Help me pick a dog

i still like my rhodesian ridgebacks...and would easily reccomend them. we also had a beauceron and king sheperd(pretty much a big german sheperd) that were also great dogs but might shed a little more than your willing to put up with
 
I found a breeder for Rhodesian Ridgebacks in the next town over. Gave her a call. Told her we don't want a show dog just a work/play type dog. She said she had some pups. $1000 :eek: Is that reasonable for a dog from a breeder? I have only had one other dog and my wife and I got it from the pound. We had her for 17 years. She passed away a couple of years ago so we are starting to think about getting another. I am thinking (based upon all the excellant information I've seen here) on either a Shepard, or Ridgeback or another pound puppy with those characterstics. Our first dog was a shepard/lab mix. A sweetheart but dumb as a bag of rocks. She was a real good girl though.

I am not complaining about the price of the purebred, I just want to make sure that is a "reasonable" price for such a dog. Is haggling out of the question?

KR
 
I will still put forth the Mountain View Cur as a great choice. Cost about 300.00, will run forever and are great family dogs. anyone NOT looking fora guard dog but an alarm, friend, companion should check these dogs out. (Also great for hunting, but that is another post.)

http://mtnviewcur.tripod.com/
 
I've purchased 10 purebred dogs over the last 20 years. Here's my $0.02…Don't trust what anyone tells you. Fact check. Observe the parent's behavior and temperament. If you can't see the parents for this reason or that, walk. Research researh reasearch. Ignore the "hurry may not last" pitch. Never want a dog so bad that you let the details slip. Don't assume because a breeder has been in the business they know everything...they probably do...but fact check. The price for your dog varies according to demand for the breed, availability, and dog quality. I always look for "pet quality." Heck, I ain't gonna be showing no dog. Been there done that itsa lotta work, the dogs are more expensive, and the reward is bluenose IMO. Research on the Internet is a must. Learn everything about the breed you want to purchase. The more you learn the better dog you'll have in the end, and you'll avoid unnecessary surprises. When you get your dog, remember that itsa dog, not a person. And love it as such. Be the leader of the pack.
 
Another thing to remember is to try to choose a breed small enough that they cannot accost family members who are trying to read and eat cookies

tk1.jpg


tk2.jpg
 
just wanted to add another vote fro the ridgeback. my dog, Calvin, was fearless, and fantastic around my girls who were both under age six. he could keep up on long runs, but was also quite content to sleep most of the day. the one drawback to dealing with any hound is that he wasn't the easiest dog to train. i think when you own any large and potentially agressive dog, the onus is on you, the owner, to focus on training and obediance. he was around 100 lbs. watching him cavort with most other local dogs was like watching an NFL linebacker running around with high school kids. RIP Calvin.
 
MORIMOTOM said:
any pics????


i love blue heelers!!
Click to expand...

Mine is a mix and she shows a lot more of the German Pointer characteristics. She has the blue heeler coloring but has the floppy GP ears and the body type of the GP too. She is extremely sweet and smart. This pic is months old. As she's gotten bigger I've neglected keeping up with the picture diary.

 
Except for the weight/shedding, I would have recommended my favorites: Newfoundland or Great Pyrenees.

Removing those due to the requirements, I would suggest a Boxer. They describe what you're looking for to a "T."

Check shelters for a boxer mix (hybrid vigor - less health problems than purebreds but still the uncertainty of size if it is a puppy) or google a Boxer Rescue in your area. Specific Breed Rescue are located near most decent sized cities.

As with most breeds, the exact origin of the Boxer is uncertain. The best guess is that he is a cross between a Great Dane and an english Bulldog, and that he was developed to fight with boars and to bait bulls. Bred to be both a guard and a playmate, the Boxer has a well-controlled temper. He is renowned for his great love for his owner, as well as for his faithfulness to the entire family. He is alert, fearless, independent, modest and trustworthy with children.
Click to expand...
boxer.jpg

http://www.gopetsamerica.com/boxer/boxer.aspx

Hollowdweller - Beautiful GP! I miss my departed one terribly! Go on and give him a cookie!!
 
kr1 said:
I found a breeder for Rhodesian Ridgebacks in the next town over. Gave her a call. Told her we don't want a show dog just a work/play type dog. She said she had some pups. $1000 :eek: Is that reasonable for a dog from a breeder?
I am not complaining about the price of the purebred, I just want to make sure that is a "reasonable" price for such a dog. Is haggling out of the question?

KR
Click to expand...

