Does anyone have any experience with the following breeds?

We are looking at adding a new member to our family and have our search down to 8 breeds.

Any insight you can give on these?

Airedale Terrier
Australian Shepherd
Bullmastiff (very large breed)
Giant Schnauzer
Great Dane (very large breed)
Kuvasz
Puli
Rhodesian Ridgeback

Only the Australian Shepherd for me. My experiences may not apply to you.

Under what conditions will you keep and interact with the dog?
Inside/outside?
large yard/small yard?
Physical or invisible fence?
Travel with you or need to be kept/boarded while you are at NABX, JIBE, WWBB?
Other pets to get along with?
How old are your kids?

The dog will be outside only when he is with one of us for a bike ride, hike, walk in the woods or just playing in the yard.

We have a large yard and were planning on invisible fence.......my folks have 10 wooded acres and live 5 minutes away. In the winter we have huge areas to hike and sled and play at.

If the whole family travels then the we plan on the dog traveling with us. Otherwise he will stay home and be another set of eyes on the family.

No other pets. My boys are 10,11 and 16.

My pick would be the Aussie Shepherd good natured playfull, a family dog

The Aussie Shepherd is in our top 5.....

the Bullmastiff and Puli have been eliminated......

Goofball is a good thing you ruled out those big dogs, as their landmines are a pain to pick up.
Also you cannot gaurantee the one you are getting is together in the head as in breeding can turn them into
right nutters, nothing worse than a mental big dog.

In NSW dogs like Bullmastiff Puli and similar breeds, it is now illegal to own one, these actions are owing to, too many severe
and fatal attacks on children.

If your a northerner I would recommend Samoyed good loyal friendly dogs. Not a good watch dog though. Love to run and run fast. 25 mph in snow for a couple of miles is no problem for these dogs. Great with kids. I had a samoyed until recently and they tend to live good long lives from what i know about them. If they are outside during the summer it is best to have them shaved. They get poofy and overheat easily

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Sorry for the veering here. but booya first ever post with a pic and I did it by myself. I am a computer illiterate so this is a special moment for me.

If you are set on the listed breeds. I would recommend the Aussie. I don't know much about the other breeds but the Aussie is a smart loyal friendly dog too. They can be skittish but not fearful enough to bite. More like a cautious skittish than a fearful one.
If that makes scene.

I'd say go to the pound and rescue a pup. Everyday thousands of abandoned dogs are euthanized. Rescue an abandoned pup and you'll be doing your share to help improve the planet. Take the family to the pound and I guarantee you'll find at least one dog you won't want to leave without.

Also, getting a dog is a life-long commitment. Dogs, especially young work dogs, need plenty of exercise every day. If you can't commit to exercising the dog at least 2 hours every single day, you're not ready for a dog. Lack of exercise is the single biggest reason why dogs develop "behavior problems". Before you get a dog, watch "The Dog Whisperer" for a couple of months to get some idea what sorts of problems people who don't know what they're doing can cause. Then honestly evaluate how big a commitment you're willing to make. Unless you can honestly commit to spending 2+ hours each and every day to exercising your dog, you might be better off with a cat or gold fish.

I love my American Bulldog! Great with the kids, great protector! When the kids were smaller, they would play hide and seek with him and he loved it. One awesome dog! He turns 12 in October!

My sister has a giant schnauser. Nice dog but a few health issues and not all that bright!
I had a Bull Mastiff years ago. Also a great family dog. But not good with strangers at all. very protective of the kids though.
A good friend has Great Danes. Also very protective of family and property. But if they know you they are sweet giants.

OH... our currant dog is a Jackrussel/chujwawa(or how ever you spell it) mix. Got her from a rescue shelter 6 years ago. The best dog I have ever had. Seldem barks, only bites men who smoke!! And is very happy laying next to anyone who will give her a little attention

BigKahuna nailed it. Get a shelter dog and be prepared to put a lot of time and effort into care and maintenance.

If you do get an Aussie be ready to work that dog A LOT. If that dog gets bored you're gonna have problems.

But that could be said about pretty much any breed.

The last 4 dogs I've had have all been shelter dogs and they've all been awesome. Everyone I know around here has a shelter dog except one friend who got a pure bred yellow Labrador Retarded. That dog is a complete nut job and completely unpreictable.

