Help me pick a dog breed.

[Papa Deuce]

Looking for ideas for a family pet, a dog..... here is what we hope to find, you name the breed:

1. 40 to 90 pounds.

2. GREAT with kids.

3. Doesn't mind cold weather / walks in the snow.

4. Not a barker. This is a MUST!

5. Only needs to be moderately protective.

6. Not a huge shedder.

7. Might do well with agility training.

8. Likes water.

9. Not a "clingy" breed.

I know that the obvious answer is a Labrador Retriver but I have had those before. Looking for a different breed. And definitely don't want a Golden retriever due to shedding.

I'm thinking full sized poodle, but don't want a prissy looking dog.

Any thoughts?

 

[janette]

We have 3 dogs, 2 are Bichon's which don't meet your criteria the other is a Catahoula that has almost all that you are looking for. She's really one of the best dogs we've owned, we got her from the local pound. Really smart, she has a thing about barking at the sprinklers but other than that doesn't bark much. They are in the same family as heelers etc. , working breed dogs do tend to be smarter. I love our Bichon's but must admit they aren't as smart.

Edited to add. Check www.petfinder.com for dogs available in your area. They have rescues & classified for dogs that need homes.

Here is a picture of her & our youngest Bichon. They are great pals, she doesn't get along with the other Bichon but is because they are both alpha dogs. We have to keep them separated.

 

[Serena]

Well, you took out my suggestions. Except for the hair, they're perfect.

 

[sjh801]

Except for the shedding, a collie would be perfect for you. Actually, a collie would be perfect fo me, too!

Sandy

 

[poohtown]

we have an American Bulldog/Boxer mix that almost fits alls your criteria except she is always cold (no fur). She does like to take walks tho and LOVES the snow (you should see her jump to catch a snowball!) but I really have to bundle her up in jackets and dry her off when we get inside. I swear one day I'm going to give her a hot cocoa to get rid of the shivers.

 

[2Poodles]

We have two black Standard Poodles -- Sebastian 12 years old and Winslow 6 years old.

1. 62 lbs and 72 lbs.

2. Both are great with kids.

3. Both love the cold weather. They love to play in the snow but beware Poodles get those little ice balls attached to their hair.

4. The alpha dog is a barker. The other is not a barker.

5. They both will bark when someone is at the door. The UPS man asked me if I had two Rottweilers in the house. I said no two Standard Poodles.

6. I'm severely allergic to dogs and we both wanted a large dog.
No shedding as Poodles have hair not fur.

7. Took the oldest Poodle to agility class and a tricks class. He did well in both.

8. The oldest Poodle is a swimmer. I throw a ball into the lake and he will retreive it. Standard Poodles were bred to retrieve in the water. The other Poodle loves splashing around in it.

9. Both are not clingy. They are very loving and affectionate but not attached to your hip all day long.

Biggest draw back was my husband not wanting a prissy Poodle.
Just get the Poodle cut in a sport cut. My Poodles go the dog park every day. They play with the labs and goldies. They both chase balls and frisbees, walk the trails and do everything any big dogs do. I think they think they are a lab or a goldie. I love everything about the breed. They do need to go to the groomers every 6-8 weeks.

Mary & the 2Poodles
(Sebastian & Winslow)

 

[Crankyshank]

What about a rhodesian ridgeback?

Family friends have one. He's an awesome dog and I would get one in a heartbeat if I had room.
He's a gorgeous dog. Doesn't shed much, is very calm, and is absolutely wonderful with kids. They were bred to protect homesteads from lions in rhodesia, so they are tough dogs, but excellent family pets. They live in MA so he's able to handle all sorts of bad weather.
He's about 80lbs. A bit shy with strangers but not agressive unless threatened. They do very well with obedience training, but it's important to remember they are very smart dogs and need training.

http://www.ridgebackrescue.org/what_is_an_rr.html

 

[luvsTink]

We love our keeshond! She does bark, but we have done little to stop her. She only barks as strangers pass or are near our house, but doesn't bark incessantly over nothing.

Check out the breed, they are unique and shed very little. I know that is hard to believe with all that hair, but it is true!

Anne

 

[ElizK]

A lab-standard poodle mix (labradoodle) or a golden retriever-standard poodle mix would probably be worth checking out for you. You'd have the great characteristics of both breeds.

