Help me pick a breed of dog, please.?

Question

Hi. I've been relying heavily on you, recently, Yahoo Answers. =) There are some really bright, informative users out there with knowledge hard to find anywhere else. Personal experience. =)

For quite some time I've been looking into getting a dog of my own. A very long time, really. I just can't settle on what breed to get. I have had a few picked out that I've extensively researched, but I am not going to mention them here so as not to sway what you suggest.

The size of the dog does matter. I do not like small dogs. None of them. Toy and small dogs are just annoying to me. It's not that I hate them, they just aren't my style. I have room for even the biggest breed, easily, and can handle even a very active dog. I love going for walks myself, and I'd love to sit at a park and throw the ball with a dog, but, I can also accept a lazy breed to just hang out with. I'd like to be able to throw the ball once in a while at least, though.

-More to come in added details. Long question! =(

The less grooming I have to do, the better. Shedding is irrelevant, I don't mind shedding at all, but clipping/cutting is not something I want to deal with. Frequent baths or cleaning someone's whiskers I can handle, though.

Serious health problems are an issue with EVERY breed it seems. I am willing to be aware of what any breed's issues are. I've looked into several already. Clearly, the less to worry about, the better, but...it isn't something that can be avoided totally.

Life expectancy is important. I understand the bigger a dog is, typically, the lower the expectancy is, but I still want a big dog. A compromise is in order, maybe.

I like natural looking dogs, too. Wild, but friendly. I want the dog to be my friend, not a soldier or a tool or something. I'm looking for a dog to be my pal. =]

Finally? No Golden Retrievers, no POODLES and no Dalmations. I've had a Dalmation, and don't want another. Nothing can replace him.

That's it, I guess. Thanks for any input.

Answer 1

i would suggest going to the shelter. mixed dogs make the best pets. there are so many without homes :( also, 1 in every 5 animals in the shelters are pure bread. which is why i discourage breeding. i have a beagle mix, and 2 pure-bread schnauzers (male and female) and all of they are spayed and neutered.

Answer 2

Well my husband has been around boxers forever and they are wonderful loving dogs. We have a female now that we are breeding. She actually is small about 40-45Lbs and loves everyone. I play ball with her, take her for walks. We taught her the basic comands within a week. However they are a little hard headed. They have a life span anywhere from 8-12 years. I suggest doing the research on the breeder first to make sure there is no inbreeding going on and to see if they had things like joints tested and things like that. A good breeder will get a health guarantee on the dogs. That will cause defects. That goes foe any breed actually. Another good breed is shelties and border collies. That is what I grew up with but they require more grooming. Very good loving companions though. I would not rule out the idea of the shelter or a rescue for the breed that you pick. I have a dog from the shelter. A border collie/sheltie mix. She is wonderful. If you have any questions feel free to E-Mail me.

Answer 3

Hmmm, sounds like you pretty much know what you want. Which that is VERY good. For starters it sounds like you are wanting a breed from the Mastiff family, there are several different species. After that I would say you might look at Greyhounds. Or even a Rhodesian Ridgeback. A Doberman Pinscher doesn't sound out of the question, for that matter neither does a Rottweiler. Even a Great Dane doesn't sound too bad. A Border Collie is more of a medium sized dog but endless playfulness and loyalty. That's about all that I can think of. Hope this helps. You should post later what your thoughts were! Good luck!!

Answer 4

Awwwww ..... c'mon! You've already researched the breeds and picked out the ones you're most interested in ... so, how can WE know what's best for you?

OK ... based on what you've said ... there's a whole list I could suggest for you ... ready? Here goes!

I'm thinking any of the larger Sporting dogs would do you fine. If you don't want to be bothered much with grooming, you could go with the shorthaired breeds (German Shorthair, Weimeraner, Viszla, Lab). The Setters are great dogs, but, yeah, you do have to get them groomed.

Some of the Working breeds would fit your criteria ... GSD, Boxer, Doberman, Rottweiler ... They're a bit tougher-looking.

Some of the Sighthounds might do nicely ... Rhodesian Ridgeback is a true "guy-dog" but requires a firm hand ... Pharaoh Hound, Ibizan Hound ... or, my personal favorite, the Greyhound (excellent, excellent dog).

Can't beat a Collie for loyalty and beauty. Border Collie is loyalty and brains. LOTS of hair with both of those, although the BC is supposed to have the bare-minimum grooming, just a brushing and nail-clip.

Well, those are my suggestions. It's up to YOU to decide which one most closely meets your needs! Good Luck to you!

