Dog Opinion Needed!

[IDave]

I know a golden. She comes over and our mutt, wolfdog, rescue, whatever he is baby sits. They have great fun, but she is dumb as a box of rocks. She also shakes and twitches, and I think it is inbreeding that does that to these animals.

If your kids go to the rescue center and walk the dogs, that is a great way to get to know them. That way you can make a good choice.

 

[Jomama]

Unless you have a real deep passion or use for a particular breed....

Go pound dog, or some rescue mutt.... I've a Lab/Malmute 50-50 cross and she's been the mellowest nicest well behaved dog you could imagine (almost 12). Got the low key aspects of both breeds w/out their hyper traits... might just of been lucky tho...

 

[semlin]

i vote for a big heinz 57 rescue dog based on the following generalizations:

-Mutts are lower risk for personality issues, and also for genetic medical issues so easier on the pocket book.

-I think many small dogs across all breeds are afraid of kids which makes them unpredictable and neurotic around them.

-mutts are also easier on the pocket because when you do have to take a mutt to the vet, they tend not to suggest that he needs a CAT scan (not that he isn't worth it).

Best dog I ever knew was a lab/great dane cross. Looked like a giant black lab and was smarter than me. Knew a shephard/ridgeback cross that when my cousin moved out and took him used to find its own way "home" from across town 60 blocks away when my cousin bought the cheaper dog food. We also had pedigree boxers and beagles when I was little. Avoid those breeds.

 

[reffug]

Go rescue one, I had to put down my best friend of 13 years 3 years ago, and he was a rescue. Half pit-bull other half border collie. Dog was smart as a whip understood english and german and hand signals too. He was truly before my wife my very best friend in the world and not a day goes by that I don't think about him.

 

[stuck in GA]

we have an old english sheepdog and she is a great family dog. great around kids and fun to play with. and faithful to their owners. at least ours is she always make sure the people that she is with is safe.

 

[jjbodean1970]

miniature schnauzer - smartest dog i've ever known. mine's awesome, as active or calm as you want him to be, no shedding (great for those with allergies), great watch dog, barks at anything or anybody he doesn't know, but not aggressive in the least. easy to train and housebreaking was a snap

 

[erics_bruisers]

here's my preference -- a rescued pit bull, or pit mix --

-- here's a family placement from last weekend --

http://www.spbr.org/foreverhomes/2005/ajax/ajax.htm

 

[Gumby]

I don't agree all the way on mutts. You want to know what breeds they share traits with. I have had some bad ones.

However, both of my Newfs are mixes. I know what mixes they are and they both share the traits of those dogs.

The border mix is protective and herding, the lab mix is a big goof and likes to chew.

The Humane Society is a great place, but you should really look into Rescue for the breed you want. One of ours was Newf rescue, the other was a newspaper dog.

 

[wob]

Lab and a Rottweiller...
Both good family dogs. Some may argue against the Rott, but if raised around kids, should be ok.

How could this hurt anyone?

 

[Chase77]

The best damn dog Ive ever had was a ridgeback. She was extremely loyal, great with people, etc etc etc. and if I ever find the fawker that took her there will be hell to pay.

 

[Velocity2]

I have to say the best dog i have owned is a Dobermann Pinscher. They are extremely smart,loyal,excellent with kids,easily trainble do just about anything dog! I am not being biast. I loved the look of a dobermann but i was quite nervous about their tempermeants. I have friends who own them and they are great dogs but i was nervous for me. So while on vacation over x-mas i was at my friends house in tenn and i got a rescued Dobe. Her name is fiona (she learned her name and to come when called in less than 2 hours and later that day sit,then potty-trained in one day and knows how to shake and play dead now) she is a little hyper when you take her out of her cage in the morning but she is a GREAT GREAT GREAT dog. I cant emphasize this enough! My 4 year old nephew was in the living room with her while i was grabbing a quick drink in the kitchen. When i came back in my nephew was beating her with her nylabone! No yelping or snapping. Lets just say that nephew didnt act like fiona when he got his butt-beat. but kids hang off her and everything. She is also good cause she keeps the kids together while playing. She doesnt let the kids get near the front or rear door so they wont leave,she is so alert she notices every leaf move. I got her for free from a dobermann rescue in Tenn. too! So without further wait here is a picture of fiona! (Also dobermanns are a very very clean animal with minimal shedding and keep very clean!!! they enjoy cold weather but dont keep them out overnight without some sweater for them or something as they dont have much fat,they are VERY LEAN and STRONG!!!!!)

