What dog breed for a family?

[SundownWaterfowl]

Golden Retriever. They are the perfect family dog, and are wonderful with other dogs and children.

 

[okiehen]

Boston Terrier
Truly an "All-American" dog, the Boston Terrier is a lively and highly intelligent breed with an excellent disposition. Conveying an impression of determination, strength and activity.
The Boston has been nicknamed "the American Gentleman" because of his dapper appearance, characteristically gentle disposition and suitability as companion and house pet. They require only a moderate amount of exercise and a minimum amount of grooming. The breed is easy to train and they are easy keepers, preferring to remain by their owner’s sides.
The Boston Terrier is a friendly and lively dog. The breed has an excellent disposition and a high degree of intelligence, which makes the Boston Terrier an incomparable companion.

 

[SillyChicken]

Quote:

NO

NO

NO!!!! IT WAS NOT THE CANE CORSO! IT WAS THE PRESA CANARIO...... sorry, defensive passions

! Everytime you see something like that...on one breed of dog, the media make a blanket comment adding... and a similar breed, blah blah blah... that dog automatically, gets a bad rap too.

 

[NoelTate]

Every dog is going to be different, so there is never a guarantee of one's temperament or personality. Every human is different and will, therefore, like different qualities in a dog. My own personal opinion is that the best dog anyone can get is a cocker spaniel mix. Cockers should be very loyal, gentle, and loving. They are equally happy being playful and energetic or being a lapdog. They are extremely versatile, adaptable dogs. Being a medium sized dog, they are not as fragile as a small dog or as hard to handle as a large dog. Unfortunately, they have inherent health problems associated with their breed (cherry eye, weak bladders, susceptibility to cancer). Getting a cocker cross tends to keep the good traits along with eliminating some of the susceptibility to health problems. A cocker mix from the pound or a rescue group gets my vote!

 

[ChickenFanaticAB]

I will also vote for a rat terrier or a rat terrier mix, although I think that if you go look at some shelter dogs, I am sure you would be able to find one that would work perfectly. I love golden retrievers, but they are a pretty high energy breed, and if you don't have much space, they could become destructive. If you have the time for long walks every day, though, a golden would probably be a good choice. I had rat terriers growing up, and they are great! Protective, but once you let them know someone is ok, they will be ok, they were always good with any other children that came over, and they were great with our other pets. Plus, they're cute!

 

[bumpershoot]

I am just going to tough briefly on the Cana Corsos in San Fran. Those dogs were sold to folks who didn't have a clue. The dogs had had "issues" previously, owners were retards and living with not one but TWO working dogs in an appt complex with no space for training. The dogs were exercised on on the roof and had already been a problem in the complex. You could take the sweetest family dog and have problems under those conditions. The owners deserved going to jail.

On how to find a dog...I grew up with big dogs (Borzoi and Vizla) and never met a dog I was afraid of. I had met dogs I would not mess with, but not afraid of. Hubby grew up with Australian Terriers and had been bit at 5 AND BLAMED FOR BEING BIT

by a German Sheppard who was a known biter. So, when I said I wanted a dog, what he wanted and what I wanted were two different things. GS was definitely off the list because I didn't want DH to live with a dog he was afraid of even if I'd never met one I didn't like. So, I did two things that made a huge difference in what breed I picked. I listed all the things I wanted in a dogs and all the things I would not live with in a dog. I then took that list to dog shows and chatted with breeders. Now, the dogs show I picked happed to be the Cow Palace in SF, so it was huge, but a good breeder at any show will listen and tell you if they think their dogs are a good fit or send you over to one that they think might be. If they try to sell you a dog on the spot: run. Once you've met a lot of dogs that are purebred and mixes you will start to see a pattern in what you like and what will not work for you. NEVER take a dog to "fix". You're not going to be able to. If Fifi is afraid as a baby you are going to have work work work on your hands and a potential fear biter. Find a dog that knows where it's place is on this earth. Not pushy, just content. See if the dog likes YOUR kids. If the dogs looks at you like, "no, REALLY? PLEASE make them go away!" Go away and don't come back. I'd take the ugliest dog on the planet if it had a good temperament. I also know that I do not have the personality to live with a Golden or Lab. The dogs aren't bad, in fact, I have a friend who has a Lab that I adore but COULD NOT LIVE WITH. Know yourself and what you need and you will find a dog that's a good fit.

 

[bumpershoot]

Quote:

NO

NO

NO!!!! IT WAS NOT THE CANE CORSO! IT WAS THE PRESA CANARIO...... sorry, defensive passions

! Everytime you see something like that...on one breed of dog, the media make a blanket comment adding... and a similar breed, blah blah blah... that dog automatically, gets a bad rap too.

YOUR RIGHT! UUUGGGG!!!! Totally forgot! Those people were so amazingly stupid though...I think the world could agree on that. Prime examples of who should NOT own a dog.

Edited to add, I remember at that time if a person owned a short haired, "pit bull" or "mastiff" type dog you were considered to have committed the crime. Made me crazy. But, enough. Those folks are doing the jail time they deserve.

 

[SillyChicken]

Quote:
LOL, you're serious right?... it was NOT the CANE CORSO! Please read my post above and please stop giving me heart attacks people!!

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

I will ALWAYS suggest breeds that I've had:

Labradors (THE best breed out there!)
Great Danes (Second only to the Labs!)
Mutts: Anything with Labrador in it!

 

[SillyChicken]

Quote:

NO

NO

NO!!!! IT WAS NOT THE CANE CORSO! IT WAS THE PRESA CANARIO...... sorry, defensive passions

! Everytime you see something like that...on one breed of dog, the media make a blanket comment adding... and a similar breed, blah blah blah... that dog automatically, gets a bad rap too.

YOUR RIGHT! UUUGGGG!!!! Totally forgot! Those people were so amazingly stupid though...I think the world could agree on that. Prime examples of who should NOT own a dog.

LOL, I couldn't agree with you more!