Another "What Dog Should I Get?" Post

uncle Alan · Sep 4, 2005

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. 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

2 years ago we went to the Humane Society & I chose a puppy over wife's objections. Being an old country boy,training was no problem. I chose a pup because it had no bad habits or complexes & since it was a mix, no gene carried problems.
We were fortunate. Our pup was a street stray,about 10 weeks old. She might have been abused or maybe neglect did it but she was extremely jumpy.
Right off,she showed alertness & a desire to please . When a dog looks to you for guidance & is anxious to please you,you have a winner.
She is an interesting mix & as she matured,became very protective of us & our property.Early on the Avon lady came & an extremely wide swath of her erupted from neck to tail. I went to google & with a bit of looking ,discovered she was principally Rhodesian Ridgeback. There is some greyhound & a bit of Collie, I'm sure. She runs like a gazelle & has an Elezibethan collar.
A bit hard of head,she responds well to hand & voice commands. The only remaining problem is she becomes totally deaf if game is nearby. We put up a fence to give us peace of mind.
Sorry for being very longwinded. Ask a Southern boy the time & he'll try to tell you how to make a watch !

Tough love works with dogs !

Uncle Alan

Crushenator 500 · Sep 4, 2005

I've got a weimerana, and it's a great dog

Sounds right for you too

I've also got a whippet though, and just noticed you say you're thinking about getting a greyhound... both whippet (and im assuming greyhound) and weimerana are awesome

weimerana:

Razzierb · Sep 4, 2005

How's bout a black Lab or a black Lab mix. We've got a black Lab with a little Pitt Bull mixed in. Great gentle fearless dog. People are calling them Pittadores on some of the dog boards. Mine weighs 65 pounds.

DaveH · Sep 4, 2005

if it's time is mostly spent outside in a run you should find one that's pretty independent, a dog that wants bond with his people will be miserable.

Bob W · Sep 4, 2005

To expand on what DaveH says, dogs left outside don't bond well and make poor pets. Or so I've read...

Dogs left on chains often become anti-social, violent, and destructive. It's also cruel, and illegal in many places.

Many of the breeds mentioned so far require incredible amounts of excercise and won't be happy in a run for extended amounts of time. Working dog breeds need to have 'jobs' or structured excercise or they can become destructive. Some working breed dogs bond well to one person, but don't do well with families.

Dogs are like kids. They act up when they're bored or don't get enough excercise.

The best setup for you might be to fence the property. Let the dogs outside during the day so they can run and play, and let them inside when the family members return from work/school.

Good Luck in your search!
-Bob

Blueeyeddevil · Sep 4, 2005

DaveH said:
if it's time is mostly spent outside in a run you should find one that's pretty independent, a dog that wants bond with his people will be miserable.

exactly. Also What Bob W said. If you want a dog who would be outside get some sort of sheperd dog as they 're very independent and don't need particular attention from people. Btw don't get a doberman,because it's a not family dog; it's a personal dog, it's mentaly sensitive and requires a lot of attention and workout. If you and your family don't intent to spent much time with your dog also avoid getting molosoid (like an english mastif for example) kind of dog,because if they're left alone they become anti-social and very dangerous.

T.K.C. · Sep 4, 2005

I think it is cruel to leave a dog outside all the time!!

A Grayhound and Whippet are 2 different dogs, by the way.

I am not trying to be a PITA.

Bob W · Sep 4, 2005

A Grayhound and Whippet are 2 different dogs, by the way.

I think whippets are very similar to greyhounds, but smaller. Both require an incredible amount of excercise. Greyhounds have no fat, and should not be left outdoors. They also require a fenced yard, since they'll chase anything and can't be called back.

-Bob

jsmatos · Sep 5, 2005

Blueeyeddevil said:
exactly. Also What Bob W said. If you want a dog who would be outside get some sort of sheperd dog as they 're very independent and don't need particular attention from people. Btw don't get a doberman,because it's a not family dog; it's a personal dog, it's mentaly sensitive and requires a lot of attention and workout. If you and your family don't intent to spent much time with your dog also avoid getting molosoid (like an english mastif for example) kind of dog,because if they're left alone they become anti-social and very dangerous.

