What is the best dog for me?

Question

This would be my first dog, so I need some good suggestions.

I have a house and a good sized garden. I can probably take the dog for a brisk 30 minute walk in the park everyday. The dog would have to be left alone for about 3-4 hours at a time. I also have a 5 year old brother.
I think those are the main points which need to be considered.

My personal favourites are golden retreivers. Are they right for me? I have also heard about goldendoodles. What are they like?

Thankies!

Answer 1

Hiya, I work at a rescue, and I home allsorts of dogs to allsorts of people. Golden Retrievers make lovely dogs, especially with kids, however they don't usually cope weel with being left. Greyhounds make excellent dogs.

I must admit, they are not my favourite type of dgo, as I prefer large and bull breed dogs, however, they are very gentle, placid dogs. Most can be walked by a three year old, so this might be nice for your five year old brother. Also, most can cope with being left.

Golden Retrievers like going for lots of long walks, as do most dogs, although, greyhounds like to go for short daily lead walks of just 20-30 minutes, and a good run across the beach once a week for half an hour. They make brilliant dogs, and if you came to our rescue, this would be the first breed that me, and the people I work with would recommend to you.

When you say goldendoodles, I think you may mean labradoodles. This is a cross between a lab and a poodle. They are even nuttier than labs, who as pups can be uncontrollable, and hate being left for five minutes, let alone 3-4 hours. Considering a dog that is over a year old would be best if it is going to be left for a considerable amount of time each day.

Pups need a lot of work, and attention. Leaving them alone at such a young age, for this amount of time daily, can have serious affects on their health. It affects them mentally and physically. They become bored, and destructive.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

golden retrever.......

DESCRIPTION

The Golden Retriever is a beautiful, sturdy, well-proportioned dog with a feathered, medium-length, cream to golden-colored coat. (The coat is not suppose to be red.) The outer coat is water-repellent and the undercoat is dense. The head is broad, with a tapering, but wide, powerful muzzle. It has a scissors bite and a clear frontal stop. The nose is black and the kindly eyes are brown with dark rims. The ears are medium-sized and pendant. Its neck and thighs are muscular and the chest is broad. The tail is long, but never curled.

TEMPEREMENT

These are lovable, well-mannered, intelligent dogs with a great charm. They are easily trained, and always patient and gentle with children. Loyal, confident, sweet and eager to please. It is active, loving and an outstanding family dog. Golden Retrievers enjoy pleasing their masters, so obedience training can be fun. They excel in obedience competitions. Friendly with everyone, including other dogs, the Golden Retriever has very little, if any, guarding instincts. While unlikely to attack, Goldens make good watchdogs, loudly signaling a stranger's approach. This breed needs to be around people to be happy. If isolated from human contact, or left alone for long periods of time, the Golden Retriever may become mischievous. They can be over-exuberant and distractible. Some of the Golden's talents are hunting, tracking, retrieving, narcotics detection, agility, competitive obedience, and performing tricks. These dogs also love to swim.

HEIGHT WEIGHT

Height: Dogs 22-24 inches (56-61cm.) Bitches 20-22 inches (51-56cm.)
Weight: Dogs 60-80 pounds (27-36kg.) Bitches 55-70 pounds (25-32kg.)


HEALTH PROBLEMS

Prone to hip dysplasia and congenital eye defects. OFA and CERF certification are important from both parents. Parents should also be checked for Von Willebrand's disease and heart problems. Skin allergies are common in Golden Retrievers and require immediate veterinary attention.

LIVING CONDITIONS

This breed will do okay in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. They are moderately active indoors and will do best with at least a medium to large yard.

EXCERCISE

The Golden Retriever needs daily exercise, but likes to retrieve balls and other toys, so exercising is fairly easy. Be sure to exercise this dog well and do not overfeed, as he tends to put on weight.

LIFE EXPECTANCY

About 10-12 years


GROOMING

The smooth, medium-haired double coat is easy to groom. Comb and brush with a firm bristle brush, paying particular attention to the dense undercoat. Dry shampoo regularly, but bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.

ORIGIN

The Golden Retriever was first developed in the British Isles, probably from crosses between a yellow Flat-Coated Retriever, light-coated Tweed Water Spaniels, other spaniels, setters and even the Newfoundland and possibly the Bloodhound. In fact the breed was first shown as a Golden Flat-Coat. The Golden is one of the world's foremost family companion dogs. Many of the top obedience competition dogs in the country are Golden retrievers. The Golden is also a fine bird dog on both land and in the water. He has an excellent nose and has been used not only for hunting and tracking, but also for narcotics detection. Because of his great desire to please and capacity for love and learning, the Golden Retriever is also used as a guide for the blind, therapy dog, and service dog for the disabled.

GROUP

Gun Dog, AKC Sporting

YES GET ONE OF THESE OR A LAB(SIMILAR)



Canine Characteristics

There are a series of canine characteristics that are important to consider when choosing a dog breed as a pet :

1) size of dog
2) coat type
3) temperament
4) ease of training
5) energy levels
6) exercise requirements
7) noisy dog breeds
8) potential health problems
9) the role of the dog


.