Answer 5

Hello. I have a beagle. (Prence) But he's a twelve inch, not very big the way you described you want but perfect in every other way. He's very active and he's Never chewed up ANYTHING he shouldn't (like my fave black pumps) I recommend beagles to anyone who asks. As far as his health goes every time I take him to the vet they say he's fine no internal problems and he eats a lot of table food ( I'm not bragging about that one) and nothings wrong with him. he sheds a little but other than that I swear he's perfect he stays really clean and doesn't stink or n e thing. I've had a German Shepherd (Chance)-now he was crazy chewed up EVERYTHING and ANYTHING very very very energetic but very loyal and sweet and I loved him so much because of how obedient he was. And then there was Romeo my husky. he was big and beautiful. that's a really smart breed. Almost too smart.....from my experiences I'd recommend any of the three. I don't know much about other breeds but those ones were really fun. hope my babbling helped narrow it down a Little for you. You have to pick a breed that's right for you but at the same time its works out best when you let it sort of find you

Answer 6

ok, well here goes.

a loving mellow dog with some spurts of energy
= Golden Retriever, Labrador

a smart, active, happy dog with tons of energy
= Australian Shepherd(I had one, great frisbee dog)
** an aussie is what Id get over and over again, love them**

Ive heard that Boxers are supposed to be great dogs around kids

My sister had the great pyranees mountain dogs and they were big huge hairy dogs that were great with adults/kids and very protective of their owners and property

Dogs that are very hyper and high strung
=Siberian Husky, Dalmation. Not advised unless you have tons of time to spend with them, not to have around kids as much.

Mixed dogs are good. go to the pound and look for a good friend that needs a home or to a rescue home for certain breeds

If you own or rent a home and have Homeowners/rental ins, keep in mind the more agressive dogs are frowned upon and insurance co dont advise having them and wont insure you if you have them:
Rotweilers
Dobermans
Pit Bulls
St Bernards
cant remember the rest...

Either male or female are fine. Males in all breeds tend to be more agressive and bigger. Female dogs tend to be a bit less agressive and mellower in general.
*A fixed dog by the time they are 3yrs helps a ton on keeping them from running away, more agressiveness and unwanted puppies.
*Training early on is a must too as it stops unnecessary behavior and brings out the best in your dog

Ive been an owner to:
mixed terrier med size male
Australian shepherd med size female
Alaskan Malamute med-large female
Poodle small(not tea cup) male

Unfortunately all have passed now and I am not home enough to really give enough attention to a dog as they are pack animals and need the constant attention or you will have things torn up! I really miss having one and will get one again when I am ready.
Good Luck!

Answer 7

Well I give you credit for taking your time and researching the breeds! Most people don't bother to do that. And when you finally do decide on a breed, knowing the health issues is going to help you in finding a responsible and ethical breeder also. You'll know who did the proper tests..good for you!!

OMG! I'm sorry I read Dalmation as Doberman. I'm changing my breed suggestions, so sorry

Boxer
Collie - I've had Collies, the coat doesn't need to be brushed more than one or two good brushings a week and their coal naturally stays celan and they don't normally have a 'doggy' smell. Plus there's also the smooth coat, too.
Briard

Answer 8

labs are great once they get past the bored puppy destructive state (but that's pretty much with any dog) they are easy to groom. another easy to groom is a dalmation. i read a very good book that is made just for your question and it detailed many of the dog breeds. rating their temperament, difficulty training, interaction with other animals, protectiveness, etc. part of your decision of course would depend on whether or not you have children. you may even find that a mixed breed would be a good choice. if i were you, i would check with the local animal shelter or humane society to see what is available in your area. i worked with dogs (baby sitting about 60 large dogs at a time, in kennels, at grooming shops and pet stores). boxers are great. . my suggestion to you would be to enroll in puppy training classes as early as possible and to socialize your dog. you don't want to take him to the park just so he can attack a little maltese or something. i worked with a lot of rottweilers that were nothing more than big cuddly babies when they knew you. but they saw lunch or snack when a small dog walked by. you want to make sure you would not be creating a liability for yourself.

Answer 9

Personally if i where you i would go for a boxer. They are fairly large, and full of energy. They will be ready to go any time you want to go for a walk or go to the park. They have shorter hair so there isn't much of a mess, minimal shedding and combing needed. The only major downside to these fun loving dogs is that they need a little more training, because they are so excitable, they can get out of control when happy if they haven't had any training. Otherwise they are loving, energetic, fun loving dogs. I strongly recommend them.

Answer 10

I'd say, go down to your local shelter and look around! That perfect dog will catch your eye! There are lots of big dogs in need of a home, and Im sure all of them would love a home to hang out in, and occasionally a trip to the park for some ball!

Answer 11

TinTin has got it right. An APBT is what you describe. They are not a really big dog, mine is about 60 lbs. She loves everyone, any stranger that comes to the house she wants to be friends with. My grandson takes to the school down the street and play ball with until he gets tired, she never gets tired. Not a good watch dog, I have been robbed twice.