****does anyone know this breed of dog personaly?presa canario-update*****

[watchdogps]

i don't think the livestock dogs will work for the kids.they are so serious and don't really play,at least not the ones i know.not sure how they would be if the kids were its job tho.
i have only met one BMD and it was owned by a vet.this dog was a handful to say the least.always challenging her and even hurting her.now i wouldn't have put up with that but maybe twice so it was probably just her and not the dog.
newfies are a delight,i forgot about those.i just wonder how they would do in Ga heat and it would be in the house.i can handle the hair but don't know about the drool.i could do a lip tuck,tho.
my son is 6 and daughter is 3.he is ready for a dog to grow up with.he is putting my heeler on a leash and feeding her and walking her.but she still only responds if i say its ok.

i just have a picture in my head of the kids and a big hairy dog.IDK

The LGDs dont "play", you are right. They do enjoy kids and are gentle with them, but I usually say they treat the kids as if they were THEIR pets, not vice versa.

Berners arent usually like that, she may have gotten a lemon!

The heat could be a real concern for most of the breeds you like. Newfs, Leos, BMDs, bullmastiffs are all fairly intolerant of heat

 

[dinahmoe]

agreed,this will be his dog to take care of.
it has to fit into our lifestyle and needs as well so breed is important
.

i love collies.don't see many of them anymore but they are good dogs.

My suggestion is really about having your kids do the feeding and obedience training so the dog(s) bond to them rather than just you.

 

[Brindlebtch]

There are some very nice rough and smooth collies out there! They can be very personable dogs.

 

[watchdogps]

I dont know why more people dont have smooth collies. Instead they get roughs and either shave them or dont take care of their coats. I dont do herding breeds, but I do think the smooths are overlooked.

 

[dainerra]

watchdog, I think a lot of people buy dogs for the "look" and don't think that the smooth coat looks like a collie. They want Lassie like they saw on TV. Also, a lot of people don't realize that there ARE smooth coated collies. Again, a matter of not doing research.

OP, I might have missed. How old are the kids? GSDs are a good possibility if you are an experienced dog handler. No responsible breeder, though, is likely to sell you 2 pups of ANY breed unless you jump through some major hoops to prove that you have a plan to handle it. With 2 pups, you have to keep them separated pretty much constantly for the first several months. Otherwise, they are going to be more bonded with each other. And with GSDs you WANT to go with a good breeder. Hips, DM, and other genetic diseases are huge problems in the breed. Temperament is another huge issue. Lots of people only see BYB-type dogs with sketchy skittish temperaments. A good breeder will pick out a puppy for you who will fit in with your family.
LOTS and LOTS of training. And then train some more. GSD pups can be very nippy, being a herding breed. You can't be rough with them, but firm and fair.
They are good with kids. Good with livestock. IF you get a good dog. They will need a job though. Even if that job is watching over the kids, they need to keep their minds active. Get the kids involved in training and working with the dogs. Like all dogs, they are individuals and some might have just too much prey drive to handle chickens. Another reason to go with a responsible breeder who will match you with the right puppy.

Another option for a GSD would be going with a rescue. Get a slightly older dog, 1-2 years, that has been in a foster home. Has proven to be good with kids and other animals. Again, some rescues have strict rules - most will consider things on an individual basis, but others are purely black and white in their thinking.
Remember, you get what you pay for. Spend the cash up front, not on vet bills later




ETA: did I mention not to buy a GSD from the paper? I'll say it again, don't shop based on price! Shop based on the dogs the breeder is using. Look at titles, look at the breeder, look at what they are hoping to accomplish, and most of all, look at the health testing.

 

[Artemis Fowl]

Ah a boy and his dog! There is nothing better then having a dog to grow up with, but what's with all the somewhat exotic breeds? What about a Labrador? If you get your son a lab I promise he'll have a best friend for life! If it was my son and I was unsure of what breed to get I would choose the breed that I have the most experience with and in your case that's a blue heeler. Whatever choice you do make just do the research and good luck with your new pup!

 

[Kaitie09]

Have you looked at a well bred labrador. They will automatically be the boy's best friend, love to play, and if brought up around the livestock from the time they are puppies, they can be trained to leave them alone. They are very easygoing and will do practically anything to please you.

ETA: just saw the above post...X2

 

[dinahmoe]

are they protective?

There are some very nice rough and smooth collies out there! They can be very personable dogs.

 

[dinahmoe]

Ah a boy and his dog! There is nothing better then having a dog to grow up with, but what's with all the somewhat exotic breeds? What about a Labrador? If you get your son a lab I promise he'll have a best friend for life! If it was my son and I was unsure of what breed to get I would choose the breed that I have the most experience with and in your case that's a blue heeler. Whatever choice you do make just do the research and good luck with your new pup!

for both of you ,yes i have thought of a well bred lab.i would love a black one named Cash.but how protective would he be.my son loves the woods and i would love to see him walk off with a dog behind him but i would think if a stranger walked up to them the lab would probably introduce him.i have never met a lab that didn't love everybody.

Have you looked at a well bred labrador. They will automatically be the boy's best friend, love to play, and if brought up around the livestock from the time they are puppies, they can be trained to leave them alone. They are very easygoing and will do practically anything to please you.

ETA: just saw the above post...X2

 

[dinahmoe]

we talked about it and are just getting one pup right now.maybe one for my daught late next year that way this one can bond with the kids and not the other puppy.so ithink she will get a rabbit.
beautiful picture of the rabbits and the beast.

GSD are very protective and smart.when i was in the Army working with the Secret Service,we vetted the dogs.amazing dogs but these dogs came from Holland and were healthy as a horse.i have also seen alot of american dogs with bad hips and neurotic.i know i would have to research the breeders,as with any dog and believe me ,we will do that.if only i could afford the $10,000 Holland dogs.lol

watchdog, I think a lot of people buy dogs for the "look" and don't think that the smooth coat looks like a collie. They want Lassie like they saw on TV. Also, a lot of people don't realize that there ARE smooth coated collies. Again, a matter of not doing research.

OP, I might have missed. How old are the kids? GSDs are a good possibility if you are an experienced dog handler. No responsible breeder, though, is likely to sell you 2 pups of ANY breed unless you jump through some major hoops to prove that you have a plan to handle it. With 2 pups, you have to keep them separated pretty much constantly for the first several months. Otherwise, they are going to be more bonded with each other. And with GSDs you WANT to go with a good breeder. Hips, DM, and other genetic diseases are huge problems in the breed. Temperament is another huge issue. Lots of people only see BYB-type dogs with sketchy skittish temperaments. A good breeder will pick out a puppy for you who will fit in with your family.
LOTS and LOTS of training. And then train some more. GSD pups can be very nippy, being a herding breed. You can't be rough with them, but firm and fair.
They are good with kids. Good with livestock. IF you get a good dog. They will need a job though. Even if that job is watching over the kids, they need to keep their minds active. Get the kids involved in training and working with the dogs. Like all dogs, they are individuals and some might have just too much prey drive to handle chickens. Another reason to go with a responsible breeder who will match you with the right puppy.

Another option for a GSD would be going with a rescue. Get a slightly older dog, 1-2 years, that has been in a foster home. Has proven to be good with kids and other animals. Again, some rescues have strict rules - most will consider things on an individual basis, but others are purely black and white in their thinking.
Remember, you get what you pay for. Spend the cash up front, not on vet bills later




ETA: did I mention not to buy a GSD from the paper? I'll say it again, don't shop based on price! Shop based on the dogs the breeder is using. Look at titles, look at the breeder, look at what they are hoping to accomplish, and most of all, look at the health testing.