[Woolsy]

My fiance likes to have a Shih Tzu but I would like to take care a Siberian Husky. Which do you think is better to take care? Can you please cite the advantages of the dog that you will choose for I will weigh my decision on your opinions. Thanks in advance.

[Todd]

Originally Posted by Woolsy

My fiance likes to have a Shih Tzu but I would like to take care a Siberian Husky. Which do you think is better to take care? Can you please cite the advantages of the dog that you will choose for I will weigh my decision on your opinions. Thanks in advance.

depends of your lifestyle. are you active or a couch potato? do you work full time or retired?

Shih Tzu: this would be the ideal dog for someone who isn't really into exercising much with their dog or walking it too much. These dogs aren't very active. they are cuddle and furry, but not what you'd consider an athletic dog. This dog will also require quite a bit of grooming so make sure you're up for that.

Siberian Husky: if you love to walk, exercise, jog, hike or do any other type of physical activity than this is the dog for you. Husky's are generally very active and need plenty of run time. they may not be as easy to snuggle with because they will get a lot bigger than a Shih Tzu. keep in mind you will spend a lot more on this type of dog when it comes to needing more food more often. This dog will require considerable less grooming though.

Overall if you're looking for a dog to snuggle with but not do much physical activity with than the Shih Tzu is for you. If you're looking for a dog to run with, jog with, bike with, hike, with, and just have a great time with in the outdoors, than the Husky is for you!

[CorkyMax]

Here are a couple links on each of these breeds. On this 1st link--Be sure to read the gray 'box' below the box that gives the description. Shih Tzu Information and Pictures, Shih Tzus
Same goes for this link--Read below the description (next box) Siberian Husky Information, Husky, Huskies, Sibe, Sibes, Siberian Huskys, Siberian Huskies

[Lunareclipse]

Get a saint bernard. :P

[Bacis Dad]

I agree with Todd... Huskies are normally a high mainetence (/energy) breed, shih tzu's not really!
or if you want the best of both worlds, want a big dog with a lazy shih tzu personality, listen to Lunar and get a St Bernard! haha
Just Look at her avatar!!!! LOL hahahahah

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Woolsy

My fiance likes to have a Shih Tzu but I would like to take care a Siberian Husky. Which do you think is better to take care? Can you please cite the advantages of the dog that you will choose for I will weigh my decision on your opinions. Thanks in advance.

You are at least taking the time to inquire. This is more than I can say for most who just get a dog for looks then find out later they cannot handle the dog.
It is true, your lifestyle is the first thing you need to evaluate before getting a specific breed. Writing down a list of daily activity you currently do and then research each breed you are interested in will help you with a match.
Good luck.
As for lazy large dogs, St Bernards as well as Greyhounds fit the bill.
Huskies are a high energy breed and do have a high prey drive in addition. The other thing to consider is the coat and maintenance with that.

[Woolsy]

Thanks a lot for the advices and links. I appreciate them all.

My fiance likes to have a dog that is cuddly and she doesn't do rigorous activity so I guess the Shih Tzu is good for her. On the other hand, I wanted to have a regular exercise because I'm gaining weight, which I why I would like to have a Husky because I know they are very active. St. Bernard is really nice to have but it is out of our list.

Another breed that I'm contemplating is a Golden Retriever although I'm thinking that it is more expensive than a Husky when it comes to food and grooming.

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by Woolsy

Thanks a lot for the advices and links. I appreciate them all.

My fiance likes to have a dog that is cuddly and she doesn't do rigorous activity so I guess the Shih Tzu is good for her. On the other hand, I wanted to have a regular exercise because I'm gaining weight, which I why I would like to have a Husky because I know they are very active. St. Bernard is really nice to have but it is out of our list.

Another breed that I'm contemplating is a Golden Retriever although I'm thinking that it is more expensive than a Husky when it comes to food and grooming.

Grooming a Golden Retriever is easy. I have a golden/cocker spaniel mix and just a 'pure' cocker. My mix (even though part cocker) is very easy to groom--Has feathering that lays nice--no tangles to speak of ever---Definitely as easy, if not easier to groom than a huskie--a huskie has coarse hair--my golden has a nice shiny soft sleek coat--And being mixed with cocker--I was lucky he didn't get the cocker coat---Now there is a 'mess' to take care of! As far as the eating---Yes, goldens are noted for liking to eat and the huskie requires less than you would expect according to my breeds book. A golden requires a lot of exercise as does the huskie but if you go for the bigger breed (over your girlfriend's choice)--I am thinking the golden would be an 'in between' choice more so than the huskie. I may be wrong but I think the huskie is more a one person dog and your girlfriend would prob. like the golden more because of that. Just my opinion.
Can see my 2 boys in my album on my profile page if you like.

[OrangeDog]

Golden Retrievers range in size from 55-80lbs. They do require brushing 3-4 times a week but do not shed the way a husky does. Goldens are easily trained but do require training as ALL breeds do. They do not eat that much (most goldens I know eat around 2-4 cups of high quality dog food per day). They are very active but not crazy and do not have the high drive and aggressive tendencies that huskies have. When looking for a Golden Breeder there are a few things that you MUST be sure of:

> Make sure the breeder tests all their dogs for hip, elbow, heart and eye problems through OFA (and/or PennHip) as well as CERF and that they show you proof, anybody can SAY they did the tests.

> Make sure the dogs are born and raised in a home, not a kennel.

> If you cannot meet the parents (at least mom) and see where the puppy was born and raised DO NOT get from that breeder.

> Remember you get what you pay for... the $600 dog will most likely cost you thousands in vet bills.

