Dog Breed suggestions

[lobster1022]

My H and I are looking to get a dog. My H loves dogs and will spend tons of time playing with and training one. I'm a little more leery of dogs. As a child, I was bitten several times and I have always just been a little afraid.

I am set on getting a dog from a shelter. I have been searching the websites of ones nearby, but there are just so many animals.

Does anybody have an good recommendations of a breed/mix that will work well in our scenario?
TIA!

[redheadbaker]

Dogs are social creatures. If you're going to get a dog and put it in the backyard to live, I recommend a statue of a dog.

[welder'swife]

Dogs don't belong outside, except for leashed walks, zoomies time in a fenced backyard, and for eliminating.

Dogs are family members, and as such, deserve to be inside the house.

But to answer your question, I really love Coonhounds, they are great family dogs. They are stubborn, however, so need a lot of training.

[niemand88f]

I strongly suggest you keep any dog inside- there are just too many things that can go wrong when a dog is outside unattended. It could escape the yard and get hit by a car, get bitten by a poisonous insect, catch diseases from roaming cats, etc. Dogs also want to be around people.

If you go to a shelter and tell them your requirements, they should be able to suggest a good match for your family. Breeds and mixes vary so much it is hard to predict personality based on that. Another good option is to find a rescue that fosters animals in homes (petfinder.com) because they will have an even better idea if their available dogs are good with cats and children.

[caz1221]

I would not recommend an "outside" dog for many reasons, but for me, the #1 reason is the dog's safety. If you aren't supervising the dog, it could escape, another creature could come into your yard, the dog could eat something poisonous or be stung by an insect and have an allergic reaction, etc. Dogs are much safer and happier being inside (crated, baby-gated into one room, or loose in the house is your choice). Also, many shelters/rescues will not adopt to you if you plan on making the dog an "outside" dog (for good reason, IMO).

Is there something in particular you are worried about in having the dog inside? For example, if shedding is an issue, I would look for a low-shedding breed or mix (poodle, maltese, bichon, Wheaton, etc.). If you just don't like being around a dog that much, I honestly would reconsider getting one in the first place.

[SallySparrow]

Don't get a dog if you're going to make it live outside. A) What's the point? B) They can get hurt/killed/lost C) Dogs are social creatures and they can become very stressed out/destructive if left to their own devices and D) I will be shocked if you find a shelter that (knowingly) lets you adopt the dog as an outside pet.

You sound like you don't even really want a dog, since you admitted that you're kind of scared or nervous about them. I wouldn't get one until you are more comfortable with it, and until you're ready to let it live inside.

[independencegirl74]

PPs have already covered the "outside" issue and I firmly back them up on it. Our pup was bitten/stung the first month we had her, and we were right there to tend the reaction site (it swelled nicely, but thankfully she had no more serious reaction, possibly because we were there to give her Benadryl). Now that she's a year old, she's developed the wonderful habit of digging if we turn our backs for more than a couple of minutes.

I'd make sure you are on the same page of actually wanting a dog yourself and not just because your H really loves them and would spend lots of time with one. You'll need to be as much a caretaker, companion, and leader for the dog as your H will, so just be sure you'll be completely comfortable around a dog in your home before you make the commitment to one.

I agree that talking to shelter staff and rescues who use foster homes will go a long way toward finding an animal that suits your needs as far as personality, grooming/care needs, and energy level (that's a big one, because high energy dogs NEED to get out and be exercised, without which they're likely to get destructive).

My mom has a yellow lab, who has always been a wonderful family pet for her and my 2 younger brothers, but being a lab, she did have a lot of energy as a younger dog and she sheds like crazy. My aunt has a Wheaten terrier, who is very social and affectionate, and being a more "hypoallergenic" breed, the hair is a non-issue. My sister and BIL have a senior pekingese, a pug, and a Frenchie. The Frenchie is the youngest and the most energetic as a result, but all are pretty content to hang out and chew their bones or tug on toys together so long as they're around the family. Our dog is a Boxer. She can play for hours with the best of them, but is also content to just hang out in the same room as we are, loves every dog she's ever met, and adores kids (I attribute the last 2 to us socializing the crap out of her as a puppy to make sure she'd always associate other dogs and kids with happy fun things).

