Pet choices - help me!

[Elefantino]

We had a cat and a fish tank. One day the cat figured out how to remove the cover to the fish tank.

We came home to an empty fish tank.

[d_douglas]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

First order of business: The Grail Crumpton
Second order of business: A Boxer

Damn, that is a tough call. I would take the Crumpton though. My wife would hate that I said that.

Ironically, Boxers are a family fixture for us. My sister and her hubby have owned boxers for the past 25years. They're awesome and I have a soft spot, but they are pretty short-lived characters, and drool like crazy, so mu'lady has vowed no to them.

Same goes for Boston Terriers (my sisters only diversion from a Boxer) and Pugs (which I love, but same health issues bump them off the list.

Basically, as everyone says, just go to a shelter and see what dog appeals to us and go from there. As my neighbours with a dodgy Mexican street dog say, you grow to love their looks when you love their personality!

PS any 58cm Crumptons kicking around ???

[Yoshi]

Maine Coon Cat.
Huge personality.
Some think they are a dog. Or a human. They will actually talk to you. Will run the house if you let them.
Mine scared off dogs 10 times his size that tried to get near his zone.
He even ran off a large buck that came into the back yard. Raccoons, opossum, porcupine, no problem.
Amazing animal. Eliminated every mouse and vole for miles around.
They completely take care of themselves.
Best pet evah.

[ls1togo]

mini Golden Doodle..45 pounds, no shedding, great disposition, smart!

[Matthew]

Yeah gbcoupe, I'm a sucker for cats too after having grown up with only dogs. We actually had 8 but adopted her out as she was better off in a single pet home. The rest are awesome and so cool. Got two on my lap as I type! My wife says I can no longer go to the local shelter because twice I've brought kittens home after going there to donate food!

[d_douglas]

Originally Posted by Yoshi

Maine Coon Cat.
Huge personality.
Some think they are a dog. Or a human. They will actually talk to you. Will run the house if you let them.
Mine scared off dogs 10 times his size that tried to get near his zone.
He even ran off a large buck that came into the back yard. Raccoons, opossum, porcupine, no problem.
Amazing animal. Eliminated every mouse and vole for miles around.
They completely take care of themselves.
Best pet evah.

Awesome - that’s the cat that we adored for 20yrs! I need to get a different breed just because...

[Elefantino]

This is Tebow. She won 46 of 203 races.

She has 6 beds in our house now and makes use of all of them.

[oldguy00]

Its probably natural for everyone to post the dog (or cat) breed that they own.

Here's my 2 cents...

I grew up having miniture (middle size) poodles, and a standard size dachshund.

Then fast forward 20 years, married with kids, no pets, our friends turned us on to Greyhounds and providing foster care for them while they are adopted out in retirement.
After 4 years of doing that off and on, our daughter wanted a small dog she could pick up, and I got outvoted, and we ended up getting a Yorkie.

The Yorkie is nice, but my overall pick would be a greyhound.

Watch some youtube videos. They are very very easy to care for. Despite their racing pedigree, they are TOTAL couch potatoes and sleep up to 18 hours per day. Very little shedding, often practically house trained when retired around age 4 for adoption.

We may still adopt a greyhound to go with the yorkie.

[tuscanyswe]

Originally Posted by XXtwindad

First order of business: The Grail Crumpton
Second order of business: A Boxer

Thats just to damn cute. How could i ever walk away

[oldguy00]

Originally Posted by Elefantino

This is Tebow. She won 46 of 203 races.

She has 6 beds in our house now and makes use of all of them.

Ha, I didn't even see this post before I just posted my comments!!! Greyhounds for the win!! I love them so much. We've fostered 6 of them, we love the brindles.

[sokyroadie]

I am a cat person, we currently have a Manx (no tail) she is extremely loving and good with the grand-kids. She is a shelter rescue. A neighbor has (2) Great Danes a brother and sister and they too are great with kids, the male weighs 160# and loves attention.

[slambers3]

Originally Posted by Elefantino

This is Tebow. She won 46 of 203 races.

She has 6 beds in our house now and makes use of all of them.

We’ve had a retired grey for 3 years. He took a little bit of time to warm up to me but is the best dog I’ve ever had.

[oldpotatoe]

I'm a cat guy too and have had some VERY affectionate, engaged, great cats.
BUT, are the 8 and 10yo gonna 'play' with the dog? Be outside, be engaged?
Back yard? Where dog poops? Kids or you gonna clean it up? Kids play back there? Sometimes in bare feet?

Something to consider. If they want a 'play buddy', I'd say a dog(no idea about breed-see 'cat guy' above)..If not, I'd say get 2 cats..

Gotta say tho, I'm taking a break after losing my last cat, before losing his brother 2 years earlier..VERY hard, still hurts. Pets just don't last that long..

PLUS-if cats, PLEASE keep them inside..or if outside, with some human..Seen too many cats get hurt or killed around here(neighbor just lost one of his REALLY beautiful yellow cats(a brother also) to a raccoon, found him badly injured..not fair..)...

[BryanE]

Small, medium or large?
Gus the Rat Terrier.
Tootsie the Boxer.
Samantha the Rotty/Lab mix.
All special and very cool.

Gus was a typical Ratter. Didn't take well to strangers. Fiercely loyal. Very smart, easy to house train. If you want a 18 pound lap dog that thinks he is a Mastiff do it. They're fun.
Tootsie.......well if you've never had a Boxer you should do a little reading. They are a very special breed and not for everyone.it took a long time to housebreak her but I'm very glad we kept her. There are a lot of Boxer rescue places.

Samantha the Wonder Dog. I forgot to tell her she was a dog when we got her. The smartest dog I've ever had. Very special.

[cash05458]

Well, I am both a cat and a dog guy...we actually have 8 cats here...all homeless strays that showed up at our door and we just can't say no...at this point I am starting to believe the homeless cats must have an app that tells them to come to our place...anyhow...

Given your description, I would personally go with a small dog...large dogs take much much more work and time...they really do...I have always been a large dog guy my whole life but when our last went...an aussie shep named Cash...we decided to try a small dog...and got a shelter guy we named Jasper...he had been abandoned twice on highway rest stops...maybe 20 pounds...a black shaggy terrier mix...and hands down he is the best dog I have ever had...of course we all say that via loving them...but I would never go back to a large dog...Jasper has all the attributes of a large dog, total personality and intelligence but is so much easier to take care of...and as for breeds, I would go with a mixed or as they say mongrel...inbreeding really does lead to problems with some of these dogs...and go for a shelter one...the dog will appreciate you and your good family foreever and show it back in spades...that isn't just a cliche either, it is very true.