As far as a dog getting exercise; it doesn't need to be in a yard. You should be walking your dog several times a week and they don't need a big yard in order to fetch a ball. I have had lab puppies my entire life and they did fine in a city yard and a townhouse with no problems.

I have adopted EVERY single one of my puppies from a shelter, humane society, or animal adoption center!!!!! And very proudly at that. I would NEVER buy an animal from a pet store; there are far too many animals that need homes because no one wanted them or they were abused or homeless.

+1

Or a Choc. Lab... that dog HAS to be run or its energy level will drive you nuts.

If I throw a frisbee with her for 15 minutes a day she is as happy as can be all evening and will just lay around and watch the goings on. If I do not she is under your butt all night until you go to bed and even then she gets up alot oa night and visits everyone.

She is an awesome dog.

And the 20+ labs that I have owned have been happy in tiny, small and large yards. You can throw a frisby in a small yard and a big yard. That is my only point!! As long as they are getting exercise and attention; the size of the yard should not matter. Otherwise, people in cities would be banned from having animals.

I love most all dogs but I am partial to Greyhounds, Keeshonds, and Pomeranians.

+1 for shelter dogs and pups.

I'm an outlyer (as usual). I don't like labs. Don't care for Goldens either. And small yip yip dogs? No way. Boston Terriers are cool, as are some of the other non-sporting breeds. And I am in awe of Vizlsas.

Loved our Boxer. Truly amazing animals. She's going on 11 now though, and getting near the end of the line...

I thought my dog was a mutt (doberman and black & tan coonhound). Apparently he's a 'Designer Dog' :rolleyes:

Some weird lookin ***** in here:

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/hybriddogs.htm

Like this one, who seems to be saying 'what the fuch did they do to me?'

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1154486736.jpg

I'm sorry, but that's pure myth. The real issue is puppy mills, since dog breeding is voluntarily regulated by breeders, at least as far as the AKC is concerned. My German Wirehair, actually a Deutsch Drahthaar, is closely regulated by the Breed club, VDD/GNA, and the chance of getting a bad or sick one is nil. Dogs don't get smarter than this breed. Select a good breeder for almost any pure bred dog will produce positive results. Buying into a mixed breed of unknown parentage, or unknown mixes, will produce very random results, often with negative results.

Pure bred dogs by reputable breeders are far and away superior in that you know what it is you're getting, there's very little chance of a problem from genetic disorders. With "mutts", you don't have that at all. Almost none of them are Xrayed for hip problems nor are they checked for blood disorders via Veterinary screening.

Our younest dog is an Anatolian Shepherd, which we acquired as a 9 month old pup. http://www.angelfire.com/oz/asdca/dogshome.html shows pictures of these dogs.

This is our boy, Xtra, at just under one year of age, he's almost two now. Small for a male Anatolian, he's about 85 pounds, and of the shorter haired variety. There is some variation within the breed as to coat length and whether they're loose skinned or not.
http://images12.fotki.com/v216/photo...tra_Dog-vi.jpg

He's very obedient, very mild mannered, prefers to remain close to the house if outside, and shows strong herding instinct when he's out of the dog run. He really wants to do what you tell him to do, and is easy to keep on a verbal leash. If you have a city home, even if on a small or medium sized lot, I'd say this breed would do fine, since he's not answering the call of the hunt like my Chocolate Labrador and German Wire Hair do. Those two want to run in the field and look for things, Xtra has no interest in doing that at all.

I think it is important to match the dog's energy level and exercise needs with your own. Are you prepared to run a dog several times a week? Do you want a lap dog? Those are the questions to consider. I have two dachshunds. They're nice dogs and don't require long walks. They're quite happy with once or twice around the park. They don't retrieve. They're always underfoot or at my side. They bark but wouldn't scare a bad guy away. They're good boys but don't come when called if they don't want to. Will sit there and look at you. I never had a dog that did that before.

Check out rescue dogs!!! You will have a vet check, they will already be spayed/neutered, and most are house trained. You will also have knowledge of what the little dear is like and how they might fit into your family. Less risk than a puppy and house training and all the other stuff. Less expensive too, if that is a reason.

Oh, our Belgian (rescue doggy) gets walked four times a day. That is more than five miles a day.

Another way to go is with the rescue dog. If you want a breed specific many unwanted purebreed dogs too.

I have two purebreed dogs which I hunt with. But I know the breed and wanted specific traits for my needs. And a loving dog which my are. the breeder I got my dogs with knew in the past I had the same breed and took 3rd at Nationals in the ring and competed in the field trials. The same breeder will not sell the dogs to anyone and does not even advertise
And yes you do need to match energy levels My dogs get an hour walk run in the am. and 1 plus hours in the evening
Pat...
I love those Deutsch Drahthaar only seen one in the field very birdy.

Yup. My coonhound-doberman is a 'rescue dog'. He was about 2 years old. Best dog I've ever owned. Last dog was a AKC pure bred Wire Fox Terrier bought as a puppy from a reputable breeder. Had to put the dog down due to schizophrenic aggressive behavior that we unsuccessfully worked 2 1/2 years with various trainers to solve.


ahhhhh .... this is a much better life than the pound!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1154535186.jpg

Since you already are a dog person (20+ labs), my suggestion is probably moot.
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The only dogs I have had were 2 Tibetan Terriers. Wonderful!
The best thing I ever did was to get my 1 yr. old female, Mojo, her own dog, Augie (male).
If I ever have dogs again, I will get two pups at the same time (my suggestion).
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My g/f now has 2 young Poodles (miniatures).
Amazingly bright dogs.
Awesome to sit and watch them figure out how to work their way through complicated matters.
They work as a team - fuzzy little black engineers!
I'm a convert - Poodles (I like the Standards).

I'd get a newf. They're not real high energy and their massive size would make a bad guy think twice before doinganything shady. They're excellent with children and are known for their life saving instincts. They love the water so if you're into water activities newf would be awesome. I've known several people with newf, including my uncle, and none of them had any regrets.

cegerer, I think that is horrible what you are doing to that poor dog;) ;) ;)
I know you're trying to keep him out of the Griot's, but it's really the beer that he wants! A fine looking pup there!
We've had all kinds of dogs, it's all in what type fits YOU, your lifestyle and your surroundings. It may sound funny, but one of my best gun dogs was a little Cocker Spaniel that I used to quail hunt with. The thicker the underbrush, the more he liked it.

My current puppy; a 7 month old yellow lab!! He is a beautiful dog and as lovable as can be...he just needs a companion!!!http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1154541826.jpg

Clearly Porsche....

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1154542209.jpg

A german shephard, bought her as a puppy that someone i know was selling off. I'm not sure but i think she's a mix because her frame is actually larger than a normal shephard. But anyhow, no matter what dog, then tend to adpot the personality of there owner so i'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you choose.
EDIT: And her name is Portia, pronounced "porsha" :)