Best Dog Breed for a Pet?? 2 dogs better? Same breeds?

If you can get over the stigma, consider adopting a pit or a pit mix. Really, really good dogs, and there are more of them out there than any other type of dog because they are often owned by people who shouldn't have dogs (and thus not fixed, or purposely bred, purposely abandoned, etc).

I have 2 pits, and they are really, really good dogs. It's just anecdotal evidence, but I am not AT ALL an aggressive pet owner; I don't expect or want my dogs to guard the house, I don't want them to kill rodents, and in general I don't want them to be aggressive towards anyone. Trained in this manner, my dogs are super sweet to anybody who walks into our house, whether they have met them or not.

They also show ZERO aggression towards people; I harass the crap out of my dogs (in a playful way), and they have never bit me for any reason.

Pit Bull Owner wrote:

If you can get over the stigma, consider adopting a pit or a pit mix.

1. Get a good insurance with it

2. There are more fatalities with Pit Bulls than with all other dogs COMBINED.

3. Pit Bulls kill more people than wolves. FACT.

3. Pit Bulls kill more people than wolves. FACT.

Haha, what!?!?! When was the last time a wolf killed anyone?

wolferdown wrote:

Haha, what!?!?! When was the last time a wolf killed anyone?

Doesn't happen often. Wolves are usually pretty nice.

Wife'd up wrote:

Honestly, the best dog is a mix. So many dogs that have been bred just because they are a certain breed end up multiplying the chances of bad physical characteristics.

My mother's dog is a 13 year old mutt. She is still going strong and may last another 2 years.

ifyouthinkso wrote:

My wife and I rescued a retired racing greyhound, she is the sweetest dog ever. This is the first dog I have ever had, and I can't see myself getting another breed.

Yep. I adopted my greyhound 4 years ago. My father and best friend now have greyhounds as well because they liked mine so much that they decided to get their own.

German Shepherds are excellent pets and don't let anyone tell you differently. A GS can be very gentle, yet still have the instinct to defend you and your property.

I need resuced from my own house. I married a farm girl/animal lover that has passed this on to our kids. I won't invite friends over to my house. 2 Dogs, 4 cats, 1 Guinea Pig, 1 hamster. Have had multiple hamsters, rabbit, fish etc... Will not allow reptiles or many legged creatures. Not sure why birds haven't made their appearance. Would like to open the doors and let nature take over but that theory fell through when the cats just sit in the open door and the dogs run around the neighborhood raising hell then come home.

A little out of place here with the dogs we have: Chocolate Cocker Spaniel and genetic freak of a Pomeranian (over standard size) both rescued from humane society. Great pets as smaller dogs, lots of energy and very loving but I'm really tired of animals in the house. I would like to get new carpet etc... someday but the damned animals just won't leave or expire any time soon.

Probably a mix between a golden retriever, black lab, poodle, and a weiner...dog

Beagles are high maintenance outdoor dogs.

Definitely agree with this. We have two, a male and a female. Because they follow their noses +++, they need containment (like zappy collars that go off on a perimeter), and plenty of room to roam around.

Nutella1 wrote:

1. Get a good insurance with it

No reason for any better insurance than with any other dog.

2. There are more fatalities with Pit Bulls than with all other dogs COMBINED.

How do the number of pit bulls compare to the number of all other dogs? How does reporting dog breed work when coming up with these statistics? What are the circumstances of these deaths?

These statistics, while they make for good news for fear-mongers, have little meaning without a whole pile of other data.

There are more murders committed by black people than any other race...

3. Pit Bulls kill more people than wolves. FACT.

Hopefully this is a joke.

They also kill more people than Rhinos. I suppose that means Rhinos would make good pets?

Mutt first. Rescue second.

Dogowner wrote:

Aussies wrote:

both breeds will sometimes try to herd children

[..]

We dog-sat for a golden retreiver a few weeks back, and while he's certianly sweet, he is so DUMB. Barking, pulling, eating trash... it was a really eye-opening experience.

I. These breeds also have a tendency to herd runners. Not good unless you're not afraid of spills

II. May be related to training, no?

Bad behavior in a dog does not mean the dog is dumb. Mostly it is due to a higher intelligence level than the owner gives credit for. They get bored so they create their own activities. Much like a smart child would eventually get in trouble if they are not intellectually challenged and kept busy.

I think intelligent breeds, though better dogs in the end, are tougher to raise as puppies.

Megan999 wrote:

I guess, all breeds have pros and cons. But if a dog is trained in a proper way, when the owner loves it, there won't be any problems. We have to take care of any dog we decide to get regardless of the breed. Almost all purebreed dogs have health complications. In case you are looking for a good pet parmacy, I can suggest checking Pet Express

No one was looking for you to bump a 7 year old thread to shill for a dog pharmacy.

ehhhh wrote:

I sincerely have interest in Australian Shepherds. Does anybody have any (runners) experience with them?

No such thing. It is originally a dog that came from Spain/Portugal to US and then to Australia

BowWow wrote:

Rhodesian Ridgeback all the way. They can run like a Kenyan. that's a good thing, right?

Shouldn't that be Zimbabwean now ? ;-)

Or at least I only hear them referred to as 'Ridgebacks'. Great dogs, nephew has two on his farm and sister has one. Great to have indoors as well, doesn't shed hair like our little mutt.