Best Family Dog

[InletBchDweller]

Looking at the photos of the dogs made me wonder.

What dog do you think makes a great family pet and why?

 

[Rudyjohn]

Looking at the photos of the dogs made me wonder.

What dog do you think makes a great family pet and why?

A Border Collie because they don't have a mean bone in their precious bodies.
And they have absolutely no oder either!!

 

[Miss Critter]

We've always had dogs, and I've loved all of them. Our dogs are family members. They sleep on the bed, travel to Grandma's house, are pictured on our Christmas cards. The "best" dog depends on what you are looking for. Small children? Allergies? Home all day or work long hours? Outdoorsy? Is space an issue?

That said, I love our lab. He is by far the most affectionate,easy-going and comical dog we've ever owned. The only downside is the shedding. He is a traveling fur factory. Oh, and I'm pretty sure he's not going to Harvard.

If you are asking because you are looking for a dog, please visit your local animal shelter to choose one. You can find purebreeds there, if that's what you're into, but mutts make great pets. They don't usually have the physical problems that can be common to many purebreeds, and most have great temperaments. Most of our pets have been rescues, including said lab.

 

[Will B]

Assuming they are brought up in a loving home, dogs become part of the family and we become part part of their pack. Ours are empathetic to a degree and know when something is wrong, one of us is sad, mad, happy. People who anthropomorphize their animals wind up with better pets to a degree...that's just my opinion. People who just see their dogs as dogs will only ever have dogs...

 

[InletBchDweller]

We've always had dogs, and I've loved all of them. Our dogs are family members. They sleep on the bed, travel to Grandma's house, are pictured on our Christmas cards. The "best" dog depends on what you are looking for. Small children? Allergies? Home all day or work long hours? Outdoorsy? Is space an issue?

That said, I love our lab. He is by far the most affectionate,easy-going and comical dog we've ever owned. The only downside is the shedding. He is a traveling fur factory. Oh, and I'm pretty sure he's not going to Harvard.

If you are asking because you are looking for a dog, please visit your local animal shelter to choose one. You can find purebreeds there, if that's what you're into, but mutts make great pets. They don't usually have the physical problems that can be common to many purebreeds, and most have great temperaments. Most of our pets have been rescues, including said lab.

I am not looking but just curious.

I have been "preached" to by Cork about buying a dog. She is very passionate about rescuing a dog from a shelter. We have always ended up with pure breeds and have only bought one. The rest were just given to us in one way or another.

 

[Teresa]

there are so many dogs just perfect for family life IBD! why do you ask??? just curious.

I am very partial to the lab for many reasons but there are several other dogs I love and would consider based on my personal experiences with friends' dogs... but my real instinct tells me that it ain't the dog. its the owner. if the owner makes the commitment that any new dog needs (and it is huge), and is willing to make the dog a real part of the family (and not part of the yard). well, then and only then, do you have a real good chance at having the best friend and family member you can ask for. all will be happy.

I was raised with all kinds of dogs and other pets and have an appreciation for they give us. But when I read these books by the Monks of New Skete, I gained an even greater appreciation of dogs and their place in our lives. the monks are professional dog trainers in New York and offer much great advice. what I liked most is the message they provide to new and potential owners: dogs are sentient beings. they need to be a real part of a family. if you want a yard animal, go for some other kind of animal - such as a farm animal. not a dog. and then they proceed to tell you how dogs behave in a pack, how you must be alpha, how to train and be assertive when necessary but never hurt or hit, etc. because of these books, the last 2 labs I've raised were quite easy.

I believe the books give advice on how to select a breed based on your lifestyle, etc.

 

[Teresa]

I am not looking but just curious.

I have been "preached" to by Cork about buying a dog. She is very passionate about rescuing a dog from a shelter. We have always ended up with pure breeds and have only bought one. The rest were just given to us in one way or another.

rescuing is wonderful. but my feeling is that every dog needs a home whether in a rescue facility or in a litter in the barn with all its papers (like Lulu). it must be your own choice where it comes from, etc. the choice and commitment belongs to you from the beginning - based on what is best for you and your family. wherever it comes from, the dog must be treated with the same dignity, respect, and given the same amount of discipline and love, and provided expectations to be a good (and contributing) member of the family!

 

[InletBchDweller]

there are so many dogs just perfect for family life IBD! why do you ask??? just curious.

.

see above ^

I do believe it is the owner as we had the friendliest Chow Chow and the sweetest Dalmation and now the lovey dovey Doberman. :funn:

I just see so many dogs and wondered what made people pick certain ones.

I was actually in a pet store in Metarie yesterday where I saw a Spuds Mackenzie puppy, it was sooooooooo cute but $1800 . I asked the guy what made them so special to be so expensive. His answer was the mother was $2000 and the puppy was a product of her. :roll:

 

[hnooe]

A Border Collie because they don't have a mean bone in their precious bodies.
And they have absolutely no oder either!!

I will second that for obvious reasons, AND, they are also good if you need help with your computer, installing dimmers, and doing sidoku puzzles...

Note of Caution: They are not a breed for couch potatoes though--their ideal owner is a 27 year old male, who like to multi task, take the dog in his pick up and go hiking and mountain climbing, skate bording, and hunting. If they are not contantly working or around energy, they can fall into a real funk!

 

[Teresa]

ibd - you were looking!

well, not sure if I would pay that. but bless its heart. he needs some rescuing! I mean, he may be sitting there forever waiting for someone who can afford his cute little paper-holding self.