Here's the sketch of the perfect dog (sorry it's so long):
My favorite dogs are the English Shepherd and the Cardigan corgi. I have had experience with dachshunds. I have a small house, a small yard, and a small daughter.
1.Ideal dog for present needs:
Most importantly, GOOD WITH CHILDREN. Since we won’t have our own home for awhile, tidiness is appreciated (shedding, housetraining, destructiveness). Willing to spend time on long walks or playing outdoors, but should be well behaved or independent during “quiet time” (usually 2 hrs long or so). Best would be a dog that would cuddle next to me for awhile during quiet activities (reading, writing, crafts, etc.). We currently have some small pets: rabbits, birds, lizards, fish, turtles. Would like dog to ignore said creatures (which are almost always shut in cages/tanks/aquariums). Can leave rabbits out of sight if necessary, but being able to watch when I took them out for exercise would be a bonus.
Size: medium, maybe even on the small side. Abt. 24-30” tall, I guess
Looks: I prefer sables, more elegant than bulky, tailed
Herding: I’d prefer gathering to driving. Someday I’d like at least chicken, goats and sheep, possibly tougher animals too (not for years in the future)
Guardian: I’d really like a dog that I could feel safe with, and trust my kids with. Loyalty is a big thing for me- I’d like one to be loyal. Reserved but not violent when first meeting strangers.
Daily life:
Typical weekday:
Get up, feed/water animals, take a long walk, maybe to a park, and similar outside activities, put baby down for nap and have some quiet time on computer or reading, Jim comes home from work. After that things get more varied: run errands, one or both does a quiet activity, fun activities together, etc.
Typical weekend:
Friday, date night (Jim and I out together, baby either at sitters or tagging along). Saturday, spend morning doing something fun (attending dog/rabbit/chicken shows, playing outside, etc.). Sunday, spend at least three, usually four or more, at church related things (no dog allowed), rest of day spend on quiet activities.
Vacations:
Non-dog vacations: visiting family (1 week either Thanksgiving or Christmas, sometimes 1 week in late summer-early fall), family reunions (usually one week in summer)
Maybe dog vacations: visiting my family (1 week either Thanksgiving or Christmas, sometimes 1 week in late summer-early fall),. Dog would need to travel well (it’s a 10 hr drive), get along with other animals (currently my family has 1 golden retriever and 2 dachshunds, 3 goats, several outdoor cats,)
Dog-included vacations: camping and hiking trips with just our family, frequent during warm months.
My favorite dogs are the English Shepherd and the Cardigan corgi. I have had experience with dachshunds. I have a small house, a small yard, and a small daughter.
1.Ideal dog for present needs:
Most importantly, GOOD WITH CHILDREN. Since we won’t have our own home for awhile, tidiness is appreciated (shedding, housetraining, destructiveness). Willing to spend time on long walks or playing outdoors, but should be well behaved or independent during “quiet time” (usually 2 hrs long or so). Best would be a dog that would cuddle next to me for awhile during quiet activities (reading, writing, crafts, etc.). We currently have some small pets: rabbits, birds, lizards, fish, turtles. Would like dog to ignore said creatures (which are almost always shut in cages/tanks/aquariums). Can leave rabbits out of sight if necessary, but being able to watch when I took them out for exercise would be a bonus.
Size: medium, maybe even on the small side. Abt. 24-30” tall, I guess
Looks: I prefer sables, more elegant than bulky, tailed
Herding: I’d prefer gathering to driving. Someday I’d like at least chicken, goats and sheep, possibly tougher animals too (not for years in the future)
Guardian: I’d really like a dog that I could feel safe with, and trust my kids with. Loyalty is a big thing for me- I’d like one to be loyal. Reserved but not violent when first meeting strangers.
Daily life:
Typical weekday:
Get up, feed/water animals, take a long walk, maybe to a park, and similar outside activities, put baby down for nap and have some quiet time on computer or reading, Jim comes home from work. After that things get more varied: run errands, one or both does a quiet activity, fun activities together, etc.
Typical weekend:
Friday, date night (Jim and I out together, baby either at sitters or tagging along). Saturday, spend morning doing something fun (attending dog/rabbit/chicken shows, playing outside, etc.). Sunday, spend at least three, usually four or more, at church related things (no dog allowed), rest of day spend on quiet activities.
Vacations:
Non-dog vacations: visiting family (1 week either Thanksgiving or Christmas, sometimes 1 week in late summer-early fall), family reunions (usually one week in summer)
Maybe dog vacations: visiting my family (1 week either Thanksgiving or Christmas, sometimes 1 week in late summer-early fall),. Dog would need to travel well (it’s a 10 hr drive), get along with other animals (currently my family has 1 golden retriever and 2 dachshunds, 3 goats, several outdoor cats,)
Dog-included vacations: camping and hiking trips with just our family, frequent during warm months.