I have a Question

[LadyBird]

I'm in sort of a dilema. I have always loved dogs...and we have 2 cats right now. Would it be stupid to get a dog when we have 2 cats? I have a job so I could afford having a little puppy...or should I wait? I want to get a Shih Tzu. But I'm just not really sure...I'm still thinking about it. One day when I get married, I want to have a bigger dog and I already have a cat.

Does anyone have this kind of dog? What are their temperment like? Do they require a lot of attention?

 

[Key Of David]

Get a shih-tzu puppy and you should be fine. Let him grow up with the cats instead of an adult dog who may not be able to get along with them. I had a shih-tzu puppy and it really broke my heart to get rid of him because I found out I was allergic. He had already grown attached to me and was a very sweet dog. I recommend them.

 

[LadyBird]

Awww really? That's so sad. I love those dogs...they are just so cute. I'm just not sure if I should get one though because I don't want to have so many animals and not be able to give them attention (all I would have is a cat and dog). I know that dogs live for a long time just as cats and am worried that one day I will decide I want a bigger dog when I get married...but I wouldn't want to give up my little guys. Maybe I should just get one and live in the present rather than the future?

 

[ThaKladd]

The best thing to do if you want both cats and a dog is to have them both from when they are babyes together. I don't know how grown up cats react to a baby dog.... maybe it will go just great... I think they can be friends, cause cats are not thet agressive to new creatures in the house...

Our cat was very scared the first time it came in contact with a rabbit.... but later on they were allmost best friends.. everything is possible... We had once both cats, chickens and small rabbits living together...

good luck anyway

 

[Crofter]

You should have no problem with having any pup of any size or breed with your cats.. any breed of pup will need training and will learn quickly to get on with the cats. Training the cats to accept the pup will depend on your cats... but they should learn to co-exist and even to love eachother.

My dog knows not to eat the budgies and to keep away from the sharp beak of our cockertiel. He will lick the rabbit and guinea pig and the rabbit will chase him round the garden! Having different animals is fun for us and interesiting for the animals.

In the future if you wanted to get another bigger dog that should be no problem.. it is as easy to walk two dogs as it is one, and when you leave them they are good company for eachother ( lol... says me with just one dog and trying to persuade my family into becomimng a two dog family!!! )

 

[lucypevensie]

Read about the breed of dog you are interested in before you buy it. Weigh the advantages and disadvantages, and make your decision from there. So many people buy a dog they think is cute, only to discover that that breed tends to have behaviour problems, sheds too much, is not kid-friendly, etc, etc.

This gives a little info about shih tzus http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/shihtzu.html

 

[LadyBird]

Thanks for your advice everyone. I've been reading up a lot on the breed...and am just going to wait another month or so to make my decision...or to get a dog. I have been thinking about it a lot lately...I love dogs...they're so cute and I know that they are a lot of responsibility and I think I could handle it. Thanks for the link lucy...I'm going to check it out right now!

 

[BeanMak]

I have 4 cats and a dog. Everyone gets along fine (written as 2 of my cats pounce on each other) no, really they do. Everyone gets the attention that they need.

 

[Crofter]

Belle.... research shows that the dogs most likely to be relaxed and well socialised and so prone far less towards developing any behaviour problems are oned raided within a family home... for you one with cats in the family. Second to that are pups from a good breeder.

There are lots of material offereing advice on how to pick out the best pup for you... when we got our pup there were 9 pups in the litter and everything we read went out of the window and we just went for the curest little fellow there!


lol! you people are making me want to get a kitten! I'd love a cat... but my hubbie is allergic...