Which dog breed?

[Ferrah]

I have been interested in the showing of dogs for quite some time. Through some friends I met a very nice lady who might help me get started. We have had dogs in the past but do not currently have one.

I have been doing research like crazy to try and pick the right kind of dog. We have a very large fenced yard and I have the time to dedicate to training and walking a dog.

Of the breeds I find myself most attracted to the Great Dane, Shiba Inu, Smooth Collie, Bouvier des Flandres and the Dalmatian...yes I have very diverse tastes.

My question is which breeds are typically the friendliest? I have no problem with high energy, I just need a dog that is going to be fairly friendly as we have people coming and going ALL the time in this house. I also need a dog who is going to be able to control himself in the prescense of my Miniature Horses and the occasional appearance of my rabbits when I bring the rabbits inside from time to time.

Are there any breeds that I should also consider? Any help will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Secret22]

I would be careful if you chose collies because I have heard that some can be very tempermental. great Danes are ment to be loyal, friendly, laid back compainions so I would prob go for them. Toy Poodles are lovely dogs if you are interested. Beautiful, cute, loyal and friendly.

Good Luck!

Charlie

 

[Farmhand]

This is MY favorite dog, Labrador. Very friendly, loyal, high energy, very smart. We have two chocolates, and a black. We plan on getting a yellow in the spring.

 

[Ashley]

I wouldnt go with a Dalmation then. Your Rabbits will become dinner. My aunt had 2 before her GPs. I liked them, from what I could remember. Friendly dogs. HOwever unless breeding has changed, they have a high risk of being deaf I think it is. She had two, one was deaf and the other was its leader.

 

[Sterling]

Boxers asre one of my favorite. They are high enery, playful, friendly, ready to go at a moment's notice, loyal, sweet smart...but can be a little bit stubborn at times. Another fav of mine, the Cane Corso...very big dog, very loyal, sweet, goofy, playful, attentive and smart as a whip! They are very fast learners. Only thing I say about this breed is they must be socialized at an early age with consitancy, and they make great companions and guard dogs.

 

[Russ]

I also would strongly caution a Dalmation.....I used to raise them. If you do choose this breed carefully research the parentage of the dam and sire for hereditary diseases and TEMPERMENT. Often, people think, oh cute little 101 dalmation....just like the movie :no: . I've seen some really crabby-darn right tempermental dalmations. In my opinion, it is a trait in the breed that has gone on far to long.....just like every other breed....it needs to be watched and a good breeder will NOT purposely breed knowing a bad temperment exists.

I'm going to be different and suggest a Boston Terrier, high energy, yet clownish playful innocence. Very striking appearance and willing to please their owners.....loyal to a T but charming enough to win over anyone! Gets along with other pets....train them to grow up with your other pets and doubt you'd have a problem.

 

[Lisa]

I'm also going to suggest a lab. I've never met one I don't like. They are very smart and once they get passed puppy stage they are fairly laid back-until you get them outside, then they are high energy! Great temperments!

PS: I LOVE that pic. The dog looks like its saying "What? What'd I do? I'm just PLAYING "

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Labradors are great but, if you are wanting to show I would go for something a little less popular. Smooth Collies are a totally "unspoilt" breed, as they have never attained the popularity of their "Lassie" relatives and have therefore still got brains and good temperaments etc, everything that the Rough Collies are losing/have already lost. The new Lassie film will start all the bad breding up again. Yes, I agree Disney has a lot to answer fro!! But Dalmations gad a lot wrong with them before the films, anyway.

Great Danes are expensive to buy, expensive to feed difficult to raise well and keep fit, have loads of problems and live eight years- insurance on a Dane is far more expensive than on certain other breeds. Getting a really good puppy, with correct markings , to show, will be neither easy nor cheap. It can be done, if you are really keen.

Personally I would go for a Smooth Collie, and I speak as a long term Doberperson lover and breeder- those Rabbits would not last two seconds with my Dobes!!!

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[Robin1]

JMHO,

Collie: Has many problems least of which are eye problems.

