What type of breed would be best for me? Description of the breed inside...?

Question

Ok these are the characteristics that I want in a dog:

~Loving
~Affectionate
~Good with children
~Semi-good guard dog
~Playful
~Energetic (needs atleast 2 walks per day)
~Must be good with cats
~Easy to train
~Doesn't need too much grooming (no more than a few brushes per week)
~Smart/intelligent
~Good with strangers (not reserved)
~Not too many herediary health problems (no more than 5 known hereditary health problems)

I have researched a couple breeds but I can't decide what dog would be best for me. I don't mind what size it is but NO CHIHUAHUAS, YORKIES, MALTESE OR SHIH-TZU! I really don't like those breeds so DO NOT SUGGEST THEM! I don't want a dog that is known for being aggressive and I don't want a dog that would require a dominating or experienced owner. I've only ever owned a Dalmatian so I don't have any experience with a dominating breed.
Any suggestions would be great. I'm at a loss of what breed to get! I don't want to make a bad decision.

The breed doesn't have to fit all of those characteristics but it would be good if it fit most. The main things are affectionate, good with kids and cats, playful and energetic.

Guard dog doesn't have to fit the description of the breed you think would suit me. I'd only like the guarding instict in the dog for when I am walking him, so he knows to protect me if anything happens. That isn't a MUST in their temperamenr/description.

I don't want a Golden Retriever (too many health problems; too many grooming requirements), German Shepherd (health) or Poodles (too much grooming, some aren't good with kids).

PLEASE NO TERRIERS!!!!!!!!

I've considered the Border Collie but exercise requirements are a bit too high. I will consider the breed further.

I've also considered adopting an older dog from the shelter but I would really like a puppy. I know, how typical. I'd like a purebred (no designer dogs) and a puppy. Simply because I know that if I put in a lot of effort in training and socialization, I can make a perfect dog. I also want that bonding time with the dog while training. I want to be the one having to train him and housebreak him. Very strange and very typical, I know. That's just what I'd like.

Uh... I don't want a "mini" Dalmatian. I wouldn't get another one. Also, there is no such thing. You just got the runt (no offence) but there is no such thing as a mini Dal.

Answer 1

Your choice is as obvious as mine! a miniature dalmatian!!!!!!!

My Junior is a big dog in a little dog body! All dalmatian and only 15 pounds! He should grow to less than 20 pounds when fully grown!

visit Junior at http://jpassoc.com/junior he's 5 1/2 months old and a bundle of joy! We have links to the breeder's site and lots of fun pictures and little movies!

UPDATE: Junior comes from a long line of MINIATURE DALMATIANS! he is descended from runts... of course! no other breeds involved.

Answer 2

I would highly recommend a Labrador. It fits all of the characteristics that you're looking for in a dog. I would not suggest a Border Collie unless you're willing to enter him in agility and give him hard work each day. I also would NOT suggest a Greyhound or Whippet. What do you think Greyhounds chase around the race course? A rabbit. Your cats will be dinner to the Greyhound. A Whippet is a sight hound. Exactly the same thing would happen if you got a Whippet. Even if they are raised with cats, their natural insticts can take over.

Answer 3

Well you have a good description, but what about size, or exercise needs? I would really suggest that you adopt a mixed breed, unless you really want a purebred. I work with alot of dogs and in my experience, mutts are the greatest dogs. As you may know, purebred dogs were created through alot of inbreeding so that certain characteristics could be brought out in the breed. Well, for some reason when two purebreds mix, the puppies are really good at not inheriting common health problems. They are healthier, live longer, and are extremely loyal to owners. You just have to be sure that you like the breeds that the dog seems to be from.
Now as for purebreds, i would suggest you get a dog book so you can go to any breed you like and get a feel for what they may be like. you can always find breeders and go see what a certain breed is generally like. It will really help in making a choice, and breeders can help will further information on their dogs.

It's alot but i hope i helped in some way!!

