My fiancee is wanting a brittney spaniel. I would like a border collie. I had a dalmation, but she had to be put down. The grieving process is almost over. I want a dog that can be trained, and is good with childern.
Which breed of dog do you have?
- Thread starter Ugly3
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English Mastiff / Great Dane Mix
250lbs and groWING
250lbs and groWING
We have two Jack Russells and a 14 yr. old Border Collie. You will need plenty of digging area for the JRs. They are also great watchdogs. The female will actually bark at geese, buzzards, and hawks that fly over "her" yard. The male will play fetch 24/7.
The Border Collie is retired, he just eats and sleeps.
The Border Collie is retired, he just eats and sleeps.
I have a 6 month old female pug-terrier mix named kissie.....I mean Missie
. She always wants to be picked up and immediatly starts giving you those puppy kisses. At the dog park, anyboby sitting on the ground or chairs are her targets for kisses. Her favorite method of attack is by surprise. Great with other small dogs, good with large dogs, but a bit shy with small kids. Her training of me is moving at a slow but constant pace
I think that based on all the feedback here, the message here is pretty clear. Pick a breed that was bred to work closely with humans. Gun dogs, shepherds and the like. Hundreds of years of hard work of selectively breeding only those dogs that work well with people have made these bloodlines dominated by dogs with right temperament for kids. This does not mean that some other breeds cannot be excellent in this regard also, but my opinion is that you might as well use the hard work of others to your advantage.
I have Labs, and I can tell you, they live to please. I have seen the same thing in many other retrievers. Shepherds seem to have a natural drive to watch and guard. These are things that you don't have to train, they just do it. To me, that is good.
I have Labs, and I can tell you, they live to please. I have seen the same thing in many other retrievers. Shepherds seem to have a natural drive to watch and guard. These are things that you don't have to train, they just do it. To me, that is good.
many of the more popular breeds like labs, beagles are suffering from overbreeding. Anxiety, nervousness and short tempers are often the result, along with physical health problems. Always buy from a respected breeder with the parents onsite. All breeds can have problems, and all breeds can make good pets.
My choice is a Basset Hound. Excellent family dog, playful, as loyal as the day is long, patient and very protective. Good indoors and out. Ours is now 11. He is not a small dog, perfectly trim without an ounce of fat he still weighs in at almost 70 lbs.
My choice is a Basset Hound. Excellent family dog, playful, as loyal as the day is long, patient and very protective. Good indoors and out. Ours is now 11. He is not a small dog, perfectly trim without an ounce of fat he still weighs in at almost 70 lbs.
I think this would be the best choice for most of Americans.
We had one for almost 12 years and was a great dog. Did not require attention, but sucked it up when you gave it to him.
Would go on walks but didn't require it all the time like my shorthair. Was short to the ground so didn't get on the furnature, better yet didn't counter graze like this one (the GSP ate a pound of raw hamburger a few months ago) the Basset couldn't even reach the counter. LOL
Another thing about Bassetts, kids and people love them. He got more attention than just any dog that I know.
(BTW) Mine was a male and ran about 60-65 lbs, he was in pretty good shape and was not fat. He only ate about 2 cups of food a day.
Couple of minor things about Hounds in general, They like to bark, the have an excellent nose which means if the wind is blowing right he will take off on a scent, might be a little hard headed, and they can smell a little, It's the Hound dog scent. It don't mind it but others don't like it.
My GSP does not smell at all, and rarely requires a bath. Both her and the Bassett, have short hair that is easy to maintain, though they do shed.
The wife's Chihuahua is the most protective and loyal dog I've ever seen. She earns her keep as a watchdog, letting us know if even a bird or treerat enters the yard.
The only bad thing about having a dog (or cat) is losing them when the time comes; they become such a part of the family.....
The only bad thing about having a dog (or cat) is losing them when the time comes; they become such a part of the family.....
We've got a 2.5 year old, 75 lb Catahoula Leopard Dog mix.
Thanks for the help. But that is what I have been doing for the most part though. We had two dogs from puppies when I was younger and I had no issues getting them trained.
