What kind of dog is the best

245

Replies

  • lucky2too
    lucky2too Posts: 69 Member
    I have had many different breeds of dogs, but my black lab was the sweetest, smartest and most social dog ever. She was not a "pure" lab and we got her at the shelter. My daughter rescued a shi zhu and Bella is a darling lap dog. I would love a dog like Bella, but since I retired I'm traveling too much...and much too busy. No room on the Harley for a puppy!
  • ALW65
    ALW65 Posts: 643 Member
    Looking to a rescue group is an excellent idea - often the dogs are in a foster home and the fostering family can tell you much about the dog's personality.

    I have two greyhounds (greyt hounds) now, and they're my first of this breed. The resuce group in my state (teamgreyhound.com) rescues the dogs from race tracks and then they go to a prison. The dog is paired up with an inmate who's gone through training in working with these dogs. They get the dog used to socializing and teach some basic commands. It's a wonderful program for both the dogs and the inmates, I think. Once they've 'graduated' they move to a foster home. They're checked to see if they're cat-safe and how they do with other dogs, children, etc.

    Greyhounds are generally very calm dogs and are easy to be with. You will need a fenced yard as they're bred/trained to run and will usually takeoff like a bullet if given the opportunity. Mine were both completely accident free as they're used to keeping their home (their crate) clean. They need to go for walks on a leash, but don't require super long walks, tons of exercise, or running as many people assume.

    No matter what breed you chose, or even a mutt, please do rescue - less cost for you, and so wonderful for the animal :flowerforyou:
  • chezileigh
    chezileigh Posts: 255
    Hi there, I run a pet dog training business with my husband, so see a lot of breeds, some with issues, many who are just pups starting out. It's right to say that any breed can be trained and socialised to be good with dogs and people (and other species) however there are some breeds who are particularly good for families definitely. Labs, always a favourite with kids, springer or cocker spaniels tend to be very good.

    Any dog whether a puppy or rescue, needs a lot of stimulation to limit bad behaviours, physical stimulation is good, mental stimulation is equally as important (if not more).

    Also breeding and early development is a very important factor in temperament. Puppies should be bred for a variety of qualities with temperament being at the top of the list, they should not be separated from the litter until 8 weeks at the very earliest, and as soon as they are fully vaccinated their socialisation and basic training should begin.

    Good luck, enjoy your dog. :)
  • LisaEileen
    LisaEileen Posts: 185 Member
    Chows yeah what we've all heard about them. All the above breeds I have heard before are as described. I do know unless you exercise some dogs A LOT they'll go nutz. ie: Border Collies.... Irish Setters are said to be super good family dogs but anything I've ever read about them says they are well...... to be politically incorrect...... stupid. WoW. What a decision. Let us know what you end up with. I love the guy who said the best dog is "My Dog"

    I'm laughing over here...It took 20 years to talk my husband into letting me have a dog. He insisted that the only dog he would want would be a Border Collie. We found a rescue place that had a Bordie Collie/Chow mix. We went to look at all the dogs they had and he was the dog that stood out to us the best. We could tell right then he was going to be awesome with our 6 year old who has autism. I knew what I was getting myself into with a Border Collie after doing the research. You're definitely right. He goes insane if I don't get him out for a daily walk. We had a few weeks of intense heat and there was no way I was going to take him out in that. He was not fun to live with. Very antsy and jumpy. But, he is the most loving dog I've ever met. He hardly ever barks. My 6 year old can be kind of rough with him at times and he has never snapped at her or anything. We're working on teaching her to be more gentle.

    I agree with others who said to go to a rescue place and meet the dogs they have to see which one you think would fit your family.
  • ezrela21
    ezrela21 Posts: 4
    I have a gs/akita mix. She's amazing, she loves my daugther, is very protective of her. She's not friendly to strangers, neither is she aggressive. She just ignores them, unless they get too close to the baby.
    She loves to be active but doesn't go nuts if we end up just hanging around home for the day
  • McBully4
    McBully4 Posts: 1,270 Member
    263_98.jpg

    Corgi if that's not the cutest thing you've ever seen you don't have a soul.
  • KyliAnnHobson
    KyliAnnHobson Posts: 551 Member
    You need a dog to match your lifestyle/energy level. I have a husky/boxer mix and a pitbull. I love them to pieces and they fit my lifestyle. Which is VERY ACTIVE. I bike my husky mix around the neighborhood and teach her new tricks and things all the time and I walk my pitbull and we cuddle in the evening.

