Which breed should I get?

[GoldDust8912]

Hi there, I'm 18 and I'm moving to LA on my own at the end of the summer. One of the greatest benefits is that I can finally get a dog (I live in a dorm now and this is the first time in my life I haven't had pets - it's maddening!).

I was wondering if anyone had suggestions about which breed I should lean to. Something bigger and protective would be nice, but I'd like a dog with a naturally kind disposition. All the dogs I've had in the past were strays, so I don't know very much about breeds. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

[PatchO'Pits]

ok some things to ask yourself first off

How big exactly

long coat or short

energy level and exercise needs of the dog /compared to yours

Time you have for the dog

are you open for a shelter mix or set on purebred

how protective are you loooking for

Both UKC and AKC has a list of breeds and their characteristics on their sites you should take a peek at

Also I posted a link to the site which helps you see which breed is right for you ... I don't remember where so you'd have to do a search of the forum for it

[BrinkleyBing]

It depends on many factors and one of them is where you are going to stay. If you own the place then you can pretty much get any breed. But if you are going to rent it then they might have some restrictions on dog's max. weight/height. When we used to live in an apartment, we were not allowed to have dogs bigger than 25 lbs (you can go for smaller dogs in that case), and some apartments won't allow any pets. I'd definitely check with that first and then think about getting a dog.

[kellys2181]

I think your best bet would be to visit the shelters until you find a dog you fall in love with!!!

[PatchO'Pits]

here is a breed test not the one I was looking for but along the same lines:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

[Fender963]

What school are you going to? I've never heard of a school allowing dogs in a dorm.

[mahinajewel]

all of the suggestions are great i do believe that animals tend to find thier owners sorta a carma thing ... how about volunteering at a shelter you would get an opportunity to meet lots of diferent dogs and get a good taste of the responsibility. dogs are great but this is a commitment. you are still very young lots of moving and coming and going....maybe even start with something small like a fish. Please dont get me wrong dogs are great companions and you probaly could use the protection. if you do get a big dog iwould honestly say find a breeder german sheperds are very smart lots of hair i have pit bulls short hair is great . youmust look at the temperment of the parents watch for bad breeding last thing you need is an imbread dog. while i suggest shelters to get and know dogs in general be weary of a big dog that may have issues dosn't like men or children ....unfortunatly some shelter dogs have been abused ...good luck in finding a buddy ...best wishes

[kellys2181]

What school are you going to? I've never heard of a school allowing dogs in a dorm.

She didn't say she had a dog with her in her dorm. She said she lives in a dorm and this is the first time she has been withOUT a pet.

[FFstpay02]

I definitely agree that you should adopt, no matter which breed you ultimately choose. Good luck and let us know what you decide!

[BluEyedChick]

This is a pretty long one, but good one from purina. I'd say start there, then go to a shelter.


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[JustJo]

GoldDust,

There are literally hundreds and hundreds of shelter and rescue (including tons of purbred rescues) in LA. Please consider going through them and saving a dog. Just gandering through Petfinders LA pages I saw these sweeties:

FRANKIE
Shetland Sheepdog Sheltie,Pomeranian Mix
Size: Medium
Age: Young
Sex: Male
ID:
Notes: Frankie is about a year and a half years old and weighs a tall slender 20-25 pounds. He is active and playful with people and loves other dogs.If you are interested, please email Julie at julie_brown@mac.com and put the dogs name in the subject line.


