Sorry but I would never recommend a retired grey for this sort of co-ownership. They are very much used to a set routine, many are extremely nervous of strangers, they are very gentle quiet dogs that do not like a lot of noise or commotion - something Im thinking may be rather in abundance in a house of 20 guys.
Which Breed is Best for.....
- Thread starter BaconShep
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of the breeds you listed:
St. Bernard good breed but your going to have LOTS of hair (they shed ALOT) and lots of drool...watch for knee and hip issues...
Great Dane: NOT good for your situation, plain and simple.
Blood Hound: i dont have much experience with, but any hound...training and a FENCED very secure yard is a must! they tend to have selective hearing!
German Shepherd: possibly a great choice if from a GOOD breeder, is well trained and VERY well socilized.
Border Collie: not a good choice VERY active breed with lots of drive, i doubt any one of your house would be able to give a border (or aussie) the kind of excersize they need.
Austrailian Shepherd: (see collie)
Newfoundland: another havy shedding heavy drooling breed, this is a sweet natured but STRONG dogs, some simply Have to work, others do great as house dogs!
id check into:
boxers, they tend to be hyper as puppies but with a good solid amount of training from EVERYONE in the house it could be a great breed.
St. Bernard good breed but your going to have LOTS of hair (they shed ALOT) and lots of drool...watch for knee and hip issues...
Great Dane: NOT good for your situation, plain and simple.
Blood Hound: i dont have much experience with, but any hound...training and a FENCED very secure yard is a must! they tend to have selective hearing!
German Shepherd: possibly a great choice if from a GOOD breeder, is well trained and VERY well socilized.
Border Collie: not a good choice VERY active breed with lots of drive, i doubt any one of your house would be able to give a border (or aussie) the kind of excersize they need.
Austrailian Shepherd: (see collie)
Newfoundland: another havy shedding heavy drooling breed, this is a sweet natured but STRONG dogs, some simply Have to work, others do great as house dogs!
id check into:
boxers, they tend to be hyper as puppies but with a good solid amount of training from EVERYONE in the house it could be a great breed.
A Saint Bernard will NOT do well in this environment. As much as I love the breed, they are far from the perfect breed for most people. They are giants, with males reaching near the 200lb mark. The size alone means higher expenses. Vetting a giant breed is very expensive, even a simple problem that requires antibiotics or regular flea treatments will cost you significantly more than a large breed dog. They do drool, beware of any breeder who tells you that they do not. Have you ever seen the movie Turner and Hooch? They drool just as much as that French Mastiff did. Drool on my ceiling is a common practice. Can all 20 guys in your house handle the drool? I assure you that every single piece of clothing you wear out of the house will be covered in fur and slime marks from the drool.
The health problems can be significant. Joints problems can be devastating to the breed. They are prone to bloating. A premium diet is a must to prevent vetting on a regualr basis. Simply put, the Saint Bernard is an expensive breed to own. Infact I even had to buy a new vehicle to transport him around. A 4 door car can barely hold an adult Saint comfortably in the back seat.
People forget that they are a working breed, and this means that without good leadership they can become very destructive and develop behavioral problems. A 190lb Saint NEEDS to have a strong leader and be well balanced. Who would be the leader for this Saint in a house of 20 people? Would this leader be prepared to devote themselves to this dog for the life of the Saint? Because the Saint will bond very closely to this person and will live their life for them.
My strongest recommendation to you if you are set on getting a dog is to go to you local shelter and rescue a dog there. I do think it would be hard to find any responsible Saint Bernard breeder who would willingly sell a dog into this situation, and with a Saint you need to sure that you are getting a dog from a very responsible breeders or you WILL be drained financially.
The health problems can be significant. Joints problems can be devastating to the breed. They are prone to bloating. A premium diet is a must to prevent vetting on a regualr basis. Simply put, the Saint Bernard is an expensive breed to own. Infact I even had to buy a new vehicle to transport him around. A 4 door car can barely hold an adult Saint comfortably in the back seat.
People forget that they are a working breed, and this means that without good leadership they can become very destructive and develop behavioral problems. A 190lb Saint NEEDS to have a strong leader and be well balanced. Who would be the leader for this Saint in a house of 20 people? Would this leader be prepared to devote themselves to this dog for the life of the Saint? Because the Saint will bond very closely to this person and will live their life for them.
My strongest recommendation to you if you are set on getting a dog is to go to you local shelter and rescue a dog there. I do think it would be hard to find any responsible Saint Bernard breeder who would willingly sell a dog into this situation, and with a Saint you need to sure that you are getting a dog from a very responsible breeders or you WILL be drained financially.
