Tell him/her your circumstances like..Where do you live- apartment or house with yard, fenced yard?, How much do you travel/away from home? What kind of time do you have to train? Or, do you need a dog that is low maintance and already trained? Etc) Don't worry about breed so much...it's more about what you see and like...and what the volunteers have to say about it...the dog might end up being a mutt...your best friend...

2. Go to the library and find books about dog care. Check the books out and read, read, read until you feel confident about caring for a dog

3. Find a canine (dog) vet in your area. Find out what annual vaccinations cost and annual check ups. Decide on a vet, and maybe discuss your intentions with the vet.

4. Take a trip to your nearest Petsmart or Petco store (or any pet store). Ask the people that work there to advise you on what dog food is best for the type of dog that you think you'll adopt (large dog or small dog?). Find out how much the dog food, collar, leash, food/water bowls, toys, treats, possibly a crate, dog bed, etc will cost you. Add it all up. Do the calculations to find out how long a 30 or 40 pound bag of dog food will last you, and do the math to see if you can afford it.

5. If you travel a lot, find a local kennel and ask about the price per night (weekend and week rates may differ).

6. If you work a lot (and depending on the dog that you get- puppy vs. trained adult) you may need a dog walker. Call around for prices.

7. Add up what you calculated from the vet's office, pet store, and if necessary, the kennel and dog walker. Assess if you can fit that into your budget. Choose your dog based on your finances (smaller dogs cost less than big dogs), personality, and by what the volunteer at the shelter tells you.

8. After you've done all this (give it about a month or so to research), go back to the shelter and fall in love with the dog of your dreams. Take him or her home. That dog will seriously be grateful. You will have a new best friend!

AND, Donna S made some fantastic points! Make sure you're going want to exercise your dog. Don't isolate your dog in the basement or outside tied to a chain. The only reason to keep a dog outside in a kennel, in my opinion, is if you plan to use that dog for sport hunting.

Answer 4

OK, first of all any breed of lab meets all those requirements you mentioned. I have a chocolate lab and she is just adorable, loves to run around and play fetch, happy most of the time unless she knows she is in trouble. Go to the official AKC website that answerer, AL L, mentioned. You can find a lot of great dogs at the local animal shelter. They usually aren't too expensive. You can even take them on a walk to get to know them before you buy them. I don't know if you want a boy or a girl, but no matter what have them "fixed". Good luck!

Answer 5

well, im a first time dog owner too and i have a shepherd/cattledog mix. Although shepherds are known for being mean and nasty, my dog is cute and sweet and their behavior all depends on the owner of the dog and how it is trained. if you dont spend enough time reenforcing good behavior and punnishing bad behavior, your dog will be meaner. My dog has been the best thing thats ever happened to me so i definetely recommend a dog that is loyal, cute, intellegent, and sweet (small-pug, bulldog, etc. big-cattle dogs, collies, retrievers and labs)

Also, there are lots of dogs that need owners at various adoption agencies, and remember, you may save the dog you adopts life. For example, my dog was about to be put down when we fell in love with him.

Be sure to take your time finding the right dog and dont go with the first one you see just because its cute. personality is a big part of choosing a dog.

hope it works out for you!! having a dog may be hard work in the beginning because your dog is coming into a new invironment and his scedual will be mixed up which may lead to rowdy behavior. just perservere and you will have a great life with your dog!!!!

Answer 6

If you start searching the web for the best dog choice, you're really going to get confused. There really is no "good" dog, unless you decide what's best for you; small, big, playful, good for children, O.K. in small areas, (needs to exercise, run), etc.,etc. I could go on and on. You better decide FIRST. They're all cute and fun (even the ugly ones. They can be so ugly they're cute!). I doubt you can get all you want in ONE dog!

Oh, by the way, use Spell Check!!

Answer 7

This is the web site for the AKC. There are many tips on breed types and characteristics, breeder referals, responsible pet owner tips, and responsible buyers guide. It doesn't get any better than the AKC.

Answer 8

Any kind of Lab is a good choice. They are easy to train and are great companions.

Answer 9

heres a good website for choosing a dog to fit your lifestyle:

http://www.petnet.com.au/selectapet/selectapet.html
Good luck!

Answer 10

not sure what country from or what schooling you had in english .
I don't think you need a dog period