 

[wsdavies]

Jack Russell's are great..smart little suckers..they are energetic...and great little watch dogs

 

[haystax]

I vote for a rescue - but don't just take any mutt you find, look for something that resembles a decent bloodline. the heterosis in a mutt dog is a bonus, most purebreeds have issues with inbreeding and conformation problems.

I really would recommend either and Australian Shepard or Border Collie if you get a new puppy. the have a rep for high energy/ high maintenance but with a large yard and two energetic kids, you will basically be getting a free babysitter. The Aussies are a little more laid back and are truly amazing dogs, both breeds are very smart, easy to train and timid in nature. I have been around quite a few labs and they can be a handfull when puppies, working dogs tend to be way more controllable at young ages.

Here's a shot of my dog, "Newt" - a "tri" Australian Shepard

 

[Homer J Simpson]

I gotta go with the German Shepherd. We put ours down last year and he was the best with the kids.
Big enough to pull a cart or wagon with the kids (or a keg of beer) and smart enough to crap in my brother's yard next door. He also would wear saddlebags and could carry a case of beer in them. Kind of a theme going here. Never had to chain him up, he knew the perimeter of our yard and always healed when out for walks. That was one great dog.

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

I recommend "The right dog for you" which will help anyone pick a breed according to the space and time you have to give the dog......and always, try a rescue first when looking!

(I prefer Rotts!)

 

[alia176]

None...

Rescue a mix breed or Heinz 57 from somewhere. We just rescued a Border Collie and a Black Lab mix to keep our 5 yr old Rotty company. We didn't know how easy the Rotty was to raise until the new guy came along! The problem with a smart dog is that you really have to stay one step ahead of them. We had to "modify" his crate so that he wouldn't try to escape from it daily!

I like the result from a Collie-Lab mix - herding dog, alert, outdoorsy, a bit mellower than a full blooded Collie, intelligent, problem solver and those eyes! The little guy has already figured out stuff that took the big guy quite a long time to learn and master. Also, agree on the above comment regarding Rotties, they should be raised from a puppy with children. Rotties are very protective of their master and property.

Our Rotty is a certified Therapy Dog and the wife has the same plans for the little guy. Wife says that the big guy will continue to work with the trouble teenage population while the little guy will work with hospitals and ICU patients. Smaller size is easier to manage in a hospital environment.

Here's a pic from the latest trip.

Ali

 

[archie]

Cute dogs alia!

 

[Cruisin'Carolina]

HIJACK

What kind of seatcovers are those? (Ali)

 

[Dogburn]

I picked lab, but I'm a big fan of Newfies. Big dogs that are calm, need little space and have a great disposition. Never met a bad one.

I have two newf mixes.

My GF and I have a Bernese Mountain Dog, I would recommend the breed. Very good with kids, very people oriented (follows my GF everywhere, a constant companion), gets along well with the cat, and otherwise fits your request (he barks alot when strangers are around, but is not a biter/aggressive with people).

One quirk though--the breed does not seem to have the "fetch" instinct, but they can be "taught" to fetch. It was really funny to watch my GF teach this to the dog, but he eventually got it...

I almost got a Newf, similar disposition and features, but the Bernese is smaller and tri-colored.

-Dog

 

[esh]

We've had 3 goldens in our family since I was a kid. All have been smart(that's such a deceptive word), all patient with kids, and all seem to be content with life. They all have craved love/attention, none have liked loud/chaotic situations. Great companions, curious, easy to teach. I've known a pretty "stupid" golden but knowing the owner, it had more to do with how the dog was treated than the dog itself.

This is such a broad question, I can't even recommend something over another. So many variables, many having to do with the owner(s), their situation in life and characteristics. Like the comments for the malamute above. I have friends with 2 rescue malamutes and no way in hell would I trust them around kids- too skittish/random in their behavior. Was it the abuse they got as pups? Hell yes for sure that's part, but is it also something to do with the breed? Is it because they're in a 3-dog "pack?" Got me... How do the owners work with them? They seem to be caring and attentive owners.

My golden's a rescue and I believe had a really hard time his 1st year of life. He was dropped off in the "night deposit" of the pound and I think he came from a broken home. Luckily he has a great nature and over time has learned to completely trust people again. Has great patience with very small kids, wants to party with everyone, can learn new things easily. He's about the goofiest dog I've ever met. I have an idea of what kind of a dog I'd like for him to be and I want him to enjoy his life.. everyone has their idea of what they want for a pet, none exactly the same. How a certain breed responds to those differing ideas seems to have just the same amount to do with luck as anything I guess.

My advice is- if you trust your instinct, follow it.