Can you suggest a breed of dog...

[gypsydoodlebug]

...for my brother? He just bought a new house and he's looking for a dog.

DB is recovering from an industrial accident that nearly amputated his right leg. Only his calf skin helt it together. He took a job to help him through college and was hurt on his FIRST TWO HOURS of his new job (lack of qualified training ).

He just settled with the company, bought a house and needs a faithful companion to accompany him.

I suggested a shelter dog, but he wants to know what he's getting into. Plus, all of the dogs in our family are compared to Molly, my parents' Chow/ Rottweiler mix who died of leukemia at age 4. She did everything but balance the checkbook and do laundry. Their current dog is a spastic Collie-mix who we suspect is inbred but has a good heart.

DB has his heart set on an English Bulldog (my parents' neighbors have one who is really cute) or a beagle : I love spaniels -- doesn't matter which kind.

What breeds of dogs do y'all have, and tell me 'bout their temperaments...??

 

[disneynutt1225]

I have a beagle (Toby) that I love more than anything. He's basically a nose with 4 legs, but his my little lump of love. As I sit here typing this, he's all curled up on my father's spot on the couch, and my dad was relegated to the other end. Can you tell he's a little spoiled?

My mother has MS and she's home all day long with Toby. He's her little shadow...poor lady can't even go to the bathroom without him since we've all moved in. She's really looking forward to us moving out, LOL.

Honestly, I love having a beagle even though he tests my patience at times. They are great family dogs and they love to be social. One thing to be prepared for: the BARKING and the DIGGING! Luckily, Toby only digs in the dirt outside, not really on the grass anymore. So, we really can't complain too much unless we need to give him a bath because he's cake in mud.

 

[Aimeedyan]

I'm a big supporter of a mutt from the pound, too. I could not have asked for a better dog in Winston. I have a pure bred, too, and love him dearly but my mutt is a gem. He is healthy as a horse, was cheap, and has incredible temperment. So many pups have great temperments but their family are idiots and give them up for whatever reason. If he goes to the pound, he can spend a lot of time with each dog and really know what he's getting into. With a puppy you really have no guarantees, pure bred or not. If he gets stuck on a breed, he could go rescue and save a life that way. Dogs that are fostered usually give you an opportunity to have a foster parent that really has gotten to know the particular dog and can ensure they are the right fit.

I adore both English Bulldogs and Beagles but make sure he keeps in mind that an English Bulldog is VERY VERY expensive because they are difficult to breed and birth. He will likely be on a waiting list to find a reputable breeder. It's impertive in this breed to find a reputable breeder because of the numerous genetic health issues this breed can have. It's not worth saving a few bucks to buy from a pet store or backyard breeder. He'll pay for it down teh road and so will the pup. Beagles are very high energy, needs lots of exercise, and are master escape artists and therefore need constant supervision outside. This is why we don't have one =) I can't handle the traits of a Beagle, as great as they are, they are just not perfect for every family but maybe perfect for him! There are lots of Beagles that are turned into shelters and rescues because families bring home an adorable baby Beagle and about a year later realize they cannot handle it's traits any longer. Usually nothing wrong with the dog, the owner just didn't do their research =)

Good luck to him! Sounds like he's had a heck of a journey but is maybe on the path of healing...

 

[Mom2Angels]

We have a beagle and she's also a nose with four legs, she used to be the great escape artist, couldn't figure out how she would escape when I'd have her blocked off into the kitchen when she was a puppy. Now she has the run of the house and the yard and she's fine. She is not a barker or a digger, I think it just depends on the individual dog.

Debbie

 

[soccerfreak_08]

I am a supporter of a mutt but NOT from a pound. A lot of dogs from the pound have lots of problems and lots of diseases. That is why they were put there. We have a mutt though and it is a once in a life time dog. We let it come to us though.

 

[EeyoreFan1]

I have the sweetest Black Labrador/Weimaranor(Sp) mix! We call Jasmine, a weimador! The sweetest, most helpful dog around!

