hey there i'm andy, i'm 22 and i want to buy a dog (or 2) and i'm kinda wondering if the dogs i want would be right for me.

basic info: my first choices are a Bichon frise and a Siberian Husky/malamute

this would be my first dog but i'm pretty sure i'll have no major issues with confidence or handling issue, i've read quite a lot of articles and tv shows on dog handling and i think i know genrally the attitude to take toward training them in the best way etc. i live in a house with my mom, dad and brother, no young kids. we have a fairly nice sized back yard and plenty of very large fields/grass areas a 1 or 2 minute walk from my house.
the main problems are:

1) my dad doesn't want a dog
2) the dog/s would need to be left home alone for 3 days a week. for around 7-8 hours i guess, so it's better than people who have to leave dogs home 5 days a week but 3 days is still not perfect


my dad doesn't want one, but he does like dogs, and as soon as i got one he would like it, so it's not that big a problem. his main concerns are it destroying the house and costing alot to feed/maintain. i'm an active person, i excercise a lot and also run a lot around the fields near my house multiple times a day, so on top of normal walks i would enjoy taking the dog whenever it get's bored and going for a walk, jog, run.. or taking it out in anyway to occupy it with something interesting. apart from the 3 days a week it would be home alone i'm sure i could more than meet it's excercise/attention needs when i get home those days (and obviously the other 4 days a week. My mom will be at home during the day 2 weekdays so that's why it will be left aone for 3 days, so i'll need to take her into account of whever she can handle the dogs (if a husky would be too much for her).
regarding the dog/s having to be left home alone for the 3 days a week, i have a pretty large conservatory with a hard wood floor and little furniture in there, and i think that would be a pretty good area for them to stay if i left them enough toys, blankets, stuff to do etc...

as i said i want a bichon frise or husky, do these dogs seem ok for me? i have read a fair amount of info and i know there would be more suitable dogs... but i am set on these breeds if i can. are there any much better suggestions? thanks, andy

wow andy - there is a huge difference between those 2 breeds & not just in size. husky's are escape artists, runners, ( so should never be off lead ) killers of small animals, blow coat twice a year & shed the rest of it, funny, usually have great personalities altho some are very aloof, seldom bark but sing a lot, are very high maintenance & need tons of exercise. don't ever grab one by the collar

bichons are also extremely high maintenance, but need far less exercise. they are pleasant, proud little dogs

try googling the rescues for both breeds & read the info there, especially the adoption contract or application - those divulge a lot of info.

it is not recommended to get 2 at a time, especially for a first time owner.

you really need to think about your dad here too. it is HIS house & he makes the rules

this is just for starters. then of course if you mean a puppy - who will care for it the 3 days it would be alone for 8 hours?

This sounds to me like a scenario for what ever dog you get will end up at the humane S., Or a new home after things do not go like you imagined. Your Mom & Dad has to be 100% wanting to take care of the dog when you are not around, otherwise I would wait until, later in life when you are older and on your own, maybe a wife that loves dog would help alot! I would cool it for now trust me on that one. There are so many factors you have not considered, like vet bills, poop clean-up, etc. My first dog was a doberman, and when he was a pup, which was day one until he was one year old, he tore up the whole beautiful back yard we have, dug up big holes and ate some of the siding off the house. I am kind of a laid back person and little things like that do not bother me much, but my wife was ready to kick us both out of the house. It all worked out in the end but you have to be up for the problems and see them through. Otherwise the poor dog will never understand why the first owner he loved so much, got rid of him??

well put, Bob

Originally Posted by BobSD

This sounds to me like a scenario for what ever dog you get will end up at the humane S., Or a new home after things do not go like you imagined. Your Mom & Dad has to be 100% wanting to take care of the dog when you are not around, otherwise I would wait until, later in life when you are older and on your own, maybe a wife that loves dog would help alot! I would cool it for now trust me on that one. There are so many factors you have not considered, like vet bills, poop clean-up, etc. My first dog was a doberman, and when he was a pup, which was day one until he was one year old, he tore up the whole beautiful back yard we have, dug up big holes and ate some of the siding off the house. I am kind of a laid back person and little things like that do not bother me much, but my wife was ready to kick us both out of the house. It all worked out in the end but you have to be up for the problems and see them through. Otherwise the poor dog will never understand why the first owner he loved so much, got rid of him??

