So after 2 years, my house will be done very soon. Which means, I can finally get a dog! =)
I've been waiting for what seems like forever to get one. I only had one when I was little... before I can even remember.
Now I have to figure out what I would like. The fiance also has quite a bit of say in this, but she'll go along with just about anything as long as it's not a small breed She's lived with dogs her whole life, except for now. :|
I have plenty of land, and will border train ASAP. The farmers near me are offering to help out if I run in to trouble with it.
I have 2 cats...
The dog MAY be alone for up to 8 hours once or twice a week, depending on when the fiance works. But usually 4 hours at the most.
My preferred dog was a Malamute, but because of their prey drive and how unruly they can seem to be I'm not sure if they'd be the best choice for me as a first time dog owner. I thought of Huskies as well, but same deal.
Golden Retrievers, Labs, and German Shepards are acceptable as well.
I don't have a problem going to formal training with it, and hope to train it myself in between. I'm just not sure what route to go with my cats... I wanted a 1-4 year old dog or so, just because there's so many dogs available and I really am not sure if we're home enough to take care of a puppy.
Do breeds really matter as far as how they act/behave? Or is it more so how they were brought up and what they were exposed to as a pup?
I'm just really confused... Basically I'm just wondering, what large/medium-large breed is good for a first time owner that I won't have to worry about it eating my cats for a snack when I'm not looking?
I've been waiting for what seems like forever to get one. I only had one when I was little... before I can even remember.
Now I have to figure out what I would like. The fiance also has quite a bit of say in this, but she'll go along with just about anything as long as it's not a small breed She's lived with dogs her whole life, except for now. :|
I have plenty of land, and will border train ASAP. The farmers near me are offering to help out if I run in to trouble with it.
I have 2 cats...
The dog MAY be alone for up to 8 hours once or twice a week, depending on when the fiance works. But usually 4 hours at the most.
My preferred dog was a Malamute, but because of their prey drive and how unruly they can seem to be I'm not sure if they'd be the best choice for me as a first time dog owner. I thought of Huskies as well, but same deal.
Golden Retrievers, Labs, and German Shepards are acceptable as well.
I don't have a problem going to formal training with it, and hope to train it myself in between. I'm just not sure what route to go with my cats... I wanted a 1-4 year old dog or so, just because there's so many dogs available and I really am not sure if we're home enough to take care of a puppy.
Do breeds really matter as far as how they act/behave? Or is it more so how they were brought up and what they were exposed to as a pup?
I'm just really confused... Basically I'm just wondering, what large/medium-large breed is good for a first time owner that I won't have to worry about it eating my cats for a snack when I'm not looking?