I'm not going to be getting one just yet, but I am currently browsing for a family dog. I definately wont be getting one until at LEAST next fall, and it will probably end up being spring of 07 before I actually start getting serious about the search. What I really want is a Saint Bernard puppy. Does anyone know any good places to look for full-blooded dogs of this breed? Also, if anyone knows of any other BIG dog breeds that are child-friendly, I would definately be interested. (I am partial to the big breeds ) I would even be willing to get one from an animal shelter, as long as the puppy was going to be a large breed. Are there any animal shelters around here that specialize in large breed dogs? At this point, price really isn't an issue yet. I just want to see what's out there.
Thanks!

[Edited on December 17, 2005 at 2:45 PM. Reason : forgot something]

12/17/2005 2:42:26 PM

please please please adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue.
Wake County puts down about 6-7 THOUSAND animals a year (I haven't looked at the statistics lately so it could have gone up or slightly down, though i doubt it went down), and other counties are even worse off... like the fact that Onslow County (the size of garner) puts down around the same.
I assure you taht you can find big dogs at the Animal Control adoption centers. If you don't like the ones at wake county you can always go to Orange county (Chapel Hill), or even go to the SPCA or take advantage of the multitudes of rescue groups in the area.
Please do not pay full-price for someone to breed you a Saint Bernard, that is just adding to the problem.... if you don't want one immediately and you keep looking you might even be able to rescue one that has its papers in tact.
Also, remember that full-bred dogs have a lot more health issues than mutts or slightly mixed pups. There is a reason we don't reproduce with our cousisns, and there is scientific proof that that is why full-breds are more common to have a lot of really expensive health problems. My parents rescued a full German Shephard, she is 4 and is already going Senile, has had hip displesia, and a number of other things. My brother adopted a chow who is maybe two years old and he just spent over $1500 because her leg wouldn't stay in its socket (there was no injury, just genetic).
And the bigger the dog you get, the more expensive and the more prone to joint problems. I'm glad you're waiting on getting a dog, please do the research on the kind of dog you want in terms of common medical problems/temperment/etc. That is actually one of the big reasons that dogs end up in the pound...
</end rant>

But, here's a number to the NC Saint Bernard rescue: (910-904-6825)... i guess their website isn't working.

12/17/2005 3:27:04 PM

so of the 2 dogs you've rescued, both have had really expensive or debilitating diseases/problems...sounds like one helluva track record.

my sister has resucued a few great dogs from the spca (and has bought a few others from stores or the like), but i dont think it is unreasonable to want a new dog from a breeder. i think it is a bit insulting that anyone who isnt rescuing dogs is supposedly making the problem worse. what you should be encouraging is responsible dog ownership or stiffer penalties on the lack thereof.

12/17/2005 3:38:04 PM

what does it matter where you get the dog from - what happens to the dogs ppl don't buy from pet stores?

12/17/2005 3:45:35 PM

^I thought that were eventually put down as well.

12/17/2005 3:48:08 PM

The St. Benard club of America probably can give you a list of breeders to contact, visiting dog shows is another way to meet people who know a lot about the breed.

12/17/2005 3:54:28 PM

not that this has anything to do with this thread, but I have rescued a lot more than 2 dogs. I was running my own rescue for a little while. and I have done a lot of research on dogs and cats... more so on dogs. and the full-breds normally have more problems than those that aren't. I'm not saying that if you get a full-bred dog it is guaranteed to have problems... but I will almost guarantee it. Even if you go to the dog park... a lot of the dogs out there are full bred and if you talk to a majority of the owners you will find that they have put a lot of money into their genetic problems. if you don't believe me talk to your vet, most vets will tell you the risks and common genetic problems.
but, if you have the money to do it, go for it. they need love just as much as the next dog, I just want to advocate rescuing one.
http://justonelitter.com/litter.html
(I'll create a new topic after work as to why I say that most breeders are helping with the overpolulation problem)

12/17/2005 4:27:23 PM

i think most people understand why full bred dogs have problems and it is probably easy to guess why you think breeders cause problems, but that doesnt negate anything that i originally said.

