poll on getting a dog

[dbradley]

If you were going to get a dog of a breed you had never owned before, do you think it would be better to get a puppy or an adult dog?

Don't read anything into it...I was just thnking about it today.

 

[mudji]

Adult dogs, if they are rescue come with their own sets of issues. I'm saying after having had 3 newf rescue, and a newf/airdale mix when I was a kid. I'm not sure if having an adult dog would be a good representation of the breed if they came with issues.. Does that make sense??

Just some thoughts....
hananah

 

[newfiemomof2]

For me it doesn't matter. I love them all. Each has it's advantage and disadvantage. Puppies need traingin, adults sometimes do too, but different. For adults many times it's giving them an experience they have never had before (love, comfort, caring...) just the same as pups, but for the adult, it manifests in a different way.

So either has it's ups and it's downs and in my house all are welcome.

 

[Sound Bay Newfs]

With children involved, definately a puppy.

 

[Tobysmom]

Same here, having 2 young kids in the house i'm too worried about getting an adult dog. Getting them as a puppy that you can raise yourself, and you know their temperment makes more sense to me if there are kids in the home. If I didn't have kids, i'd definitely go the rescue route..

 

[Patrice]

I think depends on the person and situation...I do agree..generally speaking puppy for children unless the adult dog was already conditioned and lived with children and had nothing to do with being rehomed.

For us with 4 young kids...puppy was the best and easiest choice...but I do think that anyone thinking of getting a specific breed...should go and visit with puppies and adults 1st before you decide either.

Patrice

 

[Erika]

our kids are grown , we prefer the adult rescues,so far so good with them,if the kids were young again I'd probably do a puupy and adult too.newfies are newfies , gotta love em all...lol

 

[NessaM]

I voted puppy - largely because if it's a breed you are not familiar with, at least you have time while they are young to read up and get used to their idiosyncrasies while they're still in the "sleep 9 extra hours a day" phase!

 

[CMDRTED]

Puppy is what I voted for primarily due to the children factor, and the unfamiliar breed factor. And I love puppies for their cuteness, energy, and fun, but my heart goes to the rescue dog, just because I'm a big softy when it comes to rescuing. I have rescued 5 dogs now, 2 Parrots, (Sorry cat people - Yuch - no cats), as well as having had puppies. In their own way rescues are more fun, cracking that shell, and having them realize that they have a permanent home that people love them. Best dogs we have had have been rescues, with one exception our newfie puppy Ehtel (The Swim Queen), which brings us as much joy.

 

[ardeagold]

I also said puppy because you'd have the time to train him/her properly. Granted you won't be able to change the inherent breed-specific qualities he/she is born with, but you will have the opportunity to "mold" the puppy into your lifestlye.

Or..he/she will have plenty of time to "mold" you!

On the other hand...you can "pick" an adult for it's existing qualities. It's a known quantity, and you know what you're getting into if you investigate and get to know the dog first (and the rescue has done the proper evaluations).

I'm not a huge fan of small puppies and small children. It seems to work well with Newfs...because of their love for children, and natural "nanny" instincts. But some breeds, as wonderful as they are, are not the best choice to have as puppies with young children (I mean under the age of 6 or 7). Goldens can be iffy. Labs can be iffy. They're high energy, and even though they love children, then can become too active, and injure a small child, inadvertently.

Many aren't tolerant of being stepped on, pulled, tripped over, etc. that can occur with toddlers. They can and do get snappy. People think Goldens are like small Gold Newfs. Not so. Many DO bite children, for the reasons above, puppies or adults.

So...as was said earlier...the home situation and knowledge the breed is important to consider before getting any dog...young or old.

[ 08-03-2006, 01:44 AM: Message edited by: Ardeagold ]

 

[dbradley]

77% of people said puppy.

I was just curious. I was giving Moya a bath yesterday and I guess my thoughts just kinda went to all sorts of things and that was one of them.

I think puppy too mostly because of the same reasons Donna said. You can mold them to your lifestyle.

 

[TerriW]

Originally posted by NutzyCat:
I think puppy too mostly because of the same reasons Donna said. You can mold them to your lifestyle.

Wait - what am I doing wrong? Mine mold ME to their lifestyle!

 

[Clcsidi]

Having added both puppies and rescues to our house in the last three years and having two young kids, I voted for puppies because they bond with you easier. They are both work though.

 

[2ndchance]

I think if you already have a multiple dog household a puppy is easier to bring in no matter the breed. If you do not yet have another animal an adult can afford you some more freedom. Rescues usually try pretty hard to match a dog with the adoptive families.

 

[Sue M.]

Ultimately it wouldn't matter but after working in Rescue for a while and grooming some different breeds from the Humane League, I can't help but have a soft spot for some of the older dogs.