Definitely talk to shelters/rescues; they can recommend the best way to go in a breed or specific dog, since not all dogs fit the mold for their breed(s).

[janegold]

We have a Great Pyrenees and she is a wonderful family dog. She LOVES children (other people's; we don't have our own yet) and is very even keel.

I would recommend our breed-specific rescue agency to you, but I know for a fact they won't adopt to you if you just plan to have an "outdoor dog." No agency should. If you're not ready to have a dog live in your house, then you really shouldn't get one.

[dearprudence]

Something else to add to the outside dog advice. If you're leery of dogs in general, an outside dog won't be the best bet for you.

I know, I know, we hate comparing dogs to people, but bear with me on this one. You know those stories about children "raised in the wild" who just don't know how to behave when they're brought into society? Well that story applies equally well to dogs.

A dog who is left outside is going to have worse "manners" than an indoor dog, because he doesn't get the opportunity to learn how to behave in polite company. If you have any fear, then you're going to want the dog inside, with you, learning how he's expected to act. (ie - no jumping, no furniture, whatever other rules you want).

In terms of breed, I would recommend going through a rescue for you, and keeping an open mind. When we were looking for a dog I ruled out any "smart" breeds and any "high maintenance" breeds (so shepherds, collies, labs, pits, etc.) that we just didn't have the time to devote to. But we still ended up with a lab mix, because the worker at the shelter knew the dog and knew that his needs met what we were able to give.

This was a unique situation since the shelter held only a couple of dogs at a time. Many shelters won't "know" the dogs in this respect, but a rescue will be able to match you up with a dog that will work best for your situation.

Also, something to keep in mind - sex and age have nothing to do with the ability to train. My parents adopted a 4month old female pit mix. She's the best, but she's freaking smart which means she's certainly not "easy" to train. It took a lot of time and effort because she wanted to do what she wanted to do. We adopted a 9month old male lab mix who is sweet, but not real bright. He is far better behaved because he's too dumb to know there are options out there that don't include following the rules!

[independencegirl74]

Jun 12, 2012 13:29:54 GMT -5 dearprudence said:

We adopted a 9month old male lab mix who is sweet, but not real bright. He is far better behaved because he's too dumb to know there are options out there that don't include following the rules!

;D BWAAHAHAHAHA!! That description totally made my afternoon.

[kellbell191]

I agree with not having an outdoor dog, especially if you want one that is safe and socialized. Personally, we own hounds. They're stubborn and don't always listen well, but they are very intuitive, empathetic and gentle, all of which I appreciate. It sounds like you would do well with an adult dog that has been in foster care and already learned some manners, not to mention has outgrown the puppy craziness.

[minniebee]

I agree with all the others regarding the outside dog issue. If your dog is going to be outside alone all the time, don't bother getting one. In my family, we call those "lawn ornament dogs" because the family might as well just have a lawn ornament if they're not going to allow the dog to interact with the family other than in the yard.

As for getting a young dog for ease of training, the saying "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" is not true. Our dog was over 6 years old when we adopted him, and I've taught him lots of tricks and commands. He's still learning new things at almost 9 years old. You can definitely train a dog that's not a puppy.

Keep in mind that a puppy can be a lot of work. And younger dogs have a higher energy level, so you need to give the dog an outlet for all that energy or it will develop behavior problems. If you go with a young dog, make sure you're willing to put in the time to exercise it. A bored dog will become a naughty dog.

