What breed dog to get/avoid?

[Junkmanme]

GET a "Boxer". Boxers are "The BEST" Family Dogs EVER !!!!

-Junkmanme-

 

[EweSheep]

Quote:
Out of all the collies that I've had and my family raised and showed Rough Collies, the smooth collie is my first choice when kids are considered. If we got the time and money to devote in a smooth collie, it would be the first one to join.
I've had relatives owning Labs, both Golden and Rev. they are too hyper...it must be the bloodlines. They are so strung out that a sight slam of the door would make them nervous and jumpy. However they do LOVE to manhandle and lick people with their "overaffectionate" personality LOL!

Borzois are my favorite, over the Collies but not suitable for kids...they can not take the roughhousing or yelling and screaming of boisterous kids. I do not know about Greyhounds and where they would fit in.

 

[tothemoon]

We have a boxer, he is so funny, a lot of entertainment and very loving. However they do like to welcome you home and play and I dont think they would be a good idea around small children, they would never hurt anyone but they have a lot of power and can knock a kid off thier feet easily! I know, because I saw my boxer do it a few times!! My precious baby is a bassett hound, George. He is so adorable and loving. They can get a lil large (around 65 lbs) but mine is closer to the 55 lb range. I have been told that they are hard to house train but I really didnt have much of a problem with mine. I found it rather funny when he did pee on the carpet, he just walked around peeing and it looked like he was trying to write on the rug! I kept the carpet shampooer out and handy and would just run it over the mess while he was being house trained. They do like to be outside, a large country setting would be the best for a bassett. You cant beat the love you get from them!!! I will always have a boxer and a bassett around, 2 of the best dogs as far as im concerned.

 

[greyhorsewoman]

Corgis are a great family dog. They are smart, easy to train, great with kids, and easy maintenance. They are 'big' dogs in a smaller package.

 

[pamperedpoultry]

Quote:
I'll have to agree we've had boxers before and they are wonderful wonderful!! with kids, and A blast!!

Oh and I'm partial to Australian Shepherds. Their good family dogs as well. Easy to train but the hair might be a problem.

 

[lemurchaser]

Be really careful in your screening of the "doodle" breeds (goldendoodle, labradoodle). I've been a dog trainer for years and the variation in these dogs amazes me. I've seen from aggressive, to well adjusted, to super-fearful. They can range from horribly hyper, to absolutely lazy, from nippy to calm, and everything in between. The retrievers are very mouth oriented and the poodles have a nervous energy that can come out in nasty ways. If you want a dog that doesn't chew this breed could be your worst nightmare, or may never chew... you just don't know.

Working at a doggy daycare, the one type of dog that I had to tell the owners they couldn't come back with the most often were doodles. They'd "nip"/bite during play and break skin (other dogs occasionally needed stitches), which was obviously grounds for instant removal from the daycare.

So meet the breeders dogs, ask to meet some of the puppy owners from previous litters (remembering you'll only get to meet satisfied customers), and get an idea of the temperaments they are producing.

My general "good family dog" recommendations are (in no specific order): Golden Retriever (from NON-WORKING/hunting lines), cavalier king charles spaniel, pug, basset hound, greyhound (choose carefully if you have cats), boston terrier.

I wouldn't look at housebreaking speed as a consideration, but definitely take chewing into consideration. Look at what the breed was bred for. Was it bred to put things in its mouth? If so, chewing may be a bigger issue. This is one of my biggest peeves as a trainer, when people truly seem shocked when their dog does what it was bred to do (my beagle barks, my border collie nips kids when they run, my terrier digs, my retriever chews... well not surprising!). So read about the breeds, think about what this means to live with this. Some of it it trainable, absolutely, but you're fighting an uphill battle.

As far as housebreaking, read up on some of the positive ways to housebreak. It involves preventing accidents, rewarding appropriate elimination, and being consistent . It shouldn't take too long, but EVERY dog is different. My one dog took 6 months (and hasn't had an accident since), my other dog took 3 days. I had a foster pup that was reliable at 5 weeks old! It's like kids, some get bladder control early and are good about it, others wet the bed until they're 7. It is a learned behavior, but it depends on physical development as well.
Here's some great info: http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/product/way-to-go-how-to-house-train-a-dog-of-any-age
And her Puppy Primer is one of the best "how to raise a puppy" booklet, that I've ever read.

 

[Skyesrocket]

Due to divorce, moving, allergies and the economy there are younger adult already trained dogs in need of homes. Breed traits will give you a good idea of how a dog will turn out, but each dog is different. It's a gamble you take with a puppy of any breed.
Try posting a wanted ad without mentioning a specific breed. Describe your home situation with children and chickens and anything else important. Then, go meet the dogs in person. You might just come up with that one in a million dog that is perfect for your family.
Good Luck in your search!

 

[Crazyland]

Hmmm I am biased a bit as I have 3 German shepherds. My 40 pound female could pull you around the yard if she wanted! She is very strong for such a little dog. She is a rescue and we are working on her. lol
But my son could walk my two males and they are between 60-70lbs. I even have a picture of him when he was 2 walking them. Finding a well bred GSD doesn't have to be expensive and they are not supposed to be big.
As for grooming a weekly brushing is all they need and mine are long haired. They just blow coat twice a year and that takes just a little more brushing. Most dogs do this.

Corgis are German Shepherds in a miniature package.

Another dog to look into would be a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. One of the few breeds that mention in the breed standard that they have to be good with kids. I have a staffie mix and she is awesome! Small, Lots of get up and go, easy to maintain, Training has been easy with her too. She is very people oriented.

 

[Andi]

Quote:
I didn't know that. I wouldn't have guessed it, but then I've never had one or known one. Thanks for mentioning it. There's things to be learned by all!

 

[Overeasyplz]

I support pugs as the breed of choice because they are just so darn humorus! Mai and Scooter know when they have the spotlight and really ham it up. Scooter loves the kids so much he will follow them everywheer. Mai plays dress up with my daughter, she is so easygoing. Pugs are smart but can be stubborn, as long as you make your point clear to them they usually listen. Scooter was easy to housetrain but having Snowball helped. Now Snowball herself was extremely easy to train as Jack Russel Terriers are Super-smart. I think if she had thumbs she could open doors. She as a one track mind when it comes to her duties though. She is an excellent mouser And she loves the kids too, kids are fun and throw sticks for her. She is a great dog.