I'd like to blame it on all the in breeding but I think it's basically because the owner doesn't have any expirience with dogs and hasn't done a very good job of training her. We have 3 American Bulll Terrier mixes, 1 Rotty mix and the Lab at work. The Lab is the one that you have to worry about biting you.

The only ones on your list that I'm familiar with are the Great Dane, like roc said very protective/territorial and BIG, and the Rhodesian Ridgeback, a breed I encountered when in the service stationed in the mediterranean, and there was an American ex-pat living there, breeding the R.R.s., not a real large breed,(maybe 50-60 lbs., mat.) but as fierce as they come, and look like they have a mohawk the way their hair on their back stands up when they are riled! My current dog, a 75# pit bull, I inherited from my son, when his relationship broke up. He is a good looking dog, large and strong, and +1 for kahuna's advise for exercise for a large dog, if he doesn't get enough he get's unmanageable.( I want to build a pulk/harness, so he can pull me in my buggy!) Not bred for brains, though,(this one anyway) I just had to clean up what-ever it was that he found and ate(he has this ability)on our latest walk, when I wasn't paying close enough attention. He just yakked it back on the floor! I was gagging, myself!

Def Def check your local pounds and animal shelters. Maybe if you are stuck on thos brreds look up the rescue/adoption shelters that tailor to them.. Most of those type of place will know the breed extremely well and counsel with you if it is a good match.

Our last 2 dogs have been shelter as well. Both female black lab mixes. Both became great addotions to teh family and with constant play from kids bonded strongly. To the point of being protective of the house and raising the alarm with strangers approaching the house within months of adoption.

Saddly we lost our 1st a year ago from the after affects of a severe stroke at the age of 11+, the new member we adpoted at 8mos, a year and a half later she is a 93# bruiser that only wants to be as close to us as possible all the time.

All good info here.... thanks and keep it coming.....

Growing up there was always a dog around somewhere. We tried a shelter dog about 4 years ago. It was a bulldog/coon hound mix. It was a super dog with the kids. He was crate trained. The one thing the shelter didn't tell us when we adopted him is that he had separation anxiety. A couple days after we got him we had to run an errand. We told him to get in his crate and he did with no problems. As soon as he realized we had left him he went nutz. He actually bent the metal crate where the tray goes and and managed to get out. He did about $8000 in damage to our house and furnishings before we got home.

So needless to say we are a little gun shy for adopting from a shelter again. That was our last try for a pet.

My boys are avid dogs 101 and Whisperer watchers as is my wife. I am hoping to be able to share the experience I had growing up with a dog/companion.

On a side note, I would also like a dog that will alert or warn them when I am out of town. Not a full guard dog but a breed that will take care of his human's.

Exercise should not be an issue where we live. We are active and my oldest has been looking for a cross country off season training buddy as well.

Lamrith made a good point, it isn't so much finding a dog that interests you as it is one that matches your personality and lifestyle. Work dogs love to work. My son has an Aussie Shepherd and Border Collie which he uses to herd cattle. Those dogs are happiest when he works them hardest. We had an Alaskan Malamute which was the same, he wasn't happy unless he ran 10+ miles a day. Labs are usually a pretty good choice as they tend to be a bit less energetic and are typically gentle, but they need lots of exercise. Jog for an hour and then play fetch for another hour and a Lab will be happy. Big working dogs are not happy staying in doors all day nor will leaving them in the back yard be good enough. If you force one into that sort of lifestyle it will start to show in negative behavior (leaving poop in the house, ripping up furniture, aggressive behavior, etc.). Keep them well exercised and 99% of the problems people run into just won't happen.

Ohhh one other thing to check. This will sound strange, but contact your Home Insurance agent, or read thru your policy. In the last few years many have begun specifically excluding certain breeds known to be biters/aggressive. Some of the breeds will surprise you. Some companies flat out will drop your coverage, other may impose an increase on your premiums, but Def worth a check before you decide.

As a side note many of these comanies will also drop you if you own a trampoline, and before you think no big deal, inside a fence behind the house, they can and DO walk around property while your not there. Had a neighbor get dropped for a trampoline and his was inside a 8ft wood fence the only way to see it was to walk 200ft into his property and half climb the fence at the side of the property. My point is don't think you can hid the dog from them if you decide on a breed on the "hit list"..

