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Subject :What kind of dog should we get (detailed description of situation)?..
2009-07-09 16:05:06
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| Urquhart
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First, I have a young daughter, she will be 3 in June. And a cat who thinks he's a dog. We're not planning on having anymore of either.
My wife and I both grew up with dogs in the family and have dog-sat together. My wife also used to dog-sit for her aunt. Dogs we are familiar with, but don't care to own: Golden retriever, standard poodle (the big, non-yappy ones), wolf-like mutts, Japanese Chin (dog-sat, do not want one)...
We really love the look of the Weimaraner and also the Catahoula Leopard Dog. We'd love to have a unique dog with a great personality.
We have been reading up on owning a dog and establishing/maintaining your position as pack leader. Just ordered a couple of books by Cesar Millan (the Dog Whisperer).
We own our home, live in the suburbs (but in a couple of years or so hope to move to a much more rural area), but have a decent amount of space. There is a section of yard completely fenced, probably around 1300 square feet. Our lot size is almost a quarter of an acre with the house being about 1250 square feet.
We have plenty of time for training (and feel that we can and should do it ourselves rather than send the dog to a class, as it will help us establish our pack leader position at the same time) and exercising the dog. It will be a rare occurrence if the dog is left alone for more than a few hours PER WEEK. Between my wife and I, one of us is usually here. When we do leave, most of the time, it would be fine to bring the dog.
We have a lot of great places that we go hiking, and would love to have a dog along with us. We do NOT want another cat (small yappy dog). We want at least a medium sized dog, probably a medium or large sized dog. If there are very large dogs that would do well with us, too, feel free to list them for me and I will look into that. Just no small dogs.
Also, the dog will be an inside dog. No sleeping outside. We will play outside together and spend plenty of time outdoors, but we're not looking for a dog to just forget about outside.
Any advice on breeds or anything else you think we should know before getting a puppy/young dog, feel free to let me know. I appreciate any answers. And if you have a dog yourself that you're just nuts about who's breed would be good for us, let me know and I'll look it up.
THANKS! |
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Subject :What kind of dog should we get (detailed description of situation)?..
2009-07-09 16:05:06
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| Corwyn
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<
Well, I am partial to Wheatens, for me, they are a great all around family dog. They love kids, are full of energy, low-non shedding, about 30-40 lbs full grown, love their family, and are just an all around happy dog! I did a lot of research on the breed before we decided to go with them and learned a lot. If your interested, you can start here: <a href="http://www.scwtca.org/.">http://www.scwtca.org/.</a> They also have a listing of reputable breeders to go with, you don't want a poorly bred BYB Wheaten that's for sure! Good luck! |
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Subject :What kind of dog should we get (detailed description of situation)?..
2009-07-09 16:05:06
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| Maddockson
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Hi,
Congratulations on putting so much thought in up front before you bring home a new dog.
I am a former groomer and vet tech and lifelong owner of dogs. Reading over your description, I believe you have way more options for suitable breeds / mixes than most people. The key characteristics I see that you need are:
1. not too small / yappy (no yorkies, chihuahuas, etc.)
2. physically able to go hiking with you (no bull dogs, careful of giant breeds)
3. good with kids
4. good with cats
5. fairly easy to train - I say this because although seem dedicated to go through the process of training, you may not have a lot of experience with dogs. Also, why make it hard on yourself? It is very rewarding to work with an easy to train dog.
Now I must confess I, like anyone who responds, have my own preferences and because I've worked with many many dogs, I make generalizations about breeds that may not always hold true. There are always exceptions. But given that you may have a dog for 15+ years, and there are already many unknowns, I think it is wise to make a conservative choice - basically, try to be as sure as you can things will work out.
Please consider a mixed breed dog or rescue dog. It seems like you love animals - know that there are so many animals euthanized each year, and so many sad dogs looking for a home. For inexperienced dog people, I recommend looking for a rescue dog that is currently living with a foster family. The reason for this is that you can get a true sense of the dog's nature, and the foster home / rescue can make sure you get a dog that is good with dogs and kids. Many dogs in a shelter can seem withdrawn or on the other end of the spectrum, way more active than they would be when loved and exercised more than they are in a shelter.
