What type of dog to get?

[Anonymous]

Our family waited many years to get a dog because not all were on board. We went with a mini golden doodle and she is literally perfect in every way. Every time we have another dog in our house (family visiting etc) we just appreciate our own dog so much more. She's super sweet and playful but also chill. She never sheds or barks. Doesn't chew on anything she isn't supposed to chew on but loves her toys. She's an angel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:German Shepherd Dog, GSD for short. Best looking dogs ever and loyal.

Disagree - I don't think they look cute or pretty at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've posted about this before, but please do your due diligence finding a breeder. There are many lovely websites out there that mask non-ethical breeding operations, which are in effect, just puppy mills.

Responsible breeders specialize in just one breed. They want to preserve the health of their breed of choice and therefore run genetic testing on all their breeding stock and avoid breeding from dogs with known inheritable diseases. By stock, I mean very few dogs, since they have them in their own home, so each dog can have proper human socialization. No kennels. They want to meet potential owners because they don't want their puppies going to just any weirdo. If a dog breeder refuses to meet you and show you the litter, they're not ethical. They would never ship puppies - shipping a puppy by itself is traumatic for them. Unless you're willing to fly, this limits the distance to the breeder.

Finally, responsible breeders are few and far between and therefore usually have a waiting list. Getting the right dog takes patience, it's not an off-the-shelf purchase.

The only thing worse than the “pit bulls are great family pets” people are the “it’s not a reputable breeder unless you waited 3 years and found them on a Quest” people. There are far fewer of these “reputable” breeders than people who want dogs. It’s ridiculous to suggest that the only options should be a rescue puppy bred in the woods with zero planning, a puppy mill torture victim with health problems, or a magic golden dog with perfect bloodlines from the specialist home breeder ever.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:German Shepherd Dog, GSD for short. Best looking dogs ever and loyal.

Extremely debatable. Breed standards have wrecked those poor animals, but coming from a bulldog OP might not mind.

Get a working line one; they haven’t been tampered with to such ridiculous standards. And I love GSD, but OP better have the interest in keeping the dog engaged and active for it to be a happy doggo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:German Shepherd Dog, GSD for short. Best looking dogs ever and loyal.

Unless you have a lot of time for training and tiring the dog out, DO NOT get a German Shepherd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:German Shepherd Dog, GSD for short. Best looking dogs ever and loyal.

Disagree - I don't think they look cute or pretty at all.

PP here.

It's all about personal taste. I don't like any of these rat like dogs that yap rather than bark.

[Anonymous]

I have an English Bulldog and a Mastiff (English Mastiff). I’m going to recommend a Mastiff.

Yes, they are giant breeds and you have young children—which is something you need to consider. Despite their size, they are incredibly sweet, docile dogs.

I thought my Bully was a total sweetheart until I got my Mastiff.

Trust me.

[NP]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an English Bulldog and a Mastiff (English Mastiff). I’m going to recommend a Mastiff.

Yes, they are giant breeds and you have young children—which is something you need to consider. Despite their size, they are incredibly sweet, docile dogs.

I thought my Bully was a total sweetheart until I got my Mastiff.

Trust me.

[NP]

OP here - I am actually well versed with Mastiff's (sibling has had multiple mastiffs) but we want a dog that has a longer lifespan. It was heartbreaking to lose our dog and he was 10. My sisters mastiffs have all died under the age of 7.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an English Bulldog and a Mastiff (English Mastiff). I’m going to recommend a Mastiff.

Yes, they are giant breeds and you have young children—which is something you need to consider. Despite their size, they are incredibly sweet, docile dogs.

I thought my Bully was a total sweetheart until I got my Mastiff.

Trust me.

[NP]

OP here - I am actually well versed with Mastiff's (sibling has had multiple mastiffs) but we want a dog that has a longer lifespan. It was heartbreaking to lose our dog and he was 10. My sisters mastiffs have all died under the age of 7.

Oh, that’s sad. I’m sorry.

My big girl is the best dog ever (don’t tell my Bully), and I’d be heartbroken to lose her.

Good luck, OP!

[PP]

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We LOVE our Cavalier King Charles spaniel

Aren't you worried about their health?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our family waited many years to get a dog because not all were on board. We went with a mini golden doodle and she is literally perfect in every way. Every time we have another dog in our house (family visiting etc) we just appreciate our own dog so much more. She's super sweet and playful but also chill. She never sheds or barks. Doesn't chew on anything she isn't supposed to chew on but loves her toys. She's an angel.

+1. We have a mini Australian labradoodle. Don’t let doodle hate deter you, I feel like we literally have the best dog out there. Great temperament, easy to train, and great size for younger kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We lost our dog over the summer (English Bulldog) and are ready to start looking for a new puppy.

At first we thought we wanted to rescue from a local shelter but we are nervous due to the recent attacks of pit bull dogs on young children and not knowing exactly what type of dog you are getting from a rescue. We have 3 young kids (2, 6 and 7.5 year old) and are leery of getting any type of pit bull mix.

If we decided to buy a dog from a breeder instead of adopt what types of dogs would be your top pick for a family with young kids? Thanks!

The real question should be how much time do you have to give to a dog with three young kids? And be honest. Dogs need social, mental and physical exercise. Your bulldog not withstanding who doesn't need too much exercise so if you get a lab or whatever they will need more. I find it interesting the risk analysis. There are roughly 18 million pit bull mixes and yet we do not have 18 million pit bull maulings. You are more likely to get in a car accident than get bitten by a pit bull mix.

Also, if you are getting a dog you can rescue and get a breed. There are tons of rescues that deal with labs, goldens etc. I would get an older dog and not a puppy with your kids' ages. Get a dog that they know is good with kids and maybe doesn't need as much attention.

Personally, I would wait until your 2 year old is older.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family waited many years to get a dog because not all were on board. We went with a mini golden doodle and she is literally perfect in every way. Every time we have another dog in our house (family visiting etc) we just appreciate our own dog so much more. She's super sweet and playful but also chill. She never sheds or barks. Doesn't chew on anything she isn't supposed to chew on but loves her toys. She's an angel.

+1. We have a mini Australian labradoodle. Don’t let doodle hate deter you, I feel like we literally have the best dog out there. Great temperament, easy to train, and great size for younger kids.

A bit defensive, eh? So the haters have no experience in what they say?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an English Bulldog and a Mastiff (English Mastiff). I’m going to recommend a Mastiff.

Yes, they are giant breeds and you have young children—which is something you need to consider. Despite their size, they are incredibly sweet, docile dogs.

I thought my Bully was a total sweetheart until I got my Mastiff.

Trust me.

[NP]

OP here - I am actually well versed with Mastiff's (sibling has had multiple mastiffs) but we want a dog that has a longer lifespan. It was heartbreaking to lose our dog and he was 10. My sisters mastiffs have all died under the age of 7.

Oh, that’s sad. I’m sorry.

My big girl is the best dog ever (don’t tell my Bully), and I’d be heartbroken to lose her.

Good luck, OP!

[PP]

dp I would hate all the slobber.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our family waited many years to get a dog because not all were on board. We went with a mini golden doodle and she is literally perfect in every way. Every time we have another dog in our house (family visiting etc) we just appreciate our own dog so much more. She's super sweet and playful but also chill. She never sheds or barks. Doesn't chew on anything she isn't supposed to chew on but loves her toys. She's an angel.

+1. We have a mini Australian labradoodle. Don’t let doodle hate deter you, I feel like we literally have the best dog out there. Great temperament, easy to train, and great size for younger kids.

A bit defensive, eh? So the haters have no experience in what they say?

Why do people hate doodles?