Chelsea Kaplan’s Musings About Life... After Birth

Posted by Chelsea on February 13, 2008

Aside from Momtourage member’s Alison’s golden retriever, Dylan, I’ve never been a huge fan of dogs. I grew up with cats, so I’m partial to them. Dogs are just so….high maintenance. Most jump all over you, hump your leg, sniff you, bark a lot…ugh. Generally, I just don’t like ‘em, much to dog lovers’ disbelief.

Dylan, however, is chill, which is probably why I like him. My husband wants to get a dog at some point, rationalizing that “Every boy needs a dog.” If I could be guaranteed a Dylan, I’d get a dog, but like kids, you just can’t guarantee that the dog’s personality will be everything you’ve hoped for.

My son and Alison’s twin girls with Dylan last June.

Mommy, can I have one?

I’ve actually always found little dogs like pugs and English bulldogs kinda cute, but I think the reason I like them is that they’re sort of cat-sized. At that point, you might as well just get a cat, no? Plus, they’re not particularly sporty, which I guess would negate my husband’s Normal Rockwell-esque boy/dog dreams.

The perfect compromise might be a beagle, the hot new dog of the moment, as one was named Best in Show at last night’s Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show:

Seriously, this dog is CUTE. Small, sporty and apparently, usually pretty sweet? I just may change my mind.

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how close are your neighbors? beagles bay. a lot. if you’re okay with howling then they’re great dogs, but if that bothers you i’d look for another breed.

Warning….beagles need lots of activity. They have loads of energy and require just as much walking and playing. But they really are fun and great partners if you are a runner.

go for the golden retriever. they’re excellent dogs. although if you don’t want a super hyper dog, try to find one that’s more around 2, because before that they’re pretty hyper and like to chew things up. my family’s first dog (when i was about 12 and my brother was about 10) was a golden and she was the best dog in the world.

Anonymous on February 13, 2008 at 3:30pm

I would NOT get a dog based on cuteness, no matter how tempting it is. Beagles bark like mad and are very hyper (like Jack Russells). Goldens are great family dogs because of their low temperment. I second the recommendation to get an adult rather than a puppy, and it has been my experience the more purebred a golden is the more potential for being more high strung. We had a majorly pure bred golden whose parents were show dogs, and while I loved that dog, he was really nuts. We then had a dog that we adopted that was part golden, and she was fantastic, calm, so well behaved. But that was just my experience.

Rhett on February 14, 2008 at 12:42pm

we have a golden (gus) he’s 11 this year and he has been the most laid back, friendly, cuddle dog in the world the entire time we’ve had him. he just wants to be near someone, or be acknowledged with a kind word or a rub of the head and ears… but never a demanding moment. once i was stuck in a traffic jam for 2 hrs with him in the back of a honda accord and he never even stood up… he just chilled with the windows down and never got anxious. i was climbing the walls of the car - but gus… just glad to be alive. i think that should be the golden’s motto. “glad to be here.”

Anonymous on February 15, 2008 at 8:33am

I’ve helped lots of people choose dogs with great results. A good dog like Dylan comes from spending LOTS of time with people; you are training a dog every minute he’s with you, whether you realize it or not. Turning out a good dog is a holistic affair, not solely a result of sessions with the trainer. If you get a dog, stack the odds in your favor - do your homework (Goldens are usually great family dogs but there are other good breeds and mutts too), get an adult dog that is already trained, and see if you can keep him for 3 or 4 weeks on a trial basis before making the decision permanent. Oh, and start watching the Dog Whisperer - that guy knows what he’s doing. Good luck! - Dog Lover

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