New dog possibly on the horizon...Talk me through this.

If you get a dog, don't get a puppy. Some ideas:

1. Consider adopting an older dog from a local shelter. Easier to train, and as you know, stronger bladder.
2 Dogs are also are a way to get to socialize with people. Take a trip to the local dog park and talk to people. They might know of a dog looking for a human, and you might find someone who would be willing to watch the dog if you take longer trips (and increase YOUR social circle).

 

Good to hear your neighbor is willing to help. That is definitely the biggest thing when you are living alone.

I just do not believe in going to a breeder unless you intend to breed your dog. There may be a rescue agency for your breed. Sometimes people have to give up dogs because of personal issues. The last three bulldogs I've owned were rescues.

 

There are numerous organizations that rescue and adopt only Weimaraners. Check the web.

 

Get 2. They keep each other company. Plus fuzzy heads as an added benefit.

 

Maybe consider human companionship?
Humans have sometimes been called the most problematic of all domesticated animals, but at least they can usually fend for themselves if you go out of town for a few days...

 

Invest in a secure out door kennel, or secure fencing for the yard, and a quality dog door, so your pup can get in and out by itself.

But you already know the puppy drill. It’s a huge time commitment to end up with a great companion. Totally worth it.

I’ll take my dogs over most people any day of the week.

 

We are going thru this too..kind of. Our Presa Canario (also known as Canary Mastiff) passed away from cancer. This dog was huge and very protective. He had such a great disposition it is hard to imagine another like him. But we felt so secure with him around. Although it is much easier now to travel with out a large dog like that.

We will be retiring into the forest by the end of this year and my daughter wants to give us a full blooded and registered Rottweiler. Her's are huge Rotties and very protective but here we go with the travel issues. I say no but the wife says yes. My Granddaughter raises German Shepard's she also wants to give us a puppy. Again I say no.

In the end we will most likely wind up with a Rottie.

 

Dogs need people around. I raise puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and have a wonderful Golden, 4 years old now. He's very tolerant of the pups, he was one himself once (he failed out. I wasn't that upset lol)

I would never consider playing out - not even an option - were I not married. My wife can be there when I am not. And vice versa. Dogs need their people, period. Leaving them alone is not like leaving a person alone. It's frankly cruel.

Pick one or the other. Trying to do both is brutally shortchanging your pup.

Also, while I'm at it, let me recommend ALL of the books by the Monks of New Skete about raising and living with dogs. They are the only books where I can say they genuinely changed my life and much for the better. Made me a good Dog Dad.

 

My life is pretty stable; I don't make changes very often.

The only two major life changes I've made in the last few years were:
* Getting a dog
* Starting to play bass

Both huge improvements. Enormous. Wish I had done both earlier. Now I can't imagine not having a dog or not playing bass.

Figure out a way to do both.

You seem pretty wedded to the idea of another Weimaraner, but those are on the high-maintenance end of the scale, particularly if you're not going to be around some of the time. Maybe open your mind to a lower-maintenance dog? I know, hard to do, but that might be part of the solution.

 

I would say thumbs down on the dog. If you are older,single why tie yourself to something that needs daily care. If you are dogless, you can walk out, lock the door and not worry about how long you are gone. I am tied to a PITA Chihuahua because everybody else in the house wanted one. The dog carries too much weight when it comes to our life decisions. Living alone is blissful. Don't wreck it by getting a dog or anything else.

 

I’m gonna throw out a complete counterpoint- get a cat. Now hear meowt!

Cats are great at companionship. If you can spend a few minutes with it before you commit you can get a read on its demeanor pretty quick. Cats love to be alone but they also love attention when they want it. They can survive for days on their own as long as you leave out plenty of food, water and a clean litter box. Then, when you’re home, they jump up onto your lap ever so gracefully and purr as you scratch their ears. They have the benefits of companionship and none of the drawbacks of dogs.

Full disclosure- I’m a father of two kids and we have two cats and a dog. I grew up with a single cat in the home for most of my childhood years. I love cats. I love my dog but I don’t want another one for a while.

 

Not after that.

 

I’ve had dogs most of my life. I just spent that last hour bathing mine as she likes to chase skunks, especially the last pee of the night.
This is the second time dog has wanted to play with a skunk.
Just sayin.

 

Hmm. I understand breed allegiance to a point but extremes or absolutes are rarely best options.

My questions. You obviously want to travel and take lessons and play, etc. What is your job like (work from home, 40 hours, etc)? How much time can you invest into a Weim pup?

Just so you know where I'm coming from - I'm a veterinarian and an owner of pointing dogs (German Shorthaired Pointers, but essentially Weims of a different color).

As a vet I constantly see families or people distressed by dogs that are destructive because they are working dogs with endless energy and they can't provide them with enough exercise so they become destructive or difficult. They have one Weim (or Aussie, Border Collie, German Shepherd etc etc) and they're pretty lazy and good so they get another and they get more of the breed standard working dog and are in for a bad time for them (and especially the dog). I have 3 acres and hunt with my dog during season and at times I'm still not getting her adequate exercise at 11!

Anyway, you may have a ton of time to run and train a puppy and or big yards or acres of room for a pointer to run so I may be preaching for no reason. You may know exactly what you're in for if you had a hyperactive one preciously. If so I apologize. This comes more as a rant of frustration I see and deal with daily of people who wonder why their working dog is destroying their house. Or maybe as a warning.

But don't discount an adult shelter dog. You'd be amazed at how a different breed will grow on you. I've learned I really love some breeds now I never would have expected before becoming a vet.

It was also mentioned that there are Weim rescues or other pointing dog rescues, but again, he warned - they often are there because they are the ones that couldn't be handled. No always though. I rescued my last Shorthair and she was a gem. Still needed a ton of activity though.

Good luck! Sorry for the dose of reality!

 

A quick Google turned up 2 or 3 Weimaraner rescues in NY/NJ. We've had several rescue dogs, my son right now has three. There's nothing more rewarding than giving a good dog - who through no fault of their own, ended up in a bad living situation - a good forever home. They love you like you wouldn't believe. In the past 20 yrs we've had a Jack Russell Terrier, an Aerdale Terrier, a Wolfhound, and my son has three chihuahua mixes. All wonderful dogs that have given us and our son lots of joy.

 

One nice thing about breed specific recue organizations is that they will work to match the owner with the dog. I was rejected once because they didn't feel the new dog meshed with my other one. They don't hand the dog over if it isn't a good fitm

 

I vote no for a dog. Your lifestyle and a new dog seem incompatible. You will end up less satisfied or the dog will end up in a rescue.

I love pets. I have two dogs and a cat. Also, when your life changes and you want a dog, adopt one. If you like dogs, it's not the breed that makes them special. Being your dog is what makes them awesome. And you have several Weimaraner rescues in your area.