Dog Breed Recommendation

[maybe532]

My husband and I are getting another dog this spring. We already have one dog, a 6 year old Glen of Imaal mix female (Lucy). We have a daughter that will be 3 years old when we get our new dog. We plan having more kids so whatever dog we choose must love kids and their friends. I want a dog that LOVES the company of kids, enjoys playing with them, gets along with other dogs, and is large (50+ lbs). I don't want a dog that needs professional grooming. I don't mind dogs that need their coats blown out several times a year, I just don't want another dog that needs regular hair cuts. I would love a dog that is reliable off leash but that isn't absolutely necessary. I want a dog that is relatively easy to train and that would thrive on formal obedience classes. I would also love to do agility training with it.
We will be getting a male dog because Lucy tends to get in tiffs with other female dogs that she is around for very long. The breeds I am most considering is boxers, newfoundlands, labs, australian shepherds, and goldens (the first two are my favorites). Which do you think are best suited for our family (if you can think of another dog breed feel free to suggest them).

 

[Laurelin]

I would choose Newfies personally, but my first thought was Leonbergers. However, that could just be because I love those dogs.

Though with any dog, supervising the dog with the kid is always a must no matter how good the breed is around children.

 

[Dekka]

I wouldnt choose a newf if you want to try agility. Its pretty hard on the giant breeds. A boxer would be great though.

 

[maybe532]

Newfie is my #1 choice but I don't know if we'll be able to afford the added expenses that come with that large of a dog (like a big enough car!). We have always planned to get one in about 6 years (my husband will finished with his residency then so it'll be easier to afford those things then). But we want a dog to grow up with our kids, we both had that and wouldn't trade that for the world. Lucy is a great dog but she is more interested in sleeping than anything else. She'll appease my daughter for about 5 minutes but then it's back to napping.
I never leave my daughter unattended with Lucy, my sister was bit by a family dog when she was 4 and had to get surgery, it could have been avoided if adults where around. I just want a dog that above all else truly loves the company of kids. I am already teaching my daughter how to train Lucy (telling her to sit before giving her a toy or a treat) and really hope my daughter is interested enough in dogs to get involved in a more formal approach to obedience. I was really into dogs when I was younger and did all the grooming and training for our toy poodle we had so I'm hoping it's in her blood. So far she absolutely adores all animals so I can dream!

 

[maybe532]

Wow, I didn't think about newfies and agility. I guess if we get one that's out the window. We had an aussie mix that loved that sort of thing and it was great having something fun to do with the dog. Plus it wore her out like no other.

 

[Dekka]

Not to many newfs in obed. I have seen a few though. They do take a fair bit of grooming. We had a GSD Newf cross. 124 pound with no fat, 32 inches tall..great dog. He had a fantastic newf temperment. (and no drooling lol) But he was smelly. The oil in his coat was unbelievable. It took a lot of effort to keep him clean and smelling nice. (he was worth it though) I had to use dish soap to cut through the oil to get the skin wet :yikes: I know of a few newfie and landseer breeders, and they tell me this is normal. They also don't tolerate heat well (seeing that you live in TX, that might be a concern for you, I don't know)

 

[maybe532]

Well, it sure is hot here and that has been an issue from the beginning. Of course the dog will live inside but it'll have to go outside to potty and exercise. I was thinking if we found a local breeder they may be better acclimated to the heat than one that was from a colder climate. I'm thinking a boxer is sounding more and more like our best choice for our current situation. What is the general views on ear cropping? Personally, I like the look of the cropped ears versus uncropped but I don't know details on what is involved when they get cropped. I hope this isn't a hot topic, I am just curious to know if this is a considered okay or not. I know they've banned it in some countries and I assume there's a reason for that.
But I will own a newfie at some point in my life, I am so in love with the breed.

 

[maybe532]

Oh, and Dekka, your JRT are simply adorable. They look like scrappy little things, I love it. I like Snip's little scruffy face. I considered them but I've heard they aren't very forgiving with children.

 

[bubbatd]

Need you ask me ?????

 

[fillyone]

Oh wait, you didn't have German Shepherd on your list

 

[fillyone]

And a couple of mine:
Waiting for a favorite toy:

Resting at the Library

Not that I'm biased for anything :lol-sign:

 

[maybe532]

Wow, I love your german shepherd! Do you encounter a lot of people being afraid of them? Also, how are they with your friends (especially kids)? I know they have a great reputation for being good with kids but I haven't heard anything about how they are with strangers. Do they like to interact with kids? I'm going to look more into them, your pictures are very persuasive! Do you have problems getting home owners insurance? I guess I'd have to call my insurance company to see if they have any breed restrictions.

 

[Dekka]

Oh, and Dekka, your JRT are simply adorable. They look like scrappy little things, I love it. I like Snip's little scruffy face. I considered them but I've heard they aren't very forgiving with children.

That is soo true, Kudos to you for knowing that . My son (soon to be 7) is very dog savvy, but if he has friends over, I put the dogs away.

A good GSD is a good idea too. They do very well in obed. (the only reason I don't want them is the shedding lol) I love their temperments (good ones of course) Unfortunatly its true that some insurance companies won't insure you if you have GSD. A lady in the local obed club, who has been breeding shepards for YEARS (she is now in her mid 70's I think) was just informed by her insurance company, that they will no longer insure her.

