stub
HomeFamilyDoggonit!

Doggonit!

So I was suppose to write a post today about our trip to europe. But my SD card reader apparently died on me and there is no way for me to upload pictures to my computer. Hoping to have a fix within the next day or so. Instead you are getting a blog post about the Ninja family getting a dog. 

A little background…

I grew up with dogs most of my life. At one point, my parents were fostering greyhounds and we had 12 dogs in our house. It was crazy and fun… but mostly crazy. Girl Ninja, didn’t have the best of luck with dogs. She had three Maltese’s throughout her childhood. Two which died after a relatively short time frame (couple of years) and one that her family ended up putting up for adoption because of temperament concerns. We’ve always known we would get a dog, we just didn’t know WHEN we would be getting a dog.

Now is that time. Here’s why:

  1. We’ve never been allowed to have a dog before. All of our previous rentals had a strict “no pets” policy in place. Now that we own a home, we can do whatever the heck we want. Get a dog. Scratch the crap out of our hardwood floors, like I did when I moved the fridge a tiny bit. Paint the walls whatever color we want. You get the gist. A dog is now in the realm of possibilities for us.
  2. My sister lives 10 minutes away, and my parents 20 minutes. My sister has two dogs and my mom and dad have three. If Girl Ninja and I head out-of-town for a weekend, we can have them dog sit without disrupting their way of life. Our dog gets to hang out with their dogs, and we still can go on vacations. If we didn’t have family and close friends with dogs, we probably wouldn’t be ready for one of our own. Knowing we have a support system to back us up in times of need is clutch.
  3. I work from home. I’m home a good chunk of the work day and can engage with our dog frequently. This means, our night can still be relatively free. We want to make sure our dog is stimulated and well socialized. If we had to keep it in a kennel from 8am to 6pm each day, we probably wouldn’t consider getting a pup. This also allows us to be free in the evenings. Since the dog will have gotten plenty of stimulation during the day, we can still meet friends for dinner without feeling guilty that we neglected our third family member.

So how did we decide which kind of dog to get? We simply made a check list of likes/dislikes…

  • I hate small dogs.
  • We didn’t want a long-haired bread. (Girl Ninja sheds plenty for us)
  • We didn’t want our house to smell like dog.
  • We didn’t want a breed that is known to “nip” or bite. (Sorry herding dogs)
  • We wanted a dog that could be active with us (Sorry English Bulldog).
  • We wanted a medium framed dog. (Sorry Great Dane)
  • We wanted a low maintenance coat. (aka I’m too cheap to pay for grooming)
  • We wanted a dog that is known for being trainable and good with children.

After doing a bunch of research, we stumbled upon the Vizsla…


397151197

beautiful_gentle_dog_breed_hungarian_vizsla_wallpaper

If you are like us, we didn’t know what the heck a Vizsla was. But the more we read, the more we liked the breed. They are “self-cleaning” meaning they lick themselves clean and only need to be bathed a few times a year. They have virtually no dog odor. They are teachable. And weigh between 40 to 50 pounds when full-grown.

The only potential negative we read about the breed is that they are a highly active dog. As in, require daily stimulation and exercise. If you’re looking for a dog that will be a couch potato with you on the weekends, this isn’t the breed for you. Obviously the Seattle area is known for its rain. This could be a challenge for us, considering our dog will need to get outside rain, snow, sleet, or shine.

I’m sure we will run in to situations where we want to do nothing more than relax on a cold winter morning, only to have our dog be pestering us to go throw a ball with her outside. It’s going to be a learning experience for sure, but I imagine this is how parents feel when they want to do nothing more than watch their favorite show, but instead have to run the kids to soccer practice? Am I right? 

There’s no going back for us. We are financially committed to a breeder in Southern California. Our pup will be born in Mid October and will be ready to join our family early December. Right in time for the holidays. We are really excited and slightly nervous. Can’t wait to share pictures of Dog Ninja once we get her 😉

p.s. I hate cats

 

Previous article
Next article
RELATED ARTICLES

40 COMMENTS

  1. First off, congrats on adding a dog to your family! I did the same thing a little over a year ago (grew up the same way as you – with a million dogs) and I haven’t regretted it for a second. Very smart about the support system too – it’s always great to have dog friendly family members to consult/dog sit.

    My only bits of advice would be – 1) it’s never too early for obedience classes (trainers can be a great resource) and 2) a tired dog is a happy dog.

    Can’t wait to see pictures of the little one!

    • Can’t believe you hate small dogs. I love my sister’s Havanese. Unfortunately I’m not allowed dogs where I live, and just as well, ’cause I live by myself and wouldn’t be able to care for the dog properly.

