I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

Okay, I have not had a pet for over 20 years. Kids are grown and gone. Grandchildren live far away. It's just my husband and me.

I will not "cage a dog up". I would be a great pet owner. We have large home, running space, but no fence yet.

I prefer medium-to-large dog, short or medium hair (possible allergy and I am a bit of a neat-nik).

Hubbie and I both work nights, but I work out of my home. I want a "companion", company. A dog known for loyalty and easy temper, but protector, playful but not overly so. Hubbie likes same type of dogs as me.

What is your experience and what would you recommend?

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

You can try and look into a dog rescue for adult dogs that fit your criteria?? Med-Large dogs that have shorter hair and calm temperaments include labradors, standard poodles, Great danes (if you want a BIG dog), greyhounds, and even golden retrievers if you can stand the hair. If you have allergies I'd suggest a poodle or a poodle mix. I will NOT advocate purchase of a "doodle" breed because I think inventing breeds is silly, but rescues have great "accidental" mixes that might suit your needs.

I'm suggesting a rescue because it sounds like you want a dog, but may not want a PUPPY, which is totally understandable. Rescued dogs usually live with foster families, so they are housebroken, and have learned to live with people or kids or even other pets. You can get adults from a year to geriatric ages if you want to go for an older dog. Greyhounds are extremely fun and loyal dogs, and would love to have a large space to run around in! Plus you are rescuing a dog from the cruel world of dog racing. Good luck!

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

Labrador retriever

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

We have always had a dog, and plan to keep it that way. I breed of dog I would recommend, is an Australian Shepherd. They do need lots of space to run, but you have that. They are great companion dogs. Best of Luck!

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

My first recommendation is when you figure out what breed you want, READ AND LEARN all about the breed before you get one.

There are so many people that come on here very disappointed with the dog and looking to find it another home because there were many things that they "didn't know" about the dog, like how energetic or aggressive or how much it sheds or what its medical needs were. So, please take the time to educate yourself about the kind of dog you would like to get.

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

a yellow or black lab, golden retriever, american stratfordshire, shetland sheepdog, border collie- alll of these medium, sweet and easy to train and protective and loving and loyal. if you would like to explore more.. try terriers.. they are perfect pets.

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

Dear soon to be pet owner,

It kind of depends on how much your willing to pay.If you don't care how much i would say a Rotwhiler or a chow.Mostly I say the Rotwhiler!

sincerely,

Faith

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

i recommend..

%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;%26lt;A German Shepherd dog!

they are great in every way (except for the shedding lol)

they are very loyal and will follow and protect you and your family all the way!

they are great with children and other pets too

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

I have a Lab and she has the same temperment you are looking for in a dog, and Labs are loyal and playful. As long as you are willing to put the energy in training you should have no problem, I also recommend getting a few books on training and the different types of dogs and their temperments. Good Luck

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

How about a Standard Poodle? some cost to groom, but no shedding, great personality, good looks.

American Staffordshire Terrier is another possibility - one of the greatest companion breeds.

Go to some shows. Talk to some people. Make sure you get the dog you want.

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

Definitely a Labrador they're great and i own one, they need a lot of excercize and they're fun to have

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

German Shepherd everytime (can't get away from the hair though!)

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

The "no fence" may be an issue for a medium-to-large dog, as it means you WILL need to commit to daily exercise via walks.

If allergies are a possibility and you don't want to be picking dog hair out of the couch, look at something like a Standard Poodle. They are smart dogs, great companions, and don't have to be kept in the "show clip" that you probably associate with Poodles.

http://www.dog-breeds-explained.info/Sta...

Consider adopting an older dog (a year old or so) from rescue and giving a home to a dog who needs one, since you haven't had a pet in so long. That will save you frustration in dealing with housebreaking, teething, and the overexuberance of young puppyhood.

http://www.petfinder.com

And Dig It mentioned retired racing Greyhounds - I would recommend looking into them and seeing if they would fit into your lifestyle (again, fence will be a BIG issue, you will probably want to fence your yard before considering getting one), because retired racers can make great pets and definitely deserve great homes.