12/17/2005 4:44:01 PM

so
pure breed dogs, wich have MORE defects than mutts, bred by BREEDERS, are the solution


The dogs i grew up with, that roamed unchained unfenced on 20+ acres and the surounding land, and were all mixed breeds, msot sired on a beegle with a mix of sheppard beegle, that fact we had at opne point 30+ dogs, all of wich were fed, played with, and loved, none of wich were given away sold, the fact that both dogs we have now are muts, and both of them have health problems ONLY AFTER they discovered that if they eat the neighbors chickens they get shot at, well, i guess they are the problem you speak of.

12/17/2005 11:10:12 PM

you know, using some punctuation (besides commas) might make that paragraph readable.

12/17/2005 11:23:43 PM

arraeuber, I admire your support of animal shelters and your efforts to make sure as many dogs in need of a loving home get what they deserve. On the other hand, I think you are misrepresenting pure breeds a bit. TheTabbyCat, if you want to find a RESPONSIBLE St. Bernard breeder who is selling puppies don't let anyone stop you. The problem isn't with all breeders, it's just the ones that don't have the betterment of the breed in mind (AKA backyard breeders and puppy mills). It is true that many people breed two pure breed dogs together without doing much planning and they just end up making the problem worse for animal shelters, and puppies that are prone to nightmarish health problems. But there are many responsible breeders out there that try to eliminate the genetic problems associated with a breed. They only breed their dogs if they have been tested and cleared of ALL genetically preventable diseases known to be a problem in the breed. If you want a pure bred puppy dont let anyone stop you from buying from a breeder. Just please please please make sure you do your homework before getting one. You need to know all the characteristics of the breed you are interested in and make sure the breed you want fits your lifestyle. You also need to take a long hard look at your life and make sure you are prepared for the responsibility of dog ownership, but judging by what you have said previously I'd be willing to bet that you've already considered this. Once you have figured out what breed of dog you want, learn everything you can about the breed. Especially take note of any health problems that are prone to the breed. Then when you are in the process of looking for a responsible breeder, make sure the breeder is willing to show you proof that BOTH parents of the puppy you are looking to buy have passed all of the health tests and have been cleared of any genetically preventable diseases.

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/NoPuppyMillsVA/What_is_a_Backyard_Breeder_/what_is_a_backyard_breeder_.html

This website will help you decide if the breeder you are considering buying a puppy from is a responsible breeder or not. DO NOT buy a puppy from someone who even remotely resembles a backyard breeder or puppy mill. If you do your homework and remain patient in your search, you will end up with a great dog that will bring you years of happiness. The rewards will far outweigh the amount of time and effort it took to find the right puppy.

Where should you start your search for a responsible breeder? I suggest looking online for the closest AKC registered St. Bernard Club (if that's the breed you end up wanting). If there isn't one close by there is a national St. Bernard Club you can seek out. Ask the Club to give you a list of breeders that may be having a litter of puppies around the time you are interested in getting one. Another way to find a responsible breeder is to go to a dog show. Most responsible breeders show their dogs in confirmation, but have both pet and show dog quality puppies in the litters they produce. After the show, go up to the dog owners and strike up a conversation. Most will be more than willing to talk if they aren't busy getting ready to show their dog(s).

All this may sound like a lot of work, and it is, but if you make sure you are buying the from a responsible breeder I am sure you will be very pleased with the result. My wife and I have a 7.5 month-old purebread boxer puppy who we couldn't be happier with or more in love with. It took us about 8 months from the time we started searching until we were able to take our puppy home, but it was an extremely rewarding experience.

Sorry this is so long, but this subject is one I feel strongly about and is extremely important to me. I don't think anyone should be discouraged from owning a purebread dog if that's what they want and they are willing to do the necessary homework involved prior to getting a puppy.

