Need opinions on dog breeds

[A Johnson]

OK here's the deal. I'm in the market for a dog. I would like one that will bark when someone is messing around the place, but not a mean dog. I have a lab that will practically show you in and tell you where I hid the silverware. So I need a bit of balance.



I realize most any dog can be mean, for a variety of reasons, and I'm not opposed to having a bit smaller dog (appetite) than a Lab. It seems when I searched the web there are warnings that this dog likes to roam, this dog likes to kill small animals etc. etc. .



I would really like one of the water retrieving breeds, so I was thinking of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, but goodness sakes they are hard to find around Northwest Oregon,at least searching the classifieds on line of several newspapers showed nothing.



I have a large yard 1. 5 acres or so, and it will not be in the house (unless I'm in the dog house) so it will have to be a fairly hearty breed to stand up to the wind and rain without moaning. Also the small breeds Like the Jack Russel are out due to my fence has to big of spacing to hold them.



I am open to any recommendations of any breeds, and especially if some one can point me to a Chesapeake in NW Oregon SW Washington area. Thanks,

A Johnson

 

[ddesau]

dog breeds

Check out english Springer Spaniel - nice dogs- smart- well behaved- bark when they have to bark. .

 

[Skydiver]

6 week old Chow.

Has a mind like a cat. Will roam the area if not fenced in and not start a fight unless provoked. If another dog comes in his yard will more than likely start a fight. If anything gets close to its yard it gets barked at.

I've had 3 and enjoyed them all. Get a puppy and it will bond to your family. Just get the hair removed (cut) every spring and you will not have to groom so often. Females are much sweeter than males.

Talk to others who have owned a chow.

Tim

 

[mcoleman]

I've got an Akita and a German Shepherd. The Akita is very vocal but also very dangerous to anyone she doesn't know. She is kept in the house when we aren't home because of this. But I live way out in the National Forest so there shouldn't be anyone on my 32 acres that I don't know anyway. The Shepherd doesn't like strangers either but she is still too young to be sure of how she will turn out. Oh we do have a Great Dane also. It eats and eats and eats and then sleeps and would probably drown someone from trying to lick them to death before she would bark or show aggression. She makes for a attractive garbage disposal. Those Chesapeakes are gourgous. I use to live in duck and goose hunting country where labs and chese's were plentiful.

 

[parcher]

I got my dog from the pound, genetically diverse! She has the kindest dosposition with the family and children especially. She will bark like h@ll at you if you're not supposed to be in her territory. I think she's got some collie and golden retreiver in the mix but other than that I'd have call her a "Heinz"... you know "57 varieties".

 

[A Johnson]

I'm thinking along the lines of a good old American Mutt at this point.

I found a litter of Chesapeake pups in Gresham on the Net but 600 dollars and a contract saying I can't resell or do anything without permission aren't my idea of having my own dog.

I haven't had good luck with pound dogs myself, although I think the pound idea is good.

I hate to think of going thru the puppy stage with a dog again ,but I think you get a better behaving dog that way, one that almost can read your mind and your moods.

 

[The patriot]

Originally posted by parcher

I got my dog from the pound, genetically diverse! She has the kindest dosposition with the family and children especially. She will bark like h@ll at you if you're not supposed to be in her territory. I think she's got some collie and golden retreiver in the mix but other than that I'd have call her a "Heinz"... you know "57 varieties".

Sounds like my dog. I rescued her from a trailer park.

She's G Shepherd, Husky, Wolf, and we think either/and Newfoundland and/or Flat coated retriever.

If someone dont belong here, she'll bark like hell. She's smart enough to know when it's warranted though. Extremely smart with tricks/commands. Very fast learner, especially when you have a handfull of dog bones. One bad habit. She likes to dig. She hasnt done any yet this year. Maybe she's over it.

I dont think she'd physically hurt anyone (fact is I'm sure she wouldnt) but she would sure put on a good show. She dont have a mean bone in her 90 lb body.

A Johnson, my dog seems to be of the personality youre looking for. Want her???

Just kidding!

My wife tells me that I like the dog more than her.

Eric

 

[TPCDrafting]

Mutts have always served me well. But I also have enjoyed a specific bread. Two words: Rotten Weiler

 

[Champane Flight]

Good ole mutts

A mutt won't have the health problems a purebred will have either.

 

[Morphious]

I personally liked my mutt, he was 7/8's bull mastif, and an 1/8th rotty. Basically big enough that noone screwed with him, and just a big old baby around me and the kids. He weighed in at around 190lbs or so, if I remember right.



Morph.

 

[pdolan]

If you want to go hunting, get a hunting dog. If you want your property gaurded, get a working dog. Simple as that.



Well, nearly that simple. As you seem to be aware, some working dogs can be a bit too agressive and some can be a bit too expensive. Personally, I have had Belgian Turveurens and found them to be by far the best balance of intelligence, health, loyalty and guarding instict for what I want, but maybe a little too costly and defensive by your definition.



Basically, working dogs that were bred to tend animals come in two varieties: those that move a herd and those that are meant to gard one. The moving dogs (collies, etc. ) are obvious by their deep chest and incredible stamina. The guarding ones have awesome power and speed, but short duration - Belgians, German Sheppherds, Rotties, Pyrenese, etc. If they go after an intruder, they may just kill him instead of barking.



