We are seriously thinking of getting a dog after Christmas. We would like one that will be just right for our family of 5 plus a cat who has a definite attitude.

Can you suggest a dog that you would like to have or do have?

My family raised rottweilers for show and breeding for years. You need to be very careful with checking their lineage before buying, there is a lot of inbreeding within the breed and it is very bad to get an animal that is that big and powerful and have him be inbred and stupid. We had a wonderful female Weinmerana that was a wonderfully loyal and gentle animal. One of my favorites was a beagle/Jack Russle terrier mix. He was smart, loyal etc and literally active like a puppy until the day he died at 14. Keep in mind large, full breed dogs tend to lead shorter lives-Rottweilers average 8-10 years, and certain breeds are more susceptible to individual medical issues-dalmations are more likely to be deaf, etc. Really research before you buy, especially a full breed, and if possible, it's great to adopt from a shelter. Now I'm done!:D

We have a black lab and he's friendly toward cats.

Basset hounds love cats. My parents bought me one when I was 6 weeks old and w have had one every since. They have a Basset and a doxie now, and 4 cats. My brother has a basset and 2 cats. They all get along great.

Angie:paw:

I had a MUTT, Peachie, she was a fox terrier and husky mix. But she loved my kitties. She thought they were her personal play things! My oldest cat, Bubbie, cleaned her head and ears all the time and played with her.

If you want a loveable one, I suggest the pound or shelter. Get a puppy that will grow up with a cat/kitten and they will get along great. Mutts make the bestest pets! JMHO

Mine is Blue tick hound, she is such a good dog, before her was a beagle, *a bagel as myriah called her* she was an excellent dog except for the howling, my parents have two of the best dogs, oh never mind they hate cats, LOL they are husky, and wolf mix. We had a dalmation and they can be tempermental they don't really have a high rate of deafness *is that a word* ours was because she was beaten before we got her.
defantly check the shelter. keep us posted

Somewhere there is a website that has a questionaire about your preferences, then lists breeds of dog that are compatible with your lifestyle.

We were looking for a lab mix, even though I didn't want that big of dog especially. We ended up with a dachsund/beagle mix that is just right, and she was free!

We have a shih-tzu named Baby and she is absolutely the best! She is soooo sweet.

We have the world's best dog...she's a poodle ;). She lurves our cats, loves kids, loves everyone that comes to the house. Check out this site Cj.
www.dogbreedinfo.com

Australian Shepherds! We have two black tri's and one red merle. They are the best!

http://www.asca.org/

http://www.australianshepherds.org/

http://aussierescue.leepfrog.com/


We found Charlie (the one we adopted/rescued a couple of months ago) through this link - www.petfinder.com

We have a beagle puppy- our first dog. It is a purebred, and was given to my daughter. He is a very sweet dog, very smart, and is very happy as long as he is by our side. He loves our 2 cats- wants to play with them all the time. However, his chewing is driving me crazy. Beagles tend to be very high energy, so keep this in mind.

Siberian Husky is not a good choice. We had one and she hated all other animals except dogs, killed chickens if given a chance, and was not good around other peoples children, also extremely hard-headed and would run off if you didn't watch her every second. I would not recommend a husky to anyone.
My in-laws have always had labrador retrievers and they are great dogs, they are very easy to train, have great personality, and have always been super with kids, and they get along with cats. They also make good guard dogs without actually biting anyone, just bark and look fierce.

Golden Retriever would be my choice with kids..probably ok with cats as long as theyre introduced early...My golden was really smart and was a beautiful dog..

I definately think for all round health, easyness and friendlyness a MUTT - yep! Although any dog can be touchy so best to check them out first (but that goes without saying)

My last dog was a boxer cross, from a rescue home and she was so good natured with everyone, the kids really pi$$ed her off and she never once raised an eyebrow! AND we bought two cats (adults) into the house when we'd had her years and after 'they' started on her a few times :eek: everything was fine :)

I now have a Staffie pup, beautiful dog and good with the kids, BUT not recommended with cats or other dogs although there are of course loads of exceptions again! AND very distructive!!! Although I'm told she'll grow out of it - Just wondering WHEN lol

Good Luck anyway whatever you choose :smball:

Golden Labs or Golden Retrievers both of whom have the sweetest mildest dispositions, are great with kids, very easy to train (they are the guide dog breed of choice for these reasons), and are unflappable in normal circumstances-- Laid back, super calm dogs.

You might call them explosion proof dogs. That is the breed I'd recommend to anyone with young children.

They are very loyal and devoted, and are particularly fond of the family's children veiwing them as their own puppies in some way.

They don't have high needs for excersize as the terriers tend to, and the border collies, husky, Samoyeds do. So if you are ill and can't walk them, they won't go stir crazy, they will do their business in the yard, and not fuss.

Some breeds need more excersize and training and interaction with their owners than other breeds do

Some are more high strung and apt to bark and bite when startled.

Others can be yappy, barking incessantly unless given a lot of special training.

