Well, after some discussion, pro/con lists, and deciding if it's the right time-there's going to be a new addition to the household this summer. That's right....we're getting a puppy.
Background info: 4yr old in the house 2 days a week, already a boxer and a little yippy cat thing my s/o claims is a dog (papillon), 2 cats (who unfortunately must be separated from the dogs already living there as the boxer tries to kill them when they're kept together).
Stipulations: It will be a real dog (no more fake, expensive cats that look like little dogs allowed). Needs to be good with kids. Needs to be smart (or at least smarter than a box of rocks). Should be protective but not overly aggressive. I'm leaning towards the following breeds: great dane, german shepard, belgian malinois, husky. There's room for negotiation and mutts are a possibility.
Great Danes are excellent dogs, but you have to watch their tails around kids, that thing is like a bull whip when they are happy....Sheppards are loyal, smart, and great with kids and usually good with other pets. Huskies are also very loyal, smart, etc. but they shed a lot more than a sheppard and can be a bit territorial (males). I like Labs too. They are very smart, calm but still playful and very loyal. Mine was great with the kids. He was protective, but not overly aggressive. He was real easy to train too. And they don't shed as bad as Sheppards or huskies....
__________________
And your point is???? Don't have one? Well then shut up and I'll give you one!
Thanks for the input thus far guys....some more info for ya'll:
The two dogs already in the house are both male and have not been snipped (not my decision). Whatever sex we end up getting will be fixed. No one in the household has allergies so the shedding problem isn't huge (we keep lintrollers in all of the glove boxes of our vehicles already).
Kat-I had a Great Dane growing up and the dog was phenomenal, but you're right about the tail, that thing hurt. Are most labs calm? My parents/siblings have a black lab and the damn thing is the most hyperactive, retarded dog I've ever seen. Sweet...but incredibly hyper and mildly retarded (she ate 2 of my parents' stairs, 3 cell phones, and insists on laying on the back of the couch where she consistently falls off of because she's seen the cats lay up there)
I've had 2 labs and one lab/cocker spaniel mix. The black lab was very calm right out of the gate. The cream lab was hyper, but I started training him and he calmed right down. He loved the activity and attension and it really calmed him down. The "mix" was very smart and very calm, almost too calm. She laid around a lot....
__________________
And your point is???? Don't have one? Well then shut up and I'll give you one!
From what I know of them....labs are all over the board from horizontal to rockets on the pad.
Our shepherd was great with my boy when he was young...still is as far as I know. He is a smart dog too... VERY intellegent. (and always must be fed ONE PIECE of catfood whenever the cats get any )
One other good thing about him...he was not yippy or noisey after the first couple nights..... and has a bladder like a camel.
__________________
I think some people need a life....right Kitty 8)~~ ?
Are most labs calm? My parents/siblings have a black lab and the damn thing is the most hyperactive, retarded dog I've ever seen. Sweet...but incredibly hyper and mildly retarded (she ate 2 of my parents' stairs, 3 cell phones, and insists on laying on the back of the couch where she consistently falls off of because she's seen the cats lay up there)
Well, after some discussion, pro/con lists, and deciding if it's the right time-there's going to be a new addition to the household this summer. That's right....we're getting a puppy. Background info: 4yr old in the house 2 days a week, already a boxer and a little yippy cat thing my s/o claims is a dog (papillon), 2 cats (who unfortunately must be separated from the dogs already living there as the boxer tries to kill them when they're kept together). Stipulations: It will be a real dog (no more fake, expensive cats that look like little dogs allowed). Needs to be good with kids. Needs to be smart (or at least smarter than a box of rocks). Should be protective but not overly aggressive. I'm leaning towards the following breeds: great dane, german shepard, belgian malinois, husky. There's room for negotiation and mutts are a possibility. Anyone have any input?
If you get a shepard... buy your puppy from a reputable breeder and make sure you check out the pup's parents.....especially the temperment!! sex? I've had both: I'd suggest a female... portectiveness with out the testosterone assholism (no offense guys) even if your pup is fixed. shepards are intelligent, and they DO NOT FORGET people/animals that in their mind have wronged them. Also, once you have taught one to be aggressive, or they have encountered an experience that caused an aggressive reaction.. you cant reverse it. I'm not sure if that is all dogs, or just the breed.... or just the specific ones I've had over the years. [ someone moved into my house a few years back and managed to totally fuck up my pup's brain during their (not short enough) residency befor I realized what was going on.... anyone hear of canine counseling?!?!?!]
They need individual one-on-one attention, but should get along with the other animals, expecially if you discourage stuff like "kill the cat".
The experiences I've had with shepards have been good, however they DO have an agressive streak in them... just be aware. Also, they get grumpier and grouchier as they get older. THe dog that is great with kids at year 2 or 3 might not be safe with kids at year 7. Especially if the dog relates experiences that he/she has had at the hands of kids... or you have a situation like I do with a dog that was emotionally/mentally fucked up by some transient asshole..
I'm assuming that you know to check pedigree for hip displasia in larger dogs?
PM me if you want the name of an excellent shepard breeder...I'll look it up for you.
Ever thought about a dingo? or an austrialian shepard? BOth high recommends, but not as readily available....
I have a Lab and itīs a perfect family dog. Smart, easy to train, good with all other dogs, protective of the kids and house but only when iīm not around and very sweet to the kids (8 yr and 1 yr). Especially the baby she is great with. My lab slept in a kennel or when we were at work cuz otherwise she would destroy everything. Sheīs 3 now and doesnīt do that anymore and sleeps in the room. Hers a pic of Ronin the lab and my one year old.
I grew up with bullterriers. Superb dogs. Perfect with children, protective, energetic but also loves to cuddle, one of the most intelligent dogs around. BUT if you have other dogs allready it will one day go for the top position in the pack. Also itīs almost impossible to train them as they just donīt care.
I had a gsd and mal and of course at work and they are great dogs but gsdīs can be a little big and clumsy for small kids. Mals are like super charged turboīs and with other dogs i wouldnīt get a male. I love both but in your situation i would go for the lab.
And your point is???? Don't have one? Well then shut up and I'll give you one!
)
