NWR: PUPPY UPDATED WITH CHOICE!

I want a dog.

I really really REALLY want a dog.

Should I be taking on another responsibility right now? Probablly not. But the boys want one and I think it can help teach them responsibility and I REALLY want one.


So... what breed of dog is:
*Good with kids
*Intelligent
*Preferably a larger dog
*Loyal
*Hopefully lower shedding


Thanks!


ETA: I should mention that the dog would be alone for about 3-4 hours a day most weekdays... is that terrible?


**UPDATE**
We actually wanted a shephard.. I grew up with them... but they do shed A LOT. Same with Labs and Retrievers. I really want a dog to have free roam of the house and I don't want to stress about dog hair everywhere in the summer!

Boxers, schnauzers, doodles, terriers... all great choices... but we really wanted LARGE.

We were talking about an Old English Sheepdog yesterday... but determined that they are just TOO stubborn in their puppyhood and have been warned thta they have a tendency to nip 'their' children in an attempt to 'herd' them!

SO... we have narrowed it down to either a Newfie or a St. Bernard!

If anyone knows anything about these two breeds, or knows any rescue organizations that specialize in YOUNG animals, we would love to hear it. It is very important that the animals be young or puppies becuase we want them to be socialized with our children. If you see one at one of the shelters... let me know!

ALSO!!!!!!!!!! ISLIP ANIMAL SHELTER IS HOLDING A PUPPY ADOPTION FAIR NEXT WEEK! ANYONE LOOKING TO GET A PUPPY OR DOG MIGHT WANT TO CHECK IT OUT! ADOPT A DOG AND SAVE IT'S LIFE!!!!

Thanks!

german shepherd...they are very obedient [but you have to be disciplined yourself] and great with kids. my daugther's grandparents have 3 of them and they are like gentle giants around her.

they shed like crazy though.

Me and Fh are talking about getting a puppy, he says we should wait till x-mas and after the wedding...but i want one NOW!!!!

we've narrowed it down to either a corgi pembrok or duchshuand

I love big dogs but don't have the space

golden retivers are really good family dogs good with kids too (we had one when I was a kid)

Collies are nice to (we had one of those when I was a little older)

I've always had a dog feels kind a strange without one

i love my boston terrier

he isnt that big but he isnt tiny either

and he is PERFECT with children. . .he knows he cant jump on the bed when my niece is sleeping on it and he just lays on the floor and guards her i love it!

FM if you have any specific questions I am like National Advocate for Boston Terriers LOL

ETA: miminal shedding!

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Posted by CLMon7906

german shepherd...they are very obedient [but you have to be disciplined yourself] and great with kids. my daugther's grandparents have 3 of them and they are like gentle giants around her.

they shed like crazy though.

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Exactly what I was going to suggest!

We have a mini Shar-pei, but the regular sized ones are almost as big as a lab. The minis get to be max around 45 pounds and the regular ones I think are 60-70. Shedding is low, and they are super smart.

The first 6 months there is a lot of upkeep with the wrinkles and their eyes but it is sooooo worth it! We are so glad we picked this breed! My puppy is my avatar.

my vote:

A Golden Retriever, Lab, or golden lab mix...

they are gental dogs, VERY loyal, easy to train, any dog is going to shed! I recomend a Girl, they are a little easier/calmer.

We just picked up our 'daughter' monday night, 8 week golden, she is just precious!

a Shetland Sheepdog is great. I have one, and shes super smart and sweet!
The only downside is the breed is a little on the small side, about 40 lbs. and they shed a bit.
We don't keep her coat long at all and she sheds less than our short haired cat!
Here's a link from the American Kennel Club, It might help a bit:

http://www.akc.org/breeds/shetland_sheepdog/index.cfm

I guess you can guess my recommendation from my picture

I have a pug. He's crazy. But honestly, the most loving and loyal dog ever. He's great around everyone. Loves attention, and is a bunch of fun. He doesn't need much upkeep (as far as grooming, etc), and he doesnt require much exercise (in fact, he'll lay down in the street as a protest for walking too much!)

