Researching
My name is Raechel Bianchetti and I am going to school here at the University of Idaho. I am the mommy of a wonderful dog named Sophia Mia who my husband and I adopted three months ago. Since a child I have always wanted a sheepdog and Sophie needs a friend to play with. Recently, at our local hangout (The dogpark) Sophie, Gary and I got to play with an OES. This refueled my want for an OES. We currently live in a medium sized apartment, but I hope to get into a house, being a school town that's not the easiest thing to find (and is affordable). I was just wondering if an OES would be okay in an apartment. My husband works midnights and I go to school about 5 hours a day, but there is almost always someone at home. Sophie hasn't been alone for more than a grocery visit since we got her. We are outdoors people-hiking and camping a lot so he would have an active life style and love to hang out at the dog park.Sophie is training for her good citizen's test so we can do therapy work with her. She loves to play chase with the other dogs at the park.We would love to do the same thing with a future dog as well. I hope that was coherent. My questions are: Is it possible to have an OES in an apartment? Do they enjoy outdoors stuff like hiking? Is chase a game they typically enjoy? I know there are a lot of dogs that find a good game of chase intimidating at the dog park. Thank you, Raechel, Gary, and Sophie:) |
|
|
| Hi and Welcome,
Sheepies do well in any housing situation as long as the get the exercise they need. I don't see any problems with apartment living provided they have a good walk and play to burn off energy. They are great on Hiking and playing chase etc. you must remember too they were bred to work all day (Herding) so as long as you are prepared to burn out all the energy then a perfect situation for you with a breed that loves to be included in everything. They are not a breed to exist on there own, human company and canine company and they thrive and good training too as a small munchin turns into a big strong dog. Good luck with a decision.  |
| Welcome to the forum! I'm REALLY glad that you're doing your homework, and this really is the best place to start! I always wanted an OES from childhood too!
The only issue I can think of might be with your apartment neighbors, and aren't really breed specific. Barking, running around, cleanup issues, that sort of thing. Are you thinking about a puppy, or about an adult rescue dog? An adult dog may have the benefit of a known personality, concerning barking, house training and other animals. If you're thinking about a puppy, PLEASE don't buy your dog at a pet store; please contact the OESCA breeder referral service and get in touch with a quality breeder. You may pay just a little more, all of which goes into quality breeding practices (after all, there's no pet store markup involved) rather than dogs-as-livestock operations. If you're thinking about a rescue, we have plenty of contacts for rescue around the country, too. You sound like you're a meticulous and patient person, and that's great! You'll be able to get the right dog for your situation. Again, welcome to the forum; I'm looking forward to hearing all about your OES acquisition! |
Sophie'sMom wrote: Hi!
Do they enjoy outdoors stuff like hiking? Is chase a game they typically enjoy? I know there are a lot of dogs that find a good game of chase intimidating at the dog park. I think it probably depends on the particular dog although I am not sure if that is due to nature or nurture or both (probably both). My Maggie is a super active girl who likes to run, hike, wrestle, fetch, and her absolute favorite activity is chase. She loves to play keep away to make dogs chase her and she is FAST. You can click on my camera icon to get a sense of the mischief she gets into. If you adopt an adult rescue, you may have the benefit of knowing what kind of personality the dog has, although it may take some time for the effects of whatever situation the dog was in to wear off so the true personality can emerge. When I got Maggie, she was very active but timid. Now she is very active and very outgoing with dogs but still a bit shy with people. But she was definitely active. That much was obvious. Good luck! |
| Our Bailey loves to hike, we go out with a group called the Canine Hiking Club of AZ. He also loves to play chase at the dog park. Good luck with your decision! |
| Welcome! Nothing to add to what everone said above. Looking forward to hearing more from you! |
| It sounds like you are plenty active outside of you apartment to handle a big dog inside. The only advice I would offer as far as doing a lot of physical activity with a sheepie is keeping their hair shorter if you plan on being very active, especially during the summer. My scruffy abosultely cannnot keep up when she has a longer coat during the summer, but once she get's her summer cut she is as ready to go as any other dog. PLUS you can loose control of matts and cleanliness really fast if they are out a lot in a longer coat. |
| Thank you everyone! You are so very helpful! I don't think our neighbors would have a problem with any barking, there are a couple of labs that live in a rental next door that bark almost constantly. We are definetly up for some major activity. Sophie is finally settling into a routine here- two walks a day and at least an hour at the dog park (or until she gets too hot).
We would definetly want to find a rescue dog. Sophie is an anatolian shepard mix (on the smaller side) from the Spokane Animal Shelter. I don't think I have had a dog that wasn't a stray or from a shelter. We hope once school gets started again and we settle into the "fall" routine to start looking for a pal. Thank you again so much! Raechel Bianchetti |
| AWESOME! I went to Wazoo for two of my undergrad years - good area! You'll be able to do a lot, and the weather is pretty suitable for their coat, too. I know there are a few OES around that area - I saw a beautiful OES in full coat walking around Pullman one day.
I agree with the advice that has been mentioned above about where to get your puppy or dog. There are some excellent resources in the NW regarding OES, and you should be able to get into contact with someone who can guide you to the correct place. I'll send you a PM with some potential rescue contacts in the area. GOOD LUCK! |
| Good Luck with your search and Sophie is adorable |
| Welcome!
Your Sophia Mia is a cutie. My friend has two dogs named Sophia & Mia. HaHa. To own a Sheepie is to know heaven. You should be aware though that they will bark if they hear noises and they can sound very loud and intimidating. Also, if you're on a second floor and you have two dogs they like to rough house and that could be noisy for neighbors as well. Another thing to consider is if you ever have to move, are large dogs likely to be allowed if you are renting. I think I read where most dogs are given up because of a move. I think that should be a HUGE consideration. It's very heartbreaking to hear of dogs that are given up when they are older and less likely to get a home because of the owner moving where they can't take a large dog. Good luck with your decision. Sounds like your dogs will have a wonderful active life.  |
| Check out Ron's info page ( http://www.oes.org/html/oes_rescue.shtml ) and the link to NEOESR.org. LOTS of good info there including rescue contacts for Idaho. Realize in low population areas, sheepies aren't very common, so a rescue may take awhile. Read a few of the topics and you'll see puppy-raising is ........exciting.
Anymore, I prefer rescues. susan |
| Having Sophie, I've already started thinking about the moving thing. Here in Moscow we have a great rental company with lots of choices in places that will allow pets, and if I go to law school/grad school here shouldn't have a problem. My main choice is University of Oregon or to move back home to Michigan and go to Michigan State. I've started to try and get an idea of places in Eugene. I dn't graduate until 2008 so I have a couple of years. Until then we aren't going anywhere. We are on the second floor but the guy below us isn't home often and hasn't had a problem with Sophie wrestling with my husband. So that's a good sign.
I want to thank you all again for your interest. I am one of those people who likes to have every detail figured out before I do anything, and all of your help is helping me a lot! Raechel:) |
Sophie'sMom wrote: My main choice is University of Oregon or to move back home to Michigan and go to Michigan State.
Raechel:) Well, if you move back to Michigan, you'll have a big OES support network here-- there's lots of us in MI! Also, if you do think about coming back to Michigan, Wayne State has a pretty good law school too. Might be worth checking out if you haven't already. |
Didn't find exactly what you're looking for? Search again here:
Custom Search
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|