I want a dog

[dpopiz]

I thought SPCA was free but aparently it costs $150 to adopt from them in my area.

How much does it cost to keep a dog? for food mainly I guess


tell me about breeds/your dog....
I want a dog that's medium-small size, moderately smart, moderately energetic, and very robust


: D : D : D DOG DOG DOG

 

[judasmachine]

that adoption fee is to cover the fact that taxes cannot keep the lights on and feed the dogs. that and the nueters. it's a really good idea to adopt one of them than to support a backyard breeder.

but the nuts and bolts of owning a dog:

1. mutts have less genetic defects.
2. $15 to $20/week for a good sized dog is normal.
3. Vaccinations will cost you around $30/yr.
4. Surprise vet bills can be from $20 to $5000.

breeds in order of best to worst, in my opinion, and i've worked in vet clinics for years...

1. Carolina Dog (worth it if you can find one)
2. Labrador Retriever
3. German Shephard

 

[DrPizza]

That is kinda steep for the SPCA... I think it's 50 or 60 around here. Maybe they're charging more, simply to discourage people who aren't serious about wanting a dog. At least in this area, the vets charge the SPCA less per neutering, etc.

 

[judasmachine]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
That is kinda steep for the SPCA... I think it's 50 or 60 around here. Maybe they're charging more, simply to discourage people who aren't serious about wanting a dog. At least in this area, the vets charge the SPCA less per neutering, etc.

yeah the same here, and from my experiance the vets all do discount nueters. the adoption fee here is $80. (amarillo, tx)

 

[dfi]

Originally posted by: judasmachine
that adoption fee is to cover the fact that taxes cannot keep the lights on and feed the dogs. that and the nueters. it's a really good idea to adopt one of them than to support a backyard breeder.

but the nuts and bolts of owning a dog:

1. mutts have less genetic defects.
2. $15 to $20/week for a good sized dog is normal.
3. Vaccinations will cost you around $30/yr.
4. Surprise vet bills can be from $20 to $5000.

breeds in order of best to worst, in my opinion, and i've worked in vet clinics for years...

1. Carolina Dog (worth it if you can find one)
2. Labrador Retriever
3. German Shephard

Can you give some rationale behind your dog rankings?

 

[0roo0roo]

dog food is cheap. stick to dry kibble, its actually better for their teeth. and well, its cheaper, win win!
big ass 20? lb bag goes for maybe 15 dollars? i ussually get iams. maybe 10 dollars for a cheap brand. depending on the size of your dog it should last atleast a month i bet, for a smaller dog like mine it lasts months.

 

[moshquerade]

dogs rule. just do it.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: dfi

Originally posted by: judasmachine
that adoption fee is to cover the fact that taxes cannot keep the lights on and feed the dogs. that and the nueters. it's a really good idea to adopt one of them than to support a backyard breeder.

but the nuts and bolts of owning a dog:

1. mutts have less genetic defects.
2. $15 to $20/week for a good sized dog is normal.
3. Vaccinations will cost you around $30/yr.
4. Surprise vet bills can be from $20 to $5000.

breeds in order of best to worst, in my opinion, and i've worked in vet clinics for years...

1. Carolina Dog (worth it if you can find one)
2. Labrador Retriever
3. German Shephard

Can you give some rationale behind your dog rankings?

Yeah doesn't make sense esp with 'shepherd's usually having hip problems.

 

[Codewiz]

A english staffordshire terrier is exactly the type of dog you describe. The dog is extremely good with children. Completely dedicated to their owner. Undying loyalty and extremely intelligent. Pretty small in size. Very robust.

http://www.bulldogbreeds.com/staffordshirebullterrier.html

A boxer would also be a good choice.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Check www.petfinder.com too might find some rescues in your area. I think $15-20 a week for food is way high. I have three 70lb dogs and spend around $30 a month.

 

[monk3y]

I would definately go with a mutt. I got my dog from a humane shelter (dog came up to date with all vaccinations etc.) and it ended up costing $100. My dog Sparky is EXTREMELY smart but that might have to do with some border collie that's in him. He's ~50 lbs so medium.