I was thinking about one of the bully breeds, like an American Pit Bull Terrier but they'd have to make sure they were responsible enough so that he never got out off leash and I'd like them to get an non-dog aggressive adult dog (so he'll stay non-dog aggressive). They would need to be willing to put in the work for excercise though.
They love to play, love everybody, have short hair that needs no clipping or much grooming at all. They would deal well with any sort of excercise you'll throw at them, walking, jogging, weight pulling, ALL sorts of playing. They are confident dogs so loud noises and chaos should not bother them too much (of course individual temperament matters). they love attention and seem like they would at least be interested in playing the training game/willing to please and make you happy, not sure how fast they pick things up though. positive training would be a must, I have a hunch punishment does not work well with such a tolerant and determined breed. Plus positive training is much kinder and works just as well as any other training. Because the breed is not well liked by the general public it is important that the dog be well behaved so that people do not feel poorly about the breed based on your dog.
they may be a little small for your liking but maybe a larger mix would do.
Now of course if you answer my questions I may fine this breed is not at all good for you. they are very energetic, prone to animal aggression and you have to deal with people giving you nasty comments about owning one.
They love to play, love everybody, have short hair that needs no clipping or much grooming at all. They would deal well with any sort of excercise you'll throw at them, walking, jogging, weight pulling, ALL sorts of playing. They are confident dogs so loud noises and chaos should not bother them too much (of course individual temperament matters). they love attention and seem like they would at least be interested in playing the training game/willing to please and make you happy, not sure how fast they pick things up though. positive training would be a must, I have a hunch punishment does not work well with such a tolerant and determined breed. Plus positive training is much kinder and works just as well as any other training. Because the breed is not well liked by the general public it is important that the dog be well behaved so that people do not feel poorly about the breed based on your dog.
they may be a little small for your liking but maybe a larger mix would do.
Now of course if you answer my questions I may fine this breed is not at all good for you. they are very energetic, prone to animal aggression and you have to deal with people giving you nasty comments about owning one.
20 young boys with a pit bull or a staffordshire bull terrier is not a good mix
A Pit bull I would fully say no to a good breeder would not sell to them, to me there is no better breed than a pit bull and a staffordshire bull terrier, but they really need one owner and firm training.
My staffordshire bull terrier is a watch dog and a guard dog, she is protective and barks when ever there is someone outside, be it me or anyone till she sees who it is, she is naturally like this, its not something I trained her to do, but I like the fact she is protective and guards the house.
They say staffordshire bull terriers are not guard dogs and in a way this is correct, but I have met many who are, its not an instinct nor a triat bred in to them, but many do guard.
A Pit bull I would fully say no to a good breeder would not sell to them, to me there is no better breed than a pit bull and a staffordshire bull terrier, but they really need one owner and firm training.
My staffordshire bull terrier is a watch dog and a guard dog, she is protective and barks when ever there is someone outside, be it me or anyone till she sees who it is, she is naturally like this, its not something I trained her to do, but I like the fact she is protective and guards the house.
They say staffordshire bull terriers are not guard dogs and in a way this is correct, but I have met many who are, its not an instinct nor a triat bred in to them, but many do guard.
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Just because there are 20 guys living together doesnt mean that this dog cant be trained with a firm hand if needed. Everyone is being so quick to shun this guy away from "their breed". I would happily reccomend a standard poodle BUT I highly doubt 20 college guys want to walk a poodle aorund :rofl1:
Give the guy some slack I am sure he is well equipped to train, exercise, and love a dog. He came here for advice which obviously means he was doing his research.
There was a frat house at my college that had a dog... different guys always had it at campus and it was the happiest, most socialized and well adjusted dog I have ever met.
Give the guy some slack I am sure he is well equipped to train, exercise, and love a dog. He came here for advice which obviously means he was doing his research.
There was a frat house at my college that had a dog... different guys always had it at campus and it was the happiest, most socialized and well adjusted dog I have ever met.
Its my duty to protect my breed/s, been as pit bulls and staffordshire bull terriers have a very bad rap, one more bad incidence could be very more damaging, these breeds need an experienced owner, not 20 kids with no knowledge, I want them to get a dog I think it would be great, good luck to them, and if they dog get a pit or a staff then I will advise him and support if he asks anything on here, however I hope they do not take on these breeds..
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Have any of you ever had a dog before? A Newfoundland isn't a great choice in my opinion.
What are your floors? Wood? Tile? Carpet? If you think for some reason you'd like a Newf puppy and you don't have carpet, please don't get one. Newfies can fall VERY EASILY and it each and any fall could cause serious lifelong damage to their bodies in the long run.