Quote:

Originally posted by bigkahuna Lamrith made a good point, it isn't so much finding a dog that interests you as it is one that matches your personality and lifestyle. Work dogs love to work. My son has an Aussie Shepherd and Border Collie which he uses to herd cattle. Those dogs are happiest when he works them hardest. We had an Alaskan Malamute which was the same, he wasn't happy unless he ran 10+ miles a day. Labs are usually a pretty good choice as they tend to be a bit less energetic and are typically gentle, but they need lots of exercise. Jog for an hour and then play fetch for another hour and a Lab will be happy. Big working dogs are not happy staying in doors all day nor will leaving them in the back yard be good enough. If you force one into that sort of lifestyle it will start to show in negative behavior (leaving poop in the house, ripping up furniture, aggressive behavior, etc.). Keep them well exercised and 99% of the problems people run into just won't happen.

We have not been running Nellie enough, hence her 93#, but now we work her a bit more daily and cut back her food a touch. All she cares about is being with "her" boys. If one of them goes out, she is at the door whining and pacing. They are chewers though, get chew toys, try a few different ones and the dog will find a favorite, ours likes the really hard hylabone and some synthetic&real femur bone we just bought. She carries it to wherever the action is in the house and lays down and chews on it..

I unfortunately do not know those breeds you mention, but have not heard anything bad about the shepard or dane, and see many people own them.

I've had a few over the years... Pound Puppies Rock !!! Always go for the Speckled dog. Everybody loves a Speckled Puppy and the speckles usually indicate a hunting breed blood line. Smart dogs !!!

Why a Male ? Females are far more predisposed to "guard the litter" and defend the Fort. Males want to range out and explore by nature.

Try to stay away from "yellow dogs" as the Golden Lab has been inter-bred and over-bred to the point that retardation and neurosis is very prevalent.

Any herding breed will serve the family well and be playful enough.

Beagles are notoriously independent, think livestock is "prey" and grow fat and lazy if not allowed run and hunt A LOT.

Most Terrier breeds, even the larger breeds, are moody, "mouthy" and territorial.

It's far easier to care for and maintain a 20-30 pound hound than it is to keep up with a 70-100 pound beast when traveling.

I love Dozer Dog, the Evil Beagle, Baby Basset mix but that's just me. He's a low slung 50 pound hound with juvenile basset features and an independent streak. He is the singly most "social" yet submissive dog I've ever met. There's not a mean bone in his body... until you wind up his Evil Beagle side. Then, it's on !

insurance companies are going to be the end of all that is good and noble about western civilization...

...what everyone else said about working dogs needing a job and lots of excercise to stay sane...sounds like you are on the right track, and it will be easier with lots of hands to take turns as long as everyone is fairly consistent (i think some breeds are better at accepting that then others)

if you can get a puppy from a shelter I'd go for it, otherwise i'd be cautious... because of the experience / time / patience it can take to work through behavioural problems that might be there...especially with tougher, more aggressive breeds (who can make great dogs but need really strong consistent leadership)

we started with a pup and the first year and a half were a LOT of work...he now travels by rowboat and canoe, goes backpacking and ridgewalking, sailing...he is 'goldendoodle' golden retriever standard poodle cross, excellent companion..i like dogs who are good natured to everyone they meet and not excessively protective, he'll still bark if something wierd is going on

grew up with a blue heeler, excellent dog as well but high energy...we worked cattle with him regularly, also a bit stick obsessed..not sure about aussies...

good luck, let us know what you choose!

mukluk..... I was wondering what kind of dog that was in your avatar, it looked a bit like a Wheaton.

I agree with you there, with a puppy the 1st couple of years will be the hardest work for training both the puppy and especially the family.

I think the hardest part for me will be getting the family into a regime with the puppy as work has me traveling quite a bit.

So the brunt of the training/exercising the dog will fall on my wife and kids.

The hardest thing so far about looking for a puppy is finding a reputable breeder and not a puppy mill.

@lamrith ... good point about the insurance..... I will have to check into that.....

@ Goof - google search for "breed" rescue. you will often find rescue groups all over the country that specialise in a given breed. Tthey are typically the 1st place that authorities/shelters will call to foster that breed after mill raids, or surrenders. That often includes sub 2yr old animals.. This will let you give a good home to a pet and not deal with the puppy mills.

