Do you think I should have a Bernese Mountain Dog?

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Kel Kel

My family and I live in a small town in New Hampshire in a house with about a 1 acre land surrounded by woods. Our family has two children, one is 12 , the other 14. We want a dog that will be friendly with the family, playful, and will enjoy walks. Do we have enough space, and is the Bernese Mountain Dog ideal for our family?

Answer
You have way more than enough space, you can live in a 1 bedroom apartment and have one.

The question is dedication. Do you want the children to care for the dog? If so this is a bad idea, children will rarely upkeep a dog, so be sure there is an adult available to step in!

Are you getting a puppy? if so make sure there will be someone there st first for potty training.

Make sure you have funds available for vet visits, supplies, and a fund for emergencies (or pet insurance). Make sure you get all vaccines, and make SURE you get a crate.

Are you going to make sure you get a high quality food? It is VERY dangerous for dogs this size to be on poor food. Stay away from:

Ol Roy
Iam
Pedigree
Purina
SCIENCE DIET
Alpo

Or anything else at walmart or the grocery store, and please buy:

Innova
Wellness
Canidae
Solid Gold
Eagle Pack
Blue Buffalo

or another high quality food. You will avoid so many HUGE vet bills!! :-)

Make sure you have the dedication to train and exercise a dog of this size, boredom can lead to destruction.
Lastly, PLEASE buy from a reputable breeder! With large dogs, health testing is so important, and it will keep you from having to put your dog down in a year.

What should you have for a puppy when you first get it?

Kate P

I am getting a German Shephard/Husky cross dog who is 7 weeks old. She will be a big dog in the end as well.

Answer
Vet, premium quality food, crate, bed, food bowl, water bowl, collar, leash, 25 foot lead for safe play, treats for training, Natures Miracle (an enzyme cleaner) & toys.

Our pets need quality pet food. Read the ingredients list and learn what the stuff on there is and what it does (or does not do) to/for our pets. A quick pet food 101. If the pet food contains corn/corn products or by products it is a poor quality food. Do not pay attention to advertising, they all say there food is great. Corn is a filler that can trigger skin problems. (allergies, skin problems, itching and excessive shedding) By products is anything from an animal not fit for human consumption, including cancerous tissue. Quality foods have meat as the first ingredient. California Natural, Solid Gold, Innova and Merrick are a few of the best brands available. If you want to learn more check out: http://www.sagekeep.com/petfood.htm www.api4animals.org/facts?p=359&more=1 http://animalark.eapps.com/animal/PetFoods.nsf/$$PetFoodsByRating?OpenForm

The first thing to remember about house training a puppy is there ability to hold themselves is limited. a rule of thumb is they can hold "it" usually 1 hour for each month of age. 2 months old = 2 hours, 3 months old = 3 hours, etc. when your puppy wakes up (morning, nap, whatever) the pup has to go, right then! take the pup out. when the pup eats or drinks, it has to go, take the pup out. after exercise (play), take the pup out. when the pup does it's thing outside praise it. a lot. tell the pup how good, how smart it is. you have to pay attention to the pups "looking for it's spot" behavior. when you see that behavior indoors, whisk the pup out. if you catch the pup in the act, simply tell it "NO!" and whisk it outside. if you find a puddle or pile after the fact, clean it up with an enzyme cleaner (pet food store) get a newspaper and hit.... yourself in the head and say "i should have been paying more attention" daytime training they get pretty fast. night time training is easier if you crate train the pup. also remember the one hour/one month rule. you will have to get up through the night to take the pup out. good luck.
three websites on how to crate train a puppy

http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~rc207100/info-pub.htm

http://www.inch.com/~dogs/cratetraining.html

http://www.planeturine.com/pettips/dsp_crateTrainPuppy.cfm

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what pain meds can i give my dog for a hurt leg?

dog crates vizsla image

Amanda Har

my Vizsla jumped up to grab a frisbee from our bradford pear tree and landed on a steel bucket (bobcat) and continued to play and is now hurting WHAT DO WE DO?

Answer
Make sure there's no broken skin nor torn nails etc.
Cage rest your dog for the rest of the weekend, and only walk on a leash outside to potty and right back in. If your dog will sit quietly without being in a crate, then ok to leave out with the family. No playing, no running, no leaping, no frisbee, no playing with other dogs. Rest.

If your dog stops using a leg, carrying it, then I would go to an emergency vet. If just sore, then it can probably wait until Monday. If your dog gets worse and worse, need to see a vet before Monday.

Do NOT give your dog human meds!!!!! They can cause stomach ulcer, and then you'll have your dog vomiting blood, in addition to pain from the injury. Don't even think about giving human meds.
I have seen the ulcers before from that, and it's bad.

Can you tell me more about this breed called Vizsla?

*l*

Please tell me more about this breed like how much you feed him and ....

Answer
My major concerns would be:
Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Vizslas MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Vizslas are famous for chewing through drywall, ripping the stuffing out of sofas, and turning your yard into a moonscape of giant craters.

If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking, or to get involved in hunting, or advanced obedience, or tracking, or agility (obstacle course), or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. Trying to suppress their "hardwired" desire to run and work, without providing alternate outlets for their high energy level, can be difficult.

Bounciness. Young Vizslas (up to about two years old) romp and jump with great vigor, and things can go flying, including people.

If you have small children, or if you or anyone who lives with you is elderly or infirm, I do not recommend Vizsla puppies. The temptation to bounce is just too strong in many young Vizslas.

Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Vizslas need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.

Providing enough socialization. Vizslas need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become shyness or suspiciousness, which are difficult to live with.

Mind of their own. Vizslas are not Golden Retrievers. The best Vizslas are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal, but they have an independent mind of their own, can be stubborn, and are easily distracted by exciting sights, scents, and sounds. You must show them, through absolute consistency and great patience, that you mean what you say and that they must pay attention to you.

Shedding. For such a shorthaired dog, Vizslas shed more than you might think. Their short coarse hairs come off on your hands when you pet them, and stick tenaciously to your clothing, upholstery, and carpeting.

Housebreaking. The pointing breeds can be a bit slow to pick this up. Expect several months of consistent crate training.

Health problems. Seizures and epilepsy are major problems, along with hip and eye disorders, bleeding disorders, skin diseases, and cancer

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