Dog Breed Help? :3

DarkyBreeding · August 2012

Alright, I'm wanting to surprise my hubby with a puppy. He's wanted one for such a long time but we ended up having twins and getting a cat (decent compromise, I think) but anyway, the twins are a bit older and they've been around dogs (actually-they adore dogs) and I know not to leave the girls alone with dogs and all that. However, my hubby has a few different dog breeds he really wants and I was just wanting VP's opinion. Things to remember: 1. We have a very big front and back yard. Back yard is fenced in with an 8foot tall fence. 2. We have two toddlers in the house. I know the risk of getting a puppy and everything 3. We have a cat. Not sure if this matters or not? But his name is Astyn but he's pretty calm (he's been around dogs before, too-doesn't mind them, really [he even played with one of the dogs we house-sat for awhile]) 4. Both of us (hubby and myself) have had a lot of experience with dogs. We'd be crate training and everything like that. Dog Breeds We're Choosing From: These are all the dog breeds we'd even consider. I've looked up information on all of them but I know the VP community could help me far more than just some facts on a website

1. Great Dane 2. Irish Wolfhound 3. Saint Bernard 4. German Shepherd 5. Bloodhound I already have opinions of all of these dogs as I've been around each one. However, I'm not going to post my opinions and get swayed comments. I would greatly appreciate any advice/information

Please, don't suggest other dogs. We've talked about what dogs we would even want and practically went though an A-Z list. We know labs are great family dogs as well as retrievers, but these are the dogs our hearts are kind of set on. It's also a surprise

So, please post what breed you suggest and why. Also, if you think a male/female would be better suited, let me know as well. Any and all opinions welcome (within reason-don't tell me I'm an idiot for getting a dog right now)

Kylie Sommer · August 2012

I would suggest either a Saint Bernard of Great Dane. I have been around many dogs from those breeds(my brother breeds Great Danes and my sister works with Saint Bernards for show) and they all seem fairly gentle and calm. Although, I cannot promise you will get a calm gentle puppy. All dogs have there own personality, but of course they can all be trained. I would suggest these two breeds, even though they are on the larger end. From my experience they are all nice and gentle. I would suggest talking to a breeder in advance of your purchase and maybe ask him/her to check out the litter you are looking at for a pup that shows certain qualities you want, like calmness. I hope this helped! *Edit* DO NOT get a German Shepherd. Like they said below me, they are very aggressive and are unpredictable. I do not recommend them for a house hold with young children.

Kazuko · August 2012

I would not get a German shepherd, first off. It is EXTREMELY difficult these days to get a dog from good lines that won't be emotionally unstable. You'll end up having to shell out WAY too much money to ensure that you won't get a dog that'll flip like a light switch >< Out of those suggested, Irish Wolfhound is what I would go with, but know that they (and danes) don't live very long. D8 Bernards aren't a bad choice if you live somewhere cooler. 8D Wolfhounds are HUGE though. I know everyone says that, and I knew they were big before I saw one, but I didn't realize HOW big they were until I met one at the dog park.

There's something kinda unnerving about a dog being able to look you in eyes sitting down. If you get a wolfhound or dane, just remember you can't leave anything breakable, well, anywhere. |D Those tails are monsters all by themselves.

EmmeZoec · August 2012

I second Kazuko about the German Shepherd thing, there was a young adult/adult dog in my puppy class that was absolutely horrid growling at some people for some thing and not at other people for the exact same thing. One thing to remember with blood hounds, and most hounds, is that they bark and they fallow their nose wherever it takes them. All the dogs you've chose are *big* dogs, and can have a lot of energy as puppies and just as much when they are young adults. That can cause problems when a full size Saint Bernard that doesn't know it ways 100+ plus is running and playing with two little kids. Are you getting a puppy from a breeder or adopting? There are tons of purebred puppies and adults that are just as healthy looking for homes. I know you didn't want people to suggest breeds for you, but have you considered a rescue Greyhound? There are tons of racing Greyhounds can still do good with cats, and there are tons of racers that need a home.