    Do your research and take your time. Rescue and love endlessly. My advice is to borrow/buy some books on how to decide what you are looking for in a fur baby and go from there. Think about what you can offer them and if it is good enough, what they deserve/want. You will find your match :)

    This! :)
  • Heyyleigh
    Heyyleigh Posts: 268 Member
    We have 5. 3 are resues. The one I will always have is a great dane! Its their personalities. People are right, you have to decide what you like, do your research, There are NO bad dogs, just bad humans that own the dogs. ;) Good luck.
  • Musikelektronik
    Musikelektronik Posts: 739 Member
    Boxer. You will not find another breed that is better with children and other animals. Ours is a joy, and so loving. They are also total clowns, and will have you laughing from day one. He's in my avatar, sitting still, wearing my sunglasses. He is amazing, and when he passes my wife and I are going to be inconsolable.

    Agreed. We have a Boxer/American Bulldog mix, and she's really, really wonderful. She is sweet, loving, and has excellent house manners. We also have an English Bulldog that's really fun, too. But she hasn't been very good when it comes to house training.
  • txlissa62
    txlissa62 Posts: 128
    I strongly recommend rescue. There are thousands of homeless dogs that need someone to love them. If you have a good rescue organization in your area, they can match you with a dog that meets your needs. You can also look on petfinder.com for rescue dogs in your area.
  • cmeade20
    cmeade20 Posts: 1,238 Member
    I love all kinds of dogs. But I have a type of dog called a pekepoo (half pekingnese half poodle) My family has had 4 over the years. They have all been child friendly, loveable, sweet cuddly and playful. They all also shared the house with other dogs, cats and numerous small animals (rabbits,mice,hamsters, gerbils etc) and reptiles (Iguana,turtles,chameleons) and got along fine.

    This is my baby

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    417987_10150553445336650_410944644_n.jpg

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  • skonly
    skonly Posts: 371
    Adopt don't buy. Please don't buy. Please don't buy. Over 9 million dogs and cats were put down in 2011. Please adopt and save a life instead of buying.

    Unless you are very active and can exercise the dog daily don't get any herding breeds. I have to explain to clients all the time why their dog tears up the house and that a daily walk is not enough for most of them.

    Go to your local shelter or check out petfinder and look through the adoption groups.

    No breeds are born aggressive. It takes time and patience and effort. It is a lifetime commitment.

    I'm sure once you start looking someone will pick you out or find you. One of mine picked me at the shelter. The other was found by a friend in bad shape in a ditch. We were meant to be together.

    Spay and Neuter!
  • Bittersweet82
    Bittersweet82 Posts: 79
    the best breed is a rescue...I think they tend to try harder the second time around

    Our rescue is a beagle/basett and he's a love
  • PinkyFran
    PinkyFran Posts: 54
    I don't think there's any such thing as a bad dog, I think its all about the training. If you put in enough time when they are a pup they will reward you with good behaviour. That being saig, I have a German Shepherd who is an absolute idiot, wouldn't change him tho.

    i agree any dog is as best as any other, i have a jack russell who are apparently notorious for snapping and biting, mine is a darling! took training......but hey didnt we all?????
  • zmzmzm19
    zmzmzm19 Posts: 155 Member
    Golden Retrievers have great dispositions and are adorable in every way. :happy:
    ^^^^^^^^
    THIS!! We have 2 Golden's, a brother and sister, and they are a JOY!! their disposition is like no other, they are happy, patient, playful, and loyal to the endth degree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :happy:
  • islandnutshel
    islandnutshel Posts: 1,143 Member
    I vote for Labs. Easy to train, and gentle.

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  • JuneBPrice
    JuneBPrice Posts: 294 Member
    Trick question: none.
  • PrfctGdess
    PrfctGdess Posts: 257
    That said, our lab/golden retriever never met a stranger. He's worthless as a guard dog :tongue:

    We have a Golden and he's the same way! :smile: And while it's true that there are no guarantees, Goldens have been bred for centuries to have a soft bite and be good with people/children. We also have a Maltese if you want something small; he's the sweetest dog, too
  • NoAdditives
    NoAdditives Posts: 4,251 Member
    <<--- This is Astrid. She is a 3 month old pit bull mix I got from a local shelter. She is amazing! She is the mellowest dog I've ever met. She does really well with my kids, is great around other dogs, and has been very easy to train. Pits are smart and want to please their owners, so training is easy.

