Dammit! A dog is NOT an impulse purchase!

The BBQ Pit
1

First off, I’d like to mention that I love dogs a whole lot. I have two great big retrievers myself and have never been without a dog for any length of time. I’m not ranting against dog ownership, just ill concieved dog ownership and ill informed dog owners.

Back when 101 Dalmations came out a few years ago what happens in my little neighborhood come Christmas? Dalmation puppies, a lot of 'em.

Now, Dalmations are lovely dogs – in the right setting. They tend to be a bit on the hyper side so they need a lot of running room. Something that a suburban backyard just can’t provide it. So when the poor cooped-up creature expends all it’s pent up energy tearing up your shoes and digging up your precious yard it’s not it’s fault, it’s yours! Dalmations also tend to be a bit on the deaf side too. It’s not bieng disobediant, it just can’t hear you and will require more patience to train. Also, Dalmations are farm/horse dogs, not children dogs. If you wanted a gentle, patient dog that won’t snap at the kids when they pull it’s tail or try to ride it you should have gotten a Golden Retriever or an Irish Setter or a Cocker Spaniel or something.

Now, two years later, I notice that all the Dalmations are gone (wonder where they all went, huh?) only to be replaced with Beagles. I guess I missed whatever movie or T.V. show that made Beagles the breed du-jour.

Now, Beagles are fine dogs – in the right setting. They are hunting dogs and like being in packs. They don’t like being alone much and will point out their displeasure with that signature call of theirs – all day long.

AwwAggaAA-Woooooo!

Ugh.

2

And your General Question is… ?

3

Hang on! This was intended for The Pit!

Mods, if you’d be so kind…

4

Agree that animals should not be impulse acquisitions.

5

I agree. Animals are not impulse items. I cringe every Easter with the thought of all the poor bunnies that will be neglected after the initial novelty wears off.

Henry Rollins has a great spoken word concerning bunnies being brought back to pet stores…not for the faint of heart.

6

A general question:

Is there a recent pop cultural influence creating the sudden popularity of beagles? (Maybe it was the death of Charles Schulz.)

7

Just a WAG but the recent movie Cats & Dogs had a Beagle as its hero and was also incidentally mighty cute.

As to the OP all I can say is Amen!

A pet is a huge responsibility and buying one because they were cute in a move or match your furniture is ridiculous and wrong (and yes…I have actually heard stories at the Humane Society of dogs who were left there because they didn’t match the furniture).

I’ve said it before here but I’ll say it again. DO NOT buy a dog based on looks or what you see in a movie or think is ‘cool’. Get a long, descriptive list of various breeds and cut out all the pictures. The list should be very detailed and include size, temperament, intelligence, trainability, health issues, exercise requirements, etc. Pick a breed from the list that best fits your lifestyle (whatever it is) and I GUARANTEE you will be happy and think it is the most beautiful animal you have ever seen within an hour of getting it home (whatever it looks like…even a Chinese Crested). There are many breeds out there and there is almost certainly one that will fit you very well. If you get a mixed breed just take the best guess you can as to what’s inside it and judge accordingly (this is usually possible).

Dogs are a responsibility but one that more than pays for itself if you match up well.

8

This is a long-time, oft-repeated, sincere rant in my personal life. God, the way people buy dogs. They don’t care where they come from. They don’t care about known aspects of the dog’s temperament or suitability to their lifestyle. They don’t train them adequately. They don’t spay or neuter them. And then when they have an unmanageable, unhappy dog, they blame the goddamn dog. They get rid of it (or relegate it to the backyard) and get another one. Rinse, Lather, Repeat.

I think the decision to become a pet owner needs the same kind of serious thought and commitment that one associates with becoming a parent. Not that enough thought goes into that decision sometimes, but…

I think society (and dogs) would be a lot better off if dog ownership was seen as a privelege. Not a right.

9

I fully agree. The purchase of a dog, or the choice of breed, should not be an impulse purchase. So much depends on your intended cooking method, preferences regarding wine and garnish, side dishes, number of guests, etc. Glad you brought this up.

Dalmations are lovely dogs – on the right menu. But all of that exercise breeds tough muscles requiring lengthy cooking processes, perhaps in a ragout. Best with a good hearty burgundy.

Beagles are fine dogs – in the right setting. Course they don’t pack too much meat on them - hardly more than a mothful. Generally unsuitable for dinner parties of any size, except for the fact that they like being in packs. Sweet buttery flesh, not at all gamy.

10

I’m intrigued, Dinsdale. What would your wine selections would be per what breed? A Shiraz with a Shepard? A Merlot with a Malamute? Perhaps an punchy Pinot Noir with a Pekenese?

11

What ticks me off besides the “Dog du Jour” attitude is when people buy them as accessories. Buy a Porche, or a Jaguar. DON’T buy a dog. Then when these creatures have to be taken care of, it’s too much work for these airheads and the animals suffer from negliect. I never thought I’d see an Afghan (dog not the people) Rescue Society. These are EXPENSIVE dogs!

12

Cranky, this is also a huge pet peeve of mine (so to speak). Being the owner of a huge breed (Newfoundland), I am well aware of what can happen is people aren’t informed when they buy a dog.

Contrary to what you may see at the local dog park or beach, there are literally hundreds of dog breeds to choose from. They come in a range of sizes, from toy to large and giant breeds, with a wide variety of temperments and health issues.