Breed suggestions - remember that dogs are like people, they're individuals, and not every dog will fit the personality & temperament of its breed. And if you get a mixed-breed dog, it's a toss up on which characteristics the dog might have gotten from each breed and how those characteristics come out when you mix them. You can do research on breeds, but know that you still need to judge all dogs individually and not assume any dog exactly fits the personality & temperament of its breed. This is where a rescue that has dogs in foster homes can be helpful - they can give you a lot of info about the dog so you have a more clear picture of what you're getting into.

Here's a questionnaire from Animal Planet on selecting a dog breed:
animal.discovery.com/breed-selector/dog-breeds/questionnaire/page1.html?q=1

Take that for what it's worth, though. I did the questionnaire and it didn't come up with either of the breeds in my mixed-breed dog, and I think our dog is perfect for us!

[lobster1022]

Thanks for all the advice!

I think did a poor job of phrasing it that I want an "outside dog". I'm not talking about a dog who is only outside all the time. He/she could come inside to play/socialize with the family and would sleep inside. During the day, when both H and I are at work, I was thinking we could let the dog outside in the yard to play. (we work different shifts usually so the dog wouldn't be out too long by itself)
Is that still considered a dog "statue"?
Growing up, we had dogs. I lived on a farm so they were always running around outside.

My concerns about having a dog inside the house all the time are mainly that they would be destructive. I suppose as many posters have indicated that training/"manner" and appropriate exercise will alleviate these concerns.

Again, I really appreciate all the help. I am still early in the research phase of getting a dog, so it's great to get the perspective of other pet owners before I bring a dog into our family.

[independencegirl74]

Jun 12, 2012 14:33:57 GMT -5 lobster1022 said:

I think did a poor job of phrasing it that I want an "outside dog". I'm not talking about a dog who is only outside all the time. He/she could come inside to play/socialize with the family and would sleep inside. During the day, when both H and I are at work, I was thinking we could let the dog outside in the yard to play. (we work different shifts usually so the dog wouldn't be out too long by itself)
Is that still considered a dog "statue"?

My concerns about having a dog inside the house all the time are mainly that they would be destructive. I suppose as many posters have indicated that training/"manner" and appropriate exercise will alleviate these concerns.

While no, your revised scenario wouldn't be a "dog statue" type of deal, our point was that leaving a dog outside unsupervised (eg, when no one is home) for ANY amount of time is never a good idea.

Yes, training and proper physical and mental stimulation will alleviate a dog's tendency to be destructive in the house. Another way to avoid destruction inside is to keep the dog crated when you're not around to supervise until the dog has "earned his/her freedom" (proven they can be out in the house without destroying things). Zoey, at a year old, is still working on earning her freedom from the crate when we're gone at work. We started out with very short periods, less than an hour, where we would leave her alone and see what happened. When nothing happened, we increased the time she was left out in the house alone. If something gets destroyed or she has an accident, we go back to putting her in the crate if we're going to be gone for that amount of time again. And repeat. You might want to move from the crate to gating the dog into a single "puppy-safe" room at first, to both give more freedom and help ensure nothing is destroyed (and puppy doesn't ingest anything that could cause harm).

You can't dog-proof your entire backyard, where it's impossible to account for things like prowling animals, obnoxious or outright cruel neighbors or passers-by, poisonous plants, or venomous insects (or even regular old bitey insects your pooch might end up being allergic to).

[caz1221]

Jun 12, 2012 14:33:57 GMT -5 lobster1022 said:

Thanks for all the advice!

I think did a poor job of phrasing it that I want an "outside dog". I'm not talking about a dog who is only outside all the time. He/she could come inside to play/socialize with the family and would sleep inside. During the day, when both H and I are at work, I was thinking we could let the dog outside in the yard to play. (we work different shifts usually so the dog wouldn't be out too long by itself)
Is that still considered a dog "statue"?
Growing up, we had dogs. I lived on a farm so they were always running around outside.

My concerns about having a dog inside the house all the time are mainly that they would be destructive. I suppose as many posters have indicated that training/"manner" and appropriate exercise will alleviate these concerns.

