Help me pick a dog

raindog101

raindog101

Joined
Jan 22, 2007
Messages
3,131
Alright,
I've already been discussing this topic in another thread, but figured I had hijacked that thread enough. So here is my dilemma: We (me, wife, and 2 y.o. daughter) finally have our own place. 5 acres out in the country, unfenced, 300 yards from BLM land that goes on and on. Now we want a dog (or 2), for home protection, accompanying us on our frequent wilderness jaunts, and just to pal around with. Here are some of the stipulations:
1) needs to be good with kids and other pets (cat)
2) minimal shedder
3) must be able to spend time indoors and out
4) size can vary, but generally between 50 and 120 lbs
5) fairly good guard dog, or at least an early warning system
6) needs to be able to log long miles on the trail (upwards of 20+ miles a day), and in hot summer conditions as well as winter snow
7) not too dominant, should be easygoing and medium to easy to train
8)minimal health problems
9) not too hyper
10) mixed breeds OK. We like mutts.

Any input would be appreciated. Special thanks to Skammer for his valuable advice in the other thread.
 
OK , this will get the topic started, I would say go to the pound, find a lab mixed with something else, that has had its hips checked.

Most pounds now adays will do a pretty thorough check up and vets test on the dog before letting it go, but not all of them. I would NOT take the child to the pound the first time or the wife for that matter. Too many big sad eyes to make a sound decision. If the pound does not do a health check, call around and you may find a vet that will do one for cheap. I had the horrible experience of taken the kids and wife to the pound where they picked out a really really nice dog, but when the vet checked it it was found to have a displaced spinal column. The vet had to put it down, one good jump into the kids arms would have killed it, apparently as a very young pup it had been maliciously abused. Try telling your kids that the new puppy had to go to heaven because someone kicked it across the room.

The dog it self will probably come out pretty good, I don't know anyone who has a lab mix that is not a wonderful dog. I had a lab-springer mix that was great,but shed like a devil. lab poodles are great dogs, lab short hairs or cheasie anything mixes are great dogs too.

Lots of people will champion a single breed of dog, but i think in the long run the one time mix breed makes a superior pet. My current dog is a lab golden mix, and is a top notch family dog. it does not shed as bad as the last, but it does shed, its amazing with kids and other people, yet is a voracious watch dog, and will announce anything on the lot with authority.
 
i agree, some sort of lab or lab mix.

with the exception of making a good guard dog, i think it meets all your qualifications.

not that they are the worst guard dogs, necessarily, but i dont think anyone buys a lab with that in mind.
 
Just try not to worry about shedding and get yourself a Golden Retriever ASAP. When it comes to kids, easy to train, not too dominant, good early warning system(NOT attack dog:D), you simply cant go wrong!!! I love labs to death as well, but any time there are children in the family, I say Goldens hands down!!;)
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My gal is a Lab/Golden mix, and she's great. We're still teaching her to be good with kids, but that's due largely to the hyperactive nature of said kid. :D You really just can't go wrong with a Labrador or a Golden. Another suggestion, if you can find one, would be a Briard. My sister had a champagne-colored Briard for years, and he was probably the best dog I've ever known. Kind-hearted, great with kids, extremely loyal, and an excellent companion. My sister's used to herd our goats all over our yard. :D

Once I have the time to devote to training and care of another dog, I plan to find myself one as well.
 
I have a purebred Border Collie which has been an absolutely fantastic dog, and I think its a breed that fits just about all of your criteria perfectly. They are extremely intelligent and therefore very easy to train, great with kids and other animals, good size - not so big that it causes a problem in the house, but not too small either, absolutely loves exercise and can run all day if required, very few health problems.

