Help my friend find the "perfect" dog for her....

[Papa Deuce]

If you can give me some names of breeds, I will help her research them.

Her requirements:

1. Great with kids
2. Adult size of 50 - 100 pounds
3. Not demanding of lots of exercise but likes to walk.
4. IMPERATIVE..... not a barker!
5. Can shed, but not HUGE amounts
6. A bonus if the dog likes to swim

Dog doesn't need to be a purebred but she would like to know the traits of the predominant breed in the dog.

Thanks.

 

[doxdogy]

Here is a listing for all the AKC breeds. You can click on the breed for information. I am also including a link from parenthood.com. That outlines the best breeds for children.

http://www.akc.org/breeds/breeds_a.cfm

http://www.parenthood.com/articles.html?article_id=3963

 

[grinningghost]

Golden retriever - we have one and she fits every requirement to a tee.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Golden retriever - we have one and she fits every requirement to a tee.

Except the shedding, right? The two I know are HUGE shedders.

 

[jonestavern]

Golden retriever - we have one and she fits every requirement to a tee.

a Golden Lab or Labrador is nice, too. Just use the furmanator everyday.

Standard poodles are great. I am not at all a huge fan of having them clipped in patterns, they look very nice simply kept clipped.

Most important is who the parents are--that is what their dispositions are like & how the pup is socialized

I like adopting older pets from shelters, though

Jean

 

[grinningghost]

Except the shedding, right? The two I know are HUGE shedders.

No honestly, mine doesn't shed much at all. My cats, on the other hand...

 

[Pooh67_68]

A Black Lab

http://www.akc.org/breeds/labrador_retriever/index.cfm

 

[binny]

My Golden Retriever has been fantastic with my kids.
She barks a bit but not too bad.
Unless she thinks that "her" kids or "her" house are threatened. THEN she barks up a storm!

I had a standard poodle growing up and he was wonderful as well.
The people before had tried to "debark" him though and the surgery didnt work, poor thing was left with a panting sound all the time. It was sad.
He could still bark but it wasnt in his nature to bark much. He was an awesome dog though I still miss him 20 years later!


So both of those would be my choices from my own personal experience.

 

[crz4mm2]

Lab.
We are on our third one. Just adopted a one year old from some folks that could not keep her.( our old one- 14 yo- died in dec) This new pup is GREAT. Already house trained (big plus) and sleeps beside the bed every night. We also just got a boston terrier puppy (9 weeks) who jumps at the lab and bites at the lab and the lab just lays there and lets her do it. She is a joy!

 

[hiwaygal]

If you google "dog breed selector" you will get LOTS of sites that "quiz" you on your preferences, life style, etc. Then you will get a list of potential matches.

If you do several of the tests, my guess is you will get the same breed (or breeds) coming up again and again. Use those results to narrow down your search and to research the breeds so you know what you are getting.

I would also highly recommend trying to find the breeds rescue group to try to find a reputable breeder (most, if not all, reputable breeders are involved with breed rescue) and talk to them about their breed. Ask if you can visit them (if they are local).

I would also recommend filling out an application for a rescue dog...your friend can save a life and find a friend all at the same time!

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Lab.

Although I have to ask if a dog is really a good idea if she wants an animal that doesn't shed, doesn't bark & doesn't need exercise.

Seems to me that she should be looking for a hampster.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Lab.

Although I have to ask if a dog is really a good idea if she wants an animal that doesn't shed, doesn't bark & doesn't need exercise.

Seems to me that she should be looking for a hampster.

No, she can walk them A LOT. But she can't participate in any strenuous activity herself due to a medical condition.... so, no running or jumping for her.

She can have shedding, she just doesn't want a TON of shedding. And she really doesn't want a "yapper". Normal barking is OK.

 

[ktink]

Lab

We have a beautiful black lab named Lucy. She is wonderful w/ all the neighborhood kids and our dd's as well. Labs for the most part are very gentle, loving, loyal dogs.

 

[doxdogy]

If a golden may shed to much, another vote for a lab. Our dear Katie was shepherd/lab mix and she had a wonderful personality. She was great with kids. The only time she barked was when she thought someone or another cat was in her yard.

 

[golfgal]

The best dog we ever had was a standard poodle/Shetland sheep dog mix. It had the long hair of the sheepdog but it was curly like a poodle and didn't shed at all. He would patrol the yard when we were out playing and would carefully watch anyone walking by the house, yet my youngest brother could sit on him, pull his hair, etc. and he never even tried to nip him. At night he would lay across the landing of the stairway "protecting" everyone. Great dog.

 

[pat fan]

GREYHOUND

1. Great with kids

Our hound is good with kids,although I admit we don't have little ones around. Our kids are a bit older, 12 & 15 when we got him.

2. Adult size of 50 - 100 pounds

Our boy is 85 lbs.

3. Not demanding of lots of exercise but likes to walk.

He goes for a walk twice a day and is perfectly happy to sleep on the couch the rest of the time.

4. IMPERATIVE..... not a barker!

We had to teach him to bark, and even now he only does it occasionaly and not at people or animals or anything.

5. Can shed, but not HUGE amounts

Short haired. Belly is actualy hairless.

6. A bonus if the dog likes to swim

I'm betting they don't swim, strictly based on my greyhounds level of timidity .

He doesn't like the rain,wind or noisy anything.He doesn't frak out, just refuses to walk in it.They are an awesome breed, I'd highly recommend adopting one

 

[IWantMickey]

Golden Retriever gets my vote. We've had ours for 10 years now. I am so attached, it's kind of sick! He is the most lovable and easy going dog. We have a 2 yo grandson and Samson has never raised a mean paw to him.

He very rarely barks (only at horses for some reason ), loves to walk, still chases his tail and spins in circles (even at about 12 yo), and loves the water. He does shed but we get him to the groomers when we first notice it and we brush him often (which he loves -almost as much as orange sherbet. But that's another story).

You see, you should never ask people about their dogs. They'll tell you!

Good luck with the search. You've got a lot of great suggestions so far.

 

[DawnCt1]

Standard poodles are great. I am not at all a huge fan of having them clipped in patterns, they look very nice simply kept clipped.


Jean

Frankly, I don't know why other breeds exist because standard poodles are perfection in the dog world. Not only do they not shed, they are energetic outside but calm and relaxed in the house, loyal, only bark when it's "unusual", (door bell ringing after dark), incredibly intelligent, sensitive, warm, loving, and of course they do not shed. You can also style their hair in a variety of ways. We are working on a "pony tail". Did I mention that they have a great sense of humor? Standard poodles also have webbed feet and many love the water. They can also be trained to hunt and retrieve.

 

[Amyn1274]

I have a Golden Retriever/ Yellow Lab mix that I adopted from the Humane Society 11 years ago. He is the best dog ever, ok I may be a little biased. He has the best qualities from both the Golden and Yellow Lab. Has shorter hair so doesn't shed a ton, but still sheds. He only barks when the doorbell rings. So another vote for either the Golden or the Lab or a mix. I have also heard the Labradoodle (lab and poodle mix) are good as are the Curly Coated Retrievers for less shedding and great temperment. Besides I think they are adorable. Looks like a Black Lab with a perm

 

[Evil Queen]

Golden retriever - we have one and she fits every requirement to a tee.

I am going with the Golden, too. IF, I ever get another dog, I will more than likely get a Golden.

My oldest dog is a Golden/Chow mix and is awesome, kind and stillfull of energy at 14!!

I brush him on a regular basis, helps alot with the shedding.