Help in choosing a dog breed

[Descartes]

I know there are forums dedicated to this, but I tend to trust the more diverse ATOT opinions first. It gives me a broader idea.

The wife and I are looking at getting a dog. I've owned dogs and cats before, and while she's never owned a dog she's been around them all of her life.

So, we thought of the following breeds:

1) Border collie. We like the personality, intelligence and energy of the border collies.
2) Golden retriever. I've never owned a golden, but as a kid it's a breed I've always wanted. Intelligence, kindness, energy, etc. are all positives.
3) German Shepherd. I love the GSD, but not sure the wife would. They have a temperament that I like.

That's really about it at this point. We live next to about 15 miles of paved trail through woods, so the dog would be getting a lot of activity on a regular basis. Lakes are also nearby, etc. so we could handle an active dog fairly well.

What we'd like:

1) That they don't shed too much. I know this is a negative for the golden.
2) That they're good with children. We'll keep up on the training, so I'm not particularly worried about the behaviors of the border collie in this regard.
3) We don't want a huge dog. Medium-sized would be our maximum, but we wouldn't mind a little dog either (e.g. Yorkie).

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Cost isn't a major concern unless it just gets ridiculous.

Thanks!


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Moved from P&N

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Common Courtesy

 

[Descartes]

I'm an idiot. Can we move this to ATOT? Sorry...

 

[Moonbeam]

Before you go, if you want to laugh your ass off get a Cairn.

 

[Descartes]

Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Before you go, if you want to laugh your ass off get a Cairn.

I'll take a look, thanks

 

[OrByte]

springer spaniel

and have fun in ATOT!

 

[brandonb]

A friend of mine got a German Sheppard female pup last December. He's not the best of trainers, but I noticed its fairly hyper active at this stage. But alot of young dogs are. It has a problem jumping up on you, and if you are on the couch or bed, it will jump up and jump at your face and give you little bites here or there. Of course it thinks its playing, as its not being aggressive/overdoing it.

But with a child this behavior could possibly hurt the kid due to scratches and getting tackled, etc. But like I said, my friend is not a very good trainer.

It's also territorial, if I come over and walk up the stairs, it hears it and starts barking. And comes stalking me, but once it recgonizes me, it immediately starts wagging its tail (and sometimes pees on my shoe.)

When my friend would train it, such as sit, lay down, speak, it caught on very fast, so I know its an intelligent dog.

The dog absolutely hates kennels and goes nuts, but it also discovered if it jumps in the kennel and pushes on the door, she can lift the door up over the latch and escape. Again, a smart dog, but fairly hyper.

I think the dog is fairly full grown at this point, its beautiful, and I'd say its medium sized. Not too big. The males might be bigger.

 

[heyheybooboo]

If you are considering a golden retriever or german shepherd you should consider a lab ...

Here is my favorite ""father-son"" lab pic ...

 

[Sinsear]

Go with the golden retriever. Best family dogs ever, especially with kids. Yeah they shed some, but it's really not all that bad.

 

[BZeto]

Lab!

 

[Vette73]

Doberman

 

[Blunc]

I suggest the breed that won this years Westminster, beagles are great family dogs, don't require much grooming, love to play, smart, trainable (they can be a little stubborn sometimes unless you emply their weak spot....food or attention).

 

[Terabyte]

Corgi

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: Blunc
I suggest the breed that won this years Westminster, beagles are great family dogs, don't require much grooming, love to play, smart, trainable (they can be a little stubborn sometimes unless you emply their weak spot....food or attention).

i 1000000000000% suggest against beagles, every one ive ever met has barked non stop 24/7

o dear god are they annoying

i suggest a Basenji provided you can fulfil its energy needs

 

[slsmnaz]

My family has always had Brittany's and they are amazing pets. Lots of energy and very sweet dogs. Most aren't too big (mine is on the bigger side at 40lbs) and are easily trained.

Brittany (wiki)

Mine as a puppy pic

here he's 6mos old pic

(sorry for the pics I just think he's a great looking dog )

 

[waffleironhead]

Go to the pound a get a nice mutt.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Vizla

 

[Uppsala9496]

Australian Shepherd.

Look and temperment are similar to a border collie. Beyond intelligent dogs.

 

[zinfamous]

GF and I are planning on getting a puppy (and kitten...apparently ) a couple of months from now when we move.

At this moment, I'm leaning heavily towards the ACD breed. Australian Cattle Dogs, Blue or Red Heelers. They seem to be some of the smartest dogs around, and multiple people have told me they make some of the greatest pets. I prefer the Blue heelers....

As usual...I wouldn't want something pure though. Looking for an ACD mix
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Cattle_Dog

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: Sinsear
Go with the golden retriever. Best family dogs ever, especially with kids. Yeah they shed some, but it's really not all that bad.

I love Goldens, as I grew up with one (was my dad's dog before I was born...and before my parents were married).

My brother and his wife have a Golden/Cocker Spaniel mix (her dog for many years). slightly larger than a Cocker, with golden fur and Cocker ears. She's a great dog, and she's finally warmed up to their toddler.

 

[Blunc]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: Blunc
I suggest the breed that won this years Westminster, beagles are great family dogs, don't require much grooming, love to play, smart, trainable (they can be a little stubborn sometimes unless you emply their weak spot....food or attention).

i 1000000000000% suggest against beagles, every one ive ever met has barked non stop 24/7

o dear god are they annoying

i suggest a Basenji provided you can fulfil its energy needs

as was plainly seen at Westminster, Uno did not bark non-stop.

Basenji's are not totally silent, they have a rather odd "yodel".

 

[Uppsala9496]

Forgot to mention about the Australian Shepherd.
They are very active. Have 2 in the family and both get along great with kids (brother has a 9 year old and 5 year old, and I have a newborn. The dogs love the kids.). Both dogs also love the water.
I have a lakehouse that I visit every weekend in the summer and the dogs are in the lake all day long. They will randomly go in there for a swim on their own. Kind of funny.

You have any direct questions about the breed, let me know.

 

[Blieb]

Shiba Inu's are cool ...

My family has always had Yorkshire Terriers ... <3

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: waffleironhead
Go to the pound a get a nice mutt.

:thumbsup:

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: Blunc

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: Blunc
I suggest the breed that won this years Westminster, beagles are great family dogs, don't require much grooming, love to play, smart, trainable (they can be a little stubborn sometimes unless you emply their weak spot....food or attention).

i 1000000000000% suggest against beagles, every one ive ever met has barked non stop 24/7

o dear god are they annoying

i suggest a Basenji provided you can fulfil its energy needs

as was plainly seen at Westminster, Uno did not bark non-stop.

Basenji's are not totally silent, they have a rather odd "yodel".

i know they yodel its funny and they are great dogs, the non real barking is not why i suggested it

and show dogs differ greatly from the general public
im 26 and ive met a lot of beagles, all of which barked basicially all the time

 

[Blunc]

>OP, the main difference between a show dog and any other dog is training (and breeding documents), please don't let one person's seemingly bad experience deter you from at least looking at an exceptional family pet.