Choosing a dog?

Question

What is a good dog for a single man. I want a loyal large dog.. I do not want a very typical dog. I most likely will get one from a shelter but i wanted ideas of breeds... ex husky,malamute or something among those lines. I got a one acre fenced in property.

Answer 1

What breed is best for you depends on allot of factors - I recommend visiting www.pedigree.com and follow the dogs & pups link at the top left. Choose the SELECT-A-DOG and answer the questions. The program will give you a list of dogs who fit your answers the best. It helps because it not only asks about how much land you have, and your activity level, but also how much you are willing to spend, who the dog is for, etc. We have used it several times to help guide us to an appropriate breed list.

Answer 2

Golden Retrievers are amazing dogs, and LOVE to run and play fetch. One would thrive in your fenced in yard, and getting to spend time with you. They are a larger dog, and very loyal. If you live in a Northern state you might want to consider a husky or malamute simply because they love being outdoors in the cold weather, and again the fenced in yard would be great for them. Labs are an OK dog, they just tend to have a TON of energy. Boxers are nice dogs as well. If you like the look of a Greyhound, they make wonderful dogs but need a lot of exercise. I would suggest an animal shelter, you may not end up with a pure bred dog, but sometimes the best dogs come from shelters or rescue leagues. Where do you live? You should check out available dogs in your area on www.petfinder.com

Answer 3

Much more important than who you are is what sort of lifestyle do you lead? Many hunting and herding breeds are high-drive and high energy and would not be content to sit around the house all week, one acre lot or not. If you're looking for a dog that just hangs out, a gentle giant may be the dog for you. Mastiffs and Danes, although large, are content to be around the house and not go places.
Many of the northern breeds have been bred to run and need to have plenty of time to exercise and run new places. Terriers are very smart, independent and if not given something to do, will invent one for themselves (usually something you don't want). So I would suggest that you critically evaluate what type of lifestyle you lead, how much real exercise you plan to give your dog (time in the yard does NOT count), how much time you want to spend grooming and whether you would describe your life as high energy or low energy (and be honest) and then ask this question.
For example, my chosen breed requires regular grooming and we actively herd 3 times a week in good weather and do ranch chores here all the time along with other dog activities like agility and obedience. Not everyone could lead that kind of life that my breed requires (and it requires that work every week of every year) but I love it.
If you're looking for something large, unusual and loyal, and doesn't require much grooming, try the rhodesian ridgeback.

Answer 4

First things first, Look at the book by Cesar Malon "Cesars way" read it first then you will know what to get for a dog. I have 2 huskies in an apartment with my family and We were having problems with boredom, chewing every time I left, ect, we too love large breeds. Siberian huskies are about 40-60 lbs. They are totally devoted, SMART and great companions, I'm home all day, I take them for hour long walks first thing in the am.... husband takes them for hour walk before bed, and we found a local dog park and go every other sat or every sat.... for the dogs to socialize with other breeds and their breed, all bad habits stopped when I read that book by Cesar and applied the changes needed to be made by me and my family, he gave me a MUCH clearer idea on what is expected of me as a dog owner and when a person picks a dog they need to first read this book, find out their energy level, pick a dog that is of the same level, Being a dog owner is a full time responsibility. I suggest if you get a dog make sure you aren't going to give it up in a month or two. Dogs will follow you as a leader you just have to keep that calm-assertive energy and they will follow your every command. my dogs even stay in the yard or wherever we are with no leashes, Huskies are notorious for their drive to run, but that is in every dog that is not being exersized properly. Even my 5 year old is learning from me and before she would be pulled along when we walked the dogs, but now she can walk both pure-bred Siberian huskies at once. Remember get the book, find a dog that fits your energy level. And a yard is nothing but a big kennel to a dog they still will want to go for walks daily. If your ready for the responsibility go for it if not your ganna know after you read that book. Good luck!

Answer 5

Samoyed- the boys can be absolutely huge, and all genders look stunning (like arctic wolves). Super loyal and friendly, they also love to run so its good you have a fenced in property. You would want to check it for holes though, because samoyeds are escape artists. The only glitch is you'd have a hard time finding one in the shelter- there are a ton of breeders, but for some reason they don't turn up in shelters often. And also make sure you live somewhere where its not too hot (samoyeds would hate Floriday) lol Good Luck!!!!

Answer 6

i bet they have a lovely large mutt that will make a great pet for u... i wouldn't worry to much on breed more on temperment and what u are willing to put in to a dog..just go look and ask to see a few ya like. husky can be a bit hard to train. same with the mallies... u don't get more loyal then a german shepherd they are smart. and about half the big dogs that are not purebred and gonna be a cross of either the shepherd or a lab.

Answer 7

If you get a shelter dog and go with a mixed-breed dog, you're pretty much guaranteed to find a not-very-typical dog, because most mixed breeds are one of a kind. You may even find a mix of a couple of the breeds or breed traits you're considering together in one dog. My dog is a shelter mix of lab/german shepherd/border collie - gentle/good guard dog/smart & highly trainable.

Be aware if you go with a husky or husky mix that they have a reputation for being escape artists. They are masters of escaping fenced areas, and you can't let them run off-leash outside a fenced area or they will just start running and keep on...

Here's a good article about adopting a shelter dog.
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1405&S=1&SourceID=47

And about breed research: http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1778&S=1&SourceID=47

Here's some links to guides for selecting the right breed for your lifestyle and preferences:
http://www.wonderpuppy.net/choose.htm

Best of luck to you!

Answer 8

I have a Bouvier, it's a large breed around 85#. He is loyal, and goes with me everywhere, I have two other dogs, but he is the smartest of all. My Bouvier loves to run and socialize with other dogs, he does require grooming around 4 times a year at least, as he has a very thick,long hairy coat. He is also an unusual breed, definately not typical. So I recommend this breed to anyone.

Answer 9

Well, it is a typical breed, but we adopted out Lab-mix from the shelter and he is extremely loyal and is such a good companion. We're not quite sure what all he is mixed with, but he looks mostly Lab, but is HUGE (100+ lbs). Labs tend to be very gentle and loyal. However, if someone were to try to mess with me, I have no doubt that my dog would show them who is boss!

I'm glad to hear that you are planning to adopt from a shelter. There are so many great dogs that need homes.

Answer 10

Great Prynees! Big dog (closely related to St. Bernards, New Findlands, and Mastiffs). Big, friendly/loyal, intellegent, uncommon. An acre of fenced property is great, but they will bark at night. Good luck finding them (or any big and uncommon dog) at a shelter though.