Which breed of dog?

hopelives

hopelives

Member
Hi everybody

My first post here but I've read a lot here already. It's getting too late for me to avoid avoidant personality disorder :) and SA but as a first step I'm going out and getting home a dog. I've been suggested that I keep a pet to overcome depression and all that, so that's what I'm gonna finally do. So which breed of dog do I select? Which ones do all of you have? I live in a small apartment but in one year I'll be moving to a house with a big yard. Is it okay to buy a labrador puppy? Which is the most affectionate breed? Any kind of suggestions welcome... I'd like to see your pets too :)
 
Ignace

Ignace

Well-known member
I would go for a labrador too. :) But you gotta think about it what would suit you best and browse the web for information. If you get a pet you have to keep it, not dumping it or so .. Just telling you. :) There's a thread here about pet pictures:
Pet pics
 
Sinar_Matahari

Sinar_Matahari

Well-known member
One can find a number of helpful websites on this topic. This is probably the best website I found so far. It contains a lot of sensible advice on how to choose a breed of dog which will be right for you, your pocketbook and lifestyle. You're the only person who can know which breed of dog will be most compatible with your personality and your lifestyle.

Buying a puppy? | The Kennel Club

I love all breeds of dogs, but I would probably choose a dog which is low-maintenance. Simply put, I'd want a short-haired dog, who doesn't require constant attention and vigorous daily exercises. Also, I'd choose a breed that is less susceptible to breed-related health issues. Trainability is also a big concern of mine. Although, I can be patient and consistent, I'd rather not buy a dog who will be very stubborn or difficult to train. Although, I prefer a dog who has protective tendencies, I would not want one which is highly aggressive or will be more likely to fight for dominance. My ideal dog is an intelligent, gentle giant who is loving with other animals and children, but is also strong, fearless and protective. On the other hand, I love fluffy lap dogs like my Japeke pup.

Whichever dog you will choose, I wish you lots of fun and happiness. These creatures have a way of brightening up the worst of days.
 
worrywort

worrywort

Well-known member
Hi hopelives, welcome to the forum! :)

I think getting a dog is an excellent idea! I've got a springer spaniel and I love her so much it almost hurts!!!! [in a good way! ;)]. I can definitely see why they advise people with depression to get dogs....they're also really great for meeting people over the park, and at home they can be a really good conversation starter.

I think I'd steer clear of aggressive ones if possible....because otherwise you'll probably be worrying every time you take it for a walk, that it might attack other dogs! But I think most dogs can be trained, so whatever you choose I'm sure will be fine.
 
Pookah

Pookah

Well-known member
I'd get a mutt. They have hybrid vigor and tend to be better dogs than purebred in general.
 
Felgen

Felgen

Well-known member
I agree on mutts. They usually have better health than pure bred dogs. However, if you were to choose a pure breed, I recommend the boxer. These dogs retain their puppy-like and playful nature no matter how old they get.
 
NathanielWingatePeaslee

NathanielWingatePeaslee

Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn!
Staff member
hopelives said:
Hi everybody

My first post here but I've read a lot here already. It's getting too late for me to avoid avoidant personality disorder :) and SA but as a first step I'm going out and getting home a dog. I've been suggested that I keep a pet to overcome depression and all that, so that's what I'm gonna finally do. So which breed of dog do I select? Which ones do all of you have? I live in a small apartment but in one year I'll be moving to a house with a big yard. Is it okay to buy a labrador puppy? Which is the most affectionate breed? Any kind of suggestions welcome... I'd like to see your pets too :)
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Hello, and welcome. Getting an animal friend is a great idea. Mine (my cats actually) are a constant source of comfort and a reason to get out of bed if I'm badly depressed.

I'm going to 3rd the suggestion for getting a mutt, for the reasons already given. Really any dog will be very affectionate if you raise it properly. Rescuing one from a shelter is a good idea.

If you want to understand dog psychology better, I'd recommend watching Cesar Milan's show 'The Dog Whisperer'. The man is a genius.

Cesar Millan's Official Website | Achieving balance between people and dogs.

