Help me pick a breed

[Peter]

I refuse to get a dog from my local shelter. I've tried in the past and I do not like the way they treat people and the animals. I've complained numerous times to agencies .... that's a whole different story. It's the only shelter around for awhile so I am going to have to find a dog off petfinder.

I want to adopt a larger breed dog. I just moved in a house with acreage and finally feel I have the space to accomodate a larger dog. Right now we have a Min Pin.

I need a dog that will do good with my other dog, my young son (5 yrs.). Also I want a short haired dog.

Suggestions?

[Jynx]

rescuing a dog is great if you go that route. If you are looking into a Rescue Organization, most will match a dog to your lifestyle and what your looking for in a dog. In other words, if your looking for high energy, low energy, etc.

Petfinder while I think it definately has a good goal in mind, be careful and make sure your dealing with someone reputable.

Sorry I have no suggestions on type of breed, it depends on what YOU want in a dog, not just size, but temperament, energy level, will the dog live in the house? Are you willing to attend obedience classes? what do YOU want in a dog?
Diane

[Peter]

I want him to not be aggresive but I want him to be protective. He will be indoor/outdoors. During the night he will be outdoor and I want him to be protective if anyone comes onto the property.

I will be taking him to the Petsmart puppy training class as we did with our Min Pin.

[Jynx]

I don't think you'll ever find a guarantee on any breed that it will get along with your min pin and your child. You just can't guarantee temperament. Rescues may refuse you if the dog would be outside at nite , reputable ones will want their adoptees living within a family structure and inside at nite (for safety reasons).

Sorry I don't have any specific breed recommendations but wish you good luck in your search
diane

[WolfRyder]

Even though we already have our dogs, I took this questionaire. It actually had the 2 breeds I have already as choices I would make :)

http://www.k9country.com/perl/dogBreed.pl

[seraphicia]

Rescues can be a great way to get a dog and know a lot about the individual dog you're getting. My advice to you above all is don't generalize a dog by breed. You should get to know the individual dog you're a bringing into your family as a permanent member and be comfortable with your choice. While an online matchmaker can be useful in suggesting what genera type (large and shorthaired) of dog you're looking for, relying solely on it could very well end in an adoption of a dog by breed that is the exact opposite of what fits with your own lifestyle, and a dog whos personality isn't a good example of the breeds characteristics. Breed specific rescues can be a great place to go to curb this from happening, and that is where petfinder.com comes in wonderfully because you can find them in your region, and they most likely know a lot about each dogs temperment. You can get references to ease your mind. You can and should use their indepth knowledge and experience to your advantage. The time and energy put in is well worth finding the near perfect match.

And on another note, you really shouldn't plan on keeping your future friend outside at night. Dogs are more likely to protect ther person rather than the property. And especially if you're planning on tying him out, than its an oxymoron, because he'd be completely unable to protect anything at all! It's better for your relationship, and if your climate gets at all cold and you're getting a bigger breed but with shorter hair, thats just asking for trouble. I have experience with the pitties, rotties, and great danes that people get more for 'protection' than to be family companions, and even nights on chains and separated from the family can lead to behavioral issues. Besides, many larger breed pups grow into dogs that have wonderful temperments, and are very friendly, and are more likely to lick the burglar than bite him. If you're looking for pretection first an foremost, get an alarm system. If you're looking for a companion who loves you enough to defend you, get an indoor dog and bond with him!

[DiggityDogs]

LOL I took that online quiz for the breed selector and it recommended 58 breeds as my 'best matches'.

[telestar_1]

look at this face need we say more

http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/4694/cuddlesperfect3005qn.jpg

[weijie]

hi everyone my name weijie i wan to buy a dog but i don't know which dog to pick pls give me some advice if it is you what breed will you take

[ClarkFarm]

There are many short-haired, large protective dogs but they vary widely in terms of their breed's typical traits. You do need to address energy level, obedience, trainability, "glue" factor (some dogs are more prone to remain attached to your hip), etc. as well as dominance level you are willing to work with.

Any dog kept outside at night will most likely bark for its duration because the dog will only want its human family. Sadly, this is a reason why so many outside dogs are surrendered to shelters.

Edited to add: Short hair does not mean less shedding either.

[Reggies mom]

I took the quiz and found 93 breeds that will suit me!!:D

[pitbulladvocate]

I have a personal preference to the pit bull. When raised properly, they are very loyal to their family, they are great with kids and people in general. They have the short hair and a great temperment.