Labs tend to be quiet, calm, and a bit lazy, preferring to sleep in a corner with one eye open onto their beloved family, ready to join in the fun whenever their people are doing anything interesting but otherwise very very mellow dogs.

:D :paw:

Labs Labs Labs

great with kids and other pets. very laid back - get a female as they are even more laid back.

we had a lab/golden retreiver mix - sweetest dog that ever walked the face of the earth.

Now i have a cock-a-poo - which is a good small dog - doesn't shed.

also have a lab/australian shepard mix - another very good dog.

australian shepards are good dogs - but very active .

if you really want to do a good deed go get one from the animal shelter - so many great dogs sitting on death row - just begging someone to take them home.

we got our lab/shepard mix that way - :)

http://www.golden-retriever.com/shadow-web.gif
Goldens are the greatest dogs on earth BAR NONE!!
We had a black lab and she was great too, but goldens are much less goofy. Labs can be a little on the goofy side when they are young. Our golden is the best dog I ever imagined having. I once swore I would NEVER have another dog. Labs and goldens have won me over!!

a Lsao Asao (not sure on the spelling)..they stay small are very frisky, hypo allergenic--they have hair not fur..or so that is how it's been explained to me... friendly...etc.

wow that pic looks exactly like my golden we had..his name was Jake..awesome dog...even had that same green collar..

Hmm. I am partial to German shepherds-we have one. A very loyal dog. He has been great with the kids. Ds used to grab his fur and pull up as a baby. King would just look at me as if to say "help, get this kid off me" and did not move. :D If you do get a large dog try to find out if its hips are sound.

I also love mutts!

One thing you should think about is your lifestyle. Will you be able to meet the needs of the dog? Does it need lots of exercise? Does it not like to be away from the family for long periods of time (ie while everyone is at work/school, etc.) Don't mean to be a damper, I just hate to see people change their minds after they get a dog. Pets are a lifetime comitment and many people don't tret them as such. OK enough soapbox! sorry this is just something I feel strongly about.

Good luck with your choice. :):paw:

Labs or Retrievers are the best in my mind.
So what all did you decide on if any dog .

Originally posted by TooSweet

australian shepards are good dogs - but very active .




Not necessarily. LOL! We have 3 that stay indoors and they are the biggest bums you've ever seen. Outside they really like to kick it up though. The breed seems very good about adapting to whatever lifestyle you use them for (family pet or working dog for a farm or such).

Go to Petfinders.org. They have listings for shelters in your area.

There are many, many things to consider before getting a dog. The first thing is this: ANIMALS ARE FOR LIFE. THEY ARE NOT TRASH TO BE TOSSED OUT WHEN THEY GET "INCONVENIENT!" I can't see you doing that, but I always mention it! Also, if you do buy a puppy or dog do NOT get it from a back yard breeder OR a pet store! Puppymills turn out thousands of dogs each year fro the pet trade. The animals are kept in horrrific conditions and are bred solely for money. No genetics are taken into account and NO testing is done, so lots of health problems can arise as well as major behaviorial problems!

What are your requirements for your dog? Do you want a couch potato to lay around with or do you want it to go work, work, work, for/with you all day? Do you want it to guard your house, or meet everyone with a smile? How large of a dog do you want? Coat type? Do you have prior training experience or will you need to pay to go to a class to have your dog trained? Are you a busy type or more laid back? Are you able to be the "head bitch" (NOT a bad thing!) since someone needs to be the leader of the dog's pack or the dog will think S/HE can be the leader of the pack! Do you prefer a dog or a bitch? Whatever you do, GET THE DOG ALTERED. Altereed animals do not add to the unwanted puppy problem. Unless you dog is a purebred and a perfect specimen, you do NOT EVER want to breed!

Here are some general tips on different dog types:

Toys--best as house dogs. They can be demanding little tyrants (when allowed to be) but can also be very sweet cuddle bunnies! They can also have a "Napoleon complex": they will take on any dog of any size. This can be a frightening experience when your toy Poodle takes on the Lab mix next door and has to run under your house to escape!

Nonsporting group--a wide range of breeds, from the Dalmation to the English Bulldog. In this batch, it is best to remember that form follows function.

Hounds--2 types: scent and sight. Scent hounds follow their noses ANYWHERE. Unless they are kept kenneled, they will roam for miles in a matter of a few minutes. They generally love kids and do well with them. Remember that many were bred to hunt small game, so rabbits are a no-no running loose in your home if you have these breeds! That can also be diggers. A Beagle or Basset can tunnel out of your back yard befoer you can say, "Lassie, come home". Sight hounds (Salukis, Greyhounds, Afghans, Whippets, Borzois, etc.) will chase anything that moves. They actually compete in a sport called lure coursing where they chase plastic grocery bags tied to a moving string! They are not generally cuddly and can be somewhat aloof. However, when they give you their heart, it is for LIFE.

Herding--generally are seen in protection work (German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, Rotts, etc.) as well as any type of service work where a strong work ethic is desired. Many of these dogs will herd anything they can! I have seen Border Collies herd ducks as well as the more traditional sheep. These breeds can be nippy if they are "herding" kids.

