Counterpoint: Best Dog For Retirees - Mixed Breed or Purebred? Shelter Dog Or Puppy?

ConsumerReports.org Blog: Money discusses the best dogs for retirees. It's strange that the blog mentions pure breed dogs only, but the printed version adds "any mixes of these breeds are great."

So what IS the real recommendation, Mr. Daughtery? Why leave out an important point? Mixed breeds can easily meet the needs of retirees. For example, how about a cockapoo, a dog that can combine the best attributes of a poodle and a cocker spaniel? See this post for Why Cockapoos Are THE Best Designer Dogs.


Could You Resist Simon, the Cockapoo Pup Pictured Above?

And one other point. Although I initially agreed with Mr. Daughtery's panel of experts about a retiree getting an adult shelter dog versus a puppy, I wonder what prompted this statement. An adult shelter dog can be just as time-consuming as a puppy and may be harder to handle. It's harder to bond with a misbehaving adult dog than with a cuddly puppy.

Comments Please!

valmillsy

P.S. Here's an effective obedience training DVD for a retiree with a new pup -
It's PAWSible! Dog and Puppy Training DVD.

See my review of this training DVD.

Ten Reasons Why COCKAPOOS Are The Best Designer Dogs

Simon Sez:
"I'm a young mixed breed dog, a Cockapoo.
I look a lot like my dad Spotty,
a Cocker Spaniel."

What is a Cockapoo? No, it's not a vulgar expression, but a mixed breed dog. If you mate a cocker spaniel (American or English) with a Poodle, the result is a Cockapoo. For the most part, the size of the poodle determines the size of the offspring.

According to the Wikipedia definition of cockapoo, breeders usually choose a toy or minature poodle as one parent. On average, a full-grown Cockapoo weighs 12 to 24 pounds and stands 10 to 15 inches.

Most people think designer dogs represent a recent trend that eventually will fade away. But Cockapoos have been bred since the early 1940's. Contrary to what most designer dog naysayers believe, this mixed breed dog is not a fad.

Here's ten reasons why Cockapoos are the best designer dogs:
1. They can be small dogs (toy poodle/cocker spaniel combination), but not so small you can easily step on and hurt them.
2. They are all different - one might look like a poodle, another more like a cocker spaniel.
3. They are sweet dogs. And they are truly affectionate dogs. Maybe not necessarily lap dogs, but certainly owner-loyal.
4. If you are allergic to dogs, you probably won't react to a Cockapoo pup. Their coats are hair, not fur.
5. They love people and will wiggle their butts when their owner walks in the door and when they meet people on the street.
6. They are easily housetrained (relative to other types of dogs) and obedience-trained.
7. They are extremely photogenic (and easy to photograph).
8. They are energetic and playful.
9. People have a good time guessing what mix/breed they are. Alvin is a Bichon Cockapoo and looks a lot like a Bichon Frise; that really confuses some people.
10. You meet a lot of people when you walk your cockapoo pup!

valmillsy

P.S. Here's an effective obedience training DVD for your Cockapoo puppy or dog -
It's PAWSible! Dog and Puppy Training DVD.

See my review of this training DVD.

Designer Puppy Breeders - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Please check out this Squidoo lens on designer dog breeding and comment on the statement at the end of the lens:

Designer Puppy Breeders - The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

valmillsy

Incorrect Liver Shunt Diagnosis?

Picture on Left: Prince Alvin The Patient Catching His Breath After Partying Too Hardy

In the last month, Alvin has visited the vet 3 times for blood work, and is about to go again this week.

Why are we putting the pup through numerous blood tests?
The vet's lab has returned 2/4 results so far that indicate he has a possible liver shunt condition. Since this condition can be fatal, we want to make sure the lab results are correct. Allegedly this lab had problems calibrating its centrifuge - and that's why more than one animal's blood tests returned with high liver enzymes.

Today I asked the vet to do one more test and send it to another lab for analysis. He agreed that before Alvin has neuter surgery on Monday, one more test would be wise.

Playing with an Animal's Health
As I'm writing this blog entry, I'm wondering if these labs are regulated or can they just not maintain their equipment and get away with it? Causing unnecessary pain for an animal and emotional pain (and additional costs) for owners is not the best way to stay in business.

I expect to learn the good news about this blood test on Saturday.

valmillsy

On another more positive note, I posted a Squidoo lens titled: The Best of the Designer Dogs - Cockapoos! Check out the Ten Reasons Why Cockapoos Are The Best Designer Dogs.