<p>“This thread reminds me of the AKC list of top breeds that was released a couple of weeks ago. The list was based on what the trends were for people , yet I saw so many offended people whose dogs were not listed. Let’s face it , we dog owners all think ours are the best dogs ever !”</p>
<p>Yes, we all think our breed is the best because we love them so much. Those lists can just be downright ridiculous. A friend of mine was trying to convince me how passive pit bulls actually were. She showed me a list of dogs that were considered more aggressive than pit bulls…including cavalier king charles spaniels. That just cracked me up, you have to take those lists in context. A cavalier may be very aggressive while trying to comfort and love you, as opposed to ripping your head off!</p>
<p>bus… I’m sorry, but I really take offense when people say things like that. I generally get along quite well with you but my babies are my babies. </p>
<p>First of all, pit bull is not a breed of dog. There are several breeds of dogs considered “pit bulls”. Even if you are referring to American Pit Bull Terriers, they are not the strongest breed, the most aggressive breed, or any of the other myths that surround them. They are simply the breed that grabs headlines. I see dogs labeled “pit bull” all the time that range from bull dogs to great dane mixes. </p>
<p>What “pit bulls” ARE are the most abused, neglected, overbred, and killed dogs. AND less than a few generations ago, they were also America’s Nanny Dogs. Back when it was the GSD, dobermans, and rottweilers that people were demonizing. </p>
<p>I would never recommend a “pit bull”-type dog to a new owner or an elderly couple because they require lots of exercise. </p>
<p>But you can. If you’re looking at purebred dogs, then you can and should look at breed characteristics. You should not look at the breed characteristics and assume you will get one that is completely different. This is particularly true if you get a puppy.If you are adopting an older dog, then you may be able to rely on what someone who has owned the dog tells you. I say may because one person’s idea of a low maintenance dog is not necessarily another’s.</p>
<p>The ATTS test is not a test of aggression. It measures many things including aggression, but also things like whether a dog is frightened by stimuli such as loud noises or an umbrella opened suddenly in front of them. In other words, a golden retriever or pug who cringes and tries to crawl into its owner’s lap when startled by a shaken pail of rocks flunks the test. Many “Pit Bull type” dogs (specifically Am Pit Bull Terriers, Am Staffordshire Terriers and Staffordshire Bull Terriers) are sweet family dogs, but when these dogs turn, look out. In just about every study I’ve seen they top the list of dogs involved in fatal dog attacks.</p>
<p>Oh, I know what you mean romani, your babies are your babies. And you know the particulars about pit bulls, and most of us don’t. Your arguments are similar to my family member and friend that owns the pit bull.</p>
<p>But do you deny that the vast number of dog bite fatalities and serious dog attacks come from pit bull mixes and rottweilers? When you hear about a dog attack, don’t you know…almost for certain, before you even hear the breed, that it is some type of pit bull or rottweiler? You know it’s not from a chihuahua, though they probably bite people more than any other breed, but they can’t really cause much damage.</p>
<p>I might use breeds as a general guideline, but… since they are looking at rescuing (hooray!) an adult or older dog, it gives them a bit more advantage over adopting a puppy.</p>
<p>IMO their best bet would be to contact a reputable rescue group or two. There are more and more groups saving dogs from high kill (often gassing) shelters and transporting them to areas where they’ll be much more likely to find homes. Many of these dogs end up in the care of volunteers who foster them until they are adopted. The rescue staff can assess their behavior and temperament, and share that information with their potential adopters. </p>
<p>I would look on Petfinder and find some dogs that interest them, and focus on the ones where their foster families have gotten the chance to know them pretty well.</p>
<p>Our last two dogs have come from exactly that situation. Both were from high kill shelters, one from Kentucky and the new one from West Virginia. The rescue group we used for both of them went to those shelters and selected them. The foster families that had each of these dogs was completely on target in their description about their personalities, temperament, habits. We got exactly what was described. The only thing that was a little off with the first was that they told us they felt our Saint was losing her hearing. Over time we found out that she could hear just fine, she just had “selective” hearing :). But that took more time than the foster family had her. Both dogs were totally grateful to have a forever home.</p>
