OT : Need a new dog

Old CW4 said:
Didn't see Great Pyrenees mentioned in the thread. Great dogs, laid back and calm with an instinct to guard/protect livestock and children. Also a smart watchdog that quickly learns who belongs and who doesn't so the mailman, meter reader, UPS folks, and frequent guests aren't bothered. Strangers are another matter and they will investigate. I recall having to spank one of my kids when they were little tykes. I drew my hand back to give the kid a swat on the rear and was suddenly stopped by having my entire wrist engulfed in the mouth of a big female Great Pyr we had at the time. The dog didn't pierce my skin but did tell me in no uncertain terms I was not to swat 'her' child.
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Great Thread!!! Let's take it to a third page.

I have known two Great Pyrenese. One was a male and he was a very sweet dog. He loved everyone, kids too. But he weighed in at about 135lbs. and he shed as bad as any dog I've ever come across. The other was a female owned by my brother. She shed almost as bad as the Samoyed that he had before. Now he has two St. Bernards. My brother seems to have a thing for big hairy dogs. She was food agressive and aggressive to strangers to the point where they had to give her away. With four kids and their friends in the house the situation was becoming dangerous. Fortunately they found her a good home but her departure was devastating to my brother, his wife, and his kids. They had grown attached.


DennisStrickland said:
i'm a carpet cleaner & familiar with many breeds. in the size catagory quoted the vizsla is 1st choce ,but they are expensive. if you will go to 75 or 80 lbs the labador has no peers.in 60s a survey of 1000 vets named only 2 breeds as the best with children, the 1st was labs-- 2nd golden retreivers.
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For an indoor dog, hard to ignore the advice of a carpet cleaner ;). I agree with everything that this poster said. My first dog was a black lab female. She was born before I was. I only got to live with her for my first seven years (she lived to ~15, IIRC) and she was sweet as can be. Her name was Candy.

As far as the pit bulls go, the only ones I've ever gotten to know have been really great dogs. Loyal, friendly, and obiedient. My job takes me into many strange houses and I see a lot of dogs. I had one almost jump a short fence and attack me for no reason once and that scared me a bit but the ones I've known were very cool and affectionate. They also seem to fit your profile.

All that aside, even though I originally recommended an expensive pure bred, the Vizsla, I think it would be a great thing to do to find a good shelter dog and give it a loving home. That will always get a :thumbup: :thumbup: from me. -DT
 
While the sentiment of getting a dog from a shelter is admirable, bare in mind that a shelter dog is sort of a mixed bag. You don't really know what you are getting. Was the dog abused? neglected? Why is it in a shelter?

I had the good fortune of being good friends with the owner of the mother of our lab. I knew how he treated her, and what her body type (relatively small for a lab at 60 lbs) and temperment were (calm inside, active outside). And, being that both the sire and the bitch are registered, I could look up the pedigrees of both dogs and get a feel of what I was buying (Sire- field trial champion from field trial champion lineage; Bitch- duck dog from hunting lineage). What I am saying is that registered dogs are much more of a known quantity.

My first dog (I've only had two) was a golden retriever mix from a shelter. She wasn't good for anything but she was loving, was loved, and is still missed.
 
I love dog threads, and moreover this is the first one I can recall with people suggesting pit-bulls. While I love the breed I would urge CAUTION. My pit has taught me so much about myself and moreover the world we live in. They are active dogs and require WORK. I wake up at 4:50 every morning to walk her a mile and a half before work. When I get home we do another two to three miles. She could walk all day. She lives to please me but has a strong prey drive. Please don't misconstrue me to be bad-mouthing the breed. Just the opposite, if you want a dog that will be a teacher to you, and your are ABLE and WILLING to put forth the effort it will require then you can do no finer than a pitbull. I just dont want to see another owner being overwhelmed by a dog that is most likely stronger and more energetic than they are. With mine it is all about fighting the obedeince battle mentally because in my opinion you have no chance of winning it physically.

If you are aware of this, then a pit-bull will steal your heart forever. I can't see myself owning any other breed. I consider myself an ambasador to the much malinged, voiceless, breed. People will cross the street when you walk toward them...do right by yourself and the dog by ensuring you leave a positive impression on the people who walk up to you( despite what they may say).

