Dogs
 

We are about to get a new dog. I have had dogs previously in the UK, this will be our first Canadian dog. I was wondering what are your experiences of having a dog here and any info or suggestions would be welcome.

Re: Dogs
 

Check your local bylaws - licensing, no off lead (leash) walks, get a breed that's happy to go out in the snow :D
Vets are expensive so you may want to get one of those pet insurance packages.
:)
https://www.citywindsor.ca/cityhall/...20245-2004.pdf (opens in new tab)
https://www.citywindsor.ca/cityhall/...-Licences.aspx
https://www.citywindsor.ca/residents...Dog-Parks.aspx
Other stuff https://www.petsplusus.com/node/645

Re: Dogs
 

Here in BC there are loads of backyard breeders advertising on Kijiji. Make sure you buy wisely and be prepared to wait if you are looking for a specific breed. If you don't care too much about breed, you should visit your local RSPCA to see what they have.

Other than that it's pretty much the same as owning a dog in the UK. Pick up after your dog and don't let it off the lead in a dog park if it is aggressive towards other dogs.

Re: Dogs
 

Six years ago, when we bought the house, we got a 6ish month old red mixed breed from the OSPCA. He is great.
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...e858f5ad4.jpeg

Re: Dogs
 

Vets are expensive here even compared to the US, so keep that in mind.

If your looking for a specific breed, be prepared to likely pay a fair amount, dogs for whatever reason in Canada are crazy expensive.

If not looking for a specific breed then various rescues might be an option, just be aware some rescues import dogs from other countries, strays usually, with limited or no background on the animals history.

We ended up having to go to the US to get our dog 5 years ago, I wanted a dachshund specifically, which really never show up in the BCSPCA (they seem to hardly ever have any smaller dogs) but because we lived in an apartment the rescues all said we didn't qualify for a dog, so we went to Washington state where the shelters and rescues had no problem adopting to people who live in apartments.

Your city will probably have an annual license, its usually not too expensive, but make sure to get it as the fine is usually higher than the cost of the license.

We rent so adding a dog limits our housing options, but its worth having a dog, she brings great joy to our life.

Re: Dogs
 

Quite. Laws regarding dogs differ from municipality to municipality let alone province to province.

I'd suggest ensuring that you have a fenced area for the dog to go outside, (& be prepared to shovel the fencline in the winter to prevent the dog escaping over the snow drifts!) and check out where, locally to you, you might exercise the dog. (Dog parks etc). Vets bills can be phenomenally expensive. One of our dogs (10ish, a rescue bitsa) was sick the other weekend & visits to the Animal ER service for a vet consultation & X-ray was $1k - credit card required upfront. (Veterinary care is all about monetising the owners love for the pet). Colleagues of my wife are facing a $10k bill for care and surgery for their dog.

Consider a rescue dog. We have two. They have markedly better lives now than they did but can come with their own set of challenges.

Re: Dogs
 

In this house we have a whippet and a greyhound and previously had a golden retriever/poodle cross. Every week I see a black Lab, a Newfie/something-else-big cross, an Australian cattle dog and a chihuahia/terrier cross. All of these dogs live in the country, all cope with snow (some in coats).

I'd say that the choice of dog depends on the same considerations as in the UK, they can all manage here.

Re: Dogs
 

He is a Bassett Hound so deep snow not ideal lol
Much less of a problem in Windsor than NB though. We will get pet insurance. Thank you for the links :thumbsup:

Re: Dogs
 

What a handsome chap! 😁 😁 😁

Re: Dogs
 

Thanks Jsmth things being expensive in Canada? I don't believe it :rofl: On the plus side I can't remember how cheap /expensive it was in the UK so hopefully that will take the sting off.

License!? He can't reach the pedals! :rofl:

Re: Dogs
 

What's a snow drift? :p Garden is fenced but I will check it a bit closer.

We will definitely be getting insurance but wholly dog biscuit batman!

Re: Dogs
 

I probably should have mentioned it in my op but we have already chosen the dog. He is a Bassett Hound named Bennie.
​​​​​​
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...3e550bf75f.jpg

Re: Dogs
 

:wub:

Re: Dogs
 

Cute little bugger, always liked basset hounds, don't see many around these days though.

Re: Dogs
 

My daughter has literally just taken home an 8 week old Havanese ............... from the photos that I've seen he's as cute as a button, but she's going to have learn to groom him.