[/novel]

12/18/2005 1:15:04 AM

BROWSING FOR A NUGGET

12/18/2005 1:20:37 AM

Quote :

"I thought that were eventually put down as well."

No. Their prices are reduced incrementally, and sooner or later someone buys them.

Quote :

"so of the 2 dogs you've rescued, both have had really expensive or debilitating diseases/problems...sounds like one helluva track record. "

Their health problems came from being pure-bred, not from being rescue dogs.

12/18/2005 1:29:10 AM

Quote :

"Their health problems came from being pureIRRESPONSIBLY-bred, not from being rescue dogs"

[Edited on December 18, 2005 at 1:34 AM. Reason : .]

[Edited on December 18, 2005 at 1:35 AM. Reason : BAH!]

12/18/2005 1:34:19 AM

No, dammit, not what I'm saying at all.

It doesn't matter how responsible you are, the inbreeding and restricted gene pool that comes with creating a dog breed carries with it the inevitable consequence of hereditary health problems.

If your dog is purebred, it is generally less healthy than a mutt, all other things being equal. You can do all kinds of things to mitigate those problems into near-nonexistence, mind you, especially if you have enough bank for a pure-bred dog in the first place. But the point stands.

12/18/2005 1:50:01 AM

Quote :

"If your dog is purebred, it is generally less healthy than a mutt, all other things being equal."

I don't think it's safe to make that assumption. There is a difference between general health and the risk of inheriting a disease related to inbreeding. My point is that the problems related to inbreeding can be almost completely eliminated by multiple generations of sound breeding practices, to the point where the risk of getting a purebread dog that eventually falls victim to some genetically preventable disease is pretty much equal to the risk of a mutt falling victim to the same disease.

12/18/2005 2:19:38 AM

Uh, but I think that Grumpy is trying to say in general, half, cross, and other mixed breeds are less prone to health problems than purebreds.

12/18/2005 4:15:04 AM

it was more of a joke than anything grumpy, but my point was: dont talk shit about breeders and then say to get a dog from the spca, b/c they are just as likely, if not more, to have said health problems (if full bred).

12/18/2005 9:00:10 AM

I think just the fact that she says she is "browsing" for a dog, as though she's shopping for shoes, pretty well indicates she's more of a purebred breeder type instead of a humane society mutt type....

12/18/2005 9:25:37 AM

^^^in general possibly, but responsible breeding can assure that the risks involved in having a purebread are not much greater than the risks involved in having a mixed breed.

12/18/2005 12:53:11 PM

if you can get a lab/daschund mix, don't pass it up

12/18/2005 1:14:28 PM

^I LOVE my daschund/eskimo spitz mix

12/18/2005 2:49:06 PM

rowdy says beagles rule!

12/18/2005 2:54:25 PM

daisy mae loves rat terrier/chihuahua mixes.

12/18/2005 3:14:01 PM

Mastiffs are supposed to be really gentle dogs, and you don't get much bigger than them. They're also called English Mastiffs because actually St. Bernards are a type of mastiff as well. I would love to get one, or a mix of one, myself but circumstances don't allow right now. I would suggest getting maybe a mixed breed of two dogs instead of a purebreed to be safe unless you do plenty of research behind a breeder to ensure your dog doesn't have a lot of health problems.

A neighbor has a three yr old St Bernard that has digestive problems making her walk slowly and awkwardly. We just adopted the most adorable Yorkie/Scottie mix - we preferred a mix over a pure (if we had gotten a pure we'd lean toward a Scottish terrier or mini schnauzer). Keep in mind that mixed breeds can look almost identical to the purebreed you want. That's the case with my in-laws' mini Schnauzer/Yorkie mix, who looks like a somewhat squatter Schnauzer.





