January 2, 201412 yr This is Lily and Champ together running the yard. She is another Sibling of Remi's. Champ doesn't get to go on the hunt unless he is patrolling the yard. Moles,Birds and Squirrels don't stand a chance with this fierce hunter. When Champ was about 16 months he was stuck in a tree on a limb and couldn't get down. He has since learned his lesson about climbing after his little friends.
January 2, 201412 yr How are they intelligence-wise and ease-of-training? That picture is hilarious. For what little training we do with our dogs, it was easy. We generally just do the basic sit, down, and stay. They do not like to sit on hard, smooth floors, so they'll just lay down. And when you tell them to sit in the house, they generally back up until they can sit on something (couch, chair, table, etc). Potty training was very easy. We allowed him on the couches and our bed for a while, but with the dog hair, we decided to stop it. It took 1 day for him to understand he wasn't allowed on the furniture anymore. The daughter's bed is the only exception as she wants him up there with her. If you're planning on kids in the near future, they're great with them. My son wrestles with the Dane all the time, and then uses him as a pillow to watch TV.
January 2, 201412 yr I'll get on soapbox for a minute. Unless you're buying a dog for sport purposes hunting or work (military, police, cadaver, etc.) please take a hard look at rescuing a dog. Essentially every breed has rescue organizations. I'll be the first to admit our first dog was purchased from a breeder, however since being educated on dog breeders and puppy mills, we've rescued 2 and they are both awesome. There are a lot of good dogs needing homes. Checkout petfinder.com or google the breed you wants rescue. Sorry, I'm an animal nut and very involved in dog rescues. No better feeling than saving a dog from being put to sleep cause the shelter is out of room.
January 2, 201412 yr For what little training we do with our dogs, it was easy. We generally just do the basic sit, down, and stay. They do not like to sit on hard, smooth floors, so they'll just lay down. And when you tell them to sit in the house, they generally back up until they can sit on something (couch, chair, table, etc). Potty training was very easy. We allowed him on the couches and our bed for a while, but with the dog hair, we decided to stop it. It took 1 day for him to understand he wasn't allowed on the furniture anymore. The daughter's bed is the only exception as she wants him up there with her. If you're planning on kids in the near future, they're great with them. My son wrestles with the Dane all the time, and then uses him as a pillow to watch TV. Nice. You said you have quite a bit of exposure to the breed. 1. Do you recommend any breeders? 2. In your experience what has the average lifespan been? We are thinking that if we do get another dog we may get one that's not so demanding for exercise and would be more suited for long walks instead of the runs and swims my Doodle requires. I don't think either of us want to run with two dogs and we can't always both run at the same time. From what I've read all the breeds with the exception of the Corso's fit in that mold.
January 2, 201412 yr 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". It really depends on what you are looking for. I used to be a K-9 handler and have trained different breeds throughout my life and all dogs are different. If you have kids and want a house dog but don't mind shedding, Labs are perfect family pets. If you want a smaller breed, beagles are nice but can get noisy with their yelping. We have 2 dogs now, both in door dogs, both mix breeds (mutts) 1 is a part schiperke and part brittany spaniel, great dog but is a barker and very jealous of other dogs. Our other is a terrier mix, chews everything and doesn't like being held. he's a crap stirrer but also a good dog once trained. Know what you are looking for and then you can narrow down the breed etc. Know for instance German Sheppards usually get hip problems as they get older, what is odd is German Shepard over seas such as in Germany for instance don't have the same medical problems with their hips, in the US they do and I believe it has to do with the vaccinations they get here at the vets etc. Edited January 3, 201412 yr by True blue (and gold)
January 2, 201412 yr We have a 2 1/2 year old Bichon Frise. He's a great pet, smart, and very loyal. Weighs about 15 pounds so he is a true lap dog. He loves attention and will bring his toys to me to 'demand' that I play fetch with him. Loads of energy and a lot of fun, and does not shed. Sleeps at the foot of the bed every night and wakes me early for his morning walk, just like an alarm clock, but his method is not barking to wake me, it's licking my ears. Works to jump start me out of a deep sleep and he knows it, lol.