thanks for the replies
well, i have to say i have considered all of those factors obviosuly haha. surprisingly i've always been aware that dogs poop and need regular vet checks, and won't always be perfect etc. i'm not looking for a dog as a comfort item, i want something to work with and have to put effort into. otherwise i'd just look for a cat, but i'm confident i can do a good job with a dog to want to make it happy (otherwise i wouldn't be asking for advice i would have just gone out and bought one without thinking it through already)
My mom actually really really wants a dog, it's hard to explain my dad, he's totally unreasonable. if a dog ment as little as £100 less money available for him to spend on himself in an entire year... even though he actually does love dogs. he would say no based on that alone. he will never be 100% behind a dog. a dog could bite his arm off and get some hair on the carpet and he would complain about the carpet more :/ my mom really wants a dog, and as a side issue walking a dog would be her most preffered method of excercise she can think of. and my dad doesn't even care about pleasing her apparantly. should i forget the idea of a dog just because he's being unreasonable when both me and my mom want one? he's not a bad guy, if he came to it he would help the dog instead of kicking it out in pretty much any situation. the only thing i really care about is him giving my mom a hard time about it and moaning to her constantly but i guess my part in helping that would be cleaning everything myself and giving him as little to complain about as possible. as i said he does like dogs, if things go well he'd be fine (after a week or 2 of complaining), if they don't... he wont
i think a husky probably isn't the best then i kinda see my mom having trouble walking it i guess. the bichon not shedding is a big plus as far as my dad is concerned. i think the only 2 issues i can think of left are it being alone for the 3 days and it not having much other dog company... i know how to handle the 3 days it has to stay at home, i know how to do it and the best way to already after talkign to other dog owners and reading up info, but i just don't want to end up getting a dog that no matter how well i handle the 3 days alone it will end up being considerably less happy than it could be (possibly buy gettign the wrong breed in the first place). and yea i don't actually know many friends with dogs, but who knows maybe i'll find things go great and can handle getting a second dog sometime
i have no desire to get a puppy over an adult i don't mind what i get, so maybe it'd be best to not get a puppy if the older dog can fit into having to spend the 3 days alone for the day (which i'd be able to ease it into, it would take longer than a puppy but i guess it can still be done)

yes Andy, an adult would be a much better choice for your family IMO. a dog about 3 or 4 years would be ideal.

I would suggest you look for a rescue, either bichon or small dog. check out petfinder.org & then follow the directions to put in your choice for breed & your zip code. if you need help with that let us know

a dog from a rescue will run around $250/$300 but will be UTD on all shots, neutered, house, leash, & crate trained, been heartworm tested & on preventative for HW & fleas, microchipped.

the rescue will work with you to find an appropriate dog to fit your lifestyle. they will stay in touch with you to offer help if you need it through out the dogs life.

keep in mind that the bichon must go to the groomers every 6 - 8 weeks or they will matt down. they are low shedders - there is no "no shed" dog

I think forgetting about the husky is a good decision

Originally Posted by suebgone

yes Andy, an adult would be a much better choice for your family IMO. a dog about 3 or 4 years would be ideal.

I would suggest you look for a rescue, either bichon or small dog. check out petfinder.org & then follow the directions to put in your choice for breed & your zip code. if you need help with that let us know

a dog from a rescue will run around $250/$300 but will be UTD on all shots, neutered, house, leash, & crate trained, been heartworm tested & on preventative for HW & fleas, microchipped.

the rescue will work with you to find an appropriate dog to fit your lifestyle. they will stay in touch with you to offer help if you need it through out the dogs life.

ahh yes, i would always go to a rescue centre first, and buying one from regular people lastly. i would't ever go to a pet store, i don't think i really agree with buying animals from pet stores. thank you that's what i think i'll look for then