This is the most recent thread for our pets:

http://www.socialphobiaworld.com/pet-pics-28572/

:)
 
coyote

coyote

Well-known member
Cute, friendly, low maintenance, hardy, doesn't eat or drink much, don't have to walk it:

HamsterREX_468x362.jpg
 
NathanielWingatePeaslee

NathanielWingatePeaslee

Iä! Iä! Cthulhu fhtagn!
Staff member
Kato said:
They are affectionate,energetic, and become very bonded to humans. Along with the bond comes a strong willingness to please which makes them highly trainable.
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When you say 'very bonded to humans', I'm wondering. My parents' dog (and pretty much mine while I'm living here) Heather is a yellow lab. She is extremely eager to please and adores people. Honestly, though, she takes that to an extreme that I don't really favor. She adores all people. She's in love with every human she ever meets from the first second. Is this the case with the Havanese?

My favorite dog ever was a very large and wolfish Malamute originally trained as a guard dog. She had things like discrimination with her affections, and dignity. :D
 
petrified eyes

petrified eyes

Well-known member
I loved my Beagle. Affectionate, great personality, loved to cuddle, low maintenance, but he was very stubborn, difficult (but not impossible) to train, quite the little troublemaker (it's the nose) and a few health problems later in life. He was my best (and only) friend for years, he always knew when I was feeling down and always tried to make me feel better.


Brooklynn said:
Rottweilers all the way, baby!! I have a rottweiler and she is the best dog ever! She is a full bred german rott and she was really pricey. Had her since she was just a newborn pup. She is 7 now.
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Rottweilers are adorable!
 
J

Jamovik

Well-known member
Brooklynn said:
I hate that people have given rottweilers a bad name and reputation. It is simply the ignorant owner of a rottweiler that trains the rottweiler to be aggressive. While rottweilers do have these natural instincts but bad people train them to kill sometimes. I had my rottweiler for 7 years and she has never bitten anybody. I live alone with my children and I kinda need a dog like her. I have had one time where she had snapped and growled at somebody for coming up to me outside, of course I had her on a leash. There's a leash law here and I think there is everywhere. But it was good she did that because I can rely on her to take care of me and my kids.
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No offense! My father actually has a Rottweiler, but I don't live with him, so I don't know how they are as "normal" dogs. ::p:
 
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Felgen

Felgen

Well-known member
Rottweilers are very gentle creatures. Molossers/mastiffs in general are much nicer than their reputation. :)
 
Danfalc

Danfalc

Banned
Felgen said:
Rottweilers are very gentle creatures. Molossers/mastiffs in general are much nicer than their reputation. :)
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Couldn't agree more,it's like Brooklyn kind of said,you don't get bad breeds...just bad owners.I have always loved Staffordshire Bull Terriers,and they have an undeserved rep here as dealers and yobs have them as like a fashion accessory too look tough.When in reality they are so affectionate,loyal and playful.Sure they can be vicious if trained to be but so can any breed.

Don't have much experience with Rotty's,except my Grandparents had one when I was a tot. Apparently I use to crawl all over her,once I walked right up to her,pulled her mouth open and took the the bone out of her mouth without as much as a growl in return,hardly the savage killers some people and the media make them out to be.
 
Felgen

Felgen

Well-known member
Danfalc said:
Couldn't agree more,it's like Brooklyn kind of said,you don't get bad breeds...just bad owners.I have always loved Staffordshire Bull Terriers,and they have an undeserved rep here as dealers and yobs have them as like a fashion accessory too look tough.When in reality they are so affectionate,loyal and playful.Sure they can be vicious if trained to be but so can any breed.

Don't have much experience with Rotty's,except my Grandparents had one when I was a tot. Apparently I use to crawl all over her,once I walked right up to her,pulled her mouth open and took the the bone out of her mouth without as much as a growl in return,hardly the savage killers some people and the media make them out to be.
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My dog is 25% Staffordshire bull terrier and 50% boxer. She has never harmed or threatened anyone, even though she's an excellent guard dog. :)
 
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