what dog?

EmptyPockets

I was going to say Staffy too, based not on personal experience as I've never owned one, but based on what I've read from others on here. I don't think I've seen such high praise and adoration for any other dog on the forum as I've read for Staffies.

They need a strong owner who understands the breed, so as with any other breed, it comes down to doing your homework and gathering the facts before you make a decision based on your family and your circumstances.

Missy_Spud

I agree mastiff's are gorgeous dogs, i had a boxer x neopolitan mastiff although he was huge he was the most gentle big ol cuddly thing ever, and gentle. sadly he passed away early this year after he had an operation was only 11months old he had the boxer characteristics, mental but lovely

Ive now got a 9month old husky x lab and she is a brilliant dog, she was very easy to house train, very intelligent, and she is soft but as she is still a puppy she still has her crazy moments, i think she has taken more to the husky characteristics though as we havent really had any chewing which labs are known for, and she is very vocal!

or a mix breed that you dont know whats thrown in there lol my family dog is now 7 and we dont really know what she is we got told doberman x she doesnt really look anything like a doberman, she looks like she has a tiny bit of staff in her, poss some lab, someone has said she resembles a mini collie so shes a mixed bag but she is the most laid back, well behaved dog ever!

I prefer to have a dog from being a puppy 8 weeks old, as they learn your routine, sometimes it can be harder with an older dog, having said that i did go to a few rescues when we were looking but the rescues around here wont rehome to anyone who works at all, i only work part time 4 hours and thats not every day but they said no 'because the dog will get excited when you come back' (i thought they were supposed to, id be worried if my dog didnt jump all over me when i got through the door!)

Bubby

It really depends on how active you are as a family and whether this is your first dog. The perfect puppy by Gwen Bailey is a really good book.
Do you prefer long or short coated breeds?
Big or small dogs?

hethmar

As everyone has said, you need to look at your lifestyle, likes and dislikes and then think about which breed would suit all the family.

Dunners

We've got three border terriers - they're great with children (our crazy nieces!) and are brilliant with our three cats (this is down to socialisation through, and you'll need to be careful introducing any dog to your cat!) - they're quite cheeky but good fun to be around!

geri1965_2

Cavalier King Charles spaniel.

charlea

have to agree on that - we have two english bullmastiffs and they are the best dogs ever, my nickname for them is dumb and dumber but they are really inteligent dogs and homely dogs and love being part of the family and despite there size and slobbery attitude they are great with the kids (teenagers) and excellent guard dogs and suprisingly ours dont like loads of excercise
Ours are huge when we walk them everyone stares as you dont see loads of them about We got one when she was 2 and then the second as a puppy for company and they are like to little old ladies

The neigbours kids thought we bought two lions when we first got them as they made there mark in the garden and our live outside full time but come in the house every day


my mum has an english springer spaniel who is a nutty as a fruitcake and is my mums baby but very lovable and very hyper and my sister has a boxer who is also nuts but very good with the kids and other people

jenhug wrote: »

can't go wrong with a big slobbery Mastiff!

devildog

What about the good old greyhound(some are ok with cats)
Seriously, you need to consider how big your house/garden is, whether you want a small/medium/large breed. Short haired or long haired or whether you would be prepared to get a breed that needs to be clipped/stripped. Do you want a fairly obedient type of breed(there are several breeds that have a mind of their own)How much excercise you would be prepared to give it or whether you could put more time in for(shall we say) the more intelligent breeds of dogs
If you have any preferences to these considerations, please post with them and I am sure that you will be given more than enough suitable choices of purebreeds but also remember the homeless dogs as you could equally find a suitable one at rescue Kennels too.

hethmar

Yep, we could all give our favourite breeds but we probably have different lifestyles and tastes etc. to you.

devildog

There are just toooooooo many to choose from