Terriers--originally were kept for two main things: killing/hunting vermin and fighting. These are still scrappy dogs and all are capable of getting into a tiff with others. I saw ELEVEN Cairns get in a fight right outside the show ring one time! Terriers come in all sizes, from the diminutive Yorkie, to the impressive Airdale. These are not dogs for timid souls. They are full of fire and full of energy! They are also very loving and love a good romp with their kids.

The Sporting group--the bird dogs most all of us have owned at one time or another. There are sizes to fit all in this category. Not all of these breeds are still capable to their original function, but most can hunt if asked. The most popular of these dogs are the Lab, the Golden, and the Cocker. If you don't plan on hunting your dogs, don't buy from field lines. They are very,very intense and NEED to work (retrieve, point, etc.) for HOURS on end. If they don't have a hunting job, they will find something else to do: pulling the siding off you house, excavating the counch, etc.. Since these breeds are popular, be very, very careful to buy ffrom a reputable breeder (if buying a purebred). Cockers have juvenile cataracts and Glodens and Labs can suffer from hip dysplasia.

Do NOT let popular hype frighten you about ANY breed. Most Pit Bulls are sweet, loving dogs; most Dobermans will be happiest just being with their owners, NOT eating the neighbor's Poodle!
OTOH, I have lived in neighborhoods where Labs and Goldens were the nastiest dogs on the block!

Whichever you choose, pick wisely and be prepared: a teenage dog is as lippy and can be as snotty (or loving!) as the average human teenager.

I always want to see the parents of my dogs, when possible. Our dog is a Rottie mix. Would never have chosen her for her size and breed but, I know her parents and they are both good natured sweeties. I agree totally about not buying animals from pet stores. Puppy mills should be outlawed! I believe that almost any breed can be a wonderful pet. So much has to do with how they are treated. Other than that, the other ladies have said it all!It's wonderful to see so many animal lovers in the Village!

I have no way of knowing where you are in your shopping process - BUT- Mon. and Tues. night on USA network is the Westminster Dog show. This is a great showcase of the different breeds. They also encourage pet shelter rescues as a great source of family pets but you can get a nice description of the breed, background and temperament of each breed watching the show.
you might go to the library and get a breed book from the juvenile section they have nice pictures and brief descritions so you can sort of be ready for the show.
We have a full bred Aussie because Dd shows through AKC Jr. Showmanship.
We also have a beagle mutt we rescued.
We had a mini dachshaund but when dd wanted to show we gave her to a retired couple we know who have been in love with her forever.
Good Luck in your decision. They are fun effect everything we do, we are constantly having to either make sure its ok to take the dogs where we go or find someone to keep them. But they are worth it.:paw: :paw:

Have you found a dog yet? If not, I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. Take Doodlebugs advice- No Huskies!!! The one we had had to be tied up 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week or she'd take off. One day- dh was outside playing with ours all afternoon. He walked in the house to grab a screwdriver and when he went back out- she was gone. Hasn't been seen since, and I really didn't go out to look to hard either. And they're especially bad when you have a puppy- they teach the puppy all their bad habits.

Also- if you have small kids (under 6 years old)- don't go to the Humaine Society or SPCA- they will not adopt out dogs to families with small children. We looked at a lab there and they said she was too active for a child- even though the previous owner said she was excellent with kids. We looked at another dog there, filled out all the paperwork- 2 hrs later, would not let us have the dog because we had a 2 year old (and he was there with us).

If you want a dog- get an 8 week old puppy. Yes, they're as much work as a newborn baby, but it's easier to train them and you're not adopting someone else's problem. We got our Rottie/ St.Benard mix when he was 8 weeks and he was really easy to train. He is the best dog-he's now 9 months old and my ds rides him like a horse and he doesn't even bat an eyelash. We never have to tie him up and he stays where you can see him at all times. He's such a big baby- he's a gentle giant.

Laura

milach that is truly strange. We have adopted from a shelter and so have several friends with small children, no problem. Your shelter must have some strange management.
Our no kill shelter has family day in the Spring where they showcase all their animals and have clowns, balloons, our daughter's dog club puts on a show. Many animals are adopted to families with children that day.
Wonder what is up with your shelter, poor animals need homes, and nothing gives them love like a kid!

Beagles are really good and easygoing dogs. We have a terrier/jack russel mix and he's just wonderful for our family of five and two cats. We are getting a basset this weekend and I hear they are wonderful companions as well.

We bred and raise Dobermans, all of my dogs love my cats!! and never have I had one try to harm my kids!! It all depends on how you raise/treat them. If you have enough yard, I would suggest a dobie, they make great house dogs too, easy to house break, and very little shedding! They choose their owners not you choose them. It may be that the one you chose likes your dh or one of your children more than you. They are very loyal and just huge lap dogs. my female weighs 85 lbs and thinks she weighs 5. her pup weighs 50lbs and every time I sit on the porch he climbs in my lap. My male weighs 105 lbs and does the same thing. They are very protective of the family, and no one comes in the yard! best alarm system ever!