Pretty much most good breeders will charge that much for most breeds. And they'll usually come w/ a spay/neuter contract or something like that. And many screen very well. We do for our Mini Aussies. If we don't like someone, all the sudden the price is WAY high, or we just turn them down. We won't sell to someone who we think won't give the dog a good home.

99% of dogs shed. The short hair is just harder to see, but it doesn't come out of the carpet even w/ a good vacuum. The long hair just rides on top of thing and is easy to pick up.

But as a couple have said, Poodles don't shed. And they're the least prone to give allergies. And I'd add my vote for the Std Poodle. Very neat dogs w/ all the points you're looking for.
 
I have a thread in community, but it hasn't gotten any traction, maybe I can piggyback on this one? I would like suggestions on a large, lazy dog with good guarding instincts. Starting a job soon with 12 hr shifts, so I would like one that could spend half a day inside, half a day outside. Not too playful, not a breed that's prone to fits if left alone. Brisk walks should be enough exercise (I'm in decent shape, 286 on my last PT test, for those familiar with that, just not an exercise nut) In the Gulf South, going to be hot and humid, of course I would do what I could to mitigate it with shelter when the animal has to be outside. Drooling and shedding preferably minimized. Not too much dog aggression and prey drive. I am single and a quiet guy. The American mastiff seems pretty nice; fairly new breed so health problems shouldn't be major, just worried about the heat.
 
Soulrack223 said:
Mine is a mix and she shows a lot more of the German Pointer characteristics. She has the blue heeler coloring but has the floppy GP ears and the body type of the GP too. She is extremely sweet and smart. This pic is months old. As she's gotten bigger I've neglected keeping up with the picture diary.

Click to expand...


Man is that ever a cute pup !!!!!

Can you not find some recent pics ?
 
hardheart said:
I have a thread in community, but it hasn't gotten any traction, maybe I can piggyback on this one? I would like suggestions on a large, lazy dog with good guarding instincts. Starting a job soon with 12 hr shifts, so I would like one that could spend half a day inside, half a day outside. Not too playful, not a breed that's prone to fits if left alone. Brisk walks should be enough exercise (I'm in decent shape, 286 on my last PT test, for those familiar with that, just not an exercise nut) In the Gulf South, going to be hot and humid, of course I would do what I could to mitigate it with shelter when the animal has to be outside. Drooling and shedding preferably minimized. Not too much dog aggression and prey drive. I am single and a quiet guy. The American mastiff seems pretty nice; fairly new breed so health problems shouldn't be major, just worried about the heat.
Click to expand...


Greyhound.

No I am not kidding. Rescue one in your area. Minimal exercise and couch potatoes. Great in the heat.

Great dogs.

You limit your options with large breeds when you say little activity as most larger breeds need lots of exercise especially as young dogs.

Skam
 
hardheart said:
I have a thread in community, but it hasn't gotten any traction, maybe I can piggyback on this one? I would like suggestions on a large, lazy dog with good guarding instincts. Starting a job soon with 12 hr shifts, so I would like one that could spend half a day inside, half a day outside. Not too playful, not a breed that's prone to fits if left alone. Brisk walks should be enough exercise (I'm in decent shape, 286 on my last PT test, for those familiar with that, just not an exercise nut) In the Gulf South, going to be hot and humid, of course I would do what I could to mitigate it with shelter when the animal has to be outside. Drooling and shedding preferably minimized. Not too much dog aggression and prey drive. I am single and a quiet guy. The American mastiff seems pretty nice; fairly new breed so health problems shouldn't be major, just worried about the heat.
Click to expand...

My Fila fit this description. The aggression issue is not a problem with plenty of training and socialization. Anatolians should work since they're from a hot area, but I've never had one so I don't speak from experience.
 
CitizenQ said:
I've owned a lot of dogs. Big dogs (Lab, Old English Mastiff, Rotweiller) and little dogs (mini Daucshound, mini Poodle, Maltese). My advice is to get two (2). A Rottie and a Maltese. The Maltese will be the first to alert and confront the intruder. These dogs are alerted at the smallest movements and noises...nothing gets by them. He'll make a racket but the intruder won't be impressed...until the Rottweiler arrives on the scene a minute or two later. :eek: I've read that this was common practice in ancient times. Purchase them of the same age and raise them together so they become the best of buds. Female Rottie and a male Maltese. :thumbup:
Click to expand...
A German Shepard and a Whippet would be a wicked combo.
 
Mastiff family of dogs - really sounds like what you want, hardheart...except for the drooling part. *shrug*
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top