Again, I really appreciate all the help. I am still early in the research phase of getting a dog, so it's great to get the perspective of other pet owners before I bring a dog into our family.

Proper training, physical exercise, and mental stimulation definitely help minimize any destruction, as does crate training the dog (as PP said, some dogs earn freedom from the crate). One important thing to recognize is that most dogs will not just entertain themselves if they are let out into the yard, so letting the dog out in the yard with no humans most likely will not amount to the necessary amount of exercise and mental stimulation that the dog needs. That goes for any dog- if I let my low-energy pugs into the yard together, it would never be sufficient exercise for them because they would just sit around until I let them back in. They get 60-80 minutes of structured/working on-leash walks every single day (broken into two 30-40 minute walks on weekdays) unless the weather is just terrible (pouring rain or actively snowing).

Definitely do a lot of research (and maybe even dog-sit for a friend for a weekend) before making the decision, and make sure everyone in the family is on board and will do his/her share of training, exercising, feeding, etc. I adore my dogs, so this stuff doesn't feel like work, but to someone who doesn't like dogs, it would probably not be very much fun at all!

[ralphlauren]

Why get a dog to just keep it outside?? :N: :N: I do not understand that? Get a stuffed animal instead....

[gbck]

A dog who is destructive isn't really any LESS destructive outside. They just have different targets (your yard, house [yes, dogs can eat siding ;], etc) and are subject to different risks (the biggest one being getting out--a destructive dog can 'destruct-o' just about anything you can do to contain it (which puts the dog at increased risks).

And home alone, dogs don't really 'self exercise'....they'll run around when they've got people, but not by themselves. unless they're super bored, which is when they become destruct-o-dogs :-)

Someone suggested temporary 'dog sitting' to see what it's like--I think taht sounds like a good idea for you guys. Good luck

[heightsyankee]

When you do find a breed that you like, you might want to consider a breed specific rescue. You are still saving a dog (rescues often find their breeds in kill shelters and save them, as well as take in dogs that would otherwise be euthanized). Typically a breed rescue keeps their dogs in foster homes. This allows you to know a lot about the dogs personality, which will help with your fear. They are also usually trained in the basics and house broken.

IMO- if you are the least bit skeptical about a dog, do not get a puppy. Puppies can be harder than babies in some cases... Get a fostered rescue who is 2 years older or more and avoid house training and chewing phases.

Another reason not to leave a dog in the yard all day--- it may bark a lot and really piss off your neighbors, especially any that may have small children or any adults who, for one reason or another, try to rest during the day. While the welfare of the dog is the most important reason to keep it inside, other people already touched on that and this is just another reason to add to the pile.

[kellbell191]

Jun 12, 2012 14:33:57 GMT -5 lobster1022 said:

Thanks for all the advice!

I think did a poor job of phrasing it that I want an "outside dog". I'm not talking about a dog who is only outside all the time. He/she could come inside to play/socialize with the family and would sleep inside. During the day, when both H and I are at work, I was thinking we could let the dog outside in the yard to play. (we work different shifts usually so the dog wouldn't be out too long by itself)
Is that still considered a dog "statue"?
Growing up, we had dogs. I lived on a farm so they were always running around outside.

My concerns about having a dog inside the house all the time are mainly that they would be destructive. I suppose as many posters have indicated that training/"manner" and appropriate exercise will alleviate these concerns.

Again, I really appreciate all the help. I am still early in the research phase of getting a dog, so it's great to get the perspective of other pet owners before I bring a dog into our family.

You can crate or babygate to make sure they aren't destructive. Mine are nine millions time better behaved in the house during the day than they would be outside. They sleep on the sofa or on their dog beds and are babygated downstairs. We keep the trash locked up. In the hour they were outside last night they found a dead groundhog, rolled in it, then tried to eat it. I'd rather have them on my sofa than smelling like dead shit every day. Not to mention its pretty unsafe for them outside, there have been reported poisonings (even in my parents nice neighborhood!), other animals can get in, they can get out and go wherever they please (leading to tickets from the city). Easier to know where they are and what they're doing for sure.

