A smaller dog that is great, doesn't SHED and has a fantastic loving disposition and are quite cute, Cockapoo (sp) Cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. My Mom has one and it has been a fantastic dog. Loves everybody and is smart as a whip!
Best dog for kids/family?
- Thread starter mabrodis
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Mabrodis:
Don't forget an Old English Sheepdog...one of the best dogs for families and kids, especially ones with active lifestyles.
Considering all of its hair, it does shed much at all, needs some care in terms of combing out its hair, and is a hell of a guard dog (especially the males).
I've had three all through my life--growing up had one at home, first dog out of home in college was an OES and my current is one too. Here are some pics for you.
This is my current Sheepdog Raj that I got from a rescue. He is my first rescue but he is also a purebreed. I would highly recommend a purebred OES, as other are unstable. My previous two were also male purebreeds but were bought from breeders.
I can't say enough about sheepdogs and plan to have them the rest of my life.
Let me know if you need info--my first two dogs were West coast dogs...
Best.
-onur
Akron, OH
Don't forget an Old English Sheepdog...one of the best dogs for families and kids, especially ones with active lifestyles.
Considering all of its hair, it does shed much at all, needs some care in terms of combing out its hair, and is a hell of a guard dog (especially the males).
I've had three all through my life--growing up had one at home, first dog out of home in college was an OES and my current is one too. Here are some pics for you.
This is my current Sheepdog Raj that I got from a rescue. He is my first rescue but he is also a purebreed. I would highly recommend a purebred OES, as other are unstable. My previous two were also male purebreeds but were bought from breeders.
I can't say enough about sheepdogs and plan to have them the rest of my life.
Let me know if you need info--my first two dogs were West coast dogs...
Best.
-onur
Akron, OH
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I have to throw in for the Akita here. VERY loyal dog (they stay with the family for life - if you give them away after a certain age, they get depressed and die.) They were bred in Japan for bear hunting, but they soon adapted to baby sitting - parents would leave their children in the care of the Akita (that was a long time ago). VERY easy to train, listen well, don't bark all the time...my sister has one and he's awesome. Greatest dog I've ever met.
Only drawback is that they can get BIG. My sister's dog, Kuma (Japanese for "bear") weighs in at about 120lbs. He's a big boy.
Other dog I'd recommend is a Golden. I'm not big on the retriver set, but goldens are pretty darn smart.
I like beno's sheepdog, too. My grandparents had one when I was a kid, and he was very cool. Very lovable and loyal.
Whatever you do, don't get one of those Paris Hilton lap/yap dogs. We will never let you live it down.
Only drawback is that they can get BIG. My sister's dog, Kuma (Japanese for "bear") weighs in at about 120lbs. He's a big boy.
Other dog I'd recommend is a Golden. I'm not big on the retriver set, but goldens are pretty darn smart.
I like beno's sheepdog, too. My grandparents had one when I was a kid, and he was very cool. Very lovable and loyal.
Whatever you do, don't get one of those Paris Hilton lap/yap dogs. We will never let you live it down.
- Thread starter
- #24
Ok, already made up my mind to only get a dog at the pound/Dumb Friends League...they have this, a germ shepherd mix...what a cute dog!
Linky
Edit: No problem with training a dog (though I've never done that before). No I wouldn't get a dog just because it's 'cute', but I don't want a slobbery dog, or one that always looks sad or something.
Thanks for the replies so far, very helpful, alot of breeds I've never even heard of and am looking into now.
Linky
Edit: No problem with training a dog (though I've never done that before). No I wouldn't get a dog just because it's 'cute', but I don't want a slobbery dog, or one that always looks sad or something.
Thanks for the replies so far, very helpful, alot of breeds I've never even heard of and am looking into now.
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Only thing about a German Shep is, if it's American and not German bred, it will have weak hips and you may have to put it down in years to come...unless the mix bred out the hip issue.
German Sheperd
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.
