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Babies on the Brain
*boxer*
I have a few doggy questions I'd like to ask you, if you don't mind. Do you have a breed in mind that would make a good family dog? We have an English bulldog and are thinking of adopting a rescue puppy. My insane husband has his heart set on a Cane Corso Mastiff, I could shoot him right now. Any opinions you may have would be great!
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Re: *boxer*
lol with the Cane Corso.
Any size in particular? Hair length? What kind of weather is in your area year round?
Rhodesian Ridgeback, Boxer, the two you mentioned would be great with kids. Be careful with the herding breeds though with children, they are known to herd the children (not kidding).
I was just looking in my book called "The Perfect Match" by Chris Walkowicz and it may be something you're interested in picking up. Each breed even has a "children" category to explain how they are typically with children. MOST of them say, "when raised with children" so that would suggest a younger dog growing up with kids or maybe even a puppy (less than 6 months) because children and older dogs don't always go well together. Dogs look at children like strange aliens when they haven't been properly introduced and socialized, especially when the the kids are in the learning to walk phase and they're extra wobbly and at eye level with the dog.
If you're working with a reputable rescue group, the foster parents should be able to suggest whether that particular dog is good with kids or not. If you get a dog young enough, with proper training and socialization any dog can be great with kids.
::Butts in::
I love Weim's, but they are BSC to infinity. Seriously, I have never met one that wasn't crazy. I would admire them from afar - even mix breeds. A Weimn mix with anything will still need a boat-load of exercise, like full time doggy daycare. They are bred to be perpetual hunting machines.
Love them, but I wouldn't ever get one.
::Butts out::
Chances are you are meeting the product of bad owners. Weims can be great dogs.
And as far as exercise goes, I own the most energetic large breed of dog. My dogs rarely need specified exercise time. Yes, they get to run around the back yard periodically through the day, but mental stimulation is FAR more exhausting than physical. When you physically exercise a dog constantly, they need it more and more and more as they build up their endurance. If you mentally stimulate a dog (everyday obedience, mind games like the cup/treat game, "find it" with particular toys, etc.) you will wear the dog out far quicker than if you take them on a 2 mile walk/run. Also, taking the dog to a dog-friendly store is extremely mentally stimulating.
I would also not recommend doggy day care. I know some people absolutely love it, and for some people it's totally great. However, the temperament of other dogs cannot always be determined and even if otherwise a wonderful dog, sometimes the mix of bringing in a new dog can change things and quickly. I would never take my dogs to a doggy day care as there is just too much risk involved. Not to mention, most of the people who work there are not trained in dog behavior, temperament, and how to properly handle introductions and god forbid a fight to break out. But that's just me personally, and to each their own.
You may not be off on that, but the rescue I foster for is a pure-bred only rescue. Now, that doesn't mean we have papers on every dog (or any of them for that matter) but we look at each dog needing rescue and determine if their physical attributes are pure or mixed before rescuing. Nothing against mixes at all, but this rescue is boxer only so when people are searching for boxers, they want to see boxers. Other rescues snatch up the mixes and other breeds (often breed-specific rescues as well). There's just no way to save them all, so our rescue is boxer only and doesn't include mixes.
So, she MAY be saying that the puppy is pure-bred in that respect, but I am not entirely sure of the situation.
ETA: Even with our pure breds and sometimes puppies that we get into rescue, the adoption fee is the same. We don't try to profit like breeders do, it's only to cover their spay/neuter, shots, etc.
Very true, we had a border collie when I was around 11, she would try to herd me and my sisters into a corner whenever we were running around in the backyard.
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Yeah, definitely don't blame the Boxer breed for that unfortunate incident. Boxers are stereotypically wonderful with children and are even used as service animals now for both kids and adults (dog guide for the blind). When bred to standard, they make great family companions. But (as you eluded to) it does require a great deal of work with the dog from the moment baby comes home, and complete 100% supervision of the dog/baby at all times.
The dog should respect boundaries and understand the meaning of "no" so you can always verbally correct them when they are too close, staring too intently, etc. The dog has to also not feel neglected if a new baby comes into the picture, but growing up with children from a puppy makes this stage much much easier. Although I now have older dogs (all over 2) if we were to consider getting a new dog after a baby came into the picture, we'd definitely be getting a puppy. Much less risk in forming a puppy's personality from the get-go instead of getting one with already ingrained behaviors.
Honestly, if I were you unless you are against breeding, I would go with a (very) reputable breeder (one that has been researched, that you meet in person, etc.). I would want to meet the parents of the dogs, get a feel for their temperament, and know where my puppy came from. This is from someone who is active in the rescue/foster world, but who also has a pure-bred dog from a reputable breeder. I respect both options, but it sounds like your worries may be best resolved with getting a new pup from an excellent breeder you feel good about.
*Not saying at all that great dogs can't be found in rescue, it just takes time and trust when working with a rescue group. Good luck!
Training
My dogs would do the same thing if they hadn't learned some major self control. They are spastic too, crazy boxers, and will run like wild outside but inside they know it is not acceptable. I've met plenty of Weims and they've been great, but then again, I'm in the training world so I'm sure that is making a difference.
I'm not trying to convince her anyway to get one, but her question was whether they would be good with children as she has found a Weim mix and yes, they are generally speaking a good family dog. But like any dog, especially the high energy ones, some real training with a professional trainer and usually not pet store training, is necessary for the whole family to be happy.
And like I said, exercising any dog doesn't mean their energy will deplete. It will actually increase over time so that would make sense that your dog can still run miles after a nice long walk. It's something I studied in school and I've definitely noticed a difference after implementing the mental stimulation vs. physical exercise and it's made a world of difference in the energy level of the dogs. And they are extremely healthy and fit, so it is not taking away from their health.
This of course is all from my perspective, education, and practices I've put into place. There are definitely many opinions in the dog world, the breed world, the training world, etc. and I can definitely be taken with a grain of salt.
Wow to think I have probably just been adding fuel to the fire with all of her walks lol. Honestly we do need some sort of training, because she is such a smart dog who loves doing tricks so i think she would respond very well to behavioral training. We just need a little guidance, especially with us ttc. I appreciate you telling me that I always thought i would just try to get her energy out, I am definitely not trying to create more. We will work on the mental stimulation thing because like i said she looooves to learn tricks. Thanks for the advice:)
No prob! A lot of owners don't really consider training to be necessary especially if their dog is generally a "good dog" but it is definitely beneficial even to the "good dog." It teaches them to learn. It teaches them new things, it builds their confidence, it mentally stimulates them, and a 15 minute obedience workout around the house (doing commands, holding commands) will usually result in the dog passing out for half an hour.
The "place" command is also awesome for the energetic dog. Lord have mercy has it saved us with our energetic bunch. Putting them on place allows them to do whatever they please, stand, sit, lay down, do back handsprings, chew a bone, toy, etc... as long as all 4 paws stay on their mat.
It's so great when company comes over. The people get to choose when to greet the dog instead of the other way around. Almost like a crate without walls, but it allows the dog freedom and to be out with the family instead of cooped up.
Lots of possibilities with training to control that energy and especially quirky behaviors. My dogs are weirdos with their own strange personalities but through training we all speak the same language, essentially.