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Tuesday Puppy Blogging – Double Dog edition

Jill

I’m back in Seattle for the holidays, which means I have a dog to blog about. And he is adorable. Even better: Our neighbors just got a golden retriever puppy, and he is BFF with my little guy Ferris. Tell me they are not the cutest things you’ve ever seen:



Coda and Ferris, originally uploaded by JillNic83.

More adorable pups below the fold. And for even more puppy pictures, see here.



Ferris with a wonky eye, originally uploaded by JillNic83.



Running puppy, originally uploaded by JillNic83.



Wrestling, originally uploaded by JillNic83.



Ferris kickin’ ass, originally uploaded by JillNic83.



Ferris in the car, originally uploaded by JillNic83.



Coda nose, originally uploaded by JillNic83.

In other dog-related news, I am seriously considering getting a dog in New York. It wouldn’t happen until May, but I’m deciding between a French bulldog, a teacup Yorkie, and a Maltese. Anyone have experience with any of those breeds?

38 thoughts on Tuesday Puppy Blogging – Double Dog edition

  1. My experience…as a groomer and dog owner…you should choose a specific dog, not just a breed. Certain breeds are known for certain temperaments, but they vary widely depending on the individual. And even if you meet a dog’s parents you can’t be guaranteed a specific kind of dog. So, I suggest you adopt from a shelter or rescue organization and tell the staff what kind of dog you want and let them match you. They have an interest in finding a dog a good home, not in making money from the sale of a dog who may or may not be a good match for you and your life.

  5. I mean, not if you have enjoyed having shoes.

    Malteses are extremely high-maintenance. I lived with one for a while, and the amount of grooming that went into a four-pound dog was astonishing. Plus, reallyreallyreally yappy.

  6. I babysat a maltese for an elderly man who we met when he got in a scooter-related accident on a walk. This little maltese was the best-behaved dog I’ve ever dealt with. I agree that animals have their own personalities but the patience and love of this dog were very impressive and spoke well (to me) for his sort. Plus, he was small, quiet and seemed fairly low maintenance (but the old guy wasn’t big on his upkeep so the dog was a bit muddy).

  8. Also, re: dog breed advice, I’m dittoing DogLuvR in #1. Definitely get a chance to get to know the dog before you adopt it — at least once each in its own territory and in yours, just to be sure.

  10. Although a lot more breeds have been recognized since it was written, I’d start with the book “The Right Dog for You” to find a breed to match your personality and lifestyle. French bulldogs, Yorkies, and Malteses are all in there. As a side note, the French consider Malteses to be one of the three types of bichons: Frises, Havanese, and Maltese.

    If you’re going to start a very time consuming job at the same time you get a puppy, that might be hard on both you and the puppy. One biglaw partner I know takes her Yorkie to work, if that’s an option for you. An adult (housebroken, less manic energy) might be a better fit for your new life. While you can get adults from both shelters and breeders (frequently they have retired show dogs, who should be well socialized to both dogs and people, as well as being crate-trained), you should also consider breed rescue groups, who are familiar with what works in placing that particular breed of dog, and who are motivated to find each dog a “forever home”.

  11. Nice photos, Jill. And great that yours loves to play and visit other dogpals!

    We had a Yorkie for a short time; she ended up being a long time companion to my MIL and lived to age 15. Sweet baby, but so darned tiny that winter walkies were problematic and she could crush her own larynx playing if not careful. “Teacup’ aptly describes their delicacy as well as their size! In fact, the reasons we sent her to live with her Gramma was 1-Gramma was alone and 2-We had a 2 yr old golden retriever. He ADORED her (and she was the BOSS) but we could see the roughness factor of his playing would injure her eventually.

    Whatever dog you end up with (and goodness knows, Petfinder.com is a FAB resource!), he/she has to be compatible with your other guy FIRST- that’s key and it’s more up to the 2 of them than up to you. We ended up raising 2 goldens and while they were great with each other, they were so different- the older was fab with everyone and the younger a jealous mess who liked only his immediate family here in the house. So breed descriptions are a good guide, but not the rule…

  13. I’d second the suggestion to wait until you have a post law school job and have a good sense of your hours and schedule. If you get a very small puppy, keep in mind that the first couple of weeks can be like having a infant. You have to get up in the middle of the night and it’s going to take a while to figure out what’s going on. They require a lot of attention.

