Help choosing a Dog.

[Hotshots]

Me and my wife Jade have decided to get a Dog,but we can't any good breeds that suit us.Jade being 6 months pregnant wants a small dog like a Terrier ,but i want a big scary fuck-off thing like a doberman.

My brother Giovanni suggested a American Akita but i have no clue what that is.

So escapists can you help me(us) decide on a good dog?

 

[BonsaiK]

Need more information. What do you want this dog to do? What sort of lifestyle do you lead? Where is it going to live? How much room will it have available? How much time will people be spending with it, and which people? Will any of the above change as you/it grows older?

Rather than having your heart set on a breed from the outset, might be a good idea to go to your local animal shelter and look at some dogs. There's probably dozens of dogs there with their noses pressed against the chicken wire, looking for a good home.

 

[Jark212]

If you train it well, a Border-Collie (Scottish, American, or both) is a good pet. They aren't that big, but are tough and have been bred to defend. At the same time, you train it well, and it won't kill your kid.

If you actually know how to train a dog (be the Alpha, don't let the dog get away with any bullshit, don't neglect the dog, make the dog feel like a part of the family, make sure the dog knows it's at the bottom of the family structure, teach the dog right and wrong*, etc.) and it'll be fine. If you CAN'T do that, on the other hand, don't get a dog. At all. The LAST thing you need is an annoying little shit yapping 24/7.

*Good breeds, like Border-Collie's, are pretty smart.

And most important of all, make sure they know your the Alpha. That's very important...

 

[TriGGeR_HaPPy]

Need more information. What do you want this dog to do? What sort of lifestyle do you lead? Where is it going to live? How much room will it have available? Howe much time will people be spending with it, and which people? Will any of the above change as you/it grows older?

Rather than having your heart set on a breed from the outset, might be a good idea to go to your local animal shelter and look at some dogs. There's probably dozens of dogs there with their noses pressed against the chicken wire, looking for a good home.

Really... Pretty much this.

Me, personally, I'd love a Border Collie once I get my own place.
But there are so many people out there who get one, and don't realise that you need to walk it every day (almost no exaggeration), or it will get bored and start tearing up your garden. Not to mention that you'd better have a big backyard, or the same thing will happen.

Border Collie's are farm dogs, they need excercise or they will find a way to entertain themselves...
Unfortunately, too many people get one thinking how lovely they are, then the dogs get thrown to the pound for digging things up because the people were too stupid to research what the dog needs...
...

Sorry about that. Ran a bit close to getting off-topic. :S

So, OT: Research.
Also, like BonsaiK said, we need more info to help you make a decision...

EDIT:

*Good breeds, like Border-Collie's, are pretty smart.

There was actually a recent study in Aus, that showed Border Collie's to be the smartest breed of dog.
Poodles were second... Not those small poodles, the big ones. The ones you see in circuses.
Well... you see them in circuses, because they're smart...

Just fyi. More useless info that I hope I haven't bored people with. :S

 

[TheLastCylon]

Get a Golden Retriever.

I have one, they rock.

Spoiler: Cute, friendly and loyal. What more could you want?

 

[FluffyNeurosis]

I like this site http://animal.discovery.com/breedselector/dogselectorindex.do
Watch out for small dogs, most of the ones I have had/been around are usually nervous nippy things... mostly because some chick buys them and they get spoiled.

Edit : Golden Retrievers bit a lot of people each year so unless you get one from a reputable breeder I would avoid them.

 

[Hotshots]

If you train it well, a Border-Collie (Scottish, American, or both) is a good pet. They aren't that big, but are tough and have been bred to defend. At the same time, you train it well, and it won't kill your kid.

If you actually know how to train a dog (be the Alpha, don't let the dog get away with any bullshit, don't neglect the dog, make the dog feel like a part of the family, make sure the dog knows it's at the bottom of the family structure, teach the dog right and wrong*, etc.) and it'll be fine. If you CAN'T do that, on the other hand, don't get a dog. At all. The LAST thing you need is an annoying little shit yapping 24/7.




*Good breeds, like Border-Collie's, are pretty smart.

I'll have a look for them,I haven't seen ant Border-collies in Palermo.

"annoying little shit yapping 24/7" that would be my wife.

 

[Zer_]

Huskies or any variation, they tend to be quite friendly, and although not always considered guard dogs, they are quite loyal. They are quite large but also very beautiful dogs (may appeal to your wife).

 

[Hotshots]

Need more information. What do you want this dog to do? What sort of lifestyle do you lead? Where is it going to live? How much room will it have available? How much time will people be spending with it, and which people? Will any of the above change as you/it grows older?

Rather than having your heart set on a breed from the outset, might be a good idea to go to your local animal shelter and look at some dogs. There's probably dozens of dogs there with their noses pressed against the chicken wire, looking for a good home.

Well i want a good strong dog to go jogging with me in the mornings,i work and own my own ristorante but my wife from home,it will live us in the flat,it should have a decent amount if room in the degli ospiti,like i said before my wife works from home and i dont work on weekends so yes and probably not were sort of set in Palermo.

That's the extent of my English so i cant really go on,hope that helps.

 

[Keepitclean]

*snip

Border Terrier. They are small and very strong. Mine has a deep "fuck off" dog bark. They are very very fast, low maintainence and pretty good with children.

They were scottish hunting terriers for hunting foxes, rabbits and other vermin.

 

[Hotshots]

"annoying little shit yapping 24/7" that would be my wife.

Alright, put a hold on your pet plans right now. If that is your serious opinion about your wife, something is HORRIBLY WRONG with your marriage. Take a look at your marriage and figure out if you're genuinely, 100% happy with it first.

no its only a joke,to be fair she is a tiny bit talkative...tiny bit...

But were fine,love her with all my heart so anything i say bad about her will have no anger or hate behind it...apart from her cooking..Black pudding a sausage in bacon.......lovely.

 

[Gir1yG4m3r]

Compromise with a Welsh Corgi. They are awesome.

 

[Omikron009]

Don't get a dog. They suck.

 

[Souplex]

Jack Russell terriers are one of the easiest breeds to train, and they are small and friendly.

 

[HatchetDown]

Something small so that when you accidentally kick them when you round a corner they take flight.

 

[captainduncan]

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd -they're great with kids plus they're really chill. We got one when I was 10. I'm now 21 and my parents just got another Aussie puppy
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/52/Australian_Shepherd_600.jpg