where to get my dogs? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

**pinknic38** · 10-18-2007, 03:23 PM

okay, so I am a total dog lover, and I've owned several dogs in my lifetime. I currently have a big English Mastiff and a miniature Dachshund, both of which my mom and stepdad have while I am away... they have lived with me for the past few years but have both been the whole family's dogs before I moved out. when I get back, I am going to let my mom, sister, and stepdad keep them all there since they let me take them for a few years when I moved out.

anyhoo, I have been scouring columbus for dog-friendly apartments and have found several. I plan on getting 2 more dogs (I am so excited to take them home for the holidays and have a huge houseful of dogs at home!

, I would like another Mastiff but many places ban the breed because they're so large. The place I am looking at doesn't have it on the banned breed list but all other very large dogs (great dane, st. bernard, etc) are on the banned breed list, and I am scared if I get one, they will see it (when it gets full grown anyway) and kick me out.

I like the dynamics of a small dog and big dog (my mastiff and doxie are best friends!), so I will prolly go for another doxie and a lab if I can't get a mastiff.

here's the thing... we boght them both as puppies, AKC registered, all that. pretty pricey, but that's not really the issue, because I will go broke for a dog (they melt my heart! I'd have a house full of dogs if I could, but I don't want to be "the dog lady" in my new place). there is a dachshund rescue place in ohio as well as a mastiff rescue (and other breed rescue organizations) and I was thinking about that too... such a good cause, but then you have problems with 2 dogs if they don't get along because they were not socialized properly when they were young.

then there's the pound. god I know if I walked into the pound I would come out with at least one dog, because that place makes me want to cry.

so I have several options. anyway I don't know what avenue I want to take with these dogs, so any dog owners or anyone with experience in this, give me some advice please!!

**maracle** · 10-18-2007, 03:57 PM

There's always petfinder.com

**pinknic38** · 10-18-2007, 04:35 PM

bahhh I just don't know what I want to do... pound vs. rescue places vs. buying them from a breeder.

the noble thing is to rescue or get em from the pound, but its got its drawbacks too. I wish I could give them all a home!

**LiveFreeorDie** · 10-18-2007, 05:58 PM

The pound is great, but you will not know exactly what your getting, both from a breed (all mixed) and personality. The rescue idea is also a good one, but are you able to handle a really troublesome animal? That is going to be a possibility as many of the dogs are abused/neglected and will have behavioral problems. If you are up for the challenge it can be very rewarding but there are a lot more risks. The purebred/breeder route is a good way to go if you are most concerned with getting a great dog that you can train and socialize yourself.

I used to work with a girl who was a huge dog lover. She volunteered at the pound and used to personally adopt the most abused/problematic dogs. I give her credit for doing a wonderful thing, but she had some stories let me tell you. You need to be able to handle a lot. Now that I think about it, I am not sure if doing it in an apartment setting is the best idea. If it was your own house, it would be better. Whatever your decision, good luck!!

**Brookers13** · 10-18-2007, 07:44 PM

Well, I definitely have an opinion on this one!

My sister is a vet and so of course all of her friends are,too, and I've heard this conversation sooooooooo many times. The dogs we've had (yellow labs) were always from breeders and registered and yadda yadda...but never again would I get a dog that way.

My sister and her friends have basically dedicated their lives to getting people to get dogs from rescues and shelters. Granted there are some troublesome dogs there, but there are great ones, too. Besides, just because they are from a breeder doesn't make them perfect (one of our labs had SERIOUS medical conditions...due to irresponsibilty of the breeders...and we wound up having to go to court for her...we didnt want money, just their license taken away...and we got it). So, that said, go to a shelter or rescue

wong name · 10-19-2007, 12:49 AM

ya, my sister works at the pound. its a really great place to get puppies for cheap.
yes, these puppies were mistreated. thats even more reason to give them a good home.

**d_fresh** · 10-19-2007, 05:06 AM

I got my dog from the spca. they had her whole litter. I'd much rather a mutt than a pure breed. my parents have 2 purebred dogs and they've been plagued with health problems....which seems to be on the rise for some reason.

**benna2** · 10-19-2007, 07:09 AM

Ohhh I wish I could get a dog! You are a brave woman to want to get a big dog while living in an apartment!

