We are considering getting a dog. I like the idea of a big dog for protection and not a little Yipper but we don't have a large back yard. Any favorite types of dogs?

Seriously...go to your pound, get a stray. All my pets but one have been strays (the one I inherited when my best friend passed)Strays know they are on death row, they WANT a home, they WANT love, they WANT to be a good pet. I have a pit/boxer mix and she is amazing. Very gentle with my kids, but will raise Hell if a stranger comes to the house. I have a mini pin/wiener dog, also a great dog...very loving. Both were strays. I wouldn't EVER pay for an animal when I can adopt one from death row and give it the love it wants.

We aren't going to show the dog so his pedigree isn't all that important. I used to have a boxer and he was a good dog. I have had a chow, german shepard, great dane, poodle, husky( he bite my sister and then he had to go) and an Afghan Hound. He was beautiful but not very protective and alot of work grooming. Thanks!

I agree about the pond.
If there is a beagle that would be a good choice ; they are playfull energetic dogs without any mean streak ( that is atleast my expirence ) .The only downside is that you can't let them run loose , they put theire nose to the ground and are oblivious to all the rest.

oh , if you are looking for a watchdog don't go for a beagle they love everybody.

I love the Bishons .. They are an excellent companion dog.. They do not bark unless they are alerting you, to what they feel as danger.. They are not a yippy dog.. They are very protective, but not viscious.. They are fairly easily trained.. They can become overly friendly, if not trained otherwise.. The main drawback is the constant grooming, needed to deal with the curly coat.. Being a small dog they do not need a lot of space.. They are very good with children..

Labrador's are good alround dogs but require regular exercise as they can be prone to putting on weight fast. Border Terriers are excellent dogs if you fancy something smaller but can be a bit high maintenance.

I guess even humans are prone to weight gain without exercise. What about Border Terriers makes them high maintenance? What about Border Collies?

Border Terriers are a bit like light bulbs - they are either fully on or are fast asleep - they also require their coats to be stripped at least twice a year apart from that they are wonderful dogs with great character.

If you are interested in a Bishon for a reasonable price, check out the rescue sites.. Or any breed for that matter.. There is one thing about a purebred and that is you know exactly what you are getting, as far as temprement and looks.. All dogs are individuals so will differ some..

My husband, Prism Magic, would like a Neufoundland but he is not considering the scientific fact-big dog, big poops and who will be the pooper scooper? He loves a big dog.

My Mom had one for awhile.. He became so difficult to handle, that he had to be put down.. This was supposed to be a well bred dog.. They are cute but they cost a fortune to feed and are not the best with children.. They are also very difucult to train and need a strong hand.. I grew up in a family that bred dogs.. My daughter is also a dog trainer.. I do have a little knowledge..

KIm that's not what I said. Yes I do concider the big dog big poop issue. I used to have a neufoundlend love the dog but it ended up with a defective haart valve which is common in them. I then had a sheperd husky mix which stood 32 inched at the sholders. She was a great dog very loving and protective. Hell if i had my way I would get a irish wolfhound. But again the big dog big poop situation and it's not fair to the dog if you live in a city. Espeicaly that dog, it would look at the other dogs as if they where lunch.

So smaller would be better, maybe a mieshue or boxer.

Labs and Golden Retrievers are wonderful dogs....great temperments but they do need exercise like Phil said.....we have a big lab...he's the greatest but he's a bit overweight

German Rottweilers are loyal, and are only as mean, or friendly, as you want them to be....but they can be as big as 130 lbs!

My friend had a Rottweiler and everytime I visited her, he would jump on me and urinate on my leather shoes. They are such nice looking dogs though and they are protective.

Prismmagic love the irish wolfhound it's the best and biggest dog ever I've actually seen one running at me before and it was so huge I thought I was going to be eaten but they are really cool dogs

I still stand by my pitbull/boxer mix. Looks like a pit, heart of a boxer. Great with the kids, medium size, doesn't need any real grooming since she's shorthaired, needs daily walks but nothing out of the ordinary. Honestly, I've had Goldens (which are WONDERFUL animals to consider)a chihauhua, a weiner dog, a westie...but my best ever is my stray mixed breed. She knew she needed a home, wanted to be a good pet because of it (I believe) and has been amazing!!! And being a medium breed (about 65 pounds) she'll be with us for a good 12-14 years. I have a friend who has a pure boxer...and she's a fantastic pooch. Dogs are like uns...its how you handle them that makes them dangerous. Not all Pits, Germans (sheppards, rots, etc) are mean. I've known some fantastic, gentle, sweet ones in my life. But then they were treated well, trained, and given a lot of love.