You all should definitely try to get an adult from rescue that is crate trained, obedience trained, etc. It will make the adjustment a lot easier.

[straymo]

FWIW dogs in backyards alone all day do not "play." It makes it harder on potty training because when outside they can do when and where they want. They can protect themselves from the elements or other dangers like someone opening the gate (It happens everyday).

[aliciar6]

Jun 12, 2012 11:41:57 GMT -5 lobster1022 said:

My H and I are looking to get a dog. My H loves dogs and will spend tons of time playing with and training one. I'm a little more leery of dogs. As a child, I was bitten several times and I have always just been a little afraid.

My H likes wants a young female because he says they are easier to train. I want an outside dog because I don't like animals in the house all the time. We have a large fenced backyard. We have a cat and will likely start trying to have kids in the next few years.

I am set on getting a dog from a shelter. I have been searching the websites of ones nearby, but there are just so many animals.

Does anybody have an good recommendations of a breed/mix that will work well in our scenario?
TIA!

I'm like you, I'm just not a dog person, when i was a kid (2-3 years old) i was constantly knocked over and jumped on by our dog, who was a springer spaniel (lived outside) and all i can remember is running terrorized through the back yard to get to the gate and through it and closed in time before she jumped on me.

our second dog we got was another hunting dog, a brittany spaniel, again lived outside, too hyper, never listened...hated the dog. but my dad had to have it, but he didn't take care of it. that was left to me, my brother, and my mom all of which didn't want the dog.

my mom's current dog Teddy, a Belgian Turveran, I Love, he goes outside during the day in the fenced area around the swimming pool, he loves being out there (he comes in during bad or really hot weather) and at night. My mom no longer works, he gets 2 walks daily and lots of play time. He is a very big dog (lots of fur), but all the kids love him, he's great with my brother's kids and the cats.

Now for our dog, i would NOT recommend a weimeraner. they are known to have seperation anxiety, they are high energy, you have to constantly re-inforce things with them and be very strict or they will try to continually test and push the boundaries of what they are allowed to do. You have to be ok saying "no" a lot. A lot of rescue places won't adopt out a weimeraner that is under 5 or 6 to a house with young children because they are so hyper and oblivious. Ours has knocked me over, down the stairs, so many times because she is oblivious to everything or scared she's going to be left behind. she just recently gave me a concussion. I told FI she will not be allowed with in 15 ft of me when I'm pregnat or with in 15 ft of our kids because she can't be controlled and will jump and spin and if she were do to that and hit a child she'd slam him/her into a wall/table/etc. Baby gates don't deter her, she almost knocked the gate over onto my FI's niece if I hadn't have caught it.

Her saving grace is she gets along great with the kitten, overall is generally obediant, but dogs of her breed need tons of exercise. We took her for a 3 mile run, followed 10 minutes later by a 5 mile walk and she still wasn't worn out.

She was a shelter/rescue dog, she was abused by her prevous owner, it has made her have exponentially worse seperation anxiety than noramal in her breed and neediness issues. she has destroyed 2 crates, broken her 2 top canines off and chipped her back teeth to try to get out of her crate, but if she isn't crated, she will destroy the house, furniture, doors, to escape and try to find us.

I love the look of Huskies, but I read they are stubborn, like to dig, like to run off and can be harder to train. Plus the shedding 2 times a year is really bad when they blow their coat.

for myself I'd get a dog like my mom has or a German Shephard. but I really don't want another dog, and after this one has passed, it's going to be a long while before I'd get another

I hear a lot of good things about Golden Retrievers. that might be an option.

