i'm really sad

[mattheadfat]

this a little off topic: my cocker spaniel i've had close to 15 years just had to be put down because of cancer, i guess i knew it was coming for a while, but i still sucks. my family is thinking about getting a puppy in the next month or two, and i was wondering what breed you guys would suggest. the dog will live inside primarily, but it does get cold in the winter where i live. my yard isn't very big, but i do bike a lot, and i need a new biking buddy, something i can take off it's leash and it'll be smart enough not to wander off. plus, it would help if it wasn't a heavy shedder, cause my mom has some allergies. we want a medium sized dog, bigger than a cocker spaniel, but smaller than a shepherd. i want to make an educated desision, before i go out and "replace" my old dog. although i loved my old dog, he might of not been the most well suited breed for my family. what other factors should I be concerned about? Thanks a lot

[Dave_H]

Hi Matt.
I'm not going to reccomend a breed because i'm not familiar with many. I know what it's like when something like that happens.
I feel for ya dude.
Dave

[seti]

Well I have a collie...I can't imagen a better dog (yes, I'm bias)...but it's bigger and sheds.

Sometimes when you're looking for a dog that can go bikeing, but you still want an inside dog, you have to look to x-breeds. I'd look for german shepard cross breed in the 40-50lbs. range. Shepards generally make for good looking crosses. I've also come accross people that keep Labs inside, even though they're larger.

[tonym]

Sorry to hear about your loss! It's not fair that humans and dogs have such unequal life spans.

I lost my buddy of 9 years (he was 16, we adopted him from a shelter), a Golden Retriever "Paddy", last spring. We had to put him to sleep (I hate that term) as he had a spinal stroke and couldn't walk or move.

We had two other dogs at the time...we directed a lot of attention at Asta, a Wire Fox Terrier and Angus, a Mini-Schnauzer. We recently added Daisy, a Yorkie.

I hate to recommend a "replacement", so I'll just ask you to consider the breeds: Wire Fox -- smart, active and a clown. You can't find a closer friend! Mini-Schnauzer -- intelligent and empathetic, active and gentle. Somone who demands time and love from you! Yorkie -- a dainty little bundle of hell! Lot's of energy and never a dull moment, and a better watchdog than a Doberman. Always wants to be as close as possible to you!!

No matter what the breed, take some time to grieve your friend and then get somone else not as a replacment but as a new friend...


Tony

[Wiz]

I feel your pain matt. We had to put down my dog, Lotto, who was a collie. He just couldn't stand one day. He cried so loudly that everyone decided to put him to sleep without my knowledge.

Needless to say, i put a few holes in the walls from punches. He was 12 and i miss him very much.

Get a collie, they are the greatest. My dog never bit someone ever. He guarded babies whenever one was over.

[Phantom]

My sincerest sympathy to you Mattheadfat, as I am a owner/lover of (4)-Beagles. They are sidewalk trained & have run of the house while we work. The wife & I opted to forgo children but these ARE our kids! Our first is now 12 this AUG. He still has some good years in him yet, but, his time will come and I know it'll be VERY hard! Sometime, with people, you get to explain things before they go, but with an unconditional loving dog, you just have to know that you gave them the best home they could have ever had! Each one of our Beagles has there own distinct personality which we could never, nor want, to replace. We will want to cherish there memorys when gone and make a NEW friend happy http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
I do suggest Beagle's as excellent pets as well as a short haired Mutt from the pound! Just remember, every dog needs repetitous training! My Brigade walks off-lead on city sidewalks. Sit & wait at, (almost), every crosswalk. I do this every morning, every evening.
Sorry, I will not get into anymore of this as I have too much to add to this particular subject. Please Mattheadfat, you are more than welcome to email my wife Nicole at: beagle4@novagate.com for more personal info on good & bad dog breeds. She works at a Vet's office and knows every breed there is! (drives me nuts sometimes) She'll be happy to help! Sorry, this was too winded.

Chin Up!
Phantom

P.S. Smaller Medium dogs do live longer than big dogs. Some breeds, you may not expect, have hip and back problems. Please read up & check into your next dog to make sure you both are happy http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif Thank's

[This message has been edited by Phantom (edited 03-23-2000).]

[grandslammer]

My sympathies, friend. In my life, I've only had a few dogs, but each one for long, long periods of time. So I know what it's like to loose a friend. A lot of people don't understand that the dog becomes a part of the family after a while, you know?

Anyway, the smartest dog I've ever had was, (and is) a Maltese. Small, ours is like 8 or 9 pounds. (actually large for a maltese!)

But, she is definately the smartest "animal" in our house HA!

