Preliminary dog research

[YogSothoth]

@Pork_Rind

On top of that, you say it will be fine in the backyard for a few hours, but it seems clear to me that ‘a few hours’ means all night, all day, and most of the afternoon and evening. That’s not a few hours.

So instead of leaving it alone, I mentioned if it would be better to get another dog. I’m sure we can afford two small dogs. Nobody really gave me any feedback on that. Or they could have said what a minimum amount of time we need to spend with the dog, but instead everyone jumps on me for not spending all my waking hours and some of my sleeping hours with it

@Pork_Rind

Why even participate in this discussion if you’re not going to absorb a single damn thing that anyone writes?

If you look at my OP, you’ll see that the purpose of this is to get ideas on how to best take care of the dog in my situation. You and many other refused to accept my premise, something that is mostly out of my control, and continue to insist that I do something that is impossible. You are not the only one getting frustrated. I’m annoyed that no one will give me ideas on breeds of dogs or a minimum socialization time. Plus, I get the impression that many of you are talking to me like you’d want to talk to my sister, who is not here, so you dump your anger on me. Remember, I am not the one who wants a dog, I agree we shouldn’t have one, but I am at least trying to do the right thing and create a best possible environment for the dog. You know, instead of just denying that I’ll ever get a dog and be totally unprepared for one

Besides, I’ve said that I’ll take some people’s advice to heart, like raising more issues and questioning her to make sure she’s prepared for the dog. But that happens when people accept the premise of my OP, not when they ignore it and pretend its not going to happen

@Pork_Rind

No such thing. Reference that whole bit about dogs being pack animals. The various breeds differ in things like size, color, temperament and activity levels, but the common thing is that all dog breeds are pack animals.

Just as there are more intelligent dogs, more social dogs, and more aggressive dogs, there must be types of dogs who do not need AS MUCH socialization. Notice I said “as much”, not “no socialization”. For example, I know that dogs like labs or border collies need lots of exercise and things to play with because they are generally very smart and want to please and play. But bigger, fatter dogs like St. Bernards are fine sleeping more hours and only going for occasional exercises. You can’t treat a St. Bernard like a lab, its not going to jump into a pool and fetch frisbees for an hour. That’s the type of help I need, ideas for what dogs are lazier and won’t need to play as much

@IvoryTowerDenizen

We work. My dog is at home during the day. But, when my son gets home around 2:30, and I get home around 5-6, our dog is with us, playing, sleeping, watching. She then sleeps in my room so she gets “pack” time from 2:30 (5 or 6 at the latest if my son does after school stuff) until 7:30 am.

@PapSett

NO ONE is saying that a dog has to have companionship 24/7.You are twisting our words to make those of us who are advising not to get a dog sound like loonies. I live alone, single woman and I have 5 dogs. I work 40 hours a week. BUT… when I am not home with them, they still have their pack- each other. I would not consider having a single dog so long as I am in this circumstance.

Look, even you guys can’t agree with each other. I’m supposed to let the dog in and play with it as soon as possible, then sleep with it at night until 7am the next day? Its too much! I’m hardly twisting your words when people think that taking care of a dog requires the commitment of a newborn baby!

@IvoryTowerDenizen

When she was a pup we had a dog walker come mid-day. People who’s lives are terribly more busy don’t get dogs or don’t relegate them to the yard away from their pack all night.

She can come in at night but we’re not going to sleep with the dog

@IvoryTowerDenizen

I get you’re trying to make this ok. But you can’t. The dog will be neglected and ignored by 3/4 of his family. A dog won’t understand why he’s on the outside and excluded. You cant explain a suboptimal situation like you could to a child. No reasoning skills! He’ll just be anxious and stressed and sad.

So what advice do you have for me once I have a dog? Or will you continue to deny I have one? I’m not trying to be mean on purpose, but you and almost everyone else is ignoring the fact that I don’t have the power to change the premise of my OP. If the dog comes, which I think it will, that’s it, no more “don’t get a dog”. At that point you’ll just have to accept we have a dog that’s going to live mostly in the backyard. And then what? That’s where I come in, I need to know what to do once that happens

@PapSett

My dogs all have outdoor time- the 2 big Setters spend several hours a day outside, weather permitting. But they ALL get house time, eating and sleeping inside.