Something about walking a pit that demands instant respect. People move over to the other side of the street. Even though your pit may be tame. I had a chow named Simba and he didnt know he was supposed to be mean and when I took Simba to the vets, people held on to their little dogs. The vet assistants were afraid to shove food under the cage and this ball of fluff sat curled up in the front of my Honda and would let the cats sleep on him and kneed his coat and lick him. You are right that it is all about how they are raised. Its true with humans too though.

A Golden retriver, Very stable dog!

I love my BEAGLE!! YAY for them! But they aren't as easy to train as some other breeds. Whatever breed you get, and whatever flaws it may have, you can't help but love 'em. I definitely agree about visiting the pound before going to a pet store. My Jasmine came from there.

I have heard of Puppy kindergarden and even for older dogs trainers that come to your house and guarantee that your dog WILL be trained or your money back. I worry with wooden floors though about paws and claws.

Paws and claws sometimes happen...but there are great products out to care for wooden floors and scratches...I guess the question is this: do you care more about your floors, or a loving and protective companion who will bring you years of happiness? If it's the floors, maybe you aren't ready for a dog. I have found that mixed breeds are really very good friends, and I stand by pound puppy's...they WANT to be good, because they know their clock is ticking down. All my pound pets have become wonderful and loving and very cherished family members...

If it were my house, that would be easier to answer. OF COURSE a loving pet means more to me than a floor, but there is the owner of the house that I do have to consider. Lets see, an inanimate object like a floor or protection, love and loyalty? A pet wins hands down!! I will learn how to protect the floor and not let it stand in the way. I

throw rugs are good...we have hardwood floors...we went to walmart got these cheap throw rugs....spent maybe $30 and they dont look half bad either! Saves MOST of the floor, still shows some of the hardwood floor, and protects it from 3 cats and 2 indoor dogs and 1 indoor/outdoor pit/boxer tongue attack...oh and two 5 year olds. Definately go for the love, loyalty and protection!!! Home Depot has some nice oriental type rugs at decent prices...the walmart ones we got are like 8x10 or something, just solid low pile carpet...nothing fancy, but matches the furniture and saves the floors.

We got a beautiful rug in our living room and people are so suprised when we say that we got it at Home Depot and we dont mention any designers names or fancy stores.

I haven't found my hardwood floors to be a problem at all. Perhaps with a young puppy they may have sharper claws? Or maybe if you don't let them outside to dig, or take them for walks, their claws may be lass worn? But generally I don't think dogs have sharp enough claws to do damage, unlike a cat perhaps.

Thanks for the information. I think the floors will be ok.

My favourite kind of dog, is a hot-dog...Mmmmm-mmmmm

Just a hot dog? Not a kraut dog or a coney island dog? Chicago dog? Hot dogs made of chicken, beef and turkey.....

well now if you meant THOSE kind of dogs...definately a big fat polish dog with chili, cheese and mustard, topped with a small spoonful of kraut....YUM...

I volunteer every so often at the local spca...and while it isnt PROVEN, the general idea is that sometimes a mixed breed is better than a pure breed. The theory goes...every breed has their problems, but it seems that the mixed breeds are a bit "sturdier". just observation mind you...but it does seem that there is less hip probs, etc in mixed breeds. I know also that there are web sites that list each breed and tell you all about them...traits, health, temper, how much hair, special needs, typical health issues. So you may look online for one of those sites.

**by the way Kim...
how did you like the SRV/Santana song?

I am very grateful to you for the SRV/Santana song...it does seem that every breed has its weaknesses so a combo of all the strengths would give us MIGHTY DOG!!!!!!Regarding your closing on your postings, remember this song, " is there someone you know, youre loving her so, but taking her all for granted. You will lose her someday, someone takes her away, cause she dont hear the words you longed to say, and I would give everything I own, give up my house, my _ my home, just to hold you once again." Then there is from a musical, longing to tell you but afraid and shy, I let me golden chances pass me by, soon you'd leave me, never, never to know, how I loved you...SO SAY IT!!

