best kind of dog?

Question

I'm looking to get a dog but am unsure what kind is the best...anyone know of any breed that's good let me know please.

i don't want a lab, golden retriever, boxer, or beagle, because they're all mad dumb, and hard to take...i want a dog that's more like a welsh corgi.

Answer 1

The breed you choose should depend on your lifestyle. If you want a more specific recommendation, you'll need to say what your lifestyle is - apartment or house? Are you going to have kids or not? How much time are you willing to spend training, exercising, grooming and caring for the dog?

I'd recommend one of the Sporting breeds for a family (but NOT a Weimaraner or a Dalmatian!) My all-time favorite mid-sized dog for kids is the English (or Welsh) Springer Spaniel. They require some grooming, but don't shed too much, are generally great with kids and easy to train. Females are a little bit easier than males, but either should make a terrific pet. They will need a good thirty minute walk every day.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Japanese Chin and Pekingese are great too and need less exercise. They are small, sweet and quiet.

Vizslas, Setters, Labs and Goldens are usually great with kids but they're bigger and are very boisterous until they are about two. Labs shed a LOT.

Irish Wolfhounds, Greyhounds and Whippets are terrific apartment dogs, as long as you can take them out for a long daily run. They ARE couch potatoes (like our Borzoi - Russian wolfhound) and you won't even know they're around most of the time. They are quiet and easily housebroken and much better than most small dogs. Be careful if you're adopting a racing greyhound off the track. They are often fine, but many have behavior problems (like destructive chewing) from being locked in a cage with little socialization. Also, remember that sighthounds are hunting dogs and some will kill small animals (cats, rabbits, toy dogs) if they haven't grown up with them.

I'd also suggest reading some really good books on training. Try not to do it randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also! These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know - Volhard
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Dog Tricks : Eighty-Eight Challenging Activities for Your Dog from World-Class Trainers by Haggerty and Benjamin
Don't Shoot the Dog - Pryor
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan

Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.

Whatever breed of puppy you decide on DON'T go to a pet shop or buy one off the internet!!!! You'll pay top dollar for what is usually a poor quality puppy mill dog. And you'll be supporting one of the cruelest industries in the country. The breeding animals are kept in deplorable conditions. They probably haven't been vaccinated against contagious diseases or tested for any health or temperament problems or genetic diseases - that costs money and cuts into their profits. A female is often bred every time she comes into heat. When her poor little body can't take it any more, she is often clubbed in the head and tossed into a dumpster or an open ditch. Most puppy mills ship their pups to pet stores at wholesale prices and many pups die before they even get there. These "breeders" have figured out that they can use the internet to ship a dog directly to the customer and thus make more money by cutting out the middleman. If you buy a dog from out of state, good luck getting your money back if there's something wrong with the pup. These people count on you becoming instantly attached to the poor little guy and being willing to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars at the vet to treat whatever is wrong with him.

Find a good breeder by going to www.akc.org or talking to people at dog shows. You can also find info about the breed clubs on the akc site - they probably have a rescue group where you can get an older dog for less money.

Find a breed rescue organization by going to www.akc.org - you can get an older dog for less money. Be VERY careful about getting a shelter dog with children that young. You are often adopting someone else's problem dog. And people often lie about the dog's temperament, hoping he'll get a new home that can deal with him.

Answer 2

the breed you choose should depend on your lifestyle. If you want a more specific recommendation, you'll need to say what your lifestyle is - apartment or house? Are you going to have kids or not? How much time are you willing to spend training, exercising, grooming and caring for the dog.

Answer 3

There are some very good answers here. I would also have to agree with the sporting dogs, but again, that all depends on your lifestyle and what works for you.
My family loves Labradors. They are not only the most widely sold breed in the U.S., but they are good with children and very sociable to people. The best place to find them is through reputable sources, vets, etc. I would not suggest the Internet. There are plenty of breeders statewide who can assist you.
Granted, all sporting dogs go through their active phase when they are young, because they are bred to retrieve. However, they mature into such lovely pets and each stage of their life is unique and special. When trained properly & socialized properly, they also play well with other dogs and maintain positive behavior. This is why you see so many retrievers as seeing eye dogs. They generally have a very mild manner as well as being very affectionate. They are also very reliable in behavior.
In my opinion, these are my favorite dogs. This is the only breed my family owns. We take them with us on vacations, to dog-friendly hotels, dog beaches, dog parks, and even outdoor patio dog-friendly restaurants. Our dogs truly are a part of our family and once you get your new best friend, I'm sure that you will feel the same way too!

Answer 4

Okay, I have four dogs, but the smartiest of them all, and the sweetest and playfuliest is Zoey. My black labrador rertriver. Labs are the most poupler dog in the US in the AKC and anything else. and i am not just saying this. here is some info. on them if you want it:
Labrador Retreiver

General Appearance
The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, medium-sized, short-coupled, dog possessing a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving gun dog; the substance and soundness to hunt waterfowl or upland game for long hours under difficult conditions; the character and quality to win in the show ring; and the temperament to be a family companion. Physical features and mental characteristics should denote a dog bred to perform as an efficient Retriever of game with a stable temperament suitable for a variety of pursuits beyond the hunting environment. The most distinguishing characteristics of the Labrador Retriever are its short, dense, weather resistant coat; an ''otter'' tail; a clean-cut head with broad back skull and moderate stop; powerful jaws; and its ''kind,'' friendly eyes, expressing character, intelligence and good temperament. The typical Labrador possesses style and quality without over refinement, and substance without lumber or cloddiness. The Labrador is bred primarily as a working gun dog; structure and soundness are of great importance.

Owning
The Labrador Retriever is gentle with children and the elderly. If it is intended as a pet, keep in mind that Labrador puppies are full of energy. The Labrador Retriever has a stable temperament and adapts to new surroundings easily. The Labrador Retriever is not an aggresive dog, but it will bark to ward off strangers.

Temperament
True Labrador Retriever temperament is as much a hallmark of the breed as the ''otter'' tail. The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non-aggressive towards man or animal. The Labrador has much that appeals to people; his gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability make him an ideal dog.

Did You Know
The Labrador Retriever did not come from Labrador, but from Newfoundland. The Labrador Retriever is one of the prime breeds selected as guide and rescue dogs.

Sporting Group

Answer 5

Golden Retriever, very mild mannered, love people, loyal, great with kids, just an all around good dog. Considering they are long haired they do tend to shed a little though.

Answer 6

I own a smooth coat boarder collie. She's great with people, loves kids, a ton of fun. The draw back is that they're a working dog so you have to find little jobs for her. Getting the mail, the newspaper, she works with me when I work outside. They love to play ball all the time.

If you're looking for a constant companion and have time to play with the dog....EXCELLENT!!! They are so smart and easy to train, potty train in less than a week, do all the doggy tricks with little effort. I love my dog.

Answer 7

Golden Retivers are great for a first time dog the have a great temperment, and love people

Answer 8

A stuffed toy dog is the best! It doesn't shed or drool, doesn't soil or eat, shouldn't be taken out for a walk or trained, needs no vet's or owner's attention.
And you can have lots of them!!! =)

Answer 9

some people dont half go on about this breed that this breed this cant go wrong with a english springer spaniel i have two

Answer 10

Schnoodle is a great dog.