Recommend me a dog?

[TSpecht]

I'll be moving soon to a home with 20 acres, somewhat out in the middle of nowhere, and I'd like to have a dog. I don't have much experience, but I think I'd like a mid-size to big dog, with a somewhat laid back temperment, which doesn't shed very much hair. Is that combination even possible?

Since I don't have much experience with owning or training a dog I'd probably end up going to some sort of dog training class, something where they teach the owner and the pet what's expected... Some friends have a few labs, and a golden retriever, which all seem like pretty good dogs, I like the temperment on those, so those may be an option despite the hair.

I guess I'm just trying to start some research on what I might want. Anybody having any useful links, photos of their own dogs, or anything relevant or irrelevant would be appreciated.

 

[RGardner]

Try the local human society and see what they have or check with some local dog rescue organizations.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Here is my little girl Kira, she is a Golden Retriever, I am kind of partial to that breed and she is the third one I've had. The live pretty long with each on my previous 2 lasting 13 years each. As far as laid back my son was around 3 and he pooked this dog in the eye right up to his last knuckle and the dog just sat there and took it, then her eye swelled shut for a week. The shedding hair is a pain and I end up using duct tape on my seats to get it out. The Labs are similar but sometimes can be high strung. The mutts from the pound usually make great pets. Make sure you use something for ticks if they are in your area, get the dog vaccinated.



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[CJ8Rockcrawler]

My retriever mix rescue... she was adopted through S. A. F. E. - Saving Animals from Euthansia. She's the best dog I've ever had... Loves the Jeep, thinks the truck "OK," but is always disapointed to ride in my wife's camry.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

I will not recommend a border collie. I've had a bunch and they are outstanding dogs. In fact the smartest... . some say (I've actually got an article posted on my office door proclaiming the breed break down and intellect.



But when you said laid back... . you do not want a stock dog of any type. They need work, or will make work, perhaps not to your liking



I agree with the above posts that a Golden Retrievers are renown for making good laid back pets. You might also consider a standard poodle - the big ones. Or another bird dog breed. However, remember they are hunting dogs and will be roaming the 20 acres plus getting in trouble.



Plus, as was suggested, the local shelter or petfinder.com is an excellent way to go. This pets really need a new home... . or its the oven. I've had three off petfinder and you need to be selective and pragmatic in your selection. One bc died of distemper that she had when I picked her up . One was an incredible bc, but was thunder shy and I had to find a new home because she would leave me in the back country and go out to the trail head. It took me one day to find a new home for her... really nice dog. I had two other petfinders home as test dogs and they were not suitable - one too small for the many miles and stock and the other thunder shy. The last one is a winner and a great compliment to my other bc.



You can search petfinder for the breeds you are interested in.

 

[outlawram]

Look up a labradoodle or goldendoodle. My family member has one and it does not shed. They do get as big as a full size poodle or small lab. Pretty tall too.

 

[ACoyle]

Labrador Retriever - Will run your 20 acres with a smile, swim any ponds or streams that you have and never leave your side as long as there is breath in their body.



My labs and I live this every day:



He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog.



You are his life, his love, his leader.



He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart.



You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion.

 

[sarj]

I've had a golden, two labs, a springer, and now a Chesapeake Bay retriever. The Springer was my second, and by far the very best, the Chesapeake is a very close second. The others were all good dogs, but miles behind the Springer & Chesapeake. Both love outdoors, all are great family dogs, and the Chesapeake, a little better gaurd dog... but no one messed with the springer... and he owned my buddy's dobi & german shepard out on desert camp trips. ohh... and both have real low maint coats.

 

[Alan Reagan]

I have a Border Collie we got from the animal shelter when she was 12 weeks old. The owner had received her as a Christmas present and the puppy was just too much for her.



She is just about to turn two years old and now is the smartest and best tempered dogs I've ever had. She loves to play and she is good to go to the horse shows and stock shows at the ag center. She is still a little hyper around strangers but calms down pretty fast.



She is great with my 12 year old daughter and any kids that come around. She does like to "herd" my younger nieces and nephews.



A lab or border collie is a good choice. Either requires activity during their formative years.

