Your opinion

[msm4]

So my family is talking about getting a dog. We just dont know what breed. Please give me a list of breeds you think will work for us.

About me: There are to kids ages 9 and 11. Want a loyal family type of dog. The fur can only be brushed one to three times a week. Excersise: Isnt a problam. Can run early in the morning up too 10 miles. (not saying that we would make it run 10 miles) We arent home six hours of the day though.

Please help us find the right breed!!

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We go up to our cabin (an hour away every weekend.) We live on two acres of land and wouldnt be interested in a showdog/agility. We arent to worried about the size but not Giant breeds. Lap dogs are fine but so are the ones that sleep in there own bed in the courner. We dont want a dog that howls and digs. Training isnt that big of a problem with us. We live next to a lake so the dog could swim if it needed to. No wirey coats though.

 

[Dekka]

tell us more about the kind of things you like in a dog...

Do you like one who wants to curl up and nap when no much is going on? Do you like dogs who follow you every where? Do you like going on vacations and taking your dog? What is your yard like? Any laws inhibiting breeds?

What do your kids like to do? Is anyone interested in dog sports? Are you willing to do obed classes with the dog? Are you open to rescuing?

 

[ACooper]

You didn't mention what size range you had in mind. Big? Small? Medium?

You didn't mention how much training you are willing to do with the dog, some dogs are easier than others to work with, more eager to please (speaking in generalities)

The ever popular Golden Retriever is normally a 'safe' bet for a good, loyal, family dog. Great with kids, enough stamina and energy to run with you (when old enough) not real high in the maintenance department, easy to work with/train, eager to please......of course all these statements are generalities and depending on getting one from a decent breeder and not a BYB poorly bred Golden.

There are many other breeds besides Goldens that could suit your family...........just give us some more info and I am sure people will have plenty of suggestions

 

[bubbatd]

I'm so prejudiced !!!

 

[Punkygirl0101]

Like I recommend to everyone who comes on here with the same question. I would go to a rescue. They know the dog's personalities and can match you with the perfect dog. I don't think it should matter the breed, because all dogs are individuals. I got 7 dachshunds for example..and only a few resemble the breed's personality (As in what websites,etc say their personality is).

 

[msm4]

We go up to our cabin (an hour away every weekend.) We live on two acres of land and wouldnt be interested in a showdog/agility. We arent to worried about the size but not Giant breeds. Lap dogs are fine but so are the ones that sleep in there own bed in the courner. We dont want a dog that howls and digs. Training isnt that big of a problem with us. We live next to a lake so the dog could swim if it needed to. No wirey coats though.

 

[TheGoldenRetriever]

The ever popular Golden Retriever is normally a 'safe' bet for a good, loyal, family dog. Great with kids, enough stamina and energy to run with you (when old enough) not real high in the maintenance department, easy to work with/train, eager to please......

My immediate thought was a Golden as well. (Big surprise there ....NOT ... lol.)
They love to run, brushing 2 to 3 times a week works great for them, they are great with kids, easy to train, etc. ... so seem to fit the original poster's criteria so far. Also many (certainly not all ... depends on training) tend to be high energy while outside with you but much calmer when inside the house.

More info would be good though As Cooper said, what size dog do you want? Is shedding a concern? Anyone in your home have allergies to pets? Do you have a fenced yard for the occassional time when exercising along with the dog may not be possible?

Would you prefer a young puppy or an older dog? If a puppy do you have a housebreaking/training plan since you know no one will be home for at least 6 hours a day? (It IS possible to housbreak/train a puppy in those situations but you gotta have a plan.)

EDIT:
OK ... just saw your latest post which came minutes before mine ... you gave some more info but it's a little confusing?

We go up to our cabin (an hour away every weekend.) We live on two acres of land and wouldnt be interested in a showdog/agility.

No dog sports might leave out some of the more active herding breeds like Border Collies and Australian Shepherds. GREAT family dogs but they greatly appreciate activities just for them in which owners also participate. These breeds are great but they do get bored easily and when they do they can seem to never have an "OFF" switch.

We arent to worried about the size but not Giant breeds. Lap dogs are fine but so are the ones that sleep in there own bed in the courner.

