Dog help

[BDSeff1fitty]

im looking into getting a dog towards the end of this month and was hoping yal could suggest some dogs for me, pro's & con's of your dog if you have one, and anything else you think will be helpful.

im looking at getting a husky, a lab is also another option.

preferably something around 50-65 lbs (nothing to huge) , i am getting a female, so females are usually lighter from what i have read

i want something smart and likes to play, likes to ride around in a truck (most likely will ride inside unless i put an anchor in the middle of my bed so it wont be able to jump out or climb on my tool box.

i have a pretty big back yard, and after the end of the month will have time to play with the dog alot so will get pleanty of exercise and will probly go about every where i go that she will be able to go to as well

what do yal do for sleeping? do you leave your dogs outside or let them sleep inside with you. i figure right now long as the dog wakes me up before going to the bathroom inside i have no problem letting it stay inside with me.

any information yal have will be great to help me with my decision. also any toys or dog houses (bought or made, got no problem with building something) suggestions would be great.

thanks for all the help in advance.

 

[ed97fzj80]

I think a border collie, Australian shepherd, standard poodle, German short-haired pointer, or cattle dog would be a better fit for what you've described.

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

border collie i think is to small, australian shepard maybe, i have been thinking about a german shepard, now sure how much they are alike, poodle= no for obvious reasons, and my friends have a cattle dog and i just dont like it, they have had it professionally trained and still chooses when it wants to obey.

this might be a stretch but i want something that can jump in and out of my truck. i think my tailgate sits around 45" (8" higher than a stock f150 4x4 if that helps)or so, which i think might be pushing a dogs limits, dont wanna have my dog brake her legs or screw up a hip. is that height to much for a dog?

 

[hawaiicruz]

If your going for pure smarts aussies win hands down

 

[craptabulous]

akita , my friend had two they were great dogs and loved there owners .

i have the smaller version , it can be a little bitch some times but all and all is a good , fun dog .

my next dog will be a doberman .

i hate border collies , i have never met one that didn't chase everything it saw and usually bite if it catches it , even if its an old lady .

 

[legion]

I'd stray from the Husky choice. They aren't meant for hot weather so there's going to be a problem w/ TX.

Additionally, any animal that's bred to take a crap at full tilt boogie while pulling a sled across a barren wasteland is not animal that was bred to be a sharpie; and that will become glaringly apparent as time passes.

As a matter of fact, they're stupid. So are Akita's. If the dog was raised to fight, land on the table, or spend it's life pulling something heavy around... avoid it like the plague unless you're looking for a dog that you can bet will never outsmart you.

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

I'd stray from the Husky choice. They aren't meant for hot weather so there's going to be a problem w/ TX.

Additionally, any animal that's bred to take a crap at full tilt boogie while pulling a sled across a barren wasteland is not animal that was bred to be a sharpie; and that will become glaringly apparent as time passes.

As a matter of fact, they're stupid. So are Akita's. If the dog was raised to fight, land on the table, or spend it's life pulling something heavy around... avoid it like the plague unless you're looking for a dog that you can bet will never outsmart you.

thats my main worry, its get hot here and i dont have a pool for a dog to jump into and cool off.

how hard is it to keep a lab in shape? most the labs i see are a little over weight.

 

[cajun65]

Lab's stay in shape if you give them a job and you stay active with them like you said you would. Lab's are awesome, bright and playful. I'm training a 10 month old right now, my second Lab. She is a nut, but smart as hell and picking up the obedience and early duck hunting training very quick.

If you don't have any specific breed needs though, a visit to your local shelters might be a good thing. There are a lot of dogs out there that need a home and would meet your needs.

 

[carboncycles]

Agree on the border collie...gf has one and HATE it with a passion, esp if you don't put your foot down and claim your alpha position.

I've got 2 labs and the english variant is what you might be looking for. See LandPimp's recent puppy thread. Labs FTW!

 

[OZCAL]

Most guys on here have poodles. That's what they told me anyway, so I got one.

 

[carboncycles]

Most guys on here have poodles. That's what they told me anyway, so I got one.

Whatever helps you justify your puchase...


.oO(homo)

 

[Sporin]

Lab all the way, the perfect all around dog.

They don't get fat on their own, you take care of them, feed them properly and give them exercise, and they stay in shape (just like people).

 

[PHBeerman]

I have been shopping for a new dog half-heartedly. I have always had labs, and want a pointer. However, everytime I think about positives and negatives of breeds I come up with another Lab.

 

[splitshot]

Lab's make good couch taters too..

 

[freshspecbluegt]

Part of the reason that you see so many fat labs is the show standard for labs is much fatter (+10-15lbs.) than the standard for working dogs. The other part is people are generally lazy and fat themselves, hence the fat dog. Good food (meat should be the first ingredient) and exercise, meaning a couple miles a day walking or running or romping with other dogs for 30 minutes or so and you'll have a lab in great shape. Helps them be more receptive to training and more fun to own.

 

[cajun65]

I have been shopping for a new dog half-heartedly. I have always had labs, and want a pointer. However, everytime I think about positives and negatives of breeds I come up with another Lab.

Yep, get the Lab.

 

[photogod]

Living in Texas, getting a Husky or other really long haired cold weather dog would be a crime, in my opinion. A lab is a good bet or other shorter haired dog. JMHO.

 

[CandyPants]

I will say first that I am not a Lab fan for myself, but for what you are looking for, it's not a bad choice. In fact, check out the shelter for a lab mix (which is VERY easy to find) and save yourself some dollars (in purchase price and vet fees later...less likely to have hip issues) and rescue a dog.

Truthfully, what you get is going to be what you put into the dog. You spend time, teach it, train it, and you'll be happy. You throw it in the backyard and it will eat your airconditioner and the siding on your house.

I don't believe in strictly outside dogs. Outside time, yes. Outside all the time = cruel. Dogs are pack animals and they need their pack. Separate them and you'll have issues for sure.

 

[Syco_Unlimited]

Boxer?

Have you considered a Boxer? I have one and he is a dog that is very athletic, smart and pretty cool looking. Typically they are very people oriented and a very social dog. Of course there are exceptions to any breed. Mine has tons of personality and loves to be around people. I have two kids and he loves to just hang out with them and follow them around the yard. He does not have a mean bone in his body. A Boxer would be a very loyal dog to hang out with you all the time. The puppy stage seemed to last longer than the other dogs I had and took a while to get him house trained. And he snores.....loud, but typically he sleeps in a kennel outside or in the garage.

Sy

 

['74 UA FJ]

I disagree with a dog being outside all the time = cruel. I have had both inside and outside dogs, as well as the same dog being a full time outside dog and an inside dog at different times in his life. The dogs that I have owned are perfectly happy spending their lives outdoors. Hell, that is their history.