I prefer to get dogs that are 6 months - 2 years old. Although I love puppies, I have loved skipping the chewing everything phase and housebreaking. If you get a puppy, and you are less experienced, try to get on that is a "4-6" on the submissive-dominant scale. A rescue/shelter can help you figure this out. (0=submissive, 10=dominant). Submissives may bite out of fear and can be more anxious. Dominants are harder to train and may see a small child as lower than them. You want something in between.
Think about the dog's coat - some shed so much that you will be constantly dealing with fur in your house. Some require professional grooming to stay looking good (cockers, poodles).
Breeds I would think about:
Labrador or golden cross or purebred (watch for hip problems), collie, german or australian shepherd cross (I would avoid purebreds of these), standard poodle, herding dog mixes (watch the purebreds - they can get obsessive/compulsive)
I am not fond of:
Beagles (loud and hard to train), Bassets (lazy although very cute), Terriers (hard to train, may annoy cat, but also cute), Chows (unpredictable and time intensive coat), Huskies and Malamutes (love them but they can chase cats and can be hard to train. I find Weimeraners and pointers to be very high strung but many people love them. I love Australian Cattle dogs (have one) but they are known to nip at small children; if you socialize carefully you should be okay, but I would put them on the no list unless you are very careful. I do not have much experience with Catahoulas, but also love their appearance.
Since you like Catahoulas, maybe an Australian shepherd mix could work for you. Remember the rescues if you want a purebred. Good luck! |
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Subject :What kind of dog should we get (detailed description of situation)?..
2009-07-09 16:05:06
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| Stephanos
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wow you've got alot of good points for any dogs lol,
but i can only give you my opinion on what MY choice i would if i was in your situation,
a german shepherd, there awesome dogs, great at almost everything, smart and good guards,
but in your situation ill just give you 5 breeds that would suit you as far as i can think, if you don't want a small yippee dog then these,
labrador/golden
rottweiler
a pit bull
boxer
or even an akita, of course these are Just a view, and there ALL good with children, don't be put off about what you hear about pitts, there known for being therapy dogs and are AMAZING with children, but still there are loads of different breeds you could go for, these are but just a few.
any choice you make enjoy your dog and love it, you'll gain a friend and in most cases a protector. |
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Subject :What kind of dog should we get (detailed description of situation)?..
2009-07-09 16:05:06
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| Faro
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We did alot of research before getting our second dog. Our lifestyle at the time was similair to yours and still is except that my husband is deployed overseas and I work outside the home now that my boys are in school full time..
We went with a Weim and I thank God everyday he helped us choose this breed. Our Sophie has been wonderful! I have 3 boys and she is a best friend to all of us. Regardless of what people say they are not unsafe dogs by all means, they just need training. Weims for the most part are not hyper dogs indoors but love to run and play outdoors. They will be happy and excited to see you when you come home from a short outing but its you that has to train her right away not to jump up. They are very very smart dogs and learn very quickly. A Weim will always want to cuddle with someone,and they love to follow you around like your own shadow just because they are so curious as to what you are always doing. They do like to "counter surf" but again with training you will nip that. We have never had any issues with chewing but I have heard that some can be destructive because of seperation anxiety. We crate trained ours from 6 weeks on. She does real well in her crate. We use her crate when its too cold outside and we are gone like at work and school. Our Sophie is 11 months and the only thing she did to me was take my pear tree out of the ground when I first planted it. She was running all around the back yard with this big pear tree I just couldn't get mad at her, we were all laughing too hard. I learned to put chicken wire down under the mulch of any trees I plant, dogs don't like the way that feels when they try and dig.
We love Weims so much that I just became a Weim rescue volunteer with Heartland Weim Rescue. Our next dog will be a a rescued Weim.
