Help me choose a dog [Archive]

William

11-01-2009, 01:51 AM

We are considering getting a dog. The dog should be relaxed, a good pet/family dog and a god guard dog that can look after the house when we are gone. It should also not have to keen a hunting instinct as we have a lot of other animals.

Anything longhaired can be removed from the list due to the climate. It i s simply to hot. There are long haired dog here but they really don't do to well. This removes the German sheppard, the puli, the komondor and a few other popular guard dogs.

I also don't want anything to dominering or energetic. Dont get me wrong I am fine with them wanting to walk 10 miles a day, I just don't want it to run around all the time.

I have considered the rotweiler but I don't really like the terrier part of them. Dobermans are nice but I for whatever reason dont bound to them. they just feel distant.

Right now I am leaning towards bullmastiff. Anyone got any experince with these? Anyone got a suggestion of a dog with similiar treats that are more heat loving.

Any other suggestion.

Northernguy

11-01-2009, 03:41 AM

I have never raised one.I have known a few and they were great dogs!
Large but gentle!More of a one person dog but are very good family pet. I wouldn't want to face the aggressive end of one either.
Some do slobber but some manage to grow out of it.lol
My neighbor has one now.Its a very playful dog.

Lab_Rat

11-01-2009, 03:47 AM

Why not go to your local shelter and see if any catch your eye? I love my mutt.

William

11-01-2009, 03:47 AM

I should add that with family dog I dont really mean that it should be good with children. Just that should be a nice part of the family for the girlfriend and me.

William

11-01-2009, 03:48 AM

Why not go to your local shelter and see if any catch your eye? I love my mutt.

Thats a good idea but I live in Nicargua. I think there is one shelter in the country and that is 5 hours from here:22:

Rue

11-01-2009, 03:51 AM

Bullmastiff is likely a good choice. I've never met one I didn't like.

William

11-01-2009, 03:58 AM

Any thoughts on english mastif or dogue de bordeaux?

Rue

11-01-2009, 04:00 AM

BTW...I just wanted to mention, dogs don't fully mature and settle down until they're about 4 years old. Until then they need lots of supervision and training. If you want to circumvent some of that time, you might want to consider adopting an older dog. One still young enough to adapt to your life-style, but won't take quite as long to settle in.

My daughter runs with our AmBull...but dogs shouldn't do any serious running until their bones have matured - so that's 1 - 1.5 years of age. She was upset when we got the puppy because she didn't want to take 2 dogs. I told her not to worry. It would be a good year before we can take Job on any serious runs - in the meantime hubby and I will look after his exercise. And after that - hubby said he'd run with him if she couldn't...

I know my limitations...I'm sticking with walking with the mini-Dachsie...:hmm3grin2orange:

Rue

11-01-2009, 04:03 AM

English Mastiffs are great. I know a couple as well. But they are a much larger dog (or they should be...however for some reason, Bullmastiffs are getting bigger and English Mastiffs are getting smaller - silly breeders). They are more prone to health problems because of their size and are quite short -lived.

I only know one Dogue de Bordeaux...he's a sweetie...but he drools an awful lot...plus, I'm not a huge fan of their appearance - nor of their coat colour.

gm72

11-01-2009, 04:06 AM

Pit Bull. We have 2 of them, wonderful dogs.

Rue

11-01-2009, 04:11 AM

American Bulldog is also an option of course. Developed in the Southern States. Celeste is more like the Scott type...smaller, more athletic and around 75lbs. But the males of the Johnson type range up around 110 lbs.

So is the Catahoula Leopard Dog for what it's worth...bred in Louisiana to take the heat. Also used as a general purpose farm dog. Needs a very firm though, in many cases...but I did talk to a breeder when I was researching Job - lots can have more laid-back personalities too - but again, you'd need to take an older dog to know that for certain. Just be careful of the breeding. The intensely bred merles can have sight and hearing issues...

William

11-01-2009, 04:11 AM

I know. Bullmastiffs can even take a bit longer than that.

I would consider adoption,, likely prefer it, if I was back in europe or the states but the oppertunity to do so here is very few unless i want to take a mut from the street. (nothing against muts but they are not good guard dogs (watch dogs yes).

a pure breed here is an investment, 4 month wages and you keep it no matter what. add to this, next to no animal welfare laws and you get that people rather keep dogs and feed them once a week than offer them for adoption.sad really

Thanks for mentioning it though.

Rue

11-01-2009, 04:13 AM

There's no reason you can't get an older dog from a breeder. They sometimes know dogs that need rehoming. Likely easier than from a shelter - at least based on our recent experiences.

William

11-01-2009, 04:19 AM

We would prefer a large dog.

Pitbulls would be an alternative but we dont really like the look.

Thanks for the tips about the Dogue de Bordeaux and drooling. Miight be a problem. The size of the english is not a problem. We would take Zorba or cloe in a heartbeat. or rather living dogs of the same size.

William

11-01-2009, 04:22 AM

There's no reason you can't get an older dog from a breeder. They sometimes know dogs that need rehoming. Likely easier than from a shelter - at least based on our recent experiences.

