Author Topic: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please  (Read 9278 times)

Offline keziahamber

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Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« on: April 11, 2006, 05:29:41 am »
I'll tell you what I'm looking for in a dog.  I'd like a velcro teddy bear type dog.  The Newf sounds perfect for me, except I'm not sure about the slinging drool business.  Also, If I did decided on a giant breed I'd probably have to purchase an SUV to go with it. I'm thinking a used honda element type. This sounds like the If you give a mouse a cookie children's book... If you give a mouse a cookie, he'll probably ask for a glass of milk... anyways...
 
I have a 7 year old child.  Active but responsible and wonderful with animals.  We have a cat.
 
I'm a golden retreiver, german shepard kind of gal.  I've always admired the larger breeds.
 
I've thought of the purse type dogs as well, thinking it would be wonderful to bring my little one along to the mall, and share a burger in the food court of the mall.  But could a purse pooch handle a bit of burger or would that be too much to handle for the little one's tummy.
 
I love the large breed temperment, laid back, loving, huggable, children can lay on the while watching tv... and they like to be in the outdoors as well, not being total couch potatoes... but will calm in the house.  See, I really don't like the high pitched bark of little dogs.
 
Also, I know I'd go out alone more often with a large dog escorting  me. Living in Windsor Ontario, I do worry about walking alone in the park, but wouldn't with a large dog escort.
 
Can you recommend a breed?  Velcro, Snuggly, Huggable, Easy to Train like a golden, takes pride in being with humans like a shepard....
 
Also my sister says Newfies smell and are big & dumb.  I disagree having read the breed standard. She says get an old english sheep dog, she has on old english sheepie.
 
Talk to you all soon.
 
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Jody from Windsor Ontario
 

Offline Kermit

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Re: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« Reply #1 on: April 11, 2006, 05:33:16 am »
How about a Golden Retriever then? They are affectionate, love kids, are big and snuggly, easy to train, eager to please... and not hard to find! :)

Offline keziahamber

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Re: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« Reply #2 on: April 11, 2006, 05:39:47 am »
I KNOW!  I totally disagree with my sister.  I don't know what  her problem is. Newfs are definately not like she says. 

About getting a golden,  my dog passed away on halloween, she was a golden.  A real sweetie.  I'm looking for a more mellow kind of dog than a golden.  Although I've met larger goldens that were extreamly mellow.

Offline BabsT

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Re: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« Reply #3 on: April 11, 2006, 05:41:55 am »
I am not one to have kids lay on dogs...  every now and then my 8 yr old does, but I dont encourage it...  It is a lot of responsibility to put on a dog... great with kids is something that a dog doesnt come with, I think it is a trust that is built through proper breeding, socialization and training

My opinion would be a mild great pyr.. but newfs are great too
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Offline Leah...

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Re: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« Reply #4 on: April 11, 2006, 05:47:13 am »
everyone is biased, but i would recommend a Aussie, but only if you have the time/energy to excercise it. they are very high-drive dogs.

Leah

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Offline Mom2Sadie

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Re: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« Reply #5 on: April 11, 2006, 05:49:51 am »
I KNOW!  I totally disagree with my sister.  I don't know what  her problem is. Newfs are definately not like she says. 

About getting a golden,  my dog passed away on halloween, she was a golden.  A real sweetie.  I'm looking for a more mellow kind of dog than a golden.  Although I've met larger goldens that were extreamly mellow.

I grew up with Goldens and mine were always very mellow. I think maybe as they got more popular less attention was paid to temperament when breeding them. But there are lots of great, mellow Goldens out there, you just have to be careful about selecting a breeder, which is true of any breed.

I'd also have to disagree with your sister about her Newfie comments. Well, half disagree. Sadie is TOO smart, sometimes I think she's half human. But she does kind of stink sometimes ;)
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Re: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« Reply #6 on: April 11, 2006, 06:07:21 am »
I've met quite a few newfies and we even owned a Newfie/Shpherd mix and I have never known them to be "stupid". Dopey (in a good goofy sort of way), but definitely not stupid. Now the stinky part, well you'd stink too if you had a thick coat that was a pain in the butt to keep clean. Heck Tater gets stinky and he's a short haired dog. I guess what I'm saying is that all dog "stink" at some point.  ;D

Offline Softhug

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Re: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« Reply #7 on: April 11, 2006, 06:07:29 am »
I love Newfies too! What about a dane or an American Mastiff? I would make a list of each of the dogs that are possibilities and then research each of them.  BPO is a great place to get tons of personal stories and information on the different breeds as well as the "good, bad and ugly". Good luck!   
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Offline chaos270

