Dog for a friend....

[Kay]

Hi again everyone!!

I'm having dinner with my pastor's family tomorrow to go over the ideal dog for them...It *has* to be hypo allergenic...(I think I may have mentioned that before...) and smaller than a cocker spaniel...

I second what everyone else says. While some dogs are better than others when it comes to allergies, there is no such thing as a hypo-allergenic dog. This is a dog, not a piece of steel.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but if the dog HAS to be hypo-allergenic, a stuffed animal is the way to go.

 

[ardeagold]

How about a golden retriever.. 60 lb range... most lines.. not all have the laid back personality.

Not a good idea! Active until they're at least 10!!! If you don't exercise them well, they're also very destructive. They need HARD exercise at least an hour or two a day when younger, then at least an hour a day until older. Plus they shed and have a good amount of hair.

I'd go with a Bichon sized dog...but not usually Terriers of any sort.

Miniature Poodle? Not toy...they're really little.

 

[kellycane]

How about a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. They are very friendly and not super active like a Jack Russell. I have a Jack Russell and love her, but they are definately not for everyone.

I was going to suggest a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as well. A Jack Russell would be a disaster for them from what you've shared.

As far as hypo-allergenic, some of the so-called "designer dogs" crossed with poodles might be a good fit.

 

[RamonaAnne]

One thing: I would suggest letting them know that there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog. Smaller dogs that shed very little are better for allergy sufferers. It also will reduce allergic reactions if a dog is bathed more frequently than not. But they may not know that all dogs have dander and because of this fact, all breeds of dog can trigger allergies in the people that have them, just some less so than others...

Thanks! I fully intend to let them know that even "hypoallergenic" dogs can still create some problems...

I know she does okay with the Shih Tzu's that her brothers have...

I'm not sure if it's the fur or the dander she has a problem with?....(Wait...can some people have problems with the fur?...Or is it always the dander?...)

I hope that doesn't sound like an idiotic question...I honestly don't know the answer though!!....

I've never had problems with being allergic, thank God, to animals...

My friend Colin is TERRIBLY allergic to horses...But can be around cats & dogs (has some!) and I think he's been okay around other "farm" animals, too...

Anyhow, I will tell them that no dog is 100% hypo allergenic...

I actually worked a bit on a power point presentation last night (and will finish it today) ...

I have a list of the small-to-medium sized "hypo allergenic" breeds listed here... http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/allergy.htm

And I will have a slide for each of I think 17 different breeds...On the slide I will have the following information...

Size
Grooming Requirements
Life Expectancy
Originally Bred For
Health Concerns
Personality/Temperament
Ease of Training
Exercise Needs

So they will have some information about the different breeds, and they can cross some off their list...

It has been a fun process for me...

My pastor's wife isn't great with the computer, and my pastor not only pastors the church, they also have five kids (the oldest is in college) and the kids are involved in sports (mostly running) and he also is a certified counselor...

He also knows I LOVE doing things like this project...

I used to write essays and pepers on random subjects that interested me just for the fun of it...So he knows this is right up my alley, and it helps me feel more useful as a human being...

So, that's why I'm doing some of this leg work...It's great, though, and maybe if things go well with this "trial run" I might start offering my services to people for a small fee...

Have a great day, everyone,
-Ramona Anne

 

[YorkvilleNewfie]

A PowerPoint presentation? You sound positively adorable (and I mean that in the most unpatronizing way humanly possible)!

 

[RamonaAnne]

A PowerPoint presentation? You sound positively adorable (and I mean that in the most unpatronizing way humanly possible)!

Ha ha ha!!

Awee, Thanks!!

I don't know if we'll have time to get into the presentation tonight...however, if we do, I'll have it ready!

Or we can do that as part of the next step -- actually figuring out the best breed for them...

I'm learning a lot in doing this...And I figure a power point (I am pretty sure Angel is more of a visual learner than an auditory learner) will help her grasp some of the info about the breeds a little better...

And if I *do* end up offering my services as "the dog finder" I'll have some extra resources to draw from!!...

Have a great day!

-Ramona Anne

 

[RamonaAnne]

My 1st thought was the same as the others, King Cav. Wheaten's might be good, but the ones I've known are still 'terrier' excitable....(but I am partial to them). Consider a Havenese. I've got good friends who swear by them. They love my Newfies but don't want to go the hair-slobber-brush out life, and Hav's can be trimmed very short (no care) or you can deal with making-them-darling by growing out the hair and keeping it groomed. Lots of options, and they are sweet dogs.

Havanese is on my list!...

I just crossed the Bedlington Terrier off the list. After reading about them, I know this is not going to be a good fit for them.

They know how passionate I have become about the perfect dog (not necessarily the perfect breed!) going to the perfect home...And they trust that I will not steer them wrong...

