A thread about Dogs

[Brenda]

*Disclamer: This thread has nothing to do with cigars, sorry. I know I can go on dog sites but, I'd rather ask you guys.*

I need help. We are looking into getting a dog. But, I don't know what breed to get. I want to find a breed that is loyal, strong, medium build, is not heavier than 80 pounds (I want to be able to pick him up,) a great guard dog, doesn't bark for no particular reason, wont attack cats (I know this should have been the first thing listed :twisted: ,) not hyper, doesn't run off (stays in the yard if I open the gate,) gets along with other dogs, is playful, doesn't need crazy amounts of excercize (walking twice a day will be all it gets,) can be left alone for eight hours, doesn't drool, has a coat that is easy to maintain. The only catch is I want the dog to come from the local animal shelter. So, the don't probably wont be a full breed. Any thoughts?

I had a couple German Shepards (at different times) but, they ran away all the time. I don't know if that is a trait for German Shepards.

What do you like/dislike about your dogs?

 

[jhopephulle]

well my current dog won't qualify as i have a minature schnauzer which is a great dog but back to you i would recomend any labrador they are great dogs that i have had in the past very loyal and easily trained

 

[Spider66]

Brenda, it is going to be tough to find all the traits you want in one particular breed, especially limited to your local shelter. That being said there are normally great pet potential dogs in shelter/rescue animals. Other than size and coat type, most of the things you are looking for are more closely related to training. Most dogs can be trained to the type of behavior you are looking for. (of course every dog has it's own personality that is not always breed specific) On the flip side, the best bread dog can be a nightmare if proper care and training are not provided. Good "people behavior" is not instinctive to dogs, they must be trained to be good "citizens" as well as cooperative companions. Time spent and consistancy of training in the first 1-2 years makes or breaks a great pet dog. This does not have to mean Nazi boot camp training... just consistant inforcement of rules you want the dog to follow. When reinforced with love and timely rewards, this approch is benificial to both you and your dog....just my $0.02 (well, maybe $0.05 )
~S




ps. I recomend getting as young a dog as you can...it is easier to train a dog the way you want than it is to untrain the things you DON"T want

 

[Brenda]

Thanks for the advice. I started this tread because I wanted feedback from folks who have had experience with breeds that I'm not familiar with. I'm definitely going to go thru training with the dog. I'm absolutely, most definitely going to get the dog from the Animal Shelter. I've done searches on the web for the different breeds and their traits. I don't want a dog based on "looks." Working dogs sound like my ideal. I'm leaning towards Retrievers. A Labrador sounds like a great dog!

 

[CastleCrest]

Brenda talk to JJ on the Syndicate,
She is a serious dog trainer (for guide dogs)
Also very friendly.
Tell her CC sent you - if you'd like.
CC

 

[Spider66]

Labs and retrievers are both great breeds. As far as working class dogs go, I am a fan of Border Collies.

 

[jesse52]

Labs/retriever mixed with just about anything will give you a very trainable dog. My dog Torre's dad was a black lab, and her mon was american pit bull. She came from a guy who was going to send them to the animal shelter. I was a little nervous with her being 1/2 pit. But she is the best manored, well trained dog that I have ever had. It is all in how you train them, but I've had quite a few dogs in my life and the labs or retrievers that came from the animal shelter were the best.

 

[SmokePole]

Here's 3 that I've had that come real close to what you want:

1.) border collie. Everything you asked for, except their coat has to be kept brushed (once or twice a week, not every day).

2.) Labs. . .A Lab would be ideal for your specifications.

3.) Beagle/Lab mix. . .a little smaller version of the above (mine is 35 pounds). Nice thing about anthing with beagle in it, is it's a smaller dog, more house-friendly, but acts like a larger dog, they aren't "yippers" like most small dogs.

 

[foodislife]

I gotta give my opinion here. I don't know if the shelters have many of these dogs but we own 2 mini schnauzers. The first one is not a true mini. Must have been bred with a standard, she is 27 lbs. The second is a true pure bred mini, at around 17lbs. Now...these dogs are the best guard dogs, gentle, smart, loving, fun dogs I have ever seen. BUT they bark and if you are not a 100% dog loving to be touched at all times even at night kinda person maybe not. Gezzzzz I guess I dunno. I just love my poopies. A more loyal dog is hard to find. Oh and the cat thing.....nope these may not be the dog for you. Plus their nose is imposible to hide anything from. If you had a piece of candy in your pocket 2 weeks ago, and you even washed the piece of clothing, they still go after it. Well I guess I was a lot of help. :shock:

 

[TexasCanuk]

For a larger dog you can't go wrong with a Springer Spaniel. They are loving and loyal dogs who are very smart.

We live in an apartment so out Cairn Terrier is a fantastic dog to have.

 

[CastleCrest]

Brenda talk to JJ on the Syndicate,
She is a serious dog trainer (for guide dogs)
Also very friendly.
Tell her CC sent you - if you'd like.
CC

jjisaacson?