January 2, 201412 yr We have a 2 1/2 year old Bichon Frise. He's a great pet, smart, and very loyal. Weighs about 15 pounds so he is a true lap dog. He loves attention and will bring his toys to me to 'demand' that I play fetch with him. Loads of energy and a lot of fun, and does not shed. Sleeps at the foot of the bed every night and wakes me early for his morning walk, just like an alarm clock, but his method is not barking to wake me, it's licking my ears. Works to jump start me out of a deep sleep and he knows it, lol. This sounds like a really nice dog for our crew. I like the no barking attribute. Thanks for sharing. Anything that is hypoallergenic and good with kids is a possibility. We are not completely set on size yet.
January 2, 201412 yr Nice. You said you have quite a bit of exposure to the breed. 1. Do you recommend any breeders? 2. In your experience what has the average lifespan been? We are thinking that if we do get another dog we may get one that's not so demanding for exercise and would be more suited for long walks instead of the runs and swims my Doodle requires. I don't think either of us want to run with two dogs and we can't always both run at the same time. From what I've read all the breeds with the exception of the Corso's fit in that mold. The Doodle needs a lot of vigorous exercise?
January 2, 201412 yr Nice. You said you have quite a bit of exposure to the breed. 1. Do you recommend any breeders? 2. In your experience what has the average lifespan been? We are thinking that if we do get another dog we may get one that's not so demanding for exercise and would be more suited for long walks instead of the runs and swims my Doodle requires. I don't think either of us want to run with two dogs and we can't always both run at the same time. From what I've read all the breeds with the exception of the Corso's fit in that mold. We got ours from Lake Cumberland Kennels. She breeds both Danes and Goldendoodles. I'm not sure where my sister got her first Dane, but her last 1 came from LCK too. Our neighbor's also came from LCK as they have the sister of ours. We've had no issues with the dogs from there. She had land for them to run, and she also allowed them in her house, so it wasn't like they were all stuck in small dog pens. I just noticed her website has changed. It almost looks like she might not be dealing with them anymore. I know she downsized when she moved as she also started with the Goldendoodles. My wife is friends with her on facebook, so I'll try to find out what is going on there. They say the lifespan is around 7 years. My sister's is 8, and he's doing alright. The key with Danes is keeping their activity level down after eating and drinking. Their stomachs can flip.
January 2, 201412 yr ....... We have a 95 pound Black Labradoodle and he is mostly a good boy. Does need / want a lot of attention, so if we are all (4 of us) in the same room, count on him to grab a toy of his and start going lap to lap to find a playmate. He rarely barks unless we have a deer or cat in the back yard, then he goes apoplectic. He is gentle with the kids, although he does enjoy"accidentally" tripping them when they run by him. He does need a lot of exercise, which he doesn't always get, but he LOVES to go for walks. Also LOVES to play in the snow, so he has enjoyed this God-awful winter thus far. I, as you can tell, do not love cold weather and snow.
January 2, 201412 yr ....... We have a 95 pound Black Labradoodle and he is mostly a good boy. Does need / want a lot of attention, so if we are all (4 of us) in the same room, count on him to grab a toy of his and start going lap to lap to find a playmate. He rarely barks unless we have a deer or cat in the back yard, then he goes apoplectic. He is gentle with the kids, although he does enjoy"accidentally" tripping them when they run by him. He does need a lot of exercise, which he doesn't always get, but he LOVES to go for walks. Also LOVES to play in the snow, so he has enjoyed this God-awful winter thus far. I, as you can tell, do not love cold weather and snow. Lots of qualities I like. But 95 pounds?
January 2, 201412 yr Lots of qualities I like. But 95 pounds? I think he is bigger than most. Our friends have a golden doodle that is in the 45 pound range, and another family in our neighborhood has a grey labradoodle and he is about 65 pounds. Ours isn't fat, but he is large framed and solid -- but I think on the larger end of the breed.
January 2, 201412 yr Most goldendoodles I have seen are in the 70lb range unless their fat. I would guess labradoodles are bigger because labs are typically bigger then goldens. While poodles are tall they aren't very heavy.
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