What kind of dog should i buy having 3 kids , 9,13,2 year old..
Use to have a siamise a realy smart cat,, but not possible to get in Iceland now..
I was thinking Labrator,,, German Sheperd,,, ST Bernard,, at least it has to be big.. Never had a dog my self ..

 

I think if I did it again I would choose the lab. Very good with kids, easily trained, and not as high maintenance as my choice of a border collie. Very smart but they require a lot of play time. I have friends with Labs and all are very happy. One dog can't wait to help carry in groceries in the plastic bags. Most are even tempered and protective of family. My 2 cents, the Lab.

 

A stuffed one.

My wife has two Swamp Collies (Golden Retrievers) -- that I refuse to let in my truck (bought her a Windstar -- which serves as a damned-expensive rolling kennel).

They're great dogs -- if you like dogs -- and I could live my life without them, thank you very much.

Wifie is a dog training instructor -- and competes with the dogs (maintains her credibility as a trainer ).

I get my dog expertise by osmosis (listening to wifie talk dogs ad-nausium with anyone who will listen) -- and have observed that dogs will do whatever the owner lets them do -- and most of the dog-training time is really devoted to training the owner.

Find a dog club in your area and seek advice on who is breeding dogs that demonstrate good temperment -- and then talk to owners of dogs of the breed that you think you'd like.

Then ensure that you get proper training (the dog needs socializing with other dogs and people).

Then:

Get ready to never eat another sandwich without eating dog hair.

Never being able to wear wool slacks again.

Never being able to walk in your bare feet in the back yard.

Getting to know your carpet cleaner on a first name basis.

Learning from your homeowners insurance agent that "the first bite is on him -- and the second is on you".

Never having bushes that are green (alive) the lowest 10 inches nearest the ground (male dogs).

Having yellow patches of dead grass all over your yard (female dogs).

Rethink my original suggestion.

 

We just adopted a Labrador from the local Lab rescue society.

I don't know what the situation is like where you live but around here there are so many poor dogs in shelters it seems a shame to go out and buy one when there are so many that need adopting.

Abbie, had all her shots, she was fixed and was housetrained when we got her. It has still been a big adjustment. Labs need a lot of attention. But, we have been very please with her.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

Hey all,

I have to agree with Iwao, the shelters are great places to find dogs. We have 2, my female is half golden/half yellow lab, the other is half great pyranees/half st. bernard (big boy). y2k gave you some excellent advice about socializing and training your pet. Doing these simple things will only help you enjoy your dog more.
If you have great pyranees in your area you may want to check them out. In the south we call them "goat dogs". They are typically found on goat farms protecting the herd from coyotes and wild dogs. They are big (my male is around 230 lbs.) very laid back and easy-going. My daughters go anywhere with him and feel safe. He is protective, but smart about it. He has a good sense of people and animals.
My next dog(s) will be English Mastiffs. Huge and smart. I found a breeder in KY that appears to be very good. I have always gotten dogs from shelters before.
Good luck with your decision. Rich

 

Thanks guys.. The labrator would be the easyest one to find but god do the English Mastiffs look great never seen them before. i don´t know if they do exist here,Got a chech out.


WHAT WAS THE NAME OF THE MOVIE WITH TOM HANKS AND THE DOG????? WAS THAT A ENGLISH MASTIFFS????

thanks for replying i am really going to give this a good thought.

 

The movie you are thinking of is Turner & Hooch. I don't know if that was an English Mastiff but that dog sure did drool alot. I have to agree with Iwao and Hikerrich about shelter dogs. I grew up with full breds (Irish Setters and a Golden Retriever) but I now have mixed breed shelter dogs. Having been to the shelter, I don't think I could ever pay a breeder for a dog again even though I loved my setters and retreiver very much. If you are adamant about having a full breed, there should be rescue organizations for full breeds that you can go to to adopt a dog. My sister got her greyhound from racetrack greyhound rescue group. The greyhound is so nice, my father is pestering my mother to allow them to get one. My mother said it's either her or a dog and my father is still thinking about it.

I have a lint roller for the dog hair on my clothing.

 

I believe the name of the movie was "Turner and Hooch".

I'd really think hard before getting one of those. They may have exaggerated a little in the movie, but not by much. A dog like that = all the stuff Y2K said + dog slobber everywhere.


PS:
Does posting at the same time follow the same rules as speaking the same words at the same time?

 

The Turner and Hooch dog is a Dogue De Bourdoux from France . They are great dogs but very spendy . My brother has one that weighs 160 #s . The slobbering is not as bad as in the movie but if hes hot and drinkls alot of water he will get a little messy .
We have a Olde english bulldogge . I never in my life thought i could get so attached to a dog . Hes amazingly smart and doesnt have a mean bone in his body . Hes about 75#s and very solid . If you like the Bully look but dont want the health promblems associated with the standered English Bulldog this dog is for you .

 

Well for that nice cold Iceland weather I suggest looking at a Newfoundland. They are big, great with kids, Known as the gentle giant. We loved ours, they do require some combing for that long black hair. Goldens are great too but can be rather goofy in their youth. But I would really look at the newfoundland, they can be great to play with and even better when you want them to leave you alone (there best at keeping the carpet down). Dont worry about them being around small children, ours was most protective of them even though we had none in the house.

 

I took a look on the Newfoundlander on the internet and they look great and big,, to day i went to see st Bernards puppy´s and mmmmmmmmmmm they look great but don´t live that long they say 7 9 year old and may not walk upstairs for a year,, and i live on two floors.
thank´s for reply it realy helps ,, you guy´s seem to know more than getting a great truck.

 

The movie is "Turner and Hooch", but the dog in it, I believe is a Bull Mastiff. retics4me is close though, the dog you're speaking of has Mastiff blood in him and does go around 160lbs. The English are quite a bit larger and they do drool, lots.
The Newfoundland is an excellent choice for you, and they are great in the water. I think they even have the webbed toes. Big, gentle and great looking.

Whoever told you the "big boys" don't live very long is right. I think most people say 8-10 years for the big males. Having your dog spayed, or neutered adds time to them though. Good luck with your choice, Rich.

 

Y2K 7700 4x4,

Don't hold back.....tell us what you really think.......ROFLMAO.....

 

Great with kids!


TJ the yellow lab.

 

I think there is a reason that Labs are the most popular dog in the US. They are a good size, very bright, and good with kids. Ours is about 18 months but she still acts like puppy sometimes.

Oh yeah they tend to live a pretty long life.