My wife and I are thinking of getting a dog. Any suggestions?

[OffTopic1]

Originally posted by: fibes

Originally posted by: OffTopic

Originally posted by: fibes
We really like larger dogs, and we plan to go to a reputable breeder. Are choices are:

1. Lab
2. Greater Swiss Moutain dog
3. Mastiff (my wife is kind of iffy about this dog, but I hear they make great pets)

Any advise?

Thanks!

Do you have a yard?

Large dog tend to need a yard & you will not have much of a yard left after. I'm not familiar with the GSW, but the lab will demand more attention than the Mastiff, however lab is not going to distroy your yard as much as the Mastiff.

Yes, we have a yard. It's a nice size for a Lab, but might be a little small for the Mastiff. You are probably right with the Mastiff being more destructive than the Lab, but then again, it also depends on the dog temperment.

You are not going to get much of a yard if you get a puppy of any breed.

The experience that I have with dogs leave to a conclusion that the thai ridgeback (very rare in western world) is the dog to have, or an english springer spaniel are among the better pure breed. My best friend was the extremely loyal & healthy ridgeback. It can be aggressive toward strangers, but I won?t be hesitate to have another one if I have the opportunity. The spaniel is also a beautiful dog that has a great coat that doesn?t shed.

I have had a yellow lab, black labs, golden retrievers, australian shepherd, belgian malinois, and a thai ridgeback. At one point my grand parents have 19 golden retrievers/australian shepherds cross working dog at their farm, and 3 labs. And, My boss have an medium short hair english springer spaniel, and a border terrier that I often play with.

 

[fibes]

I want to thank everyone for their suggetions.

 

[0roo0roo]

Originally posted by: Apex
Oh yeah, also don't forget to vote with your nose. Some dogs really smell compared with other ones. Each breed has its own distinct odor, and some are simply stronger than others, even with consistant bathing.

and the slobber. i don't like stinky dogs or ones that drool..thats just gross.

 

[oreagan]

I've had rottweilers since I was born. I have two brothers near my age, all of us were around grown rottweilers when we were tiny. Every female rotty we've had has been simply fantastic. Loving, helpful, ranging from uncannily smart to goofy and dumb, and great around us and our neighbor kids (who we had around fairly often) as well as any friends we bring over. They're also good protection - the goofiest, happiest dog we've had slept in my brother's room while he was sick and was ready to fight to the death when she didn't recognize my dad at first when he came in with his fact covered (it was cold) and with a hat and sunglasses on. As soon as he revealed it was him, however, she was very embarrassed and relieved.

Rotties have their reputation because they became wildly popular a decade or two ago and were overbred, leading to bad genes and then mixed with tons of ignorant, jerk owners. We had one male rottweiler in my lifetime and he was not a good dog; aggressive, bit one of our guests, and we eventually got rid of him. We attribute it to trying out a mediocre breeder, going with a male and having bad luck. Just to be safe, go with a female, but I can't recomment rottweilers enough.

 

[0roo0roo]

eh, and make sure it can live inside.... makes it easier for em not to be mental. pack animals don't like to be banished. makes doggie crazy. crazy doggie makes owner crazy

 

[Judgement]

this thread is too long so I'm not even going to begin trying to read it all, im way too wasted


even on that note that im completely able to tell you that a lab is the way to go, my family has been the proud owner of a black lab for the last 10 years and we couldn't have made a better choice

there arent words to describe the dogs resilence, tolerance, friendlyness, and sheer dedication to members of the family

although Slugger won't live much longer, I've yet to meet a dog anywhere near his caliber

 

[Krakerjak]

Have a purebred golden lab.
Got it as a pup.

They are the most gentle, loyal, and friendly dogs I have seen.
Though they shed like a M*****F****R during the summer.

dog

 

[viking1966]

Go to the fair and win a stuffed animal.. less cost, no ties when going on vacation.. no feeding and watering and shots and chewed up shoes and dug up yard.. i could go on forever..

 

[MidasKnight]

Anyone post about Newfoundlands !? Big dogs and very sweet temperment as well. They live to about 9 years old. Do a search on google for " Newfoundlands "

 

[fibes]

Has anyone ever heard of the term "blocky" to describe a Lab?

 

[TheVrolok]

Best dog, IMHO, German Shepard. Smart, large (well, mine is), territorial, protective, and loving to the family. Just having a dog in general is great tho. Any will do.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: Falloutboy525

Originally posted by: fibes

Originally posted by: shady06
rot

Are Rotties good with kids? I heard they are very protective and hard to train?

it all depends how thier raised I've had friends with rots that are the most loveable dogs to can imagin and others that I would not get within 50 feet off

It's absolutely true. One of the nicest dogs i've ever met was a rot, and there were small children in that family too. One of the MEANEST dog i ever met was a shih tzu.