YES!

 

[BigMike]

Don't tell my wife, or my dog ....

Don't get a Husky or even a Husky-X.

They are cute, wonderfully soft, and really like people. They like every human they ever meet. They also shed continuously, love to run, love to pull, and love everybody.

We had to buy a new vacuum within a week after we brought the dog home from the pound.

Big, 88 lb., Siberian Husky, neutered male. Was about 1 yr old when he got us, now about 6, I guess.

He loves everybody. Knocks children and small adults down, and then licks their faces. He has to be left at a kennel if our grandchildren are visiting, and we can't take him when we visit them.

Will attempt to kill any smaller critter, including cats and even small female dogs. Like my daughter-in-law's. No malice, just likes fresh meat.

When a Husky runs away, he doesn't come back. After all, there is always somebody to like at wherever he runs to.

There all several good dog selection web sites. Also some good Husky web sites that will tell you what to do before your Husky runs away, what to do on the day he runs away, and what to do after he has been gone for a couple of weeks.

Don't get a Husky. Too easy to love, too easy to lose.

 

[Brenda]

Thanks again for all of the advice.

The last time I was at the pound there was this sweet beagle mix. After meeting her I looked up beagles and they sound really cool, too. I'm gonna start volunteering there this week. I may fall in love with one of the above dogs mentioned (I doubt that I'll run into a Husky.)

 

[NoBite]

Brenda talk to JJ on the Syndicate,
She is a serious dog trainer (for guide dogs)
Also very friendly.
Tell her CC sent you - if you'd like.
CC

CastleCrest - I am also interested in the topic of training dogs and always am on the lookout to learn. If this "Syndicate" is open to the public, can you post information on how to seek it out?

 

[CastleCrest]

CastleCrest - I am also interested in the topic of training dogs and always am on the lookout to learn. If this "Syndicate" is open to the public, can you post information on how to seek it out?

Sure thing: http://www.cigarsyndicate.com

JJ is a cigar smoker that works training dogs.
She is a school teacher or principal by day -
She is member there - it is a cigar board.
That said she is very nice and always helpful.
Put up a post and see how many answers you get.
I'd do a intro first -
Good Luck,
CC

 

[Bikeman]

Brenda, if I may intergect, just remember that Beagles are fairly high need dogs. I do not know what breed that mix you saw might be, but I know that a girl at work has two pure bred ones, and she often admits that they are a handfull. That said, they are affectionate and very loyal.

Another very good source of info is the American Kennel Club, they have a good website, and can surely point you in the right direction.

Good Luck.

P.S. We love our little Lhasa -Bichon cross, a little barky, but very attentative, and low maintenance - no shedding, small dog rockets, very little walking involved, and doesn't mind being alone all day in her kennel.

There you go!

 

[iminaquagmire]

[/quote]They are cute, wonderfully soft, and really like people. They like every human they ever meet. They also shed continuously, love to run, love to pull, and love everybody.

When I was younger, my friends and I raced my husky Ameroc on our rollerblades. He always had the time of his life.

Will attempt to kill any smaller critter, including cats and even small female dogs. Like my daughter-in-law's. No malice, just likes fresh meat.

If he got a squirrel or rabbit or something, it took an entire loaf of bread to get him away. Then we still had to dispose of a little furry body.

When a Husky runs away, he doesn't come back. After all, there is always somebody to like at wherever he runs to.

Absolutely. They will run for miles and and miles. After mine got out one time, Animal Control picked them up twenty miles away in the next town the next day.


All this if moot though as Brenda lives in Arizona and if the husky was outside, It would probably die rather quickly from heat stroke. One of mine did one hot summer.

 

[phisherman]

If you get a beagle, keep him or her on a lease. If they catch wiff of a scent they like; they will follow it, even to their own demise. Also, be prepared to be licked, a lot. Lots and lots and lot and lots of licking. I took one in for a couple months as a foster parent. He was just a pup. It was tougher training him than my lab Cody. He had a mind of his own. He actually taught that he could beat up Cody who was triple his size. A lot of moxie in that dog. He was fun, but it was too much to have two dogs in our small house without a fenced in yard. The two dogs would run around the living room for hours and hours. I couldn't even hear myself think. And boy did his farts smell. That little dog could clear a room fast.

 

[Brenda]

LOL! Thanks for the info, Phish. I read Beagles would take off sniffing. And, I also read that they are hard to train. I think I'll keep my eyes out for a Lab, German Shepard, Golden Retriever, Australian Shepard (that's what my dad has,) or a Border Collie.

I know I probably wont find a pure bred dog. A mix with any of the above mentioned would be great, too.

 

[cybrus]

My wife and I also really want to get a dog - our only problem is that we both work and would need a dog that didn't mind being home alone (well, we do have a cat) from 7 to 5.

So, does anyone have any advice on a breed that wouldn't mind 10 hours of solo/cat time and is also cat friendly/neutral?