When I take him out he has only gone two times since we got him 3 weeks ago! So that makes it more difficult.(and I did praise him those 2 times) But we have to let him loose in the yard so can get some exercise. And we have only caught him in the act twice and gets yelled no and sent outside. Every night it seems he is guaranteed to have a mistake. Even went in the crate last night like I said.
He is getting nuetered Thursday. I don't know if this will help his trainability. I sure hope so.
Beagle. Just got him recently at 1yrs of age from shelter. I would have to say there is probably a reason most of them are in the shelter
I didn't want a dog anyway at this time. It was my fiances idea. But of course I am doing most of the training. (of which should have been completed already, hence my shelter comment). And he is a b@st@rd to train. Still not housebroken. Still chewing on stuff and rooting through everything even though corrected every time. Still getting on couch and bed. He's not really hyper, just doesn't give a flip what you want usually he's doing what he wants.
Must ensure house or yard is secure. If he gets out he won't come when called, you will be on a nice tour of neighborhood.
On housetraining he doesn't have a mistake much during day or if we are there (though he has) it's more at night. Just got a crate to start training with that, and first night he peed in that too. Though he didn't cry or bark about being in it. And when you take him outside he won't go. So it makes it even harder to housetrain. I took him out 5 times last night and didn't go once. He goes when he wants.
So in summation I can't recommend a beagle unless you have some desire that you must have a beagle. Might work out for you if you can have the patience of God and can literally devote your entire life to training.
I didn't want a dog anyway at this time. It was my fiances idea. But of course I am doing most of the training. (of which should have been completed already, hence my shelter comment). And he is a b@st@rd to train. Still not housebroken. Still chewing on stuff and rooting through everything even though corrected every time. Still getting on couch and bed. He's not really hyper, just doesn't give a flip what you want usually he's doing what he wants.
Must ensure house or yard is secure. If he gets out he won't come when called, you will be on a nice tour of neighborhood.
On housetraining he doesn't have a mistake much during day or if we are there (though he has) it's more at night. Just got a crate to start training with that, and first night he peed in that too. Though he didn't cry or bark about being in it. And when you take him outside he won't go. So it makes it even harder to housetrain. I took him out 5 times last night and didn't go once. He goes when he wants.
So in summation I can't recommend a beagle unless you have some desire that you must have a beagle. Might work out for you if you can have the patience of God and can literally devote your entire life to training.
I haven't done much with Beagles since as a kid I grew up in a culture that valued a dog according to how well it ran rabbits. I have heard they are hard to housebreak. Here is what works on young Labs:
Housebreaking starts before you get home with the new puppy. If you don't have
a crate, buy one. I prefer the more enclosed, den like plastic ones. Skip the
bedding. At first it gets wet, and later it can be chewed into choking
hazards. A wire rack in the bottom will help keep the puppy up out of
accidents at first. They are available with the crates, but a piece of closely
spaced wire closet shelving from a home supply place is cheaper. If you
already have a metal crate, covering it may help. Just make sure you use
something the puppy can't pull in and chew. Dogs that start out in crates as
little puppies, accept them very well. Never leave an unattended puppy loose
in the house. If nobody can watch it, put it in the crate. I suggest letting
the dog have its crate all its life.
Choose a command and spot you want it to use. The less accessible to strays,
the less chance of serious disease. If it is a female, choosing a
non grassy spot will avoid brown spots later. When you bring it home, take it
to the spot and give it the command in a firm, but friendly voice. Keep
repeating the command and let the puppy sniff around. If it does anything,
praise it. Really let it know what a good dog it is and how much you love it,
and maybe a treat. Note, being out there not only means you can praise it,
but it also keeps it from being snatched by a hawk. If it doesn't go, take it
inside and give it a drink and any meals scheduled. A young puppy will need to
go out immediately afterward. Go to the spot and follow the above routine.
Praising it if it goes is extremely important. If it doesn't go, take it back
inside and put it in its crate and try again soon. Do not let it loose in the
house until it does go.