    Ultimately, a dog is what you make it. Train it properly and it will behave beautifully.
  • Bittersweet82
    Bittersweet82 Posts: 79
    263_98.jpg

    Corgi if that's not the cutest thing you've ever seen you don't have a soul.


    awwwwwwwww!!!!!! very cute!!!!
  • chivalryder
    chivalryder Posts: 4,391 Member
    mybestbreed.com

    Check out that website. You'll find your answer there.
  • PuggleLover
    PuggleLover Posts: 261 Member
    Puggle - Pug/Beagle mix or a Chug... a pug/chiuaua mix. These breeds (and pugs) looks like puppies all their lives... and they are fun and playful. I have two puggles. But I have also had 2 poodles, several muts, greyhound, shizu (sp?) golden retreiver, lab and a great dane. All dogs are pretty cool though. :)
  • dubist
    dubist Posts: 279 Member
    A cat.
  • Tropical_Turtle
    Tropical_Turtle Posts: 2,236 Member
    I am all for a rescued dog, I picked up my Gunny (Chihuahua/rat terrier mix - mostly rat terrier) He is the sweetest little boy I could ever ask for, granted useless as a guard dog, but love him to death.
  • Weebs628
    Weebs628 Posts: 574 Member
    <---- I have a Wire Fox Terrier and she is awesome. Lot's of stamina and energy if you want to take them hiking or on a long run. The only bad thing is you can't let them off their leash (at least mine anyway). They're very independent and will run off at the first sight of a squirrel or rabbit. They're great though. We went hiking today and my dog just kept going and going and going.
    As far as temperament, my dog loves everybody and gets so excited when people walk up to her.

    Not to mention Wire Fox Terriers are freaking cute.
  • BTheGreatest
    BTheGreatest Posts: 145
    LABS all the way!! Lost mine due to old age recently and he was beyond amazing!!
  • BTheGreatest
    BTheGreatest Posts: 145
    Love your puppy baby!!:heart:
  • skonly
    skonly Posts: 371
    Looking to a rescue group is an excellent idea - often the dogs are in a foster home and the fostering family can tell you much about the dog's personality.

    I have two greyhounds (greyt hounds) now, and they're my first of this breed. The resuce group in my state (teamgreyhound.com) rescues the dogs from race tracks and then they go to a prison. The dog is paired up with an inmate who's gone through training in working with these dogs. They get the dog used to socializing and teach some basic commands. It's a wonderful program for both the dogs and the inmates, I think. Once they've 'graduated' they move to a foster home. They're checked to see if they're cat-safe and how they do with other dogs, children, etc.

    Greyhounds are generally very calm dogs and are easy to be with. You will need a fenced yard as they're bred/trained to run and will usually takeoff like a bullet if given the opportunity. Mine were both completely accident free as they're used to keeping their home (their crate) clean. They need to go for walks on a leash, but don't require super long walks, tons of exercise, or running as many people assume.

    No matter what breed you chose, or even a mutt, please do rescue - less cost for you, and so wonderful for the animal :flowerforyou:

    I have a greyhound/pit mix. He is a very fast kisser. lol. Greyhounds really are calm. Mine sleeps under the covers with me and snuggles. I love to watch him run his laps in the yard. The lab mix watches too. She can't keep up.
  • milismalley
    milismalley Posts: 9
    My English Bull, Einstein, is the best!! Oh wait... I meant Beast!
  • SherryTeach
    SherryTeach Posts: 2,836 Member
    my dog is best haha

    No, MY dog is the best. Isn't she cute? Actually, the best dog is the one the best suit one's lifestyle and living situation. I did a ton of research on what kind of dog I wanted and would fit me before I decided. My dog does not shed, she doesn't annoy the neighbors standing at the gate barking, she adores me, does not require more exercise than casual walks around the neighborhood. She is long-lived and not prone to genetic health issues.

    But really. Many dogs can be the best. . . depends on what exactly you are looking for. Take some on-line quizzes on dog breeds.

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