MEAGAN
Cocker Spaniel,Spaniel Mix
Size: Medium
Age: Young
Sex: Female
Notes: This 1.5 yr old, Black & White little girl is just an absolute LOVER! Energetic, tail always wagging, you can find her always smiling and always wanting to play. Bouncy and likes to talk to you, she also loves her fellow K9 companions but prefers to be the only pet in household and enjoys people alike. A great kid dog she needs a family who will spoil her and spend time with her. Abandoned at the shelter by her owner she craves the company of a new family who will cherish her and take her everywhere they go. Great in the car, loves walks and runs, she is very mischievous and a complete riot! She will make you laugh till your insides burst. Ready to please a new family she will bring you joy 24/7 and be a furniture dog. Make her part of your family and you'll not regret it! An Adoption Application is required - SEND email request to loripasch@yahoo.com


FRANKIE
Samoyed Rescue Of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
714-956-6180
babssam@juno.com
Samoyed
Size: Medium
Age: Young
Sex: Male
ID:
Notes:
This is Frankie ( as in 'Old Blue Eyes'' ) He's very young, about 8 months old. He's brand new to Samoyed Rescue and is currently at his new foster home. For more information on Frankie, please call our hotline, a volunteer will return your call within 24 hours.
714-956-6180


QUEENIE
Animals Anonymous
Los Angeles, CA
323-388-6541
maryann@frankpennino.com
Wheaten Terrier,Terrier Mix
Size: Medium
Age: Young
Sex: Female
Notes: Queenie is a doll. She is about 1 1/2 years old, and around 45 lbs. -- a perfect size. She has a great disposition, loves people and is terriffic with kids. She was a street rescue -- in heat -- with about a zillion dogs trailing her. We grabbed her just in time, and she was very willing to go with us. She is such a nice dog -- all the kennel guys love her. She's great with other dogs, loves to play, and is in fact, boarded in a cage-free facility with lots of other dogs, big and small--so could be a wibnderful companion to another dog. For more information on Queenie, please email: maryann@frankpennino.com

[Magnum]

I would check out the shelters and human society first. There are so many great dogs waiting for a loving home. Keepher is a prime example of what can be found at a local shelter....right Jo? :D Queenie definitely caught my eye here for an energetic dog (my kind of companion), and Frankie 1 looks sooooo sweet!! His eyes are so expressive......:)

[JustJo]

Yes Mags! Keepher is a perfect example of the treasures that can be found at the local shelter! LOL! Queenie reminds me of Rockie except she is trimmed...not a troll like Rockie HaHaHa! Frankie 1 is such a cutie!!! There were just hundreds and hundreds and these were some of the first ones I saw. Frankie 2 (the Samoyed) reminds me of Sashen, who was such a great dog. She was a Samoyed too. I have to stay away from PetFinders though. Everytime I go there I want to adopt them all!

[For_the_dogs]

Just to be cautious, make sure to check the county ordinances and be familiar with the local rules before you adopt. Things like pet license, leash laws, and sadly breed-specific legislation. This has been a heartbreaking subject and you wouldn't want to get caught up in it.

Best wishes with your new digs!

[jones]

I'll add my voice to the chorus of people encouraging the OP to adopt a dog.

I'd also like to add that in my opinion the MOST important consideration when you're choosing a breed or a shelter dog is exercise requirements. You really should be honest with yourself about how much you will probably exercise the dog - a half hour walk a day and longer romps on the weekends? A five mile run every morning? An underexercised dog can lead to major problems, including destruction of your house & property, excessive barking, digging, chewing, hyperactivity, jumping on people, lack of focus, difficulty training, etc. The right way to think about your ability to exercise the dog is to think about how much you ALREADY do physically and think about what kind of dog could accompany you on those outings.

Good luck in your search! I think I know just how you feel... I waited years until I had the stability needed and could find an apartment that would allow dogs. Adding a dog to my life was the most rewarding thing I have ever done and I hope it will be the same for you.

[GoldDust8912]

Thank you all so much for your help! FYI, I'll probably be staying in a house so having a large dog isn't a problem, and I love taking my family pets to the park and on jogs as much as possible! I'm moving to a different state so I won't be able to take many classes until I establish residency (out of state tuition, yuck), so I'll pretty much just be working. That's why I thought it would be a good time to get a dog, before I'm swamped with school and things. Again, thanks so much!
EDIT: Oh yeah, and purebred or mixed, doesn't matter to me! I just want a nice companion.:)