Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Seeking advice about finding a certain dog

That's what they ALL say.

It must be Friday.

After the new wears off is the boy still going to take care of the dog or will it be outside on a chain for the rest of it's miserable life? Not trying to be a dick, but way to much of that bullshite going on around Christmas time.

On the fire?

You're kidding...right?

Go to a pound and let him pick his own dog.

Chief Dark Cloud LOL.

I got a Christmas puppy once and love him for 13 years!

Norwegian elkhound. I've had 4. Great family dogs, wonderful with kids, bonds tightly to family, love the outdoors. They wan to wrestle and play. Smart, loyal and a bit independent. Get 2 and they will play with each other when your son is at school. They are clean and without that "doggy" oder to them. They don't really dig or chew incessantly. Like it best if owner wrestles and plays with them . They love long walks and are good on a leash. They are attentive, and sensitive to reproach from the Master. They want to please, but are outgoing and independent at the same time. 40-5- pounds.


Only negative is they do shed, but the undercoat does not seem to trigger allergies in most sufferers.

(stock photos)

If you do get a puppy, make sure it is NO LESS than 7 weeks old.

Really young ones are juuuust a bit neurotic.

Man you are almost to 50,000 posts!!

I would not recommend a beagle for a first time dog owner. They are independent natured and can be a handful.

If allergies and hair are a concern, I wouldn't recommend a lab either.

On the larger end, a well bred standard poodle or labradoodle can be great kids dogs. They shed very little and their temperament is perfect.

On the smaller end a shih-tzu is a great companion dog. If it's gonna be around kids let it be raised around kids. These little dogs tend to be somewhat like the people they are around. Shih-tzus raised by little old ladies tend to act like little old ladies. Our shih-tzus ran and tussled with the rest of our dogs and grandkids. Had to keep our male away from cattle as he thought he was a cow dog. Our female had "hunt" in her and would dig moles and tree squirrels.
They are not generally yappy, but will raise the roof at strange sounds in the night.

Caveat; Any of the breeds I'm aware of that shed less and are better for allergy sufferers are long haired and need frequent grooming and trimming.

I hope it works out for you too...

Cairn terrier. Very little shedding and don't take up the space of two humans.

They look a lot like the Keeshond, and sounds like roughly the same weight too.

We've had 2 and they both have been great.

They do think they are invincible though.

Basenji.
They don't shed and don't bark.

Miniature (not toy) poodle, ya don't gotta give them sissy hair cuts. No shedding, and the whole family will love it.

Check out the predisposed problems with a lot of pure breds, like labs and their hips. Well bred dog are going to cost some bucks. A dog from the humane society around here runs $150-$250 depending on the age.

When our heeler died,we waited a year and started to look for one.At first they were $600.In a year they were $1000. You can find a rescue organization of just about any breed you can think of on the internet. We finally got lab cross from the Rocky Mountain Lab Rescue organization. We had to fill out a 6 page questionaire to get approved first and in inspection of our property.

Rescue dogs are great,but many come with baggage from past owners,but they share the greater love with a new good owner.

The bigger the dog the shorter the life span. All of the working dogs,hunting dogs etc., need a job or a lot of exersize. Our lab cross gets about 6 miles day walking with us.She is the happiest dog we ever had,but gets kind of obnxious if not exersized.

The 5 days a week alone really worries me.You want it bonded to the child ,but it won't get there by itself out there. Then there is the hair/mud in the house issue.That is a fact of life owning a dog.If that bothers someone,they shouldn't have dog.
I can see that dog being outside and becoming a barking nuisance to all the neighbors as it suffers separation anixety from being left alone in the day time.

I have had dogs all my life. Even when we both worked the dog was inside. Never had a problem. No piles of crap,no pee, no chewed things.

If you get this dog,find a good trainer that will come to your house and work with you,your family, Have it 100% obedience trained. Make it part of your family. Bark Busters is a nationwide chain of certified dog trainers. Expect to pay about $400 total over several months. It won't be easy finding one already trained unless you really luck on to one

I don't mind the question - trying to cover all important bases here. I know this boy very well - and his mom is my oldest daughter, so know her even better. This dog will have LOTS of human time and attention, the boy will play/walk/run with his pal, and they will be everyday buddies. Otherwise, I would not be so interested in helping - and intend to foot the bill for any needed training - of dog and owners.

The "5 days alone outside some weeks" is probably overstated - but want that possibility addressed. The dog will have a generous yard with sun and shade, can be inside a nice basement when he/she wishes, and very well may wind up being inside the house proper on school days. It will be the fourth and equal member of a loving small family.

Thanks much for all of the insights and suggestions - I knew you all would come through big time - and please don't stop here. Everything offered is in the think box.

I had a short legged rough coat jack russel dog. Great dog. He shed, but very little. Not much for barking.

Doubt he'd of stayed in a yard though.

Had a boxer. She was also a great dog. Did great on her own. Rarely barked. Great with kids.

Shed like a mofo. Those little hairs stuck in everything.

What ever you get will likely be a compromise of knowns and a whole bunch of unknowns. The family will adapt.

At least it ain't a fuggin' poodle.

Shih-tzu is a great dog. Not to big but thinks it is. Use to be use for lion hunting in the old days. But they are great pets for kids.