Thinking about getting a dog

[Brando19]

My wife and I are thinking about getting a dog (or two.) We want to get one while it's a puppy. We want a dog that'll be fun and devoted. We want it to stay outside, but able to come inside when it's really cold or to just hang out. We don't want a little dog like a wussy poodle or chihuahua. We are also planning on having children in the next couple years, so we want a dog that'll be good with children. I'm thinking a Golden Retriever or a Golden Lab. My wife suggested getting two from the same litter so they'll have a buddy all the time. Good idea? Thoughts on that and why type of dog should I get?

[packinpatland]

Re: Thinking about getting a dog

My wife and I are thinking about getting a dog (or two.) We want to get one while it's a puppy. We want a dog that'll be fun and devoted. We want it to stay outside, but able to come inside when it's really cold or to just hang out. We don't want a little dog like a wussy poodle or chihuahua. We are also planning on having children in the next couple years, so we want a dog that'll be good with children. I'm thinking a Golden Retriever or a Golden Lab. My wife suggested getting two from the same litter so they'll have a buddy all the time. Good idea? Thoughts on that and why type of dog should I get?

What makes you think that a dog that's made to stay outside, gets to come in when it's really cold......will want to 'hang out' with you?
Don't mean to sound harsh, but it doesn't really sound like you're ready for dogs.

[mraynrand]

Get a rescued Golden. Some of my old friends have been abandoned and need new homes. If you must get a puppy, make sure you are prepared for the type of dog you get - a labrador is not a pet for couch potatoes - they need lots of exercise. Train your dog and spay/neuter if you don't intend to breed them.

[Brando19]

Re: Thinking about getting a dog

My wife and I are thinking about getting a dog (or two.) We want to get one while it's a puppy. We want a dog that'll be fun and devoted. We want it to stay outside, but able to come inside when it's really cold or to just hang out. We don't want a little dog like a wussy poodle or chihuahua. We are also planning on having children in the next couple years, so we want a dog that'll be good with children. I'm thinking a Golden Retriever or a Golden Lab. My wife suggested getting two from the same litter so they'll have a buddy all the time. Good idea? Thoughts on that and why type of dog should I get?

What makes you think that a dog that's made to stay outside, gets to come in when it's really cold......will want to 'hang out' with you?
Don't mean to sound harsh, but it doesn't really sound like you're ready for dogs.

What? I don't understand what you're saying.

[Brando19]

Get a rescued Golden. Some of my old friends have been abandoned and need new homes. If you must get a puppy, make sure you are prepared for the type of dog you get - a labrador is not a pet for couch potatoes - they need lots of exercise. Train your dog and spay/neuter if you don't intend to breed them.

Absolutely. I am very active outdoors and I plan to spay/neuter.

[red]

i have an english springer

absolutely awesome dog

[Brando19]

i have an english springer

absolutely awesome dog

Thanks...I'll research an english springer. I knew a guy that had one a while back....that's a beautiful dog.

[MJZiggy]

Remember a retriever is going to act like a puppy for a good two years. As was already said, labs and retrievers both need a ton of exercise. If you want to keep the dog outside think about a husky, samoyed, malamute or keeshond. Something with a heavy double coat. But you do know your best option is a mutt. Buy why would you want a dog if you're just going to keep it outside? Isn't a dog meant to be part of the family? By the way, I've had trainers tell me never to get a pair from the same litter. They bond with each other and are harder to train.

[packinpatland]

Re: Thinking about getting a dog

My wife and I are thinking about getting a dog (or two.) We want to get one while it's a puppy. We want a dog that'll be fun and devoted. We want it to stay outside, but able to come inside when it's really cold or to just hang out. We don't want a little dog like a wussy poodle or chihuahua. We are also planning on having children in the next couple years, so we want a dog that'll be good with children. I'm thinking a Golden Retriever or a Golden Lab. My wife suggested getting two from the same litter so they'll have a buddy all the time. Good idea? Thoughts on that and why type of dog should I get?

What makes you think that a dog that's made to stay outside, gets to come in when it's really cold......will want to 'hang out' with you?
Don't mean to sound harsh, but it doesn't really sound like you're ready for dogs.

What? I don't understand what you're saying.