At first it is your responsibility to know and take the puppy out when it
needs to go. It needs to go out the first thing in the morning, after eating,
drinking, and sleeping. If it quits playing, and starts running around
sniffing, it is looking for a place to go. Take it out quickly. You will just
have to be what I call puppy broke until it is a little older.
By the time most dogs are about 3 months old, they have figured out that if
they go to the door and stand, you will let them out. The praise slowly shifts
to going to the door. Some people hang a bell there for the dog to paw. If
your dog doesn't figure this out, try praising it and putting it out if it
even gets near the door. A stern "Bad dog!" is all the punishment that is
effective, and only when you catch it in the act and are sure you didn't miss
it going to the door. Clean up accidents promptly. I mostly keep the little
puppies out of the carpeted rooms. Still I need the can of carpet foam
sometimes. First blot up all the urine you can with a dry towel. Keep moving
it and stepping on it until a fresh area stays dry. A couple big putty knives
work well on bowel movements. Just slide one under it while holding it with
the other. This gets it up with a minimum of pushing it down into the carpet.
This works with even relatively soft ones, vomit, dirt from over turned house
plants, or anything else from solids to thick liquids. Finish up with a good
shot of carpet foam. Note, do not let the puppy lick up the carpet foam.
Once the dog is reliably housebroken, your carpet may need a good steam cleaning.
Many people strongly strongly push cleaning up all evidence of past accidents. I am slower to suggest that. Dogs will return to the same spot if they can find it. When you see one sniffing the spot, that is your clue to run it out.
Housebreaking starts before you get home with the new puppy. If you don't have
a crate, buy one. I prefer the more enclosed, den like plastic ones. Skip the
bedding. At first it gets wet, and later it can be chewed into choking
hazards. A wire rack in the bottom will help keep the puppy up out of
accidents at first. They are available with the crates, but a piece of closely
spaced wire closet shelving from a home supply place is cheaper. If you
already have a metal crate, covering it may help. Just make sure you use
something the puppy can't pull in and chew. Dogs that start out in crates as
little puppies, accept them very well. Never leave an unattended puppy loose
in the house. If nobody can watch it, put it in the crate. I suggest letting
the dog have its crate all its life.
Choose a command and spot you want it to use. The less accessible to strays,
the less chance of serious disease. If it is a female, choosing a
non grassy spot will avoid brown spots later. When you bring it home, take it
to the spot and give it the command in a firm, but friendly voice. Keep
repeating the command and let the puppy sniff around. If it does anything,
praise it. Really let it know what a good dog it is and how much you love it,
and maybe a treat. Note, being out there not only means you can praise it,
but it also keeps it from being snatched by a hawk. If it doesn't go, take it
inside and give it a drink and any meals scheduled. A young puppy will need to
go out immediately afterward. Go to the spot and follow the above routine.
Praising it if it goes is extremely important. If it doesn't go, take it back
inside and put it in its crate and try again soon. Do not let it loose in the
house until it does go.
At first it is your responsibility to know and take the puppy out when it
needs to go. It needs to go out the first thing in the morning, after eating,
drinking, and sleeping. If it quits playing, and starts running around
sniffing, it is looking for a place to go. Take it out quickly. You will just
have to be what I call puppy broke until it is a little older.
By the time most dogs are about 3 months old, they have figured out that if
they go to the door and stand, you will let them out. The praise slowly shifts
to going to the door. Some people hang a bell there for the dog to paw. If
your dog doesn't figure this out, try praising it and putting it out if it
even gets near the door. A stern "Bad dog!" is all the punishment that is
effective, and only when you catch it in the act and are sure you didn't miss
it going to the door. Clean up accidents promptly. I mostly keep the little
puppies out of the carpeted rooms. Still I need the can of carpet foam
sometimes. First blot up all the urine you can with a dry towel. Keep moving
it and stepping on it until a fresh area stays dry. A couple big putty knives
work well on bowel movements. Just slide one under it while holding it with
the other. This gets it up with a minimum of pushing it down into the carpet.