My own shih tzu was VERY well with children when she was a pup... everytime she heard the kids out in the apt hallway, she would whine to go out to play with them. I lived right beside a elementary school too, and at recess i use to let her out to play with the kids (through the fence).

Now however, she's very protective.

If i had some space for a larger dog, i would get a rotty (something i've wanted for a LONG time now). They're not like pitbulls that are inherently viscious. But i love ALL dogs, so i'll take any dog (we have a mutt that i have absolutely no clue what she is).

 

[Looney]

My wife and I deceided to go with a yellow Lab from a reputable breeder. We will pick it up June 12. It will be 8 weeks old at that time.

Puppies are the best! Good thing dogs stay playful even in adult age. Kittens are great as kittens, but once they grow into cats they're just lazy (even though i love my cat).

You know there's research that shows that kids that grow up with dogs and cats as pets become better parents (than the average)? They're more nurturing, less likely to get upset (and less likely to use physical punishments), and more patience.

 

[ctcsoft]

get a Newfoundland.

they are very loving big gentle giants. will protect their owners too if need be.

 

[fibes]

Our puppy kept us up all night. We are trying to "crate" train him. I guess it takes time for puppies to get adjusted to their new environment, especially if they have never been introduced to a crate before. Any one have any suggestions? Thanks

 

[Azraele]

Link to pics is broken.

 

[cressida]

I have two chihuahuas at home .... even though they are small they are a pain in the a$$. They bark at any little noise and won't ever stop barking. The oldest one, I've had him since I was in 5th grade (now senior in college) he actually jumps in the bath tub if he needs to go to the bathroom. Youngest one though, she goes everywhere ... luckily we have tile floors. We do take them out to go to the bathroom but all they do outside is roll around in the grass then run back in. :frown:

 

[Azraele]

Originally posted by: cressida
I have two chihuahuas at home .... even though they are small they are a pain in the a$$. They bark at any little noise and won't ever stop barking. The oldest one, I've had him since I was in 5th grade (now senior in college) he actually jumps in the bath tub if he needs to go to the bathroom. Youngest one though, she goes everywhere ... luckily we have tile floors. We do take them out to go to the bathroom but all they do outside is roll around in the grass then run back in. :frown:

Same sitution only we inherited the dog.

Tile floors are not safe (at least ours weren't). The smell has soaked in.

Any ideas on how to get it out?

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: fibes
Our puppy kept us up all night. We are trying to "crate" train him. I guess it takes time for puppies to get adjusted to their new environment, especially if they have never been introduced to a crate before. Any one have any suggestions? Thanks

a pretty good lab forum

 

[Ornery]

"We finally made the purchase tonight."

Oh please do post of pic of you or your wife walking the dog carrying the bag of poop. Sometimes I wonder who belongs to who. Saw my ditzy neighbor walking her dog up the street as I passed by in my car. Her big black lab mixed dog was squatting to shlt, and she strategically placed the bag under its ass to catch it. OMG, what people do for their pets... :roll:

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: Ornery
"We finally made the purchase tonight."

Oh please do post of pic of you or your wife walking the dog carrying the bag of poop. Sometimes I wonder who belongs to who. Saw my ditzy neighbor walking her dog up the street as I passed by in my car. Her big black lab mixed dog was squatting to shlt, and she strategically placed the bag under its ass to catch it. OMG, what people do for their pets... :roll:

I can mail you your own full bag as long as you pay for shipping.

 

[Ornery]

I wanna see pics of owners on parade, dutifully carrying their little doody bags.

I'd take some of the locals around here, but I have to leave too early in the morning now. I wish I had a pic of my neghbor doing her innovative trick with the bag. I'm shocked she didn't have her damn cell phone up to her ear as she was doing it.

 

[Turkish]

OMG THAT DOG IS SO CUTE :Q

 

[styrafoam]

Originally posted by: Hardcore

Originally posted by: Falloutboy525

Originally posted by: fibes

Originally posted by: shady06
rot

Are Rotties good with kids? I heard they are very protective and hard to train?

it all depends how thier raised I've had friends with rots that are the most loveable dogs to can imagin and others that I would not get within 50 feet off

It's absolutely true. One of the nicest dogs i've ever met was a rot, and there were small children in that family too. One of the MEANEST dog i ever met was a shih tzu.

My own shih tzu was VERY well with children when she was a pup... everytime she heard the kids out in the apt hallway, she would whine to go out to play with them. I lived right beside a elementary school too, and at recess i use to let her out to play with the kids (through the fence).

Now however, she's very protective.

If i had some space for a larger dog, i would get a rotty (something i've wanted for a LONG time now). They're not like pitbulls that are inherently viscious. But i love ALL dogs, so i'll take any dog (we have a mutt that i have absolutely no clue what she is).

I came into some cash and intended to use it for something like this but instead we somehow wound up with this. Oh well, she is a blast so far

 

[dighn]

it looks sooo sad