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

First get that fence installed! Then sit down and really think about what will fit into your lifestyle. Exercise, energy, size, grooming needs, general personality, training, etc all play a big part. Once you have that narrowed down you have a clearer idea what is going to be easy for you to live with. Go to http://www.akc.org/ and read a little more about the breeds you like best. From there you can choose an ethical breeder or maybe go to http://www.petfinder.com/

Deciding on which dog is a big decision, so take your time and have fun deciding! =)

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

I would say a labrador. but my favorite dogs are the Australian sheperds and American eskimos...I have an australian sheperd named Roxy and an american eskimo named paco......they get along really good and the australian sheperd is a friend and a really good protector.

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

Labordor REtreiver,Rottweiler,Pitbull/lab mix, Lab/husky mix Maybe just a mutt. good luck and congrats!

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

pittbull,black lab,rottweiler are best loyal ,protector good companion dogs are easy going if you raise them the right way, TLC and discipline good luck

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

All of America loves Labs, but they do shed alot. Boxers are wonderful short haired dogs that would love to cuddle on the couch or run about in your yard. If you are thinking a bit smaller, try a Welsh Corgi. They are great too!

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

Labrador Retriever comes to mind as they have short hair and are very congenial dogs.

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

Welsh Border Collie Absolutely brilliant! Clever Loyal, Witty. Everything you could wish for. in a friend! Mines 12 now sob! and I dread the day.......

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

Pugs' make pretty good lap dogs, mild tempered, not big barkers, short hair so you don't end up with a house full of tumble weeds. My brother breeds them they are great little friends. They are the largest of the toy breeds (not huge) but they have great personalities, I doubt you would be disappointed. They won't pester you to throw the ball so they can fetch it. There are a lot of mid size working dogs, hunters %26amp; hearders, they are higher maintainance though and higher strung. Keep in mind, a hunter, is a hunter, is a hunter, they don't change their spots. Check out the pugs', my opinion is jaded, I like them. Choose wisely.

I NEED ADVICE-- Thinking of getting a dog. What do you recommend?

Cocker Spaniel are snappy with children

Border Collies-4KM walks daily%26amp;acreage.

Beagles; Not suitable 1st time pets-Are difficult dogs-4km walks and indoor livestyle, as they will bark and howl if left outside and there known diggers.

All Huskys are dominant and need a 6 feet fence and large yard are not suitable for children

Malamutes are dominant and need a 6feet fence and large yard and are not suitable for children

Fox terriers

Australian Cattle dog-4km walks

Heeler-4km

Maltese Terrier-too highly strung

Shi Tzu-Too Highly strung

Pomeranian-Too high strung

German Shepherd; Willing workers, loyal and affectionate.

Rottweirlers; Not 1st time pets, they need firm handling as there a strong willed and dominant breed.

Bernese Mountain dogs; large fenced yard and loads of exercise, there strong big dog.

Excellent Children dogs; Labrador,

Greyhound-indoors as cannot regulat body temperature, Golden Retriever, Staffy-inside dogs, Mastiffs.

Small dogs are generally too highstrung for young children

A responisible owner would want to look up links, not just go on other people opinions, other peoples opinion of these best children dogs may not suit your lifestyle.

Dogs are only obiedent if you put the time and effort into training them and let them know from word go there are boundries. puppies need 3 feeds aday.

The best place is a Shelter-they know what breed will suit your lifestyle

Animals Shelters are the BEST PLACE

Make sure you choose a breed suited to your lifestyle, don't make your choose on the cute factor, fluffy factor, breed alone or colour.don閳ユ獩 buy from a petstore.

NEVER BUY FROM A PETSTORE

PUPPY INSIDE PETSTORE ARE FROM PUPPY MILLS

A reliable breeder would never sell to a petstore, where as a backyard breeder%26amp;puppy mill would

TRUE Reason Pets are Surrended

Unwanted Gift

owner sadly passed away.

owners had no time

owners were moving

relationship breakup

elderly owner was too ill

too exuberant for his very elderly owner.

owners were moving into a rental property that wouldn閳ユ獩 allow pets

owner was moving.

elderly owner was going into a nursing home

surrendered to us because their owner was having a baby %26amp; didn閳ユ獩 want them anymore

owners were moving interstate

abandoned by his former owners

Adult dogs are generally better with children, then puppies