Ours has not been trained as a guard dog but he instinctively barks if a stranger comes to the door or into our backyard. He wouldn't instinctively bite a stranger but would certainly be capable of doing so if trained for it. Altogether he's just been a wonderful dog to have.
 
nick-nack said:
beautiful dog jonnymac!
One of my teachers had a golden retriever and when he had his wedding at his mum's place out in the country we got to see 6 others... all were beatiful and great around the kids.
One kid even took a "horsey ride"!
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Thanks, Nick-Nack. Ozzy is literally a brother to my two little daughters. Definitely a full fledged family member!:)

Cheers,
Jon, Hmm, just realized, being from Australia, you probably dig his name too!!;)
 
I also have a golden and they are great dogs but like alot of dogs don't tolerate heat real well.
 
Dave,
Half Pit and Half Healer....best damn dog I ever owned...smart and loyal, and seemed to not really be there unless you needed him or wanted to hang out. He was pretty good looking to. About 38 lbs. Gene
 
Growing up we always had a Black Labrador Retriever or a Black Lab Cross
pros: smart and easily trained, loyal, good with kids, and great watch dogs (that is they bark, I don't think it's instictive for them to attack), and they love hunting and the water
cons: they do shed a little
 
Go to the pound is my vote. Some very fine animals need a home and you improve your karma saving an animal for being destroyed.

But saying that may father had a standard poodle, friggin to smart and a beautiful dog. The best dog though is my 1/2 golden - 1/2 chow, smart, friendly to everyone except when we (his parents) were not. Still going at 18 yo but truely unfortunatly I am not sure how much longer. I just hope I do not have to put him down.
 
I think you just listed criteria for The Perfect Dog. Unfortunately, I don't believe such an animal exists - outside of the movies.

Its something of a lotto unfortunately. Even within breed characteristics there are broad variations in character, personality, trainability.

Its very much a case of what you put in, is what you get out.

Consistent training, good quality diet, lots of affection. With equal measures of these things, even a 'pavement special' can become the greatest dog ever.

FWIW I vote Jack Russell terriers. Wonderful little dogs, full of beans, very intelligent, very alert. My two take a lot of abuse from my 5 year old and have never complained. But they need exercise and will want to be close to you whenever possible. However, they are escape artists of note and my female sheds a lot. My male doesn't though - go figure!
 
Both my dogs were from the pound. The lab/shepard mix pictured below meets most of your criteria. She sheds a little bit but nothing like the long-haired spaniel mix I have. Main difficulty with labs is that they take a full two years to get the puppy out of them. Mine is going on 7 years and she just doesn't tire out. Great with kids and people - loves the water and her hair dries in a hurry. Very obiedient. Notice that all my pictures of her are running - because that is what she does....

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Check out the mountain view curs. Awesome dogs and fit every one of your stipulations. They are bred in raised in Tenn. and Kent. as hunting dogs, but make excellant pets. The wife and I are going this summer to get one.
 
Go to the library and get the AKC book of breeds. There are also lots of other books and lots of breed associations on the web that have specific information. The little bit of research will reward you for many years.

The major reason to get a pedigree is to have a better chance of getting a dog with a specific set of qualities you desire. Most breeds have been bred for certain types of "work."

I agree that a true cross breed (two known breeds being the parents) often creates a superior animal, after all this is the technique used to create most of the breeds around today. Learning the qualities of each of the breeds in the cross will give you a fair shot at getting a dog that has a little bit of both.

The retriever suggestions are probably in the right direction, but be careful of the heat tolerance aspect. I was going to suggest a Flat-Coated retriever, but they do not like it too hot (but are aces on all your other points) The flat coat was one of the foundation breeds that contributed to the creation of the Golden retriever. Good luck
 
kgd said:
Both my dogs were from the pound. The lab/shepard mix pictured below meets most of your criteria. She sheds a little bit but nothing like the long-haired spaniel mix I have. Main difficulty with labs is that they take a full two years to get the puppy out of them. Mine is going on 7 years and she just doesn't tire out. Great with kids and people - loves the water and her hair dries in a hurry. Very obiedient. Notice that all my pictures of her are running - because that is what she does....

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That is a great mix.
Something to consider.

Most large breeds are not full grown until 2 yrs of age. Labs are like kids for a long time but I like it they make me young.

Skam
 
I suggest the boxer. But they do shed.
 
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