San Diego Housing Bubble News and Analysis

Here is the Chinese crested, purty little thing. :)

Chinese Crested Hairless

And here is the xolo. It's reported that the Xolo gives off a soothing heat when it sleeps with you. Good.

Xolo

I'm not sure I want to take on a dog, but if my kid wants one, there's not much I can do.

Both of these breeds have no hair, just skin, so there is less dander or no dander. They are sensitive to the elements, so they are to be dressed up depending on the elements. If I get one, I'm going to dress them up in little cute sweaters and ribbons in their hair.

:)

The chinese crested from the breeders are really expensive. I have seen some charging $600 on up!

Marion,

My wife and I have French Bulldogs so that is where most of my limited expertise comes from but here are a couple points to ponder. We show our dogs so they are all pure bred. Pure Bred dogs tend to have some more problems than other mixed breeds. If you are going to buy a pure bred dog I would highly suggest that you get one from a reputable breeder. To do otherwise could possibly set you up to get a dog with serious health problems. I could tell you stories but they would take too long right now. Of course, if you want to hear them, let me know and I will tell you about one of our first dogs. Of course, French Bulldogs weigh about 25-28 pounds so they are not an option.

A rescue dog is always a great way to go but you have to be ready to deal with some significant problems. Rescue dogs are rarely problem free. They were either abused by their owners or they have other problems that made them unsuitable to be placed in a house. You will probably have to spend a lot of time working with them. My wife's folks have a rescue Boxer that is absolutely adorable but she requires a lot of TLC. Not all bad but good to know going in.

From my observations at dog shows, the Chinese Crested is a very nervous dog and probably only second to the Italian Greyhound for being skittish. If I had to guess, most of them looked like they weighed more than 12 pounds but I am not sure about that. I have no idea about the Xolo.

Look at what you want the dog for. Is it supposed to be a companion dog or a playmate for your child? Is there going to be someone home all day with the dog or is it expected to spend the days alone? How much exercise can you give the dog? These questions will start to frame for you what the correct type of dog would be for your family and your living situation and hopefully prevent you from making a less than optimal decision.

As far as the potty training goes: it somewhat depends on the breed. It also depends on how closely you can watch them and be their Daddy or Mommy and teach them the right thing to do. We train our dogs to go to the door and then look at us if they need to go out. Having an older dog that already knows the ropes and can teach the younger ones is a huge benefit. Other than that it can take a couple months and a lot of "accidents" before they learn. Of course you can always teach your dog to use a box full of kitty litter - really. In your case it might not be such a bad option.

I would not suggest taking them out in the middle of the night do their business. Bend the dog to your schedule and take them out before you go to bed and then first thing in the morning. Also, have a cage that they sleep in. Every. Single. Night. No exceptions. You are the boss. Be the boss. They will adapt very nicely and be happy about it.

I hope this helps a wee bit.

get a cat.

patb, you must not have been here long or you'd know my aversion to cats. Yuk!lol.

Akula, thanks for you post, but a cage? Why a cage? I was thinking that the dog would sleep in it's own bed or perhaps sleep at the foot of the boys' bed at night.

The litter box sounds like a fine idea. Actually, I love it!Yes, I'd like to hear the story about the problems with your first dog from the breeder. Go ahead. That's what Off topic forums are for.

Let's hear from more of you dog owners, lovers out there. :)

Marion, I encourage you to find a rescue dog. Over 300,000 dogs are euthanized in Southern CA each year. You would be saving a life. Many of the rescue groups can also provide a background history on the dogs. That includes, whether they are housebroken, get along with children, shed, etc.

Samson

I always had a large dog growing up on the farm in Montana. First a lab mix and then a german shepperd mix, both great dogs that took care of themselves and lived outdoor exclusively. A few years ago, my fiance decided that she wanted a dog. She works from home and wanted some company. I was against a house dog from my upbringing, but after a few years of Samson, I'm a changed man. She settled on a Chihuahua/Jack Russell mix (75/25) (9.5lbs) that she got from a breeder in Texas. So, I'll try to attempt to answer your questions from my experience with a house dog.

1) By adoping, you are potentially saving a dog from being put down (my fiance recorded the Oprah show on dog rescues and it was an eye opener), but cons can be the baggage that they are bringing in the form of trust, obedience, etc.