When I lived in Texas with my cousin, our neighbours dog had puppies and I convinced her to adopt one. The mom dog was a golden retriever mix and the dad was a purebred long haired german shepherd. The puppies were so cute. The one we picked was the best of the bunch, the biggest and the funniest. We named him Shepp. He is now two years old and absolutely huge....he weighs 130 lbs and can see over the countertops. My cousin is so happy I convinced her to take him because she said he is the best dog she has ever owned.

I personally would get a mixed breed of some sort. There are a lot of health problems with purebreds but I don't know what the reason is.
If you go to a rescue place or pound, a lot of times they have new litters of puppies that have just been dropped off because the owners couldn't handle them...not necessarily because they were abused.

**simply_angelic** · 10-19-2007, 07:47 AM

Start at the pound. There are so many dogs out there that will get put down if they don't find them a home fast enough and these dogs need the most love. Remember, they do have puppies there as well. I'd start with an older dog, see how it is with other dogs/you then get a smaller puppy for company (if you can also from the shelter).

floyd242 · 10-19-2007, 08:59 AM

My Doberman/Rottweiler mix was rescued at 6 weeks old. The guy was breeding fighting/mean guard dogs and got busted. My dog was left over from the litter because she was the runt and he couldn't sell her.

Rescuing is really the only way to go IMO as long as you get a puppy and train it/love it you'll be fine.

Go to your local vet and ask about local independent animal rescue groups. Here's a list for Atlanta, GA

http://www.spotsociety.org/atl_shelter_listmain.htm

**LiveFreeorDie** · 10-19-2007, 09:48 AM

They almost never have puppies at the pounds and rescue leagues near where I live and when they do have them, they are adopted immediately.

When I made my post it was under the assumption you would be adopting a full grown dog. The reality is the older dogs are the animals that need adopting/rescuing the most - the puppies will always find quick homes. Good luck!

**Sijuki** · 10-19-2007, 10:13 AM

My buddy got a Great Dane through a rescue... and she is pretty cool. No real health issues or social issues (besides being an attention whore). His Beagle he got from the pound on his last day before the "dead dog walking". He was probably like 7 or 8 when he got him... he's an old man now. He had a few issues, he had a real separation anxiety issue, and would piss on stuff if you left.

But they get along great. Their both pretty well behaved now. I would definitely say those two are great options. It's just a matter of being able to take the time to find the dog that works out best.

My dad has a akc registered long wired hair dachsund, or some specific breed. He's a couple years old now and he is doing great too. Wildest little bugger ever.

Really, I say whatever path you go, as long as you find a dog that you love, that's all that matters.

**pinknic38** · 10-19-2007, 10:20 AM

thanks guys! I know there are a lot of big breeds that don't bode well in apartments, ones that need constant exercise, and I surely wouldn't get one of those. My mastiff is the hugest dog ever (she's 175 lbs.... if you're not familiar with a mastiff, think the big dog from the Sandlot), but those dogs are lazy by nature and seriously just lay around all day and despite their massive size, they do well in apartment settings. I'm not sure how much a, say, greyhound or dalmation would do in an apt since they need a lot of exercise. I mean, I do run ever morning but I couldn't keep up with an active dog like that when I have other things going.

but yeah I think I am going to try out a rescue place, the pound scares me to go to because I would lose my mind in there. if I walked out of there without a dog I would feel bad. ahhhh.

**Brookers13** · 10-19-2007, 07:38 PM

Hey nic I can get you a list of places in Columbus if you like. My sister went to Vet school at The Ohio State University

so she's got a lot of knowledge

**Sijuki** · 10-19-2007, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinknic38

but yeah I think I am going to try out a rescue place, the pound scares me to go to because I would lose my mind in there. if I walked out of there without a dog I would feel bad. ahhhh.

I know what you are saying... I hate going to the pound or pet store and seeing the cats. Poor kitties, stuck in a cage... all they want is to be petted, purr, and scratch stuff. I feel bad for the dogs too, and the occassional rabbit or whatnot you see. I couldn't just give up my animal like that. Oye.

Best of luck in finding a new dog or two. I am sure they will enjoy their new home.

**pinknic38** · 10-20-2007, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brookers13

Hey nic I can get you a list of places in Columbus if you like. My sister went to Vet school at The Ohio State University

so she's got a lot of knowledge

oh yes definately@!! thanks!!!