I want a medium to large dog. Smallest I would want is like... a German Shepherd. I want a dog I can train fairly easily, that gets along good with kids, that could live in a small space, such as an apartment. I don't live in one, but we might move into one. It also needs to be able to do well with rodents, such as rabbits, we have a rabbit, and my Mom will not even take the smallest chance of it being hurt by a dog. So I want a dog that could at least be trained to not hurt the rabiit. We also have a small dog. And I would also want a dog that's protective, or that can guard a house if needed. I would be so into a Golden Retriever, but they aren't as strong as I would like the dog to be, and from what I've heard, they are way too friendly to be a guard dog. I was thinking something like a Pitbull, American Bulldog, or some kind of Mastiff, but Pitbulls are too agressive, and I need some kind of proof to prove that it gets along with small animals naturally, or it can be trained to(c)
Answers:
German Shepards are excellent dogs!!
I would go to the pound or the spca in your area and adopt one that is homeless.
So many people give up beautiful animals just because they don't want them anymore and it is the saddest thing. Why not make some dog's life by becoming his/her owner?
Here is a list of breeds suitable for apartment living:
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/apartment.ht...
Sounds like you're thinking this through! :-)
Try the "Dog Breed Selector" search here--might give you some insight:
http://animal.discovery.com/breedselecto...
lab or retriever
Akitas are large and very strong and can be excellent guard dogs. Just their bear like looks and size usually scare people.
They are very intelligent and easily trained. Provided they are trained they are fine with people they know and small animals. They hunted bears so for some reason they tend to like small animals but get attitude problems when other large dogs are around.
Great Danes are also excellent large dogs. Very smart and the best breed with kids I have seen. Very patient and laid back. Size alone intimidates people and makes them good guard dogs. Not sure you'd want one in an apartment though as they are huge and in small spaces their tails will knock things off shelves etc.
You have to have a Labrador. I tell they are the gentlest of all creatures on earth. They're wonderful with kids, elders and other animals. They are good guide dogs and can be trained easily. Almost the same size as German Shepherds. They are gentle like I said, but can seem be ferocious in the face of danger. They have very good understanding of who are part of family and who is a a stranger. They are the bestest of the best.
get another hobby. a dog is not for you... or adopt from the shelter..
Also, a hound may be good, Our basset though hard to train, was extremely sensitive to needs (like children/cats/small dogs) and learned to get along with them, and even be rather tender with them, and not bark at them. She would bark (extremely loudly) at strangers though, and scare the bejeezus out of them (at least if they didn't see her since she was a short basset). Are other hounds like this? It might be a good lead.
Also our golden retriever though very friendly with anyone friendly too her immediately senses hostility and fear, and reacts appropriately, so is a good guard dog in that sense, though someone not hostile and unafraid could probably clean us out if we weren't at home.
Get a dalmatian. I have a dalmatian and there is never a worry with her around my guinea pigs. I had a rabbit too which she adored. My other dalmatain (RIP) was the same. Most dallies are gentle with other animals. They are great for kids too (I was brought up with one from the age of 4). We have found dalmatians to be soppy, people-loving, energetic-but-gentle dogs. Lots of people love seeing Bekha with us. Dallies get a lot of attention and we often have people stop us and chat with us about her. As for guarding - my dog only ever barks when she thinks a stranger is at the door or trying to get in. Other than that she never barks. Great for guarding!
The best book I've seen on the topic of selecting a dog is "The Right Dog for You" by Daniel Tortora. You have to answer quite a few questions which will establish exactly the qualities you want. There are then several charts with the various breeds of dogs ranked according to opposite ends of a scale, such as friendly to everyone vs one-man dogs, and by size. You will end up with a list of breeds that fullfils your needs. You then need to research the breeds to find which appeal to you most. After that, contact breeders and find out the various pluses and minuses of each breed, as well as qualities that may be particular to each breeder's line.
As to rabbits, you would not want a dog that was originally bred to hunt them, such as terriers, sighthounds and some of the sporting dogs. Apart from that, if you get an eight-week old puppy and bring it up with rabbits it will be much less likely to regard them as prey.
As to whether or not to get a dog from a breeder: there are many advantages to getting a dog from a breeder of show dogs. They are trying to breed their next winning show dog, so they pay a lot of attention to not only a dog that looks right, but to the health and temperment background of the dogs that they are considering breeding from. And to the background of dogs in those dogs' pedigree. You are more likely to get a healthy dog with a good temperment from such a breeder. And it wouldn't necessarily cost you any more than a pet shop dog (gag) or one from a backyard breeder. Plus such breeders are terrific resources when you have questions or any sort of problem with your dog.