Animalsaremything · August 2012

German Shepared they are very smart and if you are in the front yard or back they will watch your childern. They are pretty easy going with there family. I know all about herding breeds (I have Belgain sheepdogs) so if you have any questions PM me! I also Like the Irsh Wolfhound. There very sweet dogs. The only thing I dont like about Saint Bernaders are that live for about 7 years.

DarkyBreeding · August 2012

I was actually thinking of getting a dog from one of the rescues around here as all of their dogs get put into foster homes and many of them are raised around cats/children. I know many rescues don't have purebred dogs but I was asking about those dogs because I wanted one of those breeds to kind of be the staple in the mix? If that makes any sense >.> Like my mom has always wanted a German Shepherd. She got one from this rescue but she's a German Shepherd/Lab mix and she's amazing. I know a lot of people that have gotten dogs from this rescue and all the foster parent's we have met have been wonderful. The dogs are generally raised around other dogs, cats, and I know a lot of them are raised by small children in the household. The dog doesn't have to purebred, my hubby just loves those dogs so I wanted opinions on dogs personalities, everything. I really appreciate all the advice

OH, as for the Irish Wolfhound, I know they're big. My uncle has 2 of them and the girls simply adore them.

Animalsaremything · August 2012

I think getting a rescue would be the best thing!

Kazuko · August 2012

Irish Wolfhounds put great danes to shame |D I love them. They have such HUGE paws. 8D but yeah, just be careful getting a shepherd or shepherd mix. They can be testy thanks to bad breeding. We got super lucky with our German shepherd/border collie mix, but even she has severe 'high value' aggression. (This means she's fine with food and toys and normal treats, but she gets extremely possessive of bones and the like) But best of luck with you guys! 8D I know the shelter back where I just moved from had some ADORABLE puppies that I wanted so hard. Saint Bernard x English Mastiff mixes.

Animalsaremything · August 2012

Not all breeds are bad like that. It could be how they were brought up.

Kylie Sommer · August 2012

Most German Shepherds from lines today are very aggressive due to poor breeding. And many other shepherds are prone to nipping and 'herding' small children and dogs. My sister purchased a German Shepherd dog about two months. She also has a 13 month old and a 3 year old. She was scared to death to leave the dog and her kids alone together after the dog went on a full rampage over her bone being confiscated. Long story short, the dog was constantly nipping and 'herding' my sisters family and other pets. She finally just gave me the dog(actually I picked her up last night) and she is beautiful, but she has already nipped at my heels in an attempt at herding and she is very aggressive when it comes to food, bones, treats, anything that can be possessive. If you do get a German Shepherd, I would look at the breeders thoroughly and have them watch the pups for you before you choose one. If you get one from a shelter, check it's background(if possible), and visit with it many times before adopting. I would suggest bringing a toy or a bone and giving it to the dog and seeing how it re-acts. If it nips or growls, I would not take it. Granted, these behaviors can be fixed, but with little ones in the house, I don't think it would be safe to have a dogs like that, even undergoing training.

Animalsaremything · August 2012

Hmm well my dogs are Belgain Sheepdogs and do nothing like that! They act like sporting dogs they love the tennis ball. Also dogs go through tests before they get put up for adoption, they test with food toys etc etc.

Animalsaremything · August 2012

I do know very high recomanded German Shepard breeders. And they have the most perfect attuide with anyone due to them being showdogs.

DiamondPuppy0809 · August 2012

tiny dancer wrote:

Also dogs go through tests before they get put up for adoption, they test with food toys etc etc.

This isn't always true. Each SPCA/shelter/etc. has different ways of doing things. The best ones do testing for every possible behaviour but both of my local shelters don't do any testing (they mostly assume) and they don't even spay/neuter before adoption. So people need to be careful of that.

Kylie Sommer · August 2012

Garfieldz Gal wrote:

tiny dancer wrote:

Also dogs go through tests before they get put up for adoption, they test with food toys etc etc.

 This isn't always true. Each SPCA/shelter/etc. has different ways of doing things. The best ones do testing for every possible behaviour but both of my local shelters don't do any testing (they mostly assume) and they don't even spay/neuter before adoption. So people need to be careful of that.

