Another "What Dog Should I Get?" Post

Mark J

Mark J

Joined
Mar 15, 2001
Messages
2,450
Yup, we're considering getting a family pet. We've had dogs before (terriers), so we know a bit about what we're getting into. :eek: Here are the pertinent facts.

Family: Two parents, one son age 10, one daughter age 6
Location: Rural area with 1.5 acres of property, although not fenced. Dog would probably be in a dog house outside.
Dog Run: Will create a fenced dog run for the new pet.
Preferences: Larger dog (protection, real or perceived), no "yippy" dogs, short hair (minimal shedding), intelligent dog, prefer an adult (i.e., not a puppy), no diggers.

The ones we've investigated so far have included a German Shepherd, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Doberman, and Greyhound. So what say ye? Is one of these appropriate, or something totally different? Thanks in advance for the help.

- Mark
 
What about a boxer ?

I had one for nine years and they are a very kind natured and intelligent dog. If you want a worker they can be trained fairly easily, too.

I cannot recommend them enough.

Mark.
 
If you are looking for an adult dog search out the animal rescue groups in your area. Breed won't matter as much as a nice animal that likes kids and will obey you, plus you will save a life.
 
I'm partial to Weimaraners myself. Large breed, especially the males, very short hair, minimal shedding, extremely intelligent and easy to train, super protectors of "their turf". Another plus is that they are superb hunters... orginally bred to be all-purpose woodsman's dogs... upland game, waterfowl, deer, etc.

AJ
 
How about a Shiba Inu? GREAT dogs!!EXTREMELY intelligent!! Perfect dogs, at least ours is. He leashed trained in a day, and house trained easily; he never went in the house. They are cute, looks like a fox. They do not dig, don't bark at everything and anything. (Our JRT would bark if you thought about walking by the house, and if a leaf blew by. NOT our Shiba.) Excellent guard dogs,and are great with children, when raised with them. Our Shiba doesn't care for kids, but we don't have any. They are a great size, not too big not to small. I HIGHLY recommend this dog!! Ours gets along great with the 4 cats we have.
PS: They hunt bear, boar and birds in Japan with Akitas.
 
Get a mutt... mine is very protective and cool...

CoolClyde2.jpg


Oh, I see you want an 'outdoors' type of dog. Clyde is very much the 'inside' type. Sorry! Good luck in finding a new family member! :thumbup:

DSCN1653.jpg
 
Come on now Roefisher, if you are going to tell the good, tell the bad too. We had a Rottie so the slobber factor is about the same as a Boxer, they generally forget to swallow the last mouthful of water and then walk into the living room and shake their heads. Bits of kibble, meat, water and slobber fly in all directions and you need stop ladders to wipe it off the ceiling. :)

Wouldn't have swapped him for anything though.

My suggestion if where you live isnt too cold is a Rhodesian Ridgeback. A dog used for Lion hunting in S. Africa, very smart, very little shedding, intelligent and brave to a fault.

andywl.jpg
 
If you don't like shedding then you definitely shouldn't get a german shepherd. They shed all year long. I have three white shepherds. There's a lot of white fur in my house. I sweep the floors daily. I'm willing to put up with it because I love them. I'd hate to see you get one and decide you don't like the poor thing because of his/her shedding. If you're interested in a particular breed, call the local rescue group and talk to them about that breed. They'll give it to you straight because they don't want to see the wrong dog go to the wrong home. Getting a new dog is sooo exciting. How often can you pick and choose a future best friend. :) Let us know what you decide. They're all beautiful just different. :)
 
Cindy Denning said:
Good natured dog, Golden Retrivers
Click to expand...

Oh, Goldens are great. They're one of the best breeds there is if you don't mind a slightly larger and very, very energetic dog. But, look at those pictures you posted: zero guard dog potential.

German Shepherd, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Doberman, that would be my short list for the characteristics initially listed as desired.
 
Get a Husky :cool: . My husky looks mean and sounds mean but is a baby and is good with kids. They do shed however you get used to it. They are really smart and just all around fun dog. Plus they don't mind being outside
 
I'm partial to Chows, great watch dogs, very territorial. They attach themselves to one person or a family, good around kids and would give their life for their family.

