Dog help

[pjfairchild]

I vote Doberman. Great hot weather dog, one of the smartest animals I've ever owned and you can't find a more loyal, even tempered breed. They get a scary rep which is totally in the training not the breed.
Also, poodle jokes aside, full size standard poodles are one of your smartest breeds, they shed very little and make excellent housepets.

 

[PHBeerman]

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.

A careful study of the lines which a lab comes out of will also prevent getting a dog with hip issues.

 

[Bluetribal]

Get a mut, unless you know the breeder. Most breeders breed too fine these days. I have a Beagle that had soo many problems as a pup and still has problems that my fiance and I have decided to never get a pure breed again and instead rescue one.

 

[legion]

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

To consider a boxer you should first develop a tolerance for freakish quantities of flatulence. It's like living with a dog that has a beer and hardboiled egg hangover... always.

Great dogs but wheeew... windy.

 

[Atticus]

Blue Heeler

 

[ed97fzj80]

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?

You said 50-65 lbs, and that makes a border collie not too small. A typical border collie is about the same weight as a typical Aussie.

The shepherd in my avatar weighs 105 lbs. My other German shepherd -- the small one -- comes in at about 80. A German shepherd is too big per your selection criteria. German shepherds also bite more people per year than any other dog breed in the US.

What are the obvious reasons around standard poodles? Image thing? If your friends think you're gay, your dog is not the reason. Poodles rank only behind border collies in terms of intelligence, they're hypoallergenic, and they're easy to keep.

You got a few mentions on a smallish lab or lab cross and I agree that those are good dogs and might fit your criteria well.

That tailgate is too high for a dog long-term and you'll need ramps at some point. Your dog will hurt itself trying to do what you ask it to do.

 

[35inchoverdrive]

We've got a rescue dog, and couldn't be happier.

If you're not sure of what kind of dog you want, then why not get a mutt from the pound? They are plentiful, cheap, and usually have less health problems. We've got a chocolate lab/husky mix. He came out white with green eyes. I agree with the previous posts stating that you get what you train the dog for. Almost any dog will be either worthless, or a terror if you don't make them obey. Get a mutt and save the sucker from being put down.

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

cant get one from a rescue shelter.

i think a lab would be a good fit, i have had trouble finding one thats not outrageously priced. i have been searching the internet, just having trouble finding a black female. once he is trained there shouldn't be a problem coming inside, while hes a pup he will have a cage in my room while im not home.

i heard boxers have health issues and dont live to long, i played with one over new years he was a great dog but i think a little to hyper for me

as for poodles mainly looks is the big turnoff im not gonna lie

 

[splitshot]

With any pup, a little crate training will go a long way to get 'em housebroken. And if they are brandnewbies that are just weaned, one of those wind up tic-tic clocks placed in there will help you get some sleep at night.

The dude at your left, was a rescue dog, and is turning out to be one of the best buddies we've had.

 

[Tofudebeest]

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.

No, No, Maybe, Maybe and yes.

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.

Huskies are not stupid at all, they just are more narrow in their behaviors, like labs. As gorgeous as they are, they really need a s*** load of exercise or they tend to cause trouble, but that general sentiment is most applicable to herding breeds, especially the border collie. They are among the most demanding dogs to keep occupied and stimulated. They are also experiencing, along with many other breeds, a particularly intense popularity spurt, causing a TON of poorly bred (inbred) dogs who are virtually guaranteed to be problems medically and behaviorally.

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).

Labs are good dogs, I have had several, but they have their own issues. "Perfect"? That's absolutely a silly statement; it depends on what your needs, circumstances and preferences are.

Blue Heeler

Good dog, as is the red. Cattle dogs are extremely lively, but balanced and brilliant. Tough little fxxxers. They tend to nip at people's heels (hence the name).

We've got a rescue dog, and couldn't be happier.

