Dog recommendations

[Pooh's Pixie]

Do any of you have a recommendation for a dog breed? We are thinking of getting a puppy in the spring and starting to do some research. We have 3 kids: DS7, DS5, DD3 and about 2 acres so plenty of room. I don't want a dog that will overwhelm my children. We are thinking of an English Setter, a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Irish Wolfhound (huge, but pussycats)...any ideas? I don't want a tiny yip yip dog (no offense!) THANKS! aw:

 

[ziggystardust]

Labs are great dogs! And great with kids. They are big mushes and love to run around. I grew up with a yellow lab and now have a choc. one. They are amazing. They are big, but not too big.

Friends had a wolfhound growing up, all I remember about him (b/c I was young too) was that he drooled a lot and loved to sniff people's butts alot! He was a great dog though.

 

[Poohgirl]

Im a spaniel girl. I think all are great, they come in many different sizes, excellent with children, natural pointing abilities great friendly, loyal, family dogs. My favorite is a Brittany apx 40lbs, we raised them when I was a child. Now I have a cocker/toy poodle mix (I wanted a smaller version <20lbs, so the poodle side) looks just like a spaniel but fuzzy. Great pet, I love him. aw:

 

[hemispheredancer]

As an owner of a golden retriever I would say that it is the best breed for kids...along with labs. Goldens are so incredibly gentle and protective. I can't imagine us owning anything but a golden. My 7 y.o. can climb on him and pull his tail and he doesn't flinch.

 

[WishingOnAStar]

I'm looking into a Swiss Mountain Dog for my next dog. Everything I've read about that makes me think they're a great dog for a family.

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

Great recommendations so far. Labs scare me a little 'cause I think of them as naturally hyper...my kids don't like it when dogs jump all over them! I do think they are beautiful dogs though. I know every dog breed has good and bad traits but I'm trying to get as many opinions as I can !!! aw:

 

[luvmydogs]

...I don't want a tiny yip yip dog (no offense!) aw:

Hey! As an owner of three Chihuahuas, I RESEMBLE that remark! Actually, I love them like crazy, but they are major yip-yaps!

This may be a fun little thing for you and your kids to check out: http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm It may give you an idea of some appropriate breeds for your family that you may never have thought of.

Good luck!

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

I knew I would offend someone with my yip yip dog remark...I'm just not a tiny dog person. Although some tiny dogs are just so darn cute!

Thanks for the website...we'll see what we come up with! There are so many breeds! It seems that there are lots of breeds that are cross bred with poodles! Lots of labradoodle, goldendoodles, even a Doodleman Pinscher (I'm not kidding!) aw:

 

[Poohgirl]

It seems that there are lots of breeds that are cross bred with poodles! Lots of labradoodle, goldendoodles, even a Doodleman Pinscher (I'm not kidding!) aw:

Mine is Spoodle!

 

[goofyforlife]

I'm looking into a Swiss Mountain Dog for my next dog. Everything I've read about that makes me think they're a great dog for a family.

Wishing......Have you found any breeders yet? If not, I belong to the Potomac Valley Bernese Mountain Dog Club. (members from MD, DC, VA)

I have a 6 mth old Bernese Mountain Dog, Abby. They are a great dog but there's alot of other stuff that goes along with their breed. (possible health issues, etc...)

Our club has their specialty match at the Frederick County Fairgrounds in February where you can see the dogs and get alot of info and meet some of the breeders in this area.

If you or original poster has questions...just ask... (this was abby at 8 wks old-close to 20lbs then)

 

[luvmydogs]

I knew I would offend someone with my yip yip dog remark...I'm just not a tiny dog person. Although some tiny dogs are just so darn cute! aw:

Oh, doll, you didn't offend me at all! Believe me, I *agee* with you!

Friends?

 

[Hercules10]

Every recommendation you get is for what people own(ed).

Best dogs I've gotten are from humane-type agencies. Go down and let one pick you and your kids. Any dog can be a angel if it's raised right. Good Luck!

 

[Disney Doll]

English Springer Spaniel

PROS
friendly
doesn't tend to be vicious or aggressive
lots of energy
nice size--medium--about 50/55 pounds
sturdy dog
likes to romp and play
like the outdoors
good with kids

CONS
can be hyper
stubborn
long thick coat which needs a fair amount of attention, but they are beautiful


We have Ted, a Springer we got when he was 10 months old fro a fmaily that couldn't keep him. He is now 11 years old. When we got him, he hadn't been trained uch, so he was hyper and didn't bahve well. We went to obedience, more so we could learn how to train him, and with consistency, he has done well. He is protective without being aggressive. He is great with kids. We have friends with a Downs Syndrome child and Ted has always been wonderful with Pat...pat used to teethe on ted, or he'd fall asleep holding a clump of Ted's fur (Pat loves texture) and Ted would lie there for 2-3 hours until pat woke up. He'd follow Pat around and let us know if he was i danger....he is great with him. He is not a vicious dog at all, loves people, loves kids, needs lots of exercise, attention, is an inside, be with people kind of dog...wouldn't do well penned up outdoors.

He is getting older and the thought of losing him can move me to tears at a moment's notice...that's how great of a dog he's been.

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I highly recommend rescuing a dog from the pound or other rescue organization. You won't get a pedigree but the dog you get will most likely not suffer the congenital illnesses that are common to purebred dogs. Plus, you would be saving an animal that might otherwise be destroyed for no reason other than the fact that there's not enough room for him.

If I had to choose the ideal mix, it would be a lab/shepard mix. Intelligent, loyal and rugged. I understand your concern about a high-energy, large dog jumping up on the kids. Any dog can and will do that if not properly trained. Imagine what would happen if an Irish wolfhound chose to jump up on them! A lab or lab mix will have the stamina to play a game of fetch outside and the calmness to lay at your feet in the evening after a good walk. They actually make for very good indoor dogs as long as they get proper exercise.

