Need help choosing a dog breed?

I wish more people would research their dog breeds before choosing one. Some friends of ours decided to get a dog a few years ago, went to the pound and picked up a Border Collie mix. They liked the look of the dog and the fact that he was friendly. The thing is they are both couch potatoes and rarely exercise. They got a dog with was the polar opposite and have struggled for years to get it to "behave." Because they wanted a dog that would lie at their feet while they read, listened to music or watch tv and their dog was hardwired to work for hours at a time, it became destructive and disobedient. They still have the dog, but it's alomst like the dog's spirit is broken. Sad story. Some people are really ignorant and refuse to see dogs for what they are. I'm glad that video on the Ridgeback made it somewhat clear about the kind of home the dogs do best in. I only hope people listen.
 
joe-bob said:
We always get ours from the pound. We've had really good pets that way.
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That's great, perhaps your family is very accommodating. But, in general, even at the pound, it's wise to be aware of the breeds that make up the heritage of any dog you select. There's a lot of difference between a Maltese and a Ridgeback. :D
 
joe-bob said:
We always get ours from the pound. We've had really good pets that way.
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I've rescued 2 dogs from the pound in my lifetime and I have to agree they make for excellent friends. As if they are forever grateful...
:D
 
HighDesertWalker said:
That's great, perhaps your family is very accommodating. But, in general, even at the pound, it's wise to be aware of the breeds that make up the heritage of any dog you select. There's a lot of difference between a Maltese and a Ridgeback. :D
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How is Dingus?

I need a report. Part of my job is to check on his well-being, you know.:thumbup:
 
Kismet said:
How is Dingus?

I need a report. Part of my job is to check on his well-being, you know.:thumbup:
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Absolutely Kis. Any responsible dogfather has to check in every so often. I'll take a few new pics tomorrow. But for now, lets just say he's still rambunctious enough to jump over my high backed sofa from a standing position. :eek: I love it. :D
 
Bob W said:
Mixed-breeds always seem healthier too.
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Oh no. Not the mixed breed vs pedigree thing again. (This has been done before.) If you have a dog you like tell us all about it. If you're looking for a new dog, research it so you have a better chance of getting what you want. If you really don't care, skip it. But be aware that it is frequently possible to identify the primary strain in a mixed breed dog. I see a lot of shepard mixes, cocker mixes, lab mixes, rottie mixes, pit bull mixes, hound dog mixes and so on. Do you know which you would prefer and why? Believe me, they're not all the same.
 
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The first two dogs my wife and I had were mutts, 1st was a half black lab half dalmation (all black though) that was one of the best dogs I've ever had, second was a black lab mix that was the most problematic dog I've owned. After our mixed experiences we decided to research our next dog heavily and stick with a purebred.

We decided on a Newfoundland after a lot of research in different places, and it was a great decision for us. We had Thor for five years, but his life was cut short when he got out of our fenced in back yard and was hit on the road in front of our house. Our newfie was great with our young kids (both infants/toddlers at the time) and was the best dog we've had. We wanted another Newfoundland, but it was too painful to get another right away, so after some more research we decided on a Saint Bernard. Our Saint is very close in temperament and manners to our newfie, and was our first female dog. I watched both the Saint and Newf videos linked in the original post, and wholeheartedly agree with what was said.

I've had numerous friends get dogs without doing much or any research, and in most cases the relationship was short and unpleasant.
 
I grow up with dogs all my life but been dogless for the last 15 years.. After my pup died i could never bring my self to get another one. I have learned one thing about dogs. What breed you get makes 50% of the dog the other 50% is you. How you treat him how you teach him and his interaction with you and your family. I seen a few dogs that were saved from the pound and they all seem to know what happend and so greatfull for the second chance... All you guys on here seem to love your dogs alot more then any knife and my hat off for all of you... I still get tears when i see movies with dogs.

Sasha
 
Oh no. Not the mixed breed vs pedigree thing again. (This has been done before.)
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I've had a purebred rough collie and a lab mix (lab-shepherd? Lab-retriever? who knows) and both are great, each in their own way, with certain trade-offs of course.

Personally, my favorites are the "gentle giant" breeds: Great Pyrenees, Burmese Mountain dog, collies, and even larger german shepherds.
 
NeonLight said:
The first two dogs my wife and I had were mutts, 1st was a half black lab half dalmation (all black though) that was one of the best dogs I've ever had, second was a black lab mix that was the most problematic dog I've owned. After our mixed experiences we decided to research our next dog heavily and stick with a purebred.

We decided on a Newfoundland after a lot of research in different places, and it was a great decision for us. We had Thor for five years, but his life was cut short when he got out of our fenced in back yard and was hit on the road in front of our house. Our newfie was great with our young kids (both infants/toddlers at the time) and was the best dog we've had. We wanted another Newfoundland, but it was too painful to get another right away, so after some more research we decided on a Saint Bernard. Our Saint is very close in temperament and manners to our newfie, and was our first female dog. I watched both the Saint and Newf videos linked in the original post, and wholeheartedly agree with what was said.

I've had numerous friends get dogs without doing much or any research, and in most cases the relationship was short and unpleasant.
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I've always been interested in peoples choices in dogs. I have a friend with a newfie and that big fella is about the most gentle thing I've ever seen. He's imposing and gives you pause at first. Then he comes over and gives you a big slobbery kiss. Great dogs!
 
sasha said:
I grow up with dogs all my life but been dogless for the last 15 years.. After my pup died i could never bring my self to get another one. I have learned one thing about dogs. What breed you get makes 50% of the dog the other 50% is you. How you treat him how you teach him and his interaction with you and your family. I seen a few dogs that were saved from the pound and they all seem to know what happend and so greatfull for the second chance... All you guys on here seem to love your dogs alot more then any knife and my hat off for all of you... I still get tears when i see movies with dogs.

Sasha
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My wife cries every time she loses one of her bassetts. That's her favorite breed, and believe me, a bassett and a ridgeback together look pretty funny. Sort of a Mutt and Jeff effect. I guess she's had five bassetts so far. She grieves awhile when she loses one, but after a few months she gets another. Right now she owns a female named Crumpet. Maybe you will get another someday Sasha.
 
We have just ordered a buddy for Maisy, won't be till next summer though !!!
 
Bob W said:
I've had a purebred rough collie and a lab mix (lab-shepherd? Lab-retriever? who knows) and both are great, each in their own way, with certain trade-offs of course.

Personally, my favorites are the "gentle giant" breeds: Great Pyrenees, Burmese Mountain dog, collies, and even larger german shepherds.
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My brother and I had two dogs growing up. The first was a rough collie mix. Unfortunately, as a working dog, she was very energetic and my parents were unable to contain her. They eventually found a new home for her. (Hope that was true.) Next we had a cocker spaniel mix with short black hair. That dog lived from the time we were in the second grade until we both finished college. My brother tells me that Dad cried when he buried her in the back yard. Hard to lose a pal you've had that long.
 
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