The advantages of a rescue dog is that they have been in foster homes already and you can get one of any age and one that fits your lifetsyle. Foster parents know exactly how the dogs. I have one that I know has to be placed in a home that is very loving and calm. She will need no discipline as she has had years of discipline the wrong way. She is doggy door trained and crate trained but will instantly go to a crate and not come out until she hears the click of the leash being put on. If she doesn't hear that then she stays all to the back of the crate and will not look at anyone. So we took her crate away and she walks everywhere on a leash clipped onto one of ours jeans loop. We are training her to socialize, not hide and to trust humans again. I have 2 cats and 3 boys and she pays no attention to cats even when my one female will go up to her and try to provoke her. She absolutely loves walks, doesn't care for treats but loves Nutro's Berry Cobbler for a snack at night. She likes her dry Iams mixed in with some wet Iams. She loves pillows and loves to keep warm at night with a blanket over her.
So as you see going with a rescue can be rewarding for both the dog and the new owners. At times rescues will have puppies, you would just have to search around. This is why our next dog will be a rescue. www.heartlandweimrescue.org
If you choose a breeder make sure you do your research and go to the site and meet both parents. Our Sophie was from a great breeder. We chose a breeder the first time around because we didn't even think to research rescues.
I think whatever you choose you will be the best owners a dog can have. I highly commend you on all your research instead of getting a dog on impulse! All these answers you have to work with are great! Good luck! |
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Subject :What kind of dog should we get (detailed description of situation)?..
2009-07-09 16:05:06
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| Urquhart
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I agree with the others ... I AM IMPRESSED!
Finally, someone who actually DID some research instead of buying a pup on impulse and asking questions after ... good for you!
Wouldn't recommend a Weim. Don't know enough about the Catahoula to have an informed opinion. Agree about the Dalmatian (not great with kids). DISAGREE about the Akita ... NOT FOR KIDS! I'll get hell for this, but I don't trust pits, especially around small kids or other animals.
There are lots of breeds that could work for you, but your primary consideration has to be the safety of your child. You need a breed that will be tolerant of a child's behavior ... in other words, renowned for patience and good temperament. Be sure to get your pup from a breeder whose own dogs have outstanding temperament.
I don't like to recommend specific breeds to people (usually) but in your situation the breed I'd be strongly considering is the Collie.
Just an aside ... don't skip the puppy kindergarten classes. Pups need that socialization and both you and your pup will have a ton of fun and learn plenty. And please don't rely too heavily on Cesar Millan. |
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Subject :What kind of dog should we get (detailed description of situation)?..
2009-07-09 16:05:06
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| Corwyn
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Well, it sounds like you've done your homework! I absolutely LOVE Cesar Millan! Kudos to you for getting his materials! My Advice would be to check the AKC site (http://www.akc.org/). Click on their Breeds link. It will give you generalized descriptions about each breed and their temperament. Also, you can call local rescues and breeders of the dogs you narrow your list down to. A Good Breeder will always tell you the truth about whether you should get one of their dogs! They don't want their hard work and expertise in breeding to end up in a pound. AND, find a breeder who offers to take back the dog if there is EVER a reason you can't keep it. Yes, they do that. It's potential breed stock if not altered, and it's one of their babies! I hope that helps. I'm sorry I didn't recommend any one breed, but that would be irresponsible on my part as every breed is different and every pup has it's own personality which may or may not adhere to breed standard. I have a 3 year old son, and just purchased a Doberman. I've had them before, so I know their 'tricks'. I would not recommend one to an unexperienced person, especially with a child. Nor would I recommend an Akita. Just because they tend to be dominant and need a firm, disciplined hand. Don't get me wrong, I love them all and hold no stereotypes. But if you want to succeed, do your research and find the right one for you. Get a breed that takes just a little less than you're willing to give. The well being of your family and your dog should be 50/50. I've had a chihuahua that I wouldn't trust anywhere near kids or cats, and I've had a pit/boxer mix that was the biggest baby everrrr. Don't listen to what other people think about their breed. Trust your instincts and an educated breeder who has your family's interest (not their pocketbook) in mind. |
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Subject :What kind of dog should we get (detailed description of situation)?..
2009-07-09 16:05:06
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| Maddockson
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Unfortunately, you may have a hard time finding a GOOD breeder or a shelter or rescue that will sell or adopt to you, due to the fact that your child is so young. Because of that, it may take a while to find a suitable dog. Please don't go through a backyard breeder or petstore and support them with your $$. It's asking for heartache, anyway, because those puppies tend to be unhealthy, cost a fortune in vet bills, and are badly bred. Bad breeding is a huge concern with both Weims and Catahoula Leopard Dogs - the former can be insanely hyper and the latter aggressive, when they're badly bred.
