ZombieKitten said:

Of COURSE you need to do research before getting a dog, before getting ANY pet - that's how you keep from getting one on impulse. Like you're saying Charlotte, it's very important to find out all you can but remember: There's no amount of research that can cover everything, especially not when it comes to a living being. As for "designer dogs" though, they're just another mutt but with a catchy name. I wrote pretty early on in this thread about that it's only a myth that mixes are healthier, if you think about it and know anything at all about genetics you realise that pretty quickly and you're no dummy. Getting a mix often lands you in one of the higher brackets in the pet insurance (which you really need) because there are no guarantees and you can hand in no paperwork on heritage that keeps the fee down. No matter what the so called breeders of the "designer dogs" tell you, there is NO WAY that the official kennel clubs of ANY country is going to clear any of them as a breed unto their own - they're just created to have funny names. Some of them were allegedly created to be calmer but allergy friendly (labradoodle ) but that doesn't hold water because like I said with genetics it's so uncertain and it's been proven to be true, that it's impossible to predict coat type or anything else when there are two or more breeds involved. What you need is a pure bred dog of a healthy breed with good heritage, the offical Australian Kennel Club can guide you when you've found breeds worth checking out. Don't be afraid to go for a dog from quite a ways off, you need to visit the breeder and if possible the puppies before picking yours up, personal connections are really important and you being a "know-it-all" freak ;( you'd want to see how the breeder keeps the puppies, live, is as a person etc. Demand to see paperwork of EVERYTHING - pedigree, breeder's license, recent vet checkup of the father, the mother and most importantly the puppy before you get it. It should also have been given its shots before you pick it up and it should be dewormed. Anything goes less than smoothly in preparation when it comes to the breeder, pull out. It's not worth tears, pain and potentially thousands of dollars to have anything go less than perfect. A good breeder knows what they're doing.

Oh, now for the boys.... Normally I'd agree with Dance (as much as it pains me ) that you don't need a pet with rowdy boys around but I trust you to make the right decision. With the right parent and guidance a dog (the RIGHT dog) can act as a calming point for children, a focus. They learn to be gentle around it and it can rub off on other aspects of their lives, too. Maybe one of more of them will take to the dog and want to take courses in things like canine agility too, it gives them exercise and they'll bond with the dog. Working with an animal is one of the most rewarding things you can do and kids usually do it well but like I said with the right guidance.

Charlotte, I know you'll come to the right decision. I'd be happy to discuss breeds with you when/if you get to that point.

Wow! Thanks heaps Jen! VERY sound advice

anyway, I'm no closer to making any kind of decision we are planning a holiday in Aug/Sept, so we won't be getting one anytime very soon.

We visited the RSPCA to look at dog adoption, but really all they seemed to have were largish, dominant type dogs. My in-laws have always had maltese/shitzu cross dogs who are lovely but get a little nervous with all the kids. I like the size and portability. Their dog Bonito sits on my lap and has formed a very close attachment with my youngest son.

We definitely won't be getting one on impulse

My new puppy has just discovered pine-cones. We have a pinetree in the back, and he waits for one to drop, to attack it to bits!! Can this hurt him??

brocklynn said:

AWWW, she was scared

she used to have a mommy and brothers and sisters, now shes all alone in a box and has no idea if you will come back or not


when i crate train my dogs, i keep their crate right next to my bed and sleep with my hand next to the cage... if they get sad, i pet them through the bars at least it makes me feel like i'm helping...


good luck
and shes ADORABLE!!!

PaisleyPark5083 said:

Only if he chews it and/or swallows it - then it can get caught in the stomach or intestines and you have a $$$$$ surgery on your hands. It's best to not let the dog play with tree cones, at least I think that because one of my dog friends' dog swallowed a pine cone and it was caught "the wrong way" so to speak in the intestines, and they had to cut up the entire length of the dog's stomach to find and remove the cone, the stitches got inflamed etc etc...so give the dog a ball instead or teach it that it's ok to play with them but not to chew, I taught Uzie that. She stomps on them so they jump forward and she picks them up but then does the stomping all over again. IF she starts chewing I tell her to drop it and move on to the next cone, if there is one. She's the best.

Teacher said:

Oh my gosh,I wouldn't want him to have surgery, I will have to find away to keep him pine-cone free!! easier said then done! He is a sweetie, but he is just just so curious about tasting everything, I thought after raising 4 kids, I could do anything, puppies are a handful! But I adore him.