I want to choose a dog! help me please??!?

Question

I have just mooved from an appartment to a house, I want to get a dog now, but I have never had one so I need help choosing it!

I want it to be : friendly, not the one that I've heard it bites his owners when it grows big, playing tipe, not skinny and not small, to protect the house, easy to be trained by myself, not to stay in the house in the winter when it's very cold...

I know I like buldogs and haski..very diferent,I know.. but I don't know any other tipe.. help with some advice please!

Answer 1

There are a LOT of things to consider when choosing a dog (and any other pet). Please remember that this is a long term committment. I know it's silly to say, I'm sure you've thought of that, but I'd feel guilty if I didn't. There are too many dogs out there that need a home and love. As for a specific breed, I would suggest researching some on the AKC's website if you're set on a purebred. And if you are, try to find a reputable breeder (I know, another given). You've given a lot of info, but there are still a few questions that you should be considering. For example, do you have enough space for a large dog or would a medium/small dog work better? Do you have a lot of time to spend with your dog, i.e. training and the like? There are other things to consider as well, and to list them all would make this response huge.

I'd suggest trying this website out: http://www.puppyfinder.com/breedselector.php

Since you aren't sure exactly what you'd like, I think it'd help to give you some ideas to look into and help you to ask yourself the right questions before deciding. Also, Petfinders is wonderful. There's lots of wonderful animals there that need love and are more than willing to give in return. Please don't forget about those dogs! Good luck, I hope you find what you're looking for!

Answer 2

There's this thing that you can use to help you select a breed of dog:
http://www.selectsmart.com/DOG/

It gives you a list at the end, ranking the most suitable - you can then click the links & compare.

Unfortunately, none of the questions deal with the dogs suitabilty to live outside ... though I suppose if he or she were to have a heated kennel then it might not matter.

I've just had a go, guessing at some of your answers & it suggests:

Belgium Sheepdog
Approximate size range: 60 to 89 lbs. Group: Herding. Coat: soft, bristly or harsh, straight, long or double coated. Minimal grooming required. Comparatively easy to train. A good watchdog. Very intellegent.

Giant Schnauzer
Approximate size range: 60 to 89 lbs. Group: Working. Coat: bristly or harsh, silky, wiry, medium, Sheds minimally. Minimal grooming required. A good watchdog. Good with kids. Generally a non-biting breed.

A little bit further down the list I found a Keeshond - which has a similar sort of coat to a Husky:
Approximate size range: 40 to 59 lbs. Group: Non-Sporting. Coat: soft, silky, straight, long or double coated, Comparatively easy to train. Good with kids. Generally a non-biting breed.

& an American Staffordshire Terrier (which is built, apart from the head, a little like a taller more athletic bulldog)
Approximate size range: 60 to 89 lbs. Group: Terrier. Coat: soft, short. Minimal grooming required. Generally a non-biting breed.

Hope some of these suggestions help & that you find the quiz website useful.

Answer 3

I've had lots of dogs over the years and the best bogs I've had are a black lab and a shar-pei. The labs chew everything when they are small, but when they are grown, they give you so much love. They can be protective, but at the same time they will let small children pull their ears and pry open their mouths and they never get mad about it. A true loving companion that you dont have to fear, they are easily trained to do anything that you need. These dogs are used for the blind often....The shar-pei is alos protective, easily trained and somewhat lovable. They tend to stay a little aloof but are not dangerous and are truly faithful and good watchdogs. If you are alone often, the shar-pei will guard you with his life. The lab can be boughten by a burglar that offers a hamburger, the shar-pei will never relenquish his duty to protect you or your property.

Answer 4

Huskies and St. Bernards are dogs that will do pretty well outside during the winter months because of their thicker coats. Huskies and St. Bernards are two very different types of dogs though. Husky is slimmer built and large in size while a St. Bernard is a large built dog (recommend getting professional training with a dog of this size) Some other types of dogs that are pretty easy to train include labs, retrievers and German Shepards, these dogs are known to be very good family pets. I do know how they would do with being left outside during the winter though so you might want to check that out if you are interested in any of these breeds.

Answer 5

Try going down to your local animal shelter and take a look at the dogs. Sometimes they have mutts that just catch your eye and you KNOW it's the one! Also, there is no dog that "bites its owner when it grows big"- it's all in the way the owner trains the dog. Some dogs, like Cocker Spaniels, have been over-bred and bred awfully over the years so they are known to have genetic disorders. But seriously.. go down to your local shelter and just walk around. You'd be surprised as to what you will find there. shelters have puppies all the way up to senior dogs. The best part is that you'd be saving a life.

Answer 6

Visit petfinder and your local shelter. But, if you aren't looking to have your dog as part of your family, then you aren't really suited to own a dog.

Bulldogs will not suit you. They are not protectors and will not take to being left outside. With their breathing problems, you could kill the dog.

Haski? What is that? Ooooooo, Husky? Yes, a husky can handle a cold winter. But, it's not exactly ethical to leave your dog outside all winter. If you just mean it will go outside occasionally to play, that's fine.

Another issue with huskies are that they are runners. If someone leaves your gate open, the husky will make a run for it and you may never see him again. This is especially possible if you leave him outside for long periods of time.

In short, visit a shelter and possibly modify your demands to allow the dog to be part of your family. A protective dog is more likely to protect someone he loves. Good luck in your search.

Answer 7

if you keep your dog outside during the cold winter months, he will probably bite you, or someone else. dogs need to be taken care of, and loved. forcing a dog outside all day is cruel. and wrong.

however, if you just mean you want a dog who enjoys the cold winter months, look into a collie mix, or a husky. i agree with going to a shelter. i got my collie/terrier mix there as a puppy, he loves the cold and is super friendly, but barks at strangers at the door

Answer 8

If you will be leaving the dog outside during Winter months,you should choose one that has a heavy coat and not a fragile type.I would suggest a Husky,or St. Benard.

Answer 9

A labrador is the friendliest dog you could have, never bites the owner, not a good guard dog, but scares off unwanted visitors because of his size.

Answer 10

Labrador Retrievers are very good dogs with people and kids especially, they're very loyal, very friendly, are easy to train, great guard dogs, extremely protective, a great companion, and very smart.