Breed Suggestions

[LostAndConfused]

This is for a co-worker of mine. I'm thinking adult rescue of misc. lab or golden heritage, but just wondering if you guys had any suggestions.

She currently lives 'in the country' with her 3 kids and is nervous living out there alone. She is looking for a largish dog to help her feel less vulnerable.

Size: 30-70 lbs
Grooming: minimal upkeep. No going to the groomers regularly. I'm thinking single coated breed for min. shedding, but am open to double coated as well.
Temperament: She wants something that will 'protect her' *eye roll* I say she wants something that will bark. Good with kids, 2 kids are in elementary school and the youngest is a baby, 6 months I think.

Trying to avoid common BSL breeds due to renting.

Not crazy energy. Something willing & able to chill in the house without a lot of mental/physical stimulation.


Any suggestions? Anything else you would like to know?

[Dex]

Originally Posted by LostAndConfused

This is for a co-worker of mine. I'm thinking adult rescue of misc. lab or golden heritage, but just wondering if you guys had any suggestions.

She currently lives 'in the country' with her 3 kids and is nervous living out there alone. She is looking for a largish dog to help her feel less vulnerable.

Size: 30-70 lbs
Grooming: minimal upkeep. No going to the groomers regularly. I'm thinking single coated breed for min. shedding, but am open to double coated as well.
Temperament: She wants something that will 'protect her' *eye roll* I say she wants something that will bark. Good with kids, 2 kids are in elementary school and the youngest is a baby, 6 months I think.

Trying to avoid common BSL breeds due to renting.

Not crazy energy. Something willing & able to chill in the house without a lot of mental/physical stimulation.


Any suggestions? Anything else you would like to know?

I would second your suggestion of an adult lab/golden/etc mix. Once Labs get past their puppy phase.. ya know, after like four years.... they suddenly find their off switch and make wonderful "chill in the house buy play in the yard" kinda dogs. Plenty of kid friendly adult Labs that need homes

Good luck to your coworker!

[Romy]

A lot of mixes would work. If she had her heart set on a purebred, a tricolored smooth collie would be a good watch dog, look intimidating, do well with the kids and shouldn't fall under any breed restrictions.

[LostAndConfused]

Originally Posted by Dex

I would second your suggestion of an adult lab/golden/etc mix. Once Labs get past their puppy phase.. ya know, after like four years.... they suddenly find their off switch and make wonderful "chill in the house buy play in the yard" kinda dogs. Plenty of kid friendly adult Labs that need homes

Good luck to your coworker!

Thanks. Luckily I think I have a little bit of time. She is working on planning a 2-3 week trip back home in late spring or early summer and doesn't want a dog before then. Kind of worried that now that she has this in her head she is just going to jump the gun and go get a cute dog off craigslist.

Originally Posted by Romy

A lot of mixes would work. If she had her heart set on a purebred, a tricolored smooth collie would be a good watch dog, look intimidating, do well with the kids and shouldn't fall under any breed restrictions.

I don't think she necessarily has her heart set on a purebred. I sent her the link for Petfinder yesterday and she was browsing it. It's just hard because the majority of the shelters & rescues in the area have pitts and I don't think that's what she wants. Ya know, overly friendly, bouncy, happy pitt bulls. LOL

smooth tri collie you say....Can you just steal me a Logan?

[Aleron]

I was thinking Smooth Collie too. They are shedders but than, so are Labs and Goldens. Great family dogs, great with kids, biddable, fun loving but able to chill, "protective" enough acting without being a real threat and hey, I think more Collies have won the Hero Dog Award than any other breed.

CCA has a great online guide to life with Collies: http://www.collieclubofamerica.org/m...e_collie2.html

[milos_mommy]

I was thinking collie, or a larger aussie....one of the more protective herding breeds/mixes.

A darker dog is going to dissuade predators more...so I think a dark lab mix, or some kind of easygoing shepherd mix, might be a good choice.

A dog of that description wouldn't be at all difficult to find in most shelters, especially if she'd be willing to go closer to the city. No Kill Shelters generally have more non-bully-breeds than places like ACC, but if she keeps checking, she'll find one. She could also look for a rescue that places dogs in foster homes with children, so she can find out more about their protectiveness and how good they are with kids.

[Kootenay]

Another vote for a Collie, either Rough or Smooth! My boy is the perfect mix of happy to go with you and do whatever you want, or happy to sleep inside ALL DAY if that's what's going on. Also, I don't know if she means "protect" against predators or people? But Jasper has chased off MANY bears and cougars over the years. So he's excellent predator protection, not so much against people...

[Dizzy]

If you say lab or golden to me, I immediately think nuts and OMG HAIR. THE HAIR.

[LostAndConfused]

Thanks guys, you're the best

Originally Posted by Kootenay

Another vote for a Collie, either Rough or Smooth! My boy is the perfect mix of happy to go with you and do whatever you want, or happy to sleep inside ALL DAY if that's what's going on. Also, I don't know if she means "protect" against predators or people? But Jasper has chased off MANY bears and cougars over the years. So he's excellent predator protection, not so much against people...

I don't think she actually means 'protection' as much as 'large dog that makes me feel safe' she just doesn't know that yet.

Originally Posted by milos_mommy

I was thinking collie, or a larger aussie....one of the more protective herding breeds/mixes.

A darker dog is going to dissuade predators more...so I think a dark lab mix, or some kind of easygoing shepherd mix, might be a good choice.

A dog of that description wouldn't be at all difficult to find in most shelters, especially if she'd be willing to go closer to the city. No Kill Shelters generally have more non-bully-breeds than places like ACC, but if she keeps checking, she'll find one. She could also look for a rescue that places dogs in foster homes with children, so she can find out more about their protectiveness and how good they are with kids.

I'm definitely interested in looking at a dog that has been in a foster home and kid tested for her. Aussies worry me just because the ones I've been around (byb dogs) have not had the best temperament. I know that isn't what most Aussies are like, but....ya know.

Originally Posted by Aleron

I was thinking Smooth Collie too. They are shedders but than, so are Labs and Goldens. Great family dogs, great with kids, biddable, fun loving but able to chill, "protective" enough acting without being a real threat and hey, I think more Collies have won the Hero Dog Award than any other breed.

CCA has a great online guide to life with Collies: http://www.collieclubofamerica.org/m...e_collie2.html

I sent her that link and she seems pretty interested in Collies.

Originally Posted by Dizzy

If you say lab or golden to me, I immediately think nuts and OMG HAIR. THE HAIR.

Yeah I know, I'm not the biggest fan of labs & goldens, but I think that one that is past the crazy puppy/adolescent stage would be a good fit for these guys

[Romy]

While collies aren't a typical protection dog, and I wouldn't trust any dog 100% with my life in a situation where someone was trying to hurt me or my family, they do seem to have strong "danger-dar". Nobody will be able to get on her property without the dog knowing about it and letting her know. That itself is a huge thing if she's worried about intruders because that lets her call the police and arm herself with whatever she plans to use (firearm, taser, pepperspray, etc).

And I have heard of collies running interference when a bad guy showed up and tried to hurt their families. Logan's mom can be really sharp toward someone with bad intentions. She's never had to back it up because nobody ever pushed it with her, but I wouldn't be surprised if she did. If I was looking for a collie for that situation, I'd try to find the most self confident dog/puppy possible.