I mentioned earlier and again in this post if we should get 2 dogs. If we do that, that should take care of the socializing right?

@PapSett

The ‘life’ your family is offering a dog is nothing short of neglect and bordering on abuse. You are being so flippant about it, it turns my stomach. A dog is not a toy, to be played with the first few months and then cast aside when you tire of the care. A dog is a living, breathing creature capable of giving great love…even when it is not deserved. Your excuses and ‘so what’ attitude are really beginning to wear on me.

I am flippant because of 2 reasons:

1. People are reacting to me as if I want the dog. No, I do not want one. I like dogs, but I won’t want to own one or take care of one. But people are talking to me as if I’m the one who wants to buy a dog and ignore it and are directing their anger towards me. So that annoys me and I am flippant

2. I’m not the one who wants a dog, so I see no reason to be all serious about it

It is hardly bordering on neglect to provide shelter and food to a dog. So he won’t be talking to his dog friends or much with this people friends. So he’ll be bored. We’ll try harder. But that doesn’t seem to be enough for you. And may I say that your attitude towards me is wearing thin as well, as I am trying to do the best for this possible dog we may get and all I’m getting is denials that I’ll ever get one

@Rhiannon8404

No, there is no particular breed of dog that prefers to be mostly ignored by it’s owners. There’s your answer.

So what breed is the least likely to be damaged by being ignored by his owners?

@brainstall

My experience with yard dogs is that basically they bark, shit, eat and distress the neighbours. The dogs get little joy from their lives, and it would seem, the people who own these dogs get little joy from them. I really don’t understand why someone would bother keeping a dog that they care so little about.

Have you considered who in the family is going to clean up the dog poop in the yard? Or does the dog get to live in his own filth?

All dogs bark, shit, and eat. I don’t see how that’s relevant. As for neighbors, when our old dog barked a lot at night, we let her inside. And I don’t understand why someone would get a dog they care so little about either, which is a good thing since I’m not the one who wants the dog and I’ve been actively trying to talk that person out of if for years

Dad and sister will clean up poop. Also we have gardeners

@StGermain

Let your sister know that 4 million pets are euthanized every year in this country, mostly for the crime of needing to be fed, walked and loved. Just from today’s Craiglist:

…

This is just a sample of today’s dogs for adoption on my local Craigslist. Look at that last one - 3 month old pup. The shiny has worn off. Or the Cocker - 9 years old, but now a baby is due in may, so this elderly dog has to go.

That is really sad, I read most of the entries. I will try harder to talk her out of it, thanks

[YogSothoth]

@AuntiePam

Bolding mine.

I don’t get it. You start making sense and sounding halfway reasonable, and then you make a comment like that.

Its a joke, Poe’s law, or some such. I use humor to defuse tense situations. I already know that I’ll personally get tired of the dog no matter how much I like it, unless I teach it to give blowjobs (again, joking), and given the way the discussion was going, I thought I’d throw in a joke that half-affirms the fact that I think this family will get tired of the dog. We have dead baby jokes on this forum, so I’m fine with and support my abused dog jokes

@AuntiePam

At least the first year? **You do realize that a healthy dog will easily live 12-15 years, depending on the breed? ** He won’t need you just for the first year. He’ll need you and be interested in you as long as he lives. You’ll need to do the same for him.

Not the way we treat it!

Again, joking.

@AuntiePam

I’ve never met an outdoor dog who was well-adjusted, with the exception of farm dogs. They can spend most of their days outside and do great, but they’re around their people, or around other dogs.

How do you know the dogs are not well-adjusted?

@AuntiePam

Something else to consider is that even people who spend a lot of time and energy on their dogs can have problems with them. Ever watch The Dog Whisperer? Those owners bent over backwards to make their dogs happy, and they still had issues. You’ll be starting in a hole. What kind of success can you expect?

