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DPChallenge Forums >> General Discussion >> Good dog breeds for a pet ???
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04/24/2013 10:15:35 AM · #1
My wife has been jonesing to get a dog for a long time now. It just clicked in recently that this was the motive behind finishing off the fence around our back yard last fall. I blame our older daughter for becoming more independent, leaving my wife looking for an extra body to care for.

I'm kind of opposed to it, but know that if I don't take an active role, we could possibly end up with something that I'd be too embarrassed to take into public.

Though I don't care if it's a certain breed, mutts are great, my preferences are:
1. Manly
2. Doesn't stink too much
3. Doesn't shed too much (ETA, not a big deal as our two cats have already coated the house.)
4. Will listen to my problems
5. Won't tear the house to shreds
6. Won't eat the cats, but will chew on them enough for some entertainment

Any suggestions?

Message edited by author 2013-04-24 11:16:35.
04/24/2013 10:18:29 AM · #2
I would suggest an austrailian sheppard, german sheppard, or yellow lab...Or all 3 then they could play tug of war with the cats
04/24/2013 10:21:13 AM · #3
you've just described a mastiff. i strongly recommend looking at italian mastiffs (cane corso). amazingly tame, calm, yet fiercely protective of their home and family, and does NOT bite.

04/24/2013 10:37:30 AM · #4
Rhodesian Ridgeback:
no stinking
not much shedding
extremely manly
will listen
house and cats is mostly a matter of education, be sure to get the dog at the age of 11-13 weeks, when he's still in cat size
04/24/2013 10:38:08 AM · #5
Labs are awesome dogs...great temperament...super happy, but yet still very manly. They will definitely listen to your problems and always take your side of the story!....they do tend to shed though...
04/24/2013 10:52:30 AM · #6
Giant Schnauzer and Samoyed are both big enough to be "manly" and they are hypoallergenic; minimum smell and shed. I had a Giant Schnauzer myself, and that was just a HELL of a dog...



Message edited by author 2013-04-24 10:52:59.
04/24/2013 11:04:03 AM · #7
I'm not much of a dog person but would go for a medium-sized mutt. Might I advise against most scenthounds ie beagles, bloodhounds, bassets etc as they bay. Or small yappy dogs, which you will probably end up wanting to drop-kick at some point. Many large-breed dogs often have issues like hip dysplasia. Do your homework on potential health problems as every breed has something.

A roommate of mine was considering getting a dog and his requirements were identical to yours. He did a ton of research and ended up deciding to get a Viszla. Look like Rhodesian Ridgebacks but smaller and no ridge on the spine. A hunting dog, my understanding more of a sighthound. A friend of mine swears by Borzois (aka Russian wolfhound) but they'd be too high-maintenance.

eta: nice stack job on that Schnauzer, Bear! Was he finished?

Message edited by author 2013-04-24 11:09:59.
04/24/2013 11:04:08 AM · #8
If they have room to run Border Collies and Australian Shepherds are great IMO. Mine in Aussie/Border mix. Very intelligent, protective of the kids, chases the cat but won't eat it. They are a bit on the high energy side so be aware of that but I have not had a single problem with any chewing/gnawing.

If you are looking for a more mellow dog you can't really go wrong with a lab.
04/24/2013 11:09:31 AM · #9
To be honest, and I'm sure I'll take flak for this, but I'm a big lover of German working breeds.

Per your list, I think a Doberman would be great. Incredibly smart. Phenomenally loyal. Dont stink. Dont shed. If you get puppy you can teach it to cohabit with cats. If you're adopting, many fosters will indicate if cat friendly or not.

Tearing house apart, well that's all in the training and exercise.

Message edited by author 2013-04-24 11:10:18.
04/24/2013 11:10:37 AM · #10
Great Dane - Despite their size, they're really mellow and laid back.

04/24/2013 11:16:01 AM · #11
Originally posted by Spork99:

Great Dane - Despite their size, they're really mellow and laid back.

:-) ... I think the largest we'd want to go is Lab-sized.