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Re: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« Reply #8 on: April 11, 2006, 08:10:54 am »
I'd definitely reccommend a newf.  They aren't stupid just slow to respond especially in puppyhood...Ka li you could see her think about something but I think it's because they take a little longer to mature...but she is a smart girl she learned how to manipulate everyone in the family into doing what she wants.  The one thing against them is they can be expensive and have problems if poorly bred.  As with any breed you want to check into certifications for OFA and other breed specific testing.  Kali doesn't smell bad at all but she does require almost daily brushing to prevent mats and such.  I've heard them described as mellow labs which I think is a good description (They live to please you).  I suggest you go to area breeders of each dog you think may work and see which would fit best. 

And I think aussies would be way too high energy for you and they require a ton of socialization and we still can't take ours anywhere with us where we don't hesitate to take our newf. 

Also have you considered Saints too? You could get a shorthair or long hair depending on how much grooming you want to do.
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Offline orion5221

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Re: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« Reply #9 on: April 11, 2006, 08:51:07 am »
Rottie
Greater Swiss Mountain dog
Great dane.....
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Offline BabsT

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Re: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« Reply #10 on: April 11, 2006, 08:53:05 am »
I missed the velcro part... no lgds would be good LOL  they are the opposite of velcro
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Offline PennyK

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Re: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« Reply #11 on: April 11, 2006, 09:00:50 am »
How 'bout a Saint?

Seems to fit what your looking for (and you would eventually get used to the drool  ;)!)

I picked a Saint for most of those reasons - good with kids being a priority.  I do agree that a dog must be trained to be gentle with children but, I also believe most are certainly not naturally aggressive in any way.
And, he's a huge snuggle bug!!
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Offline longshadowfarms

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Re: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2006, 09:06:24 am »
My last Pyr was very affectionate.  Not velcro, but a love bug nonetheless.  The Pyr before that could fling drool with the best of the Newfies, I'd say.  Anything with long hair will be more work, possibly smell a bit.  From what I'm reading here on this board, Newfies are similar in temperament to Labs, just a lot bigger, droolier and more huggable!  Labs are great dogs but like any breed, you need to be very careful with breeders.  There are probably more poorly bred Labs out there than good ones.  I suspect the same is true with the Goldens - you really need to carefully research each line.  We spent 10 yrs looking for the right Lab before picking our most recent Lab but we also wanted hunting lines that were not wired out the wazoo which was really tough to find.  If you just want a pet, I do have some ideas for good Lab sources.  Labs can be stinky too.  If you don't like stink, make sure you have a good place for bathing before you get any large dog.  20 yrs down the road into large dogs we are finally in the process of building a really good dog bathing facility.  Then again, when I was younger I didn't mind lifting them into the tub. 
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Re: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« Reply #13 on: April 11, 2006, 09:17:13 am »
Dogs are dogs, and they smell like dogs no matter what breed they may be. Now my doberman does not smell as strongly as my dane, but I think that is because there is more dane to smell, LOL.
Just a thought, dobermans make great family dogs, are relatively calm if socialized and out of the puppy stages, and don't drool. Although personalities differ, obedience training will bond a dobie to you like gorilla glue, and they are a great deterent to interference on late night walks.
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Offline newflvr

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Re: Help me pick a dog breed that is right for me please
« Reply #14 on: April 11, 2006, 09:36:10 am »
I adore my Newfs and wish that I'd had them my whole life!!  The drool thing is much overrated....i f you have a choice between a stable, loveable dog who drools vs. one who doesn't drool and you can't trust him....there is no choice, to me.  I've never lived with a pyr, but from everything I've heard, they seem wonderful as well;  but so do Saints!!!  Also I've heard great things about Bernese Mt. dogs.  The ones I know are sweet and loveable and don't drool.

The smell thing too sort of depends on the person taking care of them.  My Newfs don't smell unless they haven't been bathed or brushed in a while :P.  Since they don't know how to turn the shower on and refuse to use soap unless I'm with them, it's sort of up to me ;D ;D ;D to have them be sweet smelling!!!

Everybody is right about doing your homework...try the book "Paws to Consider" or "The Right Dog for You" (they are both available in paperback through Amazon.com).  They are both wonderful resource books that can give you the pros and cons of many breeds.  Then do MORE homework on breeders!!

Good luck and get back to us and let us know what you decide!!  We'll all cheer you on and will want lots of pics!!