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Velocity2

Velocity2

Joined
Sep 12, 2004
Threads
16
Messages
158
Location
cinci,Oh
Ok.....well im looking for a new dog. I want a pit but my parents wont let me live while i live at home.....and it will be a few years til i move out....all i have to pay is for shop electric and fix my parents cars (so i cant complain and the everything i need is close by) so those are out even though i really like em. I want a larger dog. I take them out almost everyday. I like to rollerblade alot so i give them a goodwork out ;p anyways im looking at possibly a black lab (european), boxer,bullmastiff,doberman,great dane ret. greayhound. Those are the dogs i prefer. Well i wanted to see what your guys prefrence is. I have spent alot of time around all the dogs and i enjoy them all ALOT. If you have another dog along those lines please mention them. i would prefer to have them like water since in the summer i enjoy going for swims :cool: thanks again guys! btw i would prefer a AKC or equivelent dog. I dont mind paying for quality.Being good around kids is a must. I know it depends alot on the dogs but i would still your experinces with them. :bounce:
 
GSP's are my preference now. I grew up with labs still love em, and have a mixed one. Look at a GSP rescue..

Here is my little one:
greta.webp
 
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i know this sounds dumb but what are GSP's? Never heard of them i dont think....they look like some sort of a hound to me though.....
 
rotties

My all time Favorite is Rotties. I got one now that is nothing but a 100lb puppy even through she's almost 5. She also is VERY protective over my little girl, not letting any one else near her. They need lots of exercise too so this might be up your alley. They get a bad rap. Check into rescue first though. Too many good dogs need homes now.
 
Just a couple of thoughts ... you probably want to pick one of the sporting breeds if you plan on exercising him a lot. Some working breeds, hounds, and herders like to romp a lot too.

Herders usually need a lot of mental stimulation, like games and training, or they tend to get bored and that's not good for you or your stuff.

Hounds are often called dumb. But the fact is, they're just hard to train. Not because they're stupid, but they'd much rather follow an interesting scent or chase something than listen to you.

Despite the fact that greyhounds are built for speed, they're more spinters than marathoners, so get tuckered out pretty quickly. They have a reputation for being couch potatoes.

You can learn a lot about the various breeds on the AKC website:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/group.cfm

Also, if you set on getting a purebred and are thinking of showing, get him from a reputable breeder. It's easy peasy to get papers these days, so make a thorough inquiry about the dog's lineage and his ancestors' health. They should have both parents on site. Ask to have a look at them. Ask how many times the bitch has been bred and how frequently. The breeder should also be registered with the AKC.

If you don't plan on showing him or having a breeder breed him, get him neutered. Also like wes said, look into rescues if you're not concerned about showing or breeding, but are looking for a companion.

However don't let breed or size restrict you totally, they are more like general guidelines. For instance, my mini dachshund (who actually came from a shelter) is not at all a lapdog. He's not yappy. He loves to hike (up to 7 miles) and swim (most hounds don't) and he's very smart.

On the other hand our shepard / ? mix is a big galoot who loves to snuggle and gets worn out after 45 minutes of play.

Another good site if you have any questions about dogs:
http://forums.about.com/ab-dogs/messages

Good luck!
 
grrlscout89FJ62 said:
You can learn a lot about the various breeds on the AKC website:
http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/group.cfm
Click to expand...

Definatly look at the tempermant and what you think will fit your lifestyle now and in the future. say next 10-15years. GSP's need exercise..

http://www.gsprescue.org/contact.html

gsp is a german shorthair pointer. bird dog mostly. although mine is consumed with rabbits that we have here...

Thanks.. She is an absolute doll. Pic was when she was about 4mos.. she's about 9mos now I think.
 
I have had my two greyhounds for about 2 years and doubt I will ever not have at least one laying around. I requested a more laid back hound, so my girls are pretty lazy but it varies.

There is some good general information on the breed here as well as listing of adoption groups:

www.adopt-a-greyhound.org

Lastly, not to sound preachy but make sure you are ready for a life changing decision before you make one. My girlfriends roommate got a dog in the past year and its been nothing but trouble since she will not change her lifestyle to accomidate the dogs needs. I am talking about basic s*&t like not working 12 hour days (she's in grad school and could work from home if she chose) and making time in the day to spend with the dog.

Anyways, I'll get off my soap box now and say good luck.
 
I think a lab is probably the best dog for your situation - smart, active, easy to train, good around people. I've got a 1 yr old chocolate - great dog for everything (running, hunting, wheeling). Not that it's the best dog for everyone - needs a big yard to run around in for sure.