Agreed. Most small local shelters don't usual test or neuter/spay, but it all depends on the shelter. That I why I always personally test the dog before I adopt/buy, even from breeders just because you never know.

DarkyBreeding · August 2012

I understand everyone has said. I really, really don't want this post to turn into an "I'm right-you're wrong" thread. I'm not trying to offend anyone but anyway... The rescue I'm going to spays/neuters all their dogs. All of their dogs go through different tests. They try them with small children/cats. Obviously not releasing them into a room full of small children/cats but you should get the idea XD I'm also going to personally talk to foster parent of the dog I want to see their food aggression, toy aggression, everything like that. I'm also planning on visiting them a couple of times, maybe even taking the girls with me (not the first time, of course) but one of the times so I can see how not only the dog acts, but how they act. Before I introduce the girls though, I'm going to take one of their favorite blankets with me for the dog to get their scent. I'll even do this with Astyn (cat) [not taking him, of course, just his toy/blanket haha] I know how dangerous dogs can be and how to introduce them with children/cats. I just wanted opinions of different breeds of dogs that I'm looking into. As I said, I've had experience with all these breeds and I know dogs can turn in the blink of an eye. It's not just based on breed, though-any breed could turn. Any animal could turn. I appreciate all the opinions and helpful suggestions. However, I think I've made my decision on what I'm going to do and after I decide on the dog, you can expect some updates in the Pet Stories thread. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice. I read each and every post, even if I didn't reply to all of them. It''s wonderful being able to seek advice from VP and getting some helpful tips and opinions in turn. Once again, thank you all [:

EmmeZoec · August 2012

You sound very prepared! Good for you! Have you seen the website <a href="http://www.petfinderr.com"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">petfinder</a> yet? If the dog you're looking at doesn't work out its a pretty awesome website for looking up dogs, or almost any animal, that are in shelters or foster homes near you.

DarkyBreeding · August 2012

EmmeZoe wrote:

You sound very prepared! Good for you! Have you seen the website <a href="http://www.petfinderr.com"; target="_blank" class="bb-url">petfinder</a> yet? If the dog you're looking at doesn't work out its a pretty awesome website for looking up dogs, or almost any animal, that are in shelters or foster homes near you.

I have heard of Petfinder, most of my past pets I've gotten from there-the dog my mom currently has we found on there along with a lot of other dogs I know.

I've browsed on there and even emailed a few people and filled out a few applications for some dogs. Thank you [:

Trianna · August 2012

I feel a need to chime in on the giant breeds (great dane, st.bernard, and wolfhound). If you were to get one of these breeds you would need to be extremely careful about how much exercise the dog gets as a puppy up until ~2 years or so. During this time any sort of rough play, or even normal excercise for that matter, can damage the growth plates of the dog's long bones... Depending on the severity of the damage, which can seem like almost nothing at first, the dog may suffer from extreme arthritis later in life or the bones could actually deform and the animal may need to be put down. Take into consideration the chance of bloat with the deeper chested breeds, and the sheer size of these 3, and they probably aren't the best choice for a family with 2 young children. Again, with young children, the short lifespan can be a major negative... Having your first dog die at an age where you don't fully understand it can be difficult. Also, the size makes crating pretty much impossible... I plan on getting a show wolfhound in the near future, and trying to find a crate big enough to fit a full grown one comfortably - well, it hasn't happened. I have to disagree a bit with the others, through personal experiance, that german shephards can be very good family pets - even with small children. Yes, finding one that is well bred can be difficult, but well worth the effort if you ask me. I think GSD's are probably the dog breed I've been around the most in my life, including as a child, and I've never once been bit. Even the "agressive" ones I've been around (the dogs in question come from horrible breeding and have little to no training) are mostly just bored and acting out. If you have the time to dedicate to finding the right puppy, proper socialization, and careful watching of any dog-child interactions, this could be a good bet. Just remember that bloat is still a risk here, so you'd need to be careful around mealtimes. As for bloodhound, well, I don't know much about them, but I know enough to say that it might not be the best choice if you have neighbors who live close and like quiet, or if you mind a braying hound. lol Otherwise I think it sounds like a pretty reasonable choice, all the hounds I've been around have generally been laid back and pretty good with kids, if a bit loud. The fact that you have a well fenced yard is a plus, because good fencing is a must with a scent hound.