    T and I recently adopted a 7-year-old dog and it’s been great. She was already house-broken and well-mannered when we got her and she’s adapted really well.

    Other things to keep in mind: the size of the dog is not indicative of how much exercise or space it needs. Also, if you’re living in a walk up, lots of stairs can be hard on small dogs which can be prone to hip problems.

  14. Hi Jill! Just a couple words of advice:

    A puppy might not be the best choice if you’re going to be working a lot. Adult dogs don’t need the constant attention that puppies do. They’ll be better suited for days spent snoozing while you’re away. Lots of adult doggies at shelters!! And they are seriously gracious that you’ve given them a new life.

    Also, keep in mind that smaller breeds are not necessarily best for apartments. Many people mistakenly think that, as a rule, little dogs don’t need as much exercise as bigger dogs. Wrong. Most are bundles of energy who require lots of walking/running. In contrast, greyhounds do very well in apartments and do not as much exercise that people assume. After lives spent racing, adult rescue greyhounds are content to chill out. Just an example.

    Good luck!

  15. Greyhounds are great dogs, but some need help learning how to do stairs after racing careers. My next door neighbors in Baltimore adopted 2 retired racing greyhounds and they couldn’t manage even the 2-3 steps to get into the rowhouse at first. Patience and practice did the trick, though. Sweet babies…

  17. Many people mistakenly think that, as a rule, little dogs don’t need as much exercise as bigger dogs. Wrong. Most are bundles of energy who require lots of walking/running. In contrast, greyhounds do very well in apartments and do not as much exercise that people assume. After lives spent racing, adult rescue greyhounds are content to chill out.

    I can attest to that – I have greyhounds myself, and live in a small condo (589 sq ft). They are very laid back, and love to walk on-leash. And if you’re going to be gone most of the day, 2 dogs are better than one (which ever breed you choose). One caveat, however: big dogs bring bigger expenses. Not only food costs, but medications, too. The bigger the dog, the bigger the dose.

    My next door neighbors in Baltimore adopted 2 retired racing greyhounds and they couldn’t manage even the 2-3 steps to get into the rowhouse at first. Patience and practice did the trick, though.

    Bribery (food!) works, too. 😉

  19. What sweet doggies, wow!

    As to what breeds to look at: I have a little Maltese boy. He’s the light of my life–BUT if I were allergic to dogs, or planning to entertain any somesuch visitors, that would be a problem. Plus, he needs to go to the groomer every 6-8 weeks for his haircut (bye bye $60!); otherwise, his long hair will be a tangled mess.

    If you’re working, don’t get a puppy (I can’t stress that enough)–get an older dog (if a small breed, probably at 10+ years) who will be housetrained and comfortable with sleeping during most of the day when you’re gone.

  20. Hey! I miss Ferris! So cute!
    I agree with DogLuvR and SarahMC. Let a rescue group match you with a dog. And I just puppy-sat a Maltese (I’ll send you pics, he’s adorable), but he had way more energy, and needed more attention than Petey ( my 2 yr old Pit). So you prlly don’t want a puppy.
    If you have your heart set on one of those breeds, there are rescue groups that specialize in small breeds, and there are breed specific rescues as well. I know for sure there is a Yorkie rescue, and I’m sure there are Maltese and French Bulldog rescues as well. Bulldogs can be difficult, very stubborn, and not super intelligent. But they don’t need much exercise and are pretty lazy. When you’re getting close to ready, let me know, I’ll help research everything! I love that stuff.

  21. jill, congrats on the puppy (whenever you get him/her). i’m getting a puppy too! a baby beagle. and he is so adorable. and i will love him forever in egypt. hurrah!

  22. Ahh, Fauzia! Beagles are the cutest puppies in the world. Mine is 9 but he’s still a baby to me.
    Sadly, they are among the most mistreated breeds as well; they are in desperate need of adoption all over!

