Looking to get a dog.

[SirJW 207]

If you get a puppy, crate train him/her.

[starsfan71 9]

I would really suggest going to a shelter or a pound and looking at what they have even in mutt mixes. I volunteer at an vet clinic and have seen too many dogs put down because people go to a breeder and get a dog instead of going to the pound. You can even find pure breads and puppies at shelters, I just got 2 sheltie puppies a few months back from the local Sheltie rescue.

I see dozens of different dogs every day I have to shave, play and clean up after them. I find beagles to be reallllyyy highly strung at times. I find Shelties are great with kids as are border collies and regular collies. They are also very protective of children and it's instinctive for them to watch out for them.

In personal experiences I find shepards to be the best breeds of dogs with kids. I have had 2 Aussies and both were great with me growing up but as Saba said they can get really rough and tumble with kids but they can also be very protective.

SirJW is right crate train the dog. It doesn't have to be a puppy at the moment I have 6 dogs and they are all crate trained and I only got 2 of them as puppies. It gives the dog a "safehaven" if it ever feels uncomfortable and tired and it will also keep them out of the trash and off the furniture when you are out.

My idea of a medium sized dog is different than most peoples but my top 2 are Shelties/Collies and Border collies.

[saba 0]

My inlwas are being given a sheltie for their anniversary. The love my auss but she might be a bit much as a breed for them long term. Shelts seem to have all the best of the herders but with a nice mellow temperament. If they can work for 2 retirees they would be perfect for your family

[TheGasman 0]

If you get a puppy, crate train him/her.

For sure the best thing I could of ever done with my puppy. My Father in law raised cattle dogs and talked me into doing it.

[bostonbruins 0]

I would suggest a German Shepherd or Labrador if you are looking for a pure bred. Both are great family dogs,extremely loyal and protective. But as others have suggested mutts make great dogs and it is always good to help a dog in need.

[Chadd 916]

I would suggest a German Shepherd or Labrador if you are looking for a pure bred. Both are great family dogs,extremely loyal and protective. But as others have suggested mutts make great dogs and it is always good to help a dog in need.

You have to be very careful with German Shepherds, some of the American breeders have created a lot of problems in the breed. We were lucky to get one with actual German bloodlines when I was a kid.

[bostonbruins 0]

You have to be very careful with German Shepherds, some of the American breeders have created a lot of problems in the breed. We were lucky to get one with actual German bloodlines when I was a kid.

Yes very good point and the same goes for Labradors. Over breeding has alot to do with this problem. As others have probably mentioned make sure you do your research on the breeder before buying.

[Scotty 8]

Golden retrievers are awesome dogs. They're great with kids, just overall great dogs. They have a great energy level but can still mellow out.

Agreed. My family had 5 growing up over the years and now that I'm out in my own house, I just got a Golden puppy earlier this week.

Definitely the "All-American" dog.

[beerleaguecaptain 999]

I have a Goldenoodle. It's a mix of a Golden Retriever and a Poodle. Smart, fun, trainable, protective but not too much. The other great thing is that he is hypoallergenic and sheds very, very little. He is amazing. I've had terriers, beagles, mutts, etc and this is the best. My dog is 60+ pounds but some get to 80-85. If you want a smaller version try a Cockapoo. Thats a mix of a Cocker Spaniel and Poodle.

[TBLfan 25]

I had a Cockapoo when I was a kid up until I was about 16. That was the only dog that I knew that actually would watch TV. It slept in my room and if I left the TV on I'd wake up and the dog would be sitting in front of and with his full attention on the TV. He was a great dog, very smart and obedient.

[Jeff 0]

You have to be very careful with German Shepherds, some of the American breeders have created a lot of problems in the breed. We were lucky to get one with actual German bloodlines when I was a kid.

Very true. I cringe when I see a young GSD with a sloping back that already has back or hip problems at a young age.

I'd suggest my favorite breed, the akita, however they are not for for a first time dog owner or anyone looking for an "easy" dog. Their loyalty and innate instinct to protect family is legendary though... Plus, they never bark unless something is going down...

I'd probably be more pro-beagle if they didn't have that crazy bay/bark. Man, that baying can get pretty rough on the ears.

[Chadd 916]

Very true. I cringe when I see a young GSD with a sloping back that already has back or hip problems at a young age.

Usually the sloping back is a sign that hip problems won't be an issue. The ones bred with the higher back hips are the ones that usually have problems.

[Jeff 0]

Usually the sloping back is a sign that hip problems won't be an issue. The ones bred with the higher back hips are the ones that usually have problems.

Interesting... Maybe I have misintrepreted back problems for hip issues? I have certainly see young GSDs that could barely walk with pronounced, sloping backs.

Nevertheless, GSD is an amazing breed. If I wasn't an Akita nut, I probably would own or have owned one in my day.

[Chadd 916]

Interesting... Maybe I have misintrepreted back problems for hip issues? I have certainly see young GSDs that could barely walk with pronounced, sloping backs.

Ours ended up with arthritis at 12 or 14, but that is common with any large dog. Usually the sloped back is a sign of a properly bred Shep.

[fcb51 0]

I grew up with Border Collies and a pair of Blue Heelers and never had any issues with them at all. I think as long as you put in the effort to train whatever dog you choose, you won't have too many problems...

Whatever you do, just don't get an American Eskimo dog. My brother in law has one and it is horrible. Definitely 'NOT' for young families.