J.R.
1976 FJ40
Chevy 350/SM465/NP205
Dana 60/14 Bolt
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.
J.R.
1976 FJ40
Chevy 350/SM465/NP205
Dana 60/14 Bolt
Golden Doodle / Labradoodle
My Friends recently got them selves a golden doodle... and I must say, as a huge lab lover... this dog is GREAT!! Lab traits, but it does not shed and is hypo alergenic. Cute as all get out, friendly, good natured, playful, and very smart. That will be my next dog for the kids!!
LABRADOODLE... lab/poodle... sounds funny, but it is an awesome combo!!
My Friends recently got them selves a golden doodle... and I must say, as a huge lab lover... this dog is GREAT!! Lab traits, but it does not shed and is hypo alergenic. Cute as all get out, friendly, good natured, playful, and very smart. That will be my next dog for the kids!!
LABRADOODLE... lab/poodle... sounds funny, but it is an awesome combo!!
I actually have a standard poodle. They are very smart generally speaking. I was actually considering using mine as a bird dog (they were and still are used for water fowl), but he is afraid of his own shadow so being around people with guns is totally out of the question.
They are very protective of their owners though.
They are very protective of their owners though.
swank60 said:
Actually Swank that statement is not true. There are many good and reputable breeders of American lines of Shepards. Notice I said "reputable". You should get info on proven AKC history of the past three generations. Always get family history on any purebred dog you purchase and have a look at the sire and bitch. If you buy purebred, buy from approved AKC breeders and get papers. Our neighbors have a purebred GS and the parents were German and Cz and that dog was the ugliest GS I have ever seen and yet both parents were "Champion" Do your homework on your pet.
Given your list, I'd suggest the Golden. They're very good. The Akitas are good too, but will get large...they you have the large dog bumping into the kids thing.
I have a personal problem with the latest craze in *doodles -- labradoodle, goldendoodles, etc. Not that there's anything wrong with the mix, but WTF is up with these people who expect to get well over $1k for mutt? And WTF is wrong with the people who pay that much for a mutt? I just don't understand...
I have a personal problem with the latest craze in *doodles -- labradoodle, goldendoodles, etc. Not that there's anything wrong with the mix, but WTF is up with these people who expect to get well over $1k for mutt? And WTF is wrong with the people who pay that much for a mutt? I just don't understand...
Deep South Cruisers
1978 FJ40 ~ 283 V8
photogod said:Actually Swank that statement is not true. There are many good and reputable breeders of American lines of Shepards. Notice I said "reputable". You should get info on proven AKC history of the past three generations. Always get family history on any purebred dog you purchase and have a look at the sire and bitch. If you buy purebred, buy from approved AKC breeders and get papers. Our neighbors have a purebred GS and the parents were German and Cz and that dog was the ugliest GS I have ever seen and yet both parents were "Champion" Do your homework on your pet.
Good catch, I don't like the sloped rear quarters BUT quality dogs have no problems. We had a German male (Von Kraftig) and these dogs are rock solid. OFA dogs have also been x-rayed and checked for deficiencies. Ours was a fantastic dog but clumsy and a little dopey
Still a great family breed that sticks CLOSE to their owner and his family.
Most Akitas I've seen are good with kids but are only one dog households and very aggressive towards other dogs. Any feedback Akita owners?
Bad Coco
GOLD Star
Boxers rock..... But do horrible if alone or expected to just stay out of the way until it is convinant for you. They need interaction, or they will get into trouble
after years of owning australian cattle dogs... we are looking at an american indian dog. i think they look pretty cool and are suppose to be a good family dog as well. or we might just break down and get a bully.
other then that our friends and family that own or have owned the big yellow dogs mentioned , have nothing but good things to say... they are extremely forgiving with kids... I watched those dogs put up with all kinda of little kid ear pulling, hair pulling, let me ride you like a horse, etc.. and they just sit there and take it.
other then that our friends and family that own or have owned the big yellow dogs mentioned , have nothing but good things to say... they are extremely forgiving with kids... I watched those dogs put up with all kinda of little kid ear pulling, hair pulling, let me ride you like a horse, etc.. and they just sit there and take it.