This works with even relatively soft ones, vomit, dirt from over turned house
plants, or anything else from solids to thick liquids. Finish up with a good
shot of carpet foam. Note, do not let the puppy lick up the carpet foam.
Once the dog is reliably housebroken, your carpet may need a good steam cleaning.
Many people strongly strongly push cleaning up all evidence of past accidents. I am slower to suggest that. Dogs will return to the same spot if they can find it. When you see one sniffing the spot, that is your clue to run it out.
Interesting responses. I think everyone thinks their breed is best. We have 2 Greyhounds and a Heinz.
I agree with the post that says go to the pound. You have to worry about puppy mills and the way some breeders go for a specific trait. If you are careful selecting a dog from the pound I think you will get the best temperments. If you get a Border Collie you better be sure to give it something to do, or it will drive you nuts. Lots of energy. Brittany Spaniels can have a tendancy to display rage. I had a Dalmation, lots of energy. You have to think what you want it to do, lots of suggestions about guard dogs but I didn't see where that was one of your prerequisits. We are all biased in our recommendations, do your own research. Just read a book (Animals in Transition?)where the author thought that labs and goldens were developing aggressiveness due to breeding. At least if their threshold is reached. Pure breeds increase chances of problems from incorrect breeding..... I don't ever see me getting anything but a greyhound whenever we get another dog, but there are lots of requirements... fence, always keep on a lead, etc. You have to know your situation and what type of dog will fit with your family.
I agree with the post that says go to the pound. You have to worry about puppy mills and the way some breeders go for a specific trait. If you are careful selecting a dog from the pound I think you will get the best temperments. If you get a Border Collie you better be sure to give it something to do, or it will drive you nuts. Lots of energy. Brittany Spaniels can have a tendancy to display rage. I had a Dalmation, lots of energy. You have to think what you want it to do, lots of suggestions about guard dogs but I didn't see where that was one of your prerequisits. We are all biased in our recommendations, do your own research. Just read a book (Animals in Transition?)where the author thought that labs and goldens were developing aggressiveness due to breeding. At least if their threshold is reached. Pure breeds increase chances of problems from incorrect breeding..... I don't ever see me getting anything but a greyhound whenever we get another dog, but there are lots of requirements... fence, always keep on a lead, etc. You have to know your situation and what type of dog will fit with your family.
Do enlighten me.... I almost fell out of the chair when I read that.
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Originally posted by HardbodyLoyalist:
a mutt that I'm absolutely convinced is part Dodge Caravan.
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Do enlighten me.... I almost fell out of the chair when I read that.
--------------------------------------------------
...big, boxy, wholly unreliable, and yet refuses to die.
Also... one of those dogs that if you stare at him long enough, you can see traits of any breed you desire. Goodness only knows what's in his bloodlines. A Dodge is just as likely as anything else.
Lastly... he has a strange (to put it mildly) fixation with the Caravan's tires. My only explanation is that it reminds him of Mommy.
Originally posted by HardbodyLoyalist:
a mutt that I'm absolutely convinced is part Dodge Caravan.
--------------------------------------------------
Do enlighten me.... I almost fell out of the chair when I read that.
--------------------------------------------------
...big, boxy, wholly unreliable, and yet refuses to die.
Also... one of those dogs that if you stare at him long enough, you can see traits of any breed you desire. Goodness only knows what's in his bloodlines. A Dodge is just as likely as anything else.
Lastly... he has a strange (to put it mildly) fixation with the Caravan's tires. My only explanation is that it reminds him of Mommy.
A Yellow Lab / Golden Retriever mix is a great dog with kids. Gentle, even tempered and not too small. Too small a dog, and the kids can hurt it. We all think our kids are the best and they wouldn't hurt a puppy, but it happens.
Labs/retrievers are popular in part as the breeds are high on the 'socialability index'. A problem that seems to come up is that most families are away during the day and the dogs can get separation anxiety. Three people that we know the dogs have ended up with big holes chewed in wall, evidently due to the problem.
He's a pound puppy, but we think he's half Rhodesian Ridgeback and half yellow lab. Lucky is a great dog.
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