OK ... this is the confusing part! There's a HUGE size range in there ... you need to really consider what it is you want. Perhaps it might be best to start by researching some breeds to see what fits your family best.

We dont want a dog that howls and digs.

OK, "no howling" leaves out most from the hound group ... so you don't want a baying beagle or a coonhound. No diggers leaves out most of the terriers.

Training isnt that big of a problem with us.

Confusing again! When you say "not a problem" does that mean you have experience with training dogs or have a friend/family member who has such experience? Or maybe you know a nearby training class or a professional trainer you plan to use? Hopefully you don't mean that you don't care if it's trained or not? 'Cause ANY untrained dog ... regardless of breed ... is gonna end up being a problem.

We live next to a lake so the dog could swim if it needed to. No wirey coats though.

The sporting breeds generally love water ... again Golden Retrievers, also Labs and Setters. No wirey coats leaves out terriers again.

 

[msm4]

We do. Work two minutes away from my house so can come home a couple times aday. We want a puppy. Sheedding perferebly kept to a medium rate. We have an invisable fence.

 

[Dekka]

If you want low shedding why are you 'against' wirey coats. They are about as low shed as you get

A golden would work. So would a sight hound. There are lots of greyhounds needing homes and they are GREAT family pets. Caution with invisible fence-other dogs can still come in and harrass yours, and many dogs learn they can run through them with only one zap and then won't come home.

 

[bubbatd]

Sounds perfect for a Golden to me !!! Go with a GOOD breeder though !!! PM me your area if you are serious and I'll try to put you in touch with one . Our Indiana group shows all over the country and would give you some good ones . That's how daughter got Seger ( in Ohio ) . He was so easy to train and not a hyper bone in his body . There are pictures of him in MauzysMusings .

 

[Zoom]

I'd need more information about your training experience or commitment to it, but a Boxer might work for you as well. Shorthaired, not super vocal and pretty smart. Most love the water and make great jogging partners once their bones/joints are ready for it.

Being gone six hours a day though REALLY makes me suggest that you go for a dog around 5-6 months of age, instead of 8 weeks. Actually, something over 1 year old would be even better. They've still got enough puppy in them to be interesting and around for years but they will be easier (if not already) to housebreak and generally out of the "total chewing chaos" stage.

 

[smkie]

I am a firm believer in going to www.PETfinder.com and looking until you see the dog that makes her heart go kathump! I knew when i saw Victor that he was the right one for me. Good luck in making your decision.

 

[bubbatd]

I can understand wanting a puppy .... it can be done . Depends on the situation . Many who took my pups worked . I got them used to kennels and the folks took turns going home during the day to feed and potty . Seger was taken to work his first 1/2 year .... thus trained and socialized . Otherwise I agree with older dog . I knew as much as I love pups , when Chip was PTS it was time for me to go petfinder .

 

[Boemy]

I say a golden, a labrador, or a golden or lab mix. There are sooo many golden and lab mixes on Petfinder.com, I'm sure there's a perfect dog for you there!

 

[msm4]

Thank you so much guys!

 

[SmexyPibble]

A Golden sounds good for you! I agree, check www.petfinder.com just enter your zip code and browse it up!

 

[milos_mommy]

Rescue a mix breed...a lab or golden mix, maybe a shepherd mix (some may shed A LOT, though), a pit mix, a boxer mix, would all be good bets.

 

[mrose_s]

Golden or Lab, or GSP maybe.
I would probably go check out a rescue.

I would avoid sighthounds if you have an invisible fence, or anything too high drive. Out of our 4 dogs, 3 of them I know would go straight through one before they knew what happened and the only reason the fourth wouldn't would be beacause she's old.

 

[wchua24]

i could recommend you a golden retriever , this is a good family dog. i am sure you will enjoy his company.. this is a charming dog..

 

[HoundedByHounds]

yeah the invisible fence would worry me with any dog with any sort of drive...to hunt, chase, sniff, or explore, really. Also sounds like you have some land...consider predators that might live on said land won't mind your electric fence at all...and even Labrador sized dogs get taken by wildlife at times.