I’m hoping for luck

@Ahoy

This is one of the saddest threads I have ever read, for so many reasons, and not just regarding the lack of basic knowledge about dog care. Why are there two adults living in mom and dad’s house and ignoring their wishes in their own home? You should have places of your own by now, both of you, and your sister can get a dog then. Stop making excuses for it. There is no excuse for this behavior. Stop imposing. You’re both being very rude to your parents.

As I said, the parents have agreed to the dog, or at least are not standing in the way. Technically, I am the last hurdle. And don’t bring up the stuff about living together, that’s normal for us and not the issue and we’re all quite fine with it

@Freudian_Slit

It just doesn’t make sense. You guys don’t seem to want to spend time with it. So why even get one? If you’re starting off saying “What kind of dog is the least social”…it just seems odd that you’d even get a dog at all.

Yes, why even get one? Good thing I’m not the one who wants one. And I totally agree that its weird to get a dog, which is why I think my sister’s really weird for wanting one and I am perfectly normal. Well, at least normal in the sense with regards to pets, I am abnormal in other senses

@saje

Hamsters and goldfish are not dogs. You might as well compare a toddler with an MIT student - similar in some ways, but very very different in ways that matter.

Do hamsters get bored and restless?

@IvoryTowerDenizen

The problem here is the lifestyle you’re describing is so extreme that it’s hard to imagine a dog that would be happy and thrive. And the degree of compromise on your family’s part seems minimal at best. Getting a dog is a two street- it’s for the owner’s happiness sure. But it has to be about the dog’s happiness as well. To do otherwise is selfish. I don’t hear from your descriptions any concern for the dog’s happiness or quality of life in this situation. I think is what most people are reacting viscerally to- that apparent lack of the dog’s needs in the whole question.

I don’t show much concern because I don’t want the dog, and refused to change my life significantly over something that is forced on me. I’m actively trying to discourage the one who wants the dog from getting one, and failing that, soliciting ideas for how to best deal with the situation. But I’m not suddenly going to turn into a dog lover if my sister gets bored of the dog and I have to take care of it. If that happens, I’ll tell her to take it to a shelter, or whatever, but I’m not going to suddenly take it to the vet for regular checkups or playing with it for hours a day to the detriment of my level 99 warrior. But I’m not going to kick it and stick it in the freezer either. I’ll live my life and tell her to do what’s best for the dog but its her dog, not mine. I’ll do the minimum to make sure its ok but not going overboard for it

[YogSothoth]

@Sally_Mander

Regarding obedience school:
I can’t even read this with a straight face. You’re 30-something years old, and you really though obedience school was something you sent your dog to alone?!? You and your sister have no business getting a dog.
The only dog you and your sister are qualified to own is one that comes from Toys R Us.

Well its not like I’ve ever been to an obedience school or have read about it. Its not unusual for people to have gaps in knowledge in areas that they are unfamiliar with. That’s why we still have people, even regulars, asking seemingly obvious quests in GQ. So yeah, I though a “school” was something you just dropped off the pet at and left for the day and picked it up later, you know, like human school only with poop

And I agree with you about the Toys R Us thing

[ZipperJJ]

Want to touch on something from earlier in the thread that I can’t quote because I’m on my phone.

YogSooth you mentioned that fear of thunderstorms won’t be a problem because you’ll bring the dog inside. That is not how it works. My dog is an indoor dog that I specifically took steps with to not be afraid of storms and one day she just became afraid. I would give anything in the world to have her not Go apeshit at the first sign of a storm but I have tried everything and it’s hopeless.

A storm means hours of a shaking, growling, crying, panting dog. Sometimes pacing around the house sometimes clawing at my body. A storm means no sleep until it passes. It means doggy herbs, doggy Xanax, special doggy capes. It is depressing and exhausting.

Not saying all dogs will be afraid of storms but it happens, even if you try to make it not happen. Then you have to deal with it.