  23. Awwww… Fauzia, make sure to post pictures! And T, I will definitely be taking you up on the offer to help me look.

    I will almost surely be getting a shelter dog, and an adult. I love the idea of a puppy, but as other commenters have pointed out, I’m not going to have the time to take proper care of a little guy. However, I do have two room mates, at least one of whom is interested in being a co-mommy, so I’ll have some help. And I’m slightly allergic to dogs, so I guess a maltese is out (yorkies are hypoallergenic though, right?). None of this would be happening until May, if it happens at all, but I’ll definitely keep everyone updated on the doggy situation. In the meantime, I’m just enjoying my time at home with Ferris.

  24. Poodle/poodle mixes are supposedly hypoallergenic; we had a shelter “Benji” dog when I was a kid. My gram was very allergic to dogs, but Benny was okay.

    Tatiana, with our older golden, we said that he was “selectively stupid”… Uncle Claude could be the brightest boy or a dimwit, depending on what suited his needs. Oh, I do miss my big old lump… the kids have a pug now and while she’s sweet, it’s like having a space alien instead of a dog.

  25. Holy cow, it’s like my 2 favorite blogs, Feministe and Cute Overload (don’t judge me) combined to take over the world! Ferris is adorable.

    My in-laws have a toy yorkie (not teacup, but still little…5-ish lbs.) and she is fantastic. Packed full of personality and so sweet to boot. I hope you find the perfect dog.

  26. Sarah MC, I agree- Benny replaced my first dog, a beagle mix my parents raised from puppyhood. She was a delightful girl; beagles have a soft spot in my heart. So good with all of us kids… there are so many that end up in shelters and it’s just a darned shame.

  27. Allergies: There’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. All dogs have dander, which is what triggers allergic reactions. As to which dog or type of dog you might be allergic to, it’s highly individualistic. My mom is allergic to most short haired dogs (my Boxer, included), while I can’t get anywhere near a Poodle without getting hives, stinging eyes, and a stuffy head. So, you never know. The best thing to do is spend a time–and a lot of it–with the types of dogs you’re interested in.

    This will also give you a good idea of what it’s like to live with a certain type of dog 24/7. I’ve had dogs all my life, and I knew that a Boxer was a good fit for my lifestyle and needs. I spent a good bit of time with them, before getting one, but even then, I was not at all prepared for the reality of living with one. It worked out great, but it could have been disastrous, too.

    Co-mommying: As someone who has tried to share dog ownership with a roommate in the past, I really don’t recommend it. It’s great if your roommates are willing to help out, but the flip-side is that they can also undermine your training and basically make your job harder. Sitting down with all your roommates and having a serious discussion about your wishes and what, realistically, they are willing to do to help, would be a good idea.

    Teacup dogs: You will not find a responsible breeder who breeds for extra small size. Maltese and Yorkies are are plenty small enough, as it is. There is no need to make them smaller, and doing so is just begging for increased health problems.

    Good luck!

  29. Shining happy puppers!!!

    My little Dachshunds had more energy into their teens than my Doberman ever did!
    And they were tougher!

  30. They are not exactly little but I would recommend a black and tan coonhound. They are sweet, cute as hell, and easy like sunday mornin’ (mine sleeps at least 20 hrs per day).
    They are available from rescues/shelter in N.Y. My wife and I got our Leeroy Brown upstate.
    As much as I would like to I can’t recommend track greyhounds. They are just too unpredictable. We lived with one for months before he decided to come up of the couch and bite my wife on the face. She got a mean looking scar under her eye and a broken nose. And I nearly choked the life out of that s.o.b. But I digress. Coonhounds are the best!

  31. To be fair, Zach, your anecdote is not representative of ALL greyhounds. Dogs of ANY breed can be unpredictable. It’s really the individual dog. And no dog should be cast as “bad,” as behavior problems can usually be traced back to it’s previous owners or life experiences.

  32. And no dog should be cast as “bad,” as behavior problems can usually be traced back to it’s previous owners or life experiences.

    I kinda have to disagree with you there, SarahMC. A dog that seriously injures or kills someone may not be “bad” in a moral sense, but you can’t just shrug it off. What were they supposed to do with the two dogs that killed Diane Whipple — give them a good scolding?

