Family Pet

I guess I should mention there are earlier threads on this subject in the Pets and Garden forum...

I thought I remembered seeing another osso...

MMS - Mojo is adorable...sweet face.

Mismi wrote:



She is...lol Thank you

It's like you mentioned, it's as having another child. She gets her treats, her baths, her bed, and just about anything else she wants...

I have had dogs plenty throughout my life, but don't think I've ever been as attached to one till she come along.

Awesome pics and this animal lover is enjoying this thread :-D

I realize that finding a breed that is good with children is important. Are there any other criteria you're looking for?


BTW, That is an octopus that Marty is playing with. He is a great dog but his barking at passerbyers is really annoying.

Ah, I thought it looked like an optopus!

Your labs are beautiful. I had 2 male labs. One English and One Amercian breed. The American one (Sam) died a few months ago. (Still cry easy over that one, so we won't go there!)

Anyhow..... Labs are so playful and I want my current lab to have the companionship when I am not home. So I think this spring, I will look into getting another one. Might try a chocolate one this time.

But truly, Labs are soooooo loving. They are especially protective ( in a good way) around small children.

I just had a lengthy conversation with a patient this week who has been a dog trainer for 20 years. I asked her what she thought and her first response was a springer spaniel. She said they're great with kids and low maintenance.

Did Jodie ever return to check out these terrific suggestions?

martybarker,

Thanks for asking the patient who has been a dog trainer. Springer Spaniels are beautiful dogs. I would like a pet that is low maintenance because I don't have a lot of free time.
Thanks everyone for the information about dogs. Those pictures are just beautiful. It makes me want one of each.
Does anyone know anything about a Cocker Spaniel? Come to think of it their probably not low maintenance because I have heard sometimes they have ear problems.

jodie, make sure you think it through carefully. If you don't have much time on your hands, maybe a dog wouldn't be such a good idea.

Some dogs require more work than others, but they are all a lot of work.

The only reason I don't have a dog is because I don't have the time to care for one.

Not trying to put a damper on things, but just want you to be aware of what you're getting into.

Dogs need lots of attention.

Hi Jodie,

I've had a Cocker also, he was the most playful thing, very protective to a fault though. He did not allow other children to play around my oldest son, he'd would chase them down with intentions to bite. We would have to watch him closely with others....

His name was Sampson, and he was a beauty, very intelligent, and hyper....I never noticed ear problems with Sampson though.

I actually found him at the humane society having been overlooked because he was one big fur ball caked with mud. Very tangled mess, I stood studying him to figure out exactly what breed he was. (thats how big a mess he was) I took him home, bathed him and clipped him and brought him back out to show everyone what I had found. Everyone was in disbelief....

So...Cockers can make some great pets, but there is an up-keep on them where their fur is concerned because they have to be clipped and they require a ton of attention.

My son and dil have two cocker spaniels. One of them ran up $3300 in vet bills between May and October because of ear problems. His brother specializes in allergies.

They also have to be groomed because the long hair snarls.

The dog trainer I spoke with had a suggestion for me regarding little Marty Barker's barking issues. She said that every time he barks, spray him in the mouth with dilute vinegar. He definitely doesn't like vinegar.

Thought I'd share that little hint.

That made me smile, marty.

He's such an irresistable looking beastie!

He's a great companion, helped me get through some rough time.

Pacco could bark with the best but in one house, it was quite a number of feet from neighbors, and in this one, I live in dogville, surrounded by barkers. Mostly they quiet down at night. I sort of like the barking.

Agreeing that dogs can be both expensive and involve work.

Osso wrote:

Yeah, but they sure make you smile when you least expect and never ask for much but some attention...lol

This is Krispin, our 15 year old English cocker spaniel. He has slowed down, but only in the last 3 years or so. He was definitely high energy and headstrong. He is his own master. My dad raised him as his equal. He goes on walks without a leash, often goes to walk himself (small old-time suburb where everybody knows everybody). He is deaf now, but does not seem to mind one bit.

I would not get a cocker if you don't have much time. They are very social. In fact, to be direct and honest, I would not get a dog if I didn't have much time. It's not fair to the pup. Any pup. THere is no dog that will enjoy being alone for hours on end.

And this is Krispin as a young pup.