Wow, four Berner Sennenhunden (Bernese Mountain dogs)?! I fell in love with them when we were living in Switzerland. Unfortunately, at the time we were in an apartment and they really aren't suited for that.
l_l_a, you are so very right! Many people get enchanted with a puppy or dog and take it home without really thinking things through. Not only does the size and energy level have to match the owner's lifestyle, but there are also other things to consider. It is a commitment for the next 10-15 years and not some toy that can be placed in a closet and forgotten about once the initial excitement has worn off. No matter what the weather, or how you're feeling, the dog has to be excercised daily.
Many people also underestimate the costs involved. They might think that the initial purchase price and a bit more for food and basic vet care will cover it. Actually, if you aren't already set up for a dog, it could easily end up costing you thousands of dollars more. I overheard folks at the dog conference laughing about how they had to buy a larger van when they got their second St. Bernard. Now they've gotten a third St. Bernard puppy and are once again looking for yet a larger transport van! A game my husband and I played was to walk through the parking lot and try to guess what sort of dog a person had just by looking at their car. No clue how correct our guesses were, but we figured that the little two seater was for a chihuaha. :dogtongue2:
Other folks don't realise how expensive it can be to fence in their backyards. Our new house didn't have a proper fence. Having two terriers that love to dig, we had to install a "dig-proof" fence, which meant embedding the fence down into the earth, with a concrete base. 5 guys worked for a week to get it done properly (quite a large yard). Worth every penny for the peace of mind I have now that not only won't my dogs get out, but no other animals will get in. We figured the cost of the fence into our overall house-buying budget, but it could have come as an unpleasant surprise if we hadn't thought things through and planned accordingly.
My main reason for getting a dog was for companionship since my husband is often away on business, and living in a foreign country can make you lonely at times. Dogs don't care what language you speak, so that was another big plus for me. My German still isn't perfect, but dogs don't care about grammar all that much. :doglaugh:
. My 2 answers are because I want a friend & companion, but also because I want to compete in various dog sports. But unlike the poll says I don't have to win - sure winning is great, but I would much rather that myself & my dogs have a good time doing it & progress in both our relationship & training than simple win.