Not every breed is acceptable for every living situation!!! Just because a Dalmation is cute, doesn’t mean that it will be gentle with your kids. Just because a Beagle is cute, doesn’t mean it is smart (far from it). Certain breeds have diseases and disorders that are very common and that a potential owner must be aware of. Some breeds even have their own diseases! I can understand if someone wants to rescue a Greyhound, but if you can’t exercise the damn dog, don’t bring it home!

With our dogs, it is very serious business indeed. Most people who see our dogs love them, and say they want one. Frankly, we try to discourage them, because they are a huge responsibility. Fully coated, they must be brushed daily and washed weekly- this is a lot of dog to wash, it usually takes an hour, plus drying. They must be exercised daily to avoid excessive weight gain. They are one of the breeds most prone to hip dysplasia and other joint problems. You may think that your vet charges by the pound, the bills are so high. Antibiotics for a giant breed will cost more, because dogs are dosed by weight. Food is also frighteningly expensive.

A good Newfoundland breeder wil try as hard as they can to convince you NOT to get a Newf. This is because too many people have gotten in way over their heads with these dogs, and they are either returned or abandoned.

Don’t get me wrong, Newfs are one of the best breeds I have found. Smart (some are too smart, like ours) loyal (to a fault- they can be very hard to place with a new family if something happens), loving, great with babies and children, and just beautiful in action. I have never owned better dogs than these, and we have owned many over the years.

But you just can’t educate the masses if they don’t want it. Most people can’t imagine paying a reputable breeder for a dog, or getting a dog from a shelter, when they can get one at the mall. These are probably the same people who consider McDonald’s “going out to dinner.”

:rolleyes:

13

Hey, dogs are better impulse buys than bush babies. :slight_smile:

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=92431

14

Repeat after me:

There are no bad dogs.

There are only bad owners.

15

People, people! The word is “dalmatiAn!” There is no O in dalmatian!

Spelling rant over. Carry on.

16

You go, Cranky!

17

Garh!

This reminds me of my future father-in-law.

He had to have a German Shepherd. He’s wanted one ever since he’s been a boy. He got his wish. Of course, now the dog is relegated to the back yard, kept most of his day restrained in this tiny fucking fenced-in section (which he usually jumps, or I let him out when no one is looking). The dog isn’t allowed in the house, because they have white carpets and the dog will only “dirty the house up.” I have, once, seen the FIL go after the dog with a belt for digging a hole. Won’t buy the dog toys to occupy the poor bored thing because “he’ll just tear them up.” Doesn’t take the dog on walks because he “just doesn’t have the time.”

I’ve been tempted to just take the dog to a shelter so a family that deserves to have this dog can have him.

I absolutely love dogs… and I understand there are certain breeds that go well with certain personalities. This guy should have never got a German Shepherd. Personally, I don’t think the man deserves a goddamned thing and I also believe that he’s going to burn in hell for all the horrible things he’s done … uh, sorry. Whole other thread.

18

We where taking a stroll in the woods last weekend when we saw a couple of newfoundlanders being walked. Actually, they where both running. From a distance I could have sworn they where bears or something. And, of course, they where comming right at us. This being Europe, those dogs being bears is pretty much out of the question but still…

Those where huge dogs. Where do you keep them? If you let them into the house, I swear you don’t have any room left to for you in.

19

grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

a friend of mine has neighbors with 2 pomerainians (um sp?) the rat dogs with extra hair. now stop me if I’m wrong here but I seem to remember that those dogs were chinese palace guard dogs, not guard as in eat intruders guard more like alarm systems since they bark at anyone they dont consider pack. they are bred to bark, alot. these morons will work their garden for hours yelling at the dogs to shut up. they live in an area with a lot of foot traffic, oh yeah good choice.

another dog tail, we were keeping a friends dog, a half shepard 1/4th pitbull, 1/4th dingo. its a large dog, incredibly smart and very very active. he had to be kept on a chain for most of his life. but we have a big yard so I got 100’ of rope and a couple pullies and made him a run. this made him a very happy dog and kept people out of our yard. then said friends exgirlfriend who lives in a fucking trailer court with a yard that might be all of 6’ square decides she wants the dog. and dumbass owner agrees.
if I ever find out where that dog is I’m gonna steal him. basterds

20

puk, aren’t they beautiful when they run? That long hair flying in the wind, the drool flying out behind them, the idea that if they run you over, they might kill you? Just kidding. Being in Europe, you may have seen bronze-colored Newfs, which are rare in the US. Ours are usually either all black or Landseer, which is black & white, like the Big Dog clothing line logo.

Yes, they can take up a lot of space. Right now, each of the three dogs lives in their own house- one in Nebraska with my sis-in-law, one with my mom-in-law, and one with us. Ours is the biggest, he fluctuates between 150-170 lbs.

Angus is a house dog, as are the others. They like to have a bed or den for themselves, and we happen to have a dog bed stashed under our stairs so he feels cozy. Frankly, he prefers the couch, whether or not we are on it! We got leather couches because of the drool problems with the breed (think Turner & Hooch), but it’s not too bad, except it can get messy after they drink out of the water bowl. We don’t have much yard, so he needs daily walks. We have a good sized house, but he never goes upstairs anyway. Besides, Newfs want to be wherever you are. They are not loners at all, and must be with their people as much as possible. You just haven’t experienced real dog love until this huge head plops down on your leg and drools on you while you are watching TV. The dog’s head is bigger than most humans!

All in all, a huge bundle of slobbery love! Too bad no-one told them that they aren’t lap dogs!