<p>I’ll echo the big dogs can be tripping hazards - before getting havanese, we had a 120lb golden. Very loving dog, yes but he also liked to spread himself across sun spots - which given his size made walking through the living room or kitchen difficult for me let alone my elderly parents. He also shed alot and when they get sick, medications are much more costly. Our golden cost us over $1000 in his last week of life, and when he wasn’t able to walk - getting him to the car to take to the vet was IMPOSSIBLE without at least 3 strong people and a tarp.</p>
<p>all pets can be a tripping hazard…I think a bigger dog would actually be less so because they are easier to see…but they can knock you over where a small dog can’t.</p>
<p>Beagle are great but I had one full-bred beagle who had to be put down because of back problems that paralyzed him. Better to get a beagle mix. Schaunzers are cute and easy to pick up.</p>
<p>“all pets can be a tripping hazard…I think a bigger dog would actually be less so because they are easier to see…but they can knock you over where a small dog can’t”</p>
<p>Sometimes I’m convinced my small dogs are trying to kill me. They are so excited when I’m going up or down the stairs (means we’re going somewhere), that they will run right in front of me. I’ve learned to step very slowly when the dogs are around.</p>
<p>Maybe a friendly cat would be best. I hate the smell of cat litter, but I heard about the Tidy cats Breeze system, and told my sister in law about it. She says it has changed her life. No more smells, no more tracking litter. It might be a better option.</p>
<p>What is the Tidy cat breeze ? I have a cat box upstairs in one of my bathrooms because our new kitty doesn’t get along well with one of my dogs…I have been using a different kind of clumping litter that I got at Petsmart that is all natural and very easy to clean , but it tracks and smells strange.</p>
<p>The Breeze system, made by Tidy cats is sold at many places, but we bought one at Petsmart for my Grandma. They are pretty inexpensive. Unfortunately Grandma was too senile to follow the simple directions. The people at Petsmart told me that customers really love this system.</p>
<p>The deal is, they have a litterbox that has fairly high sides. They have these non-tracking pellets that you use for litter, and change out once a month. On the bottom of the litterbox, there is a urine pad that you pull out and change once a week. The litterbox ends up having no smell to it, as the urine goes through the litter and is absorbed by the pad. The litter doesn’t track, supposedly there is no smell, no mess.</p>
<p>I read about it online when researching for my grandmother, and told my SIL about it. She was having to sweep up after her cat three times a day, and the litterbox always stunk. She just loves it, no more irritation about the cat.</p>
<p>I have to check this out ! I have a car box in my laundry room too , but it is hardly used . Having the box upstairs is a nuisance and none of us like the mess and smell. I wish the litter had some type of deodorizer in it because it’s so much lighter than dragging a 40 lb box up there
Thanks bus driver</p>
<p>Sure, lje, I hope it helps. Some of the online comments said that even when they changed a soaked urine pad, because of the composition of the litter, the used urine pad didn’t even smell. I would definitely talk to the people at petsmart, because they seem pretty enthused too. Anything that makes ones life less smelly and less messy is a good thing! Now I just wish they had something for dogs.</p>
<p>Hey busdriver11 , I wanted to let you know that the cat box you recommended is awesome ! I bought it off of Amazon and recently weaned my cats off the old clumping litter system. It is better than anything I have ever used. So easy to clean, never smells and no mess whatsoever. So happy you mentioned it here .
Thanks !!!</p>
<p>About the tripping hazards of dogs, I think that is a major concern in choosing a pet for an older person. I have heard of 3 different people in my area who were injured this winter tripping over their dog. Perhaps a calm dog would be the major consideration so they aren’t racing around underfoot.</p>
<p>Small (so they can pick up) mellow (match the exercise needs of the dog and the older adult), non- aggressive, if possible to discern (dont neet to have to pull the dog off other dogs or humans), easy to train, ones that wont bold when you open the door (so I agree, no hounds), low maintenance, etc. We did petfinder match a while back and had several options. Chose a Cavalier. Love, LOVED that dog. He was a rescue so was completely trained. Highly recomend that, for benefit of the dog and the owner.</p>