Thinking about a new dog - need breed help

[hollyclyff]

We recently lost our oldest dog, but still have two female miniature dachshunds. One is very submissive, the other can be a bit scrappy with other dogs she doesn't know. We have just started talking about another dog and we're still in the discussion stages for sure. I've had mostly dachshunds all my life, a couple of miniature schnauzers, a collie, and I lived with a golden retriever for a year. My husband has only had the dachshunds because he never had a dog growing up. I used to show my dachshunds and bred a couple of litters, but decided I didn't really want to do that any more and both my girls are now spayed. They are 7 and 9 years old. We have a 14 year old daughter who grew up with dogs since birth. Other pets include two barn cats, horses, a bearded dragon, turtles and chickens. We are looking to get a large dog this time and we need it to get along with our other animals. The chickens, bearded dragon and turtles aren't so much a concern because they are all penned or caged away from the dogs, but the cats, horses, and dachshunds are. Our house is on 4 acres of land, but the fenced area is about the size of a typical subdivision backyard. Our fence is a standard 4 foot fence, part privacy, part chain link. We have considered putting in invisible fencing around a larger area as well. Daily walks are not a problem. I want a dog that can go out to the barn with me and stay with me and not chase or bark at my horses or cats. I would also like a dog that is easier to train than a dachshund for a change. My daughter wants a golden - plain and simple - that's all she's considered. Having lived with one that I liked a lot, I'm in favor of them as well. My husband loves them, but he wants a dog that will be a bit protective if need be. Our house has been broken into as well as our truck - we suspect by our neighbor's 20 year old son. I don't think a golden is going to qualify there. I'm not interested in pit bulls, rotties or German shepherds. My daughter is afraid of them (with good reason in her case) and pits and rotties just don't appeal to me at all anyway. I prefer the predictability of a well-bred purebred although I wouldn't necessarily turn down a mix if I happened to meet the right one.

Breeds we've considered and reasons why we aren't sure they would work - I like Dobermans but I'm concerned about one getting along with my other dogs and cats. I've also considered various large hound breeds, but the cats concern me as well as the hound tendency to not be particularly reliable off leash. Not that I plan to let a dog loose unsupervised at all, but I'd like a dog that's not too difficult to train to stay with me outdoors and not run off after the first squirrel to cross it's path. I had a collie and I don't want another one. My husband suggested German shepherds but my daughter was almost attacked by a friend's dog and is afraid of them and I'm not sure how one would be with my dachshunds. Goldens and labs are a consideration except for my husband's desire for something that would be protective - not an attack dog, just something that would offer some protection if really needed - or maybe just look like it would offer protection. The protection thing is not an issue for me.

What are y'all's thoughts? Any suggestions?

 

[Bossroo]

We had 3 Boxers , one at a time...will bond with family members, be great protectors ( once shown the property boundaries, family members and livestock/pets ) and very smart so easy to train. Their short hair makes them very easy to take care of. We never experienced any health problems with ours. We raised horses and had cats, chickens and rabbits with no problems from the dogs. Play time... Our 3 kids as well as all of their friends would get under the blanket and the Boxers would "attack" them, growling, shaking the blanket, kids laughing, and one would think that world war 3 broke out... but NEVER a nip or scratch.

 

[FireTigeris]

I just adopted a 45 mph couch potato- I have cats and rabbits and chickens.

She's beautiful and not graceful ... at all

She's timid and was trained a standing stay when touched, yield at any doorway/threshold to human, and to walk at heel (w/o leash) although outside that's crazy.

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

I love Dobies but every one I have ever had developed heart problems, including my current baby, who is only 9. My Dobies were all great obedience dogs. All were trained schutzhund. They ARE manstoppers. None of mine especially liked small children--they are noisy and jump around a lot and this always seemed to worry the dogs. In fact, one of my guys would retreat to the bedroom and shut the door until the noisy kids left! He just did NOT approve of all the chaos.

While I have always had dogs and always had horses, I have never mixed the 2. To me, it's an accident waiting to happen, so I cannot offer any experience mixing Dobies and horses. However, when I was showing, I often set the dogs guarding the trailer. Amazing how nothing ever went missing when I did that. Occasionally show grounds would not allow the dogs. Those were the only places I ever "lost" equipment.

We also had cats for years and years, and the dogs never bothered them once I told them the cats were off-limits. Chasing or bothering them was never a problem. In fact they often slept on the couch together. One thing I have never been able to do is keep my Dobies off my bed. If I am in bed, so are they. Ditto the couch. If I'm on it, I've got a dog in my lap or as close to it as they can squeeze themselves, or they're draped over my feet on the ottoman. (And the cat is generally draped around my neck!)

Also, each of my Dobies has picked out one person for himself and devotes himself to that one person. He treats everyone well and respects everyone in the household, but he has his own person and that is who he follows from room to room and generally attaches himself to.

Hope some of this is helpful.


Rusty

 

[breezy]

My boxers are versatile dogs. Great with family and friends . With a little training they understand the chickens are off limits and have never gone for them. They are great watch dogs and notify me when they see anything out of the ordinary and I have no doubt that my older boxer would get between me and harms way if she had to. They do need a firm gentle hand. For all of their rough and boisterous play they can be an emotionally sensitive dog. Harsh punitive training methods will cause them to shut down or be fearful. Basic obediance is a must and once they have it down they are solid with it.
You mentioned dobies. I loved my dobies and found them to be amazing animals that are quick to train,love to learn and highly responsive. They live to serve but they can be pretty snarky with other dogs and that dog to dog aggression can lead to some ugly encounters.

I think really that any dog can meet any expectations of it given proper training and handling and that is the key. Just my opinion

 

[bagendhens]

a shep might be a great idea if your daughter could get over her fear...
my suggestion would be try and find some good local breeders and take her along to meet the breeders dogs, you wouldnt ant to buy from a breeder whos breeding adults were "agressive" meeting some nice sheps (and seeing some adorable sheperd puppies) might get your daughter over the fear. overall a well raised, well bred, well socilized shep would be a great family, "guard' and "farm" dog...its what they were made for.

i do love dobies too, make sure any breeder you look at with dobies does extensive health testing, there prone to alot of health issues if not properly genetic tested...
as long as you spay/neuter there shouldnt be a problem with the other dogs. intact dobies can be same sex agressive...so spay/neuter. they are goofy as puppies though

 

[taraann81]

Get a bully!!! Best dogs I've ever had!

Or a saint for the utter cuteness! They get along great with cats

 

[bagendhens]

gives big smushy kisses to those big smushy bully faces!

 

[lemurchaser]

I would say some sort of pit bull/ bully breed, but mine are lousy guard dogs. I took my female pit bull through the American Temperament Test. The end of the test is a threatening stranger approaches, and yeah, she hid behind me. She does at least bark if someone knocks. The male pit bull mix doesn't even bark. He just looks tough... at least until he flops over for a belly rub.

What about a great dane or bullmastiff? Or maybe just some large shelter mixed breed dog.

 

[RiverOtter]

I've yet to meet a Dobie that I didn't love - and in my line of work, I rarely even get to meet particularly well bred ones. They either are or can be very lovely dogs (I train "borderline" dogs, groom and pet sit)

Have you thought about a Flat-coat Retriever? They are very like a Golden in temperment (of more field lines) but with some Big Black Dog syndrome. img/smilies/wink.png" alt="wink" />">http://www.fcrsainc.org/

Basically, if a Big Black Dog barks at someone, they don't take 3 more steps towards it to see if it will happily wiggle. White teeth show up very well in a black dog and that's as far as most people get.