Might be possible but most here seem to be straped for cash and discount the dogs if the are not sold at around 3 months. Who knows. Might have to get something from the states anyway and that opens more possibilities but would be expensive so I would like to avoid it if possible

mxgibby911

11-01-2009, 05:40 AM

Have you thought about a boxer, they are not as large as you may want but friendly, and playfull, they also have the look and ability to deter intruders and protect thier loved ones. They also come in a few different colors brindle, brown and white.

MCHRKiller

11-01-2009, 06:21 AM

Honestly one of the best dogs I have ever own has been a Bordeaux mastiff, he was loyal...nothing moved without his knowledge and he was fiercely protective but easily trained with enough patience. I also had a female pit who was the same way...excellent dog.

I would suggest shepard but climate rules them out, in that case I would also have to suggest a nice Rottweiler and Doberman.

OUFanatic

11-01-2009, 08:19 AM

im not sure what you meant by distant but dobermans are a one person dog. mine loves to cuddle with me and be in my lap at all times. he doesnt do this with my girlfriend though. he knows who his daddy is though lol. i also have 2 pit bulls. the "look" of a pit is all depending on what breed of a pit they are. there are the "bully" breeds that have been bred to be smaller with a wider head. this isnt natural as most tend to look more like an american bulldog. all my dogs are wonderful and most importantly love my g/f's 9 year old daughter. gl with your search

Padams

11-01-2009, 03:26 PM

Boxers are great dogs as well as Doobies. One draw back is boxers BOX when playing. You may need some raw meat for the accidental face whapps. :ssuprised:

One thing I learned from a breeder friend is if you want a "guard" dog, one that will adamantly protect something, get a female. If you breed her one time and then spade the theory is she will "adopt" the owners as a pup and will defend them.

Some breed will have a natural defense in them but you never know. The best way is give them an outlet to get mean and then they develop the difference between play and protect. I used an old winter jacket to "throw down" with Colbie (sheppard mixed mutt) and he knew Jacket on = Sick-em. But yet when I had short sleeves he never left a mark.

Mr.Bluegill

11-01-2009, 03:34 PM

i have a masstif lab mix
he is good with kids and is a good gaurd dogthumbs2: thumbs2:

Deleted User

11-01-2009, 03:52 PM

How about a smooth coated collie? We have a rough coat, and she is GREAT protection, great with all kinds of animals, but she is happy to be either active outside, or quiet inside. Whichever we decide for her to be that day!

Lady Hobbs

11-01-2009, 04:08 PM

Bulldog, American bull or Great Dane.

Or, teach your parrots to scream, "Bring me the gun" and you won't need a dog. lol

William

11-01-2009, 04:33 PM

Bulldog, American bull or Great Dane.

Or, teach your parrots to scream, "Bring me the gun" and you won't need a dog. lol

Haha, That might work but the ideal guard dog (atleast here) is big enough to keep the locals scared so they never even try something. If everyone knows it lives a big dog in the house no one would try something. I would get a jaguar but they would leave claw marks everywhere:hmm3grin2orange:

Honestly one of the best dogs I have ever own has been a Bordeaux mastiff, he was loyal...nothing moved without his knowledge and he was fiercely protective but easily trained with enough patience. I also had a female pit who was the same way...excellent dog.

I would suggest shepard but climate rules them out, in that case I would also have to suggest a nice Rottweiler and Doberman.

How much did the Bordeaux mastiff slooper. I like them and the look but I am afraid they slooper too much.

Rottweiler is a maybe. But as I said, I am a little bit turned of by the terrier in them and the hunting instinct that gives them. However I don't know. Somehow it feels like I would like 2 if i were to get rottweilers.

There are some dashhound rottweiler mix puppies for sale here now. They are adorable but not exactly guard dog material:hmm3grin2orange:

How about a smooth coated collie? We have a rough coat, and she is GREAT protection, great with all kinds of animals, but she is happy to be either active outside, or quiet inside. Whichever we decide for her to be that day!

I like collies but I am not sure how they would handle the humid climate with their coat.

Deleted User

11-01-2009, 04:38 PM

Austrailian Cattle dog. Not very big but big enough, exellent guard dogs & can cope with the heat thumbs2:

William

11-01-2009, 04:59 PM

im not sure what you meant by distant but dobermans are a one person dog

I really dont mean there are anything wrong with them. They are wonderful dogs. I am sure it has everything to do with me, for whatever reason I dont feel like I want to connect with them.

Regarding boxers. MY Gf dont like the look of them.

William

11-01-2009, 05:06 PM

Austrailian Cattle dog. Not very big but big enough, exellent guard dogs & can cope with the heat thumbs2:

Don't really like their look. + it is a cattle dog so it really should have a job all day and or something to heard. It could heard our ducks but.....

Rue

11-01-2009, 07:08 PM

Two dogs are better than one. But don't get two puppies. Too much work and unless you are incredibly dedicated, neither gets trained properly.

Once one dog is trained and stable - then is a good time to get a 2nd puppy.