I guess shedding isn't a big deal, as the two cats have already coated the house.
04/24/2013 11:16:47 AM · #12
An aside...if it's your first dog you may want to enroll in some basic obedience classes. And as you live in Toronto and they have stoop n scoop laws, you're going to be picking up its poop!
04/24/2013 11:19:14 AM · #13
Originally posted by snaffles:

An aside...if it's your first dog you may want to enroll in some basic obedience classes. And as you live in Toronto and they have stoop n scoop laws, you're going to be picking up its poop!

My wife is experienced, I've had some experience through my parents.

I live in Burlington (work in Toronto), which has lots of green space, but stoop n scoop is still the law. It drives me nuts when people are so inconsiderate that they don't do that.
04/24/2013 11:20:24 AM · #14
Originally posted by snaffles:

eta: nice stack job on that Schnauzer, Bear! Was he finished?

That's not my Schnauzer: it's an AKC illustration. So yeah, finished :-) I had mine back in the late 60's. He eventually went to live with my sister when she had her first baby and I moved out of a house into an apartment. He was their family dog for well over a decade. Wonderfully loyal and great with the kids.
04/24/2013 11:24:00 AM · #15
Incidentally, "Giant" is just in relation to other schnauzers; it's not THAT big... About 24-27 inches at the shoulder, 50-70 lbs or so...
04/24/2013 11:29:56 AM · #16
GOLDEN DOODLE!!!!
04/24/2013 11:31:41 AM · #17
well...the manly part.....hmmmmm....... you should be secure enough in your masculinity to wear pink ties and to own any dog.
04/24/2013 11:37:10 AM · #18
qualification 1 is incompatible with all your other qualifications.
04/24/2013 11:46:08 AM · #19
Some dog slurs to keep in mind: hunting dogs (e.g. hounds) tend to have a strong prey drive, herding dogs (e.g. border collies) need work to do (so be sure to buy several sheep), terriers (e.g. Jack Russells) generally like to dig.

I'm a big fan of mini-schnauzer and poodle mixes - they're smart, low or non-shed, have long lives, and you can pick em up without herniating yourself. A small fluffy dog will give you the appearance of a man who is secure in his masculinity. Rescue mutts are the way to go.

04/24/2013 11:57:23 AM · #20
what is this masculinity b.s. ???

04/24/2013 11:57:25 AM · #21
Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by snaffles:

An aside...if it's your first dog you may want to enroll in some basic obedience classes. And as you live in Toronto and they have stoop n scoop laws, you're going to be picking up its poop!

My wife is experienced, I've had some experience through my parents.

I live in Burlington (work in Toronto), which has lots of green space, but stoop n scoop is still the law. It drives me nuts when people are so inconsiderate that they don't do that.


Invest in a pooper scooper
04/24/2013 12:01:08 PM · #22
Originally posted by cowboy221977:

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by snaffles:

An aside...if it's your first dog you may want to enroll in some basic obedience classes. And as you live in Toronto and they have stoop n scoop laws, you're going to be picking up its poop!

My wife is experienced, I've had some experience through my parents.

I live in Burlington (work in Toronto), which has lots of green space, but stoop n scoop is still the law. It drives me nuts when people are so inconsiderate that they don't do that.

Invest in a pooper scooper

I did diapers on two kids. I'll pick that stuff up with my bare hands and stuff it in my pocket.
04/24/2013 12:03:13 PM · #23
Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by cowboy221977:

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

Originally posted by snaffles:

An aside...if it's your first dog you may want to enroll in some basic obedience classes. And as you live in Toronto and they have stoop n scoop laws, you're going to be picking up its poop!

My wife is experienced, I've had some experience through my parents.

I live in Burlington (work in Toronto), which has lots of green space, but stoop n scoop is still the law. It drives me nuts when people are so inconsiderate that they don't do that.

Invest in a pooper scooper

I did diapers on two kids. I'll pick that stuff up with my bare hands and stuff it in my pocket.

That would explain why your photos stink.
04/24/2013 12:04:27 PM · #24
A Weimaraner and a Prozac prescription.
04/24/2013 12:07:43 PM · #25
Originally posted by jagar:

A Weimaraner and a Prozac prescription.

Ha. I have a terrier on Prozac right now. Keep trying to slip a pill in my wifes tea, but she keepsncatching me.

Gap is gorgeous, BTW.
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