 

[Sageair]

We have five Border Collies and they are great dogs IF you keep them busy. Ours have constant activity from me or my wife. Border Collies are among the smartest dogs out there and make wonderful pets if in the right environment. They can also be almost neurotic if in the wrong environment. Having 20 acres is a good start but if you don't spend alot of time out on your acreage with them they will not be happy. If you do spend alot of time outside with them there is no better dog in my opinion.

 

[The patriot]

My german shepherd is about the smartest dam animal I've ever seen.

I dont know about the shedding part... . :-laf

She's an import from europe. If you want a more mellow shep, get a domestic.

Mine always needs something to do. :-laf

I'm told the imports are more of a working dog, the domestic dogs are more mellow and loveable pets.

When I pet her she says to me "Sie können Haustier ich, wenn es Sie lässt sich besser fühlen. " :-laf

 

[DKayser]

Border Collie!!!!!

We had a Border Collie female for 2 years. Much smarter than the German Shepherd I had as a kid. She was by far a better companion than most of my acquaintences to date. That said, she liked to stay busy. If you didn`t have time to find her something to do, she would find something herself. Never destructive, just playful. I have never seen a dog hold an ice cream cone between its paws, lick it clean, and Then eat the cone. Rest in Peace, Rosie. We miss you. DK

 

[GO 4LO]

Are you wanting the dog for a specific purpose, or just as a pet? Will this be an indoor dog or outdoor dog?



Chris

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

We have <b>five Border Collies</b> and they are great dogs IF you keep them busy

WoW! Sageair, you are my hero. :-laf

 

[Ten_Bucks]

I'm kinda biased towards Rottweilers but that might not go over well with what you're looking for.



Scott

 

[TSpecht]

Mostly a pet, and more than likely to be kept inside. Perhaps just to play a little fetch and serve as a chick magnet, and wander around with me, maybe camping, canoing, boating and the like. I wouldn't be opposed to a dog that could have the dual use of companion and hunting buddy, but hunting would definitely be a secondary consideration if at all.

How likely is a dog to enjoy or at least tolerate being on a boat? Is there any way to tell beforehand or do you just have to introduce the dog to the boat and hope said dog doesn't freak out when you're in the middle of the water?

 

[JWestley]

I have a Rhodesian Ridgeback and he is one of the greatest dogs i have ever had. Very affectionate, loves to roam outside, has a great temperment, and loves kids. He is a pretty big dog (about 120lbs. ) and thinks that he is a lap dog. We have never had a problem with him at all. Hell I have taken him on 2 hour long walks without a leash and he never strayed more than 5 feet away from me. I would highly recommend one if you can find one.

 

[smartineau]

Without much dog experience have you thought of a grown potty trained at least some obedience training dog.



There are many dog rescue groups out there, we rescued a Chow/German Shepard mix, that was a few years old. Absolutly fantastic dog, I cried like a little kid when we put him down 11 years later.



A grown 2-4 year old dog could be what you want, puppies are loads of work.



steve

 

[bmoeller]

I would suggest an older dog as well. Generally most of the bad puppy behavior will be out of their system by then. Also, if you got a puppy later, having it around an older dog that is laid back will help a bunch. Will be much calmer.



Never owned a Rott, but have been around quite a few. Really like their temperment. I would like to get one, but don't a place big enough for it. I'd have to get a small dog.



Growing up, pretty much all of our dogs were strays, or were dumped off at our place. Don't know why they had dumped them off, but was glad they were. They were some of the best dogs we ever had. Small (like a Jack Russell) or larger (Collie sized).

 

[sarj]

Mostly a pet, ... and serve as a chick magnet, and wander around with me, maybe camping, ... How likely is a dog to enjoy or at least tolerate being on a boat? Is there any way to tell beforehand or do you just have to introduce the dog to the boat and hope said dog doesn't freak out when you're in the middle of the water?

:-laf :-laf ... The ultimate chick magnet is a golden. I've literally had chicks peel their tops off to pet him. The springer was good for it too,... real good... but with a golden, it's like shootin' fish in a barrel. Boat dogs?... both the springer and chessie thrive, as do labs. Golden go either way on boats and in water. It's more of a personality thing with each individual dog as far as goldens and water, and you don't know until the time comes but goldens are more skitterish that way. Goldens are high maintenance coats too. From what I'm hearing, you'd be good to look at an English Springer Spaniel.