I can't wait for you to get your puppy.
The article is ok.. Some RRs are more vocal than others, not all of them are silent...
I don't bath mine. Took a few debates with my dearest wife who had spent a lot of time researching the latest advancements in dog shampoos... but at the end common sense prevailed
We do a lot of hiking in nature parks, he gets muddy and dirty often on the trails, but by the time we get home all it takes is to wipe him off with a towel and he is good as new.
Get some sleep now, before puppy arrives. After that good night sleep will be hard to come by. First few weeks I spent on the sofa downstairs with him next to me, so I could grab him and run outside to pee every time he made a noise... Worked perfectly, we probably had 1 or 2 accidents inside the house if that.
It's true, in my case, that he gets along a lot better with females. With males it can be a hit or miss. But he is not neutered, so my theory is that it really depends on the other boy, and how confident he is with intact dogs.
A point on socializing, because I am sure you will hear from everyone how important it is.. And it is. But go with quality over quantity, make sure that his encounters are pleasant and stress-free.
Cats.. We have a cat too, and she was here already when our RR boy showed up. Long story short - she is a very shy and timid and scared of everything Himalayan girl, but after initial shock and a few months of hiding in the bedroom upstairs, she figured him out. We now have no issues leaving them both free to roam the entire house when we leave. And when we come back, they both sit together at the top of the staircase waiting for their humans, keeping each other company. Very touching
It's really very much like with children, i guess - puppies are awesome, then they become teenagers and it's hell, then they become adults - and if you managed to live though adolescence you have a great mellow confident dog for many years.
Good luck! Pictures, stories... Looking forward!