If you're not sure of what kind of dog you want, then why not get a mutt from the pound? They are plentiful, cheap, and usually have less health problems. We've got a chocolate lab/husky mix. He came out white with green eyes. I agree with the previous posts stating that you get what you train the dog for. Almost any dog will be either worthless, or a terror if you don't make them obey. Get a mutt and save the sucker from being put down.

AMEN!!!

 

[Tofudebeest]

cant get one from a rescue shelter.

WHY!? Black-listed?

i think a lab would be a good fit, i have had trouble finding one thats not outrageously priced. i have been searching the internet, just having trouble finding a black female. once he is trained there shouldn't be a problem coming inside, while hes a pup he will have a cage in my room while im not home.

i heard boxers have health issues and dont live to long, i played with one over new years he was a great dog but i think a little to hyper for me

as for poodles mainly looks is the big turnoff im not gonna lie

You sound like a beginner, no offense. I'd adopt a 1 1/2 - 2 year old dog, a MUTT, and one that seems to jive well with your personality. Go and spend the day at the shelter and spend some time with as many dogs as you can.

Buying from a backyard breeder is a BAD option. Genetic s***, for the most part, aside form the ethics.

 

[VFRMAN]

Here you go.

My $.02.

(Yellow Lab)

 

[splitshot]

Here you go.

My $.02.

(Yellow Lab)

What a happy face.

My kids are in love.

 

[splitshot]

Sorry about the highjack, but on the same lead, here's Husker ready to go for a ride.

 

[PHBeerman]

Sorry about the highjack, but on the same lead, here's Husker ready to go for a ride.

Great name for a male Black Lab.....

 

[splitshot]

Great name for a male Black Lab.....

I think he is following in your's paw steps.

 

[ed97fzj80]

Sorry about the highjack, but on the same lead, here's Husker ready to go for a ride.

Great pic.

 

[BDSeff1fitty]

WHY!? Black-listed?


You sound like a beginner, no offense. I'd adopt a 1 1/2 - 2 year old dog, a MUTT, and one that seems to jive well with your personality. Go and spend the day at the shelter and spend some time with as many dogs as you can.

Buying from a backyard breeder is a BAD option. Genetic s***, for the most part, aside form the ethics.

i had a dog for nearly 16 years, we had to put her asleep about a week before her 16th birthday had her since 12 weeks old. she was a mini greyhound, im just new to a larger dog and i will be training it so kinda a newb but always have had a dog around me.

the reason for not adopting from an animal shelter is my mom. she has a tad say in what i get, i wont be moving out for about 6 months so it will be here and she knows she will be spending time with it and just doesn't want any issues. i dunno her exact reasoning its just to confusing so i just accept what she said and follow her guidelines to make her happy.

 

[mattlock]

I would say Aussie. Just because I love herding dogs. I like the fact that they are ultra intelligent, tough, and if you train them right, you won't need a leash. However, they can be weird about territory including you, need a ton of excercise i.e. frisbee, agility, herding geese, sheep, or goats, or some other project that you put them on to. They can be a bit goofy when it comes to other dogs.

But they will listen to you!

They make great pets and will put up with almost anything. But you gotta know what you are signing on for when you get one. Also, if you pick a dog like Argo, that is Blue Merle, make sure to get his eyes and ears checked, as that is a recessive gene and often times they are blind or deaf or both. Same goes for Red Merle. Overall though they are great dogs, good personalities, good with kids, gentle and happy. Argo weighs 75 lbs, and has ridiculous amounts of fur...

Check Petfinder.com you can get any kind of dog you want, from puppies to seniors. Any breed. If you don't plan on breeding, please, please, look into a rescue or shelter dog. Argo came from the pound, he is the prettiest dog around. He is all wet in that pic, but you can see what he is....

 

[VFRMAN]

Sorry about the highjack, but on the same lead, here's Husker ready to go for a ride.

That's a great shot. Labs love to go for rides(and everything else for that matter).

Lots of great dogs to choose from. For what you're looking for by the sounds of it, the shelter dog/lab mix would be great choice.