seeking dog breed/breeder suggestions

[TurnerIII]

Ditto on the Golden. Most dogs shed - but for me the long hair is easier to clean up. They are great around kids/people and love to a fault. Not yippy - and mine only barks when something is odd.

Although I must say that some of the best dogs I have owned were mutts - and they usually found me. ie strays

 

[thefifth]

I'm with Skunk Blue Healer/Border collie mix or either breed.

I like Sheppard/Samoyed mixes or a Eurasiers for my large dogs but not good guards bark mostly but too lovable and kind hearted looooong hair tooo

I got my border mix to be suspicious and protect my big dogs. He kept an eye on everything.

 

[PIG CHAMPION]

My Doberman had a long and wonderful life. She lived for 13 years.
Her name was Median. She was a great dog. Median grew up in North Carolina and thrived in the warm, humid climate of the Southeast. Median lived with me in Summit County, Colorado for a few years and did equally well out there. My father has owned Dobermans all of my life. I have never come across a more loving and dependable breed of dog. They are very intelligent and a breeze to train.
I would definitely recommend a Doberman. I will be getting another one as soon as the time is right.

 

[Matteo Escobar]

Get a Belgian Malinois. They are very smart, extremely strong, and constantly trying to please and protect their owner. You want a guard dog? Believe me, nobody is coming anywhere near your house uninvited.

This is the breeder that I got mine from:
http://www.malinois.com/otvitosha/

 

[cjd1980]

I think that no matter what kinnda of dog you get the key is train ing any dog can have the quilitys your looking for the just need to be trained for them I do personaly perfer mutts as they have less health issues i have an awsome akitia rottie lab mix

 

[JohnTheTexican]

.

The key characteristics I'm looking for this time around are:

* primarily an everyday companion
* secondarily a home/family guard dog
* not gun shy though not necessarily a hunting dog
* shorter hair/minimal shedding
* really really really really great off-leash
* alert/communicative without being noisy/skittish

That pretty well describes the Rottweiler I had up until about a year ago. Except the "minimal shedding" thing. But that could just be a consequence of the oppressive Gulf coast climate.

 

[DevilMan]

Save your money and save a mutt!

There are PLENTY of animals to be found in shelters that can use a good home. There are plenty that will fit the bill with proper training. That 2-3K cost could go from 1-2 dogs to 1-2 dogs and all their food and shots for a year or two.

My vote is to take your list in your head with you to the pound/shelter. Have a look, save a life.

All of my animals have either found me or been from the pound/shelters where I lived. Wouldn't trade any of them in for anything. Granted the Lab we had at one time would eat EVERYTHING, and a Beagle we had was dummer than dirt but they were both ones that found us.

Best of luck,

The other DM

 

[chris in mo]

I have never owned a ridgeback but have reserched them quite a bit as I really have an interest in the breed. Form the info I have read on them they have a VERY strong prey drive and are not a good bet for an off leash breed.

 

[I'mGatMan!]

My suggestion is that you check out the Schnauzer and Giant Schnauzer. Great terriers, and hypo-allergenic. No shedding and no dander.

 

[HighDesertWalker]

I have never owned a ridgeback but have reserched them quite a bit as I really have an interest in the breed. Form the info I have read on them they have a VERY strong prey drive and are not a good bet for an off leash breed.

Actually, my ridgeback is the best off leash dog I've ever owned. He can easily be called off when he's involved in a chase. He is also trained to keep track of me. If I notice him being a little distracted on a hike I quickly find some cover and hide from him. He never fails to find me within 30 seconds. Nice being out with a dog who keeps track of you rather than the other way around.

 

[Doberman_Dave]

Hi all,

Picking a dog has to be one of the most fun and maybe most difficult decisions a guy/gal makes. Obviously, I'm a Dobie fan and a lot of them have the qualities I appreciate: smart, willing, energetic, right size for me, short hair, unflappable (ears aside), good with kids, other dogs, etc., but no pushover.

A need for protection is a little down on the list for me, but my take is that 99.9% of security issues are taken care of by just the presence of most of the dogs mentioned here. I've been interested in Schutzhund for a while now, belong to a club, and love it for its own sake.

My best advice is to do a lot of homework on what you're buying and realistically evaluate what your interests and abilities are. Get a pup that is likely to do the things you most want and don't compromise on those qualities.

For example, if you want a dog to play with the kids and dogs at the park, I think you would be stacking the deck against yourself by trying to add Schutzhund or reliable protection requirements (they're not necessarily the same thing) to the list.

Matteo has a beautiful dog from what looks like a top Schutzhund/protection breeder. He's obviously happy with his choice, and for all I know his dog may be a joy at the park.
The thing is, that some of the working dogs I've seen (not just protection) could just about be from another planet compared show dogs of the same breed. A lot of people just aren't aware of the amount of drive that working dogs have and would have no idea what to do with it.