Are you ready for drool? On the floor? The walls? Your table? Your CEILING? Newfies are MAJOR droolers. As are Great Danes & Saint Bernards.
Who is going to do the daily brushing? They have very, very tick coats that require a lot of brushing. If you aren't ready for 20 minute daily brushing, don't even bother. Neglecting to brush your Newfie is not only painful, but when you decide you are going to take care of him(or her) and give him a clean shave, he is then unprotected from harmful sunrays. Most breeders will even have you sign a contract that you will never shave your Newf. For good reason too.
Don't base your choice of breed because of looks or size, I researched my Newfoundland for months before I even started looking for a breeder. A large breed comes with LARGE vet bills and serious health issues.
Please read this link, it's called Don't Buy a Newf:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/5329/article.html
I really believe the best thing if you are actually ready for a Newfoundland, and you do the proper research and you have a fenced yard, you have a plan to accomodate a life long companion, I would get an older rescue Newf(if they would even consider you? I'm unsure about your dog-lifelong plan?)
Newfoundlands are GREAT dogs, especially great family dogs. But they are really not for everyone and they are no Labrador Retreiver. Good luck
What are your floors? Wood? Tile? Carpet? If you think for some reason you'd like a Newf puppy and you don't have carpet, please don't get one. Newfies can fall VERY EASILY and it each and any fall could cause serious lifelong damage to their bodies in the long run.
Are you ready for drool? On the floor? The walls? Your table? Your CEILING? Newfies are MAJOR droolers. As are Great Danes & Saint Bernards.
Who is going to do the daily brushing? They have very, very tick coats that require a lot of brushing. If you aren't ready for 20 minute daily brushing, don't even bother. Neglecting to brush your Newfie is not only painful, but when you decide you are going to take care of him(or her) and give him a clean shave, he is then unprotected from harmful sunrays. Most breeders will even have you sign a contract that you will never shave your Newf. For good reason too.
Don't base your choice of breed because of looks or size, I researched my Newfoundland for months before I even started looking for a breeder. A large breed comes with LARGE vet bills and serious health issues.
Please read this link, it's called Don't Buy a Newf:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/5329/article.html
I really believe the best thing if you are actually ready for a Newfoundland, and you do the proper research and you have a fenced yard, you have a plan to accomodate a life long companion, I would get an older rescue Newf(if they would even consider you? I'm unsure about your dog-lifelong plan?)
Newfoundlands are GREAT dogs, especially great family dogs. But they are really not for everyone and they are no Labrador Retreiver. Good luck
go to a rescue/pound, thats where i got my dog and there are LOTS of puppies and best part, all the mixies are totally unique its like your own breed lol
you can tell alot by playing with the pups, ect.. and youd be saving a life
if ur looking for a breeder/specific breed, id say maybe try the breed selector quiz..
http://dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm
and then do research research research
its like your own breed lol you can tell alot by playing with the pups, ect.. and youd be saving a life
if ur looking for a breeder/specific breed, id say maybe try the breed selector quiz..
http://dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm
and then do research research research
i hate to go by a "breed". Although it gives you some guidelines, it isn't a rule. IN Mary's litter Her sister sally was a little slow, and not quick to learn. Mary learned to shake in one lesson at 7 weeks old. HEr sister Lennie was insanely active. GArg was slow and heavy AND STRONG. All so different it was hard to believe they were siblings.
A mix will more likely be healthier. I suggest to eveyrone to go to www.PEtfinder.com and follow your heart. THe right one will speak to you and you will just "know"!
I found VIctor there and if i had paid a billion dollars and searched the world over i could not have found a better dog.
A mix will more likely be healthier. I suggest to eveyrone to go to www.PEtfinder.com and follow your heart. THe right one will speak to you and you will just "know"!
I found VIctor there and if i had paid a billion dollars and searched the world over i could not have found a better dog.
I don't think any of the breeds you listed would be suitable for your situation.
I'll suggest my "boring" breed, Labs. I think first and foremost in your situation you want a dog that is adaptable to constant activity. A good Lab will take anything you throw at them. They are generally very bold and fearless. They are happy living with 1 person as much as they are living with 20 people.
There are thousands of young Labs in the shelter that will fit your requirements.
I'll suggest my "boring" breed, Labs. I think first and foremost in your situation you want a dog that is adaptable to constant activity. A good Lab will take anything you throw at them. They are generally very bold and fearless. They are happy living with 1 person as much as they are living with 20 people.
There are thousands of young Labs in the shelter that will fit your requirements.