They have non-shedding coats, so the hairs just grow and grow and grow. If not shorn, the hairs will reach the ground. Grooming is very expensive!

Good dust sweeper upper, though :rofl:

Her original thought 2 years ago was a silver labrador whose tail would have cleaned the coffee table, so maybe small is better ............... actually, their rooms are small-ish as the house is almost 90 years old, and the lab would have filled the whole space in front of the fire place!

Re: Dogs
 

He looks awesome - is he your first basset hound?

We've got a basset and a beagle who are eagerly waiting on PR with us. The basset will run round growling when on Snow - so if that's a basset thing prepare to laugh yourself silly for 6 months of the year. Can't offer any Canadian specific advice, but saw it was a basset and had to comment :lol:

Re: Dogs
 

I'll ever only have short haired dogs because of the grooming thing, our dog literally requires just a quick bath in the bath tub, hair is too short to ever need grooming, too short to mat or tangled, or anything getting stuck.

Just never get a dachshund if you can't deal with stubbornness or lack patience the breed requires a great deal of patience from the humans.

Re: Dogs
 

Our dog can't even get into the car without help, her legs are so short....

Key with vets I have found, ask around, find one you like and stick with one for all your needs, a vet you have a lasting relationship with is more likely to help you in an emergency and work out some sort of option if say your pet gets sick at 1am and you can't access funds because of the time of day and you have to decide quickly about options, sometimes the cheapest vet is not the best vet, I found that out the hard way once with a cat.

Charlee currently goes to a 24/7 animal hospital, they never close, and they don't charge emergency fees, so the price is the same at 3am as it would be at 3pm which came in handy once when she decided to get hurt at 3am.

Re: Dogs
 

Rather than insurance our dogs are on the vet's "wellness plan" which is essentially a year's worth of dog maintenance (annual exam, greyhound teeth cleaning, vaccinations, monthly pills, some other items) for a fixed price with a discount for uncovered services. It works out about 10% cheaper than the items individually and there's that discount you never want to use. In return the vet gets a guaranteed customer for the year. This may be worth asking about at your nearest 24 hour vet.

Re: Dogs
 

We got a puppy earlier this year from a reputable breeder. We have a interest in showing her. We do not need a license as we live out of town. In town you do. Re pet insurance, we decided at $80 per month to not get it. Even though we used the complementary 6 week insurance against a uti that would have been 200 bucks.her wellness exam was 75 bucks her second shots 60 and her third 152 both those with nail trims. Puppy classes 129 through petsmart (quite impressed). Her 1st groom 80 bucks - looking for a new groomer as that's close to adult costs. The breeder paid for a chip and eye exam (entropian). She also supplied a puppy pack with leash harness toy's and food.
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...d3252f0f4d.jpg

Re: Dogs
 

Oh...I am so in love with these puppies. PP you just have a teddy bear. Alex..I demand a cuddle!

An odd thing...have any of you found that breeds here tend to be a bit smaller than in Europe? I have a Cairn Terrier here but he is quite a bit bigger (and much thinner) than the other’s I have met. I have met a couple of Britons in the park with Labs and German Shepherds who have mentioned a difference in height?

Re: Dogs
 

I have a miniature poodle, he's my service dog. I never knew what great dogs poodles are until i got him, not at all like the spoiled, shaking , handbag dog versions you see. . He loves the snow, isn't fussed by the cold, he's not to impressed by this constant heat right now. They are intelligent and friendly, high prey drive so loves to chase balls, hes very fast.
We did have insurance but its too expensive, best to save the amount you'd spend on insurance.

Re: Dogs
 

Is he a picky eater?

We have a poodle mix and he is the fussiest dog we have ever owned when it comes to food.

Re: Dogs
 

My step mom has a miniature poodle, and oh my is he picky, will only eat specific kinds of food, and will literally not eat otherwise, never seen a dog so picky.

Our dog is semi-picky but nothing like my step mom's poodle, my mom has a poodle mix and he is picky as well, wonder if its a breed trait.

Re: Dogs
 

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...80931ae80.jpeg

They need masks :)

Not really lol

just Make sure up to date jabs like Rabies is done

Re: Dogs
 

I wonder if it is a breed thing. There has been a few occasions where we switched food brands and he didn't eat for two days. I bought some expensive raw food a few weeks ago as a treat for him and the ungrateful bastard turned his nose up at it.

