Convincing husband for smaller dog to help with depression?

I have cats and a 145-pound Labradane mix. He goes everywhere I go, so I'm worried about who would care for the animal if I get sick. Would I ask my kids' friend or anyone I know? Now, cats are easier to care for and require less work than a dog.

The only problem I have is that once in a great while, she will put a small hole in my bag by walking on me. It doesn't happen a lot, so sometimes I find a weird leak. So, I cuss at the cat and change it. No biggie. Now, the dog has made bigger messes than the cat. A couple of times, he got into my trash and pulled out a surprise package, stinking up the house because he decided that he wanted the smelly treat. Luckily for me, he didn't roll around in it.

Portuguese Water Dog is just a bit smaller than a Lab. Girls are normally smaller than boys. Super dog, like having a member of a family in the house.This is Teddy. He is now 4 years old, 2 in the picture. We breed them in the UK and had a litter of 13 last year and another planned for this year. We show and work the dogs as well. They like a 1-hour walk a day and want to be with you but not in your face. We have 5, yes 5! We show the dogs and will be at Crufts with 4 that have qualified. Teddy is neutered so can't be shown in the UK. But he is worked and swims in the Portuguese Water Dog trials in Portugal along with one of our others. The good news is they don't shed and the coat is wool, but they do need a haircut every 8 to 12 weeks. :)

Hello Digby.

My friend has a portugese water dog who is getting on a bit now. My wife does the trimming so we get to know him quite well. LOvely dog!

Best wishes for Crufts

Bill

Hi!!!

I have a 6lb Yorkie...she's six years old and I must say she is my companion and company. Aside from having a colostomy bag, I also have osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia very bad. And when I have bad days, which is quite often, she will just curl up very close to me. She is wonderful therapy for me and on the days I hurt sooo bad and cry, she will come sit next to me and take her little paw and place it on my thigh and gives me this look of "it will be ok mom". Sometimes she will use two looks for about 2 minutes then curl up against me. She is very careful and calm. So I understand about a small dog. I purposely got her because I can't do the things I used to do, so she is wonderful company.

Never thought I would be a small dog guy but ended up for a number of years with three small shelter rescues...all 11-13 pounds. Good kids, and full of love. Nothing against labs, but I agree with you.

Shelter dogs are the best ever! Do not shop, adopt! You may want to go to your local shelter or rescue and foster a dog of your choice. You can use it as your trial period and give the dog a break from the chaotic shelter of never-ending barking!

I volunteered for many years at a pet rescue and fostered many animals. It helps to know what you like and do not like in a breed! There are always exceptions! I have a Rott/Cocker mix that has the biggest heart of any dog I have ever had! She loves everyone and is extremely smart! She was trained in the prison system in Ohio. The dog lives with inmates, preparing them for adoption. She is the best-trained dog I have ever had. She is only 54 pounds so still fits on the bed with us! Lol. Small pups are more lapdogs but either big or small, they are loving! Good luck in your choice, but it may need to reflect the time and energy you have to devote to the dog. Big dogs need more exercise and more room to play outside. Labs especially, unless you adopt a senior. (Always a thought) That is all I adopt now! They are discarded so easily because of their age or maybe their owner passes away! I just want them to live out their life in luxury and not a pen or backyard!

Puppyluv

Greetings, I have to agree with your husband on this one. A Lab is without a doubt an excellent choice. Many smaller dogs tend to be yappy, spoiled, and disagreeable.

With minimum training, Labs are generally well-behaved and lovable. Because of their many attributes, Labs often serve as guide dogs for the visually impaired and blind.

Get a Lab already. You won't be disappointed.

It has been about 3-1/2 years since the original post. Freedancer, can you enlighten us as to what ultimately was decided and how it's working out? Inquiring minds want to know! (Snicker, snicker)

I have been divorced for three years and do not have a dog. However, I recently purchased my own home and am thinking of getting two hives of bees!!

Oh, terrific about the bees! We used to have hives in Louisiana when we lived there, but here in Kentucky we're a bit more urban and don't have a place for a hive that wouldn't disturb the neighbors. If you've never worked with bees before, I can make a few suggestions.

1) Point the opening of the hive away from any neighbors. Locate a bird bath nearby so they have a ready source of water during the summer, and keep the water refreshed every week.

2) Don't raise guinea fowl - they are smart birds with a liking for bees, and will position themselves by the hive opening and nip them out of the air as they enter or leave the hive!

3) Find a local beekeeping group and attend meetings and sign up for their newsletter. It's amazing how much stuff you don't know that you don't know until you read about it!

Of course, if you already know about beekeeping from the past, forget I said anything!

Good luck. And if you still decide to get a dog, they usually have no problem with the bees and vice versa. The only time one of our dogs got stung, it was a wild carpenter bee, not one of our gentler honeybees. (Just HAD to stick her nose into the clump of honeysuckle on the fence!)

Thank you for the awesome suggestions!! I will be joining a club here in Billings or nearby. I am going to take a class and I checked with the neighbors to make sure they aren't allergic.   So far so good!  

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