Best Family Dog

[Teresa]

I've known some great purebred dogs too, but there were many assorted health problems that IMO were due to overbreeding. One dog we had was allergic to freshly cut grass!!!

A think a little genetic variety is good for both people and dogs!

well, I think its pretty well known that certain breeds are prone to certain problems due to overbreeding or other reasons. my first lab had skin allergies, and my second one (lulu) has hay fever whenever I have hay fever during certain times of the year. but it really made no difference in their overall health, etc, as long as I provide medical or other attention as needed (if I don't watch it, lulu will get an ear infection due to her allergies). the mixed breed can inherit any of these typical doggie problems as well.

I have known some pretty great mixed breed dogs. I have known some that were not so great - and at least two not reliable or trusted near children. in other words, they can be good and they can be bad as far as traits, health, etc.... mixed breed = mixed results. even with mixed, you need to do some homework. there are resources to help you to predict size, temperament, health, etc., based on the mix - but typically we don't really know who papa dawg is...

 

[Minnie]

Very hard question, for as much as I love our British Lab, she is a lot of work. As you can tell from her photo she is 70 pounds of muscle. That requires alot of exercise. When she is happy and well exercised she is well behaved, loves everyone, and travels great.

But unbeknownst to me until we had her for 3 months, she is the granddaughter of the Grand National Field Champion of Ireland. So that comes with a lot of high performance and intelligence. Made it very easy to train her but sometimes she is too smart for us to try and fool. Forget about going anywhere and her not knowing about it hours before we leave. Hates to be left behind.

But the sweetest thing she does do, and she did this on her own from when she was very young. If greeting a child, she sizes them literally. If they are taller than her when she is sitting, then she sits down and waits to be petted.

If they are very young such as a toddler she lies down and waits to be petted. This was not taught to her, she has always done it on her own.

Now if she did not shed, yea that would be the ultimate dog.

 

[Teresa]

Very hard question, for as much as I love our British Lab, she is a lot of work. As you can tell from her photo she is 70 pounds of muscle. That requires alot of exercise. When she is happy and well exercised she is well behaved, loves everyone, and travels great.



Now if she did not shed, yea that would be the ulitmate dog.

tell me about it.:shock:

 

[scooterbug44]

My family members have had quite a few Golden Retrievers - my aunts 8 or so Goldens were/are gorgeous and nice dogs (severely lacking in discipline, but that isn't the dogs' fault :roll.

My grandparents 3rd Golden turned the rest of the family off the breed for life (beware the Marigold Kennel breeding lines). He made their lives miserable, failed several obedience schools, almost killed several of the grandchildren and himself on various mountain hikes (canoehead refers to him only as the evil dog who went over the waterfalls), and had various doggie root canals from his habit of diving into lakes and picking up rocks that he placed in piles on the shore.

 

[Teresa]

My family members have had quite a few Golden Retrievers - my aunts 8 or so Goldens were/are gorgeous and nice dogs (severely lacking in discipline, but that isn't the dogs' fault :roll.

My grandparents 3rd Golden turned the rest of the family off the breed for life (beware the Marigold Kennel breeding lines). He made their lives miserable, failed several obedience schools, almost killed several of the grandchildren and himself on various mountain hikes (canoehead refers to him only as the evil dog who went over the waterfalls), and had various doggie root canals from his habit of diving into lakes and picking up rocks that he placed in piles on the shore.

pain in the ass dog! well, they do exist. just like people.

I would say I haven't had a PIA dog, but my last lovely chocolate lab ate my sofa (not to mention my shoes and many other items). I loved her to death too. she finally learned better. I guess some never do learn.

 

[scooterbug44]

My parents current dog can be a bit of a PIA dog, but most of that's from a combo of ill treatment (she was a rescue dog and was physically abused), a need for constant attention, and mental problems. Mom constantly tells her it's a good thing she's so cute!

The grandparents dog was just a PIA x8 from birth - no excuses for him! :roll:

 

[pgurney]

pain in the ass dog! well, they do exist. just like people.

I would say I haven't had a PIA dog, but my last lovely chocolate lab ate my sofa (not to mention my shoes and many other items). I loved her to death too. she finally learned better. I guess some never do learn.

That just reminded me of my first dog I had when I got out on my own....a Fox Terrier. He was cute and sweet as could be, but his curious ways along with his intelligence...coupled with my being a less responsible at the time than I should have been.... made him a terror.

- He learned to dig under the fence, so I had to bury concrete blocks under the fence line.
- He learned to climb the fence, so I had to put a taller one in.
- When he escaped (his nickname was Houdini Dog), he'd wait until I got close to him, turn around and grin at me, then take off running.
- etc.

But the funniest thing (not at the time, but now thinking back on it) he learned to unzip the pillows/cushions on my couch. I can't tell you how many times I came home from work to find my living room full and covered in cushion filling...everywhere. But there was never a bit of damage to the sofa. Somewhere in his youth I learned he needed a lot more attention, adjusted my responsibility levels and that sweet boy stayed with me, for better or worse, for 17 years.

Nice memories.

 

[Minnie]

Interestingly the only type of dog I have had more than one is a cocker spaniel and actually they don't always make great family pets.

I think all dogs especially really intelligent ones can become PIA dogs just as kids can be a PIA when they are wanting or needing more attention.

So the best type of family dog is one that fits your family.

Love to exercise, going to be able to devote alot of time to that and love a dog that loves to travel and be with you, labs are great. Leave one alone too often and they will be huge PIA.

Same with border collies, got to expend that energy somewhere, either managed or destructive. And they never quit wanting to herd something.

There are great quizzes on the Net for matching dogs to your energy level and lifestyle and the best match for a family.

 

[sarawind]

This little guy. Shih Tzus are dear little dogs. Great watch dog too.

 

[ShallowsNole]

Labs are great, if you have a fenced yard and three years to spend "raising" them. Of course, our Daisy turned out to be just a little inbred so that may be one of the reasons it has taken her four years to calm down and stop eating our house. Smart as heck, though. And knows exactly when to turn the soulful Lab eyes on...

Our two smaller mixed breed dogs ARE inbred. Their parents are brother and sister . But being Heinz 57 dogs, it's not as apparent. They are brothers, but totally different personalities.