Best Family Dog

[Buck Armstrong]

I had a German Shepherd when I was young and single, and still think they're the most majestic, loyal, and intelligent dogs around, especially considering they're also intimidating when they need/want to be. My wife, on the other hand, likes the usual little, yappy, trembling, girly dogs; in my experience, small dogs have Napoleon complexes (they're aggressive and bark alot, but they can't back it up). Since we can't agree, we've just put it off...but we have a four-year-old daughter who just wants a dog, any dog, before she grows up.

Is there a compromise animal? Big enough to be considered a dog instead of an annoying rodent, but affectionate, good with kids, and not destructive (furniture, carpet, etc.)? She wants a cuddly lapdog, I want a real dog I can take along for playing in the woods/mountains/beach and so on.

Thanks in advance.

 

[adairusmc]

Labrador Retriever. Best family dog there is.

 

[Whoozyerdaddy]

Get a pug. Seriously.

It's a small lap dog. Not a yappy, trembling rat-dog. Great with kids. TONS of personality and from behind a door they sound big.

I miss my pug.

 

[KillerCharlie]

I HATE nothing more than small, yappy dogs. I love medium and big dogs though.

 

[GTaudiophile]

Beagel!

 

[FilmCamera]

The best dog is not getting one at all.

 

[hypn0tik]

Every time I see one of those small dogs, I feel like punting those annoying fvcks or 'accidentally' stepping on them.

Get a big dog.

 

[Mo0o]

basset hound
cocker spaniel
bulldog

all medium sized dogs that are pretty docile

 

[shopbruin]

shiba inu?

 

[SketchMaster]

What kind of land do you live on? How often would it be walked?

 

[Cobalt]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
Labrador Retriever. Best family dog there is.

 

[KarmaPolice]

I have a golden retriever mixed with standard poodle. A goldendoodle. he is awesome....

 

[Atheus]

Large yellow dog!

 

[Buck Armstrong]

Originally posted by: FilmCamera
The best dog is not getting one at all.

Thats what we've settled for so far...but my little girl REALLY wants a dog, and when she asks for one, I remember all the great "big dogs" my dad bought me and my brother when we were kids, that really had a positive impact on my childhood. But I just can't stand the annoying little weasels my wife prefers...

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Originally posted by: Buck Armstrong
Thats what we've settled for so far...but my little girl REALLY wants a dog, and when she asks for one, I remember all the great "big dogs" my dad bought me and my brother when we were kids, that really had a positive impact on my childhood. But I just can't stand the annoying little weasels my wife prefers...

Then do as Whoozyerdaddy recommended and get a pug, the ultimate transition between the two types of dogs. Just make sure you don't have anything laying around, as the pug will most certainly eat it.

 

[IAteYourMother]

beagle!!

 

[SketchMaster]

This may help a bit.

 

[Buck Armstrong]

Originally posted by: SketchMaster
What kind of land do you live on? How often would it be walked?

We just a built a new house (hence the wish for a "non-destructive" dog); but it has large, wooded lot, that buts up against some woods and a pond in the back. Even though the backyard is very big, has alot of trees, and no neighbors behind us, I will probably put up a privacy fence if we get a dog, so he can run himself ragged without a leash.

Otherwise, the animal will be walked daily, pampered to death by my wife and daughter, but also have to play fetch, rough-house a bit, and run through the woods with me.

 

[IAteYourMother]

how about a harrier? medium sized, so it's a compromise

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Get a pug. Seriously.

It's a small lap dog. Not a yappy, trembling rat-dog. Great with kids. TONS of personality and from behind a door they sound big.

I miss my pug.

Yea, wanna buy my pug? $3!

 

[Buck Armstrong]

Originally posted by: Soviet

Originally posted by: Whoozyerdaddy
Get a pug. Seriously.

It's a small lap dog. Not a yappy, trembling rat-dog. Great with kids. TONS of personality and from behind a door they sound big.

I miss my pug.

Yea, wanna buy my pug? $3!

$3?! What's the problem?

 

[neutralizer]

Brian.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
Labrador Retriever. Best family dog there is.

 

[Sluggo]

I would get a muttified Bullmastiff. Ours is a cross with a Great Dane, but he was the runt of the litter, so he maxed out at about 80lbs.

Best dog ever. Loves to play, and is completely non-aggressive around kids, but still very protective. Lazy as crap and will sleep 20 hours a day if you want, but will also play all day if you want. He will also be a lapdog if you let him. He loves to lay on the floor with me and watch TV.

Me and my 80lb mutt.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bullmastiff.htm

 

[AreaCode707]

Corgi. Not tiny, not big, good personality. This coming from a gal who likes Great Danes.