As with any dog, you should research the breed very well and decide if it is right for you. I know the reputations that pits have, but dont let that deter you. I have a male pit that i bought from a guy with an ad in the paper. He was 6 wks old. I later inherited a 2 yr old rott/chow mix...male. I have 3 cats and 2 kids (7 yrs and 11 mos.). I have NEVER had an incident where i was afraid for myself, my other animals or my kids. I love Pit Bulls!!

However, you must decide for yourself, as they are not for everyone. Good Luck!!

[seraphicia]

[QUOTE=pitbulladvocate]... I love Pit Bulls!!

However, you must decide for yourself, as they are not for everyone. Good Luck!![/QUOTE)

Thats for sure...As awesome as pits are and as good as pets as the can be, they are definately not for everyone. Most pits like many bully breeds can be stubborn and dominating if only because they're so smart. They demand a dedicated person who won't be a push over. There are so many pits out there in rescue(even tiny pups) that could use more adopters, but definately do your homework. I'd say get an individual dog that suits you. Look at the dog, not just the breed. Many pits love to be by their peoples side and are protective out of love, not aggression. But the saying goes something like they're more likely to kiss the robber than bite him, but thats not to say they won't protect their person. Thats a whole other story.

[SiNNiK]

this would be an ideal project for a rescue orginization, to pry and ask questions, and help you find a dog that would be good match for your family. i'd rather see that happen than for you to get a certain breed just because somebody online named "ScreenName1234" said it'd be a good breed for you.

During the night he will be outdoor...
you should slam your fingers in the door twice, stomp on your own toes, then punch yourself in the face three times! Bad owner!

i may be wrong, and by all means please let me know if i am, but i don't think this person would make a good Pit owner, what with keeping the dog outside. maybe one shouldn't be advocating Pits to this particular individual, Chihuahua's might be a better choice. they may not BE big, but they sure THINK they are. :D

[seraphicia]

Yes, a rescue's "prying" would be good in this situation, however, being an outdoor dog would make most rescues not willing to adopt out a dog to PETER. It has nothing to do with size, and dogs that live indoors and have a bond with their people will most likely better protect their family, as I think I've said, which I think was the intention in keeping a dog outdoors(thus defeating the point, if there was one).

I may not say bad owner for keeping a dog outdoors...but I may say bad judgement and ill advisable! Most dogs would rather be indoors with their loving people. It's as simple as that.

It's really sad to see in my area of Ohio the amount of people that have dogs chained outside 24/7, or even during the day when they aren't home, left with no enrichment or playmates. They howl at night and are nuisance barkers, then the dog pays for it when someone complains. Much to my sadness, in the worser areas, most of those dogs are pits. Anyway...


Is that sarcasm I read in your post, sinnik?

[SiNNiK]

It has nothing to do with size, and dogs that live indoors and have a bond with their people will most likely better protect their family, as I think I've said, which I think was the intention in keeping a dog outdoors(thus defeating the point, if there was one).
i certainly didn't mean to imply that it's ok to keep smaller dogs outside, i don't think any dog should be outside any longer than it wants to be, i apologize for not making myself more clear.

Is that sarcasm I read in your post, sinnik?
yes ma'am, :D

[catcher T]

I want him to not be aggresive but I want him to be protective. He will be indoor/outdoors. During the night he will be outdoor and I want him to be protective if anyone comes onto the property.

I will be taking him to the Petsmart puppy training class as we did with our Min Pin.
dogs will bark and signal when someone is approaching,,they will not guard people unless u train them,,alot of pple think dogs will automatically protect their owners out of loyalty but that just isnt true,,that would be giving them a concious. alot of breeds and mixed breeds train up nicely for this type of work and its alot of fun to get into competions like PSA. get a working breed for this type of work

[tftmom]

I took the quiz and had 3 exact matches. One was a breed I have had that I believe I will have again and one is a breed I have considered but they are to pricey. Thanks for the link.

[Rottweilerlvr]

I took the quiz and had 3 matches... I've taken this before a few years ago, and the rottweiler has always been on it... The Akita was on there, and then one of the retrievers, which I'm surprised... I'm not into the sporting breeds because they tend to be TOOO hyper and high indoor energy but this one keeps popping up on me... It didn't give me a mastiff, because of social, I tend to like my dogs aloof to strangers, which a mastiff isn't known for, but I love the breed... I'm very lucky to have found 2 breeds that work for me, I will always have a least one of each... A rottweiler and a mastiff...

Good luck on finding a breed, I am not recommending my breed of dogs because both have to be with the owners inside, a part of the family, and because of their size, need to be trained and socialized, and I didn't get the feeling you were willing to do that... Sorry...