The Best Dog You've Ever Been Around

[BrAinPaiNt]

This is what you do...

You go to the animal shelter/humane society/non-profit rescue organization, and you walk through the dogs that have been taken in without a home.

Then you wait for the one that gives you "that look" and your gut tells you is the one.

And that's the best dog you'll ever have.

THIS THIS THIS

Now this might depend on the shelter in your area so you might have to ask.

If you go there and don't see a dog that does it for you, ask them if you can be put on a list for a specific breed of dog.

We did that for a pitbull and a few months later they called us saying they had a lovable little pit puppy. We went there and fell in love with him the moment we saw him. We still have him.

You save a dog, You help out a pet find a home, you help with a living home defense system and you get a great friend to boot. It is a win all the way around.

As far as dog breeds go...go with what you like. A Boxer is a darn good choice but just be aware that they can be goofy and playful dogs that will cause the family to break out in laughter at some of the silly things they do. Which is always a good thing.

 

[Joe Realist]

This is what you do...

You go to the animal shelter/humane society/non-profit rescue organization, and you walk through the dogs that have been taken in without a home.

Then you wait for the one that gives you "that look" and your gut tells you is the one.

And that's the best dog you'll ever have.

Hostile - listen to the man. Save a dog. This is the way to do it.

 

[Faerluna]

Obviously, I'm on board with a shelter dog, too. It always seems that shelter dogs know that they are getting a second chance and are very grateful for it.

Many rescue organizations also use a personality matching questionnaire to see which type of dog fits your lifestyle. They also do assessment of the dogs to know how they are (energetic vs couch potato, good at home alone or needs companionship, etc). Many shelters feel that this is the best way to avoid having people unhappy with the dog they thought they wanted.

 

[Khartun]

I agree with the shelter rescue, but for me the best dog we have had has been our Chocolate Lab. The only thing with them is they chew like crazy when they are pups, but after that they are the absolute most loyal dogs around. Our has the best temperment. He is absolutely the sweetest dog but I know if anyone tried to do anything to my wife he would absoultely come unglued.

I used to have chows and I would not recommend them around children. As someone said they can be very aggressive.

 

[trickblue]

Australian Shepherd-- Extremely smart --and loyal. Very protective -but friendly at the same time ...

Yep... I have a Mini Aussie and he is just a FANTASTIC dog. Very loving, very protective, very loyal, very smart...

Lots of good suggestions here, Hos... but you need to lay out what you want in a dog. High energy dogs need lots of attention/exercise. Big dogs leave big poops. Small dogs, although sometimes fierce and loyal, can't protect you...

Think about what you are looking for trait-wise, then start looking for dogs 30+ pounds...

Oh, and if you gt a Chow, make sure you have no small children around as they are notorious biters...

• 50% of dog attacks involved children under 12 years old
• 82% of dog bites treated in the emergency room involved children under 15 years old
• 70% of dog-bite fatalities occurred among children under 10 years old
• Bite rates are dramatically higher among children who are 5 to 9 years old
• Unsupervised newborns were 370 times more likely than an adult to be killed by a dog
• 65% of bites among children occur to the head and neck

 

[Doomsday101]

My last Golden Retriever was the best I have ever had. She went pretty much where ever I went always obeyed commands (except it there was a pond around then she would be in it before you knew it)

My current one is about as sweet a dog but still a lot of puppy left in her and can be a handful at time. But she is still my buddy.

 

[basstapp]

I would look into a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. We got ours at the pound and he was abandoned, but is the most affectionate dog I have ever owned. He is extremely intelligent and was potty trained in about three days. They have a build like a rott, but are great with kids, but probably would do something to an intruder . I will attach a picture of him.

http://*************/photo/my-images/525/dukes.jpg/

 

[YosemiteSam]

My last Golden Retriever was the best I have ever had. She went pretty much where ever I went always obeyed commands (except it there was a pond around then she would be in it before you knew it)

Ha! If you say "swim" my Golden Retriever (Gracie) would jump through a plate glass window to get to our pool. :laugh2:

It could be icy cold. If we didn't have the pool cover on, she would still go in. (she still stands on it and splashes when it's cold as hell) She is absolutely nuts about going swimming.

https://lh4.***BROKEN***/-opFzxaoteOg/TahmmtqpuZI/AAAAAAAAA2Q/yJl3YQjn0ss/w263-h350-k/IMG_20110210_200355.jpghttps://lh3.***BROKEN***/-qKstr3fEYXU/TI95UsStRvI/AAAAAAAAALw/mGz8nFjZQAw/w290-h386-k/IMG_20100822_213834.jpg

 

[trickblue]

Also remember that getting a pup can be one of the most joyous times in your life outside of family events and children...

Losing them is almost as painful...

Dog breeds vary greatly in lifespan. Small breeds tend to live longer. The average 50 pound dog lives 10-12 years, the average giant breed is 6-8 years. Mutts tend to live longer as they haven't been subjected to massive inbreeding, although many purebreds can live a long time. Maltese live up to 16 years, Sheltie live up to 19...

