What breed of dog to get

[Anonymous]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4Gq-sTXgf8

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, don't get a German Shepard as a first-time dog owner. They are for advanced owners. They are very smart and if bored, will destroy stuff. Same goes for practically all working dogs.

Try the AKC breed selector for assistance: https://www.akc.org/dog-breed-selector/

Or, if you're on reddit, the r/dogs community will help you out.

Better to get a dog that she'll be happy with even if it is a German Shephard and she's a first time dog owner. After all, she is the one who would have to live with the dog for anything between 10 to 20 years.

[Anonymous]

Whatever the bread(s), please learn to train the dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im a single mom about to move in a much bigger house and suburban area. I would like to adopt a dog for protection so one who is imposing in stature and also ready to defend but as well a good family dog, great with kids and cats. Ive never had a dog before so looking for breed recommendations. ( we have a cat). Thanks

You don't need a 'big' dog to deter burglars, any dog that barks will do the same job. If you don't demand perfect obedience and want an energetic companion for your kids, a beagle might work.

Except the beagle will roam. You want a dog you can let out of the house without fear of him opening the gate to escape. Beagles are too smart.

I'm a single mom with three kids who adopted a rescue beagle. We love him, but he is nuts. Do not get a beagle. First of all, they love anyone who gives them food, including burglars. Second, they are STUBBORN and nearly impossible to train. Our trainer gave up on our beagle. They are so smart and will figure out how to climb up on your counters, get into your closets to eat your shoes, and dig under your fence to go on adventures. Neighbors and strangers will ring your doorbell after dragging your dog back to your house - beagles LOVE strangers and will follow them anywhere. They are not good guard dogs at all.

We LOVE our dog despite everything I wrote above. He makes up laugh nearly every day. He's all love. But he would not deter any robber or attacker for a second, and, he's a real handful compared to the labs that I had growing up. If a burger came into our home, our beagle would be so happy, just hoping to get some food. I honestly don't think he would help much either if I was mugged in front of him. If I dropped the leash, he would be thrilled and take off, following his nose - most beagles can't be left off leash ever.

I do think that dogs are great deterrents though. I think a larger dog could be a great companion to you too. German shepherds are loyal and smart dogs and great if trained properly. But I have had some real second thoughts about getting a dog while working and divorced. Dogs really are so much work, and your dog will be with you for nearly two decades. It's a huge decision, and I probably would hesitate if given the choice again.

Good luck to you!

We have a beagle too and would not recommend one for what OP is looking for, but ours is not nuts and she was/is trainable and listens well. You can’t necessarily make generalizations. I was terrified when we first got a beagle because of everything I read about them being difficult. It so depends on the dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Whatever the bread(s), please learn to train the dog.

Amen!

[Anonymous]

We have a German Shepherd and she is such a baby! She's curled up next to me with her head on my lap right now as a matter of fact. I didn't find her any more or less difficult to train than our Golden and mix breed dogs, they each just had different things we had to work on.

What ever breed you get, take a puppy training class for socialization - it's fun, you get to learn some training methods and your instructor can answer any questions you have. We did 3 levels of training classes at Petsmart and it was money well spent.

[Anonymous]

Op, I get the sense someone hurt you and you feel vulnerable. Wishing the best for your kid and know that things will get better, you’ll feel more safe (with or without a dog).

[Anonymous]

Please don’t get a German Shepard. They are not for first time owners.

[Anonymous]

Don't get the "dog, that is a very special breed, so smart, going back to work, great dog, we gave him a plaque and a medal...." In other words....

[Anonymous]

Thank you everyone for suggestions, im reading them all. I will stay away from german shepherds and beagles as recommended. Someone recommended eskimos, i looked them up but looks like they shed a lot- Looking for a dog with minimal shedding ( my cat is hairless) due to allergies ( not allergic to dogs) ! Any thoughts on the plott hound?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you everyone for suggestions, im reading them all. I will stay away from german shepherds and beagles as recommended. Someone recommended eskimos, i looked them up but looks like they shed a lot- Looking for a dog with minimal shedding ( my cat is hairless) due to allergies ( not allergic to dogs) ! Any thoughts on the plott hound?

Plott hounds are hounds and bred primarily as working hunters. If you get one, you will need to start with a puppy since introducing an adult to your cat probably won't go well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the folks who are counseling that you get settled first before getting a dog, OP. But also I want to emphasize that you don't have to get a dog that is "imposing" in stature and trained to protect you. Just having a dog at your house deters people from trying to break in. Of course, if someone really wants to mess with you, no dog is going to stop them but for most people the fact that there is a dog there would cause them to look at a different home to break into.

This. The two most imposing dogs in our neighborhood are a goldendoodle and a Pomeranian. They are both very proton their home and yard and bark like crazy.

[Anonymous]

op, we adopted a retired greyhound and our large family loves him. Good size, easy temperament, and smart. Because they were trained to race and lived in a kennel, they are not housebroken, but are quick learners. Most importantly, because racing is being outlawed, many are being put down. The agency we worked with had a process, had someone visit our home to ensure we were a good fit. Here is link to the site http://www.brga.org/. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I agree with the folks who are counseling that you get settled first before getting a dog, OP. But also I want to emphasize that you don't have to get a dog that is "imposing" in stature and trained to protect you. Just having a dog at your house deters people from trying to break in. Of course, if someone really wants to mess with you, no dog is going to stop them but for most people the fact that there is a dog there would cause them to look at a different home to break into.

This. The two most imposing dogs in our neighborhood are a goldendoodle and a Pomeranian. They are both very proton their home and yard and bark like crazy.

Goldendoodles are known for being nuts. Most people have a hard time with them. Pomeranians bark like nuts. Surely OP, as a single mom, would like to be able to sleep in without a lunatic barking?

[Anonymous]

My concern is that it sounds like Op is looking for a rescue dog that will be coming to her with everything done. Imposing stature, great guard dog, good with kids....

A rescue dog is still going to need time to acclimate to a new home. The dog will still need consistent training and lots of love. If Op has the time and desire to help the dog adapt - great! If Op thinks that she already has her hands full and is expecting this dog to come into her home ready to fit her needs....not so good. In that case, an alarm system might be a better option.