Dog Community

Which breed?

Posted : 6/27/2006 12:46:10 AM

Hello everyone [

] I'm a new member so I wasn't sure where to put this post.

I am interested in getting a new dog. The last one passed 3 years ago after 14 great years. I've been researching different breeds and am pretty lost, so I thought I would come here and get some suggestions. Here's what I'm looking for:

1. Meduim to low exercise needs. I prefer a max of one walk a day, though would consider two 20 minute walks.

2. Care. I seriously prefer a breed with short coat that needs 1-2 brushings a week. Also, as little shedding as possible (last dog was husky mix...yikes!)

3. I'm big on a protection dog. One that will protect the family if it comes to it and only if it comes to it. Though it is important to have a breed that gets along well with people and other dogs.

4. I'm definitely looking for a calm breed. Now I am considering getting an adult dog (3-4 years old), so if you can think of a breed that matches these criteria, don't rule him out if he's wild as a pup and settles well as an adult.

5. Chewing. I really would like a breed that is not known for it. I know it happens, I just don't want a habitual chewer.

6. Turn if you get grossed out, but I really don't want a dog that slobbers. I can deal with everything else, but not that

I **really** would appreciate suggestions by anyone. I need some direction here [&:] Thanks in advance!!!

Rhonda

Posted : 6/27/2006 1:03:57 AM

What you just described fits my Red Doberman to a T. I don't know if all Dobes are like her, but mine is a big couch potato and is very low maintenance. She does shed, more so in the spring, but a quick brushing once a week helps cut down on the shedding. She has never bitten or growled at anyone but that's because she's never been put in a situation where someone was aggressive toward me.

Xebby

Posted : 6/27/2006 1:46:16 AM

Some sort of mid sized terrior sounds just about what your looking for. They don't shead, great family dogs, don't need much exersize, they will protect you yet get along with everybody.

I can't think of the exact breed I have in mind but even a terrior mix would be very close to what your looking for.

willowchow

Posted : 6/27/2006 3:17:21 AM

I have to say a well bred chow would fit your description. The only exception would be the short fur but they do not shed constantly only two times per year and you could keep the coat short so eliminate all the grooming.

They do not drool a lot, they don't chew (Willow's chewed one thing that wasn't her chew toy in three years), they don't need excessive exercise. The walks you're describing would be enough. They are fine with people yet protective if needed when bred well.

Good luck whatever you decide.

jeano

Posted : 6/27/2006 4:00:18 AM

Hound dog! Very low maintenance, great with kids, not high energy and my bloodhound (who didn't slobber by the way) was very protective when it was needed.

There are lots of scenthounds to choose from. Check petfinder for hounds, you'll find some dandies, I'm sure. As far as sighthounds go, I'd suggest a retired greyhound. Couch potatoes!

Any dog will protect you if you have a good relationship with him/her. That's how dogs are, it's dog nature to protect their pack. So you don't really have to search out an especially protective breed.

The police say that ANY dog is the best deterrent to burglars. A dog is too much trouble to deal with (unless you have something they really, really want, you know, the Hope Diamond or giant bricks of heroin [

]) and they will move on to a house without a dog.

bamaeskie

Posted : 6/27/2006 4:09:52 AM

Eskies are definitely not what you want. Number 6 on the list is the only thing that doesn't apply to him. You might want to surf the Internet and find some of those "Which Breed Is Right for You" quizzes. Maybe that could help you choose. Here are a few: [linkhttp://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm]http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm[/link] [linkhttp://selectsmart.com/DOG/]http://selectsmart.com/DOG/[/link]

griffinej5

Posted : 6/27/2006 9:00:24 AM

I have to agree with bullterrors. That sounds like my Doberman. She doesn't require much exercise, but if you wanted to take her out more, she would glady go. She does shed, but her coat is pretty short, and I don't think she's chewed anything. She does protect the house as well, and started doing it within a day or two of us adopting her. However she will stop when we tell her to sit, and that we are allowing the person in to the house. And no, she does not slobber. She's a doberman, and she is way too dignified for that.
Also, I think a retired racing greyhound might fit what you are looking for pretty well. I don't know about protection, but on the other criteria, I think it would work. Perhaps you might want to check out some local breed rescues for more info though.

mudpuppy

Posted : 6/27/2006 9:17:35 AM

If you want a safe "protection" dog you can go two routes: a large scary-looking dog that actually wouldn't hurt a fly, but no one is going to bother you or break into your house once they see the dog. Dobermans, american bulldogs, well-bred rottweilers, etc. all fall into this category. The other option is an "alert" dog: a small active dog that will sound the alarm loudly. No one will bother you with a dog yapping away.

