Which Dog should I get?

Question

I have a german shepard right now who is 10 and i LOVE LOVE LOVE thier personalities but THE HAIR, i have to vacuum EVERYDAY! SO I we are planning on getting a puppy, i dunno if we want a: doberman pincher, a boxer, or an american bulldog.....i was told the pinchers have a 50% chance of getting some type of hip thing and/or seizures, but my fiance had one as a child....also we are planning to start having kids around the end of the year, so that is a big things too, i know its hard but i want a puppy and baby around the same time (puppy a lil older) to grow up together.

I find it amazing that there are some people says a certain dog is bad and others said that same kind of dog is great? Perosnally pinchers, american bulldogs and boxers, ive known tons of people with them and different household situations and they say they weill never ever get another breed.

Answer 1

If you love German Shepherds so much, why not get another one? Since you noted that hair was the only problem, I highly suggest getting a de-shedding tool which will help pull out the undercoat to minimize your daily brushing. You can find these at any pet store. This is the one I use (http://www.petsmart.com/global/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524441812948&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302026118&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=2534374302023689&bmUID=1186159889548&itemNo=0&Ntt=deshed&In=All&previousText=deshed&N=2)
and it has saved us a lot of hassle! I have a golden retriever/black lab mix and my mother has allergies. But that little de-shedder honestly helped so much it's nearly ridiculous.

If not, then I would say a boxer. Though there are inherent health problems associated with every purebred, boxers have amazing personalities and are very loyal to their families.

Good luck!

Answer 2

I would go with a Doberman. EVERY single Doberman I have met has been GREAT with kids and such sweet hearts.

To make sure your new pup gets along with kids (regardless of size/breed/sex) .. you need to socialize the dog with kids. When the dog is a puppy (and has all of its required shots -- about 12 weeks I think) take the pup to a park and have him/her socialize with the kids .. you can take your niece or nephew along with you too. Socialize with older people, adults, men, women, kids and teenagers .. also dogs and cats. young small big older.

If you dont want your new dog to have 'some type of hip thing' .. (hip dysplacia) then you need to go to a reputable breeder. Go through the AKC website ( http://www.AKC.org ) for breeder referals. You can also go to the breed club of america. (if you choose a dobie .. go to the dobie club of america website) they can usually find you a good breeder. A GOOD pup will be a little more costly .. but you wont spend thousands in vet bills later on .. because you got it from a GOOD breeder. Stay away from petshops, places like puppyfind.com and ADs in the newspaper.

You can rescue a pup (older) from http://www.petfinder.com .. or find one through a breed specific rescue. Just do the same with socialization and keep on socializing with kids and people. You'll be saving a life and the dog will be FOREVER greatful. Plus if you adopt a dog thats a bit older (1-2 years old) .. you can already get what their personality is going to be like. Weither or not they like kids, dogs, cats .. etc. etc. Which is great! Plus if you get a dog that is 2 years old .. you can ask to have their hips x-rayed and looked at for any potential problems (though you would have to talk to the rescue about that).

American Bulldogs are great dogs too. Very sturdy for kids. They dont 'maul' kids as another person said. Jeez. I was bitten by a lab once .. and yeah, I'm NOT kidding. Thing was vicious. But hey, I still like labs!

A boxer may be too hyper right now for a child and needs alot of exercise. THOUGH, if you really wanted a boxer .. you should adopt an older one .. again 1-2 years old. EVERY boxer I've met is good with kids too. Thats one breed that you dont have to really worry about with kids cause they love'em. You dont have to get them as a puppy either. Having a puppy (8wks-12mths) and a baby can be really hard. A dog that is 1-2 years old is still considered a puppy .. just a big one :] So consider an older pup too.

Hope that helps and you find what you're looking for!

Answer 3

I think you need to do some more reading on all three of these breeds before you get anything. You are going to have hip problems in all these breeds you selected, the best way to prevent this is by researching the parents and other litters of the breeders, and sometimes even this doesn't mean your dog won't get problems later.
As for having a baby with this dog, "To grow up with", I'm not saying they aren't great dogs, but you have to look into whether these dogs will be ok with the child till the child gets older. Typically, children under the age of ten pick at dogs and can be pretty ruff, you have to know that these dogs will have the temperament to put up with this, which in my opinion, they don't.
Good luck.

Answer 4

I have American Bulldogs & I wouldn't have any other breed.
When adding another dog to the house takes ALOT of work & carfull consideration.
Planning a new family should be your First priority
and getting a puppy now will throw a wrench in your plans.
Training a dog and having babies at the same time would be very difficult to handle.
So if I were you I wouldn't take on another animal until you are able to spen alot of time training


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Answer 5

Hip thing? Sweetie, you need to do some more research here.

Try this website. It has a breed finder that will help to match you to the breed that is right for you...taking into account the energy level you prefer, amount of grooming and exercise you're willing to do, and a lot of other criteria. Every dog has breed-specific needs, and you need to base your choice on whether or not you can accomodate those needs....not just what you think is cute.

Answer 6

no matter the breed you choose, with a small child in the house you will want to make sure you have a dog with a laid-back and patient personality. Our trick for selecting a pup that will be this way is to try holding them on their back when selecting one. Pups who fight to remain right-side-up tend to be more hyper and tempermental, while pups who will just lay there in your arms on their back are more docile and patient.

Kids take plenty of patience, so make that a major part of your decision!

Answer 7

depends on if u want a big dog or a little dog. DONT get an american bulldog tho! they keep mauling ppl, and they usually arent good pets. same with a boxer! but a doberman shood be fine, my grandmother has one named kanny whos been alive for along time, and doesnt hv any hip problems...

Answer 8

All three of those breeds have problems with hip dysplasia and other genetic problems. Do a LOT more research first.

The incidence of hip dysplasia in Dobies is NOT 50%!!!!

Answer 9

How bout a labrador?? They r atheletic, smart, and r great with children...same with golden retreivers!! They also live a pretty long time for a big dog (12-14 years).

Answer 10

Why don't you go to your local shelter or pound and get a dog from there?

Many dogs there are EXCELLENT pets and they need someone to love them.