what kind of dog should i get?

Question

help me pick a good breed from: american hairless, basenji, azawakh hound, azores cattle dog, boxer, chinese crested, doberman pinscher, english bulldog, german pinscher, great dane, greyhound, irish terrier, mexican hairless, mini bull terrier, min pin, mini dachshund, pharaoh hound, toy mancherster terrier or valley bulldog... i know that's a lotta diff breeds but any suggestions would help.. ty!

Answer 1

You should get a mixed breed mutt. Considering the health problems associated with "purebreed" dogs, the quality of life a mutt has is much higher. Also, get a dog from a shelter, not a breeder. Those dogs are on death row. The dogs at the shelter have their shots and usually are "fixed."

Answer 2

Here are a couple of things to ask yourself -
how active do you want? the doberman will require a good bit of exercise while the greyhound is a loveable couch potato
How much training do you want to do?
back to the doberman again - intelligent breeds need to be worked with constantly to stimulate the brain while the toy dogs - like the crested - are just happy to be with you and could care less about learning something new
What kind of health issues are you willing and able to work with? the toy breeds could have leg problems, the long and low dogs could have back problems, and the squash faced dogs (brachiocephalic) could have respratory problems.
So you see, it is not an easy decision.
I would recomend taking the list to several different people. Go to a vet. Go to a trainer (try Petsmart - they would love to have your new puppy in class). Go to a groomer. Go to the animal shelter (even if you get a dog from a breeder). This way you can get many opinions and be able to narrow your choice down. Once you get it down to 2 or 3, go on line and find some breeders in your area and go and talk to them. Remember - you are not just asking what is good about their breed but what is BAD about their breed.
For example - I breed and show shelties. I could go on all day about their intelligence, their sweet spirit, loyalty, beauty, health, etc. But the bad side is there is a fair amount of grooming involved and they bark - and not just a little!!
Keep in mind, you are searching for a new best friend so look to what will work well in your home as it is - not finding something that will make you change this or that. If you get a dog that needs lots of exercise hoping that you will now get out and exercise, that will work for a while and then all good intentions go away and you are left with a destructive dog because he is bored and now you both are miserable!!

ALSO - keep in mind that it is a LIE about mutts being healthier than pure breeds. How many mutts do you know have been through extensive genetic testing that a RESPONSIBLE breeder does in order to find and breed out the diseases? Breeders (and I am only speaking for RESPONSIBLE ones) will tell you up front a medical history. A mutt could very easily - and usually does - come from poor health background and will have many, many problems that a pure breed does not!!

Good luck

Answer 3

You ahve a huge variety in your list! There's major differences in a lot of these dogs. What you need to do is research them, find out what their temperaments are like, health problems, energy levels, grooming requirements, then narrow it down to a couple that would best fit your life style. You should then meet a few of the dogs you're interested in, either go to a dog show or find a breeder so you can interact with them personally.

Good luck in your hunt! From your list the ones I've had are greyhounds and a pharaoh hound. The pharaoh hound was very high energy and a bit spinny, actually, and the greyhounds are very quiet and laid back with the best manners I've ever seen in any other dog.

Answer 4

well you have a lot of nice dogs there so my list might be more then one the min pin is a good idea they are good dogs but the have big attitudes a basenji doesnt bark like a normal dog they have a high pitched like scream boxers are good dogs just a little big compared to most of the dogs on your list english bulldogs are nice dogs too very sweet great danes are huge and take a lot of care grey hounds are hyper mexican hairless is a really cute small dog

if it were me it would be a toss up between the min pin and the boxer

Answer 5

definitly a boxer. i have an 11 year old boxer named kelly, and here are some pics of her: http://www.boxerrescue.com/kelly1100.htm
anyway, boxers are the most fun, protective, loyal, and child friendly pet anyone can dream of. its the best thing for you to come home from work or school, and be greated by your boxer. they are also very cute, and if anyone tried breaking into your house, forget about it. boxers have huge muscles(dont worry they would never hurt there owner) and can look very mean when they think there owner is threatend. but other wise there the cutest and nicest dog ever. please get a boxer, there are so many boxers all around the world who dont have a home and will be put to sleep because no one cares about them anymore, all they want is the stupid toy poodles. heres some more info on them: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boxer_Dogs o yea, if your gonna get a boxer, please get it from a rescue. you dont have to pay. if thats not possible 4 u, then buy at a pet store, but make sure its not sneezing, and if the guy says it has a cold, come back when it is better.

Answer 6

Dachshunds are so sweet! My mom has 2 long-haired red doxies that adore her to no end..(dachshunds usually attach themselves to one family member and are hopelessly devoted) Yes, i agree with the other answerer though if you dont want a lap dog then these are not the breed for you. My friend also has a dachshund and she taught him to lay flat on his back when she says the word "BANG!" It's the cutest thing EVER, lol. They like to nuzzle under the covers with you coz the get cold easily. But you may have to be careful of over-feeding because dachshunds can be chow-hounds & the excess weight could hurt their backs. Such darling and funny creatures though--you'll never want another breed after having one!

Answer 7

Mini-Dachshund are great for a lap dog with a good bark, if you have a small place and area which to walk them they are a wonderfull breed, easy to take care of and great pets. If you have a large area, go for a bigger breed. Grayhounds make great pets and if you rescue one from the tracks, they will be a very loving pet. It all depends on what size area you live in and how much time you can spend with the pet.

Answer 8

A boxer seems to be a very good dog. No common health problems. Well tempered also has been marked a smart dog. Smaller dogs can be cut but from my experience more dogs than not have had a bad temper and a lot of anxiety. I have seen small dogs that were calm but majority were not. Please see the link I supplied. Please avoid breeders.

If you plan to adopt avoid people that make you sign contracts. Some of this pet zealots make you sign a contract stating they can take the dog away from you if they feel fit. They also invade your privacy by inspecting your home and also in contract doing home visits when they feel like it. I have heard this abused many times.

Answer 9

Much of the answer has to do with your lifestyle. Are you gone a lot, or are you at home most of the time. Are you active or inactive, etc. Check out the breeds on internet. Some need a lot of attention, some are rowdy, some are people lovers, some are not, some like other animals, some don't. Dogs are as individual as people.

Answer 10

I have a dachshund, and my daughter has two dachshunds. They are so loving and sweet. If you don't want a lap dog--don't get one though. Because these dogs are by you like glue. If I sit down--she's on my lap. My daughter's dogs are the same way. They are almost like your children. But I can't imagine any dog loving you more than a dachshund. They are funny too. All three of our dogs are little comedians and show-offs.