I am looking at getting a new dog for the family as we lost our dog last year after12 good years. I am not overly keen on getting a pup and am happy to rescue or pick up an older dog. The issue is what type of dog. I want a dog that is good with kids (have two youngsters), is great off the lead (doesn't run away or try to fight every dog it sees), is easy enough to train and doesn't require constant grooming.

Given all the breeds and mixes out there, would love to here of others experiences with their breeds of dogs.

Obviously there are always factors with owning a dog like time spent with training etc. However some dogs do lend themselves to being a cool easy going dog than others.

Cheers for any feedback!

From personal experience border kelpie crosses are good dogs. They usually have a gentle nature as well as being energetic dogs. They are also pretty tough and can handle tougher environments without getting sick, injured or dying.

My dad picked up one from the local pound a few years ago and its been a good dog.

Perhaps something you may not have thought about is picking up a retired greyhound.

Having spent my life with them I can vouch that the are excellent with kids, probably dealt with 300+ as a kid and not a drama. Short hair = low maintenance. Don't need alot of excercise. And you might even get to take the kids to watch it race before you take it home.

Having said that they are not the best breed in terms of training them to sit, stay etc. they are easily trained into habits but not so much commands.

Mate,
go out to your local dog rescue (RSPCA, YAPS etc) walk quietly and calmly......Your New Dog will pick you.

Then it is up to you and the family to instil the attributes you want.

It worked for me, my dog chose me and I loved him for it.

Go to a shelter or give them a call and try and find a dog with the temperament you are after. The staff at these places usually have a good idea for what dog suits different lifestyles.

Does the breed matter, or do you just want a dog that is good?

I got a cattledog from a local shelter a few years ago. She's very friendly, but apparently was a bit of an escape artist in the past. Doesn't seem like she had any training, but has now calmed down and is much more settled.

If you are like me, it is very hard to be objective in choosing a dog when you are there, as the first time a dog is friendly to you, you want to take them home. So, if you can sort out what you really want before hand, it might make things easier.

My last dog was a Staffy. He was 12 years old when he died. Obedient, extremely friendly and very good with my two young children and pretty much became another member of the family.
I have also had Jack Russels, lot of pluck for such a little dog. great watch dogs and excellent with kids also (at least that has been my experience.).

next dog will be a staffy (American or English) from pet rescue. so many dogs that need loving homes.

I have had no experience with other dog breeds.

try : www.petrescue.com.au

Rupert said...
Mate,
go out to your local dog rescue (RSPCA, YAPS etc) walk quietly and calmly......Your New Dog will pick you.

Then it is up to you and the family to instil the attributes you want.

It worked for me, my dog chose me and I loved him for it.

I agree with Rupert on 'how' the dog selects you. My current dog is a Jack Russell cross (foxy) and she picked us. The owner brought all 5 pups to our place when they were about 6 weeks old and placed them on the ground...she ran straight to us whilst the other pups seemed more interested in spreading out to make the guy work hard catching them again.

I've had only jack/foxy crosses since I was a kid and although we secure our dog in the back yard whilst we're all not here as we live on a busy street, she may walk to the back corner of the driveway but never wanders past the back of the house - most days she simply sits at the back door & waits for the kids to come home from school. Cheap to feed, carry easily & very loyal.

Apart from the obvious breeds - most dogs when raised with kids are excellent.

We got a free dog off Gumtree. It is a Irish wolfhound X Pointer, the guy bred it for pigging but she was too sooky. Beautiful nature.

Go a spoodle my girl is 11 has three legs and is a legend of a dog. Or a rotti , they are actually a great family dog , and easy to train and good natured , they just look mean

So awesome so see so many people happy to give a homeless dog a chance. The euthanasia rates in Australia are frightening - there are so many loving, loyal friends out there desperate for a second chance. It's just a matter of finding your perfect match

needsalt said...
So awesome so see so many people happy to give a homeless dog a chance. The euthanasia rates in Australia are frightening - there are so many loving, loyal friends out there desperate for a second chance. It's just a matter of finding your perfect match

I think its better in some ways. You get a dog where its character is already known, even if it has had little training by previous owners. On the other hand, buying as a puppy gives you little idea of the dogs character.

I bought a dog from a breeder years ago for my parents. It was only 7 weeks old and ran up to play with me straight away the minute I went into its cage, so he seemed friendly. He has been a relatively good dog, but is very aggressive to anyone that wants to wash him or try and pick him up. Good around kids, but not too friendly with adults he doesn't know. I am sure if he showed this temperament when he was a puppy, no one would have bought him.

On the other hand, I bought my dog from a shelter about 4 years ago, and the people there thought she had a great temperament. She seems to have bonded with me well, and is now well behaved.

Knowing this, I would buy from a shelter again instead of buying a puppy.

We had a pair of Kelpie Xs for 14 years. Very protective of us and our children and very intelligent. Had them both from pups.

We now have a SA Ridgeback/boxer cross who is just gorgeous. She was abandoned and on the stray and lobbed on our door step one night at 9 pm about 5 years ago when she was about 18 months old.

If we had young children at the time I am sure she would have been perfect with them. Ridgebacks have a very good reputation with being around children.

Whatever breed you choose, you need to understand "dog talk". Dogs have the "pack mentality" and will usually accept their place in the pecking order. What is most important is to establish with the dog what the pecking order is.

Putting the dog through a dog obedience course is highly recommended. If your children are old enough (say 5 or 6) one or both of them should do it with the dog.

It is not for the sake of teaching the dog tricks or being totally subjected. It is about establishing a better relationship with the dog and the rules under which it will operate.

My 2 cents worth.

Edit:- I think popular opinion is that a Labrador is the safest dog to have around young children and that is probably right.

My boy is a german shepard/ridgeback. BEST $80 I've ever spent. Great with the family. Hates anyone coming near the place without us around. I would recommend any sort of cross breed over a pure bred. The gene pool in Australia is quite limited and is probably one of the main causes of problems like hip displasure.

have had Border Collie X in the past,as well as a kelpie/bullterrier X,which were both great dogs although very active..
Current animal is a Hungarian Vizsla,very smart and trains well,short hair and loves the beach.
He was expensive,but worth it!

Agree with Kelpie x Border.

Our is 3yo. Energeric, yet not flat out - needs a walk at least once a day.

Not too big/large. Not too small either.

Not food obsessed (labs/bassets). Good temperament with my boys (15+).

Easy to train and obedient - except when a ball is involved - ball obsessed.

Issue is that the running will affect their knees/tendons. Hates swimming - not a lab.

Brother has a small lap dog (pomeranian) - great nature - loves food - not so good for a smalldog. It broke its leg as puppy - someone tripped over it - lucky he's a vet.

Sister has twin female fox terriers - they are great with her adolescent girls - a real bundle of energy - two speeds.