Help me pick out a dog...

[SoulAssassin]

Thinking about getting a dog and not sure what I want so I'm asking the ATOT community for advice. Probably looking for something in the 20-40lb neighborhood, maybe up to 50lbs but call it small to medium. I live in a suburban townhouse with a small backyard and no fence so the dog will be in the house most of the time. For lack of better words I don't want anything gay but I don't need a pit bull. Something that is definitely a guys dog. Preferably a breed that's known to be intelligent and easy to train (not looking to have it fetch beers but at least easy to house train and will listen to basic commands). Definitely want something with short hair that doesn't shed.






cliffs:
need dog
small to medium
"guys's" dog
intelligent
doesn't shed

 

[meltdown75]

Jack Russell terrier

 

[nerdress]

Vizsla!

 

[Perknose]

Spend some time at your local SPCA and your dog, a resilient mutt with the crossbred dominant genes to better resist disease and a deep gratitude that his master has come at last, will pick you.

 

[Atomic Playboy]

You don't want a gay dog? Stay away from collies then; they're flamers. Just look at Lassie.

Why don't you go down to a shelter and see what they have that you can adopt?

 

[Blackjack200]

I thought smart dogs were more headstrong, required more attention, and were harder to train?

 

[dougp]

Get a Basenji ...

 

[wheresmybacon]

Pit Bull. Especially if you have small children and/or babies. Fantastic fodder for local news and ATOT threads.

 

[Newbian]

Top 10 smart breeds.

But it looks like most don't fit your requirement since a lot of them are either long hair or two small or large.

Try a mix breed if any are known to work.

 

[Redfraggle]

Originally posted by: Perknose
Spend some time at your local SPCA and your dog, a resilient mutt with the crossbred dominant genes to better resist disease and a deep gratitude that his master has come at last, will pick you.

This. Plus, it's cheap. Most of the dogs in pet stores are bred in dog mills which are something like sweatshops for dogs -- awful in other words, and you aren't really getting the quality you are paying for. Get a shelter dog. You can even get one that's a bit older, and housebroken. A lot of them have shots already done even. Plus, you'll get an idea of its personality for compatibility with you. Really, an older dog is going to be more laid back and able to handle being alone all day without feeling the need to destroy your house or bark all day.

 

[SoulAssassin]

I thought about doing the SPCA thing and it's the right move in a lot of ways but I know I'm too much of a perfectionist. I'm not the kind of person to go in and see a dog, play with it for 5 minutes and fall in love. I need to understand what type of dog it is and what the traits are, etc. Some people go into Best Buy and point at a TV and buy it, I spend 2 months researching reviews and what the problems are, etc. I applaud those who rescue a dog but I don't think it's for me.

The Vizsla looks really interesting, friend of mine has a Rhodesian Ridgeback which is apparently very similar but larger. His is -very- energetic. Basenji is also interesting, never heard of those before. Unique look.

 

[Vette73]

Doberman - Male

Doberman Pinscher
Dobermans are an extremely loyal, assertive, and fearless breed. They have incredible stamina, and love to work (they are one of the top 10 best guard dog breeds) Although known as a dominant breed, Dobermans can vary greatly as far as temperament goes. Some can be quite docile, and even work as therapy dogs in hospitals! Dobermans can be great family dogs too, if trained properly from an early age. Although not vicious, you can count on a Doberman to aggressively protect its master if necessary.

 

[Newbian]

What about a Boston Terrier?

Some of them can have those buggy eyes though.

I always did like the looks of "Staffordshire Bull Terrier" provided it's not to muscular.

 

[UsandThem]

I have a Border Collie mix (they say mixed from Australian Cattle dog) that my family adopted from a animal rescue shelter.

Very smart, loves kids, but needs a lot of attention and training. He is about 45 pounds and is fully grown.

 

[OCGuy]

Please dont fall victim to the ATOT dog rescue squad.

If you want a purebred, go for it. (ive done this)

If you want to rescue a dog, go for it. (Ive also done this)


Decide for yourself what is the better option for you.

 

[IGBT]

many of the local shelters are full of pitbulls. people realize the litigation hazard and get rid of em. check with your homeowner insurance co. to see if they list high litigation risk dogs in their language (Allstate). Don't end up with dog that will raise your rates.

 

[destrekor]

Originally posted by: Perknose
Spend some time at your local SPCA and your dog, a resilient mutt with the crossbred dominant genes to better resist disease and a deep gratitude that his master has come at last, will pick you.