Good luck on the pup(s),
Cheers,
Dave

PS - Consider health issues. Dobies are notorious for heart problems. All breeds have some issues. Malinois(es?) have very few.

 

[rbmcmjr]

My suggestion is that you check out the Schnauzer and Giant Schnauzer. Great terriers, and hypo-allergenic. No shedding and no dander.

They will shed if you don't bother with proper grooming, but it is relatively simple to keep them done. The Airedale falls under this category as well.

 

[mhawg]

If you have ever been around a well trained Jack Russel Terrier you might consider one as a pet and guard dog along with a hunting dog. If you can get over the 'Eddie' character on Frazier, even though Eddie was well behaved, you would see what a versatile breed the JRTs are. Being a Terrier, they are rough and tough little dogs but also smart and trainable. They usually get along with other dogs and love children and people in general if raised lovingly. No, I don't have one but I am familiar with a few through friends, two with children and one without, and I was pleasantly surprised at their temperament and intelligence.


P.S. I am 100% for Golden Retrievers as pets, I had a great on for 11 years and Labrador Retrievers are just the best, like having a 8 yr. old kid with a great attitude and a desire to go get things and make you happy. I've had 3 Labs and all are remembered as just being my best friend for the course of their lives. My ole dog, Dawg, was half Rat terrier and half Collie and shines through as a small hairy person who was my buddy for 17 years.

 

[Redsnake1997]

Awesome pets and lots of great choices.

I LOVE Mastiffs and Bull-dog 'type' breeds, but the only down-side to those, if it is one... and if you plan on having your dog inside, is be prepared w/a LOT of towels to wipe off slober from just about anything and everything.

Also, REALLY be prepared to be a good owner and really know just how much time you're willing to spend training your particular dog you get.

I LOVE my Lab and he was a rescue dog... got him at about 18 months old, skinny as all get-out and weighed ~ 95 lbs... Now he's up to a 'healthy' 110 and looks and acts great. Plays w/our cats, loves people, HATES squirrels... They can make great hunting companions (obviously more towards water foul) and just great all around 'friends'. Mine sheds... but nothing fierce and I use a 'furminator' on him about every other weekend and it makes a world of difference. Plus he loves it...

Here's our guy Duke... about 4 yrs old now and in great shape.

 

[tapedeck74]

I too am looking to get a family dog. Narrowed it down to Belgian Malinois or Weimaraner. I'm still researching though so I may change my mind.

 

[Quoddy]

When I was chosing my present dog, I was looking for the closest companionship that I could find. I read about Welsh Springer Spaniels and knew this was the one. Seldom is he more than one foot away. He meets your requirements, but can sometimes be reluctant to return right away if he begins a chase in the woods (my fault in his training). He doesn't shed much at all, but I keep him trimmed short anyway. He gives me lots of notice of anyone in the area, but beyond that is almost overy friendly. Needs abundant exercise.

 

[gusthefish]

I have to agree with Skunk on the Blue heeler/ Border Collie mix. I had mine for 3 years and he was the most perfect dog ever. He was messing around in my front yard with the wife in May and they got attacked by a stray dog and he ran away. We haven't seen him since. Just like any dog it took some time to get him trained, but he swam, ran, liked to help shoot the guns and likedto be in the boat when we fished. He never left my side from the time I got up until I went to bed. My wife and I are still hoping he will come back home.

For what its worth, he was a rescue and we had such good success with him we adopted two puppies from the animal shelter. Dominant breeds are Lab and Bird dog and they are smart and well behaved.

Here are their pics-

And yes that one is sticking her tongue out:thumbup:

 

[motorhed66]

Red star kennels- Presa canairio, the best companion dog ,family protector , Ive had lemmy for 10 years and he is just an ace...can be dog aggressive. I also have a female American bulldog , but she isnt the dog that my boy is .

 

[DowntownDM]

A bunch of great dogs and plenty of good advice, thanks again to everyone...

I'm leaning more toward the Ridgeback at this time, though it's a slight lean...

And in any case - I'm confident that either a Ridgeback, a Malinois, or a Doberman would suit my wants and needs near-perfectly (assuming a good individual dog, from a good breeder, with the necessary training/care/etc).

Now I'm onto looking for local and regional breeders and owners of each of these three such that I can get some additional face-time (with both the dogs/breeds and their owners) to further narrow it down and finish my decision making process.

I expect to pick one within the next 90 days, after which I'll post the results.

Thanks again.

- DM

 

[BURNSY56]

I'll suggest Bouvier de Flandres. I have owned many dogs (mainly Labs ) and this breed trumps them all. Phenominal intelligence, superior guards, calm disposition and stalwart companions. Here they are enjoying the snow and chilling at my workplace.