The downsides you have to get them as pups, because of their nature to bond with only one person or a family. They can't be touched or approached by outsiders.
If other animals should happen to stray into your yard they will be killed or seriously injured. If larger dogs get into your yard, they or your dog will be seriously injured. This sounds serious, but if properly cared for they make very loyal, loving dogs.

My chow Lippy was a great friend, I had him for 13 years and lost him about a year ago. Not that anyone cares, just thought I would throw that in.
 
Gollnick said:
Oh, Goldens are great. They're one of the best breeds there is if you don't mind a slightly larger and very, very energetic dog. But, look at those pictures you posted: zero guard dog potential.

German Shepherd, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Doberman, that would be my short list for the characteristics initially listed as desired.
Click to expand...
Gollnick is right and the German Shepherd sounds more like a winner. Who doesn't look at this breed and think...DOH...plus loyal too.
 
Biting accidents in Europe
#1 German Shepperd
#2 Golden retriever

it's not the breed it's how you raise the dog!
 
Golden Retrievers require a lot of grooming. If you are going to keep the dog outdoors, you should get a short-haired dog. (Less dirt, fewer fleas, less matting of fur.)

Normally I would suggest a Standard Poodle as a family dog, obviously ;) , but in your case I would really consider going to your local animal shelter and seeing what is available there. They all need homes, and you can find an adult dog at a reasonable price, and they are almost always tested and treated for all kinds of things before they are permitted for adoption.

I grew up with two shelter/rescued dogs and they proved to be really great dogs. Best of luck to you. Please go and at least look at what is available before deciding on a specific "breed" of dog.

~ashes
 
I love my rottweiller and my mutt. They are both smart, very loving, excellent with my children, and are watchful, powerful, and empathetic.

My advice? Remember that each dog is a unique individual, regardless of the breed(s). Also, two dogs are much more than twice as effective as one alone. They are naturally pack animals and instinctivley work together, once their relative statuses have been established.
 
Mark J said:
Yup, we're considering getting a family pet. We've had dogs before (terriers), so we know a bit about what we're getting into. :eek: Here are the pertinent facts.

Family: Two parents, one son age 10, one daughter age 6
Location: Rural area with 1.5 acres of property, although not fenced. Dog would probably be in a dog house outside.
Dog Run: Will create a fenced dog run for the new pet.
Preferences: Larger dog (protection, real or perceived), no "yippy" dogs, short hair (minimal shedding), intelligent dog, prefer an adult (i.e., not a puppy), no diggers.

The ones we've investigated so far have included a German Shepherd, Rhodesian Ridgeback, Doberman, and Greyhound. So what say ye? Is one of these appropriate, or something totally different? Thanks in advance for the help.

- Mark
Click to expand...



Hm...I think a rotweiler sounds about the right dog for you...there are better choices but they have longer hair...I wouldn't put a doberman in a dog house (outside) for the whole year long... unless you live in warm climate
 
I'd say a Great Dane, Doberman, Rottweiler, or Rhodesian Ridgeback. I LOVE the Great Pyrenees too, you'd have to live in a cooler climate if it's going to be an outside dog. They have a very thick coat but only shed once a year (although it's heavy). Mastiffs are beautiful dogs too. They're said to have lovely family dispositions. Both the Great Pyrenees and the Mastiffs are very protective of families.
 
Mark,

If you haven't tried one yet, another suggestion is to find a good dog selection book. There are books out there that list the typical attributes of each breed (such as shed, no-shed, one-person dog versus family dog, protector versus just an alerter, intelligence level, etc.). We used one of these when we got our dog and found it very useful. There is no 100% guarantee that a specific dog will have the attributes typical of the breed but it gets you pointed in the right direction.

By selecting an adult, you also have the advantage of being able to observe the already-established characteristics of the particular dog.

Some experts say that mutts (mixed breeds) tend to be hardier than purebreds because of their genetic diversity.

Good luck,

--SAK
 
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