I started putting a little thought to getting a dog some time in the next year or so. (Yes, I said "year or so"...I figured I'd wait until I'm good and comfortable with the idea.)

 

I know there are a good number of dog owners on BGP. What are thoughts on dog breeds? I've got myself narrowed down to one breed in particular, although there are a couple more options that I'm "open to".

I like bigger dogs personally. I'm very active outdoors so a dog that can do these activities was a big thing for me. I'm taking it that this is your first dog. Knowing that you enjoy camping and the ilk, I'd recommend a Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, or the Doodle hybrids. Smart, easy to train, low grooming requirements (with the Lab), long lifespan, and can join in on most any activity. Just make sure you get the hips checked out as they are prone to dysplasia.

 

I have a Goldendoodle. I mainly chose the breed as I didn't want dog hair all over my apartment and the dog smell that can come with a Lab. Other than that, I don't find much difference between them though they can be a tad bit more standoffish. The downfalls to getting a Golden or Labradoodle as opposed to just a Labrador is you will have additional grooming time and cost. But honestly, it's really hard to go wrong with any of the retrievers. The sporting breeds in general are typically great dogs.

 

When I got my dog the only breeds I really considered were Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and Cane Corso's. The Cane sticks out but I have had extensive experience with them and fell in love. Mainly eliminated them due to size and shedding.

I just got a Siberian Husky pup (7 weeks old). I'll let you know how it turns out a year from now.

My parents and I have had numerous labs. They're great dogs. Very easy to train and very loyal. If you live an active lifestyle, they're a great fit.

 

I currently have two different breeds now. I have a 4 year old Border Collie mix. He's very energetic and gets along with the kids. They can pull and jump on him, and he just lays there and takes it. Border Collies are another good active bread. The coat on ours is more like a lab, which is good because the long hair of a pure Border Collie can be a lot of work. The only negatives with him is that he is on the smaller side, and he hates other dogs. Our other dog is a 4 month old Great Dane. They have a very mellow demeanor. They are a tab bit more work as you have to keep an eye on them a little more since their stomachs can flip. Also, they don't have a very long lifespan, but they are very cool dogs.

I just got a Siberian Husky pup (7 weeks old). I'll let you know how it turns out a year from now.

We had one growing up. Great dogs. Just be prepared for LOTS of hair, energy, and digging.

I guess it depends on what you are looking for in a dog.

 

Big, Small, Hunting, Security, ect...

 

I'm partial to Golden Retievers myself.

I just got a Siberian Husky pup (7 weeks old). I'll let you know how it turns out a year from now.

 

Give it two years ;-)...I have two and love them. They are a lot of work but truly worth it. But I will say, we got Lightning as a pup and he really didn't grow out of that puppy stage until he was about 18 months. Now he's the laziest Husky in NKY at age 3.

I'm not partial to any particular breed, and honestly, I'm an ardent supporter of shelter/rescue dogs. My little guy is quite an outdoorsman, but is perfectly content to be a lap dog when I want him to be. :lol: I'm partial to mix-breeds, myself. And having been around dogs all my life, most of which were rescue dogs or strays or dogs dumped on my grandparent's farm, I find mutts to be loyal and grateful.

My parents and I have had numerous labs. They're great dogs. Very easy to train and very loyal. If you live an active lifestyle, they're a great fit.

 

I currently have two different breeds now. I have a 4 year old Border Collie mix. He's very energetic and gets along with the kids. They can pull and jump on him, and he just lays there and takes it. Border Collies are another good active bread. The coat on ours is more like a lab, which is good because the long hair of a pure Border Collie can be a lot of work. The only negatives with him is that he is on the smaller side, and he hates other dogs. Our other dog is a 4 month old Great Dane. They have a very mellow demeanor. They are a tab bit more work as you have to keep an eye on them a little more since their stomachs can flip. Also, they don't have a very long lifespan, but they are very cool dogs.

 

And cleaning up their poop is AWFUL! :lol:

I like bigger dogs personally. I'm very active outdoors so a dog that can do these activities was a big thing for me. I'm taking it that this is your first dog. Knowing that you enjoy camping and the ilk, I'd recommend a Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, or the Doodle hybrids. Smart, easy to train, low grooming requirements (with the Lab), long lifespan, and can join in on most any activity. Just make sure you get the hips checked out as they are prone to dysplasia.

 

I have a Goldendoodle. I mainly chose the breed as I didn't want dog hair all over my apartment and the dog smell that can come with a Lab. Other than that, I don't find much difference between them though they can be a tad bit more standoffish. The downfalls to getting a Golden or Labradoodle as opposed to just a Labrador is you will have additional grooming time and cost. But honestly, it's really hard to go wrong with any of the retrievers. The sporting breeds in general are typically great dogs.

 

When I got my dog the only breeds I really considered were Goldendoodles, Labradoodles, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and Cane Corso's. The Cane sticks out but I have had extensive experience with them and fell in love. Mainly eliminated them due to size and shedding.

 

We have a Goldendoodle, named Otis. He's 85lbs of easy going. Lots of energy, but great w/ my boys. Super Fly Snuka would be proud of some of the stuff my boys used to do off of the couch onto him, and he just ate it up. He's not a huge fan of our daughter, she's like an 18 month old annoyance machine. She will not leave him alone, but he just gets up and walks away from her. I'm not a dog guy, but I'll never get another breed for my wife.

We have a Goldendoodle, named Otis. He's 85lbs of easy going. Lots of energy, but great w/ my boys. Super Fly Snuka would be proud of some of the stuff my boys used to do off of the couch onto him, and he just ate it up. He's not a huge fan of our daughter, she's like an 18 month old annoyance machine. She will not leave him alone, but he just gets up and walks away from her. I'm not a dog guy, but I'll never get another breed for my wife.

You pretty much nailed mine. Except he digs my 18 month old nephew (he feeds him food).

Big fan of German Shorthair Pointers.

I've got a 7 year old Labradoodle named Wrigley. He is the coolest dog ever, IMHO. He is so human-like it's almost eerie at times. He raises his "eyebrow" and looks at you if he doesn't understand something. He exhales (very loudly) when you make him move from where he's parked. He knows when it's 3 o'clock in the afternoon and he hasn't eaten yet. He is so patient with all of my kids, and has been with us since the youngest two were infants. I swear, it wouldn't shock me one bit if a little man just unzipped Wrigley's coat and climbed out of there... :lol:

I'm a big fan of boxers. They're very animated...and gassy lol. We've got 2 yorkie-poos and the boy is very good and smart, the female...not so much...but they don't shed which was the selling point for us.

I'm a big fan of boxers. They're very animated...and gassy lol. We've got 2 yorkie-poos and the boy is very good and smart, the female...not so much...but they don't shed which was the selling point for us.

 

My dad currently has a Boxer and although hyper is a very good day. Thing is the most playful dog I have ever saw, just goofy almost considering how big they are, thing loves to play.

 

As most have said already, Labs and Retrievers are great dogs and great family dogs.

 

 

 

I personally have a Basset Hound and it is very fitting for my personality. Not sure if it would be for everybody, but it has definitely been one of the best dogs I have ever been around. I will probably get another Basset if something happens to her.