My three shepherds would DIE if I left them outside all day long. One of my sheps, Thor, wouldn't even go outside if I shut the door behind him. The minute I'd shut the door, he'd turn around and stare into the window with this desperate expression on his mug. We finally resolved the matter by getting a doggy door. Now he knows that he can come in and out as he pleases, and he now spends a lot more time outside. Even Freyja, who seems to love the outside, gets very upset if I refuse to let her in for long periods of time. This usually happens on cleaning day when I don't want them underfoot.

Tyr would've been able to make it outside, he's our toughest, but he wouldn't be the loving companion that he is now. He needed the daily love and affection.

Honestly, I've never understood why people get dogs just to keep in their backyard. Security perhaps, but not companionship. There was one family in my old neighborhood that kept two dogs in his garage all day long. Hello, it's Florida for Godness sake.

I'm sure it's just a relationship that I don't understand because I've never had an outside dog. My husband grew up with outside dogs, but insists that they all were so wild that it just made sense. He may be the first person I've ever met who loves dogs more than me. I just asked him and he admits that he never had relationships with his outside dogs like he does with Thor, Freyja, and Tyr. BTW, why does it matter if the dog sheds a lot if it's gonna stay outside?

Shann · Sep 5, 2005

No offense, but if you are getting a dog with the plan to leave him outside tied up with a dog house most of the time, don't get a dog.

Install a decent alarm system. It will be cheaper in the long run and you won't have to get your house messy with dog hair.

Mordachai · Sep 5, 2005

Instead of a German shepard, what about a belgian Malinois( there's 3 belgian shepards- the malinois is the short haired one...) MAlinois are very smart, very agile, great with kids, and are incredible protectors of what is thiers....
I've had one for years now, and this dog continues to amaze me at her ability and wanting to learn and please her master. Just a few months ago, I taught her to 'shake off the dirt' when coming back inside. Just a few times telling her and a good doggie everytime, now she does it on command. Oh and she's 9 years old, who says old dogs can't learn new tricks..

Here's my Malinois

Also there's adog called a presa canario, they are BIG dogs 150# + but are like family, they will connect to your family so well you won't belive it, and as long as you're cool with company so will they, but the minute they sense something wrong.... they will let it be known.

My neighbor just got one of these dogs, and it's super smart, doesn't really act like most big breeds do, want to be around people, so if you're not around much, probably not a good dog for ya. But I guess the same goes for any dog, if you're not around, then why get a dog?

Go to a shelter and look at the doggies there.
Call around, there's rescue groups everywhere. Malinois are easy to find in rescues, casue they don't always make it to be a police dog, but a dog with a year of K-9 training that didn't pass a gunshot test or attack test, or some other test for police will still be an incredible dog, with training that you'd have to spend lots of time and $ to attain. Usually these rescued dogs are close to free.

Also there's a dog called a dutch shepard , they are getting more popular, very much like a malinois.

Anyways, good luck finding a new 'best friend'

|M|

skunked · Sep 5, 2005

Good mutt. If you go to a shelter they usually know the dogs they have and how they behave, plus you are doing our animal friends a favor. We have a beagle and he is mostly a great dog, he will even growl at people when my wife walks him at night(but not if I walk him! the wimp)

jsmatos · Sep 5, 2005

skunked said:
Good mutt. If you go to a shelter they usually know the dogs they have and how they behave, plus you are doing our animal friends a favor. We have a beagle and he is mostly a great dog, he will even growl at people when my wife walks him at night(but not if I walk him! the wimp)

That's because dogs are pack animals. When they join a family they immediately determine their hierarchy within the pack. It sounds to me like your dog views you as the alpha male (top of the ladder) so that when he's out with you, you're in control. He sees himself as above your wife, or at least he sees your wife as more vulnerable, so he is the alpha when it's just the two of them.

When you have big dogs, teaching them the hierarchy becomes a more important issue. It was a big concern for me when we brought our first two sheps home. I didn't want them to see me as weaker than them. They get it now.

jsmatos · Sep 5, 2005

Mordachai,

Those dogs are beautiful. They sound like great companions.

Geraldo · Sep 5, 2005

If you're going to leave the dog outside, how do you see it being able to protect you? To be even remotely useful for protection, a dog has to be in the house whenever you are. You might be better off with motion lights and an .45 than a dog. There also isn't a guarantee that your furry friend will work very hard as a guard dog. Our labs sound ferocious and bark at everything and everyone that goes by the house; until they go to sleep at night, when they fail to notice any disturbance whatsoever. So far they have slept through loud arguements carried out by neighbors, as well as the police helicopter circling overhead.

