Recommended dog breeds

[Hector]

Yeah, he was a cute little guy, Hec.

Thanks, buddy.

But yes, you are right about the breed...they are only meant for an experienced dog owner with tons of patience and tolerance...they are not an easy breed to maintain...very hyper, always active...they bark a lot...they think they are a super pitbull...for they will try to pick up a fight with even grizzly bears, lol...they will eat ANYTHING...from apples to potato chips...lol.

He was loyal, friendly (when he got to know you), and he was indeed a very handsome fella...he walked like a little galloping horse...the hackney trot...true to his breed.

...and he would absolutely keep all the bloody cats off my yard...and that trumped all his bad habits...

[Hector]

Hector, Kato was a real beautiful dog! RIP. Poor guy. He was so cuuuute!

Thanks, Jess...he was...but he could also be a little terror...lol...

[mitchedwards]

That's true, but might work to a disadvantage if you frequently have guests... Mine used to bark and try to attack just about everyone he didn't know that came to the door.

My older brother, who lived far away away used to visit around once a year.
The dog would always bark and go after him ...
My brother, who was a big guy and not afraid of anything would call the dogs bluff and walk right over to him and pet him -- while the dog was still snarling at him
The dog just gave up and became friendly after about a minute

But, if Borders are anything like mine was, frequent guests might be a problem.

I have not seen the behavior to that extreme. If we have a stranger at the door or in the house then yes she goes totally Ape, till she learns the person is a friend. Matter of fact I use her to screen whos at my front door.

If she runs to the door gives one bark and goes away I know its someone I know. If she goes ape then its a stranger.

[Mikey]

On the plus side Border Collies make excellent watch dogs, I can let my daughter play outside and know as long as the dog is with her I have no worries. Border Collies are also very faithful and loving. As long as you can do the upfront work you'll have a great pet.

That's true, but might work to a disadvantage if you frequently have guests... Mine used to bark and try to attack just about everyone he didn't know that came to the door.

My older brother, who lived far away away used to visit around once a year.
The dog would always bark and go after him ...
My brother, who was a big guy and not afraid of anything would call the dogs bluff and walk right over to him and pet him -- while the dog was still snarling at him
The dog just gave up and became friendly after about a minute

But, if Borders are anything like mine was, frequent guests might be a problem.

[mitchedwards]

Hi. I didn't want to hijack the other dog thread, but coincidentally my family is in the brainstorming stages of adopting a dog. We've been thinking mixed, with possible parts golden; black lab; and/or shepherd. Maybe some hound. However, the border collie sounds pretty good in the other thread.

We want something that'll be good with kids (6 & 8), not need extreme maintenance, and eat burglars. We're in a family neighborhood, with a basset, a golden & a yap-yap dog in adjoining yards. Taking walks is expected, but not running free. Any advice?

Thanks much.

Word of advice on Border Collies. They are high energy and super intellegent. These dogs need obedience training right out of the gate, and plenty of room to run and burn off energy. If you have small kids or small er animals, the dogs instinct will be to heard them around the yard or house. Right after we got our dog, she had my daughter and the neighbor kids herded to the corner of the yard. Again with obedience training and a exercise plan this can be stopped. If you don't let your dog have a outlet, border colies can become destructive.

On the plus side Border Collies make excellent watch dogs, I can let my daughter play outside and know as long as the dog is with her I have no worries. Border Collies are also very faithful and loving. As long as you can do the upfront work you'll have a great pet.

[megoapesnut]

Yeah, he was a cute little guy, Hec.

[jessica]

Hector, Kato was a real beautiful dog! RIP. Poor guy. He was so cuuuute!

[theantiquetiger]

Get a Pit Bernard (cross between Pit Bull and St Bernard)

It will rip your am off and run to get help!!!

[jimbutsu]

Add me to the Shepherd mix camp. We have a Shar-pei/Shepherd mix and he's something else.

[starhunter]

Lab/shepard always a excellent choice

[samurainoir]

I'm absolutely delighted with our Labradoodle. Seems to be the best of both worlds. Hypoallergenic. Likes to chew, but seemingly less so than a regular Lab, and the food obsession works great when directed at his training motivator.

He's almost full grown at 25 pounds, so we are assuming that he was a mini-poodle cross. Very friendly.

Amazingly quiet, but that might just be the disposition of our dog. In the first few months, I think I heard him bark maybe three times.

Very smart. Will bring you your shoe when he needs to go walkies. On the other hand, he's also applied those smarts to stealing food. He can now unzip my knapsack because he knows I keep Cliff Bars in there.

[Hector]

Stay away from Miniature Pinchers! Darn little things think they own the world! And all they ever want is food!

No way!

My little buddy Kato...a dear Min Pin we had the pleasure to have for 16 fantastic years...was the most awesome little fella anyone could ever want...and he was from pure champion bloodlines...it was almost impossible to walk him down the street...just about everybody would stop you and commented on him...he was a superstar...lol.

Having said that...yes...he thought he owned the world...and double yes...he had the appetite of a starving wolverine...



But the beauty is that he never gained any weight, he was always a handsome fella (puppy pics)...





RIP little buddy.

[LadyZod]

I have dachshunds.

You don't own them, they own you. They small, but extremely sturdy and heavy. They are pure muscle, and have some strong jaws. They are pleasant, love kids but love adults more.

One of mine has caught rabbits. One just caught her second squirrel today. They are awesome hunters.

They eat all the time.

[Brad]

If you get a Lab puppy just be prepared to have him/her chew up everything you own. Our Lab ruined quite a few books and pairs of my wife's shoes. Once the Lab hits 2 years old they are perfect.

[pmwasson]

We have a Golden Retriever that is wonderful with the kids. My wife didn't want a dog that would "herd" the kids, like a Border Collie.