[tareatingrat 4]

I would have to caution against Beagles depending on your lifestyle. I have a whole host of issues with ours, but to be fair, it's the lifestyle my girlfriend and I lead that contributes to some of the behaviour issues. They are incredibly cute, cuddly, and adorable, but they can be quite a bit different from other dogs. If you've got questions, just PM me.

As for my choice? I'd go with a Golden Retriever. Hands down the most loyal and well-behaved dog I have ever owned, and every time I see a Golden out on a walk, they're all the same. True, they can have health problems, and ours went way too soon, but he was a great, great dog.

[saba 0]

Have you guys made your decision? What did you wind up getting?

[pwrfwd26 0]

Saba: No decision yet... Might be awhile but will let you guy's know when I get one.

[Ansonwolfe 0]

Whatever dog you get, be certain to do lots of training. Shelter dogs are usually checked for temperament to determine if they would be euthanized or given a second chance. However, a dog is still a dog. Stronger minded ones will learn whether you are a leader or a follower. Consistent training is always needed, especially for those stronger minded breeds like GSD, huskies, Aussies, Rotties, Pits, etc.

[GoBucky 0]

Id suggest going to www.petfinder.com and seeing whats available in your area. With so many dogs whose owners cant take care of them, you can likely find what you want on there.

IMO, finding a small Lab is your best bet. They are great with kids and an all-around great family dog. German Shorthair Pointers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Golden Retrievers would be great dogs as well.

[fatwabbit 93]

sorry... i made a mistake in my previous post in this thread.

My aussie terrier/shitzu x maltese CAN rough house with kids... the other day we took him to the park for a picnic with 4 other families. He basically kept all the kids busy for us while we adults ate...

[Goonsquad 209]

or not believing what the read. IF you go pure KNOW what your buying, some positives for one person are not something desirable for another person. Also dont get caught up in the muts are the best of all the positives of the breed. Sometimes not knowing what makes up the dog leads to some surprising behaviors that are all but impossible to correct. In theory saving a mutt is all well and good, but I suspect when the ANIMAL comes out you best know what your dealing with..

Oh BTW my treehugger ex who gave me nothing but crap about my $1150 Aussie returned 2 shelter beautiful butterflies cause the one tore up her house and the other cornered her for a couple of hours to ahole came home from work.

Here are a couple of positives about the Aussie that if flipped would cause you nothing but grief if your not experienced and read up on the breed.

aussies may nip as a herding instinct...."this dog nipped my kid im taking it back" dog was given to Aussie rescue

are reserved around people who are not in their pack.....this dog is just not friendly returned to shelter cause dude wanted a chic magnet, he needed a lab

are very intelligent and need a job to do and if left to their own devices will assign THEMSELVES said job.....All she does is empty out the garbage on the floor...again in shelter

are one owner specific aka velcro dogs....I actually met a rescue Aussie and its new owner at a dog park recently...the reason the original owner took the dog into the shelter and I quote, "when she went to the bathroom the dog would follow her in, and she wanted her privacy."

A dog is a lifelong commitment as long as the pet is alive:its time consuming, expensive, and is alteration to your lifestyle so think long and hard before you contact a breeder, visit a rescue, or go to a pound

and one more thing they can be the best decision you will ever make

like anything else you take on there are responsibilities that lie beneath you should be aware of. Dogs are great to have around and if you include them in your "pack" they will reward you with their loyalty. Love my two dogs. Love that they get along great with my kids. Spent and will spend many hours training them but that in itself is rewarding because you are communicating with something that cannot say a word to you.

[booyaagrandma 4]

Id suggest going to www.petfinder.com and seeing whats available in your area. With so many dogs whose owners cant take care of them, you can likely find what you want on there.

This is really good advise, the economy has all breeds, pure breds and mutts ending up at the shelters, plus you'd be saving a life

[Andoy 5]

Just adding my two cents as someone who has been in this position. My two cents on buying a purebred:

- Never get a dog based on its looks. We don't choose dogs. Dogs choose us. My best advice is to match your energy level to the dog's. It is a bit easier if getting a purebred as it is easier to generalize the breed of dog. Before I got my dog, I wanted a boxer because I wanted a jogging partner. But in reality because I am occupied with work/school and I play hockey most weeknights, I knew I wouldn't have time to take my dog out 3-4 hours a day to accomodate their high energy levels.

- DO RESEARCH! A lot of people buy dogs as knee jerk reactions because they saw a nice looking dog in a movie. Every purebred has its specific health problems but it doesn't mean that they will have that specific problem! Research breeders and see their dogs are healthy. Don't restrict yourself to your area. A buddy of mine who bought a German Pinscher ended up driving all the way down to Oregon from Vancouver, Canada. Avoid newspaper ads.

-All dogs are trainable! I don't believe in the saying that some dogs are stubborn by nature. You just have to be creative in many ways as while dogs are very receptive, they have short attention spans. If you mix it up then you can literally see it in their faces that they're begging for more instructions! Be the pack leader. Best time to train them is after exercise (make sure they're overly not too tired).

One last thing. If something goes wrong, it is always YOUR fault and not the dogs'! It is your fault the dog peed on your hockey bag because you ignored it when it was sniffing on the ground or your fault that it chewed the tongue off your Total Ones because you were too lazy to take out for a walk :D