Also consider that if your kids fall in love with this dog they will want him in the house at least some of the time. It's a lot easier to control fleas and his general hygeine if he lives inside.

Here's a pic of them in their vigilant mode:

Mordachai · Sep 5, 2005

Geraldo said:
To be even remotely useful for protection, a dog has to be in the house whenever you are. You might be better off with motion lights and an .45 than a dog. There also isn't a guarantee that your furry friend will work very hard as a guard dog. Our labs sound ferocious and bark at everything and everyone that goes by the house; until they go to sleep at night, when they fail to notice any disturbance whatsoever. So far they have slept through loud arguements carried out by neighbors, as well as the police helicopter circling overhead..........

Well You almost seem to answer the Question you stated,
If you're going to leave the dog outside, how do you see it being able to protect you?
You say your doggies are ferocious sounding, that I have no doubt, and also say they go to sleep and let everything happen unnoticed. If the dogs are outside they are much much more likely to stay up, or at least more alert. I say this from experience. My old golden retreiver kept every darn coon, cat and anything else off our property all night long as long as she was outside. In bad storms we used to take her in, but she'd find a corner and stay there all night quiet as a mouse. Wasn't the case when she slept outside. and then she'd sleep through the hottest part of the day, as most dogs do(and I often would like to do the same!)

If dogs are outside, they will be more likely to see an intruder BEFORE they get even near the house in question. About 95% of dogs bark, and bark alot when a stranger comes near. I think having a dog outside to do this gives you the upper hand, as you will know there is something going on.
But this could also be annoying, as the dogs could be barking at a raccoon or the neighbor's cat! It makes you stay on your toes though!

An outside dog and motion lights will do wonders for home security, most robbers or ner`do`wells will stay away from such a house and find an easier target.
Me personally, I wish to have both outside and inside dogs, for both companionship and protection..... from both the inside and the outside dogs...
I hope your .45 is your last resort(as it should be) but is also a necessary item for home defense as I see it.
|M|

Interestingly enough, my neighbor's presa canario will stay somewhat quiet until he KNOWS or sees something he doesn't like. I suppose it's the inherent nature of the dog's sneak attack!

Geraldo · Sep 5, 2005

I get your point, Mord. To be a bit more clear, an outside dog is at best an alarm, but offers no direct protection. An inside dog might do one, both, or neither (as in the case of my current pups).

When I was a kid, my family had dogs outside. They barked frequently, and so far we know, never at a human being. The risk there is that they cry wolf so to speak, and that they are ignored the one time there is a real threat.

David Schott · Sep 5, 2005

I have an australian shepherd. Sometimes I am pretty sure he is smarter than me. I have a blue merle double grey eyed little bugger. Name is Loki.

Wild, over-athletic dog. He is 18" at the shoulders and can clear a 5.5 foot fence from a standing leap. I have no doubt he would go over a 6 footer if after a deer or a bird.

flava · Sep 5, 2005

If you want to keep a dog, you should either put some kind of fence arround the house and let it out (with shelter available for bad weather) or keep it in the house. Chained dogs ain't happy, except when you unchain them.
That being said, as long as choosing a breed, I'd say go for one of:

Amstaff (females tend to be better companions for kids than males, less agressive to other dogs but equally protective)
Bullmastiff - great dogs, very protective to the family, that's what we have

American Bulldog - great dogs again
Mutt - they can be great dogs and are definitely less prone to genetical diseases than the pure breeds (inbreeding, you know...)

Blueeyeddevil · Sep 5, 2005

jsmatos said:
My three shepherds would DIE if I left them outside all day long. One of my sheps, Thor, wouldn't even go outside if I shut the door behind him. The minute I'd shut the door, he'd turn around and stare into the window with this desperate expression on his mug. We finally resolved the matter by getting a doggy door. Now he knows that he can come in and out as he pleases, and he now spends a lot more time outside. Even Freyja, who seems to love the outside, gets very upset if I refuse to let her in for long periods of time. This usually happens on cleaning day when I don't want them underfoot. Tyr would've been able to make it outside, he's our toughest, but he wouldn't be the loving companion that he is now. He needed the daily love and affection.

What is the breed of your shepherds? Anyway I think your dog has an unusual temperament for a shepherd dog. Shepherd dog breeds are rather indenpendent and outdoors kind of dogs...some of them very so...for example this one :

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/sarplaninac.htm

or this one :http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/caucasianowtcharka.htm