It makes perfect sense that mixed breeds would be healthier statistically than pure breeds due to the fact that they would avoid the problem of inbreeding.

I think the pound/shelter is a good route but if you are looking for a pure breed I would suggest a Bassett Hound. They are great companion dogs, very intelligent, and great with kids. Like Sam mentioned about the Beagle, Bassetts are hard to train because of their intelligence. Walks are very interesting. I sometimes let my Bassett follow her nose and see where it takes us. We might find a shoe, a bag of discarded food, or sometimes an animal carcus. Walks are fun!

I'm partial to poodles. I have two of them and I think that they make the sweetest things. They are hypoallergenic for those who can't stand the hair plus they don't shed, again for those who can't stand the hair. Also as a side note poodles are really intelligent

Hi Kimcande,

Take a look @ this website. As you scroll down and click on a breed they will show you a picture and state the dogs temprament. I have a German Jack Russel cross he is black and tan and like santa's little helper out of the simpsons. Good luck, the Belgian dogs are good all rounders generally. But if you like something out of the ordinary check out the Vimarana (thinks that is how it's spelt) silver German hunt dogs, blue eyes and short coat.

Heinz 57 as in mongrels are the most intelligent normally and healthier as bad genes are mated out. Pedigrees genuinally tend to be a bit friendly and dumb.

http://www.terrificpets.com/dog_breeds/

I love the springer spaniels..very intelligent, willing to learn, beautiful, medium-large size, friendly, agile dogs..negatives are - too friendly, excessive shedding, way too active..but I think they're almost perfect..I lost mine sometime ago and I'm pretty sure he's living with someone else..but I think I can find him..

I agree with Jenn- a good ole stray does make the best pet. I worked as a Vet's assistant for years and 99% of purebred dogs have some type of deformity that they can develop at any time. Rotties are prone to hip dysplasia, poodles to seizures, bug eyed dogs can even have an eye pop out. ( have assisted in several enucleations ) espsecially in Pekingese and Boston Terriers. Alot of the trouble some of the dogs we saw had were directly related to the care that they were given by the owner also. Dogs like Dachsunds cannot gain alot of weight because it puts a terrible strain on their back and we did have one that was so overweight that it caused severe damage to her spine and had to have surgery. You have to consider your lifestyle before you get a pet. If you're active, get an active breed like the beagle or Lab. If you're a couch potato get perhaps a poodle or a Pekingese or a Chihuahua if you necessarily prefer a Purebred but I myself prefer a mixed breed dog.My dog Jack came from the office I worked at. He was about 6 weeks old and someone found him under an old house in the country in the middle of January all by himself. He had sarcoptic and demodectic mange- had every type of intestinal parasite imagineable and was also so malnourished that we all thought he was going to die. We kept him and took care of all his problems. He has now lived with me for the past 7 years and I wouldn't take a million dollars for him. He has even won some trophies and ribbons in the "mixed breeds" contests that they have in our local festivities. You can see him if you type in the word Jack at the "Wallpaper Search" column to your left. Good luck in your search and let us all know the outcome. :)

Very informative and appreciated!

So Kim, did you get your dog ?

Alsatian - brilliant dogs, try not to get the runt of the litter...they might have problems.

Skippy....everyone knows a Skippy....they are always great dogs. Why? They just are.

Do you ever get the feeling every time you say something, everyone leaves?

Jack Russells, they cute, good with kids, dont drool all over the place like some other dogs, love to play easy to care for, and VERY alert.

I have never seen an Alsatian, but Jack Russells ar grat dogs. Boxers are too. So far, we have not convinced the owner of our home to let us have a dog. I think it because she also owns apartments in the area and those people can't have animals either. If they knew we had a dog, they might throw a fit. I would even be willing to pay a deposit.

