Dogs: What to get/look for

[WildRoseBeef]

I have considered a GP, they look like good dogs. Another breed I've been looking at are Bernese Mountain Dogs...along with the GSDs. Those BMD's look like as good dogs as them pyr's...the St. Bernards I'm not too sure about, like you say kitty to watch the breeders b/c of the popularity...I would think the same would go with the GSDs which are another popular breed.

But I'm not too sure about the rat terriers though. I don't know enough about them to want to have one. No offense intended though, JHM...they're probably more for the experienced dog owners like you than for a beginner like me.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

My SIL has a Bernese Mountain Dog--he's afraid of his own shadow and would never intentionally hurt anyone/thing. Breeders (at least here) are a bit more fussy about who they sell to and generally want them as indoor house dogs. I knw SIL's dog really suffers if it gets warm out and they don't turn the air on (he is why they got the air too). They love people and really don't like being alone.

 

[WildRoseBeef]

My SIL has a Bernese Mountain Dog--he's afraid of his own shadow and would never intentionally hurt anyone/thing. Breeders (at least here) are a bit more fussy about who they sell to and generally want them as indoor house dogs. I knw SIL's dog really suffers if it gets warm out and they don't turn the air on (he is why they got the air too). They love people and really don't like being alone.

Thanks for that...I know it gets pretty hot in the summers here and the only place that a BMD would be is down in the basement...only coming out in the evenings or at night when its cool out. And it sounds like they're like Labs, love people and don't want to be away from their masters for even a day...

GSDs are really getting more and more favourable by each post on here, lol.

Thanks again everyone for your input!

 

[Thewife]

WRB, I am only going to say this once!
I have read some of your pages, and you remind me of my sister that raised and trained GSDs and Belgian Malinois! Some one who digs deep and wants to learn everything there is to know about what ever it is you are interested in.
I firmly believe you will succeed with what ever kind of dog you want and get!

As for the rat terriers! My first dog was a terrier, they are little balls of energy with more brains and personality than most people!
Gotta love them!

 

[WildRoseBeef]

WRB, I am only going to say this once!
I have read some of your pages, and you remind me of my sister that raised and trained GSDs and Belgian Malinois! Some one who digs deep and wants to learn everything there is to know about what ever it is you are interested in.I firmly believe you will succeed with what ever kind of dog you want and get!

As for the rat terriers! My first dog was a terrier, they are little balls of energy with more brains and personality than most people!
Gotta love them!

That's exactly what I do! I don't want to jump in to something without knowing what I'm jumping into. It's just common sense on my part, I guess.

Honestly, I can in fact see myself owning a GSD...it's just a gut feeling I have that's so hard to explain!

 

[farmy]

no matter what you decide a great resource is www.petfinder.com

You can usually find both pure and mixed breed dogs through that site, so you can get what you want and save a life! Enjoy!

 

[earthnut]

When I was looking for a dog, I took online quizzes. might seem a bit silly, but it did help me figure out what I wanted and needed and brought to my attention breeds I wasn't aware of. I recommend taking several quizzes because they are quite different from each other, and pay the most attention to breeds that pop up in more than one quiz.

One breed that came up repeatedly for me was Bichon Frise. I ended up getting a Havanese, which are closely related and come in colors other than white. He is small and quiet, which is good for our city lot; doesn't shed, which I really appreciate even though he does need to be clipped; and has a low prey drive, so is good around the chickens.

Animal Planet
Iams
Select Smart
Dogster
Dog Breed Info

 

[mekasmom]

I have 3 Great Pyrenees and a St. Bernard. The GP are wonderful dogs, never hurt anything or anyone. They bark all night and dig big holes though. They take their guarding job seriously. The St. is more interested in the poultry, but doesn't chase them. She is friendly towards strangers while the GP are more cautious. The St. likes playing in the water, so tends to get dirty more than the dryer minded GP.

 

[jettesunn05]

My neighbor has Bernese(and was easy to raise) and he is awesome a great dog with a serious bark! He is gonna be big too. We live in North Ga and so far he has seemed to do well in the summer but then again he has a pool lol! I have a Border collie/australian mix. I love him but bless his heart he can drive me crazy. He just does his job and chases things but he requires alot of attention if you want him to stay in the yard boundary. But I would not trade him in! I like the anatolian shephards and if I could buy a dog that would probably be it. Terriers are my favorite but they can be rather hyper(which I love, but might not always be right for some). If you get a puppy do your research on health(parvo,etc.)not intended for offense to anyone. Puppies are good like mentioned before, they grow up around you and your livestock but sometimes their personalities are hard to determine when really young. You will find one or the dog will find you(like mine). And it might not even be a breed you thought about getting.

 

[Bronco Hollow]

I'm not going to suggest a breed, you'll do the research and select a breed or cross breed that will fit into your lifestyle. Just remember that in the dogs lifetime your lifestyle will most likely change and will the dog fit into that those changes.

A lot of people do not know that there are lines of Labradors with different energy levels. My personal opinion, for what it is worth , is I don't believe labs are hard headed, its training issues. Also a reputable breeder of any breed of dog will have some insight to the personality of the pup.