[Edited on December 18, 2005 at 4:44 PM. Reason : ]

[Edited on December 18, 2005 at 4:47 PM. Reason : info]

12/18/2005 4:37:56 PM

Just to make myself clear, by browsing, I mean I'm checking into breed and such to see exactly what type of dog I want to get. I don't want to get something that is not going to be friendly with children, for example, because my son will be about 3 when we get this dog, so I want him to be able to play with it. I want to make sure that the dog and the breed fit my family. I'm not going to get a dog and then have to give it up because it ends up being something I didn't expect it to be. I realize personalities differ from dog to dog regardless of the breed, but some breeds are more likely to be aggressive. I have ALWAYS loved huge dogs, so that's why I want a big dog. I want to give myself plenty of time to find the right dog. If that right dog turns out to be a mix, thats cool. I'm just looking into breeds to see what's out there since I am bit of a dog owner n00b because I've always had cats instead. I do love St. Bernards, but some of the above posts have given me some other really interesting big dog breeds to look into. Thanks!

12/19/2005 10:06:48 PM

wait a minute...

aren't you the person who was trying to SELL baby formula that was GIVEN to you because you couldn't afford it? and you think you can fucking afford a DOG?????

aren't you also the person with the history of getting shitloads of cats and then getting rid of them???

wow. and now you want a dog. a fucking dog. jesus tittyfucking christ

12/19/2005 10:18:03 PM

its not necessarily the best idea to get a big dog with a young child...first of all you know you can NEVER leave the 2 unsupervised together...and secondly, puppies don't have manners yet, so a child is the same thing as a toy to them, until they learn otherwise...

12/19/2005 10:18:32 PM

don't forget to swaddle the child in raw meat... dogs love that

12/19/2005 11:07:18 PM

http://brentroad.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=372836

12/20/2005 12:16:07 PM

for a large breed family dog, you cannot beat a lab! we have had several. they are so intelligent and very even tempered. but definitely read up on them before you buy. like any breed, they have their pros and cons.

imo:
pros: very smart, easily trained for hunting/sports/entertainment, territorial/protective over owners (esp. males), mild tempered, good outdoors but indoors too if you exercise them, don't pee when they get excited (i.e. cocker spanials), make good warning dogs (not real guard dogs tho), generally good/patient with kids

cons: like to chew (so need plenty of toys/bones, will bring you "presents" (i.e. dead animals), require exercise and plenty of attention, can get pudgy with age if not exercised, older dogs show signs of hip dysplasia (ok i can't spell that), tails can't swipe off coffee tables indoors, like to fights large dogs if in their territory

12/20/2005 1:01:54 PM

1) Yeah, the big dog wont be left alone with my son. I figure, if I train the dog correctly, once he becomes an adult and stuff then he will be good with my son. I guess that goes for any good dog, not just big ones. When I was little, my parents had a German Shepherd. They trained him not to jump on me and stuff and he was one of my best friends.
2) A, as for you, you need to shut the fuck up and get off your high horse. I don't give a shit what you think about me selling baby formula. That has absolutely NOTHING to do with me getting a dog in a YEAR. If you could read, then you would see that I am not getting a dog right now, I am BROWSING, dipshit. As far as the cat thing goes, we got that cat before we moved and our landlady didn't want us to have a cat due to the mess that the previous tenants left. Now, we have proven to her that we will be good tenants and she doesn't care anymore. The other cat was gotten and he attacked me. Literally drew blood and shit. We found him a nice home. I don't know where you get off saying that two cats is a shitload. I'm tired of you stalking me on here and posting in every thread that I start that I am some shitty person for selling baby formula. If you have no life to the point where you want to follow me around on here and find all the threads I make and try to make me look bad, then it must really suck to be you. From now on, any comments you make in my threads will be ignored. All you do is repeat the same damn thing every time. Although I'm sure you are a saint and have never sold anything or done anything people don't approve of in your past , please find some other place to make your hypocritical remarks. Shut the hell up and stay the hell out of my threads.



Thank you to all of the people on here who have actually made good points and given me some good ideas as far as what I need to do to prepare to have a dog and what types of breeds are fairly gentle. Your comments are really appreciated.