There are only two good ways I can think of to go about getting a dog in your case, due to the child issue. One is to adopt from a county shelter. They usually have minimal to zero application procedures; you just pay the fee and leave with the dog. The other is to find a dog in a more lenient rescue that will consider adopting to people with very young kids. They'll only do that if the dog has proven himself great with tots. And it won't be easy to find a rescue that will allow it.
It's unfortunate, because a lot of dogs are great with toddlers and shouldn't be denied a home just because there are little kids there. But many dogs are either afraid of toddlers (because of their grabby hands and wobbly bodies) or are boisterous and don't realize their own size.
BUT it is NOT a good idea to get a puppy when you have a small child in the home. It's too unpredictable. You never know whether puppies will be child-tolerant as adults or not - and they grow up quicker than tots do.
As for breeds, Weims are good, but only if they are relatively mellow, which isn't likely to happen until they're mature. Other breeds you may want to consider (all large and tend to be good with kids):
Irish Wolfhound
Boxer
Collie (rough)
Samoyed
Labrador Retriever
Bernese Mountain Dog
English Setter
Great Pyrenees
Newfoundland
Springer Spaniel
I love the sporting group, so I'm way biased towards retrievers, setters, spaniels, and weims. They tend to be pretty easy dogs to have, for the most part. |
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Subject :What kind of dog should we get (detailed description of situation)?..
2009-07-09 16:05:06
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| Stephanos
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catahoula leopard dogs are a great, smart, intellegent dog, but do tend to be kindof goofy (they sometimes seem almost dumb) up until around three or so years of age when they all of a sudden decide it is time to be a "grown up". after that, they seem to be pretty street smart, and good with kids.
They are active dogs (bred for squirrel hunting), and their energy level sounds like it is going to be a good fit for your family. they love the out doors, open spaces, and their families, and tend to be protective of their familiy groups, especially the children. Since you are planning on moving to a rural area, and already have a bit of land, A catahoula would be very happy there. They do tend to be a bit on the large side too, which is also what you are looking for.
I think you may have picked a great breed for you already. Just remember that they were bred to hunt squirrels, and therefor, many of them still have a strong pray drive! (ie-they like to chase small furry things). Just make sure you work with him and the kitty to make sure he knows the kitty is off limits.
Another thing you can do if you are wanting a large, unique dog, is go to the city shelter. We get all kinds of very interesting, and very large dogs there. At my shelter, at the moment, we have a great pyranese mix puppy (he is four months old and fifty pounds). He is white with black patches and a long coat, and he has the great personality of the pyranese.
Careful not to discount a dog that looks like an ill fit through the door (undesireable behavior), many of these dogs have unknown histories, and in our case, all are health and temprament tested. Often the dogs that act a fool through the door have a hard time getting adopted, but once you get them out, they are really great (it is called barrier agressive). And the longer they stay at the shelter, the worse it gets. It is a very sad thing to watch a happy healthy dog deteriorate into a depressed, unconsolable mess. The adults are actually harder to place, but most of the time, they are far more ready to be trained. Puppies have no attention spans, and dont really care about what you are trying to get them to do for very long. Adults want to please. they try very hard to do what you are asking, and are far easier to train.
The pyranese, anatolian shepherd, and another breed that I cannot remember the name of at the moment (it is basically a short haired pyranese) are all really good options too. they are very large, they were bred as sheep guardians (and this instinct impresses very well onto their families as well). they were bred to go where their sheep go over long distances, and like to be active. they are very calm dogs too. Maternal is a word often used to discribe them. One thing I would be careful about with these guys (the anatolian shepherd in particular) is that they can be very suspicious of strangers. This stems from their instinct to protect their flock.
These dogs are not very common, especially the anatolian, and you will likely get lots of questions about them. Though the pyranese is gaining popularity because of it's great personality.
Oh! And one more great thing about these guys. Even though they have a medium to long coat, it is "self cleaning" which means that dirt and mud and stuff dont stick to it alot, which is another thing that makes them great outdoor companions!
