What breed for me?

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BlackDog

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#1
I will be getting a dog in a few years. I will be living in a apartment. They dog would need to be good with people, animals, and kids. It can be low to medium excersise needs. That doesn't mean medium-low excerise needs. That means any where in the range of low to average. I don't care how much it sheds or doesn't shed. Don't care about drooling or non-drooling. Don't care how much coat care it needs. I don't want a yappy dog, but I would like a dog who will alert me if something suspicious should to break in. I'd love something large enough to protect me if need be.
 

Dekka

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#3
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. low to moderate exercise needs, decent appt dog. Smart and easy to train..and super cute to boot!
 

Rosefern

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#4
I'd go to a local rescue group and look for a dog that fits all of your criteria, as I can't think of a specific breed that would definately fit everything - a good ol' Heinz57 might be your best bet!

-Rosefern
 
B

BlackDog

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#6
I'd go to a local rescue group and look for a dog that fits all of your criteria, as I can't think of a specific breed that would definately fit everything - a good ol' Heinz57 might be your best bet!

-Rosefern
I'm looking for a purebred though.
 

Dekka

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#7
Personally I wouldn't get a dog that will attack people (lol though I own a breed that I sure would try if I was introuble) Unless you are a very very experienced dog owner/trainer I would shy away. Any dog that would be able to seriously protect you may try to 'protect' you from someone you love. Also any dogs that would be good protectors won't be happy in an appt. And are not known to be reliable with other dogs and animals (though there are exceptions)

I would go for a well socialized breed and keep a can of mace handy.
 
B

BlackDog

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#8
Also any dogs that would be good protectors won't be happy in an appt. And are not known to be reliable with other dogs and animals (though there are exceptions)
In another thread someone else wanted a pitbull in an apartment and no one said that wasn't ok. Not that I want a pit. Just making a point.

And some gaurdian breeds are wonderful with other animal.
Example: great pyranees. They aren't good for apartments but the statement "good protectors won't be reliable with other dogs and animals", is not true.
 

RD

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#11
A lot of the giant breeds could actually fit the bill, but it's difficult to find housing with a small moose in tow...

How about an adult Golden Retriever? Their energy levels drop as they age, so you wouldn't have to deal with the crazy puppy stages. They're big enough to look intimidating to someone (obviously they wouldn't guard you with zeal, but most dogs will step up for their owners if they need to, and Goldens are no exception) but not so massive that you can't find a place to live with one.
 

Sush

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#12
Well alot of these dogs will make great ALARM dogs...they may be too small to actually do something but alarming an owner that something is happening will give you a headstart on deciding what to do next. A barking dog WILL detter many intruders...of course not all. I would know something was up the minute Sage heard an intruder fart OUTSIDE of my house :)

True Story...When I was living in LA I woke up right when Sage darted out of my bed and ran to the door. Then I thought I heard a jiggle of the knob of my backdoor so I opened my door and she dashed into the living room and began barking up a storm. I went a woke my roommate up totally freaked out. He and I went to explore and our back gate was wide open...no one there. She totally scared them off!! needless to say i slept in his room for like a week :)
 

~Tucker&Me~

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#13
Thing is pitbulls don't make good guard dogs. LOL

Do you want a dog that would work as a good alarm or a guard dog (I would personally stray against having one)?

~Tucker
 
B

BlackDog

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#16
Yeah but you also said you wanted something low energy
I said I wanted anything in the range of low to *medium/average* energy. The other poster stated that no breeds that are capable of guarding can be kept in an apartment.

I don't want a pit. I was just making a point.
 

Boemy

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#17
I said I wanted anything in the range of low to *medium/average* energy. The other poster stated that no breeds that are capable of guarding can be kept in an apartment.

I don't want a pit. I was just making a point.
But pit bulls aren't good guard dogs.
 
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#18
A watch dog is different that a guard dog.

Any breed can be a watch dog

Dogs bred to guard naturally bark allot but will protect.
Dogs bred to herd can be trained to guard on command and make excellent watch dog. They can be kinda of yappy.

If you do not need real protection you have tons of breeds that can do well in a small setting of a apartment.

The shelters have tons of dogs of all kinds that once they are loved they will die protecting you.
 
B

BlackDog

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#19
Well alot of these dogs will make great ALARM dogs...they may be too small to actually do something but alarming an owner that something is happening will give you a headstart on deciding what to do next. A barking dog WILL detter many intruders...of course not all. I would know something was up the minute Sage heard an intruder fart OUTSIDE of my house
I want a dog actually capable of protecting me if someone broke in. I will most likely be living alone and I'm 5'3'' 109 pound female. I have always been drawn to the gaurdian breeds. Although they are too large for an apartment, someday I will have one. There are, however, smaller, medium-sized dogs who are capable of protecting their owners if they knew they were going to be harmed, but aren't the first dogs who come to mind when you think "gaurd-dog". That's where I would like imput.

I'm thinking about maybe a boxer or a clumber spaniel.
 

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