Is a Border Collie or a Jack Russell Terrier for you
If your life involves a couch and a remote control for more that 2 hours a day, I would say not if you like your furniture. Most people when they go out do not expect to bring home a puppy. They fall in love with a cute little face and they know in the back of their mind it will grow up, but that is later down the line. Puppies are not like children in that they grow up in a year or two. When you bring them home you always say I will start training them when they get older (Beside he's so cute it's hard to be mad at them or hard on them right now.) Right Now is when you start.
Most puppies are like that 2 year old nephew that gets into everything and is constantly asking "Can I have it, Can I have it?". If they are not trained from the moment you get them home, they turn in to the spoiled brat in the store that is screaming at the top of their lungs because they didn't get something.
Know your dogs breed!!!
People do not know their breeds very well. Labs are excellent dogs but are terrible puppies. They are very head strong, big chewers,diggers and play in the water then track it through the house. Teaching one to not jump is almost impossible when they are older. They are a bundle of energy till they are 2 to 3 years old, after that they calm down and everything you have been trying to teach them for 2 years is in their in big brown eyes and you think Thank God.
Border Collies are great dogs as well, but again you are looking at the dog not the puppy. They NEED something to do. They are very active and quite destructive if they are not working hard or playing hard. (Their idea of working is not watching the couch to see if it moves.) They are high energy dogs for agility and herding.
Jack Russell Terriers are cute and lovable puppies, but they can be snappy and aggressive when they get older. People think it is cute when as little puppies they try and bite you because you tweaked their tempers. They let it go and when said puppy is 2 years old and draws blood they can't understand why, or say thats just how he is. This is true with most small breed dogs. Trust me, this is not how they are. If they are treated like any big dog instead of pampering and letting them have a small dog attitude they are great dogs to have.
Chihuahuas are cool little dogs but if you don't start crate training and housebreaking as soon as possible, you will never housebreak them. I know a 18 year old that will not go outside if the weather is cold. They can also be aggressive because they are scared of anything that is bigger than them (that only leaves the mice). If they are socialized and are taught that the boogie man won't get them, it keeps them from snapping at everyone.
The biggest thing I can tell you is know the breed of your dog. Learn all you can about the breed before you bring the puppy home. If you are scared that the puppy you are planning to get won't be there when you return then that dog is probably not for you. Don't go impulse buying, this is a life, not some toy you can put on a shelf when you are tired of playing with it. You may save its life if you take these steps. Too many animals are being put to sleep because there new owners knew nothing about its breed.
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