Looking For Some Dog Breed Advice!

I lost my Black Lab, Indy last week, to pancreas problems. He was 10. Great dog. He had some health problems, but he was a fantastic watch dog, very loving, excellent with children, kennel trained so I could leave him in the house for up top 8 hours if need be.

I inherited him from my wife, who was keeping him outside in a yard all day. He spent the day with me, let me know when people came to the door, got along with the cats, loved other people, simply a great dog. Now that he's gone, the house is quiet! It's sort of weird. No sounds of his collar, nails on the floor, barking, or the groaning he'd do trying to get comfortable.

I'll probably get another lab. All in all, the best servant breed in my opinion. Not having a dog in the house is pretty weird.
 
I'll go with Mongo and Tortise. Look at what the dog was originally bred for and then buy a dog from a top breeder that still breeds them to do what they're supposed to do. I've had a variety of dogs, pure and mutt and our pure German Shepherd was by far the most memorable. We "inherted" her from a friend that moved across the country into a no animals condo when she was three. Came from guard/security (not attack) bloodlines and was EXTREMELY loyal once she got acquainted with our family. Stayed between us kids and strangers until she felt she could trust them. Superb dog all around. I've known a number of people with top Shepherds and all have been extremely pleased.

Stay away from field/hunting breeds as they are less tolerant of other critters, our lab keeps trying catch any chickens that get out and since the chickens don't want to be caught, they end up pretty mangled...

Beware of "I had a **** once..." advice. Each dog has its own personality and those with less than noble blood lines can be extremely variable.

I'm always a fan of rescue dogs, but it's a real crap shoot with temperment, abuse, and health history. If you're willing to pay extra close attention and accept the possibility of having to take them back, it's probably the most humane option.

my $.02 and you always get what you pay for!

J-
 
Robert H said:
I lost my Black Lab, Indy last week, to pancreas problems...

I'll probably get another lab. All in all, the best servant breed in my opinion. Not having a dog in the house is pretty weird.
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Very sorry to hear that. Been there way too many times in the past 60 years.

If you're a dog person, you'll end up with another one. There's just no way to get on without one.
 
Just my .02 on GSDs. GREAT dogs. But you have to have the time and patients for them. I've spent hundreds of dollars and probably thousands of hours training mine. He's great, at 14 months old we've figured out a routine that works.

-he can only be outside (underground fence) 1/2 the day. Any longer, and he gets bored, and something gets destroyed.

-he knows they will give him hotdogs at the gas station if he runs through his fence. (Hasn't done this in a while. I had him when I stopped there and the attendant says "oh is that your dog? he comes down and gets hot dogs". I says Don't feed him please)

-He can't be outside when I leave. Period. I have to put him in the pin and the wife lets him out later.

-If I run him about 20 miles a week he almosts acts tired.

But seriously, he's a brilliant dog and is very obedient, but that is an ongoing process. He's great for protecting my wife and my other little dog.
 
How about a Corgi Friendliest dogs in town and tough as a boot. We use them for herding cattle and loving kids here in Kansas
 
I have a bias towards German Wirehaired Pointers. Intelligent, great companion dogs, and not antagonistic to other dogs.

I WOULD get a female...of whatever breed you decide upon. Less prone to wander or have dominance issues.

Currently, I have a rescue GWP, who ain't right. But he is really funny.

Best wishes for whatever canine companion you decide upon. :thumbup:

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Kis
enjoy every sandwich
 
Well guys, we weighed all the options, talked to our vet, looked some more, checked the pound one last time, and finally made a choice. We chose an American Bulldog Pup. Here she is. Her name is Eva, and she is 8 wks old. We brought her home Friday. She is such a mush. She's slept with me and my wife every night so far. She won't let us out of her sight. Watching her and the ferrets play together is the funniest thing I've ever seen in my life. Everybody is thrilled with her- except the parrot.

Eva on her new bed, with some of her toys
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How can you not love a face like that!
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Nap time. Beat it, I'm trying to sleep!
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Hide and seek. Hello Mr Ferret!
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Great looking pup, don't forget to keep that nylabone in its mouth, congrats.

Kismet, great looking GWP, I'm a big fan myself.

Helle
 
I still can't stop laughing at Tortoise's post.

Stay away from rawhide for the first several months, it can get stuck in their gut and be very expensive to remove.

Pig ears and other pig products are fine. Oink!
 
Bones are best. Beef ribs are very cheap and are durable enough that puppies can't tear them to shreds on the deck or whatever. They also are good for the pup.
 
My dad was/is a vet. Two of the best dogs I have foundare Golden Retrievers and my favorite Mountain View Curs (Not mountain curs- big difference). Both fit all of your criteria.
 
Steve Hayden said:
Bones are best. Beef ribs are very cheap and are durable enough that puppies can't tear them to shreds on the deck or whatever. They also are good for the pup.
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True. Just make sure they are uncooked. RMBs are great for dogs and make up part of most raw feeders' regular ingredients.
 
At 8 weeks, she'll be teethin' soon. Something that helped us and a few others with our Dobe pups was to get some organic baby carrots from the grocer and put them in the freezer or a really cold reefer.

Then we gave them to the pups to chew on for treats when they were going through teething. The carrots are edible and the cold is soothing to their gums.
 
I have a Presacanario male and an American bulldog female....I spent LARGE sums of money to get what I wanted .... healthy ,stable ,protective animals from parents with no hip displaysia . They are a huge responsibility . They can be giant pains in the rear. I love them ,dearly.I know my male would give his life to protect us . I will say that the upside of knowing youre dogs lineage is the best gamble on how healthy the dog is going to be .Also helps with the odds in regards to temperment .I researched my boy for over a year . I love all dogs , but what do you know abouth them if you get them from the pound , outside of general parameters givin for a breed ?
 
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