*Sparky*

They tend to have less health problems because of genetic diversity and usually don't get homes because they aren't pure bred. I use the Banfield Clinic (usually next to Petsmart) wellness plan which is expensive but I really don't mind too much. I pay $15/month but can go to the vet whenever I want and all vaccinations are covered. I am in Florida and do take my dog out a lot so I do use heartworm and flea medication which usually comes to $100 every 6 months. Other than that I use Science Diet which is probably one of the more expensive foods, he goes through a $30 bag ~ once every 5-6 weeks.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Codewiz
A english staffordshire terrier is exactly the type of dog you describe. The dog is extremely good with children. Completely dedicated to their owner. Undying loyalty and extremely intelligent. Pretty small in size. Very robust.

http://www.bulldogbreeds.com/staffordshirebullterrier.html

A boxer would also be a good choice.

not to get in the pit bull debate, but these have been bastardized in the states and have been banned from certain communities.

People do not understand the breed, they just think they are killers.

One bad thing about almost all terriers is they do not like other animals, esp dogs....some do just fine, but some will not tolerate even family pets. Something to consider as your 'zoo' grows.

 

[alkemyst]

to add to this...a Corgi may be good for a breed...medium sized, smart and playful...my wife loves them and they are pretty easy to find as 'mutts'.

Keep in mind the $100-150 you pay at the pound usually includes the spay/neuter, the initial shots, etc. It's really a bargain when you consider it.

 

[doze]

I have a weiner dog (thanks to my ex) and small dogs are good if you have an apartment. He's so small he can run around and play fetch and stuff inside so he gets plenty of exercise. I spend $250-300 at the vet every year including heartworm and flea meds, and I spend about $20 a month on food (nutro), treats, and toys. Girls love him too.

As soon as you get the dog plan to drop several hundred for kennel, food, leash, treats, toys etc... but get as much as you can from walmart b/c all that stuff costs more at petsmart.

I was going to adopt a dog and found several on here http://www.petfinder.com/ but some of these rescue places are wackos to deal with. They want you to own your own home with a yard and family before they let you consider adopting a dog that they currently keep locked in a kennel all day. When I checked animal shelters they were about $100 but that included shots and fixing too. Then the girlfriend showed up with a weiner dog.

 

[JDrake]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: dfi

Can you give some rationale behind your dog rankings?

Yeah doesn't make sense esp with 'shepherd's usually having hip problems.

Actually, I think his ranking were right-on. shepherds are AWESOME dogs and I don't think they have as many hip problems as people say. I've had 2 and there are (were, 2 died) 3 others on my circle and none of them have had hip problems Labradors are also really great dogs. can't say I know much about "carolina dogs", though. Unlike those little dogs (chiauahaha) big dogs will actually become your friend and 'bond' with you.

$:
food shouldn't cost too much at all, no more than $50/month
misc. items (leash, bowls/etc) shouldn't be more than $100
they also have to get their vaccinations
and like someone said, there are "surprise" vet bills which can be a hell of a lot. when my dog cut her ankle on a gutter the bill was incredible.
but don't forget flea/tick medicine and heart worm medicine, that isn't too much but still consider it in to costs

adopting where i live is only like $40

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: doze

As soon as you get the dog plan to drop several hundred for kennel, food, leash, treats, toys etc... but get as much as you can from walmart b/c all that stuff costs more at petsmart.

craigslist is a good source for this stuff sometimes. Sometimes even free. An aquaintance picked up a large dog crate for the back of their SUV, FREE. It was like brand new they said and saved them over $100.

 

[dpopiz]

hmmm informative responses guys...

so yeah I already have heard from a few people that "mutt" is the way to go because of less inbred genetics. I should clarify that by "robust", I basically mean I want a dog that likes to play rough and has very very very little chance of unexpected vet stuff...because I'm a first year student and I HAVE NO MONEY (already far in debt) from school and travel and stuff

but although I want a dog who likes to play rough, I don't want one that needs to play all the time...cuz well I'm on the computer a lot of course

 

[compuwiz1]

We recently got a two year old female Chihuahua from our SPCA. It cost us $95, which included vet check, vaccinations and spaying.

 

[QurazyQuisp]

Originally posted by: judasmachine
that adoption fee is to cover the fact that taxes cannot keep the lights on and feed the dogs. that and the nueters. it's a really good idea to adopt one of them than to support a backyard breeder.

but the nuts and bolts of owning a dog:

1. mutts have less genetic defects.
2. $15 to $20/week for a good sized dog is normal.
3. Vaccinations will cost you around $30/yr.
4. Surprise vet bills can be from $20 to $5000.

breeds in order of best to worst, in my opinion, and i've worked in vet clinics for years...

1. Carolina Dog (worth it if you can find one)
2. Labrador Retriever
3. German Shephard

We have a carolina dog, my brother's girlfriend found her when she was about 4 weeks old, and brought her to our house for a week and she never left. She is probably one of the best dogs I've ever encountered, She wasn't a chewing puppy, learned very quickly that outside is where you go to the bathroom, doesn't bark at anyone, comes when you call her, and she is just an over all sweet dog. I want one when I'm done with college.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: dpopiz
hmmm informative responses guys...

so yeah I already have heard from a few people that "mutt" is the way to go because of less inbred genetics. I should clarify that by "robust", I basically mean I want a dog that likes to play rough and has very very very little chance of unexpected vet stuff...because I'm a first year student and I HAVE NO MONEY (already far in debt) from school and travel and stuff

but although I want a dog who likes to play rough, I don't want one that needs to play all the time...cuz well I'm on the computer a lot of course

if you cannot afford a rare surprise like say your pet gets their paw stuck under the dishwasher and the sheet metal rips their leg wide open.

Do not get a dog or cat.

NO MONEY <> dogs and cats.

 

[Codewiz]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Codewiz
A english staffordshire terrier is exactly the type of dog you describe. The dog is extremely good with children. Completely dedicated to their owner. Undying loyalty and extremely intelligent. Pretty small in size. Very robust.

http://www.bulldogbreeds.com/staffordshirebullterrier.html

A boxer would also be a good choice.

not to get in the pit bull debate, but these have been bastardized in the states and have been banned from certain communities.

People do not understand the breed, they just think they are killers.

One bad thing about almost all terriers is they do not like other animals, esp dogs....some do just fine, but some will not tolerate even family pets. Something to consider as your 'zoo' grows.

Well it wouldn't be a pitbull debate because they aren't pitbulls. And there is also nothing wrong with pitbulls.

As for BSL, I believe it will be struck down over the next 5 years. It has already been deemed unconstitutional in one instance.

As for staffy's, I mention getting an english one because since pitbulls do have a stigma, a lot of ethically challenged breeders started calling pitbulls american staffies.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Codewiz

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: Codewiz
A english staffordshire terrier is exactly the type of dog you describe. The dog is extremely good with children. Completely dedicated to their owner. Undying loyalty and extremely intelligent. Pretty small in size. Very robust.

http://www.bulldogbreeds.com/staffordshirebullterrier.html

A boxer would also be a good choice.

not to get in the pit bull debate, but these have been bastardized in the states and have been banned from certain communities.

People do not understand the breed, they just think they are killers.

One bad thing about almost all terriers is they do not like other animals, esp dogs....some do just fine, but some will not tolerate even family pets. Something to consider as your 'zoo' grows.

Well it wouldn't be a pitbull debate because they aren't pitbulls. And there is also nothing wrong with pitbulls.

As for BSL, I believe it will be struck down over the next 5 years. It has already been deemed unconstitutional in one instance.

As for staffy's, I mention getting an english one because since pitbulls do have a stigma, a lot of ethically challenged breeders started calling pitbulls american staffies.

i know where you are coming from, I have no problem with the breed. However; HOA's don't go on that they go on looks.

I blame the owners, not the breed...then all the pansy people in the world want to outcast anything remotely dangerous in any possible way to them.

 

[ShOcKwAvE827]

I recommend jefferspet.com for supplies. They have pretty good prices. Got my dogs toys, collars, leads, bones, shampoo, cleaning supplies from them for cheap.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Poodles get the best battery life.