You don't

determinedX2

Posted : 6/27/2006 10:29:00 AM

If you go to a shelter and explain what you are looking for, they can show you which dogs qualify. There are many dogs waiting for homes that match what you want. Don't rule out mixed breeds, and good luck!

smilee1079

Posted : 6/27/2006 11:32:20 AM

If you want a low maintenance, small, sound the alert dog... dachsund! I don't think Zoe could protect me, but she def. lets me know someone is coming! Also her bark sounds bigger than she is... not so much a yap, but a real bark. She doesn't really shed, I don't brush her, I walk her sometimes, and hike sometimes, but she is perfectly happy zooing indoors and also is a great lap dog.

forpaws

Posted : 6/27/2006 12:52:30 PM

Actually a Boston Terrier or French Bulldog may be what you are looking for. Someone said go to a shelter and tell them what you are looking for and they will help. I ditto that. There are so many that need forever homes and you may just find your heart there.
Good luck in what ever breed you do take in.
And welcome to the forum too.

Xerxes

Posted : 6/27/2006 1:18:55 PM

If you're looking for a purebreed-adopt a retired greyhound. They are cuddly couch potatoes at home and love everyone, but you will need to get them out maybe once every couple of weeks to give them the opportunity to run off lead (in a fenced in area.) But I'd also go to the shelter first, find out which dogs they have that might meet your needs.

Elizabeth

Posted : 6/27/2006 2:01:53 PM

Hello. In response to Bullterrors, I too have a red doberman and she is chewing up everything! Just this morning, she chewed up the brand new pair of grooming gloves that I bought for her. She also likes to chew the heels out of socks and the plastic off of new shoelaces. She is a couch potato though.

For you, Weim111, an American Staffordshire Terrier or Pit would be a good choice. They are a medium sized dog who just wants to cuddle. There are many of them out there at rescues looking for homes and contrary to some opinions, they are WONDERFUL dogs. I know because my cousin bred pit bulls for many years and now I own one myself. They do shed a little but that can be managed with a little bit of brushing. Abby has proven herself to be a wonderful dog. She loves to cuddle with me. Even though she is now 50 pounds, she loves to crawl up on my lap and go to sleep. Keep us posted on what you decide.

Margaret Tyler

Posted : 6/27/2006 6:09:28 PM

ORIGINAL: Xerxes

If you're looking for a purebreed-adopt a retired greyhound. They are cuddly couch potatoes at home and love everyone, but you will need to get them out maybe once every couple of weeks to give them the opportunity to run off lead (in a fenced in area.)

I agree a greyhound would be a great choice. I was also thinking standard poodle (the big poodles). Poodles don't shed at all and, man, are they protective. Like any pup, they will chew, but they're smart and learn quickly. They are laid back. Like any dog they would love a walk, but won't go crazy if they don't get daily excersise.

I have a little shedless terrior mix. No shedding, never had a chew problem even as a pup, barks at everything especially stange men at our door. He sounds really tuff tool. But remember terriors have lots of energy and need lots of excersise.

So I'd recommend a Standard Poodle.

jones

Posted : 6/27/2006 7:15:03 PM

I think if you just went around (or called around) to local shelters and rescues, that would probably be the best way to find the dog you've described. There are lots of adult dogs needing homes that would probably fit your requirements nicely... might be a hound, might be a bully, might be a mix... and the shelter workers or fosters (fosters especially) will probably have enough knowledge of their dogs to play matchmaker. Good luck!