    (Trigger warning if you don’t remember the case.)

  33. Mnemosyne, I’m not saying dogs that harm people should be shrugged off. I’m just saying it’s incorrect to assume that non-human animals act in malice or something like that. Animals are not “bad.” Many act out because of abuse, neglect or an otherwise fucked-up history. I think we agree, for the most part.

  34. Hi there! LOVE the Westie…so cute. They are really great dogs, but super high energy. I second some of the other folks in getting an adult dog and getting it from a breed rescue, but some of the breed rescues have some ridiculous restrictions. My friend was refused a pomeranian from two groups because (a) she lives in an apartment—1200 square feet! (b) she has roommates. So it’s iffy.

    Any of the breeds you recommended are FINE for apartment dwellers…if they get daily walks/exercise.

    I would not recommend ANY teacup breed. My experience as a vet tech taught me that they are generally much less hardy and sometimes only have 2/3 the lifespan of the regular breed.

    As for the Maltese, I cannot for the life of me fathom why someone would say not to get one if you have allergies. They are generally RECOMMENDED as a low-allergen breed. No breed is allergen-free, but I have found that bathing your dog (or cat!) every couple of weeks can keep allergy sufferers comfortable. I really like the Maltese, they are sweet and loving, playful and generally easy to train. The yapping depends on the dog. Personally, I would never own a Lab because of their loud, obnoxious (to me) barking, but you never hear people compalining about that breed being yappy.

    As for the Frenchie, they are very cute dogs, but any brachycephalic (smooshed nose) breed can have the tendency to (a) overheat easily and (b) fart a lot.

    Good luck!

  35. Mnemosyne, I’m not saying dogs that harm people should be shrugged off. I’m just saying it’s incorrect to assume that non-human animals act in malice or something like that.

    Or, as the group we adopted our cat from pointed out, “Cats have no moral sense of right or wrong.” My cat was mad at me all day yesterday because I stopped her from going behind the entertainment center when she specifically wanted to go there. So I do think we agree at the base. Animals are little bundles of emotion, but they don’t reason so good.

    I do sometimes see people on the intertubes who are convinced that not only are there no “bad” dogs, any dog from any background of any breed can be trained to be just fine around people and, unfortunately, that’s simply not true. A few dogs have to be put down for the safety of the other animals around them, including humans. It sucks, but it does happen.

    Sorry, didn’t mean to be so depressing on the happy furry puppy time thread. :-p

  36. The problem with using bad dog/good dog terminology is that it writes off dogs who have fixable behavioral problems and gives a false sense of security for “good” dogs. Who can be throwing off all kinds of signals that their behavior is of concern that get ignored, because they’re “good” dogs.

    Dogs have an entirely different set of motivations and triggers than people do, and dog owners need to be aware of them. And most of the time, things work out fine, but occasionally, they don’t and the dog responds in a way that’s unacceptable or dangerous.

    My last dog bit me badly, tried to tear my face off. The signs were all there, but I didn’t see them until the dog trainer I consulted in an effort to save the dog asked me a few simple questions which made me see behaviors I’d dismissed in a new light. Junebug’s not like that dog at all, in that I feel very sure that she would never hurt me. But I’m not so sure about other people, and I don’t trust her around kids, who tend to make sudden movements and noises that scare her. And she sometimes snaps when she’s fearful.

  37. Don’t get a dog before you start working. Trust me on this.

    Actually, I would recommend that if you are going to get a dog that you do get it before you start working. Even when you get an adult dog, it will take time to train and get to know your dogs habits (so that you can break most of them). I got my dog while I wasn’t working, but trained him in a way that he is ok on his own while I am gone all day. Greatest idea I’ve had (is that sad or what? I’ve got to have more going on upstairs that that…) – and it is SO great to come home from work to my little guy!

  38. The problem with using bad dog/good dog terminology is that it writes off dogs who have fixable behavioral problems and gives a false sense of security for “good” dogs. Who can be throwing off all kinds of signals that their behavior is of concern that get ignored, because they’re “good” dogs.

    Fair enough. I think all three of us are agreeing with each other, actually, even if we’re all being wordy about it. 😉

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