Jasmine:

 

[cotomom]

We have a beagle and a boxer mix. The beagle came to us with many, many health problems but she's still going strong at 12. She is a barker and was a digger in her younger days. She is a big NOSE and teaching our young dog the same.

I would NOT recommend a boxer for your brother. Very hyper and energetic.
Lovable but a lot of work!

Good luck!

 

[EeyoreFan1]

Your dogs are SOo Cute!!! I would also reccomend a cocker spaniel! We are ghoing to get on for my granmother, to live with her. Very sweet dogs! THey, well some are shy, and some bark, but some are the most sweetest thing you have ever seen!

 

[ktulu]

If he wants a larger dog, I would recommend a German Shepherd, but only from a reputable breeder. They are great with families and easy to train. When DW and I take our DD for walks, Reagan (our GS), takes position in front of us and constantly makes looks back to make sure we are with her. The other day we were walking about 10 at night, and a car turned the corner and she stepped in front of me to stop me and stared down the car. I was like, good girl, but I think that would win

Just my .02

darren

 

[deide71]

We adopted a 8lb puppy from a shelter 7 years ago. We named him Otis. He now weighs 115 lbs and is a gentle giant.

He is fabulous with our kids. When our oldest was about 18 months old I heard him whining in the livingroom. I went in to see what was going on. She had her finger in his eye, and he just sat there crying, never growled or snapped.

He's getting a bit old now (for such a big dog). He just likes likes to lay in the shade and watch the kids play. I hope he makes it a few more years. i know we could never replace him .

 

[frndofpooh]

We have a collie (Linus) who is the biggest couch potato in the world. We call him the "glorified floor rug" because he is so wonderfully fuzzy and lays on the kitchen floor for 90% of his life. I had always thought collies were hyper but this one isn't. The breeder we got him from says that all of her collies are like that (she has another line of them that do the dog show thing - I guess they have the energy required to go to the shows and not snore ). I think any breed can have those mellow types - you just need to ask the breeder and be clear about what you want.

What about a basset hound? They are great companions and not terribly energetic. Good luck!

 

[thewishfire]

I would definately recommend an English Bulldog! I've had four in my life, two currently. But as a previous poster said they are an expensive dog due to difficult breeding, and do have a good risk of health problems (one of my first ones had many). That being said, you'll never meet a sweeter dog.

I also have a sheepdog puppy, and she's a doll, but can be a bit of a handfull at times.

Good luck!

 

[nhrenee]

It sounds like he may be better off with an older (not a puppy) dog. I hope he will reconsider about a shelter dog or at least go to a rescue organization.
Good luck!

 

[Katy Belle]

Puppies and many breeds of adult dogs require a lot of exercise. Is he able to take the dog on runs/walks? Maybe a mellow breed....bassett comes to mind, and get one that is 3yrs old or so from a rescue group.

That being said, we have a beagle and she is just great. She's 3 now and much calmer. Still requires lots of love, but it can be just sitting on our laps, not necessarily all active play time.

Our neighbors have a pug that is the most awesome little guy.

Good luck!
Katy

 

[hellokitty86]

I second the pug!!

I just got my pug, Ruby the day after Christmas. She is so sweet. I've wanted a pug all my life, actually when DH and I first got together, I used to make him take me to Barnes & Noble and buy me pug calendars and books!! We got married in December and decided we wanted a dog, so we took some of the money we got from the wedding and got her! She was expensive (DH had a cow when he heard the price) but I fell in love with her and we have the same birthday (fate!!) Pugs are very very sweet, and always have good personalities from what I've seen- (We've taken her to Pug meets and they are all sweet dogs).

Here's a picture of Ruby!!!