Also what can happen (especially in puppy mill dogs) is seizure disorders, diabetes and/or hip displaysia. Those things all take money, time and dedication to treat and live with.

Would you deal with any of this for a non-family member? Or rather, would your sister?

[cochrane]

@YogSosoth

That is really sad, I read most of the entries. I will try harder to talk her out of it, thanks

This would be the best possible outcome. And yes, people are probably dealing with you harshly since your sister isn’t a Doper and you are the one who is posting. And I admit that is unfair. Is there a chance you could show all these responses to your sister?

[saje]

OK, new tact here -

Since it seems like the dog is going to be a done deal, and since it seems that you’re positive your sister will tire of it, and you really have no desire for a dog personally, I suggest that you start researching rescue organizations and rehoming options. You may not need them, you might find that a dog is a nice addition and not a chore, but then again, there’s no harm in being prepared.

Virtually every breed has a rescue or a placement network, so if your sister gets a purebred dog or a recognizable cross, that would be a good avenue to take. Also, depending on your location, there are options other than shelters, no-kill or not. Many larger metro area have small rescues that can take a dog in for fostering and re-homing, and/or have pet placement lists. It can take time to find the right home, but if you really see taking care of a dog as a chore then the dog is better off with someone who really wants her.

[DianaG]

If she absolutely MUST have a fuzzbutt, why not a cat? Get an ADULT cat at a shelter, the people who work there will be more than happy to let you know which ones are loners.

Because it really can’t be said enough, dogs are pack animals. A dog that is mostly left alone is very, very likely to develop the kind of neurotic behavioral problems that your family is emphatically not interested in dealing with, since they’re not even interested in properly caring for a healthy well-adjusted dog.

[IvoryTowerDenizen]

@YogSosoth

I don’t show much concern because I don’t want the dog, and refused to change my life significantly over something that is forced on me. I’m actively trying to discourage the one who wants the dog from getting one, and failing that, soliciting ideas for how to best deal with the situation. But I’m not suddenly going to turn into a dog lover if my sister gets bored of the dog and I have to take care of it. If that happens, I’ll tell her to take it to a shelter, or whatever, but I’m not going to suddenly take it to the vet for regular checkups or playing with it for hours a day to the detriment of my level 99 warrior. But I’m not going to kick it and stick it in the freezer either. I’ll live my life and tell her to do what’s best for the dog but its her dog, not mine. I’ll do the minimum to make sure its ok but not going overboard for it

Trust me we get; You don’t want a dog and you don’t want to be involved with a dog. It is perfectly clear. The point I’m trying to make is WHY we can’t answer your question of how best to deal with it.

There is no best. There is no answer that’s going to make this situation ok.

The only other option I can suggest is finding doggie daycare for during the work day. My dog goes one or two days a week for fun and socializing. It’s not cheap but it’s one very small way to combat the lack of attention and care your sister’s dog will be getting at home.

[Guinastasia]

@YogSosoth

So instead of leaving it alone, I mentioned if it would be better to get another dog. I’m sure we can afford two small dogs. Nobody really gave me any feedback on that. Or they could have said what a minimum amount of time we need to spend with the dog, but instead everyone jumps on me for not spending all my waking hours and some of my sleeping hours with it

Probably because the idea of getting a second dog, just because you think it’s “too much work” to bother with the first dog is so completely retarded we thought you were kidding?

Look, even you guys can’t agree with each other. I’m supposed to let the dog in and play with it as soon as possible, then sleep with it at night until 7am the next day? Its too much! I’m hardly twisting your words when people think that taking care of a dog requires the commitment of a newborn baby!

No, not a newborn, but a puppy requires a HELL of a lot more attention and training than you seem willing to commit to. A dog isn’t a toy that you play with for a bit and then put away when you get bored. And I don’t care if it’s your sister’s dog. YOU asked the question. YOU seem to be the one saying, wow, this is a lot of work, but I’m sure he’ll be all right with the bare minimum.

And even in the same breeds, dogs all have different personalities. We’ve had two dogs, both Westies. Their personalities were like night and day.
Get a hamster, or a gerbil or something like that.

