Dog Opinion Needed!

[fourstringfletch]

hey I know those dogs.
If you're feeling adventerous, you could always get a labradoodle!
no I'm not kidding, they really do exist. lab/standard poodle mix
http://www.labradoodle-dogs.com/
if your friends ever make fun of you for whatever you do get, just say " hey, at least I didn't get a labradoodle" and all will be forgotten.

 

[flintknapper]

Please educate yourself.

Whatever you decide upon, please take some time to read up on what characteristics are common for the breed.

Many "pound dogs" are there because the previous owner was not aware of certain traits and became disenchanted with the animal later.

Labs are good, but remember that if you get a "pup" it will stay puppy like for 2 to 3 years before they really settle down. I find that female labs tend to train a little easier than males. Labs REQUIRE regular exercise and attention, if you simply throw some food at a "bored" Lab once a day... don't be surprised if it starts tearing up everything in sight.

Your boy's are young and will not care what kind of dog you come home with except that they will want to be able to play with it immediately.

I would not recommend a "Chessie" for a first family pet unless you are a skilled trainer.

I love a Chessie but they can be a handful and generally are too spirited (and sometimes aggressive to other dogs) to be a back yard dog.

I have no first hand experience with golden's but they enjoy a good reputation.

I would encourage you as others have....to rescue or adopt a dog if at all possible. It will help to undo the great dis-service that many of these animals have experienced.

I currently have a 3 yr. old male Chocolate Lab that is double registered (AKC,UKC) OFA'd
excellent and has his Senior Hunter title, I have raised him from a pup and he is a great dog for me, but honestly... he is not the smartest or best dog I have ever owned.

I had a Lab/Dalmation mix that was easily the best dog I have EVER owned... so don't overlook the mixed breeds.

My .02

Good luck.

 

[John E Davies]

Bernese Mountain Dog - great w/ kids, no drool (think Newfie and St. Bernards), loves the cold and being outside, definately a "people" dog - they won't leave your side. Heavy under coat = lots of sheading in the spring. Males run 100 lbs +, females 85 lbs +. Just a big lap dog w/ tons of love.

I had a female Berner for 10 yrs and she drove me crazy! Bigger than most males at 6 months, 105 pounds full grown, drooler, neurotic. She did NOT meet most of the specs for a BMD. She was _fabulous_ with kids tho, even strangers. She was not in any way a watch dog - ever seen a 105 pound dog trying to get under the bed? I wouldn't own another.

Most often heard comment: "What is that, some sort of St Bernard mix?".

If the original poster is still interested, my sister-in-law breeds them professionally and can offer purchase advice. However, keep in mind I followed her advice when I got ours from her!

My next dog will be a Jack Russell Terrier.

John

 

[NorCalDoug]

Just a few thoughts as I read through other's comments...

A buddy of mine has a Swiss Mountain/Bernese mix. Looks like a purebred Bernese to most people. Gret dog; very mellow. Does great with kids. Unless you're looking to lick anyone to death (or to incapacitate someone by placing a dog's head in their crotch) don't expect much in the way of home protection.

I have a couple mutts, but the one I'd recommend is our shepard/ChowChow mix (his father was full Chow and mother was 1/2 Shepard 1/2 Chow) He looks pretty darned close to full Chow. He's very loyal to the family and very protective of us. He's great with our kids. If he's had enough of being messed with, he'll calmly get up and leave the room --usually goes to "guard" the front door. We found him to be extremely clean -- he sort of grooms himself like a cat would by licking his front paws and cleaning his face.

You listed some good options too. If you go the pound/humane society route, I'd suggest getting a puppy and raising it with the kids so it's used to them and being fawked with. Others have mentioned small dogs biting because they're scared -- I tend to agree...plus...in my experience I've found that small dog = small head = small brain = very stupid (I use my sister-in-law's Pomeranian to back up my point what a dumb dog ).

We rescued a 6 month old Great Dane/Shepard mix a few years back. He's not as good with the kids, but has a very sweet personality otherwise. We suspect he was beaten as a pup -- he gets very nervous if objects happen to swing close to him (the Chow/Shep never flinches). The reason I mention this is that it's often difficult to determine what kind of life a dog had before you adopt it. If you have kids around, you might not want to take a chance with an older pup or older dog.

 

[spotcruiser]

Gotta vote for Alaskan Malamutes. All of the best qualities that a dog can possess. They exemplify the phrase "man's best friend". Had to have mine put down several years ago and I still miss her every day.

Todd Bull.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

I here ridgebacks are awesome dogs too....great looking as well......My vote is for a Shepherd though...Extremely loyal, beuatiful and can protect.

 

[Stone]

Bernese Mountain Dog is definitely going to be our next dog. We currently have a lovely female Golden Retriever that we rescued from the local SPCA...and she's also wonderful. But we are taken by the stunning looks and disposition of the Bernese. It's one dog that we have heard 100% positive feedback on. They make a very trustworthy family companion, and since they are from the mastiff line, they also can be very protective of their family and their family's property.

