Good dog for young kids... (1 Viewer)
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I've heard this too. Urban legend? Anyone?
My wife almost lost her face to a dobi; real bad deal.
Somewhere I have a picture of Griz with a 4 yr old on his back while his 2 yr old little sister was pulling the rawhide out his mouth. The only time he is a pain in the ass around kids is when he steals some little kids crackers out of their stroller. He is very protective of kids even if he was barely introduced to them.
The biggest reason to get this breed is that he took down an aggressive pitbull at the dog park when it attacked one of his "friends" (6 month old lab mix). That was the only time I've seen him actually spring into action to defend something, but it was pretty badass that he held that pos pitbull on the ground until my wife told him to release. The look in that pitbull's eyes was pretty clear that he knew he was screwed if he tried to fight back. The idiot owners still bring that dog to the dog park, but for some reason it won't do anything but stand under it's owners legs when Griz is around.
Airedales are one of the smartest breeds (doesn't seem like it until they hit 2 yrs old though), hypoallergenic, and pretty much badass all around.
The biggest reason to get this breed is that he took down an aggressive pitbull at the dog park when it attacked one of his "friends" (6 month old lab mix). That was the only time I've seen him actually spring into action to defend something, but it was pretty badass that he held that pos pitbull on the ground until my wife told him to release. The look in that pitbull's eyes was pretty clear that he knew he was screwed if he tried to fight back. The idiot owners still bring that dog to the dog park, but for some reason it won't do anything but stand under it's owners legs when Griz is around.
Airedales are one of the smartest breeds (doesn't seem like it until they hit 2 yrs old though), hypoallergenic, and pretty much badass all around.
OregonCruzer
Póg mo Thóin
I had a dobie for a few months-raised er from a pup. Had to get rid of her, not because of temperament, but because she would feel no pain. We lived out in the country at the time and one day she came back flayed open from top of the shoulder down to her belly, and deep. Didn't even notice that she was bleeding and tore up. Took her to the vets and got her stitched up. Promptly sold her to a dobie lover in town. She was a great dog, but pretty useless as a country pooch. She would have as soon licked a cougar than fought it.
Not true.
The guy that developed that breed was an old German named Herr Dobermann and he had 3 jobs; tax collector, dog catcher and night watchman.
He bred whatever was in his pound for a dog that could wade into a rowdy crowd and tune up the trouble makers then saunter off to the next trouble spot. That meant the dog had to have plenty of energy, a willingness to throw down anytime anywhere, along with short hair, a docked tail and cropped ears so the animal would be tough to get a grip on. Great for a military animal, guard dog, watch dog, etc. as that's what it's for. Breed a little too far in one direction though and you can easily have a serious cornhole on your hands.
It was a fairly common problem in years passed with that breed.
You mentioned boxers. I've got one and it's a high energy dog. Runs 1/2 marathon every Saturday with my wife and doesn't seem winded when he gets home.
He's a little on the pushy side though and several times a day will jump up and punch (me usually) with both front paws at the same time. Doesn't seem like it'd be a big deal but every once in a while he'll get a pretty good whack in. Not something that I can see tuning out of him as it's just his nature. Also not something that the typical kid would get a kick out of.
He'd be worthless against a big cat although any dog would be pretty good at alerting to a cat's presence... or any other big predator's.
He's a little on the pushy side though and several times a day will jump up and punch (me usually) with both front paws at the same time. Doesn't seem like it'd be a big deal but every once in a while he'll get a pretty good whack in. Not something that I can see tuning out of him as it's just his nature. Also not something that the typical kid would get a kick out of.
He'd be worthless against a big cat although any dog would be pretty good at alerting to a cat's presence... or any other big predator's.
There's protective then there's overly aggressive protective, you don't want a dog that will go off on every person that comes around, just one that watches out and will defend as a last resort. I had friends with GS and they would run you down for almost any concieved threat including running behind their kids....I like them but I think they are a little too much.
Labs are fantastic kid dogs in my book. I was looking for a lab when we ended up with Jack, boxers are awesome dogs who look alot meaner than they are, but they are definitely high energy and go between being really dumb and really smart.
Labs are fantastic kid dogs in my book. I was looking for a lab when we ended up with Jack, boxers are awesome dogs who look alot meaner than they are, but they are definitely high energy and go between being really dumb and really smart.
completely owner related. a well trained and well socialised GS can differentiate between threat and non threat and act accordingly. my old GS would happily watch us rough housing with the neighbours and their dogs. came between me and a very angry mastif looking mutt that i didn't even see coming. since that day, i never under estimate a dogs ability to recognise and process a situation.
and beside the point, they are purely the greatest dog a man can have in my eyes
possibly, I think they're great dogs even so. We had a sheperd mix for years and she was the best kid dog ever, when my son was very young, he could pull her tail and she'd never make a sound and she never left his side, I would watch her herd him back to the house if he started heading towards the woods. Crazy smart.
Lol. Tell her to google it.
The more I think about it, the more I think an Airedale really fits the bill.
It pains me to agree with some people but...aidales are used to hunt mountain lions / bears / wild boars...
Mine is very good with kids but still mouthy ( 6 months 55lbs ), doesn't bark much, does shed some (I thought they didn't) hasn't ever shown aggression towards other dogs and will run for hours.
Mine is very good with kids but still mouthy ( 6 months 55lbs ), doesn't bark much, does shed some (I thought they didn't) hasn't ever shown aggression towards other dogs and will run for hours.
scottm
SILVER Star
Wish I had talked my family into an airdale, but they are energetic. Our golden is super calm, good house dog. Probably would outrun my kid if they were attacked though, still not sure about his protective abilities. He did get pissed at another dog once, holy s*** he turned into a 90-lb monster of teeth and claws, kinda scary. Would probably do well with the local dogs and coyotes if he chose to fight.
Two nights ago he woke up 4:30am barking at what I discovered was our cat in the front yard. I found him standing on my son's bed over top of him, barking. That was pretty reassuring, he's a lot of dog when something gets him excited. Unfortunately, when I showed up he immediately ran and jumped in my bed, guess he thought his job was done? Maybe to check on/protect mom? He's a momma's dog.
Two nights ago he woke up 4:30am barking at what I discovered was our cat in the front yard. I found him standing on my son's bed over top of him, barking. That was pretty reassuring, he's a lot of dog when something gets him excited. Unfortunately, when I showed up he immediately ran and jumped in my bed, guess he thought his job was done? Maybe to check on/protect mom? He's a momma's dog.
I have had German shorthairs for the last 20 years. Great hunting dog and they are good with kids, but they are waaaay high strung and a pita in the house. You would need a lot of yard for them to run when you are gone. They need to be worn down every day or so.
Cube Dweller
Moderator
I'm looking for a dog for the family as well. The Golden we rescued bit my two year dottir in the face unprovoked, so she's now taking an extended nap. If you can put together a group buy on pit bull killing airdales that are family friendly, I'm in. Maybe for two. We have a big yard, so they'll have plenty of room to run free.
I have a Rhodesian/Malamute mix. I have always like Rhodesians and found this one locally for free. He has been a great dog with my older kids and younger kids. The younger kids will get into his crate and sit, jump, sit/ride him and he just takes it, no reaction. When the kids play outside he will either follow them around or sit in one place and watch over them.
Rhodesians get my vote!!
Good Luck
Rhodesians get my vote!!
Good Luck
I gotta see a pic of your Rhodesian/malamute mix. Sounds awesome.
