Help me choose a dog breed for family pet

[cantdrv55]

I'm on the road quite a bit so I'm looking for a protector but nothing that will eat my 8 year old son. The dog will live inside the house so a breed that's not going to shed too much would be ideal. I want to take it with us in our camping trailer so it can't be too big. I would like a mtn biking and hiking companion too. Is there a breed that will fit these wants? Male or female?

I've had two dogs in my adult life and when they died, I was heartbroken. My Australian Shepherd/Collie mix lived 18 years. My chocolate Lab /Rottweiler mix was hit by a car at age 3. If I can find a breed that has the best traits of both of my old friends, I can learn to love a dog again.

What breed would you recommend?

[winders]

A black female Doberman seems to fit the bill. Not too big at about 60 lbs. Great athlete. Visually intimidating. Won't eat anyone in the family. Doesn't shed much. Prefers to be in the house as part of the family.

[dad911]

We love our wheaten terrier. Great disposition, loves to please. No shed, not allergic (big issue in our family) Not really a protector, will bark, but then make friends with everyone.

[WPOZZZ]

Why not go to your local shelter and see if there is a dog that suits your family well?

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by winders

A black female Doberman seems to fit the bill. Not too big at about 60 lbs. Great athlete. Visually intimidating. Won't eat anyone in the family. Doesn't shed much. Prefers to be in the house as part of the family.

I agree. I had a female dobie and she was a total sweetheart. All the kids in the neighborhood would come and play in the back yard with her. She was super easy to train. One night someone started banging on my door like they wanted to come through. She started barking and snarling at the door and making noises that would get anyone's attention. Whoever was out there left in a hurry.

She could run at almost 30 mph. In the movies the hero has to run a little to get away from a dog. She could catch any human in seconds from 100 yards away.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

Why not go to your local shelter and see if there is a dog that suits your family well?

This.

We ended up with a lab/something mix. Short hair 50lbs great with our then baby now 5 year old

[vonsmog]

Other than the hair issue, the best dog breed is the golden retriever! No animal will be more loyal, and show more love to your family than a golden. Mine would run in front of me on my mountain bike every day. That is how I would walk her out in the woods. Would be with the kids everywhere they went outside to keep an eye on them. One we had would not let my daughter swim in the lake deeper than the dog could walk. The dog would mouth her arm and would not let go until the dogs feet were touching the bottom!

[tadd]

Standard poodle. Super smart, watchful, patient with children. Don't shed.

They are like 5 year olds themselves :-). Mine have learned to open doors (had to change lever door knobs for regular). For my first, I put up a bell by the door and showed her how to ring it to go out. She then started ringing it for her empty water bowl, then empty food bowl. What is really amazing is that she would ring it once to go out, twice for food, and three times for water. I didn't teach that... I miss my girl... RIP Colette.

My parents had a standard when I was growing up. They could put me in the middle of the yard and doodles would watch me from the porch. If I got too far from the middle, she would come down and pick me up by the dipers and put me back in the middle, then go back to watching from the porch.

Only 'negatives' are that they are really smart, so you will need to interact with them. They also need exercise...walk, throw frisebee, whatever. Finally, there is that no shedding. You need to clip them. I spent $250 up front for a nice set of oyster clippers over a decade ago and they still are going strong. About an hour a dog to shave them down. Nothing fancy. Usually monthly in the summer to keep them cool. only once in the winter. If you take them somewhere, it runs about $100 a groom. Although it sounds like a pain, it truly is 6 vs 1/2 dozen for your time since the house cleaning isn't buried in dog hair bunnies.

Like any smart dog, you will get out what you put in. My first girl I was in grad school and spent a lot of time with her when she was young. She did not need a leash and was amazing. The latest two are my spoiled beasts :-), who need more input from me for sure...

[tadd]

[Arthropraxis]

Get a boxer. Great family dogs and intimidating to strangers.

[Baz]

I like Byran's idea. Go to your shelter. Rescues make the best companions.

[yellowperil]

Border collie mix, gentle, loving, loyal. No downsides. Well, they shed a little.
That's not quite right either, they shed a bit more than a little. OK, they shed a lot.

Do you or your wife knit by any chance? You could probably gather enough
wool in a week to sweater-up a medium size family.

Other than that, a damn fine dog!

[Chocaholic]

Only meets some if your criteria. Probably the best family dog we've had...

[M.D. Holloway]

The Lab/Rotty mix is a great one. Labs are basically Rotty/St. Johns anyway, the additional Rotty puts more beef on them.

Second the Dolby choice. The look, the short hair, the attitude with kids vs strangers. Total win.

[targa911S]

Airedale..king of the terriers..

[Tobra]

Originally Posted by dad911

We love our wheaten terrier. Great disposition, loves to please. No shed, not allergic (big issue in our family) Not really a protector, will bark, but then make friends with everyone.

Best dog I ever had was a Wheaten Terrier mix that jumped in my mother's car one rainy day. Never heard of the breed before that.

[Steve Carlton]

Good drivers, too. Which is nice.

[Charles Freeborn]

Don't get a Pug. Just don't.

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Baz

I like Byran's idea. Go to your shelter. Rescues make the best companions.

Yup. This is what we did. Ended up with a schnauzer mix that everyone absolutely loves. We spent about 3 hours total with him at the shelter before we could brought him home. Great little dog, laying his head on my feet as I type!

[porsche4life]

Originally Posted by Charles Freeborn

Don't get a Pug. Just don't.

My neighbor has three, and I can't figure out why....