I want a dog!

Yes, labs are great! And you won't have any trouble finding them in rescue groups, I'm sure they'll have tons! They do shed a TON, though. There's also a couple other retriever breeds, which are not so common but are still very cool. This is a curly-coated retriever:



Or how about a smooth coated collie? They're just like the rough-coated "Lassie" collie, but with a short, smooth coat, which is easy to groom.

I am around collies all the time. 25 now to be exact. I think collies are great dogs. They are very smart and sweet. They have a good amount of energy too. I would recommend a collie to anyone as long as they have a yard to run around in and an owner with a loving heart.

yea, I love labs! I can't believe Dana(brattina88) posted pics on here of Riley. That's the most awesome dog she ever watched!

The only thing that makes me worry about labs is I've heard they take a long time to mature... and that puppy was insane

I've actually never meet a smooth coated collie. The rough coated ones are pretty good looking dogs. Do they have the same temperment? Oops... I guess if I would read the whole posts I would know

This is hard.......... ^-^

The breeds that you want (Boxers, Dobes, Pit Bulls, etc), while they do fit your requirements for LOOKS, do not fit your requirements for temperament. I wouldn't call any dog stubborn, but all three of these breeds tend to be dominant, moreso than a Collie or Lab at least.

I think a Lab would be great. They're energetic, active and tough, but also willing to learn and work. They're fun to train.

smooth collie is the EXACT same thing as a rough.
just with shorter hair.

oh rite, maybe go for a Min pin, pug,

if your having a hard time picking a breed, just go down to your shelter cuz theres lots of mixes and purebreds there

I think smooth and rough collies can even be born in the same litter. If I ever got a collie, I'd get the smooth kind because I'm not crazy about grooming a long coat . . . even if it is gorgeous! :lol-sign:

I hear you . . . Whenever I manage to knock a dog off my list, I seem to find two more breeds to put on it.

I recommend going to your local shelter and give your preferences for the kind of dog you are looking for and maybe you'll end up with a purebred or a loving mixed breed, but it won't matter because the INDIVIDUAL will match your lifestyle when you are screened and evaluated. I hope you find a great match, whether it be a purebed or a mutt!

Im in high school and I just got a dog this summer. I recommend shorthaired collies, labs or italien greyhounds. I have one suggestion and I'm not saying you would do this but I didn't think I would make this mistake either but I did.
Since you knpow puppies are too much to handle don't let yourself get one at the shelter. The cute factor is easy to win a person over even if their mind is made up. I went to the pound wanting an older dog but my sister and mom liked this 7 month old puppy. I allowed them to talk me into it and even though I love her a lot of bad stuff has come out of it. We thought she seemed calm for a puppy but they will most likely still chew and may not be 100 percent potty trained. Just letting you know you have to be firm even if your family tries to talk you into it.

Someone may have said this, I didn't read through the entire thread, but if your sister fosters dogs, why don't you ask her to keep an eye out for one that would be suitable for you and your home. She knows you and your family best obviously, she knows what you can and can't handle and she knows the dogs she works with. We could tell you good and bad things about different breeds until the cows come home but each individual dog varies from the last even if they are the same breed. I think, from all you said, you want to go with an adult dog, no puppies. Tell your sister what sort of dog you are interested in, tell her the ideal age range, sex, temperment and just wait for the perfect one to come to you.

Thats what I thinking

Ditto.

wait..is you sister Brattina88???

Good advice.

Oh whoa lol I just made the connect too. Lol are you?

what about a cavalier? or standard poodle they are great dogs to own

i was thinking a cav, i love poodles and you can clip them with a puppy clip or a lamb clip if you dont like the other clips

Yet another vote for this. That is basically how I found Meg. I good friend who I used to teach dog classes with runs a rescue. She had spent enough time with me around dogs to know what I did and didn't like. I gave her a few other "must haves" (gender, size, coat type), and asked her to keep an eye out for me. She called me up one morning after getting in a group of dogs, and said "I found your dog!". And she was right - it was a perfect fit.

I have a Boxer, (and a Siberian) but I noticed a Boxer was one of your choices. Toby is not "a lot" to handle, and he is very good with other people. He has never been aggressive with me, but has towards people he perceived to be a threat. I have to say though, he is the most loving, loyal dog EVER. He respects me and listens to me and I am not an aggressive or dominant person....but they are strong dogs and extremely active. I cannot stress enough how much they are always up for a run, a walk, to play, etc. Oh course, both of my dogs are still in the puppy stage. Just want to give props to boxers!

lol, yea. I didn't realize she was like famous or something. I'm hoping this is a good thing: since she is absolutly crazy about dogs and thats all I ever hear about when she's around.

I'd admit it would be pretty dumb if I didn't let her do that for me. She's offered; we just never really accept. I think an adult lab, or an awesome lab mix would be great... its now just a matter of time, getting ready for a dog, and making good choices. Until then, we'll see. Dana hasn't fostered a single dog since she moved in; whether or not she considers Charlie a foster dog on here or not, I'm not sure. I don't even know if she claims him as a foster in 'real life' I know she's being real slow finding him another home! Anyway all I know is something happened with the old rescue and she doesn't work with them anymore but I doubt I could get away with going to a shelter or dog pound without her :lol-sign: I know for a fact that Dad is waiting for her to rehome Charlie, or for her to find another place before I even start looking for another dog . . .