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

[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.

 

[fibes]

Originally posted by: classy
Here's a good link on dog breeds

Dog Breeds

Thank you very much, classy

 

[lobadobadingdong]

harrier

I've got one of these, he plays very well with my one year old. think of them like stubborn labs only thinner and with less hair. They're a bit of a rare breed in the states, but you can't go wrong with a good lab.

 

[nitsuj3580]

My neighbors got two big akitas and then had two kids. From what they've said the dogs were very amiable and new the kids were part of the family after a short time. They are awesome dogs as I'm always over there playing around with them.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: fibes

Originally posted by: shady06
rot

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

no, and yes. they're probably fine with your family (assuming they are trained) but they tend to be dangerous to other people that they view as outside their pack (bad for your kid's friends or neighbors).

 

[MrCodeDude]

Meh, big dog with small kids.

My family has only owned miniature/standard sized terriors (minus a miniature schnauzer), our two recent ones are smaller than most standard sized dogs. Schnauzers are fun though, lots of energy. Ours lived until she was 16, she was really active until she was ~13. From 13 to 16 she just started to lounge a lot more.

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Eli
You people suggesting rottweilers and pitbulls are, quite frankly, insane.

Your ignorance does not invalidate their experience...

And, Rotts and Pitbulls have the reputation, why??? I'll agree that there are a great number of great Rotts and pitbulls. My sis in law has a rott, and he's an excellent dog. My parents in law have a rott/mix. Another great dog. Nonetheless, if I were to go up there and start wrestling around with my nephews, I would be risking having a protective rott misinterpretting and defending the kids.
So, when your youngster has friends over, and they're wrestling around in the yard, and your rott defends your son by biting the other child, what are you going to do then? (my son was bit at a friends house by an overly protective dog)

Personally, I'd recommend a golden retriever - preferably not a puppy - they're puppies for a good 2 years. (behaviorly). Or, the lab - another great dog.

 

[BaboonGuy]

Irish Water Spaniel. They PWN

 

[DigDug]

Bichon Frise. They don't shed, they are of beautiful temperment and you can play with them like teddybears.

 

[BigFatCow]

I highly recommend a Golden Retriever. They are great around kids and are very playful.

 

[classy]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Eli
You people suggesting rottweilers and pitbulls are, quite frankly, insane.

Your ignorance does not invalidate their experience...

And, Rotts and Pitbulls have the reputation, why??? I'll agree that there are a great number of great Rotts and pitbulls. My sis in law has a rott, and he's an excellent dog. My parents in law have a rott/mix. Another great dog. Nonetheless, if I were to go up there and start wrestling around with my nephews, I would be risking having a protective rott misinterpretting and defending the kids.
So, when your youngster has friends over, and they're wrestling around in the yard, and your rott defends your son by biting the other child, what are you going to do then? (my son was bit at a friends house by an overly protective dog)

Personally, I'd recommend a golden retriever - preferably not a puppy - they're puppies for a good 2 years. (behaviorly). Or, the lab - another great dog.

That will occur with any dog that has not been socialized. Being over protective is developed in a dog that has not been socialized around people or other dogs.

 

[BigSmooth]

Retrievers are great with kids, plus they are obedient and energetic. We had a Chesapeake Bay Retriever growing up. Hounds in general are good with kids. Beagles and Bassets are great. If you like large dogs you could go with a Bloodhound... they are extremely tolerant and gentle dogs, although they are a bit tough to train and have a certain "hound" odor.

I think just about any breed can get along with kids if properly socialized/trained, but some require more care/attention than others.

 

Dog's Diary:

8 am - Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite!

9 am - Oh Boy! A car ride! My favorite

10 am - Oh Boy! A walk! My favorite!

11 am - Oh Boy! A car ride! My favorite!

Noon - Oh Boy! The kids! My favorite!

1 pm - Oh Boy! The yard! My favorite!

3 pm - Oh Boy! The kids! My favorite!

4 pm - Oh Boy! Dog food! My favorite!

5 pm - Oh Boy! Mom! My favorite!

7 pm - Oh Boy! Playing ball! My favorite!

9 pm - Oh Boy! Sleeping in master's bed! My favorite!



Cat's Diary

Day 183 of my captivity...

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from ruining the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another house plant. Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded -- must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair -- must try this on their bed. Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in an attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was. Hmmm, not working according to plan. There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the food. More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to my power of "allergies." Must learn what this is and how to use it. I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The bird on the other hand has got to be an informant, and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room, his safety is assured. But I can wait; it is only a matter of time...

 

[LuNoTiCK]

Originally posted by: DrPizza

Originally posted by: Mwilding

Originally posted by: Eli
You people suggesting rottweilers and pitbulls are, quite frankly, insane.

Your ignorance does not invalidate their experience...

And, Rotts and Pitbulls have the reputation, why??? I'll agree that there are a great number of great Rotts and pitbulls. My sis in law has a rott, and he's an excellent dog. My parents in law have a rott/mix. Another great dog. Nonetheless, if I were to go up there and start wrestling around with my nephews, I would be risking having a protective rott misinterpretting and defending the kids.
So, when your youngster has friends over, and they're wrestling around in the yard, and your rott defends your son by biting the other child, what are you going to do then? (my son was bit at a friends house by an overly protective dog)

Personally, I'd recommend a golden retriever - preferably not a puppy - they're puppies for a good 2 years. (behaviorly). Or, the lab - another great dog.

How many times will the media say a dog is a pit bull when it isn't. They won't even be sure, they will mistake any dog that attacks for a pit bull, even though they aren't even the breed that did it. There have been famous people who have had pits. President Wilson and Roosevelt for example. The American Temperament Test Society ranks the dog below the toy poodle. And contrary to what most people think a game dog is less likely to attack a human. Game dogs may attack animals, but if they show any human aggression they should be culled immediately.

Link

 

[OffTopic1]

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.

 

[digitalsm]

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.

Actually the larger dogs, tend not to need as much exercise as smaller dogs. Great Danes can make good apt dogs, if you have an extra bedroom and a complex that allows large dogs.

As for labs and mastiffs, they are medium to medium large dogs, so yeah they'll need more exercise than danes or the like.

 

[azazyel]

Rhodesian ridgebacks are great. My sister has one and he is very smart and very lovable. The only problem is I think he picked up some stubbornness from my sister.

 

[BeauJangles]

yellow lab or golden retriever

 

[BigPoppa]

Get a lab/chesapeake cross. My dogs are intelligent, loving, and very funny. I wouldn't recommend a full-blooded lab as they are very prone to hip displasia (think I spelled that right).

 

[Bassyhead]

another vote for a lab!

 

[Gand1]

I can't believe no one mention the Greyhound. They are awesome, and if you rescue one you are doing a GOOD thing.

Greyhound

 

[BigKev]

Out of those, I'd go with the Lab. Although, they do grow to be friggin' big.

 

[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.

 

[Tom]

generally i think mixed breeds are less likely to be insane.

 

[fibes]

Originally posted by: Tom
generally i think mixed breeds are less likely to be insane.

I agree, but how do you know if a mutt is going to be a "good" dog? Atleast, with pure breeds, you can reserch the various traits of a specific breed.