 

[K9-Cruzer]

We have a golden that is just great with people and kids. Its great that your looking at the pound and rescue centers.
Pick what you want its like having another kid.

 

[wsdavies]

Every Davies should have a Jack Russell

I had a female Berner for 10 yrs and she drove me crazy! Bigger than most males at 6 months, 105 pounds full grown, drooler, neurotic. She did NOT meet most of the specs for a BMD. She was _fabulous_ with kids tho, even strangers. She was not in any way a watch dog - ever seen a 105 pound dog trying to get under the bed? I wouldn't own another.

Most often heard comment: "What is that, some sort of St Bernard mix?".

If the original poster is still interested, my sister-in-law breeds them professionally and can offer purchase advice. However, keep in mind I followed her advice when I got ours from her!

My next dog will be a Jack Russell Terrier.

John

 

[Gumby]

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

Nope. No fetch gene. It's pretty funny. You throw a ball and it's theirs. No worry about the dog bugging everybody to throw the ball for them.

However, if you throw a kid in the pool, they will jump right in to rescue them. You have to like a dog who has an inate desire to rescue people.

 

[Gumby]

I here ridgebacks are awesome dogs too....great looking as well......My vote is for a Shepherd though...Extremely loyal, beuatiful and can protect.

The only two ridgebacks I have ever met were stupid as Hell. Great looking dogs, but if you look in their eyes you can see the back of their heads.

Small sample, YMMV.

 

[HZJ60 Guy]

Timber Wolf!

 

[reffug]

Timber Wolf!

Yes someone please give one to stuck in GA.

 

[DocB]

Most common biting dog is Chow or Chow mix. In the ER I have seen kids hurt by dogs: Pit Bull ripped the entire face off a 2 year old, eyes and all. Rottie viciously attacked a small girl who ended up with liver lacerations from abdominal bites and exposed paraspinous back muscles. I would also stay away from Dobies and Germans. I will get replies like, "all dogs can go off" and "my pit bull is the sweetest ever" but these breeds are large and strong, dangerous if they do go off (they instinctively try to kill), and by the numbers have a slightly higher tendancy to go off. You do not want this liability for the neighbor kids nor for your own. Get a Charliedog: Aussie/Spaniel/Terrier mix.

 

[nyk438]

Had a Golden Retriever when I was about 3 years old, very lovable and very loyal dogs. Only problem my parents had with the dog was that he decided to do his own landscaping .

 

[IDave]

Had a Golden Retriever ...decided to do his own landscaping .

Dig we must.....

 

[4dmalamute]

I would have to say go with a mutt. Dont get me wrong, I have had two great Giant Alaskan Malamutes, but, each one has had their own crazy problems with genetics and stuff passed along the gene pool! I love those dogs, just have to make sure your ready for potential problems, not that all have them but it is a common problem. Oh yes, I say mutt due to my lab/greyhound mix is 12 yrs old and she was a bargin...$50.00! No problems and just a great dog. The lab in her really makes going to the lake a common thing, and the greyhound makes her fast as hell and still very snugly up on the couch or bed when you want to relax. One breed I would say pass on is St Bernard. Ok ok ok that is a biased opinion but I have one and he is dumb as rocks and just looking at him you can see there is nothing between his ears! Take a look for yourself and see what im talking about. Oh and he is only a year old and is over 180 pounds! Ya big dog who is dumb and weighs in at the same amount as me= not good!!! This picture is of my wife and my bastard ST Bernard when he was only 8 weeks old!! Ya he is huge!

 

[flintknapper]

Had a Golden Retriever when I was about 3 years old, very lovable and very loyal dogs. Only problem my parents had with the dog was that he decided to do his own landscaping .

I can dig it!

 

[teapot]

We bought a Rhodesion Ridgeback from the pet rescue 2 years ago and he's great with kids and protecting the house.The best 130 lb(all muscle)dog i could ever have and when he is gone the wife said we'll get another one along with another rescued dog.

 

[Exiled]

I love these discussions because we can never agree, everybody likes their own breed and there's so many cool dogs out there.

My vote is for an Australian Cattle Dog (ACD, also known as Blue Heeler or Queensland Heeler). We got ours at a working ranch in Wickenburg, AZ, he was 6 weeks old, cheap (came with a bag of Ol' Roy and the most worms our vet had ever seen), and has been an unbelievable dog! He's loyal, smart, affectionate, protective, playful, clean, obedient and loving, the best dog I've ever had.

They're hard-working, low-maintenance dogs that bond to one person (definitely my wife, although he loves me...his chin is on my foot as I type), but when our son was born (8 months ago), it was love at first sight, he's always checking in on the baby when he sleeps, and acts like he's the baby's owner!

Whatever you get, make sure it doesn't come from a "puppy mill", and make sure you start training EARLY.