What do you think would be the best breed for our family?

Question

We owned a labrador, who died of old age at 14 a couple years ago. So we have experience with medium/big dogs.
My parents would like a small/medium dog, but i would like a larger one that i can play with and "wrestle" with.
We want a dog that dosent shed or bark too much. And that enjoys being in the water ( i know i depends on the specific dog, but a breed that usually enjoys it).
I would really like a big dog in a small dogs body too. >_<

Answer 1

I can suggest two. For a smaller dog a Beagle is great. Very energetic and loves to play. Does not shed a lot. Mine is not a noisy one. He will be the last of my dogs to bark at something. But when he goes off you cannot miss that baying.
The second is a bit larger, even a better dog, an APBT. Mine is the most loving dog I have ever had. She is great with anyone that comes to the house. She is great with children, even baby's. There is not a mean bone in her body. I have been robbed twice and I guess she just licked them as they ripped me off. I have gotten an alarm system now.

Answer 2

Ok, i would get a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. They are awsome little dogs that have so much energy and loves to play. They are exactly what you said. "a big dog in a little dogs body" describes Corgis exactly. Wonderful dog, they like water and are EXTREMELY smart. You can train them the moment you get them. They origionally come from Pembrokeshire in England, and the queen Elizibeth has 30 of them because they are wonderful. THey were origionally breed for hurding cattle so they can tend to try to round up childeren some times because its there instinct. But they can go for hours and hours with out tiring. They come in sable, white, or tricolored. They are rarely seen without a tail, the ones that have tails are the Cardiganshire Welsh corgi. Even though they might appear slow, i have tried and cannot out run one. They can live up to 27 years, but due to the chemicals and renderd animal products they put in food, the life span now is only up to 14 -15 years. If you want to learn more about the food, go to www.iamscruelty.com and see for yourself.

Answer 3

You said a big dog in a small dogs body and one that likes water and doesn't shed to much. I would suggest a Karin Terrier. They are also a loyal family pet. They are small but mighty so you can "wrestle" with it to a certain degree.
But they sometimes tend to be a bit yappy as I think a lot of smaller dogs are.

Answer 4

beagle?

Beagles are small/medium. They are very playful and can hold their own with big dogs. Great with kids, don't shed a lot if brushed. Barking- beagles have a bad rap- but my beagle mix barely barks. I don't know how he does with water yet - but if I'm in there chances are he'll want to be.

Look at your local shelter- that's where I found my beagle mix and he is a sweetie...

Answer 5

Try a labadoople with a mini poodle
It should be smaller than a full lab, but bigger then a mini poodle. The should be medium
Some labadoople are shed free
Look into this
Also go to Petfinder.org
type dog, age baby and your zip code
All puppies that are in shelters in your area will be listed
Good luck

Answer 6

I would highly reccomend a minature or a standard poodle to your family. I have a minature red poodle and he is the sweetest most affectionate dog I know. Poodles were originally water dogs so that's a plus for you. Poodles are playful but will also like to snuggle up on the couch with you. In my opinion they are a GREAT family dog. They don't shed, but they do of course need to be groomed. I don't cut my poodles hair like the fancy cuts in a dog show- it makes them look like a living pom-pom. But if you like it like that, it can be cut that way. Poodles are VERY intelligent and their abililty to learn tricks makes you say "wow"! My poodle learned how to jump through a hula-hoop a foot of the ground in ONE DAY! Like I said poodles come in different sizes so you can get a toy (4-7 pounds) a minature (8-15) or a standard (up to 40 pounds) they come in many different colors and I highly reccomend getting one. It will make a great companion for life!

Answer 7

I'd try a Boston Terrier. They don't bark much, they are easily trained, they are smart, they love water. I have 3 and they are great with people from babies to old. My mother in law is 83 and she has one that sits and watches tv with her.

Answer 8

Pugs are small dogs with BIG personalities. Cute, loving, and playful, a pug may be a good compromise!

Answer 9

Look into mastiffs.......they are great dogs and very good with kids. I have a bull mastiff, 7 months, and he is wonderful.