Decisions decisions...

[plumsmum2005]

Yeah, what categories of dogs would you suggest I look into? What's the difference between herding and working dogs?
Anything to think about when looking at cross breeds?

LOL sounds adorable!

Is that a Bitza?

 

[sonja]

Where do you live? There are dog rescues almost everywhere and rescue dogs rock!!!!

 

[Psittaciformes]

Surf: That's really interesting... I'm gonna have to read up a lot more, obviously lol

i didnt want to overwhelm you with stories/info so i wound up giving a quite condensed version of everything. if you have any questions or want to run something by me about the breeds i mentioned or even others feel free to reach out, i only mentioned the ones above as i've done a lot of work with them. i've worked with/researched a lot of other medium to giant breed dogs and would be happy to help where i can. i hate seeing animals re-homed due to being a wrong fit so i always enjoy making sure that doesnt happen.

the original owner of my female shep was a xmas gift from the kids to their mother.... the mother really wanted a chihuahua.....

Thank you, I really appreciate it, had a cold for a few days so haven't really been on here or read up much yet, so I'll be reading a little more today and I might PM you about some breeds

LOL well they're almost the same size aren't they :21::21:

 

[Psittaciformes]

Is that a Bitza?

What?

Where do you live? There are dog rescues almost everywhere and rescue dogs rock!!!!

Sweden (down south, maybe they have more if you go further north towards Stockholm, idk)

 

[itchyfeet]

Is that a Bitza?

What?

Bitza' this, Bitza' that

(crossbred).

 

[Psittaciformes]

I've been thinking a bit and would it be possible to make the dog think of a bird as part of the family and therefore protecting the bird instead of seeing it as a toy?

 

[JerseyWendy]

Sebastian, that depends on the dog, and it can also depends on WHO was there first, the dog or the bird.

A dog with a high instinctual prey drive may see a new bird as just that: Prey. But even puppies of breeds that 'should have' a low prey drive may see a new bird as a toy.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Well I'll probably get a dog first; MAYBE. I'll get one that's probably 2-5 years old, a breed with a low prey drive and obviously the owners would have to tell me about the dog first, but would it be possible to do that at all?

 

[plumsmum2005]

Is that a Bitza?

What?

Bitza' this, Bitza' that

(crossbred).

Seriously a mongrel can be less expensive than a predigree, not always but I keep hearing about this and that problem requiring expensive veterinary fees.

Hope you find one that is right for you, I'm sure once you get out there looking you will be snapped up immediately.

 

[Scott]

There are many breeds that are compatible* with parrots, and no reason to believe a cross between two would be different. Over the years I have had many Great Danes, a Schnauzer, Brussels Griffon, and even a German Shepherd that showed absolutely no hostility towards my flock.

I did, however, have a heartbreaking event when my Bouvier des Flanders was let into the house by a clueless relative. Don't know how critical the order of adoption will be for you, hopefully it won't matter which species arrives first!

*All dogs, no matter how outwardly calm and accepting of a parrot MUST be supervised and never, IMHO, left alone with a parrot. But a dog with a low prey drive makes coexistence far easier because accidents do happen.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Yeah, I wouldn't let them interact unsupervised, the only time they would be unsupervised is when I'm in school, but the bird will be in the cage. Since I'll probably get the dog first, if I get one, I'll have time to train it first.
But the ultimate end goal would be to have the dog see the bird as part of the family so that if danger ever presents itself, the dog will protect the bird as well while I try to protect the both of them, does that make sense?
I don't think a situation like that'll happen, but I'm just trying to make a point lol

 

[RatAtaT2693]

Yeah, I wouldn't let them interact unsupervised, the only time they would be unsupervised is when I'm in school, but the bird will be in the cage. Since I'll probably get the dog first, if I get one, I'll have time to train it first.
But the ultimate end goal would be to have the dog see the bird as part of the family so that if danger ever presents itself, the dog will protect the bird as well while I try to protect the both of them, does that make sense?
I don't think a situation like that'll happen, but I'm just trying to make a point lol

Oh thank heavens, someone who doesn't expect their dog to do all the work. I would also take into consideration, since you're in an apartment, a smaller dog would work best. I don't know what Swedish apartment living is like, but I know that here in good ole 'Murica, a lot of places have a weight/breed restriction. Makes it hard to move.

Anyway, most untrained apartment-sized dogs are useless in that situation. Yeah, you can keep a Doberman, Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute in an apartment, but you'll probably devote as much time exercising him as you would a large bird. (I say "probably" because I came here to learn about birds and can't really speak to what their needs are.) If you want something that has a low prey drive, I would look to the dogs that were bred as lap warmers, like the Cavaliers Spaniel. Stay far, far away from pretty much anything ending in "terrier". You don't need that kind of challenge right out of the gait, and 99% of the terriers were meant for hunting. It's like buying a big macaw on a whim. Pugs are also cool, but they've got a wide array of health issues.

