Best dog for kids/family?

[wesintl]

What causes a dog to like being around it's owner and what causes them to just want to split? At my mom's house (where I work in a home-office) her dogs have collars

There are many factors. Type of dog breed, habits, training, spaid or nutered, seperation anxiety, etc.

I'd read up on the type of breeds and their characteristics or Breed Standard. Even if it is a known mutt you can generally assume what your getting into by reading the standard of breeds involved. My gsp will bolt from the door, not to run away. but to find birds and rabbits. I can give her a command and she will creep a few feet and not move. Training is key for any dog IMHO. I love to be around and well trained dogs whatever breed. It's a nightmare to go to a friends house where a dog jumps on you, eyes you and paces in front of you while on the couch and begs everytime there is food.

 

[kckcruiser]

In my experience, labradors and vizlas have been great family dogs. I have a shiba inu now and can attest that she is really good to those she knows, but very wary of strangers. I wouldn't have this dog around if there were a baby crawling on the floor.

 

[phatairman]

Hands down.........German Shepherd.

I have had three since I was 9 or so. Never had a problem with them. I love it too, when ALOT (not all) people think it is a K9 or a very mean dog. In downtown Atlanta, I need all the help I can get.

Hips can be a problem, but just get the breeder checked out.

 

[Landpimp]

I have had 4 labs...........not one of them was a chewer and all were GREAT with kids.

 

[Cattledog]

Well guess what I own!

I would only recomend a cattledog if you get them as a puppy. Training is critical with this breed. The breed can be agressive is not properly trained. I love cattledogs but I couldn't leave my children alone with another cattledog other than my own.
I would not recomend them as a first dog for a young family, they requier too much attention and training.
Cattledogs are a working/herding dog, they high energy, smart, loyal and VERY PROTECTIVE by nature. Cattledogs are breed to run and protect cattle in the outback. I terms of care, they have few breed issues. Blindness and deafness are the to most common. They also live a very long time, last I knew the oldest dog was a cattledog of 29 human years. You might want to consider that issue in picking your breed.

I have a great story about my Odi, I trusted my brother-in-law about 4 years ago with "Odi" in rural upstate vermont while i visited my in-laws. It was Memorial day and as you could guess the s***head took him to a ice cream stand about 15 mile from my inlaws. Well Odi freaked out after something drove by, he then pulled out of his leash and ran into the woods for about 8 days. It snowed, rained and dipped below 0 most of that time. We thought we had lost him forever. Odi managed to track his way back to my inlaws house during that eight days and avoid most people until one day he walked up to a neighbors house and sat down. They called the dog catcher and we got him back. Amazing he looked to be in fine shape and in perfect health. He was also dirty beyond belief. We were lucky. Cattledogs are "durable", smart and intense dogs. Consider this when picking a cattledog .

 

[mtbluetick]

English Springer Spaniel


www.bearcountrymt.com bearcountrymt.com

 

[PabloCruise]

I am very biased/opinionated when it comes to dogs. I love my German Shepherds like I do my Landcruiser. We had a storm yesterday, so I was out cutting broken limbs with the chainsaw. It was still raining/lightning. I turned around and the dogs were outside with me.

Best companions ever. However they do need lots of attention. They can have behavior problems if not excercised/cared for appropriately.

I would add that they are pack animals in a big way.

As such, they crave order in the pack. They need to know who is the pack leader. If you are not, they will sense that and wacky hijinks will ensue!

The cruelest thing I could do with my Shepherd was ignore him. One day I was sleeping in and ignoring him. He needed attention so badly he went to the other end of the house, got a dog biscuit from the box on the floor (forbidden) and came back to my bed to eat it front of me! Too funny!!!

His favorite thing was when I would get down on the floor and wrestle with him, and thump him on the ribs and pin him. When he knew I was leading, all was right in his world.

He talked - ALL THE TIME! Couldn't get him to shut up! He could sense my moods. If I was pissed/worried/upset, he would make little wimper noises. And I couldn't conceal my moods to him either.

He was an incredible dog.

He loved kids too. We had a Shepherd growing up. I would recomend them for kids...

 

[stayalert]

Grey hound. You will lose weight while it drags you around. Just kidding I don't know you well enough or dogs well enougfh to offer a useful reccomedation.

Good luck

 

[PHBeerman]

Grey hound. You will lose weight while it drags you around. Just kidding I don't know you well enough or dogs well enougfh to offer a useful reccomedation.

Good luck

They are actually really lazy dogs. But they make good family pets. A good friend has one and it is a really chill dog. Plus the price is usually right.

 

[rabid]

Keegan the golden retriever. Kept in a barn stall for 9 months, never let outside. Best dog ever.

Had one growing up. Just an amazing dog.


Hmmm. pic no workie. How do I get one that I have already uploaded to come on? Won't let me reload it.

 

[trailcarnage]

The best family dogs I have had are Australian Shepards and German Shepards. They are quite loving and gentle yet protective when required.