I'm SO glad they came to me for help (and that I had a great group of folks I could draw from as well!!...) in finding the right dog for them...

I think the fact that they asked me instead of just running down to the shelter and getting the first cute dog they liked shows some responsibility on their part...and they know I love helping people and that I love researching things...so it's a win-win for all of us...

One neat thing about the timing of this...I just discovered yesterday that you can watch footage of the current westminster on-line (I can't, dial up here at home) but they have fast internet where they are so we might be able to hop online and see some of the dogs in action online...so they can get a feel for them...

Although...There might be a downfall...They're going to see beautifully groomed show-quality dogs...I'll just make sure they know that is NOT how the dogs will always look...and that if there is poop from any kind of wild animal in the yard, their little fur kid WILL roll in it and might even eat it... and that these dogs at West Minster have spent HOURS getting groomed and bathed that morning....

Thanks for the input!!

-Ramona Anne

 

[NewfMom]

You are doing a wonderful thing helping them find a good fit. I also think Cavaliers are lovely dogs. If I had to have a small dog it would be a cavalier.

There's a great book for picking dog breeds called "The Right Dog for You"http://www.amazon.com/Right-Dog-You-Daniel-Tortora/dp/067147247X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1297785042&sr=1-1 . It has checklists that compare what your lifestyle is like and what you like in a dog vs. different breeds. It is how we found newfies in the first place and they are definitely "the right dog for us".

Good luck with finding a good fit for them.

 

[RamonaAnne]

Do they have a fenced backyard? Is she willing to frequently exercise the dog? My parents thought a Golden was the perfect dog for our family and it was a terrible match. We didn't have a fenced backyard and my parents weren't the type to walk the dog twice a day. Baby Goldens, while adorable, are high energy and may not be a good fit.

I would suggest potentially an older shelter dog. There are scads of very nice dogs in shelters. Someone mentioned dogs that are trained by prisoners. In our area, we have an organization like this. The idea is that the prisoners are training dogs with the goal of making them into assistance or guide dogs. As you can imagine, most don't pass the program, but as an adopter, you're taking home a pretty well-trained dog already. It's a fantastic program and I know people who have adopted with a lot of success.

Poodles are also a good option. Did you know that Poodles are commonly used hunting dogs in other countries? (New Zealand comes to mind.) I'm not talking about Princess who wears bows in her hair, but a proper full-sized poodle.

I second everyone else's opinion that a Jack Russell is not a good choice for this family. She really needs to do her homework to begin to understand the breeds out there, because that can come into play with a mixed or pure breed selection of course.

I told them the very first day that a JRT was NOT for them...I can appreciate the breed...I just know they wouldn't ever be the right breed for this family...(Plus, I think she would be allergic...)

I had suggest a Golden, even knowing they were going to have the invisible fence...Then P. Jim said it was too big...Told me "Cocker Spaniel or smaller..." Then he reminded me about a weelk and a half ago that it had to by hypo allergenic...

I will mention tonight that there are some programs where dogs have been trained by prisoners...Thanks for reminding me about that!...

I think they'd be okay with that...We'll see what happens...

One of the hardest things about this, for me, is not wanting to take home/adopt some of the dogs I come across on petfinder.com!!...

Some of them really melt my heart...

Have a great day,
-Ramona Anne

 

[RamonaAnne]

You are still saving a life by adopting from a no-kill shelter. Either directly (I know ours pulls from kill shelters when they have room) or indirectly (they can't take in more dogs, thus saving them from the kill shelters, if they don't have room).

We used to volunteer as dog walkers at our local no-kill shelter. It's a great way to become more familiar with dogs and to understand what might work best for your family. Plus, they need all the help socializing the animals they can get! Another bonus is that, as a volunteer, you have additional background on how a particular dog seems to be doing and can also see the new dogs earlier than anyone else. Do you know the restraint it took for me not to bring several home?

Just a thought - would they be interested in doing something like that? As a bonus it would get them more comfortable with dogs before they have one themselves.

I'll mention this to them tonight - the volunteering as a dog walker idea...It will also help them to form a relationship with the local shelters which might prove useful come adotption time!

I am SURE it takes great restraint...That's why I don't go to shelters...

I can't wait for adoption day for them!!...I am totally planning on throwing them a doggy shower...Maybe what I'll do is make a list of what they might need for the new dog and with each invitation I give out, just say "please bring one stainless steel dog dish." and have someone else bring "one small sized collar" or something like that...

Just so they don't get like, 8 dishes and no leashes or toys....

I'm super excited about this...you guys have NO idea!!...

Have a great day!!

I'm off to go bake a cake for dessert tonight and then I will finish my power point!

-Ramona Anne