Dog opinions wanted.

[searaycer]

Boxers got my vote, growing up we had labs and beagles and mutts, but for the last fifteen years or so we have had five boxers and they are great with kids good with keeping an eye on things and just great dogs overall.

 

[Ratickle]

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/28695663/


Here you go.....

 

[bret]

Boxers got my vote, growing up we had labs and beagles and mutts, but for the last fifteen years or so we have had five boxers and they are great with kids good with keeping an eye on things and just great dogs overall.

Same here. Had Shepards all my life but my Boxer is the best all around dog I have had.
Got everything your looking for:
Short hair
Good with kids
Will stay outside.
Not too big or small
Easy to train.
Protective.
So ugly their cute and you can even dress them up.

 

[cuda]

I might consider more than one dog being outside dogs like CUDA said, to keep one another company.

Gets real cold here in winter and I could never leave a pet stay in garage alone.

Best outside dog I had was a rotweiller. Great with visiting kids.

Iv'e had friends with all the dogs suggested and they were all great pets. Its all in how they are treated.

Rotties are great dogs too. Very loyal, but the chit like an elephant!

 

[cuda]

A lot of folks might freak at this (needlessly), but my vote would be a American Pit Bull Terrier. Get a good "game" bloodline dog from a real breeder (stay away from the show stuff... the APBT is a working/sporting dog), and you'll have a great friend for life! Great with kids, can take a real beating (built like little tanks with the energy to go all day long), will instinctively protect you and your family/property without needing to be trained (they just know when to turn it on), and will truly be a lap dog if wanted. They do not tolerate cold very well without help... a dog house is sufficient (and a responsibility). If you pair them up, make sure it's a male and female.

I've been around these dogs for over 25 years. They get a bad rap... needlessly.

That's why both my male's came from the same litter. They are bulldog/cur dog mix. Both great wild hog dogs. Cur for the sense of smell (great bay dogs), and bulldog when it's time to catch a wild hog. A bulldog absolutely hates a hog.

 

[cuda]

I grew up w/ outside dogs but would only have an inside dog now! I am single, have no kids from previous marriages. My dog is my kid!! The company/friendship my Buddy gives me, well, no words can describe!! good luck Buck w/ your search!!

I have three ten year old kids. I hear em calling me for breakfast now.

 

[cuda]

Cuda's dogs live under the porch and in one of the old refidgerators in his front yard. Ha ha ha!

Actually in a 12x30 secton of my garage that is separated by an insulated wall. and has a ceiling. I also have a window air, if I thinks it's getting too hot, but it never did last summer.

 

[jryan26]

I was in the same situation last summer in looking for a dog for the kids. We really wanted a german shepherd, but let our vet talk us into a rott. The female that I bought is now 8mos old and 90lbs. Very sweet, but protective and sleeps in the hallway by the kids rooms most of the time. Have you thought about a blue heeler? That would be the ideal size dog.

 

[catmando]

Buck I have to say you can't go wrong with a pit bull. They are wonderful family dogs, very loyal and loving. Great athletes, high energy but also lap dogs at night, needing to be with their humans.

I have two eight month old puppies now, a brother and sister from the same litter. I love them both and they love me. I take them to the dog park at least twice a week, they get along fine(so far) with other dogs.

There's nothing more wonderful than rescuing a pit bull from a shelter because they are the first breed to be put down.

 

[Sea-Dated]

If it were up to me we would get a German Shepherd.

There is your answer......

 

[TomZ]

When my 110lb pit bull barked, you might not have known what he was, but you knew he was BIG. OTOH if you still had cojones and got in the house, he would have shown you where all the valuables were and helped you carry them out.

The point of that story is; if you want a watch dog get a pit bull. If you want a guard dog do NOT get a pit bull. My top five guard dogs;

1) Turkish Kangal
2) Caucasian Ovtcharka
3) Rottweiler
4) Cane Corso
5) Dogo Argentino

You can't go wrong with any of those guys. The Kangal and Ovtcharka are thick-furred dogs, perfect for winter and are primarily outside dogs, although they can come inside and be a wonderful family dog as well.

To show why the Kangal is at the top of my list, watch this;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTYWWqY7Lv8

I guarantee no one will break into your home when they hear one of these dogs in it.

That's a bear in dog's clothing!! Holy shoot!!!

 

[TomZ]

There's nothing more wonderful than rescuing a pit bull from a shelter because they are the first breed to be put down.

I'll second that!

TZ

 

[TIKI]

Lab.

I wouldn't go with a short haired dog if it's going to be outside...they need the longer hair to protect them from the cold, but I wouldn't go with a "long" haired breed because of the maintenance issues...like a golden....they'll come home covered with crap stuck in their fur.

My lab is an inside dog, but dogs have lived outside for thousands of years and have been fine....hell I'll let my dog outside in the rain & can't get her to come back it.

If you're going to take it boating; my lab loves the water! She was swimming in LOTO at 7 weeks. She actually likes the water too much....sometimes she likes to swim off and we have to chase her down.

 

[rainmn]

You mentioned a Basset Hound in your original post. My sister has one, and it is dumber than dirt. Granted, he's the only one I have any experience with, so take it for what it's worth. BTW - did you know that Basset Hounds can't swim? (At least the majority of them can't.)

I have an English Mastiff (my second one.) They are by far my favorite dogs, but they're not for everyone. I'm not sure how well one would do as an outside dog, since they are so attached to humans.

 

[catastrophe]

ok, i know i am about to sound very pc, but i have had dogs all my life. Mostly lab/retrievers. Full blooded to mutts. The best pets have always been lab mix mutts. They have always been loyal, smart and kind natured. So my suggestion to you is load the girls up, and take them down to the animal shelter and pick out a puppy. You won’t be disappointed. Imo

agreed 200%

 

[jmeng]

agreed 200%

Probably what I'll do for my next one. Don't know if theres any truth to it but have heard mutts are usually healthier due to all the inbreading in purebread breeds....

 

[C M R]

Boxers got my vote...

The Boxer breed has been ideal for our family as well.

Trix is now 7 and Xavier will be 2 this month.

BTW both pups were also rescue dogs.

 

[JETJOCK]

I have had "Marley" for 1.5 years, he is an amazing "best friend" and all around great dog. Kids, Boats, Airplanes, TENNIS BALLS...whatever and he is all about it!

He really likes to go boating, and he even guards my boat when I am gone, he sleeps right beside the boat in the Hangar and really doen't let anyone mess with it unless I am around.

You CANNOT go wrong with a Lab!

 

[Brad]

cant go wrong with a golden retriever

I love my golden but the shedding is a pain!

 

[Mark]

Boxer or Lab