I wish you luck and am confident that despite the breed you will find a lifelong friend.
Cheers,
Patrick and Angel
 
love my lab Spot 11yrs in may and still crashes bush and swims for 15 min at a time, he carried saddlebags until he turned 9. Can't go wrong with the breed if you can handle 60lb for a female. They make pretty good alarm (vs attack) dogs, my dog and his sister will go off if people are in the yard or knocking.

english staffy's(nanny dogs) are perfect for you, except..... the ones in shelters a lot of times are from the steroid boy type that allowed and encouraged aggressive behaviour.
If you find a little pitty you like make sure that you handle the dog at the shelter with other dogs of varying size's and attitude's. Do this on more than one day. You want to
see the problems and have the confidence you can correct them before you get home and fall in love.

I think of our english staffy Thor (named as the puppy god of thunder barking)almost everyday, been almost 20 years, as mentioned a good pit will steal your heart. If you have a little will and can correct their behavior they are hard to beat. Pocket battle dog's indeed but ours would let Jaws our toy poodle chase him around the house, he also would freak and chase off the bully alley cats that would beat up "HIS" cat. Lucky he was on a chain for them. 30 to 40lbs for a non shedding female.

good luck with finding an abandoned visla, pretty rare.
if size is an issue, a spaniel is a good choice....just no cockers as they are too neurotic and inbred, lots of eye and nasal problems and they are fear biters, not so good with pushy kids.
 
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I would advise the OP to make sure his financial house is in order before getting a dog. details like mortgage payment, utilities, food, education, retirement...... dogs are a luxury. get your priorities straight. THEN get the dog. good luck !!!!
 
I have to 2nd squishware,

I have an 11 year old Staffy who is rock solid (see avatar). They are great all around dogs. Eager to please, and good with kids. Cats and other pets should not be an issue if the dog is socialized properly.

They do have a high prey drive and are very game, so critters beware. They are sight hounds...fast moving small furry things will get immediate attention.

They are shorthaired and in the 28-40 lb. range (roughly).

Best of luck with your search for your new furry family member.

Kind Regards.


Lost Dog


PS Luv this thread btw, Dog owners FTW!
 
Hate to say it, because I love my lab as she is the smartest and best dog I've ever had, but I don't think the lab is what you want. They are two big, mine is 80-90 lbs and she sheds a lot. I know my dad used to have a boston terrior that sounds about perfect for what you want.

I've also been looking for a dog for my son's 2nd birthday and all the humane societies around here are recommending beagles, which is a shock to me because of the beagles we've had for hunting dogs.

I think either of these would be good choices for you but, if you're looking strictly for a smart dog that will be the best babysitting loyal friend in your children's lives then definately go for a lab.

David
 
hlee said:
If you are looking for a house dog that will get along with kids of all ages, be a good companion, be calm inside and active outside, and just generally be an all around good dog without any of the social negatives of other breeds- get a labrador retriever. They are generally not aggressive around people or other pets. They live to please their owners. They are great around kids. Easy to train and conform to pretty much any living arrangement (inside, outside, big house, small apartment, etc). No other breed combines the array of positive traits with so few negative traits as the lab.

I love Weimaraners too but they can be basket cases as indoor dogs. They need a lot more activity to be happy. Huskys and other working dogs also need a lot of activity too be happy. An indoor husky is an oxymoron, from my limited experience. Miniature dogs tend to have social issues, aggressive behavior being the most common. Napoleon complex for dogs, I guess.

Get a lab, the are the most popular breed of house dogs for a reason!

Mine grew up in a 590 sq ft apartment, and has been a companion in the home and afield.
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My sandee is almost identical to your dog, and loves my son as much as yours seems to love your baby. I've litterally seen her herd him away from stuff and get between him and other dogs. It's hard to explain how funny it is to see her take his arm in her mouth and lead him away from something that she thinks could hurt him.

david
 
It's been said before, I'll echo it. Labrador retriever. I have three. All three are headstrong, but fairly intelligent. The oldest only cares about food and getting his 40 winks in, but he has earned it. The middle one has middle child syndrome, is frighteningly intelligent, and cries like a small child when he doesn't get his way. The youngest, and the biggest, is a loveable ball of fur. All three think they are still puppies, fight amongst themselves (when the oldest two throw down, the youngest absolutely freaks out, he hates it, but will knock them down playfully), but always come together if the need calls for it. They will defend my family to the death, but might lick you to death when they find out they like you. I have had a Siberian husky junkyard dog mix, a Beagle, a few golden Retrievers, and a lab/German shepherd mix. I've loved all of them, but I'm sticking with labs from now on.

BTW, I have an acre back yard for them to play in. They need to burn off energy, otherwise they will be up all night. It's not too fun, at 2 in the morning, to hear three dogs doing their best Chewbacca imitation and knocking over furniture.
 