 

[luvsTink]

also...
you might want to go to

www.selectsmart.com

and find a pet/dog breed selector....they are fun and informative.

Anne

 

[gallaj0]

Get a greyhound, they are the perfect dog.

1. Run about 60 pounds.
2. Wonderful with kids, very affectionate.
3. Loves the snow, needs a coat for the cold. We put a coat on ours, and she'll stay out all day, if we'd let her.
4. Didn't bark for the first 8 months we had her, now just barks once to be let in from outside. No baking at strangers, loud noise, nothing.
5. Not a great watchdog, but always lets you know if someone's coming; they like new people, so the'll get up to the door.
6. Short hair, hardly sheds, needs little grooming. Enough said.
7. They love being trained, if you get a retired racer, they are already used to training, and you can teach them to do anything.
8. Most like water, some don't. We kept a waifing pool out for ours during the summer.
9. Not clingy, but very affectionate. In fact, they sometimes act more like cats than dogs. Retired racers are all crate trained, in fact they need some time getting use to being out of their crate. Give them an old comforter to call their own, and they'll spend 18 hours a day on it, if they could. They will play, and come around for a pat once in a while, but for the most part, you may forget they are laying there.

And there is nothing "prissy" about a greyhound. They look fast, they are fast, and it's cool to have a pet that you brought home from a "job" to give a retirement home.

Edit to add some pics in sig.

 

[poohtown]

i should have added I'm a big believer in adopting. Check out Petfinder. They will give you all kinds of information of the dogs personality, if good with other dogs, cats, and people.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Get a greyhound. I think that is one of the best that fits most if not all of your criteria.

 

[Mermaid02]

Except for the clingy part you could have had a Weimaraner.... mine wants to be WHEREVER we are.... she thinks she's one of the kids!

 

[Pooh67_68]

Go bigger and get a Newfoundland, of course they need constant brushing and drool all over the place.

Try www.petfancy.com

 

[Lisa L from MI]

I would go a little bigger too....a Bullmastiff! Babe was the BEST dog ever!!! Meets all your criteria (except the weight..)and then some!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

We have two Soft-Coated Wheaton Terriers in our family. Non-shedding, about 40-50 lbs., good with kids, the one with-out baggage doesn't bark, not clingy. Or I would go with a standard poodle without the clipping. Nothing prissy about that. Boxers are also nice family dogs.

 

[Cindy B]

The standard poodles might work for you. I have a minituare poodle, and he's all you would want besides the size. He's a pretty sizable minituare at about 20 lbs. He is good with kids, likes water, but is ok about snow (he's a bit prissy), and loves loves loves walks. He doesn't shed, but you do have to groom.

My minituare is a sweet dog, but when we first got him he did bark at bit. He has settled down since, and he'll bark outside with other dogs, but not too much inside the house unless somebody is at the door/doorbell.

There are many poodle cuts that can be done. I personally don't like the frou frou cuts either.

 

[KristiKelly]

Here's Annabelle, she's a Goldendoodle, Golden X Std. Poodle, she is 1 year old (10/9) & 60 lbs. Some can get as big as 100 lbs, but usually 50-80. www.goldendoodle.com & http://disc.server.com/Indices/141437.html this is a golden/labradoodle discussion board. Good Luck in your search.

]

 

[stamper]

Well, I am a bit biased and would say a Samoyed...except they do "blow coat" 1-2 times a year . I am willing to put up with that to get the wonderful family dog these guys are! And they just love the snow!!

If we didn't have Sams, Bernese Mountain Dogs would our breed...very easy going dogs. The short haired version, the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog is also very nice.

We go to lots of dog shows and we get to see a lot of breeds. The Bull Mastifs and the Mastifs are big, but what sweet dogs. As are the Danes. Bigger dogs are quite often more tolerant of kids. Boxers are great too. I'm not a poodle fan, but that's just me . I agree that the Working Group dogs are very bright, but so are the Herding Group dogs. Herding dogs though require lots more exercise, which means more time commitment on the owners part as well as ample space.

So many things to consider. Good for you for doing your homework! Chose a reputable breeder or check into rescue....every breed has it's own rescue. Good luck on finding your new furbaby!