We took all 4 dogs for a walk today (leashed) you should have seen the puppy checking them out and watching them.thumbs2: No doubt they learn from the older dogs. The puppy tried a few times to play with them - but they were intent on walking - after a while he gave up and walked just like they did! It was so cute!

BTW...Hanni and Celeste are the same age...but we got Hanni when she was 8 weeks old...and Celeste was around 8 month old. Even that was a bit too close together, age-wise.

William

11-01-2009, 07:51 PM

Thats more or like how I see it as well. One with the option to add one later would be better so I dont have to spend all day training them. I wouldnt like that and neither would the dogs.

Deleted User

11-01-2009, 08:00 PM

I like collies but I am not sure how they would handle the humid climate with their coat.
If you do want to consider one, they come in two coats. The "rough" coat we probably all think of when we think of collies (that's what I have, a rough coated blue merle collie) and in a smooth coat which is a short coat variety :ssmile: They come in many colors -- sable and white (like "Lassie"), Blue merle (blue, black spots, tan, and white -- gorgeous imo), and tri-color (black, tan and white)... they are very cool, smart and protective dogs.

See a smooth coat collie in the three main colors (naturally this way, not clipped short):

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MCHRKiller

11-01-2009, 08:23 PM

The Bordeaux did slobber, having owned several of the bully breeds...I cant say he slobbered a significant amount more than any of the others Ive owned. Any of the dog breeds with the loose skin around the mouth will be prone to drooling...so it just kind of goes with the territory.

But the Bordeaux does have some benefits compared to other mastiffs, being first and formost they are not as overly bred as many others. So you end up with a healthier more long lived dog. They average about 11-12 years, compared to other mastiffs 8-9 years. They are also naturally confrontational to strangers and loyal to the family, but you must implement the idea that you are the pack leader or they will try to run your house. They are also calm natured dogs, and do appreciate long walks daily. So that would fit with your available excersize time.

William

11-01-2009, 08:58 PM

Yes I am okay with them slobbering. Just don't want it to be to excessive and from everything I here it seems to be a lot worse then on other mastiffs.

They are a def possibillity, just like bull and english mastiffs. A friend of mine had adobermann mastiff that was rathre nice as well.

It will be good to have some choices as it can be hard to find a certain breed here.

Rue

11-02-2009, 07:04 PM

It's a tough decision, no doubt.

But ask yourself what you like the look of...what you want in a dog...how much time you're willing to put into training...and your choices naturally start to get narrow down.

If you're not showing - then a crossbreed would do as well. As you mentioned a Doberman mix, or a Rottweiler mix would be a good choice.

I'd just avoid German Shepard mixes...although I've seen some lovely individual dogs...from the years I worked at the vet clinic almost all our problem (aggresive) dogs were Shepard mixes...dunno what it is...

Oh yeah...and don't stop by the pound 'just to look'...:hmm3grin2orange:

William

11-02-2009, 07:24 PM

We would likely prefer a mix as that often reduces the health problems as well.

I have sent an email to the only pound in the country to see hwat they got.

Northernguy

11-02-2009, 07:33 PM

I think that is a great choice!
I find mutts to be smarter dogs!Definately cheaper!thumbs2:
Good luck!

Padams

11-02-2009, 08:18 PM

The other added advantage to mutts is they tend to get the "best" of the parents and not as much of the inherent issues or health problems. Mine lived to be 16.

Rue

11-02-2009, 08:19 PM

We would likely prefer a mix as that often reduces the health problems as well....

Not necessarily true. If you breed a genetically unhealthy Rottweiler with a genetically unhealthy Poodle for example...you will get unhealthy puppies. Purebred dogs from healthy lines are your best bet (or as close as you can come to a guarantee - even to temperament). Same goes for mutts -IF both parents are genetically sound. But you really can`t generalize.

All this myth stemmed from poorly bred purebred animals, primarily produced by `backyard breeders ` - people who will breed any two dogs together to get a litter of puppies. If you check Kijiji or Craiglist you`ll see many ads like the following:

I have a female pug in heat. I need a male to breed her with. If you have a male please call me. I will pay you $50 or you can have a puppy. Please call ASAP. We need her to breed immediately so we can have the puppies soon.

There is no concern about the quality of the animals at all or the health. Good breeders put in a lot of effort and $$$ into their programs. We haven`t had any major problems with our purebred dogs because we`ve always bought from reputable sources. And we`ve had health issues with our mutts...so it`s very hard to generalize.

...
I find mutts to be smarter dogs! Definately cheaper!
...

Not necessarily. Still based on breeding. And also not nec. cheaper. All the `designer dogs `are mutts and look how much they go for! My youngest son`s friend has an AmBull and English Bulldog cross. They spent $2200 on him. And purebred dogs (without papers of course) are just as cheap at the pound as the mutts are...

Northernguy

11-06-2009, 03:44 PM

Any luck yet William?
I was hoping one would show up on your doorstep by now! lol

Rue I am speaking strictly from dogs I have met!lol
Its all in the training no matter what kind of dog it is.So many dogs are like their masters.Completely untrained.:hmm3grin2orange:
I know there are many great pedigrees out there.thumbs2: