Thread: Thinking about getting a dog...

Go the Staffy, u wont look back!
Cheers Dean.

The big thing is house training. Our Staffy lives inside and is not an issue. Occassionally if locked in will have to go but will go into the bathroom or shower recess. If you want an inside dog, generally a short haired variety will be better.
I have some concerns about people steering you towards cross breeds. Do not get me wrong there are some great mongrels around and we have owned a few and never had an issue. But problems with cross breeds range from bad temprements, incompatable temprements to genetic defects and illnesses.
But as said the pound can be a good start. We got a pure bred Staffy and a Dingo from one Shire where my wife worked.
Choose what suits you after doing a bit of research.

Originally Posted by Newbs-IIA

Thanks for the advice guys - definatly something to think about.

I haven't made the decision as to if I want it to be an 'inside' dog or purely outside. Couple of my mates have dogs which are allowed inside and to be honest, their houses are a bit 'on the nose'... Anyone have any tips on this. I would feel bad keeping a 10 week old pup outside in winter. I find it cold at 7deg here in Brisvegas so dunno how a lil dog would cope - custom insulated doghouse?

I'm not in a hurry yet, as everyone has said I want to make an informed choice. How do I find out about the local pound? do they have puppies?

Couple of my mates are on the look out for good pups, one of which is in a similar situtation as me - we were thinking of each getting one from the same litter. And yea - will be a good excuse to get in shape again, most likely running in the morning. If I go running regularly could I get away with a more energitic breed? - saw some kelpie x staffy pups recently but thought they would need a bit more space that our suburban block even though they would occationally get out to the property and other mates places with land.

Originally Posted by Newbs-IIA

Short haired is a definate, medium sized too. There is are a couple of RSPCA and BCC shelters in Brisbane which I have found on the internet - most have good photos etc. of animals up for adoption I would prefer a puppy, go through the training etc. When is a good time to make the change from inside puppy to outside dog? As much as I would like to have an inside dog I don't think mum & dad will agree.

Thanks for that tip Cooper I need all the help I can get hahaha

Get a Staffy and I reckon they will change their mind quick. My parents did with my first Satffy and they had it for 16 years after that. I was not allowed to take her with me when I moved out of home.
If you want to raise a dog anything up to about 10 months old I would consider a pup. Dont rule anything out though.

Originally Posted by CraigE

. But problems with cross breeds range from bad temprements, incompatable temprements to genetic defects and illnesses.

'Tis funny, but I have heard the same arguments used against pure bred dogs.

Originally Posted by BigJon

'Tis funny, but I have heard the same arguments used against pure bred dogs.

I've heard that argument used more in the context of pure bred dogs than mixed breeds. Whilst I'm not a geneticist I thought that there was a general increase in bad traits and defects the more homozygous an organism become.

Though I'll let a Science graduate answer that one

Originally Posted by BigJon

'Tis funny, but I have heard the same arguments used against pure bred dogs.

There is a lot of hype an BS out there with a lot of stuff stated myth, not fact, as recently discussed about attack stats. Most breeders breed carefully to reduce or eliminate temperemant or genetic problems and medical issues. Generally with a pure bred you can track its blood lines and reduce risks. This is the point of getting a pedigree dog for me. Cross breeds you can most often never tell their ancestary. I am NOT for a minute saying cross breeds are all bad, they are not and often great pets. Temperament is of course only a small part. There are many medical issues that may be exacerbated or created by cross breeding as well as mental illness.
Just choose well a pet that suits you.

Originally Posted by B92 8NW

I've heard that argument used more in the context of pure bred dogs than mixed breeds. Whilst I'm not a geneticist I thought that there was a general increase in bad traits and defects the more homozygous an organism become.

Though I'll let a Science graduate answer that one

No that is not correct. Talk to a good breeder, breeders assosciation or a vet. Do some research and look at the temperament and medical issues that have been resolved in animals over the last 40 or so years by selective breeding.
The same thing is going on in humans with genetic research and how to eliminate defects, illness etc.

Was ther not a fellow a few years ago that wanted to do similar with humans??? His name I think was Adolph

I disagree more purebreeds have inherent problems than cross breeds.

yes good breeders do there best to breed out issues....but to much inter breeding has gone in with in the breeds and i dont mean interbreeding in the sense that they are putting brother with sister etc but more so that the blood lines aren't always far enough away. Thats why many breeders these days are importing good blood.

its not that the breeders today are breeding bad dogs but I think are trying to breed out the mistakes of the past.

yes you have concerns with mixed breed with temperemnet etc...but no more than a risk of buying a pedigree dog who has had bad temp through out the blood line.

I have boxers and they are known for some of the most shocking problems the worst being one of the most aggressive cancers...a dog can get. BUT it would not stop me buying the breed I know there problems and I except that at some stage I'm going to have to deal with some of them. thats part and parcel of owning and being resposible for an animal.

no different from getting a car of course you want the most reliable car but even if you buy it new from the best car maker in the world it is no garuntee.