Dog Opinion Needed!

[hammerhead]

My German Rott was the best dog I ever had. Passed away a year ago. Still haven't replaced. Absolutely terrific with my kids. He adopted my firstborn daughter Ellie when we brought her home from the Hospital. It was kinda funny, he stood back watching as we took such delicate care of her and it seemed he just knew what was up. As Ellie grew Shadow helped like any family member. He would be her pillow to watch TV. He would bring her to us if she needed her diaper changed. He even helped her learn to walk. She would grab on to his jaw or lip and he would lift her to her feet. As soon as she was stable he would carefully walk her along holding upward pressure on her little hand as a parent would. It was amazing to watch. When Bridan was born two years after Ellie he was the same with the new baby except it seemed he knew the difference between a sweet little girl and a rough and tumble boy. When the kids got big enough they would ride him like a horse...

It's kinda funny because this was the scariest looking beast of a dog you could imagine. He was very smart and trained extremely well. I taught him hand signals as well as verbal commands.

As a side note the short hair made it no hassle to let him in the house part of the time. Don't misunderstand me though. I really don't think any 125 pound dog is a good house dog just because of the "bull in a china closet" factor.

 

[calamaridog]

I have to say you cannot go wrong with a good mutt! They come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. You can find the right one for your family by visiting several local shelters.

I looked at about 300 dogs before I picked mine. She is perfect, and one of a kind. Take the kids with you whatever you do and make sure you are getting a kid dog, one that has no hesitation around the kids.

All dogs were bred with certain traits, so understand what you are getting before you bring it home. And no dog is worth a crap without training!

 

[critterhunter]

I would have t agree Heintz 57 "pound Pup" but if you wanted to go purbred I have a MinPin miniture pincher great dog smart loves kids very tolorable very small land mines and a big set of balls when it comes to pertection

 

[mj1015]

Mutts love you

Only a mutt will do. My dog was born in my back yard in Sarajevo. During the war lots of dogs got turned loose. Up till I came to Afghanistan he was rarely out of sight. Maybe the best dog in the world. Smart and well trained. Really miss the good guy, but my wife is taking good care of him. I am pretty sure when you rescue them they know. I will never buy a dog. There are just to many out there just looking for friend. Just my 2 cents.

 

[masscrusher]

I love dogs, not too fond of little, yappy dogs, but I love them anyway.

Kuma, our current "other son" is a mix of something black and Shiba Inu. Which translates in I am big, black, shaggy, loves water, and it is possesive beyoung human imagination. He only obeys me and my oldest son, everybody else is under him in the pack order.

Kuma was roaming the streets of Okinawa, presumably abandoned by an Army family. A lady from NH, who is a teacher there, also works for PAWS, one of the animal recue leagues. So we adopted Kuma from her.

 

[tonkota]

My vote is for a mutt or two so they can play and not chew up all your stuff. Pure breeds sometimes have medical problems. We have two mutts:

http://www.steelnthings.com/dogs

Barney is twice that size now! And Betty likes to play with him.

 

[secretagent]

I prefer pussy

 

[Cards81fan]

I just got another dog a few weeks ago, to go with my wonderful 17 pound mini-pin mutt mix, Scooter.

I got a full-blood with papers Italian greyhoud, from the pound (with papers?!?) Not that I care about papers, but she was about the right size, doesn't shed, and VERY affectionate. Onl thing is, she wasn't disciplined at all. Never even new her own name, and she was 2 years old. Well, now she knows her name and many commands, is 10 times better on a leash, and is about 85% housebroken (wan ZERO percent when we got her). I think Scooter hates the fact she wasn't trained, as he gets upset with himself if he gets sick and throws up on the tile on accident).

She loves everyone, but can tend to be a bit 'rough' when playing (it wouldn't hurt anyone, but it might scare someone). All 13 pounds of her. Even that small she is EXTREMELY fast (duh!), and gotten of the leash many times (and on instinct, RUNS everywhere).

I Don't know if I would pick her again, but I sure can't give her up now. But I still favor my scooter (Lady the italian greyhound is more my girlfriend's dog.) These are not her, but VERY close

You see THIS sad face alot, as they wrinkle their forehead get pouty when they get in trouble

 

[Cookiemonster]

Anything but a killer dog such as the pitbull.

 

[White Shark]

Anything but a killer dog such as the pitbull.

Yeah. None of those maneaters. Especially not those backyard bred types...

 

[DocB]

Terrier-Aussie-some-kind-of-spaniel; the runt of the litter and rescued from a shelter in Dallas; the last puppy in a dumped off litter to be taken. Loves me and loves riding in cruisers.

 

[spotcruiser]

Great photo Doc. I sure do miss my old dog.

 

[Critter]

I am sure I am going to be the only one to say this but... I grew up with Poodles so my vote goes to them. Get a standard or a miniature if you get one, not a toy or teacup.

Very good with children if raised from a puppy and very protective of their owners. You won't have to deal with the "2 year" puppy stage that labs go through either. They are also very intelligent and very loyal dogs. I have a standard here with me at school and as one of my friends pointed out, he would follow me to the end of the world no questions asked.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

My vote.

German Shepherd or Rhodesian Ridgeback.

 

[Cruiserhead05]

Gsd

3 years old. 105 lbs. Best dogs ever. loyal, playful, awesome with kids and other dogs(we have 4) and great guard dogs.
the downfall....they shed, like crazy

 

[SCJO06]

My vote is for either a Weimerainer or great dane. I had a weim for about ten years, greatest dog a growing boy could have.

 

[LC_Hamma]

Got Dobies? Long lived (mine are 11 yrs.), short haired, don't shed, very inteilligent, always at your feet, incredile loyalty, generally good with people. I've grown up with many different types of dogs. As you get older you realize what's the best & you get it!

 

[Uncle Ben]

Mutts are the best! I have always had a dog in my life and while all dogs are great the mutts are always the most loyal and good all around! We have a Cock-A-Poo (Cocker Spanial/Poodle) right now and he is an awesome dog! Doesn't shed, very friendly, has trained very easy (smart!) and is serious comic relief!

 

[Clyde-2]

Sure do like our Brits........very intelligent, easy to train, low maintenance
(except for white hair on the wood floors during summer!), very loyal.
Sara on the left, Cisco on the right. Have to be careful, some Brits
are very hyper.

My brother has a Border Collie Mix (Ozzy) from the pound, sure
is a good dog. Think we will probably get a pound puppy next time
around.

 

[Critter]

Pic of my poodle. They do have to be groomed,

He is 24" at the shoulder standing on all 4, but only weighs 50lbs. He is taller than the run of the mill lab, however he has a shorter upper body and long legs so he looks like a box from the side.