DON'T, lump the American Bulldog into this group! You clearly have zero education on this breed! ABs are one of the best dogs in the world and more loyal then you can begin to start thinking about. I had 3 ABs around my two babies and those dogs were the kindest animals in the world with them.
I would consider the nature of an AB to make it one of the best dogs you can find to have around kids. These dogs are VERY WELL known for protecting children and families! I would strongly look into one if you have children as I spent 6 months researching this breed before buying one and 4 years later I thank god I have them!
Most of the watered down, puppy farm AKC breeds have emotional issues, AB breeders have stayed true to the breeds roots and as such will not allow the breed to become what others have. Even labs have issues but would be a great dog if found and bought from the correct person. This would have been my second choice around my kids.
There are alot of great GSP's that need a home throughout our state:
http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/CO64.html
http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/CO74.html
Good luck!
http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/CO64.html
http://www.petfinder.org/shelters/CO74.html
Good luck!
I have a Rottweiler and she is amazing... great with people, kids, other dogs. The only way you can help ensure this is get a young one (4-8 weeks) and train/acclimatize it right. Here are some pics below:
Our Rottweiler at my wife's classroom
The get a tad on the larger size and may drool a little.. but they make up for it with their kindness (if raised correctly), courage, and loyalty... Side Note--Now that mine is over a year old she is learning to be a lot more gentle and less clumsy...
Our Rottweiler at my wife's classroom
The get a tad on the larger size and may drool a little.. but they make up for it with their kindness (if raised correctly), courage, and loyalty... Side Note--Now that mine is over a year old she is learning to be a lot more gentle and less clumsy...
- Thread starter
- #38
Wow, your wife looks alot like a school-age boy...not that there is anything wrong with that.elum said:
Cool dog, I guess I have never seen a 'good' Rott or Lab, I've always seen ones that the owner just kinda had around, dog was never trained...so I've been biased against them...but maybe I should reconsider those...
- Thread starter
- #39
Here's a question about dogs that has always bugged me.
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 and they use the invisible fence, the dogs love it, they can roam around on 5-acres to their heart's content. However, if their larger dog (std poodle) ever gets out without his collar on he will bolt off their property in a heartbeat. He will always come back a few hours later, but it's just a pain. On the other hand my brother has a german shepherd, that dog is great, he wants to be around you all the time, never needs a leash even when walking around neighborhoods with other dogs, just content to be right by your side, never seems to do the 'dumb' things like bolting off the property, etc.
Is that just a loyal thing, really loyal dogs want to stay by their master's side? That's always bugged me, since growing up our dogs would usually want to be right by us, but some would just want to get out and run (and ofcourse come back, not like run away), but others had no desire to 'get away'...
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 and they use the invisible fence, the dogs love it, they can roam around on 5-acres to their heart's content. However, if their larger dog (std poodle) ever gets out without his collar on he will bolt off their property in a heartbeat. He will always come back a few hours later, but it's just a pain. On the other hand my brother has a german shepherd, that dog is great, he wants to be around you all the time, never needs a leash even when walking around neighborhoods with other dogs, just content to be right by your side, never seems to do the 'dumb' things like bolting off the property, etc.
Is that just a loyal thing, really loyal dogs want to stay by their master's side? That's always bugged me, since growing up our dogs would usually want to be right by us, but some would just want to get out and run (and ofcourse come back, not like run away), but others had no desire to 'get away'...
The answer is training. If you leave a dog locked up all the time, when given a chance it will be gone. If a dog is free to go where ever it wants, then what is the fun in going anywhere?
There are other reasons, but this is what I have found.,
There are other reasons, but this is what I have found.,