I'm trying to decide what my first breed of dog should be, but I have never owned a dog before. I have trained a GSD/Lab mix and I have helped train a willfull GSD puppy.
I definitely want a medium or large breed dog. Do you have any suggestions?
2007-09-19 09:25:50 · 13 answers · asked by Tiffany 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I do know a lot about different breeds, but I wanted suggestions from people who have had experience with these dogs. They'll get long walks and hikes so activity won't be a problem.
2007-09-19 09:37:23 · update #1
Thanks everyone. Oddly enough most of the breeds suggested are the ones I had been considering. A lab or lab mix will probably be my first dog, but I plan on owning most of the dogs listed on the page. Thanks again.
2007-09-19 11:41:13 · update #2
I agree that a shelter dog is a great way to go and there are TONS of wonderful labs and lab mixes always available.
If you cannot find a dog or pup you want at the shelter or you decide to buy a puppy from a breeder PLEASE make sure you are buying from a responsible breeder who has done the testing for hips/elbows/eyes/heart/thyroid... look at the certificates or look them up online at www.offa.org
Personally.. I'm a fan of Bernese Mountain Dogs for an inexperienced owner. But a shelter dog is great too.
Good luck
2007-09-19 10:14:55 · answer #1 · answered by animal_artwork 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You can be an inexperienced owner and have a Spitz. My dog is a Chow/Husky mix, which are both Spitz breeds, and I have never owned a dog before him. I've only had difficulties with him being slightly aggressive towards strangers, but other than that, he's a very easy dog--extremely easy to house break, never gets into things or destroys the house, learned obedience commands very quickly...I just look up things about training online if I need help, and we've taken training classes. As long as you do your research and are a responsible owner, you can have whatever breed of dog you want to have. Spitz types do tend to be aggressive towards strangers, but they just need training and socialization. I do have to mention, that I've known several Shiba Inus that do get into some trouble--they like to escape from yards under the fence and run around the neighborhood. But, there's an easy solution--daily walks and exercise. As long as your prepared and you understand the nature of the breed, I say get whatever dog you want. ...On second thought, I need to add something. If you're planning on getting a young puppy, then you do need to be careful if you're an inexperienced owner. You need to really do your research and make sure you train and socialize your puppy properly, or you can end up with a disaster with some of these breeds. I recommend adopting an adult dog from a shelter--the dogs you find up for adoption at shelters are generally good natured and sometimes already trained. You then also have the opportunity to pick a dog that would work well for your based on it's personality.
2016-05-18 21:29:05 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would suggest a pit bull or a GSD if you have handled the GSD before then you know what to expect from the breed but the reason I recommended a pit bull is because I have had several pit bulls and have seen only the good side of them I am also a breeder and have a few pups that I have raised since they were babies. I handle them from birth and know just what they can be like. If you decide to go with the GSD I wish you luck. However in my mind there are no kisses better than the kisses you get from a sweet well loved pit bull.
2007-09-19 09:35:41 · answer #3 · answered by winter_white_wolf_pup 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
I was an inexperienced owner and brought home a black lab from the spca, and she is the best thing that has ever happened to me! She is so wonderful, a sweetie, smart, eager to learn, protective, goofy, etc. She had been given up a couple times because she was a chewer, but I spend a lot of time with her and she is perfect now.
2007-09-19 09:53:48 · answer #4 · answered by Flatpaw 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are so many dogs out there.
Try doing some research online and get some books from a library and read through them.
Dogs have different energy levels, amounts of grooming, different sizes, some require a really long walk or run and others require less.
It is always nice if you could rescue a dog from a shelter or pound, they deserve a good home.
2007-09-19 09:32:25 · answer #5 · answered by Silver Moon 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Get a laid back dog if you want a big one I would suggest an Irish Setter, a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier or a Labrador but the best for a new owner would be the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
2007-09-19 09:48:40 · answer #6 · answered by skaterwiz 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
My first dog was a lab pointer mix and she was the best dog ever. I suggest no getting a breed that you don't know a lot about or one that is rarely talked about. Labs, golden retrievers and or springers are good but you have to make sure that they get enough exercise.
2007-09-19 09:34:08 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Go to your local shelters and look around. Let the shelter workers know what your lifestyle is like and they can point you in the right direction.
Believe me, there will be a dog there that steals your heart and you will be saving a life.
2007-09-19 09:40:07 · answer #8 · answered by maxmom 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm not impartial at all...I think everyone should have a lab. They're sooooo easy to train, they love you non-stop, they're big enough to scare off intruders, and they smile. How can you beat that?
(there are TONS of wonderful labs and lab mixes at shelters, just waiting for you to take 'em home)
2007-09-19 09:33:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 1⤋
You have some experience, so that helps a lot. I own golden retrievers and like them because they are so eager to please people and as a result are very easy to train. I think they make great first time larger breed dogs.
2007-09-19 09:32:13 · answer #10 · answered by ? 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