50 most popular dog breeds

Labrador Retriever

Golden Retriever

Yorkshire Terrier

American Pit Bull Terrier

Boxer

German Shepherd Dog

Chihuahua

Dachshund

Shih Tzu

Pug

Maltese

Rottweiler

Beagle

West Highland White Terrier

Bulldog

Bichon Frise

Jack Russell Terrier

Doberman Pinscher

Great Dane

Siberian Husky

Boston Terrier

Miniature Schnauzer

Shetland Sheepdog

Cocker Spaniel (American)

Pomeranian

Weimaraner

Australian Shepherd

Poodle - Toy

Bullmastiff

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Miniature Pinscher

Cairn Terrier

Bernese Mountain Dog

English Springer Spaniel

Welsh Corgi (Pembroke)

Brittany

Akita

Papillon

Mastiff

Border Collie

Newfoundland

Airedale Terrier

Havanese

Saint Bernard

Basset Hound

Chinese Shar-Pei

Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier

Lhasa Apso

American Bulldog

Alaskan Malamute

Answer 3

Golden retrievers are really good dogs. They are beautiful and intelligent.
If you have a 5 year old bro, then a Lab would probably be one of the safest dogs that exist, because they are usually amazing and love children. Also the Golden Retreiever would be fine.
Other dogs I would suggest are Beagles and Setters.
Then, it all depends if you prefer small dogs or large dogs...

You need to think a lot before buying a dog.
It is a big decision.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Do a lot of research about how to care for a puppy.prior to bringing one home.,,, research Different breeds of dogs to make sure that you & your pet are a good match..... A goldendoodle is a cross between a golden retreiver & a poodle......& also a good choice.....Owning a dog is a life long committment for the life of the dog....It sounds like you have already given it some thought & your main points favour you having a new friend..Enjoy

Answer 5

well, i heard theat a black labrador are good to leave with children, it depends what your little brother might do if you leave him alone with the dog. I mean, if he gets the dog angry thats bad. Golden retrivers are good for a house pet. Or you could a small dog. I recomend a German Sheperd, they are really nice dogs. You better read about dogs befor buying one. There is one thing you have to remeber, 1). always wake up every morning to walk your dog. Pups need to walk 4 or 5 times a day. Make sure when you buy your puppy its going to be in summer, because a pup needs attention. He is just like a baby. Buy books so the tell you how to buy a healthy pup. Ask your friends about how they got their pups.

I wish you good luck! And always remember, alway LOVE your dog no matter if he chewed your favorite shoes. (it happend to me) Oh and put newspaper in the kitchen then take it outside and let him sniff it so he could pee. The dogs dont pee right away! If you need a nything email me at [e-mail]

Good Luck ^_^

Answer 6

Golden Retrievers are great with kids and they also tend to cling to the person that cares for them to the point of protecting you in a life and death situation. They do get rather large and their hair sheds a lot especially if they are not brushed constantly. As an adult you can expect to go through at least 25 lbs. of dog food every week if not more. They need to have good dental care and you have to watch them for hip displacia..but all in all they are great. Bassets are also good choices as are beagles. I would stay away froom the more aggressive breeds since you have a 5 yr. old brother though. And dalmations are usually high strung animals. I truely believe mutts are great as they normally have great personalities and many in shelters need good homes. Good luck to you!

Answer 7

If you're ABSOLUTELY SURE you will look after it properly and give it all the attention and exercise it needs, then any dog will be great. There is no such thing as a bad dog, however there is an over-abundance of bad dog owners.

30-minutes a day is not long enough. You need to spend at least an hour in the morning, and hour in the evening and an hour at night. Also, they're very expensiveto keep. They go through lots of food. Believe me, I used to have a Rottweiler and I spent more money on food for him than I did for myself.

Consider very carefully whether or not your can look after a dog properly before getting one. If you're sure you can do it, any dog'll your best friend for life. Have fun!

Answer 8

To the idiot above...NOT ALL Golden's are "GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS" not all of them are happy go lucky dogs nor are ALL of them good with children either...I bet you think all "pit bull type" dogs are bad too? What about Jews, and Black people? Please stop showing your ignorance. All dogs have the possibility of being a GREAT dog. This is not breed specific. Do your self a favor and PROPERLY train your dog, if you don't have a clue how to do this make sure you can afford a trainer before you get your dog...so that we don't end up with yet another "disposable pet" in a shelter because of irresponsible people

Answer 9

I think that a Golden Retriever would be an excellent choice of breed for you. They are very affectionate, good with children, playful, energetic and aren't typically confrontational and aggressive with other dogs. I'm not familiar with goldendoodles, but you can look up other breeds at the American Kennel Club website. Good luck!

Answer 10

Golden retreivers are very nice, but shed a lot of hair. Golden doodles are a mixed breed (not a purebred), they are cute and do not shed (usually). However they are popular so people charge silly amounts of money for them.

I would go to your local shelter and see the dogs that are up for adoption - that's where I got my dog and she is so wonderful! Another great place to try is www.petfinder.org.