Getting a dog ... need some advice.

[Baba Ganoush]

I also vote for adopting a rescue dog.

My German shepherd has the "velcro" tendencies. I call her my shadow, because while I'm home, she's usually within 10 feet. That's her comfort zone. I've never had any separation issues, I think a good amount of exercise helps. She also doesn't like meeting new people when I'm not around. Once I introduce her to them, she gives a little more leeway. She defends her perimeter, even against the neighbors, and has a helluva presence/bark.

She also howls like a wolf at emergency sirens. The neighbor kids always want to pet "the wolf" lol.

[Baba Ganoush]

furminator FTW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

just combed a dog sized pile of fur off of my dog this morning... 5th time in 2wks!!!

Im a user of the furrminator.

I even use the $$ conditioner that makes the hair fall out.

[bcoop]

furminators are the shit.

[stephen4785]

Doberman Pincher. Mine just had puppies that I am selling if you are interested. Most protective and friendly dogs I have ever owned.

http://www.nextdaypets.com/directory/dogs/ea534165-cb21.aspx

[JC316]

Growing up my dog was Chow/Lab. Extremely attentive and aggressive, he proved very hard to train. It paid off though, he was the perfect watch dog.

My vote is for German Shepherd. I adopted a 2yr old female from a local rescue that was found with a chain imbedded in her neck. I took her on walks daily, including some time off leash. I had her trained off leash in a few weeks. Smart dogs that will be your shadow when you need them, and protect your assets.

I had a chow growing up. He was good with kids, but took a chunk out of a neighbors hand for no reason. He turned on my mom a few times, even after a major beat down he kept right on growling and making eye contact. The watch dog part is correct, he was a 50lbs buzz saw.

I have a boxer but have been around Akita's too. To me, the Akita looks more intimidating than the boxer and they do have a big can of whoop keester, I just don't know how tolerant of little ones they are.

Akita or boxer...

Get a Boxer. I have one and they really are the best dog to have. She is so sweet to anyone that comes around her. Potty training is hell so you MUST be patient and give it time.

One of my neighbors had an Akita and it was very unpredictable, never did like that dog. It eventually got on to my property and my rottweiler killed it. My other neighbor has a boxer and that fucking thing hates my guts, I mean charge the fence whenever it sees me. On the flip side, I knew a guy that had two boxers and they were the sweetest dogs that I have ever seen.

[motoman]

Here are a couple dobies I dog sit from time to time. Rocco is on the left and Jasmin is on the right. Rocco is almost is about 19 months and still growing, the vet thinks he'll get to be about 125lbs.




Vicious dogz!!!

[94form2000z]

Getting a dog ... need some advice.

My advice: Don't get one.

[papapepper]

My advice: Don't get one.

LOL coming from the guy with a cat in his avatar.

[94form2000z]

LOL coming from the guy with a cat in his avatar.

I am a pussy lover but have no pets here. I just like the cat pics on the net.

I don't care for stinking, barking, farting, shedding animals

[8mpg]

Ok.. after some more though...

If you dont want something that might "attack" but protective of your family... Id look into a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog. They were kind of rare but the last few years of breeding here in the US has made them more available.

The dog is a large dog, smart, instinctual and they seem pretty healthy. Saw a show on them years ago where the owners put a trash can in the middle of the yard and the dog sat there barking at it forever because it was not supposed to be there. They know their territory and when something doesnt fit. They are also very strong dogs...lots of people used to use them as working dogs to pull carts.





or....just get a mastiff and be done Very loyal dogs with protective instincts. They are known as gentle giants. They will protect but not attack. Their bark and size scares just about everyone off. Sometimes the Fedex guy wont get out of the truck if my dogs are out.

[txstangnut]

I vote for chows. I have had two and they were not hard to train at all. Both of mine were very protective. The both slept either close to me or by the front door.nI have no problem leaving the door unlocked when he is around. Chow's are very easy to house break. They are one person dogs and are territorial.

[MutherjuggZ]

I wanna get a pup/young adult. I want one that has natural instincts to protect. One that doesn't have a history of attacking people. Easy to train as well. I am interested in making this an indoor dog that will be taken on daily walks.

Ones that come to mind are chows/rotts/ germans sheps/labs.

Thanks for any advice or stories of experience with dogs not to get.

I suggest stealing. It's all the rage

[8mpg]

for fun... I tried getting Koda to bark.. 220lb dog wanted to play instead.

[Cooter]

lol, I can be standing in the middle of a field with nobody/nothing around... if I start asking Bandit "who's that? who is it?" he'll start barking and running around looking for the intruder! LOL

[motoman]

for fun... I tried getting Koda to bark.. 220lb dog wanted to play instead.

Tim how much food do you go through each month?