If you go with a breeder, do your due diligence and find a reputable breeder that not only takes good care of the pups, but also the mothers and fathers that are breed. My fiance did her due diligence, including visiting the breeder multiple times before she found Samson.

2) & 3) You will experience some accidents. A good cure is a little "Hot Shot" available in three pack from Costco. But a better cure is buying "Puppies for Dummies" and taking all suggestions and finding out works best during the training. My fiance lived on the third floor of her place in Mission Valley, so it wasn't convienent to get down the the designating "relief area" at all hours of the day, so she potty trained him with a litter box. I didn't think that it would work, but it did. We use Yesterday's News at PetSmart and it works well. Two months ago we moved downtown (we are renting...), right next to Pantoja Park, where we have a quick exit right to the grass. The only time he uses the litter box is when we are gone for a long period of time. In a typical work day, he gets taken out at ~6am, ~12pm, and ~6pm and does fine. Frequently, if we don't take him out first thing in the morning, he runs straight to the litter box.

Samson has a little more hair than the dogs you are considering, but not by much, and he gets cold easily. If you have direct sunlight, their is a good chance that is where they will spend their afternoon (as in the picture above).

I highly suggest crate training. Samson was originally crate trained (and then somebody took a few years off of crate training him), and he is now back in the process of being crate trained again and its working, just taking some time. As the Dog Whisperer would say, be the pack leader. They will still give you the love and affection that you would like from them if you are the pack leader.

Montana

Hi Marion,

I think you posted about this decision before, no??

I really encourage everyone to adopt. It's crazy how many dogs are euthanized annually here in Cali.

Our two (big dogs) we found on an Aussie rescue website and they were within days from being Euthanized. My more Aussie Shepard was really a bit sciddish at first. He had probably been abused and would leak whenever you picked up anything that could possibly resemble something that he could be hit with. But I must say that with love this past pretty quickly. He is such a smart, loyal, and loving guy. I also think that each dog knows who got them out of 'death' row as we have found they have a special bond with us. Both our dogs needed a little training, but not any more than a new puppy would need.

Also, if you are worried about potential issues, you may want to look into a dog that is with a rescue, but is being fostered. The rescue usually can tell you the personality and traits.

I'm sure if you do a websearch on your breed of choice you can find a rescue...saves a life and saves $$$$ too....win win!

I'd suggest taking some time to read about personality and health traits of each breed you are considering.

That perfect, cute little thing can be a real problem if it isn't the kind of pet you expected.

I, personally, know nothing about little (i.e. "cat-sized") dog breeds but I know that in larger breeds, personalities and quirks vary dramatically so just take the time to find a website with that kind of info and read, read, read.

Marion,

A cage is the same thing as crate training that another poster mentioned. It is a safe place for the puppy (or grown up dog) to go that is all their own. Whatever schedule you set up for your dog they will follow it. Sleeping in a cage or crate is a good start. You can find a lot of good ones at PetsMart or other retailers. Letting the dog sleep in your bed or at the foot of your bed gives them the belief that they might be the leader of the pack - they are not - you are and you have to make that clear every day.

The short story about having a bad breeder follows: It is very difficult to get a quality French Bulldog from a reputable breeder. My wife searched for a long time to find a breeder that was willing to sell one of her puppies to us. After conversing a long time we decided to get one of her puppies and he was absolutely gorgeous. We took him to his first show and he won 6 points in one show.(You need only 14 points plus a Major to become a Champion). It wasn't long after the first show that we noticed he was losing hair and had some very troubling spots under his chin. Long story short - he had demoditic mange. It is a hereditary condition passed from parents to children. These folks claimed that their dogs never had any problems although they had continually bred the same pair.(BTW, that is a bad sign. Few serious breeders keep breeding the same pairs) This was a genetic fault that they should have picked up on and stopped breeding one or the both of them. No matter to them, the money was good and they kept breeding the female each time she was in heat.

Although we paid $2,700.00 for our new puppy we had to neuter him after his first show. First to protect his health and second to make sure the genetic trait was not passed on to future generations. We have ended up spending much more than the initial $2,700.00 in medicine, doctor visits and more trying to keep him healthy. We have to spend a bunch of time each day putting creams on his skin, cleaning between his toes, giving him antacids, and washing and combing him. He is unlike any of our other dogs and it is all due to poor breeding. Despite our best efforts and all the cash we have poured out he keeps declining every day. I curse that breeder. Every. Single. Day.