Alabama · August 2012

I actually like the Great Dane, St Bernard and German Shepherd as family dogs. I can't really say about the other 2 as I've never known anyone who had them. My sister has had a number of Great Danes, both purebred and crossbred with mastiffs, some of which she bred, with her brood of 4 children and assorted cats and never had a problem with any of them personality wise, though health wise, there were some problems with the purebreds. My aunt and uncle had a series of St Bernards when I was a kid playing with their 5 kids and the only time there was a problem wasn't really the dog's fault. They live on a farm and evidently an itinerant worker from a neighboring farm had been sneaking into the chicken house, stealing eggs. The dog scared them and they knocked him over the head with something, causing a concussion. He never really recovered and loud noises would irritate him, which in a household of kids, loud noises are almost constant. They ended up having to put him to sleep after he bit the youngest girl on the head, requiring her to have 17 stitches. But until that happened, that dog could usually be found right in the middle of all of us having a blast, or watching us from beneath a shady tree. This was true for any of the 5 or 6 St Bernards I remember them having over the years. A few of my friends have had German Shepherds and they can be wonderful family dogs, especially if you are looking for a dog who will protect your children, though like others have stated, they tend to want small children or those it sees as their "charges" to go where the dog wants them to, so early and constant training, along with high supervision is best. Of course, that could be said for any dog. We currently have a neighbor down the street who has 2 of them. The male is a houdini and can turn a doorknob to let himself out and lift the gate latch if they don't deadbolt the door or lock the gate. When he gets loose, he comes straight to our house and whines at the back door for Alex and Micky to come play with him in the back yard. He plays rough with Alex, our dog, but if Micky's out there, he tones things way down. Of those three, I would pick St Bernard, but that may be because St Bernards are the ones I had the most personal interaction with and enjoyed every minute of it. They seemed the most interactive with kids, yet with very laid back personalities. The Great Danes, once they are adults, tend to just ignore the kids preferring to nap and German Shepherds can get pretty intense.

Aziu · August 2012

Some additional things to consider about the breeds you have listed would be coat types and drooling. Of those, the Saint Bernard would have the softest, fluffiest coat, but also the potential for matting. Wolfhounds have very wiry coats and may not be the most pleasant to be petting all the time. Danes, Bernards and Bloodhounds would produce quite a bit of drool and wipe it on you, your furniture, flooring, etc. From my personal experiences, Danes can be crazy as puppies but couch potatoes once they mature. I knew someone who bred them and she complained about her Dane puppies rampaging throughout the house. Of course that could be helped with early training and frequent excercising. I have met one Irish Wolfhound and she was a big sweetie. A BIG sweetie. She warmed up to complete strangers, leaning against them and quietly demanding pets and hugs. I didn't care for her wiry coat, however, since I'm used to the silky-soft coat of my cocker spaniel. Where I volunteer at an equine sanctuary there are two Saint Bernards and they are big fluffy balls of drool and love. My first meeting with the female resulted in my pants marked with gobs of slime--placed with the best of intentions, I'm sure. The male is a bit more standoffish at first, barking to announce his turf before warming up. Both of these are working cart dogs but do not display an excess of energy even in the off-season. They are very accepting of new people, taking to following volunteers around immediately after their first meeting. At my past volunteer position I was surrounded by German Shepherds and crosses thereof. Not a single one of these animals (all but one of which were rescues) displayed any temperment issues. The purebred had a strong herding drive and herded his owner and her daughter whenever they let him. He was very owner-bound and didn't care about anyone else. The others were more open to other people and were perfectly well-behaved both when they were tearing around the yard in a pack of ~10 and when they were all put into a small building together and with people during tours. Of course, as others have said, German Shepherds are working dogs and require a job to perform to prevent destructive behaviors. But training, exercise and purpose is something any breed of dog requires. I have yet to meet a Bloodhound, so I cannot provide any insight from personal experience.

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Dog Breed Help? :3

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