What breeds fit this criteria?

[Jason]

What we're looking for in a dog:

1. Sweet dog
2. Loyal
3. Obedient
4. Intelligent
5. Good with kids
6. Preferably not a heavy shedder
7. Wants to be loved
8. Friendly to others

As many of you know, we're thinking of a Golden. That's the easy choice. But maybe somebody could offer an alternate suggestion, there's got to be some. I appreciate your responses but I'd ask that we limit this discussion to possible breeds and not where to buy a dog or who from. Thank you for any advice.

 

[moe]

Have you tried the KC they have a questionair on line if I remember correctly you tick all the things you want in a dog and they give you a list of the ones that fit that discription.

Mo

 

[Fran27]

Yes there is a site somewhere that gives you your best breed according to your criteria. Going to try to find the link.

 

[wolfdoggy]

Well, I think German Shepherd, Golden Retrieve (Golden is best I think). Labrador Retriever, Rottweiler, Collie, Berner Sennen, Newfoundland. Thats the ones I can think of.

 

[caseyolee]

American Pit Bull terrier sounds like it fits that description VERY well.

 

[Fran27]

Ok I found a few... None considers shedding though, which is annoying, but you might want to just relate it to allergies.

http://home.ivillage.com/homekeeping/pets/breedselector/0,,,00.html

http://www.k9country.com/perl/dogBreed.pl

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

http://www.iams.com/en_US/jhtmls/breed_selector/sw_BreedSelector_page.jhtml?li=en_US&bc=I&pti=BS


Might be interesting to do them all and see if they say the same thing though... The second one seems to be the best.

 

[stirder]

I agree, take the tests. since none consider shedding I would take all 4 tests. lets assume each one says a different breed...research those breeds more thoroughly to see which ones you think match your criteria the best. golden, newfoundland, german shepherd, lab, and collie shed quite a bit. I have a gsd and in my opinion they dont shed a lot, but that is because I grew up with gsd's, a golden, jack russel terriers. I think the jack russels rivaled the golden and gsd's as far as shedding.
Id suggest golden (even though they shed, because they fit the rest of your criteria the best), viszla, weimeraner, portugese water dog, standard poodle, maybe a pointer? one thing thats not on your list of criteria is how energetic do you want it? does your family want to go to the park and take a lot of walks, or take it jogging with you, do you want to take it hiking/camping? or would you prefer a low energy dog that will play when you want to, but be content to just lay around most of the time?

 

[stirder]

just thought of another breed you may not have considered, that does fit you 8 criteria. have you thought about a greyhound? a lot of people dont consider them because they think the breed requires a ton of excercise and a huge yard to run. they are actually pretty lazy couch potatoes and make great dogs for almost any home. I know 3 elderly couples who have adopted them and live in small apartments. a daily walk is enough, maybe an occasional run in a dog park.

 

[Jason]

one thing thats not on your list of criteria is how energetic do you want it? does your family want to go to the park and take a lot of walks, or take it jogging with you, do you want to take it hiking/camping? or would you prefer a low energy dog that will play when you want to, but be content to just lay around most of the time?

Yes, good point. I think we want a medium to high energy dog. We're able to get it at least an hour of exercise every day, excluding time playing around the house. No camping or hiking for us though.

I went to a lot of those selection sites before finding chazhound and I think they are average at best. Your personal knowledge and suggestions are better. Thanks so far, keep em coming!

 

[stirder]

have you considered the brittany spaniel? not sure how much they shed but personality is pretty similar to golden retriever.

 

[bubbatd]

That discribes a Golden , but I'm sure there are others.

 

[stirder]

I guess a good question would be how much shedding is too much? are you willing to brush the dog for a few minutes every day, and vacuum the house 2-3 times a week? or do you want a dog that only need a few minutes of brushing once a week, and vacuum once a week?

 

[Jason]

I guess a good question would be how much shedding is too much? are you willing to brush the dog for a few minutes every day, and vacuum the house 2-3 times a week? or do you want a dog that only need a few minutes of brushing once a week, and vacuum once a week?

Wow, another good post. You must have had your Wheaties or something this morning.

I know we'd be willing to brush the dog daily and vacuum 2-3 times a week, that's not asking for too much. But I'd prefer not to.

I consider a Golden to be as heavy shedding a dog as any, and I'd still be willing to have one since it fits all our criteria. I just love options.

 

[poeluvr]

newfoundlands? malamutes?
malamutes shed though

 

[stirder]

lol, actually I have been feeling a little ill today and yesterday.
I think the golden, and flat coated retrievers are the best match for your criteria, except for the shedding. you would have to brush them several times a week, and probably vacuum more often than you do now unless you already vacuum a lot I dont know how much the brittany spaniel sheds but I THINK they shed less than the golden, maybe someone on here has one, or has had one before and knows for certain how much they shed? my highschool girlfriend had one and personality and ecercise levels of that dog were comparable to goldens, but they may usually be more energetic than that dog was. labs shed about the same as goldens, some actually shed more, and they usually have higher energy levels. a standard poodle has a similar temperment to the golden, sheds a lot less, but again I am not sure of their energy levels. greyhounds are really good dogs, could get one through a breeder or a young retired racer. I think they shed a lot but from what I have heard you just have to rub them down maybe once a day with a hound glove. and they dont require a lot of excercise, daily walks or jogs are enough and playing in house and yard.
newfoundlands shed like the dickens, so do malamutes. newfies also drool. they are great family dogs though. maybe somebody on here knows newfies and can tell you more about them, they actually may not shed more than goldens. I think they do but dont know for sure.

 

[aurorab]

Have you thought about a havaneese, they are a small dog but they shed less. I've only known 1 or 2 but they seemed cute and sweet but I would work w/ then (obedience) right away. Not that they are bad or anything but 1 that I knew the woman would baby him and she wait until her was about 6 months or more b4 training him. She also was home all the time a t 1st and when she started leaving him in the kennel or in the house he would cry and be distructive. I know this can happen w/ any dog but he was so cute and so little. I just did want anyone else to do the same.

 

[aurorab]

Oh and grey hounds do shed a bit but it is shorter. I have 2 chis and the short haired one actually sheds worse than the long hair. Plus the long hairs are a bit easier to clean up, I seem to miss the short ones no matter how hard I try. I give mine baths and brush them and give them stuff to make their coats healthy (it really help w/ the sheading).

 

[beagle_lovergirl]

A beagle would be nice. Despite what other people say, if you can get their attention or get rid of distractions theyare VERY obedient.

 

[poeluvr]

i think he wants something bigger then a beagel?

 

[Jason]

Thanks for the links Fran. I can't go through all of them right away but I did do the 2nd one like you suggested. I had two 100% matches: Flat-Coated Retriever and Bernese Mountain Dog. I'm already considering the former but know nothing about the latter. When I have more time I'll look into it more.