      Easy to believe why you’d hate cats.

  2. Yay, congrats! Getting a dog was one of the best money decisions my husband and I ever made. Think about it– you get more exercise with a dog, and we started to just hang around at home more often, playing with the pup. Went out to eat less, and were just in general more happy to just hang out and make the dog happy as our entertainment!

  3. Congrats! Good to have a plan for vacations. The added cost when traveling and having to kennel a pet can be expensive. We just has to put our yellow lab down. She was 13 years old. Toughest thing I ever had to do. We will be look for a new pup some time in the new year.

  4. Congratulations! Vizsla’s are beautiful wonderful dogs. Heck, I love all dogs! But they really are great. Enjoy all the joys that having a dog brings to your lives.

  5. As someone who grew up with a dog (Beagle) and is dying to get one but can’t due to apt restrictions…congratulations and I am jealous. I agree with most of dog requirements (and also hate cats) and had never heard of this breed…something to look into. In terms of keeping them active, does your house have a decent yard? An invisible fence is a great, great thing.

  6. Congrats on getting a dog! I can’t imagine life without our pup, who is a pit bull mix. That said, pits and pit mixes also fit all your requirements– they are active, highly trainable, love children, don’t shed, and are great dogs, once you get past all the negative/incorrect stereotypes. Hopefully there will be a follow-up post on why you bought from a breeder rather than adopting. There are so many amazing dogs out there that need good homes!

  7. Congrats on the dog! I couldnt imagine my life without my pup. Although, I was a tad dissapointed to see your buying a dog, when there are thousands of dogs dying in shelters everyday. Maybe if you like your dog so much and want another thats another avenue to consider!

  8. Congrats on getting a dog! Such a great breed. We have a German Shorthair Pointer and the pro list is the same. She’s super active and loves a good run. If you have an off leash area nearby your pup will love you! If your pooch likes water, throwing a stick or ball into a lake, ocean, pond, etc… tires them out super fast! If you like to ride your bike and leash train your pup well, they will love to go for a run with you. Just a few tips that work for us. Our dog, Josie was a crazy pup (lots of energy, liked to chew wood (Oh No!) and run around like a fool) but now she’s a year and half, she’s calmed down tons. Good luck with the new family member! 🙂

  9. Aw, looks like it’ll be a cute dog! Can’t wait to meet Ninja Dog. I have always had cats, because I liked the idea that they’re lower maintenance than dogs (ie no training, they do their business in a box, and they sleep 90% of their lives). But somehow mine is the most high maintenance cat I’ve ever encountered.

  10. Congratulations on making the decision to get a dog! That dog is going to change your life, for the better!

  11. No you didn’t! Oh yes you did. Hate cats? 🙂
    I guess we all have our preferences. The Vizsla sounds like an awesome breed, especially the no-body-odour part and self-celaning (cat people can I get an Amen!).
    Congrats indeed on the soon to be family member.

  12. Yay dog! Highly recommend investing in a ball launcher, will come in very handy in the rain for such an active breed. I work from home and was running 15-20 miles a week with ours — but nothing got her tired like sprinting after a ball. I thought similarly to you – that it made sense to get a puppy while I was working from home. In hindsight, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking 2-4 hours each day if possible away from the puppy, especially in the beginning, for a few reasons – 1. crate training is an amazing fall back if we want to go to dinner and she hasn’t gotten enough energy out aka can’t be trusted to not chew the legs off of our chairs again 2. It is a nightmare to train away separation anxiety in a dog 1-2 years old. Nothing breaks your heart, or eardrums, quite like leaving a dog who has spent 95% of it’s life with company. Good luck and enjoy it!

  13. You guys did a great job in figuring out what you wanted in an animal before actually buying the animal. Sometimes it’s easy to load up Kijiji and get swept away by the killer cuteness of almost every dog alive and up for sale. I’ve never heard of a Vizsla before, are they a working breed? Looks kind of like a bird dog (like a German pointer) – he has a soft mouth for picking up animals – with a kind-of retriever flavour – stockier body. Should be a good dog for you guys!

  14. I’m amazed you hate an animal. I’m a cat person, but I don’t hate dogs. Not even my neighbors many dogs who have humped me, slobbered on my feet, jumped on me, made me drop drinks from running into me.

  15. That sounds like a pretty cool breed. I have certainly never heard of them. I don’t hate cats, but am highly allergic, so they are not on our radar. We have two dogs now, but both are 8 years old, so we won’t be getting a new one anytime soon.

