Looking for a dog...

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Looking for a dog...

I guess this is a good spot to post this. After treating a sore place on my akitas leg that took over a month of meds the doc told me that giving the dog olive leaf extract was very good for her, He said it helped her metabolism.He also said that keeping her weight down was inportant and that overweight dogs can get sick easy even worse than in humans.......Belly fat on a dog is very bad for her.

 

[sutherj]

Re: Looking for a dog...

Well, labs are the most common dog for a reason. The AKC actually registers more labs than any other dog. Now for the surprise. They register more labs than most other dogs combined. This is for good reason as many have written before.

I'll admit years 1 and 2 can be tough if you leave your pup near your furniture with nothing else to do. But the same time with a little work can have an awesome retriever begging to please.

Labs are water dogs. They are bred for it and love it. They have webbed feet for a reason.

The only reason not to get a lab is if you don't want a dog capable of wiping off your coffee table with one swipe of the tail. The only thing to prevent this is to crop the tail as a pup, but that would take away their rutter and make them swim in circles.

Unless you want a small dog get a lab.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Looking for a dog...

Labs love water!!! Most dogs do.

 

[wanttofly]

Re: Looking for a dog...

We have 3 dogs. Pure Basset, Italian Greyhound/Terrier mix, and Boxer/red heller mix. All of them are rescues. Don't ever let someone tell you not to get a shelter dog because you don't know what you are getting. They all picked us and they are all great dogs(also biased towards the boxer). Any shelter worth anything will tell you if the dog is good around other dogs, cats, and especially kids. You can even go to shelters that specialize in specific breads. Went to the Boxer shelter dead set of getting a pure boxer. We left with the mix and I would not trade him for any other dog.

 

[skargo]

Re: Looking for a dog...

We always rescue our dogs. Our last boy Mo-dog was a Lab/Sheperd mix. While he was never on a boat, he jumped in the pool as a puppy and sunk to the bottom. After watching him for a minute I jumped in and saved him. I actually taught him how to swim! He had full webs on his feet too.

Our current boy, Whopper, is a Lab/Boxer mix and loves the water. He's never been on a boat, but we have a PFD coming in the mail for him. He has full webs too.

Here's a couple pics of him,

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Looking for a dog...

We love our Border Collie.
Will swim 24 / 7 if you let him, loves being in the boat. Usually first in !! and so intelligent they can fix the motor if you need them to.
Here he is ready to go tubing.

 

[rbh]

Re: Looking for a dog...

we have a 14 year old german shepard and a 6 year old lab shepard cross, you know I love my dogs BUT the german shepard is a shedding machine and his hips are going and the lab cross is always moving around.
not great boat dogs
as well as soon as the shepards butt hits water out floats a few logs, not the kind of thing you want to take to the beach.
and dont let the wife talk you into taking the cats (especially two manx )
total mad house after they have their sleep
rbh

 

[JaSla74]

Re: Looking for a dog...

A lab would be my first choice without question as you can't beat their personality & demeanor. I would also suggest getting two dogs, especially if you have a somewhat busy life. Dogs are pack animals and need companionship. I can't stand to see that lonely dog locked up in the backyard that only gets a few minutes of attention when fed.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Looking for a dog...

My Boxers love the boat.
They swim like rocks but with a pfd on they jump right in.
They even know where are swimming spot is and get all excited before i can drop anchor...

 

[mphy98]

Re: Looking for a dog...

I vote for any lab

 

[skargo]

Re: Looking for a dog...

Coincidentally, our mail lady delivered Whopper's PFD today!

 

[Jeff-in-PA]

Re: Looking for a dog...

I'll put in a vote for Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. Ours is named Mochi and he loves the boat. A single mention of the boat and he starts jumping and barking.

We got him at 5 months old and here he is at 7 months on his first trip to Ontario Canada

There are advantages to having a big dog. He was kind of cramped in out 18' Celebrity open bow

We upgraded to a 24' pontoon boat. As you can see, he's much happier now

Jeff

 

[amendegw]

Re: Looking for a dog...

Our dog, a miniature Aussie, has his own website: http://www.jazzythedog.com

He's the sweetest dog in the world, but definitely NOT a water dog.

Two dogs ago, we had a lab - now there's a water dog!

Also, several people mentioned shelters. We went to several before getting Jazzy (from a breeder) last September. At least in our area, Pit Bulls (and Pit Bull mixes) out number all other breeds 10 to 1.

...Jerry

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Looking for a dog...

If you're looking for a dog try "petfinder.com" where there are thousands posted by SPCA and other societies.

My vote is also for a Lab cross, and if you are not that experienced with dogs I would suggest you try adopting a local adult dog that you can take for walks and get to know before making a decision.

We are also looking for a dog, we just lost our beloved "Buster" to cancer last week. He was a Lab crossed with Pointer or Boxer I think. I had adopted him from an animal shelter when he was about 3 years old. He more or less picked me.

I went to the animal shelter in Nanaimo BC and asked about getting a "dog friendly dog" and the worker said all their socialable dogs were outside together in a large pen. When we opened the gate all the dogs came up to up to greet us but Buster nosed his way through all the other dogs and began to lick my face. Instant love.

 

[skargo]

Re: Looking for a dog...

Sorry for your loss Mike.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Looking for a dog...

Yes they are part of the family. Sad times when they leave us but treasure the memories.