[Edited on December 20, 2005 at 1:28 PM. Reason : also]

12/20/2005 1:26:40 PM

while I don't necessarily consider labs "big dogs" I definitely second that recommendation... (and golden retrievers). both breeds are very family oriented and overall fantastic animals!

12/20/2005 3:37:35 PM

Golden Retrievers are beautiful dogs. Are they generally good with children? Labs are good with children aren't they?

12/20/2005 5:25:24 PM

read my post: yes

12/20/2005 5:55:07 PM

You might want to look into Great Danes. They are big dogs and are known as the "gentile giant" breed.

12/21/2005 11:37:06 AM

man my neighbors have a great dane named bowzer...this guy is HUGE but SUCH the sweetie...that bark could intimidate anyone though.

12/21/2005 11:46:59 AM

Great Danes are kickass dogs. I had forgotten they existed. I remember my vet used to have one that he kept with him at the office. Everytime someone came in, the dog would bark to greet them, but it usually sounded more like a really powerful engine revving with the acoustics in the building. It usually scared people.
Thanks for the suggestion!

12/21/2005 3:50:02 PM

be very prepared for joint problems and huge appetites tho. friend of mine has two... their food bill each month is ridiculous.

12/21/2005 3:51:29 PM

i'd get a st. bernard if i were you. they are good dogs, but they tend to slobber i think.

12/21/2005 3:57:45 PM

^ every mastiff ive seen does, it is a deal breaker for me.

12/21/2005 5:50:13 PM

I had a Great Dane and she was by far the most mellow dog that I've ever had. There's a photo of her in my gallery. Unfortunately, they are prone to hip and cardiac problems and are typically short lived. Mine past away due to heart problems the first of this month, she was almost 5 years old. The breeder I got her from and my vet both have had danes that lived for 13 years, which is remarkable. I guess my two cents would be that whatever kind of dog you decide on, be it a pound puppy or a purebred, just take good care of it and put in time to train it. You'll be rewarded in the long run.

12/21/2005 7:19:43 PM

dachshund's are the shit of course they eat smaller pets so watch out.

12/21/2005 7:28:21 PM

ok, big dogs + little kids = some trouble


even if its the sweetest dog EVER

big dogs knock little kids down ALL the time.................they cant help it



just something to consider and be aware of if you get one

12/21/2005 11:55:13 PM

I've been told that the bigger the dog, the shorter lifespan. That's sad about the great dane only living 5 years. I love great danes too. This thread is really making me wish for a house with a good yard so I can have a big ol' (slobbery) dog.

12/22/2005 11:50:29 AM

POODLE + GOLDEN RETRIEVER = GOLDEN DOODLE

it's a pure bred mutt that doesn't shed and has the traits of a retriever

12/22/2005 12:11:05 PM

^not shedding is a plus...I had a wheaton terrier growing up (pics in gallery) and he was VERY laid back, never shed, was never aggressive, went mountain climbing with my family, and was an overall great dog. However, I'd suggest waiting to get a dog until your kid is at least in school. You're going to have to have ample time to walk it at least 3-5 times a day while it's a puppy, and having a 3 year old is going to limit that. I know how busy kids can make you, and adding a small animal to that mix is like adding another child. Maybe adopting a 7-10 month old puppy would be better than trying anything younger if you are set on getting a dog next year. Best of luck to you, however....just remember that mutts are great dogs and it feels awesome to rescue one!

Here is my old dog, Bailey


and here is my newly adopted puppy, sequoya





[Edited on December 22, 2005 at 1:17 PM. Reason : pics]

12/22/2005 1:12:45 PM

if anyone is interested in a free dog...check here

http://brentroad.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=372836

12/22/2005 1:43:37 PM

>> Thread HIJACK ATTACK!!! <<

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/zip/120018023.html

I only post this because I know labs are great dogs, and I've never met even one who isn't great with kids. They're very loyal and protective, and they aren't as big and potentially scary as a St. Bernard

12/22/2005 8:51:08 PM