The other dogs we bought have been superb. It was a lot like adopting a child. The reputable breeder needs references, might tour your house or have someone else do it, wants to know what you are looking for in a dog and is basically pretty invasive. They want to know that their baby(their dog) is going to a good home and is going to be cared for well.

This all may seem way over the top. I know it seemed that way to me too at first but it makes a huge difference having the right dog in the right environment. Let me know if you have any other questions.

I'll second the crate training. It's a good idea.

My dogs are outside dogs and even so, I lock them in their dog house every night. Dogs have a "den" instinct so they are actually quite comfortable in there. If you use a cage, put the cage against a wall and put a sheet over it so only one side (the entrance) is exposed. That will make a den they are comfortable in, as opposed to a cage with open sides all around. The difference in their comfort between a cage and a den is significant.

It takes a week or so for a puppy to feel comfortable all alone in the cage without whining. Like kids, if they don't get attention in there, they'll stop whining eventually. Heh, heh. Suggestions to make dogs more comfortable in their den the first few nights include - putting a radio in there that they can hear, a ticking clock, and a hot water bottle.

Crate training also pays dividends when travelling because if they grow up spending the night in a crate, they are more comfortable spending long stretches of time in one if needed.

I'm a fan of getting two dogs at the same time. They experience less separation issues from their owner because they have a buddy.

Aren't dogs expense to own and maintain?
Isn't a vet's bill pretty bad if you don't have pet insurance?

Those are the ugliest dogs I have ever seen. Get a pug!

Pugs really should not be raised in a hot dry place like temecula.They have a hard time cooling themselves off because their specific breeding makes it hard for them to pant normally(as a dog would).

I think this one is cuter and it doesn't have any hair. It might even make a good watch dog?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_OqZyDpp...

Montana, Samson's beautiful! :)

Akula, I'm sorry to hear about your experience with the sleazy breeder. Can they be reported? I hope there is a way, a mark against their record so unsuspected buyers can be warned.

Honestly, getting one from a rescue center sounds like the right thing to do. My sister got her chocolate lab from one. Obie had trust and skin issues though. Early on after adopting him, since she was working during the day at that time, she left him at home during the day by himeself, when she came back a good deal of her house was torn up. Obie had had a tantrum/fit and slashed ALL the curtains in the house. Not only that, the dog had skin/allergy problems so she spent a good deal of money on vet bills/medication.

Another thing, due to the skin problems, if the dog wasn't bathed, it smelled AWFUL! A lot of times my sister let Obie sleep in her bed with her and one time her whole room smelled. That day I almost threw up as I ran from her room. Even so, she loved the dog and had him about ten years before he died from cancer. I liked him too. Took me a while to warm up to him, but I liked him.

SD bear, I thought the chinese crested were ugly at first, and some of them are . If you look at pics of them, there appearance can vary wildly from dog to dog. However, the one I posted is CUTE. Can't you just see her dressed up in a pink sweater with a ribbon in her hair? Haha! I'm such a girly girl, aren't I? I'm sure the boys won't let me do the bows or the pink sweater. Darn!

So, if I understand correctly with the crate training, it's to let the dog know who's boss and to learn boundaries.

If I get a dog now, I don't want accidents, but of course, I KNOW that's not realistic.

Thanks for the comments, guys and I'm enjoying the pics of your dogs.

Another question, don't remember if I asked it in my last thread: Are there any pros to owning one gender over the other?

P.S. Very funny Rustico. :)

One thing I would add that I have heard from just about everyone that I know that has a small dog. . . small dog equals small bladder. Therefore it can be harder for them to be potty-trained. Just a consideration. Couldn't you wait to get a dog until you are in a different living situation? Or definitely consider doing the litterbox thing. I also echo everyone who has suggested getting a rescue dog--there are so many nice animals without homes.

As far as gender goes - I heard that females dogs love you, while male dogs are in love with you.