If you want a kinder gentler type of guardian, look at the moving types. If you want a little smaller size, maybe a more "American" breed head for a Border Collie. These are more likely to chase (as is their herding instict) and nip than do serious damage. Also, they tend to identify their own territory and stick close (fixed, that is).



Shopping at the pound is easier than you think. Mother nature makes it fairly easy to identify the bloodlines by just looking. Maybe take an expert or enthusiast with you to help if you aren't sure. One of our very best pets was a border collie from the pound. The SPCA staff can usually tell you a bit about the dog's personality, since they may have worked with it for a while. Some of the collie/shepherd crosses can be really nice dogs.



Trying to get a hunting dog to do a working dog's job is a crapshoot at best.



Take you time and look carefully, since (again, you know this but I'll say it anyway) a dog is long-term committment and you should be as careful and selective as you would about a new $40k truck.



Good luck - Pat

 

[Silver]

Border Collies are EXCELLENT breed. They learn very quick and are eager to please. You could probably teach them to park your RV if you tried. They need to get out and play though.



Blue Healers are also a great breed. They make good guard dogs and are very loyal to ONE owner. They are very tolerant of new people if you want them to be. They are a hearty breed, but they definately need space to run.



JMO

 

[Paychk]

These links might help narrow your search some, good luck!



http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

http://sy.adiho.com/ASA/Controller?sysid=4&appid=9901

http://selectsmart.com/DOG/#appearance

http://animal.discovery.com/guides/dogs/selector/selector1.jsp

http://www.about-dogs.com/dog_breed_selector.htm

http://www.ivillage.com/pets/tools/breedselector/questions/dog/size

 

[Task125]

I have a mutt,Half lab half pitbull. wife calls her a pitador. looks mean with a square head,but is the nicest dog I ever had. I have a 10 month old baby in the house also,pulls the dogs tail and climbs all over her all day dog loves it. but when you knock on the door she has a nice deep bark.

 

[RustyJC]

Along with the Border Collie, you might want to consider the Shetland Sheepdog - another working breed. The Sheltie is very territorial and vocal if anyone comes around, but totally devoted to its family and smart as a whip! They will actually "herd" young children away from the street, swimming pool, etc.



We have two "oversized" Shelties - a sable & white female and a tri-color male that each weigh in around 35-40 lbs, so they are a manageable size but still large enough to gain some respect.



Rusty

 

[DT]

I too would highly recommend the border collie... They are great dogs, eager to please, fast to learn, protective, yet gentle... Mine wouldn't bark all the time and excessively like some breeds, but he would bark it was for a reason... But he was as friendly as they come around people he knew and had met... He was real good around kids...

They are very loyal, very good athletically, (they need exercise) mine loved to run and would run alongside your fourwheeler all day long...



My next dog is definitely going to be a border collie...

 

[C. Harlan]

I would go with either a Border Collie, Catahoula, Aussie Shepard, or Heeler....

all of those dogs are brilliant!! I have one 3 year old red heeler, Pete, and a blue heeler pup, 5 months old, Shiner... those dogs are very smart, sometimes too smart for their own good! they can be territorial, but are easy to work with and train, though sometimes a little hard headed... . just keep that in mind...



-Chris-

 

[HoleshotHolset]

When the time comes..... I'll buy a Rhodesian Ridgeback.



We had one for many trouble free years. They don't breakdown like the retrievers and shepards with bad hips and so forth. He was the kindest most gentle dog - unless he sensed something amiss. He growled at Dad one night after he shaved his beard off... . can't blame him - he's just doing his job. These dogs also appear intimidating - very muscular and can be heavyweights (~100+ pounds isn't uncommon) - if that's what you're looking for.



They're not really vocal - they only bark when you'd expect them to... . and they're not all hyperactive like some breeds.



"King" (We didn't name him... . we got him 'used'... haha) was in good health up until he was diagnosed with cancer.



I will always miss that dog. :{



I just found this site: http://www.ridgebackrescue.org/ If you'd like to find a ridgeback that needs a home... .



Matt

 

[jrandol]

AJohnson,



I have a German Shorthair Pointer, have been around them my whole life. Great dogs, incredibly smart, and can be well behaved if trained from the puppy stage. Most of them are very high strung but I lucked out in that area. Very Loyal Dogs, highly intelligent, and a kick in my opinion. Might want to get around a few and see what you think.

I also have a Yellow Lab, also a great dog and getting to be very common. Sounds like you have some experience with them. Either Breed could be a good fit for what you are looking for. Its all about training when they are young and training for what you want from them.

 

[onestackdram]

I have to agree with jrandol, I bought my first shorthair this year, and have loved this dog from day one. My neighbor breeds these dogs, from a VERY good blood line and I mean TOP OF THE LINE. I had to throw hay for him ALL summer to pay for her, but she is worth every minute of it. This dog likes to hang out with the family all week, and then come hunting weekends she is rip roarin ready to go. Very attentive, very eager to learn, extremely addaptive, this dog has been awesome to own and she's only 10 months old right now, and living next to her breeder has helped me learn how to raise this dog. I highly reccomend this dog and plan on buying a second one from the next litter. All this from a man who has owned and bred Rottweilers almost my whole life.



Russell