No Pups Please

Todds like cats OK and we enjoy our reptiles and amphibians but, and I think I speak on behalf of my whole family when I say that we love dogs. That said, we, Daniel, Sarah et al. do not have a dog, or a puppy. Those photos of Carter playing with that adorable little pup were taken when big "E" (Eric, Sarah's youngest brother) brought over his friend's puppy for a little visit.

We talked about getting a dog a while back. Sarah really wanted a puppy for Carter to play with. One weekend with April and Wes' dog, however, changed her mind. I was glad because although I love dogs, they require so much time, patience, money, and...wait a minute, they sound just like kids and we already have two of those!

So, no doggies for us, at least not yet. A few years down the road we will likely get one. Here are the breeds we'll likely go for:

Bull Terrier (*NOT a pit bull...very different actually)

Bull Terriers are known as friendly and outgoing dogs, even having a "clownish" attitude about them. Their physical strength is matched by their intelligence, and both body and mind need to be kept active. They can be fun and playful. As a breed they are generally placid and will not normally make the first move. They are very affectionate dogs that love human company. Bull Terriers are particularly good with children, and usually have a high pain threshold, which reduces the risk of injury from a defensive bite.

English Bull Dog


And if we have enough property:

Rottweiler

In the hands of a responsible owner, a well trained and socialized Rottweiler can be a reliable, alert dog and a loving companion. However, any poorly trained dog can become a danger in the wrong circumstances. Some people think of a Rottweiler as a mean, vicious dog but those are the Rottweilers that are abused and not treated as they should be. Rottweilers that are loved and cared for can be just as nice as any other dog and in general they are fond of children, very devoted, quick to learn, and eager to please. However, if they are not receiving the mental stimulation they desire, they will find creative and sometimes destructive ways to elicit it. Such behavioral problems as chewing, barking for attention and eating less can be a result of lack of human interaction. The Rottweiler is a good working dog that is also good for protection of children, as well as guard duties.

The Rottweiler is a steady dog with a self-assured nature, but early socialization and exposure to as many new people, animals, and situations as possible are very important in developing these qualities. The Rottweiler also has a natural tendency to assert dominance if not properly trained. Rottweilers' large size and strength make this an important point to consider: an untrained, poorly trained, or abused Rottweiler can learn to be extremely aggressive and destructive and, if allowed to run at large, may pose a significant physical threat to humans or other animals. They can be strong-willed (bull-headed) and should be trained in a firm, fair, and consistent manner - the owner must be perceived as the leader.

"They can be strong-willed (bull-headed) and should be trained in a firm, fair, and consistent manner - the owner must be perceived as the leader." <--sounds a like like Carter!