I want this dog, my cat begs to differ

In My Humble Opinion
1

I went to a dog show with a friend on Sunday, just to keep her company while she looked at the dogs. She’s thinking about getting a dog sometime this summer, and wanted to see what different kinds of dogs are like. I myself like dogs, but I’m allergic to most dogs, and I have a cat, and I never really thought I wanted a dog.

So, we saw many dogs. Most of them were very cute, some were not. The doggy beauty show scene is a strange scene indeed. After the dogs have been in the ring and done their thing, you can go and say hi to the owners and to the dogs if it’s cool with the owners. So we went and saw these very cute dogs called Bedlington Terriers. My friend was talking to one of the owners, so I sat down and his show dog climbed into my lap, all of the Beds were really great. This particular owner has a dog who needs a home, who happened to be in the back in the grooming area.

The dog who needs a home is 7 months old and had cataracts, so she can’t be a show dog. They have already had cataract surgery done for the dog, so now she can see perfectly well. She is a total love bunny. These dogs are kind of funny-looking, but could be less so if you didn’t give them the “show” trim. They don’t shed at all, so they need to be groomed but don’t have the danders that I’m allergic to. In person, they are soft and fuzzy the way a lamb looks like it should feel. They’re small, a little more than knee-high, and don’t weigh more than 20 pounds. This one weighs about 15 pounds. She has had a good home and been well loved, but they can’t keep her. They are looking for a good and loving home for her. These dogs sell for a lot of money, but they would give her to the right home for free. It looks like they think I could give her a good home.

I totally love this dog. I left my card with the breeder, but didn’t call and figured that I would not get the dog. She emailed me today. I really, really love this dog. Not any dog, not all dogs, just this dog.

There are two big problems (besides my husband and my friends thinking I’m crazy): My 6 and 1/2 year old cat REALLY hates dogs, and I’m moving to Atlanta in 7 months and it might be hard to find an apartment that would be suitable for me and the dog (husband and cat will stay in Seattle).

The cat has only met big mean cat-chasing dogs. This would be a small, scardey-dog. But the cat will be pissed for sure. But I truly love the dog.

What should I do?

2

Are you sure a terrier would be a scaredy-dog with your cat? I think terriers in general were generally bred to chase small scurrying things, weren’t they? If you’re sure the dog wouldn’t hunt it down and rip it to pieces, they should be able to coexist in some way or another for a few months. I’ve got a Weimaraner (14 months old) and a cat, and the dog (like most Weims) just can’t resist chasing the cat (they were bred for lots of hunting activities, including fox, rabbit, squirrel hunting, etc.). So the cat stays where the dog can’t get to her, and the dog spends a lot of time getting yelled at for trying to get to her. But, they actually get along ok. . .when he does get to her he tries to cuddle with her, and she slaps him in the face and hisses a lot. . .nothing major :smiley: .

Also, I don’t think it should be too hard to find an apartment that will let you have such a small dog who doesn’t shed (!).

3

If it was me and I was moving across the country to a new city I would pass. The dog and the cat would eventually get along but do you really want that responsibility when getting settled in a new environment? I wouldn’t.

4

I think that it doesn’t matter what advice anyone gives you regarding this matter. Your heart has made up its mind and you will be taking the dog. :slight_smile:

FWIW, I live in a 4 dog, 2 cat household. 2 of my dogs are terriers, and they do enjoy chasing the cats. But my cats nearly outweigh them anyway. What has really helped in the cattitude department is to have a baby gate across the doorway to my bedroom. The cats can come out if they please, but they can also hang out in their room, with no threat from the dogs.

5

I am respectfully requesting that no further posts be made to my wife’s thread until we have had a chance to discuss the issue. Thanks.

6

Err… your discussions with your wife are your own business. But if she wants advice from others, you don’t have the right to stop her.

7

What Indefatigable said. If the OP would like for us to quit responding, then she needs to post the request.

Animals eventually adjust to one another. Sometimes it takes longer than other times, but it will eventually happen. One big question is whether or not you want to deal with the crap until it happens. Another is whether you want to go through the whole mess again when you get back from Atlanta.

The other big issue is that taking care of a dog is very different from taking care of a cat. This dog is going to need walking two or three times a day, and they’ll probably need to be long walks as terriers tend to be fairly high-energy breeds. You don’t burn enough of that energy off, and you’re going to have a bored, destructive animal on your hands. You’re going to have to spend a lot of time playing with the dog, too, whereas cats are more likely to entertain themselves. A long-haired dog is going to require daily brushing, and regular bathing and clipping. Dogs need obedience training, and socialization to people and other animals. All that takes up more time than you’d think if you’ve never done it before.

If these are all things you really, truly, think you can live happily with, then I’d probably do it. Then again, when I talk about getting a new pet, my husband just sighs and asks if it’s quiet.

8

According to the AKC’s website on Bedlington Terriers, they’re not necessarily as high-energy as the average Terror…erm…Terrier. However, that’s rather like saying that twelve sticks of dynamite don’t have as much energy as ten. Either way, your house is ruined. :wink:
Seriously, I am currently owned by a high-energy dog, and I can tell you that they take up WAY more of your time than you might think. If it’s bored, it’ll let you know, by either demanding attention, playtime, tummy rubs, etc. OR by finding its own entertainment. Which often means you’re going to have to replace something you’d rather not have.
Dogs are way more high-maintenance than cats, obviously.
PLUS, you are going to have to take a LOT of time just to train it that the cat isn’t prey.
From the AKC website again:

Considering that they were bred to hunt (and, oftentimes, KILL) small game and vermin such as otters and badgers, it’s going to probably take you a LONG time to convince it that your cat isn’t The Latest Deadly Plague Of Small Fuzzy Vermin That Needs Instant And Immediate Extermination.

9

Ok folks, thanks for the comments. My husband is feeling strongly about this issue, very much more so than I had been aware of before I posted the thread.

So in the interests of family harmony, I would like to table the public discussion for now.

Mods, please lock this puppy down.

10

As you wish.