Dalmations: Many are deaf and there are some temperament issues.

Shibas: Very dog aggressive and don't particularly like anybody other than "their" person.

Danes: short life expectancy.

Robin

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Yes Collies have PRA but you would not buy an untested pup, would you?? Whereas Dallies are rarely hearing tested- even with a free scheme set up over here few people seem to insist on a hearing tested puppies!! Also the pup has to be a certain age before it can be hearing tested.

Collie people over here are right on top of PRA- I even had all my Sheltie pups tested as their Granny was a "go-clear" so there was always a chance of a go-clear in the litter.

 

[lyn_j]

[SIZE=18pt]If y ou are getting into showing I would check with AKC and see how many dogs are required for the different breeds to create Majors in the ring. Some of the really popular and populated breeds require huge numbers at the shows to create the 3points needed for a major win. !5 points including 2 major wins are required to finish a champion. We used to have a Bovier and adored her but Bijou was high grooming maintanance to keep in show coat... lots of hand stripping as opposed to clipping. I dont think Dalmations are the way to go either. of that group you mentioned Danes would be my choice. Consider tho that if you are wanting to show.... the more portable smaller dogs are great. If you want funny....bostons, and mini dachshunds.... my new personal favorite are low maintainance even the long coats..... will post a picture of one of my new kids that is comong as soon as I get it uploaded...... We are hoping to show him. wire coats require some hand stripping to keep their coat short and crisp. They are hillariously entertaining and take up little space.... happy to sleep in their crates with their toys. Not alot of diseases but watch the backs. Corgis are hardy minimal care wash and go dogs...... Lots to consider if dog shows are in your future. I used to show Chins, Frenchies, Chihuahuas and lhasa Apsos. my son showed Bijou till he got tired of keeping her in coat. go to the AKC site and browse. Lots of fun info there. Find a mentor in your breed of choice... thats the best thing.[/SIZE]

Lyn

Babs Red Pied short haired

hot Chocolate LH

Laredo Cream LH

Meadowlark. Blue/tan LH

Annie, red dapple smooth

 

[capall beag]

Yes, I love labs but if you are getting into showing I would not go with them.

HIGHLY competitive! I know because one of my puppies just became a champion

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Also if you go with a poodle or a dog that needs 'hightech grooming for showing it could get very expensive!

If I was starting out showing I would go with a less known breed as has been mentioned.

If I were getting into showing, which I am NOT

: I would get a Cardigan Welsh Corgi, I LOVE them!

So many wonderful breeds out there!

I would find a mentor and research LOTS before a purchase.

Good Luck!

 

[Chamomile]

No one has mentioned the Bouvier De Flanders... My parents have two. They are small animal killers! They have killed too many cats to mention and also went after my big horses when I had them. My dad threatened them their lives if they even look at the minis! They are pretty old now and just have no interest. All they want to do now is BARK... they bark at everything most of the day long... sigh. They are very hard headed and VERY smart. I remember it wasn't hard to house break the female. But when she was mad at my mom she would either poop all over the COUCH or on every square foot of her bedroom... :new_shocked: Whew! They are very loving and also great with my kids. They are wonderful guard dogs. The male always puts himself between me and people he doesn't know. That's a nice feeling. But I would never trust him with any small animals.

I have mini aussies and I love them, but they aren't recognized by AKC.

Here in Montana everyone has a black lab and they are so goofy! My brother in law has one and she never stays home. The pound knows her well. She even drags around a 50 pound weight, like it isn't anything! She slips her collars, chews her harness, chews her chain! It's crazy!

That's my two cents

: for what it's worth!

 

[minisaremighty]

I have two different friends with Bouviers. One friend has two males, the other just has one male. Among the 3 dogs, they have killed more than 10 cats (3 cats belonged to their owners, the others just happened across their property), countless rabbits that happened across their paths and a multitude of other small critters.

They are not the breed for me.

That said, they are very friendly and good with the small children. The three I know bark their heads off at strangers though. Don't know if it's a breed trait or not.