To clarify, we do have a dog now. Sadly the breeder that she came from lied or we didn't do enough research. Santa brought our son a Labradoodle that was said to only get in the 45-55 lb range and be fairly hyproallergenic from the poodle side.

Fast forward. We have a 105 lb Labradoodle that the vet said could lose maybe 5 lbs that sheds worse the the German Shepard my mom used to have.

Going to a smaller dog may end up being cheaper in the long run.

As for the current dog, have no fear. We're working with friends of ours to find her a good home.
 
When choosing a breed, take into account the amount of exercise they need. If you get an active breed and fail to give them enough exercise, they will be difficult to live with. That being said, my lab suites me perfectly. I have chronic back trouble, so I vary between long hikes and periods where I can't walk far. When the back is acting up, I just have to toss a ball for awhile to keep her happy, and when I'm healthy, long hikes are no problem for her.
 
Echo4v said:
Hate to say it, because I love my lab as she is the smartest and best dog I've ever had, but I don't think the lab is what you want. They are two big, mine is 80-90 lbs and she sheds a lot. I know my dad used to have a boston terrior that sounds about perfect for what you want.

I've also been looking for a dog for my son's 2nd birthday and all the humane societies around here are recommending beagles, which is a shock to me because of the beagles we've had for hunting dogs.

I think either of these would be good choices for you but, if you're looking strictly for a smart dog that will be the best babysitting loyal friend in your children's lives then definately go for a lab.

David
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Boston Terrier, come to think of it, that would be my second choice. Consider the labs even though they may be a little bigger than you'd like. So here's my take; Vizsla, Boston Terrier, Lab (even though they might be a bit big). -DT

I don't know enough about the Boston's temperment to recommend it for sure. Please do your research.
 
I'm going to be getting a dog this spring/summer. Like a lot of you, I am yearning for a dog I had years ago which was my favorite, so I am considering getting the same breed, a Llewellen Setter. Have any of you owned one of these? I'm wracking my memory to try to remember any bad traits and I can't think of any other than longish hair that requires grooming, and a high price asked for pups from reputable breeders. I won't consider a shelter dog for reasons stated above, though I applaud those willing to do so regardless of the uncertainty involved.

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I love my Weims, but would have to agree that that's an awful lot of energetic dog for someone looking for a 45-50 pound family pet.

Viszla's are wonderful, too -- but really any field dog is going to need and want some serious exercise time.

You might try again on a Labradoodle, though maybe you feel like that's a lost cause.
 
My cousin grew up with a sheepdog, think Buck from Married with Children, and my aunt has since had a couple of miniature poodles, I've never really noticed if they bothered him at parties. After he moved into his current home, he and his wife tried with another poodle, but his allergies are so bad to dogs, he couldn't handle it. I liked my aunts dogs, and most of the miniature poodles I've encountered that are owned by friends and family. I believe that labradoodles are bred for less allergies, not for small size. My labs are all in the 85-95 lb range right now, and the youngest/heaviest isn't done growing yet. He's all muscle too, like trying to control an ox when he gets excited.
 
We rescued a shelter dog several years ago and she is a lab/corgy mix. Jorja is about 45lbs and we call her a Mini Lab because of her perfect yellow lab features in a shortened and elongated body. She is the sweetest girl and she loves everybody.

Jorja was on death row in a shelter in Georgia when a Lab rescue group saved her at the last hour. We found her from a photo in Petfinder.com and when we contacted the rescue person she gave us an overview of Jorja's personality and temperament. Also, she had been completely vetted, given all her shots and was spayed. Well, several weeks later Jorja was shipped up to us in Jersey and she has been a godsend.
 
Captain Spaulding said:
Yes. Breed is irrelevant. The breeder is not. Having trained hundreds of dogs for retrieval, protection and obedience...drive is the most important characteristic in a dog. Now, you can say that breeders that are trying to breed shepherds may nurture a prey drive that is conducive to working or breed garbage dogs with no drive and health problems. I have run into high drive dogs in all breeds and I have seen some horrendous American bred shepherds that are worthless as far as training/working. I think I have a fair idea of what I am talking about as I have been training dogs professionally for 12 years. Just sayin. :D

BTW, i have trained beagles and they are no different than any other dog.
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You seem to be confusing the fact that any dog can be trained with the fact that some dogs are easier to train than others.

If you think all breeds are the same when it comes to training, then you are not being honest about having around dogs for any period of time.

In my experience (2 for 2), Beagles are terrific dogs, but are moody, self centered, and sometimes downright bitchy little bastards. Saying they are "no different" than any other dog is the silliest thing I have heard today. :rolleyes:
 
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