Alternatively, yes you could get a dog from a shelter, but you don't know what qualities and background you would be getting. I strongly recommend reading http://www.shibaweb.com/rtemp.htm. It would help you evaluate a potential dog from a shelter. As to the rabbits, you could borrow a rabbit from the shelter or bring one of your own, and see how a dog you are considering reacts to it. No guarantee that this would be the default behaviour once the dog felt comfortable in your home ...
if raised correctly, there is NOTHING wrong with a pit bull.
they have their bad rap for the way people train them to be.
i'm suggesting a ptt. they're medium dogs.
they're not very protective. but female dogs are generally more protective than male dogs. so go for a female if you want a "guard dog".
not sure about the small dog or rabbit, because Honey chases our neighbors stupid cats up the fence and back again. (stupid things shouldn't be venturing into our yard anyways.) but i guess if you were to get the dog when it's a puppy you could train it around the other animals.
it's proven that if a dog is raised around other animals, it's going to treat those other animals like family.
goodluck on finding a dog you like...
honestly, it sounds like you want us to take certain characteristics from some dogs and mash them together to create the ultimate breed.
any dog you get will suit you if trained correctly.
i had a dalmation who was the sweetest thing ever.
but you watch a stranger try and touch me or my sister.
he'd bite their foot off. xD
but i've also seen yorkies be "guard dogs".
moreso ankle biters, but still, they think they're guard dogs.
my fiance's grandma has a chiuasj;hasdf (cant spell that, not even going to try... the taco bell dog.) that wouldsooner bite your head off before it lets you into the house without her saying it's ok.
again, it depends on how you raise and treat the dog.
Hello,
First off, rabbits are not rodents they are a species known as langomorphs. I have had several rabbits and I just had to say that. Here is a website on that: www.dcn.davis.ca.us/vme/DrSue/...
As for the dog, German Shepherds are very easily trained, but you need to be a strong leader or it will not listen to you. I have two dogs who are very good with my rabbits and I got them both from animal shelters. They are both terrier mixes and are usually known as hunters of small animals, but I lucked out. They are both small though and will get up and move if the rabbit gets too close to them. It's actually very funny! You are not going to find a dog that fits all of your criteria, you just have to find one that meets most of them. Shelter dogs are always a great option and you would be saving a life. Sometimes, you will even know some of their back stories and will know if he/she will fit into your lifestyle. Here is a great site to find homeless pets in your area: www.petfinder.com
Due to the fact that you are getting a dog from the pound, dont ask us.
Go to the pound.
Check out the dogs.
If the pound lets you, ask to bring a couple of dogs out to go play.
My dog was shy and didnt care about us at first but later on, she is the funniest and sweetest dog ever.
So just because a dog doesnt seemed interested in you, doesnt mean it isnt.
They are outside and excited that they are away from the gross cages inside.
So just go to the local animal shelter and check which dog would suite you.
Besides, there are def. not a lot of pure breeds so a cute mutt is just as good, if not sometimes better :D
i like the website : dogbreedinfo.com , theres a question and answer section there that is helpful in narrowing down a search for the right breed for your family , you'll see a page listing on the right side of the home page that takes you to the questions section
also you can use the site to research any breed and find out their traits and health issues certain breeds may have
i suggest spending plenty of time on that site or a similar one and learn all that you can about whatever breed you may want
also : my finding of all the dogs i've had and been around (currently have great danes) , any breed ...including "pitbulls" and rottweillers ...can be trained from a puppy to be the best dog ever if your willing to do plenty of training with a knowledgeable trainer , my personal experience with great danes that many people believe to be to big to handle and that they're to big to be a house dog is nonsense.i have spent only 25 hrs. of training courses with him since he was 6 months old , and he is now a certified therapy dog at nursing homes and has passed his canine good citizenship tests from the AKC , he is 2 yrs. old right now and loves just sleeping on the couch , we have 2 cats that play with him , and some people said before i got a dane that they werent good around cats...again .its all about the training
so just do plenty of research and then whatever dog you get just do plenty of training and you'll have a wonderful dog
bob
well, what about a great dane? google it! i think they are beautiful dogs!
If you want a fullbred then you can get a golden retriver are good but they pant a lot
Have you ever thought about a good old fashioned mutt or a mix of a couple of the breeds your interested in. An Anatolion Shepherd dog would be a dog that fits your needs.
They are used in Africa to protest livestock from lions. But are also very popular as a family %26 protector dog in the U.S. Because they are raised to protect they most likley won't go after your rabbit.
www.asdca.org- the breed club web site
Also go to www.petfinder.com , it is a web site that animal rescue groups, humane societys, and animal control list adopdable animals. It is way to keep the cost of your dog down by buying a rescued pure breed or a dog that is a mix of 2 or more breeds your interested in.
See Im different from alot of people and I believe that you can train your dog any way you want any breed any size.. I have both are 9 months old a German Rottweiler and An American Staffordshire Terrier. Both excellent with Kids other animals of all sort and everything Everyone that I know have tha same.. I had both of mine in an apartent and they did very well tha only problem you wil have with large beeds is that you need to make sure that they get plenty of exercise.. Or then they will be lazy couch potatos...lol But most people dont believe that they are good dogs they are.. Staffi's are more stubborn than most dogs tho but a Rottweiler they love to learn... My puppy knows so many tricks its crazy!! German Shepards are also a good choice my friend actually has a 4 month old right now in her apartment and Ive been helpin her train him very good dog... Its more what you want not what everyne else thinks... Any dog can be trained tha way you want it it just takes time!! I think that you will make a great decision any way but goo luck with everything!!!
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