Best dog breed for me?

[redhen]

Dogs wont jump if you train them not to jump.. dogs wont bark all day long if you train them not to bark all day long...dogs wont be afraid of weather if you expose them to everything as a pup and work with them....
Sounds like its mostly just training them things. And you can do that!

Shedding is another issue... not many dogs that dont shed... poodles...bichon... not sure of others.. but there are more.

 

[Xtina]

This is all good info. I'm glad to know they're not all as neurotic as I've heard they are. But them not being good guard dogs is a bummer, as is their barking and jumping. As far as grooming costs, I'm ready for that. I thought to myself today that I'd way rather take a dog to the groomer once or twice a month, than brush out my dogs and have them still shaking loose hair all over the house the second they step back inside. It's soul-crushing to spend half an hour brushing and know it will never all be out, even for one second.

I guess I'd really love a non-shedding, non-drooling, not-dominant Rottweiler. I do love a Rottie and while not all of the shed and not all are so dominant, I'm pretty sure they all drool.

I should clarify about my shepherd: she's not really a shepherd! It's a guess as to what's in her mix, but I'm in no way positive I'm right. She could have part husky. She hates the heat and she doesn't have long hair or much of a double coat. She just loves running around in the snow, but can't handle warmth.

And I hear what you're saying about every individual within a breed being different. That's one of those things that makes this so hard.

 

[JustAChickenLittle&More]

Ok Xtina, I have the dog for you : Olde English Bulldog. Neutered. I have two of them, they are not neurotic, they don't bark unless they feel the family is threathened in some way, then watch out the short hair stands up. All dogs shed, but they are very short hair. Yes, they are not good outside in the heat during summer for long periods of time. They are loving, playful, and loyal (males must be neutered). They get along great with kids (your grandkids, etc). Of course you will always have your not so well brought up bullies, so you have to watch what your getting. They are funnier than all get out and they really like to mother(father) you.

 

[Xtina]

Quote:
This is why I disagree with the statement that "If such a dog existed, everyone would have it." There's more to picking a dog than the traits I mentioned. Some people really go by looks a lot, and that's subjective. I can't get the Whippet or Greyhound I'd love to have because my husband is creeped out by their looks. I love them, he hates them. But I agree that the puppy cut makes a poodle look much better. I'd sure keep it trimmed close if I had one.

And that story is just more proof that a good protector doesn't need to be a barker. I bet the other guy ran off!

 

[redhen]

Portugese (sp?) water dog...
Knew a lady that brought one to my work everyday... (i worked in a nursing home) So the dog had to be very calm. Loved that dog..very calm and quiet and gentle.
And i dont think they are shedders either...

 

[Xtina]

JustAChickenLittle&More :

Ok Xtina, I have the dog for you : Olde English Bulldog. Neutered. I have two of them, they are not neurotic, they don't bark unless they feel the family is threathened in some way, then watch out the short hair stands up. All dogs shed, but they are very short hair. Yes, they are not good outside in the heat during summer for long periods of time. They are loving, playful, and loyal (males must be neutered). They get along great with kids (your grandkids, etc). Of course you will always have your not so well brought up bullies, so you have to watch what your getting. They are funnier than all get out and they really like to mother(father) you.

Oh, I LOVE bulldogs! Sadly, though, they don't meet a qualification I didn't mention...those dogs have the worst BO! It's so bad, that even though I love them and want to pet them, I can't. I can smell it if one of them rubbed against my pants without even bending over. That smell just lingers! I couldn't keep a dog that I can't pet.

Same reason I don't want a Mastiff, apart from the drooling and shedding. It's such a shame too...two of my neighbors have OEBs, and I just love them, but I love them from afar. I still pet them occasionally, but I have to wash my hands immediately. My own dogs are very clean and barely smell at all. I kind of like the way they smell, actually. Their paws smell like corn chips!

But not all breeds shed! Curly and wirehaired dogs don't shed, or if they do it's very, very minimal hair loss.​

 

[Xtina]

Quote:
I've thought of this before. But I worked with one years ago and I wasn't impressed. It was drooly and kind of pushy. I think it even growled at me, so I was not a big fan. But that was just one dog. I'd give them more chances than that.

 

[Xtina]

You know? I'm really going to look into those Portuguese Water Dogs again. That one experience wasn't enough to put me off them forever and they're so cute. But I have to say I'd hate it if someone thought I was just picking that breed because of the hype over the president having picked the Portuguese Water Dog!

 

[redhen]

Yeah..i think its all inh ow they are raised. This dog stayed at the nursing home for 8+ hours every day with his nurse owner...he had a crate under the desk that he would go to to lay down.. he was soooo gentle and calm with the patients. Dont think i ever heard him bark there either...
His fur was always clean and soft.
I'd give them another look at..

 

[BlacksheepCardigans]

They are unbelievably - UNBELIEVABLY - high-energy. My handler bred them - she always said "Oh, yeah, people come to me and say 'Those dogs are so much fun!' and I say, yes, if fun is complete insanity they are super fun." The people who do well with PWDs are the ones who get a kick out of dogs like that. The President's dog came from one of the best breeders in the US - now sadly passed - and is getting hours of professional training and exercise every single day. He still drags the girls all over the grounds. If you like nutso dogs (and I mean this affectionately; I've had a few crazy ones I really loved) PWDs are a great choice. The people I know who breed and love them are the same kind of people who love the Dalmatians and the big terriers; the humans are high-energy and pushy and smart too. If you want a quiet companion, or you don't like running five miles a day, they're at the exact opposite end of suitability.