The "show" dogs you see have long straight very fine hair down to the ground. We keep Dutchess' fur clipped to about an inch or two, because it is impossible to keep it nice at any longer length. We love her, and she lets us know when anyone is around. Very loyal dog.

Of course, we have a St. Bernard, who weighs well over 120 pounds, sheds and drools ridiculously in the heat. (YUKK!) But she is loyal and guards our girls untiringly. Just wish she was as smart as the maltese.

Good Luck In making your decision, and I'm sure you'll end up with a great companion.

Mike P.
http://www.bigfoot.com/~MikePrettyman

[socalgal]

I'm sorry for your loss, Matt. It's an awfully painful thing to go through to lose your best bud.

May I suggest if you're looking for another dog, to head to your local animal shelter. You may find yourself another best bud that will suit your family's needs and you'll save a life who will forever be grateful for his rescue.

You'll never be able to replace your loved one gone - he/she will always hold a place in your heart... but you can find another one to love.

[Faramir]

sorry to hear about your loss-- hard to believe a dog can mean so much. I have two collies and I highly recommend the breed to anyone, they are good watch dogs and great with kids. they do require a little more grooming maybe than other dogs.

[Algee7]

I know the pain of losing a canine family member. You have my deepest sympathies.

As far as your next dog, we LOVE our beagles. They are really great pets. Very energetic; don't shed all that much and are very intelligent. The cold doesn't bother them at all.

If you'd like to see mine, check my homepage from my Profile.

You will stop hurting eventually but you'll always have your happiest memories of your spaniel for the rest of your life http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[narayan]

Sorry to hear about your friend, matt.

[Smokey]

Amen, Socalgal http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

Sorry to hear about your loss Matt...

[zskillz]

my family had to do the same to our 14 yr old chocolate lab over thanksgiving(of all times!) we were all very distraught especially my younger sister who had "Barney" around for her whole life (she's 13)...
It took sometime, but after much research, we finally decided on the RODESIAN RIDGEBACK as the new puppy that we wanted to get. in the end, we got two from the same litter, and they are awesome... http://www.isawdog.com/Alta/RhodesianRidgeback.html
that url might help or not, but a search will provide you with lots of liinks...
they are very intelligent dogs that were originally bred in S. Africa to hunt lions... ahahha that's great(it's true too!).. they don't shed, and they are fairly calm dogs and supposedly easy to train because of their intelligence

anyway, if you want, i'll email you a bunch of pictures of them, so just lemme know so you can see what they look like (beautiful dogs)
-Z

[welsh wizard]

Sorry to hear about your dog, it's alway sad when they go, this is just a thought,you say you want a dog tatdoesn't shed to much and can run along side you when you are on the bike. how about a "grey hound" that will keep you fit, they can be very good family dogs providing they grow up with the family, they are good inside and out, but they do require lots of runs.
WW

[Ed_S]

I feel for you. Like others. I've had few pets, but long-lived ones. Although we've a bit of a menagerie these days! http://www.sysopt.com/forum/biggrin.gif

If you MUST look for one right away, I'd agree with the animal shelters...

But frankly, in my experience the best way is for it to just..happen. Sorta like meeting people. A neighbor's dog will have pups, or someone needs a home for their pet for some reason, and things develop.
That way you make a new friend, instead of trying to find a "replacement", which no animal can ever really be. http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif

Ed

[Target]

Agree with WW.....greyhounds are great family pets, and love to run along side you when you bike. Short hair, not a lot of sheading either. Not sure where you live, but the dog tracks here have adoption programs for dogs they retire from racing before they reach 1 yr. Adoption is free btw.

[oblivion]

Adopt a pet,that is my opinion,get a greyhound or whatever.......mutts are always the best............if I were to pick a big dog it would be one of these........
irish wolfhound,mastiff,akita.....if she were a smaller medium dog it would be a chowchow,austailian shepard,lab.........or a basset hound.........................


Sorry about the doggie.......but she/he lived a good life I am sure......

[jl123]

Hey sorry about your lose matt in know how you feel. I had a few puppies die on me right in my hands and it seemed like i had known them for years. Probably because their mother was my bud for 7 years. Well i gave her away because i didn't want to see her die and suffer so i gave her to a good home. Now i have two labs and they are great. They really don't shed at all. Maybe a little but not to the point where you can acually see the hair falling out. They are extreamly fun to play ball with. Mine like playing with anything ranging from a tennis ball to a basketball and they are even fun to just sit there and watch because the way they are always alert and any little noise their ears just pop up(not pointy). I have one named Dallas and one Paige. Dallas is the mother of Paige. Paige has some character that is just so funny. She will acually run around and play with a tennis ball by herself. Yeah well anyways this is a good breed to have.

