I’ve compressed my other question, also because I didn’t get the answers I needed.
Refer to —-
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20091003061803AAaZ0Td&r=w
for extensive details i wrote in the other thread.
Here’s a summary. I know what I want in a dog, I just need help from people that know dogs, to tell me what dog best describes what details I want that dog breed to have.
Details are as follows from MOST important to LEAST.
(all are still important to me)
- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - –
- Can live in an apartment
(two bedroom, 750-1100 square feet – will get lots of walks and playtime)
- Loyal to the death/Will never turn on me
(I will never abuse, mistreat, or neglect the dog, so don’t consider these circumstances)
- Will be absolutely devoted to me above anyone else.
I want a dog that will get along with my friends, but be MY dog.
- Will be my solo companion, and be happy with just being around me for periods of time.
( When you think of mans best friend, in movies, the dog that stays by the mans side and is like a best friend, almost human like )
- Strong and Masculine looking – A mans dog
(that doesn’t look frightening or dangerous like a rot or a razors edge pitbull, can look loving and gentle, but fierce when protecting me)
- Can/Will protect me from attackers if walking at night.
(I want a dog I can walk with at night, knowing the dog will fight the attacker if I’m attacked)
- Unique looking/all dogs look different from each other.
(some breeds all of them look too similar, some breeds all dogs are distinct and unique from one another – the latter being what I want.)
- Low Maintenance / Uncommon/Low health issues / Doesn’t cover the apartment in hair
( a dog that I can live with, without having to be taking him to the groomer every single day, I’m also trying to avoid breeds that are prone to health problems like joints going bad, I want a dog that will be healthy till the day he dies, assuming normal dog problems, and any injuries.)
- Not very difficult to train
( I am NOT a professional dog trainer, and do not want to have to be to train my dog)
(dogs I’ve seen that interest me – Rhodasian Ridgeback.. Pit bull.. German Pincher… Lab… )
!!!!!!!!!!!Please give suggestions of breed, putting your favorite choice, and other close choices you would also recommend !!!!!!!!!!
I WILL write back frequently, commenting on answers and clarifying any questions.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Entries (RSS)
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:02 pm
You’ve got a tall order to fill there–sounds like several breeds of gun dog would be right–except for the apartment thing–they need room.
People do have them in apartments but they spend alot of time outside walking their dogs. Go to Animal Planets website and take their dog breed selector–it’ll help—sound like a Whippet or Italian Greyhound maybe your best bet although they aren’t very masculine looking
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:49 pm
As for all your loyalty requirements, i.e. devoted to you, loyal to you etc etc etc… ANY dog will be loyal to its master if you are the pack leader and train it accordingly.
Out of all of those ones I’d go with the lab. Chocolate lab to be precise.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:09 pm
you may be surprised but great danes make amazing apartment dogs beacuse they’re such lap babies as long as they get adiquate time to strech their legs. they seem to be the first breed that popped into my mind after i finshed reading. they are very good dogs.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:33 am
You didn’t get the answers you needed or wanted? Any dog can be a great dog it depends on you as to how your dog will turn out. Practise with a stuffed dog for now.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:56 am
baby pit-bull i have one everythinks there so mean but if you raise it right mine protects me with it’s life i mean pitbulls will literally die for you but get one and raise it right!
November 24th, 2009 at 6:10 am
Sounds like a dog that doesn’t really exist. But I think maybe a bull dog would be good for you, the health on them isn’t the greatest but still fits into a lot of your categories. and if people are suggesting bigger dogs then maybe you should try a boxer. They fit ALL of those things except for the health too. But they are amazing dogs and will always stick with you. They need a lot of exercise but are very loyal, masculine looking, will defiantly protect you, and the there lots of different looking boxers. Some white boxers can look kind of scary if you really want a guard dog like that.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:06 am
Although I am totally for getting a Pit Bull, ideally, they would not work out great in an apartment. Pit bulls and Labrador Retrievers are generally larger dogs that require lots of exercise and room to run around in inside the house. I recommend getting a smaller dog, such as a Miniature Pincher because they are great companions, don’t shed too much[short hair] and they have that sort of muscular look as long as you keep them fit. And I’m sure, they can be trained to be protective (some are, naturally, some are more calm).
I hope I’ve helped
November 24th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
I don’t know that you can get a dog that is healthy until he dies. But you can get one that will always love you. From your description, a lab does sound best. We have had 3 different labs. They are very loyal. Rex is our current lab. He was super easy to train. In fact, I don’t even remember having to. He loves us and can’t live without us. I guess you could say we’re best friends, except we feed him and bathe him and pick up his poop, not that you can’t do that with people friends, it’d just be wierd. Anyway, labs have proven a wonderful choice for us throughout the years.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Well, how much experience do you have with dogs? What breed of “Pit Bull” are you interested in?
American Pit Bull Terrier?http://www.freewebs.com/ofthelittlerasca…
American Staffordshire Terrier?http://www.flickr.com/photos/23806058@N0…
Staffordshire Bull Terrier?http://www.stafbul.com/foto/staffordshir…http://www.napbta.com/ – National American Pit Bull Terrier Club of America
http://www.amstaff.org- National American Staffordshire Terrier Club of Americahttp://www.sbtca.com/site01/- National Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of America
rrcus.org- National Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of America
http://www.thelabradorclub.com/- National Labrador Retriever Club of Americahttp://www.german-pinscher.com/- National German Pinscher Club of America
November 24th, 2009 at 8:47 pm
As I was reading down through this 2 breeds came to mind. The first is the American Mastiff. They get huge, but they actually can thrive in an apartment because they are not highly energetic. They are very loyal, protective (when the circumstance calls for it), about as masculine of a dog that you can get (they get over 3 feet tall standing on all 4s and can get over 200 lbs), and they have less health problems than their purebred relatives, the English Mastiff. The American Mastiff also doesn’t slober like the English. The American Mastiff is a mix between the Anatolian Shepherd and the English, but it was recognized as a purebred in the 1980s if I’m not mistaken.
The second breed that came to mind is the weimaraner. These dogs can do well in an apartment as long as they get plenty of exercise. They are very intelligent and easily trainable, though they do require a firm hand (they will test you). As long as you show them that you’re boss you’ll be fine though. Weims are very nice looking dogs, lean with a beautiful gray coat. They shed a little less than the Mastiff. Weims are very loyal and proud. They will also be good watchdogs.
American Mastiff
Pros: Isn’t very high strung (laid back), great guard dogs, very loyal and affectionate, doesn’t slober like it’s other massive cousins, can do ok being alone for longer (compared to labs and retrievers that tend to get anxiety and chew)
Cons: They get HUGE (which means higher food bills), CAN be prone to hip dysplasia (though the occurences are much less than it’s other big cousins due to its breeding), require a strong hand (huge size = huge strength)
Weimaraners
Pros: will be able to play outside longer and for more strenuous activities (very athletic – the mastiff isn’t physically able to going hiking through the woods all day), very loyal and intelligent, great watchdog, a generally healthy breed
Cons: requires a firm hand (due to their intelligence they will “test” you), can get anxiety if alone longer than 3-4 hours at a time, especially as a puppy, need at least an hour of vigorous exercise and running everyday (I suppose this is only a con if you, yourself don’t do a lot of physical activity lol)
Keep in mind there are hundreds of breeds of dogs and ultimately just make sure you do the research before you decide. I hope this gives some insight and helps you though! Good luck!