Not that it matters, but my beef with this thread is that - like so so many others - it should have an "OT" (for off topic) in front of the subject line. (Just a little thread etiquette.) Having said that, I present you with my precious Nube and her kiddies. (I've never posted a photo before so I'm going to attempt to post it in the next post - I offer no guarantees of success. I'm a tech retard.)

Aren't they adorable?

Ok, now I know how to post an image. I guess it's true, you do learn something new every day.

Chinese Crested Hairless dogs are adorable:

Sam - a purebred Chinese Crested Hairless

Marion,

I would read up on the CCH. I have read they have a lot of skin problems. The last trip to the vet to have our dog's teeth cleaned ended up being over $600. because the vet found some pre-cancerous spots on the dog, who has pink skin under his white fur. Unless you plan to get insurance for the pet, I would hold off on getting a dog. I also want to mention that a lot of mutts are generally healthier than purebreds.

Dave your dogs are adorable. Is the mother part Chihuaha? What is she?

That ugly dog Sam...that's a joke, right? Is that some kind of statue? It's not a real dog, is it? If so I WON'T be getting a chinese crested, I guess.

Acetia, thanks for telling me about the vet bill considerations. $600 dollars is a LOT.

Sam is a multi-winning "ugliest dog", a 15yo Chinese Crested I believe.

Here's the website:

http://www.samugliestdog.com/

Marion,

Sam is a real dog, or rather was as he died. These dogs can be cute, can be very ugly, and can and do change somewhat with age. Dont expect your cute puppy to look like that forever. My father was Sams Doctor. I use to wonder why someone kept that dog alive when I worked there.
Smaller dogs pee alittle more often, but not in the same volumes. Hyper dogs are a bigger danger to your rug than small dogs.
Yes these dogs can get sunburns and skin cancer. Being out all day in the desert sun in summer can really hurt them.
Female dogs TEND to be friendlier but personality and training are way more important than sex. However if not fixed, they can leave "heat marks" on the carpet (esp the larger breeds). Unless you plan to breed, PLEASE get it fixed.
Adopting from the pound is one of the best ways to get a dog. Or, find a good vet and work with them. We never turned anyone away when they asked for help, and never asked for a fee that wasnt transportation or something cause we knew that if you treated people well they would be back for the shots, and the food, and the boarding, and the meds and ...........

DWCAP, thanks for the info on Sam. At least he's out of his misery now. The poor little thing was cleary deformed, look at all the extra claws on the animals little paws.

I plan on getting a male, actually, because I'm not planning to breed and I don't want any dogs in heat problems. This is what I heard, any truth to this Pigss?: A female dog owner told me that her dog gets a period just like a woman. She puts diapers on it during that time.

I don't want that problem in addition to what I posted above, so it's a male dog for me and my family.

Nube's a purebred chihuahua, as are her puppies. The father, obviously, is black and had the dominant genes for hair color.

Speaking of the Ugly Dog Contest, here's the winner from this past April's contest at Del Mar. (Nube was entered in the Cutest Dog category and didn't even place! I think the whole thing was fixed... kidding, of course.)

Ugly Dog

Ok, enough with the ugly, I want to see more pretty. Dave, if I may ask, why did you let your dog get pregnant? Are you breeding dogs?

Inquiring minds, you know.

More specifically I'm Nube's co-owner. My girlfriend is Nube's other co-owner. I pay for everything (food, vet, etc.) while my girlfriend houses her, so to speak. (I'm not around enough to take care of a dog on a regular basis.) But I see her several times a week when I'm in town. Having cleared that up...

... my girlfriend's niece wanted a chihuahua puppy, so we bred Nube with another chihuahua (Whiskey) owned a by a friend of the family. The only condition was that Whiskey's owner would get first dibs on a male puppy if Nube got preggers. So, Nube had three puppies - one male went to Whiskey's owner, and the other two pups (one male and one female) went to my girlfriend's niece.

So, that's the story.

Well, that's a cute story. Thanks for sharing.

Ok, when I get my dog you, can be co-owner and pay for everything and I'll house him. How 'bout it?

(j/king) :)

What I can't believe is you're actually being civil to me. We'll see how long this lasts.

An Italian (miniature) Greyhound might work for you. They are great dogs, very loving and pleasant. It is hard to train them but worth it. They have short hair and are good for people with allergies.