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1. Wait until spring. Especially if a pup. Easier to train. And find a dog trainer, as you will need to be trained too. This will steepen the curve for all of you.
2. Some very good breeds mentioned here. I am partial to Labs.
3. I am in agreement with Paul for many reasons. Mostly for the dog, but also for you two. Keep your focus on each other in your new marriage. You are also going into a new house, which will present its own challenges. And I see many people with dog walkers that spend more time with their dog than they do. They just shouldn't have a dog, period.
4. Crate training is good. It is the dog's safe zone. It is also useful for disipline and keeping the house from getting messed up. The dog will often hang out in the cage when you are home, as it is his/her 'pad.'
5. I like the idea of adopting an older dog, given your work schedules and lack of having had a dog. There are a lot of people giving up their pets in the current environment due to finances, not because of bad behavior. This raises the odds of getting an animal that doesn't have issues.
6. Females are great. But I would consider trying to get through the first heat, or estrous, before spaying. This allows the dog to develop all the female hormones which make female dog more docile, generally. If you spay before the first heat, it is a true neuter, the same as a male neuter. But getting through the first heat can be messy, and challenging.
Being a dog owner is great. Only outdone by being a parent. They both involve work, disappointments, and money. There are tremendous upsides emotionally. Just don't jump into this any more than you would jump into having children. You and LaTasha have the opportunity to sit back and enjoy this stage of your life and will know when you are ready to add a dog.
I have had many dogs, even bred labs, four litters. Currently we do not have a dog. Could have had pick from my brother's last litter, but we declined. Conscious choice on our part. When my brother's family goes skiing for two weeks, we used to sit their dogs. Mother and daughter labs. Younger dog is just outta control.... a direct result from lack of time and formal training on my brother's part. But it is the 10 pm walks in February that convinced me that I did not need a new dog in our lives right now. That's me.
The two of you need to look at this carefully. If you do go forward, it will be a positive experience. That I am sure of.
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