Answer 4

i would suggest going with either a black lab or a golden retriever u might also look into a cocker spaniel but labs or retrievers fit most of your list

~Loving check
~Affectionate check
~Good with children check(i have 2 young kids and have never had an issue when they were todlers they would climb all over my lab )
~Semi-good guard dog check
~Playful check
~Energetic (needs atleast 2 walks per day) semi check(can take 2 walks a day but only needs 1)
~Must be good with cats check
~Easy to train check
~Doesn't need too much grooming (no more than a few brushes per week) semi check(depends on the coat if u decide on long or short hair)
~Smart/intelligent (i find they are smart being iv had labs almost all my life but alot of people wont agree with me)
~Good with strangers (not reserved) check
~Not too many herediary health problems (no more than 5 known hereditary health problems) check

Answer 5

1. Originating in the mystical land of Tibet this breed once served as guard dogs inside ancient palaces? A. Lhasa Apso 2. This breed is consistently the #1 registered dog breed with the American Kennel Club making him one popular pup! B. Labrador Retriever 3. Originating in Italy this working breed has a gray (blue) coat. He also has heavy loose facial wrinkles. A. Neapolitan Mastiff 4. Honored as the national dog of Norway this breed descends from spitz-type dogs that have been known in Scandinavia since Viking times. C. Norwegian Elkhound 5. This breed is commonly referred to as the American Gentleman (for this one think of the dogs colors!) D. Boston Terrier

Answer 6

To me, it sounds like what you want is a young dog that is already mostly trained and has proven itself to be good with cats and children. If you get a puppy of any breed you may be able to guess about certain characteristics, but the puppy's individual personality will be the deciding factor.

So, I suggest visiting your local animal shelter. The staff will be able to narrow down a young dog that meets most of your requirements because it has proven itself in the real world. A mutt just might be the breed you are looking for!

Answer 7

well what you are looking for i would suggest a boston terrier they are smart,affectionate,very good with kids,barks when they here some thing or some one out side, but dont bark all the time,they are very playful, very easy to train, have short, thin hair so doesnt need much grooming, very friendly and open to any body. and not to many health problems either ive had 2 and the only problems is they sneeze and sniffle alot because of there flat noses. they are some what of a small dog not tiny like a chawawa how ever you spell it but they are kind of small. and thye are soooo cute i just love them.

Answer 8

You should really try a greyhound or a whippet. They fit what you want to a tee. There are many rescue sites on the web and you will find it most rewarding. They might not be "puppies" but rescue greyhounds from the race track are only about 2-5yrs old and they don't have a lot of "house dog" training. Both greyhounds and whippets make wonderful pets. Short hair, loving tender eyes, need lots of play time, fenced yard, very very smart. Oh and the grooming, you can just take a wet wash rag once every two or three weeks *depending* for their baths. Wonderful wonderful wonderful dogs!!! Please do consider!!!

Answer 9

How about an Australian Cattle Dog/ mix? I almost never do this, but I recommend a pup, since you need one good with kids, cats and strangers. An ACD does need a relatively dominant owner, but to establish dominance, you don't need to do anything Cesar says; just don't give in to what your pup wants, and make him do commands (sit, down) before he does anything fun (eats, goes out to play, goes for a walk, etc) They're INCREDIBLY smart, affectionate and athletic, and they only need to be brushed weekly or so, though they do blow coat in the fall and spring; and that sort of sucks. They're a great breed. Corgis are very similar, you might look into them too :)

Answer 10

Sounds to me like you need a mutt!
Mixed breed dogs tend to have very good temperaments if raised properly. They also tend to have fewer health problems that go with full bred dogs. I would not suggest a lab. (Labs tend to be popular "family dogs") Contrary to popular belief, they are not the best of breeds for the characteristics you've listed. They are almost as high on aggressive and bite lists as cocker spaniels (cocker spaniels are on the top of the bite list) they also tend to be harder to train (bad focus problems) and they shed. Other people would also suggest a Golden Retriever. Goldens have potential, but like labs can be hard to train. I think it's a wise decision to avoid little dogs, as those are the ones who tend to have aggression issues, especially with children.
When you are looking for your dog, if you decide to go for a mix, try not to be prejudice against breeds stereotype reputations. Dogs are all different and can and will surprise you. I have a lab and two mutts. the mutts are the best dogs i have ever had. I highly suggest one for what you've listed. Look for a puppy with a nice build, (slim but not skinny) and a good personality. Don't base what dog you get by the breed or how it looks. I've worked with alot of pure breeds and I've always found the the mixes learn faster and are usually smarter.
good luck in your search!

EDIT: Check your local shelters, often they have puppies, If you can wait, just after Christmas time is a good time to adopt. People often surrender their full breed dogs just after the holidays. Also even mixed breeds can look like the real thing. I have a pit bull somthing or othe mix, and he looks just like a pitty... also contrary to popular belief, pit bulls are extraordiarilly good dogs. If raised properly they are great with kids, protective of their familys and are as gentle as can be.