 

[Quinn222]

You don't really give enough information to recommend a breed. How much space will the dog have? Is your brother going to be home all day with the dog? What is his patience level for training a dog? Are there going to be children in the house? Other animals? All those things need to be taken into account in choosing a breed. A dog sounds like the perfect companion for him, he just needs to do a little research and talk to some breeders. One breed that might be an excellent choice for him is a Bernese Mountain Dog. If he has no other animals an Akita is also a really good companion dog, but they are protective and don't always tolerate other animals well. Standard poodles are excellent dogs, very intelligent. Labs are great dogs but very challenging puppies. Goldens can also be good dogs but it's hard to find a well bred one because they are so popular. An English Bolldog is a good choice, I'd pick it over a beagle. Beagles are good dogs too but can be challenging and you're more likey to get a bad beagle than a bad bulldog.
There are tons of other breeds that might suit him. If there is a dog sho in his area coming up it might be a good idea to visit one and really get a look at the dogs and talk to some breeders.

 

[chyam]

How about adopting a retired greyhound? These dogs are crate trained, don't need a whole lot of exercise other than a romp in the fenced yard, they are great on leashes, very quiet, little to no shedding and are basically a couch potato, they are also fostered once off the track so the foster people know the dogs habits, most get along great with other animals and they absolutely love people since they have been handled by so many in their lifetimes. check out www.greytalk.com It is also possible to adopt one as young as 2, my first grey lived to be 14 and had no health issues at all. Not only will you acquire a great dog you will save a life!

 

[NikiM20]

How about a dauchund? They are small (one of mine weighs 4 1/2 lbs and the other 10) they are lap dogs, dont eat much and are sooooooooooooooooooooo cute

 

[lowie]

...for my brother? He just bought a new house and he's looking for a dog.

DB is recovering from an industrial accident that nearly amputated his right leg. Only his calf skin helt it together. He took a job to help him through college and was hurt on his FIRST TWO HOURS of his new job (lack of qualified training ).

He just settled with the company, bought a house and needs a faithful companion to accompany him.

I suggested a shelter dog, but he wants to know what he's getting into. Plus, all of the dogs in our family are compared to Molly, my parents' Chow/ Rottweiler mix who died of leukemia at age 4. She did everything but balance the checkbook and do laundry. Their current dog is a spastic Collie-mix who we suspect is inbred but has a good heart.

DB has his heart set on an English Bulldog (my parents' neighbors have one who is really cute) or a beagle : I love spaniels -- doesn't matter which kind.

What breeds of dogs do y'all have, and tell me 'bout their temperaments...??

i've been dying to adopt a greyhound fromt he race track, they are trained, gentle, gorgeous and need good homes! other than that i would get a tiny yorkie, a poster on here has a yorkie in their avatar.. it kills me every time i see it. but, alas, no dogs for me, my dd is SO allergic!
but in a perfect world he'll go for a shelter dog, they NEED the home and no matter where you get a dog, there are no guarantees as to the dogs temperment or health.
hugs for your brother for his recovery

 

[makinorlando]

One that doesn't bark! LOL.


Like EeyoreFan1 - we have a lab/weimeramer mix - named Princess too funny! She is a great dog - although she does have her "freaky" high strung weimeramer moments (she loves the car and if you mention the word she goes crazy) and when she gets nervous - she paces! Princess really wants to please and is totally my shadow. She is laying next to me on the sofa right now, sleeps with me in bed, and never is far away from me. If I get up to go to another room she will not be far behind. She is very intelligent, and has quite a vocabulary that she understands! We have to be careful about saying certain words, as they get her wound up!

We also have a Yorkie - she is higher maintenance obviously because of the hair. She tends to be barky though which at times is annoying! If you have something she wants she will bark non stop - where as Princess just sits and looks sad!

Here is Princess - the lifeguard. She HATES the pool - and will pace the perimeter while we are in to make sure we are safe! She likes to play volleyball too - you through the ball to her and she hits it back to you with her nose!

This is Maia - as usual in need of grooming!

Our neighbor has an English Bulldog puppy - Bam Bam - he is very cute, but at this time quite a handful. When he wanders out the door he always comes to my back door to see his "girls" my dogs.

This is him a couple months ago.