Thinking about a new dog - need breed help

[cmb19]

I have had 2 labs in my life (it's a short life, I'm only 26) but they are by far my favorite breed. I do, however, love all (ok nearly all) dogs and have a big ole list of breeds I someday want. The lab I have now is a chicken, but she's only 2 and is much better about being somewhat threatening when someone shows up. She will bark now when someone knocks on the door, unlike when she was a puppy.

When she was probably 6 months old, her and I were home alone and she started freaking out and acting terrified of my kitchen. I just thought maybe she heard something since I couldn't see anyone or anything. The next morning I went outside and I had huge footprints come up my driveway, down my sidewalk and stop outside my kitchen window. Since she barked a little (she was terrified and normally didn't bark) the guy left instead of trying to get in my window.

She loves everyone, but WILL let me know when someone is here, and I think if someone actually broke in she'd protect me as best she could.

I would love to have a Dobie for the same reasons you have discussed, but my husband is afraid of the "big scary" breeds, so no pits, rotties, or dobies for me. I have been trying to convince him of a Rhodesian Ridgeback...maybe look into that breed for yourself?

 

[Frogdogtimestwo]

Quote:
Men are so silly sometimes does this look scary?

or this

She is the biggest lover to her family, strangers not so much and that's what we wanted!

 

[cmb19]

I've tried to tell him that all those dogs are sweet and adorable and not dangerous...I'm honestly not even sure why he's afraid of them, I don't think he's ever been attacked. I grew up with a family friend's rottie, I loved that dog..been around several dobies too, although I have seen several "not friendly" dobes, I still want one. He HATES pits..one of those "every pit will attack and kill people.

The funny thing is I've talked him into GSDs, but I haven't 100% decided to get one as our next dog because I'm afraid that I'M not a good enough trainer for a breed like that.

 

[itsmyobsession]

I have 2 miniature dachshunds as well, 1 is 10 and the other is 4. About 3 months ago we added a Great Dane to our little canine family and it works great. Great Danes are a very gentle patient loving breed of dog and he is great with the doxies and especially with the older one. I would recommend this breed to anyone looking for a great large breed dog.

 

[hollyclyff]

Dobies aren't scary looking at all to me! They're beautiful. I've wanted one since I was a kid and our neighbor had one that washed out of guard dog duties at his store. I was crazy about that dog. But while I putz around trying to convince myself that one won't grow up and kill my pipsqueak dachshund if she tries to start something, my daughter is moving in for the kill with the golden. I can't get her interested in a smooth coated dog - she likes hairy. But since I love goldens too, I guess I can't really complain.

 

[Higins00]

I can't find my chick pics but my boxer sounds just like what you want. He is a loving family dog that is kind to all of our animals including hampster, snake, birds, ect. Will kill a possum or skunk if he finds one to protect the girls but will not touch any of our animals. He will bark when a stranger comes but will jump and lick them when we tell him it's ok. Plus they are cute!

 

[TLWR]

Our scary doberman

Though I'm sure he looks like less of a wuss when somebody he doesn't know is on the other side of our front door and he goes off running to the door barking like a madman!

 

[4 the Birds]

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I will second the Great Dane. We have min dachshund and two cats that live in the house with our Dane. They all live in harmony together. Danes are big and intimidating to strangers. They are very gentle around kids and wary of strangers with a big deep bark. We also have a cattle dog, shepherd, and a rescue pit bull. The Dane plays with all and is a natural Alpha due to its size. By the way.... The Dane is classified in the Giant not the Large dog breed. These giant dogs can require special needs and diets. Ours often eats a few pounds of raw meat a day.

 

[RiverOtter]

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A golden won't necessarily be a safer path. What your worry is going to be is 2 fold. Growing pup challenging the status quot as it matures and large pup bounciness. Either breed you'll just have to watch for it.

About the male/female. There are rather few breeds that it is felt you MUST stagger sexes to avoid same sex aggression. Akitas, Saints and GSDs come to mind. And yet I know those who keep intact, same sex dogs of all those breeds. I think it boils down to handler ability/affinity for the breed. And I also know members of MANY breeds, including mutts, who display same sex aggression. Neutering cuts down on a lot of it. But no breed is totally immune. My rescue Golden tried it when he got old enough to realize he was a boy. Got a firm WHAT are you thinking and gave it up. Would he have pushed it if it hadn't been nipped in the bud? Maybe.

Please keep in mind that in a very common, popular breed like the Golden, you see a lot more non-standard temperaments. My poor fellow had every (and I do mean every) health issue known to Goldens - but lucked out and got that lovely, sunshiney Golden temperament. I've known fear biters and excessively dominant ones. Don't count on getting good temperament just because a dog is a ____. Know your breeder or spend a lot of time with the individual dog at the rescue.

Honestly, the Dobies that I have known don't need the very firm leadership that your average GSD would. LOL, the mental images I get of Dobies are these. Two intact males, literally "junkyard dogs" wiggling themselves to pieces when I approached them properly (If I had fearfully slunk up to them I'd have been met with teeth) Their owner winked and me and said "Don't tell, they know people who know dogs."
And Sampson, who I used to petsit for, he lived with a Sheltie, a Lhasa and an assortment of small critters. He adored when I brought 3yo DD to visit him. He would smile happily as she crawled under him over and over, spreading his legs as she crawled front to back and would turn his head to lick her as she popped up.

LOL, it boils down to "pick your poison" I adore both breeds. I joke that Goldens get their sweet right away, but their smart doesn't get shipped to them for a couple of years. They are huge, exuberant, bouncy, happy, muddy, chewing machines for about 2 years.
Dobies mentally mature a little faster, but they will try the "Oh, did you say something?" routine. And "Fine, I'll sit when I'm not busy" - if you let them get away with it.
Both breeds are prone to lots of health problems and if you want a Dobie, stick to black and red, the other colors are known for far too many problems with skin and teeth.

 

[hollyclyff]

I showed my daughter dobie pictures (including the ones in this thread) and tried to talk them up and get her interested, but she's stuck on a golden. But it's a moot point now because my husband came home from work yesterday and told me to start looking for a golden retriever breeder. That was quicker than I thought it would be, but I know he's always loved the breed.

So, I sent out an email to my dachshund breeder friends for suggestions on breeders. I've got a couple of names so far. There's also a show coming up at the end of March where I can meet breeders, so I guess the search is on for the perfect pup.