What I'm saying is....based on 27 years of having Goldens...they're part of the family, I can't imagine keeping them outside. Do you have a large fenced in yard?

[Brando19]

Remember a retriever is going to act like a puppy for a good two years. As was already said, labs and retrievers both need a ton of exercise. If you want to keep the dog outside think about a husky, samoyed, malamute or keeshond. Something with a heavy double coat. But you do know your best option is a mutt. Buy why would you want a dog if you're just going to keep it outside? Isn't a dog meant to be part of the family? By the way, I've had trainers tell me never to get a pair from the same litter. They bond with each other and are harder to train.

I appreciate everyone's input. I honestly didn't think it was a big deal keeping the dog outside, but I'm definitely not opposed to it staying inside. Where I live, most people with big dogs keep them outside. It's only cold about 2 or 3 months out of the year. A mutt would be an option as well. I've heard mutts tend to have fewer health problems. Thanks alot for the tip the trainer gave you about two from the same litter. That makes sense.

[Brando19]

Re: Thinking about getting a dog

My wife and I are thinking about getting a dog (or two.) We want to get one while it's a puppy. We want a dog that'll be fun and devoted. We want it to stay outside, but able to come inside when it's really cold or to just hang out. We don't want a little dog like a wussy poodle or chihuahua. We are also planning on having children in the next couple years, so we want a dog that'll be good with children. I'm thinking a Golden Retriever or a Golden Lab. My wife suggested getting two from the same litter so they'll have a buddy all the time. Good idea? Thoughts on that and why type of dog should I get?

What makes you think that a dog that's made to stay outside, gets to come in when it's really cold......will want to 'hang out' with you?
Don't mean to sound harsh, but it doesn't really sound like you're ready for dogs.

What? I don't understand what you're saying.

What I'm saying is....based on 27 years of having Goldens...they're part of the family, I can't imagine keeping them outside. Do you have a large fenced in yard?

Yes. I have a 5 acre fenced in yard...but my house isn't that big. 27 years? Wow.

[packinpatland]

Yes. I have a 5 acre fenced in yard...but my house isn't that big. 27 years? Wow.

Please don't misunderstand........that was three different dogs!
I know I'm biased, but if you're looking for a future 'family dog' you can't beat a Golden.
A few years ago I clipped this out of, of all places, an Orvis catalog.

DOGS IN OUR LIVES

We aren't house proud. If we were, wouldn't abide the scratches
on the door-frame, the holes in the screen, the darkened shine of
worn spots on the chair. We would wince at the mottled carpet and
fret at the hair clinging to our clothes.

We don't. If anything, we lovers of dogs are a tolerant lot,
finding greater value in the unabashed affection of our friend
than immaculate sofa. Shoes can be replaced, but heroic retrievers
are timeless.

Without dogs, our houses are cold receptacles for things.
Dogs make a fire warmer with their curled presence.
They wake us, greet us, protect us, and ultimately carve
a place in our hearts and our history. On reflection, our lives
are often referenced in parts defined by the all-too-short
lives of our dogs.

[MJZiggy]

I read that as I was stroking the velvet ear of a blue eyed sheltie//aussie mix.

[Partial]

Labradoodle. The joy of a lab with the smarts and great-with-kids-ness and protective nature of Poodles

[Bretsky]

Re: Thinking about getting a dog

My wife and I are thinking about getting a dog (or two.) We want to get one while it's a puppy. We want a dog that'll be fun and devoted. We want it to stay outside, but able to come inside when it's really cold or to just hang out. We don't want a little dog like a wussy poodle or chihuahua. We are also planning on having children in the next couple years, so we want a dog that'll be good with children. I'm thinking a Golden Retriever or a Golden Lab. My wife suggested getting two from the same litter so they'll have a buddy all the time. Good idea? Thoughts on that and why type of dog should I get?

Terrible Idea to get two puppies from same litter; many reasons why. My wife is kind of an animal lover (no jokes please) and she'd endlessly lecture somebody on why to never do this.

Get used to one first and then decide if you want a second. There are a ton of fun but also a ton of work.

Not sure on breed; retriever sounds like a good fit. But why keep it outside ? It'd suck being a dog that lives outside. Just a thought