I would avoid breeds like german shepherds, dalmations, and labs though. (we quarantine bite dogs at our shelter, and many of them are labs and shepherds) these breeds tend to be less tolerant of children.
EDIT: I see a couple of people are recommending pit bulls. Yes, they are good dogs, and I am quick to recommend them. But you say you are looking for a larger dog, and pits should only be around thrity to fourty pounds. Larger than that, and they are not adhering to the breed standard, and as you are looking for something more unique, I would not say pit. They are one of the most popular breeds in the USA. Someone also mentioned an Akita. I agree. They are another dog that you may want to look into. they are great dogs! Just remember to socialize them extensively. >.<
www.dogbreedinfo.com is not a very well laid out site, but it has a lot of information on a lot of different breeds of dogs |
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Subject :What kind of dog should we get (detailed description of situation)?..
2009-07-09 16:05:06
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| Faro
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There are too many breeds to list here that may be a good match.
My favorites are Poms which you dont want and would not fit you right now anyway. And the German Sherpherd. If you do choose a GSD be careful where you get one and don't get one with a high prey drive. A middle of the road temperament. A good breeder will be able to help you.
I would stay away from the high drive herding dogs like border collies as they tend to try to "herd" the kids by nipping at their heels when the kids try to play.
Some of the sporting breeds would do well, but again, try to find a mid energy/mid temperament dog.
I like the Mid temperament/ mid energy dogs for your situation as high energy dogs will be to rough with your daughter. Not that they would try to be mean, they just get too excited. A mid temperment dog will also be more gentle with your daughter and be more apt to accept her as a leader and not challenge his/her position.
If you are going to get a purebred, find a good breeder that stresses health and temperament.as well as breeding to standard. Beware of BYBs and puppymills. If you choose a mixed breed, I would recommend an adult, (even in pure) that has been proven good with children.
You sound like a great home, One thing you are in error about. In most dog training classes, You are the one training the dog. The trainer teaches you to train your dog yourself. I highly advise you to take your dog to at least a basic obedience class. It is great for you and the dog and teaches the dog to behave with multiple distractions. |
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Subject :What kind of dog should we get (detailed description of situation)?..
2009-07-09 16:05:06
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| Urquhart
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i know everyone is going to freak out when i say this but if i were you i would really look in to pit bulls. i am a nanny and i have a 7 year old pit. we got him at 8 weeks old and we worked with him alot. we went to puppy school and got our basics but we did alot of training at home for what we needed him to do. he is wonderful with the babies and older children. pit bulls are called the nanny dog because of how good they are with kids. he is a joy to have in our home. good luck on finding the best dog for you and your family!! |
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Subject :What kind of dog should we get (detailed description of situation)?..
2009-07-09 16:05:06
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| Corwyn
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WOW! Whatever breed you end up with, it's going to be one LUCKY dog!!
When my husband and I were looking, we went to a couple of different web sites that describe breeds.... I had a ton of fun looking at all the breeds and reading about their dispositions.
What you are offering the dog, makes almost ANY breed suitable. I love my lab, but they sure aren't unusual these days.
Check out the vizsla - they are brilliant, loyal, trainable, middle sized, short haired, and unusual. |
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Subject :What kind of dog should we get (detailed description of situation)?..
2009-07-09 16:05:06
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| Maddockson
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please for the saftey of your kid, dont get a Weimaraner! they are WAY hyper. if you want a unque dog how bout a Bernese Mountion dog! they are very gentle and cool! |
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Subject :What kind of dog should we get (detailed description of situation)?..
2009-07-09 16:05:06
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| Stephanos
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i cant tell you anything that you don't already know regarding what dog to get, it sounds like you've really done your homework. but i can make one suggestion for one breed not to get. dalmation. they are great dogs, don't get me wrong, but they tend to not like children and prefer a single or couple owner that are adults. so many dalmations end up in the pounds every time disney releases their movie, cause the kids want one, the parents think it's a great idea, -yes some is cause the parents don't know what they are getting into with a dog- but a good portion is because after the puppy stage, the dogs start to lose their patcients with the children. you'll know the right dog when you find it, you'll just fall in love and not be able to leave it.  good luck. |
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