 

[StaceyWebb]

Boxers rock! But please, don't crop the ears. If you go through a rescue, you can probably adopt one that has it's ears done, but unless a Boxer is being shown, there is no reason to crop the ears. It's a hassle, it's painful, and there's no need - even the show people are trying to get away from it.

Edited cause I see you are in TX....

Boxers are almost universally wonderful with children, and are wonderful companions!

 

[fillyone]

Wow, I love your german shepherd! Do you encounter a lot of people being afraid of them? Also, how are they with your friends (especially kids)? I know they have a great reputation for being good with kids but I haven't heard anything about how they are with strangers. Do they like to interact with kids? I'm going to look more into them, your pictures are very persuasive! Do you have problems getting home owners insurance? I guess I'd have to call my insurance company to see if they have any breed restrictions.

Sadly some homeowners insurance now have breed restrictions on GSDs so you would need to check with yours.

I would say 25% of the strangers I meet with Dante have a bit of apprehension regarding the breed, but Dante is a goofy guy so if they take the time to meet him that apprehension goes away quickly.
I don't have kids myself but Dante proved himself not too long ago when I took him to the library where they have those fountains that shoot out of the ground. He had a blast playing in them and many kids asked if they could pet him and he was stellar with them. One girl (about 3) got a lick on the cheek and I thought I was going to bust a gut laughing at her giggling.
If you would like to see a bunch of pictures of GSDs and kids check out http://www.germanshepherds.com/foru...7865&Board=30&page=1&fpart=all&gonew=1#UNREAD
In fact if you really want to learn more about GSDs it’s a fabulous forum!

With adult strangers Dante is usually aloof until introduced. He doesn't seek attention from strangers but isn't aggressive in anyway shape or form.

The hair is really the only thing that drives me nuts :lol-sign: , they don't have the nickname German Shedders for no reason!!

It is a lot of work to find the right breeder for GSDs, there are a lot of very bad ones out there and sadly GSDs do have quite the list of health issues. So it’s imperative to find a breeder that does health checks and knows the lines they are breeding are a good ‘fit’.

Best of luck in finding just the right breed/dog for your family, I can’t even begin to put into words how much I adore Dante!!

 

[maybe532]

Well, shedding certainly is something to consider but I imagine it's manageable if fed a great diet and with blowing the coat out regularly. There is a place that breeds GSD near where my parents live and I remember driving by there as a kid. I looked up their website and they sure have sold them on me! They breed for conformation and tempermant. They feed them a raw diet, something I'm all for. I'm afraid to ask how much they cost! But I'd rather pay more for a well-bred one than get one from a byb. I'll check out that link you provided, thanks!

We have Lonestar Boxer Rescue here in Houston, there is a huge problem with boxers in shelters around here. I just don't want to adopt a poorly bred dog since it's going to be around so many kids. Plus I really want a puppy, I want to make sure the dog is very socialized and start training at a young age. That's great to hear they are trying to change the conformation for the ear cropping. I couldn't imagine it being a pleasant process.

 

[Lizmo]

I'd recommend a Golden or Newfie. I don't know that much about Newfies but they are very much like the Golden.

 

[fillyone]

There is a place that breeds GSD near where my parents live and I remember driving by there as a kid. I looked up their website and they sure have sold them on me! They breed for conformation and tempermant. They feed them a raw diet, something I'm all for. I'm afraid to ask how much they cost! But I'd rather pay more for a well-bred one than get one from a byb.

Good you send me a link to their website? Though I have a bazillion bookmarked I always love looking at more!!!

 

[BostonBanker]

I just don't want to adopt a poorly bred dog since it's going to be around so many kids. Plus I really want a puppy, I want to make sure the dog is very socialized and start training at a young age.

I have absolutely no problem with people who choose to get a puppy from a responsible breeder, but I hate to see that as the reason. A good rescue will test the dogs to learn their ability to tolerate the unintentional "abuse" dogs tend to receive from young children. And by adopting an adult, you can actually see what their true personality will be. With puppies, no matter how much you socialize and train, some just aren't going to grow up into what you want them to be.

My dog, rescued as an adult from a high-kill shelter, is without a doubt the best dog I have ever seen with children. She adores them and lives to be near them, but is never jumpy or pushy with them. If there is a child in the room, she will be found sitting right next the them, back to the kid hoping for a scratch. My baby nephew pulled himself up from the ground to a standing position by gripping the loose skin on Meg's back - not something I would have ever permitted if I had realized what was happening, but she didn't blink or move.

Sorry, off my soapbox .

To answer your previous question, I've met several very well-bred goldens that I think would fit your needs. They seem to go through a very energetic, bouncy stage as adolescents, but I think they outgrow it faster than labs or boxers (at least the ones I've met).

 

[maybe532]

BostonBanker-I think you may have misunderstood me. I want to avoid adopting a dog that was poorly bred-meaning that it's temperment is unstable. I know there are plenty of great dogs out there that are rescues, Lucy is one of them. I realize they temperment test them at the all-breed rescues but being so highly overbred they can't be as close to the breed standard as some of the less popular breeds. That being said, I've never bought a dog from a breeder, we've always gotten our dogs from shelters so this will be a new experience for me. I'm hoping that I can find a great breeder that has properly socialized the pups from the beginning, and we can continue on from there...