I would definitely recommend getting a pug. But they are stubborn, and they require attention and discipline.

Any dog does. I didn't realize how big a commitment a dog is, but its a lottttttt of work!

So worth it though!

shitzu,,, I have one ,, easy to train smart dogs, that dont shed, & the hair on shitzu's is non allergenic,,

they have great charatcer

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Posted by TheBigDay

my vote:

A Golden Retriever, Lab, or golden lab mix...

they are gental dogs, VERY loyal, easy to train, any dog is going to shed! I recomend a Girl, they are a little easier/calmer.

We just picked up our 'daughter' monday night, 8 week golden, she is just precious!

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This puppy is ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!

I completely agree, we have 4 labs between my immediate family, and none of them are around kids regularly at all. But if my little cousins visit my mom's and the dogs are there, the dogs are slurping their faces and wanting to play with them, and are so very gentle, even when they're not used to kids every day. The dogs are all boys, and they are all so sweet and wonderful!!!! Wouldn't trade them for the world!

Good luck!!!

I used to have pure breed German Shepperds.

While they are intelligent, they do need constant training and supervision.

They are OK with kids but should never be left alone unattended especially when they are under 9 years old.

I suggest doing a google search for 'best dog for me' and fill in a questionaire.

They should guide you in your search.

My 2 puppies are actually great with kids. They love them. They are smart and hypoallegenic (I have bad allergies).

I don't know much about dog breeds, I just wanted to say PLEASE think about getting your dog from a shelter or rescue organization instead of buying one from a breeder or pet store! There are so many wonderful shelter dogs that need loving homes

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Posted by stephanielyse

I don't know much about dog breeds, I just wanted to say PLEASE think about getting your dog from a shelter or rescue organization instead of buying one from a breeder or pet store! There are so many wonderful shelter dogs that need loving homes

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I would ONLY consider getting one from a shelter or a rescue organization!

I couldn't buy from a puppy mill or pet store... and I don't think it is necessary to buy from a breeder since I don't plan to breed or show the dog. But I DO need to get a breed with the right temperment! :)

Def look at boxers. I got one and I love him. Great with kids!

There are many boxer rescue places too!

Well, I think Goldens and Labs are adorable BUT you said low shedding-- and they are FAR from low shedding. We have a dog that is obediant, cute and cuddly yet playful when you want her to be, very owner pleasing, completely non shedding and hypo-allergenic... she is all-around a GREAT dog. Especially for people with a lot going on, kids, etc.

Buying her was the best thing we ever did... She is a miniature schnauzer-- now, if you want larger than that all the same traits are in the larger version of her breed-- the standard schnauzer and then there is also a giant schnauzer.

Most mini females are about 12-15 pounds.
Male mini schnauzers are about 16-18 pounds.

The standards are in the middle of that and the Giant is about 80-100 pounds. I highly recommend them. She understands hand signal commands (when I snap my fingers she sits, when i wave my hand she lays down). She was very easy to house train... she rings a bell we have by the back door when she is ready to go out. We have her trained to a small spot in the yard and when we say 'piddle' (the code word) she goes... I know I'm biased but she really is an excellent dog-- so well behaved, I can't believe it. The breed is known for being that way-- calm when you are calm, excited and playful (will fetch) when you are-- they feed off of you. My parents had one 15 years ago and loved it...

When we first got her

HTH!!!! GOOD LUCK

i have a golden retriever and my nieces can do whatever they want to her and she just takes it. The breed is known for being good with children. They are not always the brightest bulb in the pack but def a perfect family dog. As for being home alone. I recommend crate training. The dog likes having its own space and if locked up they can't get to the garbage
and i forgot to add i keep mine buzzed to cut down on the shedding.