I had 2 Great Danes - both harlequins. My mother used to feed them 4 eggs and a pint of milk each on top of their rations every day. They were easily the biggest great danes we've ever, ever seen. Amazing dogs with children and extremely loyal and smart. Never cut the ears or tails.

A lot of good advice here. I'd like to emphasize what someone said about picking an appropriately sized breed. If you're not familiar with dogs, especially large breeds, then stick to a smaller / medium sized breed. A 70 - 100 lb dog with behavior issues can be a scary thing if you don't know how to handle them properly, especially for family members who themselves may only weigh that much. Even a well behaved Mastif or Great Dane can be a handful for an experienced handler. Personally, I love big dogs and wouldn't have anything else but I've met a lot of people who would have been much happier with something smaller.

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Originally posted by g00fba11 I agree with you there, with a puppy the 1st couple of years will be the hardest work for training both the puppy and especially the family. I think the hardest part for me will be getting the family into a regime with the puppy as work has me traveling quite a bit. So the brunt of the training/exercising the dog will fall on my wife and kids.

...probably when he's first learning his commands it would be good to keep it to one or maybe two handlers for the more formal work, easier to be consistent and not confusing...

Plus One for an obedience class as well, i was skeptical but we found one that matched our philosophy and it was a lot of fun and great socialization for the pup (and good training for us!). Though our lifestyle doesn't demand it, we like to get the dog to urban off leash parks and to 'doggy daycare' play kennels now and then....with a well socialized dog that knows how to play 'dog' you're more free to take him along with a lot less worry about him getting into bad interactions

kite dog etiquette?? here's where i need to do more work, and a word of warning...my dog Looooves to chase the kite :o
...he knows not to touch it but he loves chasing it across the window, and it is disconcerting...i'm hoping when i stop flying static he'll get the groove and just run along with us, but i need to get this under control, can you imagine if he ate a new flysurfer?? (no worries i'll leave him at home!)

I have two dogs, a blue heeler who loves snowkiting so much but bites my heels when I ride and she can catch me. My other dog is a small mix and he hates kites and freeks out when one is in the air. I think his instincts tell him its a gaint bird that could eat him and he hides.

This has been a great read from all the input..... my sister has also said obedience class is a must....... she has a weimaraner and even with the class he has been a handful.... her dog is 18 months old now.

@lamrith...... my wife just let me know she has been looking into rescue dogs for some time...... seems to be a solid option......

There is an other option for training and that is to hook up
with an Agility Training group, a bit more fun than the staid old Obedience School

my two bobs worth

I'm not a big fan of obedience training classes. Our Malamute / wolf mix had major agression issues when we first adopted him. Even as a small pup he'd bare his teeth and growl at me and would attack me if I wore gloves. He was OK with my wife and my Mom, but whenever he was near a male human he'd go into attack mode. (My best guess is that he had been abused early in life by a man wearing gloves). We called a couple of trainers for advice, read a couple books and took an obedience class. The problem with the obedience class (and most of the trainers for that matter) is that they focus on teaching dogs basic commands, not on teaching you how to understand and communicate with dogs. Smarter breeds, like Malamutes, can learn your commands almost immediately, but that didn't solve any of the agression issues he had. While in the class I also learned that mine wasn't the only dog there with agression issues, and although all the dogs passed the course with flying colors (ours got the highest score in the class BTW) nothing was learned about dealing with agressive behavior. In fact, none of the trainers we spoke with really gave any substantive help on the issue, some even suggested he be put down. Eventually I learned that the key to resolving the issue was to bond with him through exercise. We spent two hours every day walking / jogging with a short leash tied to my waist forcing him to stay by my side. He soon learned that he had to go where I wanted to go and when I wanted to go there. In the beginning I kept his leash tied to my hip all day long (I was working at home at the time) and at night he was tied to my bed post. After a few months of this he instinctively followed me everywhere. He wouldn't even eat unless I was eating. He eventually saw me, not just as a member of his pack but as his pack leader and became my best friend. If you haven't watched "The Dog Whisperer" you should. That show very clearly shows how often people misunderstand dogs and almost all the issues they run into are (at least in part) due to lack of exercise, boredom and misunderstanding dog behavior. I wish that show were around when we first adopted our Malamute, would have saved me all sorts of time, effort and pain (not to mention many pairs of gloves!). :D