Oh yeah and they are very active http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

~Joel(jl123)

[U-96]

if shedding is a problem, you might want to consider a soft-coated wheaten terrier (http://www.scwtca.org/), a breed of Irish working dog.
Their coats do not shed, but instead need daily grooming to tease out the hair (10 minutes a day is a it needs). Also with a decent coat like that, cold won't worry it too much http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif
They also fall into the size range you are looking for...
We had one for eight years, and she was loyal, attentive, unfussy with food (ate EVERYTHING) and got on well with our three cats...

I have to agree with the above posters about trying animal shelters first, but sometimes buying a breed is necessary for particular reasons (allergies, good with children etc)

U-96

[Roraycr]

Sorry for your loss. I've been there twice in the last 2 years and will probably have to put another 15 yr old Lab down this year.
My suggestion, if you're not interested in showing the dog in AKC breed or obedience trials, is to look at your local APSCA or Humane Society. These animals are there for various reasons and most of the time it's not bad attitude or illness. Many are just, lost, abandoned or the family must move away and can't take the pet. I've even seen expensive pure-breds in these shelters because people just couldn't keep them any more.

[Toadman]

If you grew a fondness for the feathery cocker ears and furry flags on the legs, but maybe in a 45-50lb. package, look at the Cocker's cousin, the English Springer Spaniel also. These liver/white or black/white sporting dogs can run all day with you, yet couch potato quite easily. Very loyal also.

[smurfin]

I have to agree with Socalgal. Save a doe eyed mutt from the pound and if you pick well they will be your best friend and staunchest defenders. I have saved three from being destroyed over the years. Each has been a faithful companion and oddly enough they seem to recongnize their dilemna and will return the favor. You can't go wrong with a mutt. Heinz 57 all the way, a little bit of everything. They seem to get the good traits from every form or fashion of their cousins.

Bill

[pickel]

Hey Matt: When my Keeshond buddy "RING" of 18 years found it necessary to depart this life I was very saddened myself. My deepest sympathies. WE just got us the cutest and most ferucious(HEHE)little Lab. His other brothers are still up for adoption if you're interested. Think he's gonna be a great addition to the household http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif...but the cats don't think so http://www.sysopt.com/forum/frown.gif I'm sure you'll find a nice little fella to keep your cocker's memory alive. We're all thinking of ya at this time of your loss.

the pickel& Verdee

[mattheadfat]

thanks everyone. phantom, i emailed your wife, thanks again. i guess it sort of helped knowing for a while that he was going to have to be put to sleep. he first got cancer in his cheek, the doctor said it might be cancer, but that he was acting to healthy, and that it might just be a growth of some sort. we paid to have it removed, he wore the doggy cone thing for while and then we felt another growth on his chest under his chin. soon there were 2 the size of kiwi's, they got bigger day by day. we agreed that as soon as we saw him go through any discomfort that we would take him it. he was wheezing when he lied down and the tumors were clearly visible, it was really sad, but i rather this than him going through any pain, I’m sure anyone who ever had any pet die has similar stories, it’s really too bad, I wish dogs lived as long as those parrots and turtles that live as long as humans.

I know that I want to wait for a while before getting another dog, but I definitely want another. I’ll try the spca first, but I’ve heard so many horror stories about the behavior of dogs from their, any imput?

[BBA]

I know how you must feel to loose such a good companion. I know that if I lost my Jasmine ( Shephard/Rott cross breed ), I'd be a wreck for a long time.

I do think as socalgal suggested, a trip to the animal shelter is the most humane thing you can do for some otherwise doomed pet.

Sorry buddy!

[SysOpt]

When my family lost our dog of 13 years (had to be put to sleep from liver failure from years of anti-epileptic drugs -- I had to make the decision), we were devestated for more than a year (and still are in many ways, many years later). It's just like losing a family member.

We eventually got up the courage to go to the SPCA and adopt a dog - a great Australian Cattle dog (red heeler) whom we named Matilda http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif. She is extremly smart and a great companion, but hers wouldn't be a good breed as an indoor only dog whatsoever. I wish you the best and you have my sincere sympathies. Not everyone understands what it is like as never having a pet as a longtime companion, but many people do understand including lots of folks here.

Scott

[This message has been edited by SysOpt (edited 03-24-2000).]

[mattheadfat]

My dog had epilepsy also, but his could be controlled by his diet, without drugs. My dog hadn’t had a seizure for 5 years at least.