  16. My husband hates cats – even allergic to them – which may explain why our short-hair russian blue feline insists on sleeping on his head every night. And our feline greatly outweights our little poodle, a resuce from a puppy mill that was shut-down by the federal agents in the Ozarks ten years ago (yes – he is 11 years old now).

    As much as I am excited about your new addition, I am disappointed that you missed the chance to save a life from a rescue organization or city shelter. http://www.petfinder.com shows that there are currently 252 vizsla’s looking for homes. 26 are still puppies and another 127 are under the age of 2. Every single one of our pet-children have come from rescues or shelters and they were already potty-trained, healthy, and loving because they know they are given a second chance at life. Simply put – “don’t breed or buy and let homeless animals die.” Man alone is the one responsible their life ending early.

    I also firmly believe that a dog is typically followed a baby soon. So congratulations on that future arrival.

    • I had the same question – why pay good money to a breeder when there are so many dogs looking for a good home. You’d save money and a life!

    • WOW 252 Vizslas are homeless and looking for a furever home??? That is so sad…Thank you for sharing that though. I’ll have to check out petfinder in my area!

    • Same, I love vizsla’s and was able to get vizsla puppy at shelter near me. Little guy is the best and breeders tend to be a-holes looking to make a quick buck by breeding living animals. I mean the money is good because you could sell a mastiff or doodle for 1,500. Anyone looking could also do a little research and rescue one for about 100 and know you saved at least one dog from being put down.

  17. I used to love cats. Then my stepsons cat moved in with us. He’s an asshole. Now I hate cats too.

    We have two dogs that I love just as much as my kids (sometimes more 😉 lol) A big lovable funny smart Golden Retriever who I can’t believe isn’t bald because everyday I sweep up enough hair to make another dog, and a Shitz Tzu/Havanese cross who thinks she’s a Rottweiler when the doorbell rings but is really scared of her own shadow.

  18. Why the hatred of cats? I get if you’re allergic to them, but to just hate a whole species seems pretty severe. I’m a cat person, but I don’t hate dogs. I just prefer cats because they’re cheaper, easier to take care of and just as much fun. Cats, just like dogs and like people, have thier own personalities. There are some bad cats, but then there are also bad dogs and bad people. I think hating cats without reason (or stated reason) is pretty close minded. I’ve had dogs and cats in life and it all comes down to an animal who wants your love, attention and food.

  19. Congratulations! I never heard of this breed (shame on me) before. Your new addition is beautiful. Congratulations again.

  20. Congrats!! Gorgeous pics of Vizsla breed; very regal! We love all things with fur, but cats are more condusive to our lifestyle. With Hubby’s crazy work schedule, and my running of errands to keep everything tight when Hubby’s working scads of OT, a dog is just not in the cards for us. Perhaps when we retire we’ll get a dog, but it would have to be a breed that’s to the knees or below in height.

    Get started on the obedience training started ASAP!

    Our neighbours have a Mini Australian Shepherd named Abby; she’s beyond awesome!! I love her as if she was my own. My neighbours work from home as well, but they purposely make sure to go out for the occasional evening without their dog so she doesn’t expect to go out everytime they do.

    Can’t wait to hear more about the aniticipation and the pup’s homecoming!

  21. My dog is a mixed breed, but I think there may be some Vizsla because she has the nose/eyes. They have gorgeous eyes! One warning – they are velcro dogs. They really love attention. Congrats! 🙂

  22. It’s unfortunate you went to a breeder however a donation to the SPCA would be nice, don’t ya think? PS congrats on a GREAT looking dog!

  23. Congrats on the dog. A family I baby-sit for has a Vizsla, and he’s great with their two kids. My only complaint is every time we play hide-and-seek, he gives away my hiding place!

  24. We love our little dogs and can’t imagine not having a dog in our home.
    Look forward to your new family member and of course dogninja sitting.

  25. OOOOOOOOOHHHHHHH …them are fighting word Ninja boy!!!! HATE CATS????
    And a breeder? You opted not to save a life of a little guy/gal who already here in the world … me thinks this is a double sad post.

  26. Avoiding the phrase “I don’t have time…”, will soon help you to realize that you do have the time needed for just about anything you choose to accomplish in life.

  27. Don’t hate on cats, they are adorable and if treated correctly, they are sweethearts!

    With that stated, the breed you picked looks adorable! I’m so excited for the pictures!

  28. The only Vislas around here are almost $1,000. They are not common and they are the dog I have chosen as my next pet after I win the lottery.

    You can afford it so go ahead.

Comments are closed.

Related Content

Most Popular