 

[mininik]

Bouviers are gorgeous dogs BUT are more high-maintenance than any POODLE I've ever groomed!

 

[runamuk]

JMHO,

Shibas: Very dog aggressive and don't particularly like anybody other than "their" person.

Robin

OK I know very little about the breed in general but have met a couple dozen and was impressed with how friendly and outgoing the Shiba's were compared to chow's or several other oriental breeds......dog agressive is quite possible but can be managed. I am voting for shiba or danes :bgrin :bgrin

 

[Jenn]

I don't have any recommendations, just to pick a dog and a breed you love. We have an aussie that works the cattle for us, a cocker/aussie that works when he feels like it, and two cocker spaniels. I think the cockers keep the aussie out of trouble because he likes their company and they have no ambition to do anything but sleep in the sunshine.

My BIL and SIL had a lab, but he was far too active for their lifestyle and the time they had for him. He ended up wandering out on the road and getting run over. We're now recommending they get a no-ambition cocker for their next dog - they stay out of trouble and stay home!

 

[Shelley]

Wow you have chosen some very ambitious breeds for a beginner. I did the same thing, starting out as a novice with Afghan Hounds!

Labs are a VERY competitive breed, lots of them and hard to win.

Labs and Dalmations are VERY high energy dogs.

I have firsthand experience with Shibas...they are very aggressive, many have NASTY temperaments! You have to look at what the breed was bred to do....these are little guard dogs, they are an Akita temperament in miniature. My friend has had them take down her Siberian Huskies like they were nothing, and I've had friends who have been bitten repeatedly by their own Shibas. It was a breed I came very close to getting at one time, then counted my blessings later that it hadn't worked out.

I have a friend who breeds lovely Bouviers, they are a nice breed, but lots of grooming and a LOT of dog, again bred to be a guard dog.

Can't tell you much about Collies.

I would suggest attending some dog shows, visiting with some breeders and learning as much as you can about any breed you are considering. Also check into any health problems that each breed has. Every breed has something or other to watch out for. Make sure the parents are health tested for those problems.

The Eukanuba Championship show will be taking place this weekend and televised on Animal Planet and Discovery. That may help you take a look at different breeds. Don't believe everything the announcer says in his breed description, though.

Good luck,

Shelley

 

[MiniHGal]

My experience has been with Great Danes mostly(as far as the breeds you mentioned). They can be very loyal, very loving, and playful. Hardest thing is the age length and the size. You definitely should have a lot of running room for them, as well as some time to enjoy them one-on-one. Sounds like you do so no biggie. Also, manners are very important! These are big dogs, and some will walk right over you if allowed to do so.

Our great danes are excellent with the horses--in fact, the ones that have been with us for a while are allowed to be out while I am working the minis, whether it is just grooming or driving. They have also been allowed out 24/7 by the horse paddocks for the big horses, though they are smart enough to avoid being in there. They have to know that the horses are OFF limits for any kind of rough housing (good manners).

Rabbits...mm, if you have an obedient dog and do not leave dog and rabbit alone together. But they are predators, and one of our Danes is an accomplished rabbit and gr. squirrel killer.

Good luck!

 

[runamuk]

I have firsthand experience with Shibas...they are very aggressive, many have NASTY temperaments! You have to look at what the breed was bred to do....these are little guard dogs, they are an Akita temperament in miniature. My friend has had them take down her Siberian Huskies like they were nothing, and I've had friends who have been bitten repeatedly by their own Shibas. It was a breed I came very close to getting at one time, then counted my blessings later that it hadn't worked out.

Good luck,

Shelley

Wow ok so have I just flat out been lucky....or is it it my affinity to chows that make me see shiba's apparently differently?...I found the shibas I met to be similar to the chows in attitude although friendlier and wayyyyyyyyyyy more energetic than any chow I have ever met

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I am curious what breeds you would consider good beginner breeds? I know when we started in rabbits we picked a very tough breed then another and then a rare breed that was hard to even get finished

: IF and it is a huge IF ...I ever show a dog it would be a chow chow but that is because it is my breed of choice and I have an excellent mentor

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