I usually tell my first time puppy clients to get a relatively dumb, laid back dog, regardless of the breed. A lot of people listen, and then there are the people who call me because they insisted on getting that blue-eyed husky who needs to run for two hours solid and is now shredding the house to bits. Really, it comes down to training, though, in regards to your bird. Before you get the dog, look up how to train impulse control. It's going to be easier to train a dog to control their hunting instincts than it is to simple squash it out of them or hope they just don't have one.

For instance, I have pet rats. I also live with a beagle mix. Beagles are rabbit dogs, so if you start making squeaking noises, they come running for the prey. What did we work on? Redirecting our impulses to something that is not the rats. I would never leave the two alone uncaged, but she knows that if I'm holding a tiny squeaking thing, eating it is not an option.

Speaking of cages, crate train the puppy ASAP, especially since you live in an apartment.

And if you need additional help, let me know. I can tell you more about dog behavior than I can about humans, horses, or rats combined. I pretty much grew up running with a pack of dogs.

 

[Psittaciformes]

Thank you so much for the info, I really do appreciate it, I'll more than likely send you a message soon enough
Again, thank you!

 

[glutes]

Dogs are wonderful and so forgiving. Unlike a parrot, they are simply happy to see you when they can. They won't be angry if you leave them for a while, they will simply wait for your return. I'm privileged to own a boxer. This type of energy and attitude is a lot of work! she listens, unless there is a duck to chase. When I don't pet her when she wants it, she tells me. Parrots aren't the only ones who can have a conversation with you!! She is so sassy! Not to mention the farting and burping and food sensitivities. She's a lot to handle sometimes, but she is so sweet. She will do anything to please me. She even puffs her face up to look cute, no joke. She loves snuggling with me every night. Me and her have a strange bond; I am dominant over her, yet she treats me as a young pup. She will hold my hand down and lick one side of my hand, then flip it over and repeat. It sounds gross and all, but she's cleansing me just as pack mates do. When I'm sad, she doesn't leave me, yet she knows when I want to be left alone. When I am upset I often isolate myself in a room by my own, and every 10-15 minutes that I am in there she will peek her head around the door, check that I'm alright, and leave for a while. She will allow me to lay on her and hug her and play with her jowls(my favorite part of her) even though she hates having them touched. Dogs are amazing and you will never experience an animal that loves you no matter what until you get a dog. I also have a cavalier King Charles spaniel. He's great and so easygoing. I love him and care for him, yet me and him never really formed a bond like me and my boxer. A dog is by far the most rewarding pet.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Psittaciformes]

They do sound like they'd make good pets. I still prefer birds thus far, I know I haven't owned a dog but I have plenty of friends and family with dogs, but idk, there's just something so incredibly special about birds to me.
I'm still considering this... Big decision.

 

[JerseyWendy]

...Dogs are amazing and you will never experience an animal that loves you no matter what until you get a dog..... A dog is by far the most rewarding pet.

Your entire post gave me goosebumps, glutes! VERY well said. And 100% true. :heart:

Sebastian, as long as you are undecided, I wouldn't get a dog, if I were you. You said it yourself, you PREFER birds.

I can't pass a dog on the street without having to get up close and personal, meaning face to face hugging, and despite having my own 2 who love me more than anything in this world, I could NEVER be without a dog. EVER!!

 

[RatAtaT2693]

...I could NEVER be without a dog. EVER!!

Definitely! The dog isn't going to fill the same slot as your bird, though. He/she just won't. If you want to look at my explanation of why, knock yourself out. Basically, though, every species and individual has something different to offer.

But like glutes said, they'll love you no matter what. And like they say, if you want to find out why some people prefer dogs over spouses, lock your wife and your dog in the trunk of your car for an hour. Then open the trunk and see who’s happy to see you.

 

[Brittany741]

In my experience, owning a working dog in an apartment rarely lets them get the exercise they need. I would strongly recommend a toy breed. While they still need exercise, they do much better in a small environment where they don't have access to a fenced yard. My chihuahuas are too small to go outside (we have Hawks and my chi's are 2-7 pounds) but they get plenty of exercise running and playing inside the house. They use puppy pads which means if I ever do leave the house and don't crate them, they're able to go potty when necessary.

Large and medium breeds are wonderful dogs, but any dog with energy should have access to a fenced yard. Like people, each dog is an individual. Some working breeds are lazy and some tiny dogs are full of hyper energy. We have an 85 pound Standard Poodle and he needs a TON of space to run.

He also has a high prey drive and cannot be in the house when the birds are out unless he is in his crate. He will stop at NOTHING to try having a bird for a snack. All but one of my chihuahuas don't care or even acknowledge our parrots. Toy/companion breeds are the best little snugglers and also much less expensive to feed. My six chihuahuas eat less per day total than our one large breed dog.

Taking food cost into consideration is important. Dogs should get a high quality food (whether you cook for them or feed kibble.) High quality food is expensive and with a larger dog, they eat a LOT more.