The best kind are the stuffed ones.. they dont bark, chew up your stuff, make a mess.. dont have to feed or water it... hehehehe.. kidding... i have a little dog crossed between a chihuahua x fox terrier... he's a cutie and very protective,

Beagles are still best... nothing has changed since my last post... :-)

My son & his wife have a Beagle, Sammy ....he's a cutie too, but noisy ! I still like Standard Poodles, smart as a whip, people dogs, highly family orientated.....though the grooming deal is an issue you have to be prepared for.

Hot. You can keep them in the fridge...they don't bark...and they don't crap on the carpet.

kimcande you say you have never seen an alsation, yet u say that u have had a german shephard, i have two alsations, and a german shephard is the exact same thing as an alsation its the same breed but it has 2 names

Sausage Dogs for the win

they're a dog and a half long and a half a dog high :D

chow chows are protective dogs, (also veery spiritual) if ur considering a protective large dog i recomend an english mastiff

Hello. I am Jenny. Im new to the forum and just wanted to say i welcome all of you and hope we will have some fun here together :)

Hey Jenny ... welcome to the 'asylum', as the Offtopics are affectionately referred to by the ... ahem ... other 'inmates'.


Cookie?

Can't have one ... allllll mine. :oP

(/\ Just kidding, of course. Nice to 'see' a new face. :o) )

Definitely a Chicago dog -- the fluorescent green pickle relish and celery salt -- mmmmmmm...

For the other kind, gotta' love black labs...they stay 'puppies' a long time...

Mike ... I totally agree with you on black Labs being puppies forever. I have one that's almost 7 years old sitting next to me right now ... my playful boy Dozer, who has the sudden urge to play tennis ball fetch indoors. Next he will be barking at the refrigerator ... midnite snack time followed by a relaxing massage. In return I get a sloppy goodnight kiss on the my left ear. Oh yeah, Dozer knows his left paw from his right ... self taught of course.

Then a big welcome to Jenny ... you'll enjoy the site very much.

I've always had a soft spot for the 'Heinz 57's' of the four-legged world. :o)

Incredibly bright, intelligent ... seems as though the mixed breeds ... at times, I suppose ... get the best of the mixed gene pool?


Although I will quickly add that Labs are definitely at the top of my list as well. :o))

I got my dog, Katie, from an animal rescue, she is, according to the vet, a Pomeranian and Sheltie mix (big for a pom, small for a sheltie) .. she's very smart and I taught her how to vote on images in the VB ... she knows when it's dinner time or "W" time (can't say 'walk' around her), and she comes and reminds you of this fact ... she loves nothing more than to go for a ride with her head out the window ... and, last but not least .. she doesn't bark (she knows how, she chooses not to)

she's made me very rich, as I decided to charge people a $1.00 every time they said I had a cute dog (*cha-ching*)

We have had a lot of the same dogs you mentioned. We have had the pleasure in our family to have had a Boxer, a Dane, an Irish Wolfhound, and a Pug. I think the Boxer was great and would enjoy having another one. I have never had a Lab or Sitter, but would also consider them. Like Boxers, I hear they are great family dogs.

Well, I also love Polish dogs! with tons of sauerkraut and mustard!! But as for doggies....here we go.

I saw a darling dog for the first time recently. He was called
a Puggle!! Cross between a Pug and a Beagle. Very precious.
I love Beagles, and Australian Shepards. I don't have one, but want to get a doggie one day too. I had a Golden Retriever for a while, she was a good dog, and I know the shelters have lots of doggies that needs homes. Verena

Personally, I really am losing it with all these designer dogs lately. They're mixing poodles with everything ! Your poodle du jour madame et monsieur !!!

ok... when I was growing up we were always cat people until we saw an adorable cocker spaniel puppy at a friend's house. The entire family fell in love and within days, Cindy joined the family. Not a cockapoo but a pure bred, jet-black cocker spaniel...

It was a long time between dogs... My husband is deathly allergic to cats but not quite so bad with dogs. We wanted a cat. What we got was a purebred Maltese, about as big as a cat, not one of them maltapoos or whatever... She had outlived her usefulness as a breeder and her owner was looking for a good family for her. Wellll, she came to the right place! And Lalapalooza, aka Miss Lalabelle, is now firmly ensconced in the middle of the sofa between us.

wire fox terrier...amusing,full of joy,has ideas.