Best Family Dog

[KarmaPolice]

Originally posted by: I Saw OJ
Go with a lab, get a puppy so your wife will fall in love with it right away, then once its grown it can be your dog to run around in the woods with.

This will work. My mom wanted a small dog, so we went to the dog place to get one(first time not getting one from the pound). We saw this really cute golden Retriever(thats the kind of dog I wanted)mixed with a standard poodle. The dog lady said he wouldnt get as big as a golden retriever so my mom said it was ok. Well he was really small when we got him and very cute. he is still cute..but he is huge!

awesome dog.

 

[Quasmo]

Get a mix, like a smart dog (golden retriever, lab, or poodle), thats been mixed with a small dog. My Ex has a poodle mix that's about 35lbs, GREAT dog, very intelligent. He thinks he's a lap dog, but he's not too big.

 

[Mardeth]

Another vote for the Westie! Not big, not small. Gets along with children and needs exercise. And not yappie, does bark from time to time.

 

[leftyman]

Originally posted by: KaOTiK
<3 my australian shepard. Extremely smart, lots of personality, very very active, and just loves to be loved and gives back just as much

Kao

:thumbsup: I love my Mickey, but Aussies aren't for everyone..

 

[bloodthirster]

Get a Lab or Golden. If you want a dog that will always be by your side get a male. Male retrievers are very clingy and love attention. At least the 10 Ive had were.

 

[thirdlegstump]

I had a golden retriever. He was the best dog ever. Don't get a jack russell.

 

[Uppsala9496]

Originally posted by: KaOTiK
<3 my australian shepard. Extremely smart, lots of personality, very very active, and just loves to be loved and gives back just as much

Kao

Great dogs. Have 2 of them and couldn't be happier.

 

[AStar617]

Originally posted by: freesia39
shiba inu?

FTW! Beat me to the punch. :beer:

Small-medium sized japanese dog, looks like a fox. Described as a big dog in a small dogs body, they are durable and physical, and can be trained to hunt and guard, though are not as reliable off-leash as a shepherd might be.

And as a bonus, they shed seasonally and thus mostly groom themselves If I was in a life situation that would allow for a dog, this would be my choice, hands down.

text

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
Labrador Retriever. Best family dog there is.

Labs are friendly, but some are demanding. Their hair is not ideal because it's course and they shed constantly. My mother-in-law has to sweep her house 3 times a day to keep the hair in check. Plus, her dog is HUGE. Consider getting a lab-mix....something that will stunt its growth and make it a little smaller if you go this route.

I personally think a lapdog is a better option. Try to find one with good fur that clumps when it sheds. It will make it easier to clean up. As for the complaints about small dogs being yappy....my dog is probably 16-18 pounds. He's small enough to be on your lap, but not a yappy, unhealthy toy breed. He's a terrier mix...he's really cool.

 

[vi edit]

Rhodesian Ridgeback.

They are big...females are up to 80 pounds, but they are the most affectionate dogs I've ever seen. They really think they are 10 pound lap dogs. They'll cuddle on the couch with you for hours on end.

Very good with kids, very intelligent, great indoors. The only time they bark is when they think there is something very threatening happening. Otherwise you'd never know they were in the house.

The golden is the typical suggestion, but I've known of many of them that were *VERY* destructive. They just chewed on anything and everything they could get their teeth around. Labs are a normal choice, but they are border line retarded and can be very hyper...which when you have an 80 pound hyper dog...that's bad.

The ridgebacks are just a very unique dog that work out very well indoors and with families.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Rhodesian Ridgeback.

They are big...females are up to 80 pounds, but they are the most affectionate dogs I've ever seen. They really think they are 10 pound lap dogs. They'll cuddle on the couch with you for hours on end.

Very good with kids, very intelligent, great indoors. The only time they bark is when they think there is something very threatening happening. Otherwise you'd never know they were in the house.

The golden is the typical suggestion, but I've known of many of them that were *VERY* destructive. They just chewed on anything and everything they could get their teeth around. Labs are a normal choice, but they are border line retarded and can be very hyper...which when you have an 80 pound hyper dog...that's bad.

The ridgebacks are just a very unique dog that work out very well indoors and with families.

Ridgebacks are good, but I've seen some tear a house up. If you get any large breed....get them as a puppy and send them to puppy boot camp. You need them to be trained if you care about your belongings. I know a girl that has a ridgeback. She can barely take it for walks because it's so much bigger than she is.

 

[Codewiz]

Boston Bulldog OR english staffordshire terrier. Both are great with kids and since they are from the bulldog family, people can be intimidated by them. However they are still small enough to get in your lap.

 

[thirdeye]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
Labrador Retriever. Best family dog there is.

:thumbsup:

 

[ryan256]

Originally posted by: GTaudiophile
Beagel!

QFT!!
My family has a beagel. Great loyal dogs. Always happy to see you. Likes to play but can be a lapdog in the evenings.

 

[ShOcKwAvE827]

Beagle! Great indoor dog that loves to be outdoors and hunt. Also small enough to sit in my gf's lap. Super friendly with kids. And how can you say no to this face.

 

[WildHorse]

This is the best family dog.

 

[LS20]

i like small little rat-dogs. theyre cute. labs are boring

 

[thedarkwolf]

pound mutt

 

[Born2bwire]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
Labrador Retriever. Best family dog there is.

:beer:

 

[Patt]

Get a mutt ... I have a german shepherd/rottweiler/lab sh!tmix ... and he is awesome. Although larger than your specs at 75 lbs ... never met a more gentle dog. Will play fetch with golfballs thumbsup, loves other dogs, gentle with kids, will sleep 20-24 hours a day if allowed

 

[RaiderJ]

Dogs that are <30lbs I think are better for kids... they can't take a bit more rough housing and not get hurt. I had springer spaniels growing up - they were very protective, but very mellow and great with kids.

 

[Gunther]

miniature schnauzer

 

[rsd]

Rescue a grey hound. We did..she was the sweetest dog. Great with kids and relatively easy to take care of (they actually like to sleep a lot).

 

[Excelsior]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Rhodesian Ridgeback.

They are big...females are up to 80 pounds, but they are the most affectionate dogs I've ever seen. They really think they are 10 pound lap dogs. They'll cuddle on the couch with you for hours on end.

Very good with kids, very intelligent, great indoors. The only time they bark is when they think there is something very threatening happening. Otherwise you'd never know they were in the house.

The golden is the typical suggestion, but I've known of many of them that were *VERY* destructive. They just chewed on anything and everything they could get their teeth around. Labs are a normal choice, but they are border line retarded and can be very hyper...which when you have an 80 pound hyper dog...that's bad.

The ridgebacks are just a very unique dog that work out very well indoors and with families.

Do you have one? Do they shed a lot?

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: DVK916
A good dog should be under 15 lbs fullygrown. Under 8 lbs is ideal.

thats not a dog. thats a cat