This thread has gone to the dogs

Mmm...Donuts

Mmm...Donuts

Trooper
I have been considering owning a dog lately, we could use more companionship and fun around the house. Hopefully in the future I can get one, but I also one to know you guys experiences with dogs.
Doing a little research, I expressed interest in the following breeds, which don't eat people : Basset Hound, Beagle, Great Dane, Bulldog.
What can you guys suggest?
 
German Sheppards!!!! That's all we had when I was growing up. In fact, one is still buried in the back yard of my childhood home in mexico :D. Currently though I want a Pug, they are so ugly they're cute, but mainly because they are small, small dogs = small mess.
 
My family has owned two basset hounds.  I love them.  They are cuddly and dopey and don't need a lot of work.  Some dogs need 2-3 walks a day.  If you want to keep your basset hound mostly healthy one good walk a day is usually enough.  Plus their ears are the cutest things ever.  EVER.
 
If you don't mind large dogs you can think about Labrador Retrievers. Very popular breed and one of the friendliest Ive seen. In fact I have a 3 month old Labrador pup now. Very cute and very intelligent  :)
 
Can't have enough dog owners. :D

Seriously, if you are prepared to clear up any discharge from the dog and not feel squeamish about it and you are prepared to walk it/exercise it daily at least, get one. And if you have not had one before, you may want to start with a dog with a good temperament. Getting a rescue dog is very noble (I have two), but it can be hard work to recondition a dog that has suffered years of ill-treatment.

I have a terrier type mongrel and another terrier that I always though was a Jack Russell, that may actually turn out to be a Swedish/Danish Farm Dog (do a Google search on images of the two and you will see why they are mistaken). Both dogs need little more than a good daily exercise but as the JRT/SDFD is a working dog, it requires a little more than the other - a good run in the park will do.

I was brought up with mongrels when my parents were together, but after they divorced and my Dad remarried, we had a few German Shepard's - lovely dogs that are very good with people - not generally aggressive. But I have terriers now and will possibly do so in the future. One big reason is that they are, on the whole, a little smaller.

I have not had the pleasure of owning any of the dogs you have listed, but Beagles I do like and would own one for sure. If you have a big dog (Great Dane), it stands to reason that they will need more space indoors - so that needs to be brought to mind.

There are plenty of web-sites that have details about each of those dogs and their temperament/feeding/exercise/etc. that may help you choose.
 
Hey thanks for the tips guys, appreciate the advice.
Suppose I get two distinct dog breeds that can get along together and keep each other in check, what would fit the bill?
 
I've not heard of any two distinct breeds of dogs been housed together that can't get on - there maybe, but I am unaware of it. Conversely, I have not heard of any two distinct breeds that get on so well together more than any other two - but again, I guess there could be. I think on the most part, dogs are dogs and as long as they are happy with each other, they will form their own little pack (it is also quite interesting to watch them form a pecking order). One experience of two breeds been thrown together and them not get on, does not generally signify that this will be that case for another two dogs of the same respective breeds.

Also, it may need to be brought to mind that two bitches together (regardless of their breed) that go into season together - may well fight (and at times, to the death) for competition from a male dog.

Although, I would suggest not having two dogs that are the complete opposite of each other in one way or another. As an example, if you have a collie and a greyhound, the greyhound is almost a complete couch potato save for a short daily outburst of energy and a collie will keep going all day. Or, having a small dog prone to constant yapping at all and sundry and a large powerful dog prone to not take too much nonsense. Here, you may find yourself having a small dead dog quite quickly.
 
As long as you get them both as pups and they are raised together and play together, they should get along fine. I am in agreement with the breeds commonly mentioned in the thread to this point; German Sheppards and Black Labs are very intelligent breeds that are generally good natured and are not aggressive if raised correctly. They are also very playful and extremely loyal and protective to their owners, can't go wrong there.
 
The most important thing in raising a dog of any breed is to start its training early.  Especially if you get a German Shephard (or Dobermann or Rottweiler or any Bull Terrier/dog), as these dogs have very strong guarding instincts (the first three especially), and will require a lot of obediance training and exposure to other people/animals to ensure that they become sociable.  However, trained correctly, Rotties, Dobermanns and Alsatians are exceptionally affectionate dogs, and are very good with children, especially.

As for Labradors, they are the most popular breed for a good reason.  Affectionate, strong, medium sized and don't require an exceptional amount of work.  If you get a Collie, though, you'll find yourself chasing after it a lot...they're like pure energy in canine form (same for terriers).

Myself, I've always felt myself drawn towards the larger breeds.  Rottweilers take a lot of training to make a good dog, but they are extremely affectionate if trained properly (contrary to what many people believe).  Labs are a breed everyone likes, and I quite like Spaniels (Springer especially) as well.  Do your research, and talk to whoever you intend buying the dog from...if you have any special conditions for a breed (such as low exercise requirement :P), then they'll be able to help you.

The ironic thing from all this is that I don't actually own, nor have I ever owned, a dog. :innocent:
 
Raven said:
The most important thing in raising a dog of any breed is to start its training early.
Click to expand...
Very true. A well trained and socialised dog is so much better for all concerned. This is a problem, obviously, if you rescue a dog - it may not be trained at all and be over 5/6 years old and training/socialising it is an arduous task - this from experience.

But I do believe in rescuing dogs - they all deserve a second chance.
 
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