[saje]

If you’ve got the funds, doggie daycare is actually not a bad idea. A tired dog is a good & happy dog. Many places that offer daycare also offer training, so that could be kept up too, with your sister (and you?) taking periodic refreshers to learn how to use all those lovely skills your dog now has.

You may find the dog prefers the daycare folks over you guys, but they’ll be the ones building the relationship…

[lavenderviolet]

Hey, the daycare idea is a great one. Is the sister willing to pay for doggie daycare? If she is, then I think that would probably address many people’s concerns about the dog being bored and lonely.
I know a lot of people who work in healthcare who have dogs (even a person with the notoriously hyper Jack Russell terrier) that drop them off at doggie daycare to keep them busy.

If she adopts an adult dog, that might also help with the concerns about training. Some adult dogs come to the shelters with training already, and some shelters will work on training the untrained ones to try to make them more adoptable. Might want to try asking the shelter staff about it.

A small, low energy older dog that gets dropped off at daycare frequently would probably do fine in this situation in my opinion.

[YogSothoth]

@ZipperJJ

Want to touch on something from earlier in the thread that I can’t quote because I’m on my phone.

YogSooth you mentioned that fear of thunderstorms won’t be a problem because you’ll bring the dog inside. That is not how it works. My dog is an indoor dog that I specifically took steps with to not be afraid of storms and one day she just became afraid. I would give anything in the world to have her not Go apeshit at the first sign of a storm but I have tried everything and it’s hopeless.

A storm means hours of a shaking, growling, crying, panting dog. Sometimes pacing around the house sometimes clawing at my body. A storm means no sleep until it passes. It means doggy herbs, doggy Xanax, special doggy capes. It is depressing and exhausting.

Not saying all dogs will be afraid of storms but it happens, even if you try to make it not happen. Then you have to deal with it.

Also what can happen (especially in puppy mill dogs) is seizure disorders, diabetes and/or hip displaysia. Those things all take money, time and dedication to treat and live with.

Would you deal with any of this for a non-family member? Or rather, would your sister?

We don’t get thunderstorms in LA. I think I remember 1 day in the past year in which there was thunder, and that was only for a few minutes. I don’t think that is a problem I’ll have to worry about. Its definitely an ignorable problem. As for the medical stuff, I’ve already said I’ll bring it up with her

@cochrane

This would be the best possible outcome. And yes, people are probably dealing with you harshly since your sister isn’t a Doper and you are the one who is posting. And I admit that is unfair. Is there a chance you could show all these responses to your sister?

She’s not going to want to sit here and read over how a bunch of strangers think about her. The first thing she said yesterday when I mentioned I asked the internet about the issue is that you guys were probably all dumb and to not listen to random people on the internet. I think its better if I pretended like all the questions are coming from me.

@saje

OK, new tact here -

Since it seems like the dog is going to be a done deal, and since it seems that you’re positive your sister will tire of it, and you really have no desire for a dog personally, I suggest that you start researching rescue organizations and rehoming options. You may not need them, you might find that a dog is a nice addition and not a chore, but then again, there’s no harm in being prepared.

Virtually every breed has a rescue or a placement network, so if your sister gets a purebred dog or a recognizable cross, that would be a good avenue to take. Also, depending on your location, there are options other than shelters, no-kill or not. Many larger metro area have small rescues that can take a dog in for fostering and re-homing, and/or have pet placement lists. It can take time to find the right home, but if you really see taking care of a dog as a chore then the dog is better off with someone who really wants her.

Ok, I can do that. I’m sure there are plenty in LA that can take a dog. Oh, and it looks like she really wants a corgi.

Also, an amendment to a previous statement about our cousin who got a dog. I said I didn’t know if it was from a good or bad breeder. My sister just told me it wasn’t a good breeder. I’m not sure exactly what she thinks a bad one is, but I’m pretty sure it means unlicensed couple breeding dogs in their backyard. So yeah…

@DianaG

If she absolutely MUST have a fuzzbutt, why not a cat? Get an ADULT cat at a shelter, the people who work there will be more than happy to let you know which ones are loners.