[dirtyred]

Ditto the others about NEVER leaving a dog outside unsupervised. Other things that could happen, in addition to what pps have said, is that your dog could be poisoned or stolen. Never, ever a good idea. You can crate when you're both gone if you're worried about destructiveness.

I hear that rescue grayhounds are great for people who are a little dog-shy. THey're laid back and essentially giant couch potatoes.

[dirtyred]

And that thing about young females being easier to train? I laugh in your general direction.

Our young female is about the most stubborn dog on the face of the planet. She doesn't like being told what to do and it shows--if you tell her to "sit," she'll do it, but SLOWLY. Like it takes over 5 seconds for her butt to hit the ground.

[kris356]

I saw this on FB and it seemed appropiate for this post

[tricolore]

Maybe you and H could try to spend some time volunteering at a local shelters-- will make you more confident (if that's the right word) and both of you can meet and interact with a variety of breeds and mixes.

As for recommendations, PP said it best with think about a lot of things: time (for grooming/exercise/etc), space, etc.

Personally, I'm pretty mad keen on English Setters-- friendly, but not as overtly (OTT) friendly as many Labs, for example (i.e. they don't jump). They rarely bark. Field setters require grooming (obviously), but are moderate shedders (bench setter shed more and have more demanding grooming needs).
ES will run with you, but a good 1hr walk (plus 2-3 short walks) will be enough to keep them happy, healthy, and stimulated. They're not "lap dogs" (i.e. don't need to touch your person) but at the risk of repeating a theme, do NOT do well alone, with no interaction for long periods of time. Near you, but not on top of you is their motto.

That said, both H and I work and do not have viable "dog sitter"/"dog day care" options where we live, so our ES, Lucy, spends a good 9hrs/day alone at home. I wish it was less, but it is what it is, and she's very, very well-behaved (see no barking/jumping/etc). She literally goes everywhere with us when we're not at work (restaurants, the mall, ferries, trains, long car rides, you name it) and we have literally never once had a complaint or negative comment.

She's also fine with kids. Actually, in my opinion, she's better than exuberant dogs, b/c she's calm. Trust me, here, parents tend to let their kids "free range" (i.e. run around in kid groups sans supervision). Lucy's been mobbed by multiple groups of kids (2-7yrs old) and just sits and looks at me. She lets them pet her, but she provides no "feedback" (jumping, licking, barking). To be honest, she's so sweet and easy going, I personally make the choice to limit her exposure to little ones (en masse) not b/c I don't trust her, but b/c I worry they're not gentle enough and she's too sweet to "complain" if she's uncomfortable. She's a trooper.

I should add, she was a 3yr old rescue when we adopted her, so I take zero credit for her manners. ES are really a pleasant breed.

[shortcake2675]

Jun 12, 2012 13:13:00 GMT -5 janegold said:

We have a Great Pyrenees and she is a wonderful family dog. She LOVES children (other people's; we don't have our own yet) and is very even keel.

I would recommend our breed-specific rescue agency to you, but I know for a fact they won't adopt to you if you just plan to have an "outdoor dog." No agency should. If you're not ready to have a dog live in your house, then you really shouldn't get one.

I do not recommend a Pyr for the average owner. I've got two of my own, and had 15 fosters. If you are interested, I can give you a rundown of why I don't recommend them to just anyone. The short list is they are headstrong, independent dogs that will own a neighborhood if left unattended outside, they can be excessive barkers, especially if there are squirrels plotting outside, and their bark is loud, they shed, they tend to follow commands best if they thought of it, they shed, and an off leash Pyr is a gone Pyr. And at 100+ lbs, they are big big dogs. While they are generally good with children, they are large and my daughter has thankfully learned to laugh when they knock her over.

I love mine, but they are not the dog for everyone. A Newfoundland however, might be a good option for you. Well, they shed also. And are big, and they have some pretty serious drool issues. Mine has a dryer mouth than most and I still have slobber on my walls that requires Simple Green to remove.

The PPs have great advice as to how to select a dog.