 

[JustDezIt]

im gonna say put because it is the only dog i have ever had and they get such a bad rap. mine sleeps in the bed with me, never barks, growls, chews, licks, jumps and most ppl are scared to approach him even tho he is a big baby. every person i know wants him, and tells me if i ever get rid of him to call them first. just throwing in my 2 cents because the breed gets a bad rap.

 

[Doomsday101]

Ha! If you say "swim" my Golden Retriever (Gracie) would jump through a plate glass window to get to our pool. :laugh2:

It could be icy cold. If we didn't have the pool cover on, she would still go in. (she still stands on it and splashes when it's cold as hell) She is absolutely nuts about going swimming.

Same with the last one I had. It could be freezing outside but she would run full blast and dive right in. I took her to the beach a few times and she loved it, she would run and jump right into the waves coming in. It was funny watching here.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Same with the last one I had. It could be freezing outside but she would run full blast and dive right in. I took her to the beach a few times and she loved it, she would run and jump right into the waves coming in. It was funny watching here.

Dogs aren't allowed at the beaches here. I would love to take here there and see what she does. :/

 

[Faerluna]

Oh, and if you gt a Chow, make sure you have no small children around as they are notorious biters...

• 50% of dog attacks involved children under 12 years old
• 82% of dog bites treated in the emergency room involved children under 15 years old
• 70% of dog-bite fatalities occurred among children under 10 years old
• Bite rates are dramatically higher among children who are 5 to 9 years old
• Unsupervised newborns were 370 times more likely than an adult to be killed by a dog
• 65% of bites among children occur to the head and neck

I have a scar on my face to prove it, too.

 

[Meat-O-Rama]

Dogs aren't allowed at the beaches here. I would love to take here there and see what she does. :/

Same here. It sucks that idiots have to go and ruin everything for everyone. I drove my dogs an hour south once to take them to the beach where dogs are allowed. It may have been one of the greatest days of their lives. I swear I used to hear them talking to each other about it when they thought I wasn't listening.

 

[Arch Stanton]

Also remember that getting a pup can be one of the most joyous times in your life outside of family events and children...

Losing them is almost as painful...

Dog breeds vary greatly in lifespan. Small breeds tend to live longer. The average 50 pound dog lives 10-12 years, the average giant breed is 6-8 years. Mutts tend to live longer as they haven't been subjected to massive inbreeding, although many purebreds can live a long time. Maltese live up to 16 years, Sheltie live up to 19...

Very true. A friend of mine lost an 8 month old Great Dane due to leg defects due to inbreeding. A real shame as he was a lovely dog.

 

[JustDezIt]

im gonna say pit because it is the only dog i have ever had and they get such a bad rap. mine sleeps in the bed with me, never barks, growls, chews, licks, jumps and most ppl are scared to approach him even tho he is a big baby. every person i know wants him, and tells me if i ever get rid of him to call them first. just throwing in my 2 cents because the breed gets a bad rap.

my fault cant edit but that was supposed to sat pit not put, haha

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Get a lab and your family will love you for it.

My best dog ever was Sam. He was a chocolate lab. He was a surprise present from my then girlfriend/now wife. I Literally met him at the same moment that Emmitt Smith took his first carry of the season to the house against the Giants. He was always there and asked for nothing but love and for me to kick, throw, toss or otherwise move an object to the other end of the yard for him to fetch. My wife always felt safe with Sam at home. He didn't bark unless someone was at the front gate. And then if you told him to stop, he would. I had to put him down this May. 16 long years and his arthritis was finally too much and the good days were far outnumbered by the bad. He was a trooper to the end and I sat and cried my eyes out while went peacefully into doggie heaven. I would never consider another breed.

I agree with the shelter rescue, but for me the best dog we have had has been our Chocolate Lab. The only thing with them is they chew like crazy when they are pups, but after that they are the absolute most loyal dogs around. Our has the best temperment. He is absolutely the sweetest dog but I know if anyone tried to do anything to my wife he would absoultely come unglued.

I used to have chows and I would not recommend them around children. As someone said they can be very aggressive.

I guess it's obvious but :signmast:

Maybe like Mike said, a rescue lab. A neighbor lady has a black rescue lab and it's a great dog.

 

[trickblue]

im gonna say put because it is the only dog i have ever had and they get such a bad rap. mine sleeps in the bed with me, never barks, growls, chews, licks, jumps and most ppl are scared to approach him even tho he is a big baby. every person i know wants him, and tells me if i ever get rid of him to call them first. just throwing in my 2 cents because the breed gets a bad rap.

my fault cant edit but that was supposed to sat pit not put, haha

OK... now I'm REALLY confused...

 

[justbob]

OK... now I'm REALLY confused...

What did he say

 

[Phrozen Phil]

Hos there are a ton of really great suggestions made here and I would only add that you will want to make your kids part of the process, as they will (and should) have a significant role in the life of the dog. Personally, I love the idea of a recue dog, but that's only one option. Should you decide to by a dog from a breeder, make sure they are reputeable. Last of all, you should talk to Juke and Bob.