# Thinking about getting a dog. What do I need to know? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 5, 2011, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703 "2011-10-05T17:33:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703/61 "2011-10-12T01:00:08Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > It’s a hypothetical. Hypotheticals are often unrealistic thought experiments. > > Please leave me alone. I wasn’t even talking to you. If you don’t like that I responded with a hypothetical, I’m truly very, very sorry to have upset you so. It certainly was not my intention. Please, please forgive me, rachellelogram, and direct your anger elsewhere. This is a public message board. Strangers are going to respond to the posts you make, whether or not you directly address them. You’re free to refrain from responding, of course. Do I appear upset? I didn’t use the :mad: smiley. I’m asking you to explain why you brought up that hypo, because it sounds like you’re in favor of adopting dogs from puppy mills. Painting me as some sort of angry Inquisitor is really over the top, although it did make me go 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Candyman74](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ad7895/32.png) [@Candyman74](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Candyman74)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703/62 "2011-10-12T11:54:20Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > . I’m asking you to explain why you brought up that hypo, because it sounds like you’re in favor of adopting dogs from puppy mills. I am not. > [@](#): > > Do I appear upset?.. Painting me as some sort of angry Inquisitor is really over the top, although it did make me go 😃 Calling me ridiculous, making sarcastic comments about my reading comprehension and memory, mischaracterizing my posts. If that wasn’t you upset, I don’t know what it is. But it sure as hell wasn’t even verging on civil, and is littered with ad hominem personal attacks on me. > [@](#): > > You’re free to refrain from responding, of course. Good advice. I won’t be responding to you any further. ---
**Author:** ![Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Living\_Well\_Is\_Best\_Revenge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Living_Well_Is_Best_Revenge)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703/63 "2011-10-12T13:34:23Z")
My dog is alone Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. to about 4:30 p.m. He has no accidents and I take him for walks in the morning and after work and to the dog park when I can. Sure, he would probably benefit from more exercise, but I do what I can. And his life life is a lot better now than it would have been if I didn’t adopt him. So just because the dog in the OP’s house would be alone three days a week doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad idea to get one if you give him good quality time as often as you can. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703/64 "2011-10-12T18:14:35Z")
> [@Candyman74](#): > > If that wasn’t you upset, I don’t know what it is. But it sure as hell wasn’t even verging on civil, and is littered with ad hominem personal attacks on me. > > Good advice. I won’t be responding to you any further. Namaste. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703/65 "2011-10-12T23:12:08Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > The buy from a breeder slogan is more aimed at trying to get people to realize that a far better quality animal is available out there That’s the thing. _Thousands_ of people, many of them devoted dog experts, disagree with any suggestion that a bred puppy is “better quality.” ---
**Author:** ![chiroptera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@chiroptera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chiroptera)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703/66 "2011-10-12T23:14:41Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > That’s the thing. _Thousands_ of people, many of them devoted dog experts, disagree with any suggestion that a bred puppy is “better quality.” Cite? ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703/67 "2011-10-13T00:47:57Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > That’s the thing. _Thousands_ of people, many of them devoted dog experts, disagree with any suggestion that a bred puppy is “better quality.” Depends on what you mean by “better quality,” doesn’t it? You obviously disagree; what criteria are you using? ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703/68 "2011-10-13T01:24:54Z")
Yes, the definition of quality is very important. If quality means conforming to some arbitrary appearance standards, then show dogs are high quality. If you define quality as free from health problems, good temperament, intelligence, working ability, etc., they may not rate as high. I wonder how many show breeders have jumped on the newly available test and are testing their Lab breeding stock for EIC and dropping any carriers? ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703/69 "2011-10-13T04:03:26Z")
> [@Sailboat](#): > > That’s the thing. _Thousands_ of people, many of them devoted dog experts, disagree with any suggestion that a bred puppy is “better quality.” They aren’t much in the way of expert if they don’t realize that a puppy from a pedigree deep in heath clearances, good temperaments and sound bodies will always trump something from a puppy mill, a BYB or a shelter. If you add in the need for the dog to do a particular job, a well bred pup is the best bet. > [@thelabdude](#): > > Y I wonder how many show breeders have jumped on the newly available test and are testing their Lab breeding stock for EIC and dropping any carriers? _If_ the test is valid, and there is some question, then eliminating carriers from breeding is genetically a bad idea. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703/70 "2011-10-13T12:04:39Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > _If_ the test is valid, and there is some question, then eliminating carriers from breeding is genetically a bad idea. You are saying we shouldn’t avoid breeding dogs known to produce defective offspring? ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703/71 "2011-10-14T06:49:20Z")
> [@thelabdude](#): > > You are saying we shouldn’t avoid breeding dogs known to produce defective offspring? A carrier doesn’t produce defective offspring unless it is bred to another carrier or an affected. Which is why I specified “if the test is valid” - if it is, breeders don’t have to make their gene pool even smaller by eliminating dogs that won’t produce affected pups if properly bred. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703/72 "2011-10-14T17:03:56Z")
I don’t want to hear any more from you on improving the breed. Those really interested in health would never breed a known carrier. One more way show breeders cut corners on health. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2011, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703/73 "2011-10-14T17:21:00Z")
> [@thelabdude](#): > > I don’t want to hear any more from you on improving the breed. Those really interested in health would never breed a known carrier. One more way show breeders cut corners on health. Anyone who knows much about dog breeding and/or genetics knows that you do not arbitrarily throw out carriers if you have a reliable DNA test. If you would like to read up on it, Google Basenjis and Fanconi - they ended up with this disease widespread thru their gene pool when they all started eliminating PRA carriers from their gene pool when they got the DNA test for that. At that time they didn’t even know they had Fanconi’s and it’s only been recently that they have developed a DNA test for that, some 20 or so years later. It got so bad that they petitioned the AKC to open their registry to unpedigreed dogs imported from Africa, so they could get some clean breeding stock. And, FTR, I am not a show breeder, not that trialers are lily-white when it comes to breeding choices. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/thinking-about-getting-a-dog-what-do-i-need-to-know/598703.md?page=3)