My family consists of: My mom, my grandpa, my grandma, my uncle, my bro, and me. Plz tell me which type of dog is good for a family like that.
2006-08-31 06:31:51 · 20 answers · asked by trillaniacurtis 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
a lab or a golden retriever because their well known for family life, frienly.
2006-08-31 06:36:06 · answer #1 · answered by take.my.hand. 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends somewhat on your grandparents health, where you live and how much time you have to exercise a dog.
Labs and Goldens make great family dogs, but may be too rough and rambunctious for the elderly. An English Springer Spaniel is an excellent choice if you've got the time to exercise and groom them. A Keeshond or a Shetland Sheepdog are good choices, but they may bark too much for an apartment.
If your grandparents are frail, get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - they are sweet and gentle. An Australian Shepherd is a good choice if you don't live in an apartment and have plenty of time to take the dog for daily runs.
Before you get any dog, do some reading so you'll be ready. These are the books that I recommend to my students; you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know – Volhard http://www.volhard.com/
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.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/
Find a good breeder referral by going to www.akc.org or talking to people at dog shows. http://www.akc.org/breeds/english_springer_spaniel/index.cfm
http://www.akc.org/breederinfo/breeder_search.cfm
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, housebroken dog for less money.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/rescue.cfm
The best breeders will be members of their breed club, promoting healthy dogs with great temperaments. They should ask you a bunch of questions to make sure their puppy will be getting a good home. If all a "breeder" seems to care about is whether your check will clear, you can be sure he won't care a week later when the pup is dying from distemper or parvo and you want your money back.
Whatever you do, DON'T go to a pet shop, a flea market or buy one sight-unseen off the Internet!!!! You'll pay top dollar for what is usually a poor quality puppy mill dog that is often sick and may have falsified registration papers. And you'll be supporting one of the cruelest industries in the country. http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=cruelty_puppymills
2006-08-31 06:51:31 · answer #2 · answered by Danger, Will Robinson! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Great Danes! I have 2 and what's great about Great Danes is that they truly live up to their nickname 'Gentle Giants' They are big but they're just the sweetest dogs. Although they appear scary because of their size, they would never hurt a fly, but I think if you were in some type of danger they'd definatly protect you. Because you have grandparents living at your house you most definatly would want to get a puppy so that you could train him or her not to jump up before he gets to big. With a Great Dane I think its very important to do that because you don't want them knocking people over. Another plus is they have short hair so you have less shedding. I've had big long haired dogs in the past and I loved them but I always had dog hair on my clothes. My Danes really want to be indoors alot though, they like to be close to you. Good Luck with whatever Dog you get, try searching the internet about whatever breed you decide on before you buy so you can get more specific info.
2006-08-31 06:53:53 · answer #3 · answered by Chargers Chick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A german shepard or a boxer would be the best dogs if you have the time to take care of it, both dogs need to be able to run and it would be good if you bought the dog a 'backpack' and put water bottles in it when its older when you take it on walks, they are 'working dogs' and they want to please. I absolutely do NOT suggest a small breed of dog. I have never met a boxer or a german shepard that was not freindly to its family and known freinds they are family dogs plain and simple, the next down are black labs and great danes( The very same scooby doo was) Very gentle and loveing dogs.
2006-08-31 06:41:28 · answer #4 · answered by buritsutani_s 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Golden retrievers are the friendliest dogs, as are Labrador Retrievers. They are also very easy to train. However, they have long fur so maybe you would like a Labrador. In fact, the two breeds are related. Check out dog stats at this site: http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselectorindex.do
2006-08-31 06:38:31 · answer #5 · answered by not in denial 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the local shelter or Humane Society and get a rescued dog. Mixed breed dogs are just as family friendly as any pedigreed dog, and you may literally be saving the animal's life.
2006-08-31 06:38:01 · answer #6 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well that depends if you live in town, in the country, or an apartment.You should go to dog breed info center.com and go to the link Find the perfect dog. I would also suggest going to the pound or the Humane Society and finding a dog there.They sometimes have pure breeds at pounds or Humane societies.If not you could always get a mixed breed dog.
2006-08-31 06:37:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
A Yellow Labrador Is The Best. I Had One....Reliable, Kind,Patient, And Beautifully Hyper Whenever They See You Come Home!
2006-08-31 06:36:01 · answer #8 · answered by tercor123 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
labs are very very nice dogs!! they lover everyone but when they're puppies tend to be a bit hyper.. but what puppy isnt! everyday im around 15+ labs and they're allllll sweethearts. goldens are great dogs too but grooming has to be kept up more than with a lab and are hyper much much longer!
oh! don't pick a lab by color!! no matter what you've heard a yellow female is what everyone wants but black is the original lab color and like chocolates and yellows they are just as beautiful, smart and well behaved!
2006-08-31 06:38:04 · answer #9 · answered by angel 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Labrador,Ie. Golden Retriever allway's part of the Familie
Take care!
2006-08-31 06:38:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We got a schnoodle(mix between schnazur and a poodle) sooo cute and has been a great dog!! It is a inside dog and is the perfect little size. Do a search for them on the net--they are adorable!!
2006-08-31 06:37:54 · answer #11 · answered by keepingthefaith 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