No, I am not adopting a dog. Since I have a foster dog who has been with me since Feb, I often wonder what exactly are people looking for?
We have so many nice dogs in our rescue group, but they get overlooked.

One of the volunteers said that hounds just don't get adopted quickly. I admit, I did not know much about hounds, and probably would of never adopted one in the past. Since we have had Ashley(black and Tan coonhound), Ive learned a lot.
She is 4, completely housetrained, LOVES, LOVES, LOVES kids. She is one of the most tolerant dogs Ive ever met. Believe me, Ive met a lot LOL...
Shes had some issues since we have had her, but we have worked them out. People who come and see her at Petsmart dont know about the issues, yet nobody is every interested in her.

I know some people,when adopting, want certain breeds. I know other people only want puppies etc...
So if you were looking to adopt an an adult dog, would you adopt a hound??

We love Ashley(As I love all my dogs who come and stay with me), As I watch her day to day. I just cant imagine how somebody could not want a great family dog like this.

Her main job is to Hold the sofa down each day LOL...

By Happynerdmom on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 11:09 am:

I've never adopted a dog, but, like you said, some people are looking for specific breeds. As far as hounds, I love them, but I think maybe some people assume they are very barky? Sometimes hounds don't have the same "cuteness" factor as other breeds, and many may think "hunting dog" instead of "family pet." I don't know! It's too bad, because they ARE good dogs.

By Tonya on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 12:02 pm:

Jackie where do you live my dad wants a coon dog that holds the couch down? If I could take her I would. But as said above people look for dogs that are puppies or they want certain breeds. As for coons I would instantly think of a howler.

By Jackie on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 01:26 pm:

Tonya...unfortunately I am in Va beach, a little far from Michigan LOL...

Its funny, I dont mind keeping her here until she gets adopted.. I just get curious as why people take no interest in her.

By Dawnk777 on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 01:45 pm:

I knew someone who had a coonhound and he couldn't be off-leash or he would take off running. I don't know if your dog would go off. I can walk around our yard with Jasmine, and she doesn't run off, even when chasing a squirrel or rabbit. When we adopted Jasmine, we were looking for a cattledog.

By Jackie on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 01:53 pm:

Dawn, a lot of dogs run off when the leash is taken off of them. I would NEVER unleash any of my dogs in a public area. I just posted about this a couple days ago about people thinking the leash law doesnt apply to them.

By Nicki on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 02:01 pm:

I have a dream of adopting a greyhound someday. I am really drawn to them, and would love to give one a nice, peaceful, loving home. Yet, I know that won't happen until Lara is older, as their desire to run once the door is open would pose a problem! So, I think Dawn may have a good point. I would worry a great deal about a hound taking off and getting hurt, lost, etc. We'd have to have just the right situation before considering a greyhound as a pet.
I hope your coonhound finds a good home! In the meantime, sounds Ashley is in really good hands.

By Ginny~moderator on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 06:08 pm:

Jackie, I have a Rottie who holds down the sofa quite nicely, and I would never in my life have dreamed I would be so fond of and so comfortable with a Rottie. I also hope your coonhound finds a good home.

And I absolutely agree with you - I would never, ever have a dog outside the yard off the leash except in a fenced dog play area or something similar. Just like with kids, you never know, and while you can teach your children about the dangers of streets and vehicles, that's something a dog will only learn by sad experience.

Now - what do I look for in adopting a dog? Temperament - first what is the general temperament of the breed, then, what do the caregivers say about the temperament of the dog, and third, how the dog reacts to me, and I want a generally calm dog, not excitable, and not a major barker. Size - I don't like little dogs - I want something at least as big as a beagle, but certainly no bigger than a Rottie. Health: specifically, for a dog I might adopt, health records, vaccinations, teeth, eyes, hearing; for the breed, general issues and for the specific breed things for the dog I'm considering like hips (Sascha has major hip problems), back, etc. Maintenance - does this dog need a lot of serious grooming (I most likely would not want a long haired dog and, even though I know poodles don't shed, they do need regular professional grooming). I want a dog I can brush once or twice a week, and then vacuum. Housebroken? Food aggressive? Hand shy? OK with kids? Good on the leash? Affectionate but not jumping up or slobbery. Looks are not an issue with me as long as the dog isn't positively ugly (like the hairless dogs with long silly topknots - at least I think they're silly).

By Yjja123 on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 07:19 pm:

I saved (rescued) my first two dogs, so no choice there. When we decided to get a puppy, we researched breeds and decided on a lab. Cosmo is the first purebred we have ever had. He is a gentle soul, so it may be labs from now on for us. We are drawn to big dogs.