> There is no such thing as a White Golden Retriever... if it's white it's a mutt and not worth the huge price tags these puppymills are putting on them. Also the light color goldens are NOT rare, don't be fooled. Good breeders do not market their dogs based on size or color.

hope this helps you.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by OrangeDog

Golden Retrievers range in size from 55-80lbs. They do require brushing 3-4 times a week but do not shed the way a husky does. Goldens are easily trained but do require training as ALL breeds do. They do not eat that much (most goldens I know eat around 2-4 cups of high quality dog food per day). They are very active but not crazy and do not have the high drive and aggressive tendencies that huskies have. When looking for a Golden Breeder there are a few things that you MUST be sure of:

> Make sure the breeder tests all their dogs for hip, elbow, heart and eye problems through OFA (and/or PennHip) as well as CERF and that they show you proof, anybody can SAY they did the tests.

> Make sure the dogs are born and raised in a home, not a kennel.

> If you cannot meet the parents (at least mom) and see where the puppy was born and raised DO NOT get from that breeder.

> Remember you get what you pay for... the $600 dog will most likely cost you thousands in vet bills.

> There is no such thing as a White Golden Retriever... if it's white it's a mutt and not worth the huge price tags these puppymills are putting on them. Also the light color goldens are NOT rare, don't be fooled. Good breeders do not market their dogs based on size or color.

hope this helps you.

The $600.00 dog is not necessarily a bad dog. Much of the price you will pay is regional. I breed Papillons and Miniature Pinschers with excellent health and pedigree. I charge $675.00 on with limited registration. These are fully vetted and micro-chipped before they leave me. I have seen same breeds in the upper NE area of the states asking upwards of $2000.00 and more and the pedigree of the dogs is no where near what mine are. On the west coast I am comparable as far as price for my AKC dogs. We have other breeders in the area that like me, are not looking at price as much as good homes and therefore have many come to us wanting the pups we produce. So be sure to shop around to check out more than just what is local to your area. Siberians in my area range from $500.00 to $1500.00 and all are from good breeders. It just depends on what you are looking for, pet or show quality.

[OrangeDog]

In my area the average for a quality golden (not a show dog just healthy, from a good pedigree) range from $1200-$1800.

If you knew how much was paid for show dogs you would cringe

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by OrangeDog

In my area the average for a quality golden (not a show dog just healthy, from a good pedigree) range from $1200-$1800.

If you knew how much was paid for show dogs you would cringe

Trust me I do know. A Miniature Pinscher breeder friend of mine sold one of her CH show dogs some years back for $4500.00. My German Pinscher is show quality though I literally picked up reasonably cheap even though his sire is considered the top GP in the states, the show quality generally run $3000.00.
I sell those that are show quality as far as the Papillons go, $975.00.
My Miniature Pinschers are not bred for show but go to farms and are bred to the true terrier standards. Keep in mind, they were never a Toy breed but an actual working terrier that were bred down to accommodate and fit into the Toy category. On occasion, with full registration I will charge in the area of $800.00 to $850.00 for those. But most that purchase them are looking for a ratter for their acreage.

[CorkyMax]

May as well give you a link for the golden too! I would rather quote all from my breeds book but too much to copy--This link tells most of what I have in my book though: Golden Retriever Information and Pictures, Golden Retrievers
Will quote this from book though: This dog gets the seal of approval from everyone who has ever owned one. Visualize a happy family around a fire---a Golden Retriever asleep on the hearth completes the picture to perfection. Graceful and elegant dog. Love to swim and should be allowed to do so whenever possible.:mrgreen:

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Corky/Max

May as well give you a link for the golden too! I would rather quote all from my breeds book but too much to copy--This link tells most of what I have in my book though: Golden Retriever Information and Pictures, Golden Retrievers
Will quote this from book though: This dog gets the seal of approval from everyone who has ever owned one. Visualize a happy family around a fire---a Golden Retriever asleep on the hearth completes the picture to perfection. Graceful and elegant dog. Love to swim and should be allowed to do so whenever possible.:mrgreen:

I know fro me personally over the years I have had many ask me what dog I would recommend for people, especially with children and have always told them a Golden would be their best bet. I still believe this to this day. Their natural playful demeanor and tolerance of small children and overall temperament makes for to me, the best all around family dog.

[Lunareclipse]

Originally Posted by Woolsy

Thanks a lot for the advices and links. I appreciate them all.

My fiance likes to have a dog that is cuddly and she doesn't do rigorous activity so I guess the Shih Tzu is good for her. On the other hand, I wanted to have a regular exercise because I'm gaining weight, which I why I would like to have a Husky because I know they are very active. St. Bernard is really nice to have but it is out of our list.

Another breed that I'm contemplating is a Golden Retriever although I'm thinking that it is more expensive than a Husky when it comes to food and grooming.

You can put a Saint Bernard on your list. Just pick up your pen and write Saint Bernard. They are for the most part lazy and cuddly. Nothing will warm your feet better than a saint bernard.

[Woolsy]

Thanks Lunar for that. I will ask my girlfriend if she likes a St. Bernard.

I would like to ask what OrangeDog listed in her post. It's about this:

Make sure the dogs are born and raised in a home, not a kennel.

I agree that it is better for me to get a Golden from a home than a kennel but can someone please explain why it is better? What is the difference from getting a Golden from a home to a kennel? Is this applicable to all kinds of dogs?

[OrangeDog]

YES! that is for all breeds, the reason being dogs born in kennels are not socialized with house sounds, do not get handled and socialized with people as much, if at all. Many dogs that have fear issues were born in kennels.

Also most dogs that are born in a home are started in training, house training and house manners

[Yogi]

Good point OrangeDog, something I totally overlooked considering that this is the way mine have always been raised. Granted, it was easier when the kids were younger and around. Helped with the people socializing a great deal.