Best Family Dog

[scooterbug44]

I think a lab mix is one of the best family dogs! Good energy level, personality, and size. There is a golden retriever bloodline out there that I swear is possessed by the devil and their fur is crazy to keep clean in the outdoors. I like German Shorthair Pointers too, but they can be very high energy like a collie - my parents rescued our second GSP and I call her Tigger because she actually bounces up and down with excitement!

IMO most purebreeds are overbred and are rather like the royal family as a result. :roll:

A good mix puppy from a shelter (that you spay or neuter) is way better than an expensive purebred for many reasons!

 

[Rudyjohn]

- a pure BC. The sweetest, smartest, thing I've ever known, but she does have to stay busy or she gets an attitude. She loves the beach (but won't swim unless she has to), anything she can retrieve for you and her little sister. She's great with kids, is a good baby sitter and she raised the next one like it was her own. She tries to talk and her noises (little moans and quiet little baby barks/howls) are pure communication with the same intonation a human would have. This girl is smart!

Our BC is "chatty" too!

 

[Teresa]

I think a lab mix is one of the best family dogs! Good energy level, personality, and size. There is a golden retriever bloodline out there that I swear is possessed by the devil and their fur is crazy to keep clean in the outdoors. I like German Shorthair Pointers too, but they can be very high energy like a collie - my parents rescued our second GSP and I call her Tigger because she actually bounces up and down with excitement!

IMO most purebreeds are overbred and are rather like the royal family as a result. :roll:

A good mix puppy from a shelter (that you spay or neuter) is way better than an expensive purebred for many reasons!

ummm... not true in my experience. I've had both all my life (mut and purebred). and they have all been truly wonderful, healthy and beautiful inside and out. but I know some purebreds can have health or other problems. just as some muts can have the same. you just never know what you are going to get. just like humans.

some of the best I've had and/or known: dachshund (grew up with 2), labs (have been fortunate to have had 2 lab children in my household), doberman (friend), greyhound (the best dog dad ever owned), blue tick hounds (my brothers favorite dogs for years), beagles (always sweet and smart), and many mixed breeds (very good peeps). oh, and punzy's pug - so cute and sweet.

 

[scooterbug44]

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!

 

[aggieb]

i'm pretty partial to the lab. they may be big (ours is 115 lbs.) and get in the way constantly, but they are just damm good dogs. i prefer our lab over our springer and i love my springer dearly.

 

[Smiling JOe]

The best breed for a family, depends upon the family, and even then, within a particular breed, there are dominant and submissive dogs. So that question is a tough one to answer. Does your family like a laid back dog, or one which needs to run all the time? Is your family active, or passive? You first have to know what the characteristics of your family, then search for the personality of the dog which will best fit. It is far from a one breed fits all families mentality.

 

[hnooe]

The best breed for a family, depends upon the family, and even then, within a particular breed, there are dominant and submissive dogs. So that question is a tough one to answer. Does your family like a laid back dog, or one which needs to run all the time? Is your family active, or passive? You first have to know what the characteristics of your family, then search for the personality of the dog which will best fit. It is far from a one breed fits all families mentality.

And if EVERYONE took this piece of great advice to heart there would be less need for rescue and fewer abandonded dogs. It is really not like buying something at Target that you end up having to return! Do your homework, homework, homework!

 

[RiverOtter]

Looking at the photos of the dogs made me wonder.

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

Golden Retrievers - Gentle, Loyal, Laid Back

 

[njackie]

Golden Retreivers are beautiful inside and out, wonderful with children, love the beach, and love us!

 

[Bob]

our Seminole County poundpuppy!