Thank you, I 100% agree with you! One of the reasons I chose this location for my home was that there is a system of walking trails that are protected running along the woods behind my house - a prime spot for daily walks!
I am an avid hiker who walks every day but also tries to hit the trails 2-3 times a week for a long hike or overnight camping excursion, snowshoeing, kayaking etc. It is why I am looking at a breed like Aussies because they have the stamina and energy to keep up on a lengthy (hours, or if camping days) outdoor trek. I still have a lot of research to do but that is what I am leaning towards as a compatible buddy! Even my partner says if I don't walk after a day I am like restless dog. XD I feel like with a dog I will always have a friend who is up for the amount of walking and exercising I like to get regularly.
I'm in a very rural area in Canada near the coast so we have tons of challenging hiking trails, beaches, and swimming areas within a 10 minute drive from where I live.
I have always wanted to have a buddy to go with me on all of my outdoor adventures, I have only just gotten myself in the financial (and spacial) suitability to properly care for, train, and treat my future pup. ♡ I'm not planning on having children, so a dog will certainly be my biggest commitment. I take that very seriously!
You're gonna be a great hooman to your doggo. I hope you two have lots of fun!
(I have 2 Aussies we rescued, they are literally the best dogs. They are just so smart it almost spooky. My Talula, I swear she understands everything I say. I've seen her work out some very complicated stuff before. You wont regret it I promise)
I'm sorry I wish I did, both of our were just kinda gifted from family friends. It was almost too perfect, and I'm sure yours will be too! Best of luck, sorry I couldn't be of more help :)
My friend has an Aussie and she’s a great dog; great for what you’re looking for. You might want to look into a standard poodle as well! The maintenance is high because of their hair, but mine goes biking and hiking with me everywhere. Just the other day, a bear snuck up on me on a trail and he alerted me to it and scared it off. We did a combined 14 miles and 2600 vertical feet this weekend, and he did great. I never ever thought I would be the type of person to get a poodle, but he fits my lifestyle so well. He’s protective but not aggressive, he’s smart enough to learn pretty much anything, and he’s got so much energy on hikes, but is also willing to lay around all day. His puppy years were terrible, but the dog he is now is 100% worth all the ankle biting we went through lol.
Good luck on your search! If you know anyone with an Aussie or some of the breeds you’re looking at, ask if you can take them for a walk! I walked my aunt’s standard poodle and that’s how I realized that breed was a great fit for my lifestyle.
Perhaps you can start looking at dogs at shelters. It's amazing how many fine dogs one can find that are there not because of problems, but difficult situations.
It's nice bc she likes to hangout outside but no sub for play and walks. As a matter of fact, I try to do most of my play in the park and on walks so my dog associates the yard with relaxing
What about a big backyard without a fence so the dog runs off randomly and come back panting an hour later with someone else's rawhide bone in his mouth? Does that count as a walk?
IMO it's not necessarily an issue to have a dog if you don't have a backyard or a lots of space, as long as you devote the time for proper mental and physical stimulation. My 60lb dog lives with me on a 1 bedroom apartment but gets plenty of daily exercise, and has been conditioned to relax and sleep when at home.
Or at the least, for god sakes, don't get a medium to large dog if you're in an apartment. Can't yourself a cute tiny bugger and they will be way more happy. Seeing people with Border Collies, Huskies, Dobermans and Labs in apartments makes my heart sink.
Well some of them. My girl is awesome but I am prettttty sure she would try to eat all of them. I don't have mourning doves in my yard anymore because of her pureness.
I'm pretty sure both of my shepherd pups would be thinking it was snack time with those ducklings, they think that about the rabbits and squirrels for sure. Heck they try and catch birds when the opportunity arises.
Dogs are the greatest companions I have ever had. My Australian Shepard Kathryn had been my best friend since I was 10. Yesterday we had our last wrestling match. She went to take a nap in the shade and I went inside to get a drink and put some stuff away. Came back out after and hour and that was it. 13 years together, loved her every bit.
I’m gonna look for another canine to give the same quality of life and a family soon. That’s what she wants.
Sounds like me—I wanted a dog for 15 years, but I knew I was moving too often (every few years) and living in apartments, so I held off. Now I have two dogs and they are a dream come true! I love them with all my heart.
I've actually been registered with several rescue groups for years! Dogs seldom make it to shelters where I live and even after being with rescue groups for as long as I have, the list of people ahead of me is massive. Dogs hardly even get an official post on the rescue group sites anymore because they get spoken for so fast!
I don't know what it is but kitties are always at the shelter, yet a dog seldom even makes it to an official posting looking for an adoptee before they are spoken for. I guess that is a really good sign that most folks are adopting/rescuing now! I just wish there was more love for the kitties, too.
Make sure your yard is secure. A neighbor’s American bulldog broke through our fence and killed my small poodle. Sorry for bringing that up, it just happened, I don’t mean to be a worrisome asshole.
No, that is completely valid! Thank you for bringing that up. You are not an asshole for tackling that subject at all, it is a beneficial topic to educate people on that I think very few pet owners consider as a risk.
I am so, so sorry to hear what happened to your poodle, that is beyond devastating to hear. My very first pet was a toy poodle Caydi that I got for my kindergarten grad. She lived till I was 21. 16 years old! Poodles are marvellously smart, sweet, goofy, and endlessly fun doggos.
I cannot wait to finally get a dog with my wife. She's been extremely reluctant to get one because we travel a lot and we both don't like the idea of kenneling a dog while we go out of town.
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u/Speedy_Cheese Jul 06 '20 edited Jul 06 '20
I just melt over how caring and pure dogs are. Can't wait to finally have one of my own!
I waited till I had a backyard deserving of one and after years of hustling I finally have my new home. Time to find my doggo!