My bulldog inhales her food, no problem there.

Re: Dogs
 

Our dog wont eat dry kibble, and she is picky with canned food, but she will eat some brands of canned food, but we feed her primarily raw, for a 10 pound dog raw is pretty on par with a high quality kibble, she primarily eats Primal, and Red Dog Blue Kat. The only meat she isn't fond of is rabbit, she will eat it, but you tell she is like wtf is this.

Re: Dogs
 

My poodle cross ate anything, by the bucket load. Oats, beet pulp, cat food, small dead animals brought in by the cats, even the proper dog food given to him. Picky eating may be a poodle trait but they're not all like that.

Re: Dogs
 

​​​​​​
He was for a while and yes poodles will refuse to eat for a while if the food isn't to their liking. When he does refuse then I pick up the food bowl after 5 minutes.
He's actually quite food motivated which is good so I can use treats as rewards. When he gets a high value treat such as a Whimsie he will save it until the next day, usually he carries it round with him.
You just don't indulge a poodle's poodletude.

Re: Dogs
 

I just got this email from my vets. Is this fairly common where you are?

Re: Dogs
 

Have had something v similar from our vet (York region, Ontario)

Re: Dogs
 

The vet we went to in Vancouver did similiar. Except they dont have a parking lot so they have people call to check in, when they are ready attach the dogs leash to a hook they come out take the dog in. Vet calls and talks to you on the phone, when done they charge credit card and hook dogs leash and you get the pet.


They have some exceptions if your pet is being put to sleep they allow the people in if they want to say good bye and be there with their pet.

Re: Dogs
 

It's still all very strange to me.

You can go to the dentist, you can go to the optician, you can get a get a Tattoo, you can get a haircut, but you cannot be in the same room as your vet :unsure:

Re: Dogs
 

Yeah its a little weird, and no real consistency even within the same chain when it comes to retailers, one location restricts entry where another is free for all.

I am finally caving in and getting a hair cut....

You would think though they would at the high rest stops supply soap in the washrooms during this time, water alone probably isn't sufficient, and nobody was social distancing anywhere at the rest stops, and way more people on the road vacationing than I expected although I did notice some BC parks recreation sites were closed as we visitor centers.

Re: Dogs
 

When I worked as an A/Cst with the RCMP this got me into the habit of always having a small bottle of hand sanitzer and some disposable gloves in my car. You never know what you will encounter when you get out of your car.

Some of those rest stop 'huts' between Kamloops > Vernon are utterly disgusting, no running water whatsoever and the smell of excrement is hideous in the Summer :sick: makes the coquihalla rest stop look like the Hilton.

Re: Dogs
 

One thing I like about US interstate system is the rest stops tend to be decent and more frequent as well. Some states do better than others but most are still an improvement over what we end up with here. Lol

When I lived in WI they have these Oasis stops gas and food without having to venture off the interstate. OK has some too.

Those save time since you dont need to venture off the interstate.

The only real nasty one I know of in California is east of San Diego but west of Yuma off I8 but its in the middle of nowhere in the desert with no source of water nearby in the sand dunes.

Re: Dogs
 

Yes he is my first Bassett. Any breed specific input would be appreciated 😁 Previously had German Short-haired Pointers, Labs and Staffies. He is settling in nicely. He is very laid back and taking everything in his stride so far. The only thing so far that he does not like is the rain 🤣

Re: Dogs
 

We went to the vet that is around the corner and luckily he seems to be good, not particularly cheap but seemed to be average for the area. We also found a 24 hour animal hospital not far away. They are not taking new patients but said that they would happily take him out of hours as a drop in if necessary which is a great safety net. :thumbsup:

Re: Dogs
 

Wow what a beautiful pup! 😁 I imagine that coat takes a fair bit of upkeep. We found a doggy daycare that does puppy classes - he starts in a couple of weeks. They also offer scenting classes once he has done the basics which we think will be great for him.

Re: Dogs
 

You are welcome to a cuddle but your ears and nose are at risk - he is well into the puppy biting phase. Arm yourself with a few treats and he is putty :rofl:

I can't say that I have noticed much of a difference in size but I haven't had a dog here so likely just oblivious. Ours is an American Bassett and they are smaller and less crinkly than the European Bassett.