Just to add something you might not have put any thought into - you're probably going to be getting your own place one day...and there are lots of restrictions out there on big dogs. In Texas there are even restrictions on certain types of dogs - forget about renting an apartment if you've got a rot/pit/dobie ... the apartments don't want the insurance liability. I understand to some degree to - I had two dobermans that I raised from pups ... great loving dogs to the immediate family, but got scary real quick around people they didn't know. One of them bit a mover once - the stupid guy taunted her when she barked at him (don't ever do this to a protective breed) ... you know where this story ends.

Good luck man!

Tucker
 
Velocity2 said:
a black lab (european), boxer,bullmastiff,doberman,great dane ret. greayhound.
Click to expand...

Lab's are great, but a very common dog, and I like something a little more 'unusual'.

Bull mastiff's don't live very long from what I've heard, 5-7 years. Something to consider.

Great dane's are AWESOME, but big dogs can get big hip problems, if you're REALLY active, then this is also a consideration. (drove past a brindle great dane yesterday the was so impressive I had to stop and get a closer look).

Greyhound's are great house pets, but as pointed out- tire over long distances. PLus, you have to have a leash on them at all times- as they will chase a rabit or cat right out on a road and not think twice about it.

I second the opinion above about Rotties. Awesome dogs when raised correctly.

I have an Alaskan Malamute and a Siberian Husky- the malamute fits your 'big dog' list, but isn't much of a long distance athlete. 5-8 miles is about tops at any real speed. They can walk and hike all day long though- just give them plenty of water and a nap when you stop for lunch. Siberians are athletic freaks. Last winter we ran both dogs behind our jeep for exercise. I sat in the back holding the leashes and the wifey drove. We could run the Malamute for about 3-4 miles at 5-8 mph. We could never run the husky hard enough to tire her out. When the Malamute got put in the back of the jeep after 4 miles we'd pick up the pace on the husky. She'd run happy as anything you'd ever seen at 12-15 mph for as long as we cared to. We did 3 miles with her at low speed and then another 4 miles at high speed one day- she wasn't even hardly breathing hard when she hopped in the truck. Amazing animals.
 
You can't go wrong with a retired Greyhound. We have had ours for 7 years and she has never been a problem. She has full run of the house and has since we brought her home. The most loving dog you could ever imagine. We plan on having them around as long as we are able.

They are not able to do much in the heat of summer... they overheat easily. Leashing is also a good idea as they are sighthounds. Other than that... great dogs.

Great cause, too. Here's Monday...
Monday.webp
 
westintl, That's a great looking pup. We have always had shorthairs. I will try to find more pics of the all liver pup I got my dad in june.
Joe
 
thanks for all the replies. Everyone here has beautiful dogs......it almost makes it too hard to choose! i wouldnt push the dog past what they are capable of (not long distances,not overheating them) and spending time with the animal is a must. Dogs are much better adjusted and not as hyper whne they are showered with love.

jhshatts-does monday like the water or are they scared of it?
 
grrlscout89FJ62 said:
If you don't plan on showing him or having a breeder breed him, get him neutered.
Good luck!
Click to expand...


NO WAY! I know i wouldn't want my nuts cliped would you (sorry :doh: ) would anyone else with them want them snipped?

German Shorthaired pointers are very nice dogs. They run very gracefully. Here is a pic of my friends GSP with my yellow lab.
 
Sorry, i totally ignored your question in the first place.
If you like to spend alot of time in the water, you might want to consider a Chesapeake Bay Retreiver(sp). They really love the water. The ones my freinds have acually seem happier in the water than on dry land. If we go to the beach or lake, their Chessies will swim and play in the water with you all day. They are really rugged dogs, pretty good around kids,very trainable, and very protective of their homes and families.
Joe
 
Golden Reteiver if you don't mind a little hair.
 
Goldens are very nice dogs also.
 
Joe's right, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers love the water, have good personalities, and are great looking dogs. Nobody loved the water as much as a Newfoundland I knew--real strong swimmer; got kinda grumpy in her old age, though. I would LOVE to have a nice, huge malamute, but the rest of the family (uh, the wife) won't let me.

"Take it out almost every day," however, doesn't cut it--if you want a dog that likes to be outside, you gotta do it every day. Treat it like your own kid.

Don't discount the mutts, though--AKC "quality" doesn't mean a better dog, it just means a recognized breed, and therefore more of a chance of problems due to overbreeding. Mutts are usually the happiest, healthiest, goofiest dogs on the planet.
 
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