This.

But it was so sad. I did a volunteer trip for my program to the Franklin County Animal Shelter. Our time that day was basically taking dogs out of their cage to walk them and give them some socializing time in the yard.
There was this one dog that definitely picked me. Mutt, that at the time I could tell was a lot of one breed, a breed I really like in general... but cannot remember that at all right now. argh
But anyway... I did that for a couple dogs, but spent the most time with the one that picked me. Gave him a bath, and you could tell he really did not want to do that, but I was able to keep him as calm as he could be.
You could tell he wasn't aware of many commands, but with the right tone I could get him to try every time to obey, just couldn't always tell what I wanted at first.
Would have been a dog I took home with me the moment he instantly drew to my attention in the shelter. But alas, I can't have a dog down at campus. Let alone my place doesn't allow them, but I don't live there year-round.

Once I get my own place at my first duty station I'm heading to a shelter to find a good dog.

 

[SoulAssassin]

I like Dobes but I think they are a little bigger than I want. I read up on miniature ones and they seemed like a good fit but the wikipedia article makes it seem like they are on red bull all the time and require a ridiculous amount of exercise. Says something about daily walks not being enough exercise. I plan on walking the dog and playing with it, etc but it sounds like they need a real yard to run in.

Boston Terriers, as well as English Bulldogs, are in the 'maybe' pile. The bulldog seems like a good fit but I hear they have a lot of health problems and are kinda dumb.

 

[JM Aggie08]

DEFINITELEY do not buy from a breeder. You'd have to be some kinda retard to do such a thing. Go to a SHELTER! I CAN'T POSSIBLY STRESS ENOUGH HOW MUCH LOVE A SHELTER DOG HAS TO GIVE. These dogs need a home too, and you are just full of hate and stupidity if you buy a dog from a professional breeder. I mean who does that??@?@?@?!??!?@?

/Sarcasm

I'd get a pit or a boxer if i were you. Boxer preferably.

 

[JJ650]

Originally posted by: meltdown75
Jack Russell terrier

Thought he wanted something that DOESN'T shed.

 

[Gibsons]

Look for a poodle (standard, not toy) or mix at the shelter. Poodles don't shed and are usually smart.

 

[Vette73]

Originally posted by: SoulAssassin
I like Dobes but I think they are a little bigger than I want. I read up on miniature ones and they seemed like a good fit but the wikipedia article makes it seem like they are on red bull all the time and require a ridiculous amount of exercise. Says something about daily walks not being enough exercise. I plan on walking the dog and playing with it, etc but it sounds like they need a real yard to run in.

Boston Terriers, as well as English Bulldogs, are in the 'maybe' pile. The bulldog seems like a good fit but I hear they have a lot of health problems and are kinda dumb.

Then get a female doberman. They are a little harder to train but about 10pds smaller. Short hair and meets what you listed.

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: Gibsons
Look for a poodle (standard, not toy) or mix at the shelter. Poodles don't shed and are usually smart.

For lack of better words I don't want anything gay

 

[Gooberlx2]

Lab, Border Collie, Australian Cattle Dog....mixes from local shelter

With mixes you're more likely to be able to stay within your desired weight range. Adopt a well tested adult dog and s/he'll probably already be house trained. Just be prepared to have to train out the separation anxiety when you're away at work.

doesn't shed

LOL, good luck with that.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Blackjack200
I thought smart dogs were more headstrong, required more attention, and were harder to train?

QFT...the smartest dogs usually make the wrong choice for the average dog owner.

They will constantly need stimulation and much of the time figure out a way to become the alpha.

There is a corelation to pointed ears vs floppy and intelligence. It's not 100% but a definite trend.

I'd first pick a dog based on how much time you really have each day.

I picked up an Australian Cattle dog by first going to petfinder.com and looking for medium sized dogs that were young to baby and within driving distance.

A couple caught my eye, the number 1 was the cattle dog. I looked up the breed and it suited my lifestyle.

He is a lot of work, more than most would want to spend. I walk 30-45 mins in the morning with him (5:15am), 30 mins at lunch we play in the backyard and in the evening we are usually at dog park from 5:30/6:00 to 8pm each night or we walk 45-60mins.....

Within a couple days (he was still only 4 months old) he had sit, come, drop it, lay down, go to bed (crate), high five and shake down pat and knew enough to selectively ignore them. I am very patient and found myself frustrated at times.

Without a fence, I'd stick to small dogs or the hound type...

why do you want a dog?