help on choosing a breed.

[lucozadd]

Hi. I have been posting here before but cant make my mind up on which breed to get.I have a few in mind but want to know what you think.I'm goin to tell you what i would like the dog to be like,and hopefully you could give me some suggestions.I know a breed isn't going to be exactly what they are known to be,but here are some characteristics(they all don't have to fit).

~No more than about 1 hour and 45 of excersise needed.
~Quite easily trained.
~Doesn't follow their nose OTT.
~Would protect ourselves and our property.
~Medium to large size.
~Not naturally very aggresive.
~Good around children.
~Loyal.
~Likes to please.

Could you please come up with any suggestions. Thanks.

 

[bubbatd]

Golden Retriever !

 

[bubbatd]

P.S. Won't kill to protect... but will bark and hide behind you!

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

I think a Golden Retriever would a pretty good match, too. They do need exercise, but most goldens I've seen are more than happy to get that from a game of fetch in the yard or a romp in the backyard. They need to be with their people a lot, because they're very much family dogs. You might consider getting an older golden from a rescue. They're awesome dogs. My neighbor has a golden and he's a real sweetheart. HIs owner brings him everywhere with him.

 

[bubbatd]

They are love bugs and family dogs. Mine had freedom of 8 acres of wood to run, creek, grass and where were the 4 ??? In my kitchen ! Very low maintance . BUT!!! If you get a puppy , make sure it has been well socialized and from a good breeder. These pups need love and one on one from day one to be a good member of the family. A good Golden Rescue can find an older dog for you. Let me know if you need more info. I've had a Golden since 1949.

 

[ToyPoodle]

Golden retriever would suit most of that but they don't make good guard dogs i know i have golden retriever he allows anyone and everyone in the yard if where home or not.They also require alot of grooming they need to be groomed daily for 30minutes depends if you like them with long or short hair.If you don't like the grooming idea how about the labrador retriever there a releative to the golden retriever but they have short hair and require less grooming.The retrievers don't make good guard dogs they will bark and carry on but they will not attack unless kicked or hit.Since these dogs have a friendly nature to them they will go up to people and other dogs so you have to be careful.When i take Einstein my golden for a walk i keep him away from the dogs that can do serious injuries since he goes up to everyone and every dog.Also you have to be careful on how much you feed them as golden and labradors will eat and eat and eat which can be trouble if there desexed.They can get obbesity very quickly cause they will just keep eating.For golden and labrador retrievers 3 cups full of food should do for them.Do not give into there sad look on there face they always give you a sad look to make you feel sorry for them.Einstein always does this he mostly does it when he wants attection but some do it to get more food so be careful.You will need to give golden or labradors fresh bones every day or every second day they help clean there teeth and also stops them chewy your shoes or digging holes.Never give a dog cooked meat or cooked bones they can't really digest cooked meat.Cooked bones they spilter and cut,or get stuck in the dogs throat.Always give raw bones to your dog you can brush there teeth but most dogs don't like it.If you have any questions feel free to ask.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

Not all golden retrievers are NOT going to guard, and not all Labs ARE going to guard. I've met labs and goldens that guard. If someone ever tried to rob us, May (my Lab), would invite them in for a cup of tea and a cookie.

 

[poeluvr]

what about a newfie, they're intelligent family dogs, big, a bit lazy so u wont have to bring himt o the track, but will need grooming. but ive heard they can be pretty protective too!

 

[lucozadd]

but ive read that they range from £650-1000+.Is this true?it must be if its on a few sites.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

Do you mean Newfies or Goldens?

I suggest rescuing. You're saving a life, and many adoption fees are pretty cheap. We got our Terrier mix, Colby, for around $60 U.S. money.

 

[CreatureTeacher]

An English Mastiff or Great Dane might suit you pretty well. They're also fairly common breeds, so you would not have trouble finding an adult in a rescue. (An adult would be easier and less demanding to care for--you sound like you may be strapped for time and have your attention divided frequently. Also, you could discuss the kind of personality you're interested in with the rescue. They'll have a good idea of the individual dogs' quirks as an established adult. Plus, you can feel good about giving a needy dog a good home!)

http://www.mastiffclub.com/index.php
http://www.gdca.org/

 

[Renee750il]

Creature Teacher's right. You'd want to be sure you were sticking to an English aka Olde English Mastiff though, not a Bull Mastiff or any of the more esoteric types as their personalities are distinctly different and not as layed back as the English type.

An adult German Shepherd from a breed rescue can be a great choice as well.

 

[spudy]

ok i have two rottweirs. they are going to protect you and the kids. my rottweirs are great with my sisters kid hes about a year old . they are strog dogs. so what i have to do with my sis kid is watch him . him jumps on them and rides they like a horse. they a great dogs to have but if the kid geting in side there specail pace they well get mad . they wont attack they wont bit the just site there and are mad. so if you get a rott then have a place that the kids can go but the dog can . make a specail placwe just for them so they can get away form them when they need a brack.

i would get one as a pup so you can gowup with it and you can train it . the kid well now how to haddle it and the dog ell haddle the kid . i would get a rot because if you were by yourself and had a kid and the dog you would be safe now one would hurt you with it . if you decide to take my adive . DONT CUT THERE TALL OFF . its pretty and its not requierd of you. thy really are great dogs dont let people tell you they arent. they really are great dogs . its the people how hurt them when they are babys and they just grow up beingwatchfull so pps take my adive and get a rot!!!!!

 

[poeluvr]

i think we're forgrtting , including me, their were other things they were looking for in a dog besides being big and a guard dog

 

[CreatureTeacher]

A Rotty would work, but they need a lot of exercise to stay happy and healthy. Goldens can be energetic when young, too. A GSD, great dane, or English mastiff would do better as a couch potato.

 

[Renee750il]

A first time dog owner isn't always prepared for dealing with all the garbage you can get from idiots when you have a Rottie either. You've got to have a lot of confidence in your dog and a thick hide sometimes when you get accosted for having a "bad dog."

 

[bubbatd]

My golden's a couch potato !!! Also, my daughter's black lab sheds more than Chip. By the way Gus, after my Goldens had served the tea and cookies, they'd probably found a pillow case and show them where the silver's kept !

 

[Amstaffer]

Well I would go with American Staffordshire Terrier. They fit everything you wanted but they like people too much so they might not be the best guard dog. However their "look" is usually more than enough to scare people away. I dog Sal pull very hard toward new people he meets, so people are scared by this but he just wants to lick them.

I think the Amstaff fits you better than the Golden because of smaller size (60 lbs vs 85+) Just my Opinion though.

 

[gaddylovesdogs]

I still suggest an older golden . Most dogs slow down when they start to age. A golden will love to take walks with you, they are wonderful with kids, and very intelligent.

 

[Luv_them_doggies]

P.S. Won't kill to protect... but will bark and hide behind you!

this sounds like a perfect match for a shetland sheepdog!!!!