I am having trouble deciding on what dog breed to buy. I have a few in mind. Help with picking the best breed.

Question

Already have a female Labrador puppy (around 13 weeks old) and a rescue shelter (female) German Shepherd x Labrador (5 years old) and I would like to buy another puppy. I have had a lot of success with the Lab puppy I have now but I would like to get her a friend that is around her age, so, I would be buying a purebred pup from a breeder - not rescue shelter (although I have been to look at a pair of female Kelpie pups and a male Boxer puppy).
I have the current breeds in mind:
Samoyed, Newfoundland, Chinook, American Mastiff, Chihuahua, Basenji, Beagle, Golden Retriever, Jack Russell or a Brittany.

I would like one that will grow up to be around the size of my Lab (when fully grown) so they can play together. I don't want Lili (GSD x Lab) to feel left out either so it has to be around her size, too. Molly (Lab puppy) is very friendly, affectionate and loving; so is Lili. I would like a dog that would get along food with a child (3 mth old) and would get along with Molly & Lili.

I was also considering a Border Collie or a Bichon Frise.
I would like an active dog as I try and stay very healthy and active by walking my dogs twice a day.

Has to be good with children (sister has 4 kids under 7 years old, I have a 3 month old son and a growing family), has to be active, doesn't mind cats (I have a 7 month old female kitten and a 9 year old male cat), breed must love being around people and doesn't mind people always cuddling up with them.

I have a medium-large yard for them to play in, large house (not double story). I go for two walks a day. First in the morning at around 7am with Lili (Molly is a bit young; don't want to start taking her for long walks until 16 weeks) for around 45 mins, then at around 5-7pm, going for around an hour.

Other breed suggestions are great, too =)
I would prefer a large-medium sized dog but will consider any breeds.

I saw an 11 month old female Rottie at the pound last week and was considering her, but, I don't know much about the breed and didn't even think to research them.
Also found a 2 year old male Alaskan Husky, beautiful and sweet-tempered. Was considering him but I know nothing about the breed.

Anybody with any knowledge of Rotties or Alaskan Huskies would be greatly appreciated if they gave me some information about the breed.

Answer 1

We have 3 dogs too. We just got our 3rd puppy to play with the youngest of my other to and to be our outdoor, camping, boating, buddy. We adopted a boxer mix (we are guessing lab but the is not telling), she is about 4 months old now and is incredible. great with my 2 year old, playful with my poodle, knows that my cockapoo is the boss. She has been a super fast and eager learner. She can be very playful and want to run around the yard, but she also loves to snuggle up on the coach (don't tell the hubby lol she is suppose to stay off the furniture). Great walking companion too.

I love dogs period so it is hard for me to say. Bichons are super sweert and playful need extra grooming, Golden retrievers are wonderful, I love Newfounlands too but the are very large and will be bigger than your lab, also if you live in a warmer climate it can be hard on them. Mastiff are wonderful but huge my friend has a 6 month old puppy that is already larger than her full grown Rottie.

Maybe visit some of the purebreed rescues and play with the diffrent dogs most will encourage you to bring you family too see how they interact. It might help with your decision. Lost of cities have a Gentle Giants Rescue and you could see how you dogs would behave around a larger dog, You might even see one that steals your heart.

Also check out http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselector.do

It is neat questionaire that helps narow down the breeds for you.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

i just wanted to add that bichon's are high maintenance i have one and they need brushed everyday, most have real sensitive skin also. You can find alot of purebreds at the pound, people drop off there dogs they don't want, i just recently got a golden retriever a home 1 day before getting gassed. Please try the shelter before buying from a breeder, and also if you do buy from a breeder look at the conditions of their facility, and look and the mothers since there alot of puppy mills out there and most are inbred. I also have a question, you say you would like big dogs such as Samoyed's ( which are also high maintenance, Newfoundlands, Chinooks, and Mastiffs, but then you go tiny to a chihuahua and a Jack Russel. Please research these breeds first so you know what's best for you. the dog i would personally say yo should get is another Lab an Australian Shepard, or a mix they all make good pets. Chihuahua would be a really bad choice also if you have kids cause all the ones i ever had and the one i have right now are very snippy and sensitive.Also look into rotti, they are awesome, pit bulls are very good too, out pits are lovely and love children, they really do tolerate alot. But if you exercises alot i would definitely say get an Australian Shepard! Good Luck

Answer 3

I would suggest the American Mastiff and also pls do look a little more closer at the male Boxer pup at the shelter cos I know for a fact that both of these are sooooo very gentle playfull pups. Maybe not as gentle as the Lab but still docile enough to be put with kids.

Answer 4

Rottweilers and huskies are both great breeds. The key to both breeds is maintaining control early. So long as you set their boundaries and stay firm with them they are some of the best family dogs. My father breed and raised Huskies and my brother breed and raised rottweilers. Both are very protective breeds, which is great with children, because you can almost use them as a babysitter if their boundaries have been set. Make sure you spend time with the puppy alone and with your child before purchasing the pup. Then you will have a good idea of their natural behavioral habits. It is always a good idea because then you have some sort of an idea of the pups nature and problem areas before you bring them home. It gives you a good starting point for training.

Answer 5

I have an austalian shepherd and she is great. Not the least bit agressive, very playfull and loves to run and play with dogs of all sizes at the dog park. Aussies are very easy to train (mine practically house broke herself) and have enough energy to keep up with a lab puppy! They are generally between 40 and 60 lb when full grown. My dog is great with kids. She seems to know not to jump up on them when she plays and loves to run around with the kids that live in our appartment complex. If you are looking for information on finding the perfect dog you can visit this website http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/a-z.htm It lists all the different breeds of dog and gives you information about their temperment, health and care. It also has great photos sent in by owners. It helped us alot when we were searching for a dog.

Answer 6

go with the boxer boy. - it is great to rescue. I have a boxer girl, and her bestfriend is a male yellow lab- they play AWESOME together. he is like 6 mon older than my boxer baby. but they play great and have a wonderful time. there is a GREAT site to help you and read about boxers- www.boxerworld.com

boxers are great with children. the only thing you just have to train them not to jump (but that is the same with all dogs) they love to play and are very smart. my puppy is 7 months old and can sit, stay, stand, lay down. and shake - male boxers get around 75 lbs, so that is a great size for you.

Answer 7

Truth is if it is going to be a companion dog, a mutt is the best. They are less hyper or high strung, they live longer with less complications and they resist illness better. A mutt will love you just as much if not more. Something else, mutts need you more than any designer dog. They usually have better temperment and do very well with children if trained properly.

Answer 8

i have 4 rottweilers aged from 4 months and two and a half years old, i have to say they are one of the best dogs around children, my 2 year old grandson sleeps in between them when hes tired, and the pups love playing with him, please don't worry about rottys and children because if there trained in the rite way there wont be any problems, hope this helps good luck

Answer 9

Of your choices, the Golden or the Samoyed. Bichons and Russels will be too small for what you have in mind although the Russels think they are Dobermans!

;)

Answer 10

I would suggest a Sheltie as they are great with kids and are very easy to train. They are very eager to please and loving and loyal.They get along well with other dogs as well and love to play and go for walkes.they arent as large as a regular collie but are lassies all the way and kids love them as much as they love kids. Good luck in findind the right dog for your family.