i need help finding the right breed of dog.?

Question

im looking for a LARGE SIZED dog but i am really picky.
1. short haired
2. not agressive
3. trainable
4. not prone to bad health issues because $2000 emergency vet bills will be tough
5. doesn't shed much
6. will get along with a cat
7. loyal
8. energetic but not so energetic that if i don't walk it for 3 hours a day it will chew my furnature.
9. intimidating (protection purposes but it can't be agressive)

if anyone knows of breeds that would fit this description i need all the info i can get!

i also have a decent sized yard, no kids (no interest!), and i am willing to exercise it and walk it every day. it will be the only dog in the house and i have a cat.

Answer 1

I would say a Dobie.

I suggest that you look into a rescue, where the dog has been temperment tested and around house hold conditions. http://www.petfinder.com is a great place to start.

All breeds have potential health issues, and as a previous poster said, dogs can also swallow items that require expensive surgery.

If you are worried about not being able to afford vet bills, I suggest you take a look at getting Care Credit or pet insurance. I have info on these programs here: http://www.libertydogtraining.com/vetbillhelp.html

For a general place to start on breed research, go to http://www.akc.org or to http://www.dogbreedinfo.com

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

A black lab sounds promising for you. They are, in general, easily trained, not particularly aggressive and can get along with the cat. They are energetic when young but not hyper active and you can exercise him with a tennis ball in the back yard.

Any large breed dog can look and sound intimidating. You can get a spiked leather collar to complete the look although a wagging rear end and happy face can ruin the effect.

They will shed but the hair is pretty short and you can minimize hair around the house with brushing. If you get a well bred dog then you can minimize the risk of big health problems in the future but you should always set aside money every month as an emergency fund just in case something happens. You can buy health insurance but it is a toss up as to whether that is worthwhile.

Labs are consistently the most popular breed because they are pretty easy going and fit into many households.

Answer 3

fairly frankly, i could particularly cope with a large aggressive canine than a 10lb aggressive cat any day. I would desire to believe Mr. Taco and DP. i'm no longer intimidated with the aid of any specific breed, yet untrained and clearly out of control canines concern me. the guy habit of a guy or woman canine in a given difficulty is what people somewhat would desire to be frightened approximately, no longer the breed or blend that a canine happens to be. i'm no longer regularly intimidated with the aid of St. Bernards, they frequently have very large personalities, yet between the consumers on the vet the place I artwork has a downright aggressive Saint who's conventional to lunge at people...and that may not a canine i choose for to be around.

Answer 4

What do you mean by large? Just large or xtra large? If you don't mind an xtra large dog, great danes are the perfect antidote to your pains! I have 4 of them and they meet all your categories. Now with any dog, you can have that $2000 emergency vet bill due to health issues but that can happen with any breed depending upon the issue.

Good luck in your search!

Answer 5

I like great britian mastiffs. They're the gentle giants of the dog world.

I knew one that was great with kids, other dogs, cats, small pets... very loyal, short coat, not aggressive by nature, they are energetic but they are also couch potatoes being so big.

But because they're so massive, many intruders may want to shy away from the house. (All it takes is walking him outside for potties and putting a beware of dog sign in your window. One glimpse of him and they won't want to tempt whether he's a nice dog or not.)

I also like the irish wolfhound.

Slightly longer hair, very gentle, smart, loyal and soft hearted with other dogs, children and can be good with other pets.

They are very calm and even tempered, but again, they can look scary at first.

below I'll link a good website with information on various larger breeds.

That being said...

ALL Dogs have their own personalities. I've seen sweet and gentle Chihuahua's when the breed tends to be nippier

I've seen cowardly German Shepherds

I've seen laid back and lazy Dobbies.

Also note: ALL Breeds have their health issues.

you can't say "I don't want a dog with bad health issues or who are prone to."

my friend has a dog that was supposedly one of the few that were prone to few health issues and the ones he was prone to are minor.

A year after having him he was having $3000 surgery to dislodge rocks from his stomach that she wasn't able to grab from him in time.

I've seen dogs who are prone to serious illnesses who are never sick a day in their lives.

Whenever adopting a dog, you have to prepare for the best... AND worst.

Many larger breeds of dogs are prone to hip dysplasia and bone cancers as well as arthritis.

They don't necessarily develop these ailiments, however, prepare yourself for the just in cases if they do.

Its the fact of life when you own a pet.

There is no such thing as a free or "cheap" pet. lol. Trust me, as one who has quite a few.

Answer 6

From my personal experience a big dopey, mellow rottweiler is your best bet. There's no way of knowing when u get a puppy if it's gonna be mellow. I think the breed has a bad rap and the only bad dogs have bad owners, if the breed is an issue, there's nothing more loving, protecting and loveable than a mutt, females tend to be more protecting I think because of motherly instinct.

Answer 7

American Bulldog... my sis has 2. They are great dogs! Large breed, Short haired, non aggressive, she's trained hers to do a couple things, I think all dogs are prone to something depending on activity levels and age, etc. They don't shed much, she has a cat, but really any dog you raise with a cat from apuppy will tolerate one, they are energetic, but walking them and then having them in a yard will be fine, they look intimitating, they look mean, but are very gentle dogs. I think I answered all your questions and the link Below will give you more info on the breed itself, but from experience of being around them, they are great dogs! Good luck in your quest!! Oryou can always adopt a good large dog from a shelter, but as far as Purebreds go, American Bulldogs are nice!

Answer 8

have you considered a Doberman? They are not aggressive, are intimidating, do not require as much excersize as say a Boxer, have short hair, are largeish, Will get along with your cat if you get a young puppy, trainable (All dogs/animals are trainable) Dobermans & Boxers are really the only dogs that I know anything about, so that's all I can say. :)

Answer 9

What you request sounds exactly like a lab. I rescued one from the spca, and I just love her to pieces!
If you didn't mind going a little bigger, I also rescued an English Mastiff from the pound, and she is an even bigger sweetheart! Very loyal and protective.

Answer 10

A weimaraner!!!!!! defently a weimaraner! Best dog you will ever have. to question 6 most dogs will accept cats if they are introduced as a puppy.