Because it really can’t be said enough, dogs are pack animals. A dog that is mostly left alone is very, very likely to develop the kind of neurotic behavioral problems that your family is emphatically not interested in dealing with, since they’re not even interested in properly caring for a healthy well-adjusted dog.

I think I mentioned it before, but I’ll ask her about it again

@IvoryTowerDenizen

Trust me we get; You don’t want a dog and you don’t want to be involved with a dog. It is perfectly clear. The point I’m trying to make is WHY we can’t answer your question of how best to deal with it.

There is no best. There is no answer that’s going to make this situation ok.

Well I still don’t agree with that so we’ll just have to remain at am impasse here

@IvoryTowerDenizen

The only other option I can suggest is finding doggie daycare for during the work day. My dog goes one or two days a week for fun and socializing. It’s not cheap but it’s one very small way to combat the lack of attention and care your sister’s dog will be getting at home.

You mean like a dog sitter? Could I combine that with some kind of obedience school?

@Guinastasia

Probably because the idea of getting a second dog, just because you think it’s “too much work” to bother with the first dog is so completely retarded we thought you were kidding?

I’m not kidding, and if getting a 2nd dog solves the problem of having one lonely dog, it may be crazy enough to work!

@Guinastasia

No, not a newborn, but a puppy requires a HELL of a lot more attention and training than you seem willing to commit to. A dog isn’t a toy that you play with for a bit and then put away when you get bored. And I don’t care if it’s your sister’s dog. YOU asked the question. YOU seem to be the one saying, wow, this is a lot of work, but I’m sure he’ll be all right with the bare minimum.

Yeah we talked a bit about probably not getting a puppy. And I believe by definition, the bare minimum is alright.

@Guinastasia

And even in the same breeds, dogs all have different personalities. We’ve had two dogs, both Westies. Their personalities were like night and day.

I just want a statistically best chance for an emo loner dog. Preferably one that doesn’t like Fred Durst

[saje]

Doggie daycare: http://www.dogwooddaycare.com/

(Just the top result from a “los angeles doggie daycare” search, I have no idea what the place is like IRL)

[saje]

nm

[LavenderBlue]

@DianaG

If she absolutely MUST have a fuzzbutt, why not a cat? Get an ADULT cat at a shelter, the people who work there will be more than happy to let you know which ones are loners.

Because it really can’t be said enough, dogs are pack animals. A dog that is mostly left alone is very, very likely to develop the kind of neurotic behavioral problems that your family is emphatically not interested in dealing with, since they’re not even interested in properly caring for a healthy well-adjusted dog.

Yeah. Get a cat. Many are loners who are perfectly content to be left alone all day. Go to a no kill shelter and find an older short haired domestic kitty. They’re already potty trained and self grooming. Many will even catch a mouse for you should one happen to wander by. You’ll all save a life and have an animal to play with. Get a cat who is mostly black as they tend to have a harder time getting adopted. They’re small, soft and plush with gorgeous eyes and a tail for your amusement. Stick in a litter box somewhere, feed once or twice and day and you’ve got the ideal pet for a busy professional.

Plus everyone knows cats are much cuter than dogs.

[Giraffe]

@YogSosoth

So if you want to help, tell me what kind of dog isn’t so social. There must, out of the hundreds of breeds out there, exist some emo dogs that would be a good fit.

Dear lord. It can’t be emphasized enough: dogs are not like people. Your earlier analogy of “humans are social animals, yet I’d still rather spend 23 hours a day alone playing WoW” has no relevance whatsoever to dogs. There is no dog like you out there. They are bred to crave social interaction, leadership and structure far more than humans are. And just thinking about dogs that way is trouble. Humans would not be happy if they were locked in a crate overnight, for dogs that is a comfortable and safe den. Humans would exercise and entertain themselves if they were left in a big yard all day, dogs just get bored and anxious. The more you try to put yourself in their shoes, the less likely you are to make decisions that realistically consider the dog as a dog.