If shedding is an issue, consider a greyhound or whippet. Both are great indoor dogs with short, smooth coats. Outdoors, they'll run forever! Unlike the labs who are known for their chewing and digging, the greyhound keeps his nose and paws relatively clean.

If you don't want to pay grooming fees or visit a groomer on a regular basis, avoid the long-coated breeds like the spaniels. Their compact frames make them great for romping and wrestling in the grass, but their coats are high maintainence. They require daily brushing to avoid matting. Regular visits to the groomer (every 6 weeks or less) can be costly and a pain in the you-know-what to keep up. We had an English Springer Spaniel for 7 years. He's been gone for almost 6 months now. I'm still finding his hairs on things in the house.

Lastly, not every little dog is a yip-yapper. I had a doxie as a kid who didn't yap. He BARKED. Like a doberman. If someone came to the front door, they would swear it was a much bigger dog barking at them from the other side. However, I would not recommend any small breed dogs to a family with children under the age of 10. They just aren't "sturdy" and need to be handled carefully. Even the most careful child is still a child.

 

[Nana Annie]

I knew I would offend someone with my yip yip dog remark...I'm just not a tiny dog person. Although some tiny dogs are just so darn cute!

Thanks for the website...we'll see what we come up with! There are so many breeds! It seems that there are lots of breeds that are cross bred with poodles! Lots of labradoodle, goldendoodles, even a Doodleman Pinscher (I'm not kidding!) aw:

If it were me, I wouldn't get sucked into paying $$$$$ for a designer dog. You are paying top dollar for what is basically a mutt - something you can find in your local rescue shelter. There is no basis in the claim that mutts are healthier. If you breed two dogs with genetic problems - you are going to get a genetically defective litter. IE: you breed a poodle with hip dysplasia in his line with a labrador with hip dysplasia in her line - you are going to get a litter with a high probability of having hip dysplasia. If you are going to buy a dog, you are better off with a breeder that has been around awhile and does all the recommended tests for his/her particular breed. Usually hips/elbows/cerf(eyes)/heart/thyroid.

Make sure your breeder can tell you 'why' they bred dogx to dogy. What traits were they hoping to improve on. How does the sire compliment the dam.

That said, the GSMD is a great choice. So are your other choices. Go to www.akc.org and read up on the breeds of choice. Then contact the breed group (the official breed group will be listed on the AKC site) and ask for more info on the breed. Go visit some in their home and see what they are like.

Good luck on your search!

 

[maciec]

We adopted a 1 year old Samoyed in August. She is wonderful! If you can stand the blow outs then you can get through the rest of the shedding. Although she has a ton of hair she sheds in long hairs and in clumps so it's easier to clean up. I had a damlatian and she had those little prickly hairs that stick to everything. A year after we lost her we were still finding hairs attached to different pieces of clothing and blankets.

Samoyed are great with kids. They were originally bred to keep Eskimo kids warm in the winter by snuggling with them. They are very pack oriented dogs and this really shows through with Peppermint. She does not like to be left alone. Where ever we go in the house or outside she is right there with us.

My samoyed weighs 46 pounds. The weight for females is supposed to be 40-45 I think. Males 50-60..

Here's her picture

 

[Pooh's Pixie]

WOW!
You guys are giving me great info. I have always had a "pound puppy" growing up, but we are looking for less of a crapshoot right now, especially with the kids. Growing up, we rescued a supposed lab/retriever mix that grew to be about 140 lbs (we later suspected there was some mastiff in there!!!) OF course he was a pussycat and probably the reason I love big solid dogs!

The Samoyed intrugues me, though I don't know if I could keep up with the pretty fur (I don't have time to dry my own hair! ) I'd love to know more about them and the Bernese Mountain Dog (heard about cancer and short lives with them)...What about the Swiss Mountain Dog? Are they similar? I know the Bernese have longer fur.

I realize people are going to suggest the breed they have had, but that's good! It's all informative! I really love all your suggestions and will keep the research going!

 

[goofyforlife]

WOW!
What about the Swiss Mountain Dog? Are they similar? I know the Bernese have longer fur.

Unfortunately, Swissies have some of the same negative problems as Berners. Swissies fur is shorter (lab-like). At first I thought my Berners hari was going to be a problem but it cleans up alot easier than lab coats. (lab hair tends to stick inside carpet/fabric whereas Berner fur just creates tumbleweeds)

 

[MinnieMe2]

Since you are just starting your search, I would suggest going to a dog show in your area. There will be lots of breeders of all kinds of breeds there, and for the most part, breeders are very willing to discuss their breed. You'll want to talk to people in the grooming area rather than at ring-side. Nerves run high just before and after going in the ring, and people are rarely willing to educate at that point in time!

If you do focus in on a breed that you might want to bring home, a good breeder will probably grill you. Please understand that placing a puppy is serious business -- a relationship that should span a very long time. Breeders want to make sure their puppies are going to a home where they will be happy and cared for. While most breeders don't go as far as a home inspection (as most rescues do), they will ask lots of questions.

By the way, I have bassets. I love them, they are the perfect dog for me -- but, like every breed, they're not for everyone!

 

[va32h]

Can I horn in on this thread? We are looking for a companion for our dachshund mix; we used to have a cat that and the two of them were best pals. The cat died awhile ago, and Elizabeth (the dog) has been looking quite lonely.

I would rather not have a cat again, personally, and have been told that a puppy will be easier to integrate into the family (because the adult dog will not feel threatened by a puppy like she would by another adult dog).

I prefer to adopt from a shelter; just looking for a breed with minimal shedding that will not get very big (at least not much bigger than the dachshund).