Your sister really, really should not get a dog. If you can’t talk her out of it, go with her go to a shelter and talk to the staff there about her plans. She may listen to their explanations about how to keep a dog happy more readily than she listens to yours.

[miss_elizabeth]

Since your sister is apparently bound and determined to get a dog, no matter how awful an idea it is, and since she has apparently done absolutely zero research on it (even though she’s wanted a dog for years now), because every breed you’ve named is spectacularly unsuitable for the situation your family has created, I will try to give you a bit of advice. There is a part of me that wants to recommend a dog that will absolutely not work, since that dog will cause problems faster and hopefully be re-homed. Maybe then your sister (the NURSE!) will realize that she is actively orchestrating the misery of an innocent creature and be moved to stop. But, given the intelligence of the actors in this macabre play thus far, I can’t bank on that.

Firstly, you need to completely forget about any kind of Herding dog. No shelties, no corgis, no collies. Get a book of breeds, go to the “Herding” section. See all those dogs? DO NOT GET A DOG THAT LOOKS LIKE ANY OF THEM. Herding dogs are the smartest of all the breeds, and the most attuned to human behavior. See, what you are doing is essentially putting this animal in a sensory deprivation chamber/solitary confinement. Just as with humans, it may not seem like torture, but as time wears on, you realize* it is*. Practically any dog is going to eventually go crazy out there. No doubt this is why your poor chow became a biter. But, you can forestall this somewhat by choosing a breed who tends not to go neurotic as easily. Meaning, herding dogs are right out.

Next to be eliminated is any type of toy dog. These are dogs that were bred to be pets. And you do not want a pet, you want an animal to neglect, the very opposite of good pet ownership. Their coats and body size are unsuited to live outdoors at all times, and their personalities will turn nasty without human interaction. I realize I’ve eliminated a lot of really cute dogs here. Don’t worry; it doesn’t matter how adorable a dog is when you never see it.

Now we are going to eliminate terriers (too high strung) and any working dog (for all the reasons outlined in herding dogs) and non-sporting (since they are much like the toys above). Hm. That is most of the dogs. Well, as everyone has said, there isn’t any type of dog, really, that is suited to utter neglect. Yet, we soldier on.

Left now we have the Sporting group and the Hound group. I think this is the type of dog you should choose, making sure that the coat is suitable for your climate. In other words, no heavy coats that would overheat the poor thing. No huskies, etc. I would focus, perhaps, on an old (the older the better!) hunting hound. A dog like that is suited to spend most of it’s time outdoors, although it would prefer to be with other dogs and people. They aren’t generally as clever, and they can be quite laid back. And a dog that has a lifetime of happiness behind it (hopefully) may take longer to go nuts in the environment it will be forced into. The whole situation is still deeply cruel, of course, but since you don’t have the moral fortitude to stop it, it is probably the best we can hope for.

Either that or get the meanest dog you can find, ignore it for awhile, and perhaps it will eat your sister and do the world a favor.

[PapSett]

Gotta disagree about a sporting dog, too. Most sporting dogs crave human interaction, it is what they were bred for. I have Gordon Setters and I have always said they could go longer without food & water than love. It would be the worst kind of torture for a sporting dog to live that sort of existance.

Hounds might be a little more independant, but still… the best dog in this situation is still NO DOG.

[miss_elizabeth]

@PapSett

Gotta disagree about a sporting dog, too. Most sporting dogs crave human interaction, it is what they were bred for. I have Gordon Setters and I have always said they could go longer without food & water than love. It would be the worst kind of torture for a sporting dog to live that sort of existance.

Hounds might be a little more independant, but still… the best dog in this situation is still NO DOG.

I meant some type of hunting hound, but thank you for further clarifying. The more I think on it, the more I think Cujo is the best bet here. Sure, after it’s rampage of terror it will be put down, but pretty much any dog they get is going to end up euthanized. At least this way the selfish human gets taken out as well.

[Freudian_Slit]

Cujo was such a sweetheart before the whole rabies thing, though…