Dog breeds - which one is the best for us?

[Maggoty]

Does anyone know of a website where you can go go through a set of questions to find out which is the perfect breed for you?? ie pick between Small - Medium - Large - Extra Large. Then choose between short haired, medium haired, long haired etc...... Any ideas? Ta

[lankeela]

The Pedigree site has one of those, but to be honest they will recommend some obscure breed that I would not think suitable for most people - tell us your requirements, such as lifestyle, exercise, coat etc and there will be people on here who can help who have actual experience of the breeds. You only have to look back a couple of weeks to see how some people have chosen entirely the wrong breed for them.

Alternatively, if you are anywhere near, Crufts is on this week from Friday to Sunday at the NEC and they have a section called Discover Dogs for exactly that - you can meet the dogs and owners of over 200 breeds and chat to them about their breeds.

[lankeela]

I tried this site and asked for a small/medium breed that did not need a lot of grooming, moderate exercise and very little barking! The top choice was a Welsh Springer Spaniel (needs a lot of exercise!) the second was a Finnish Spitz (one of the noisiest breeds you can get!) and the others ranged from Dalmatian (strong willed and not exactly small/medium) through to several spaniel/setter breeds all of which need plenty of exercise and grooming.
Go to the site and click on Breed Profiles, then Select a Breed but take the answers with a pinch of salt!

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/

[ganesh]

I went to the discover dogs at earls court last year with a short list in mind and it was brilliant. They had most breeds there and breeders to talk to. You must have a rough idea, I posted the same question ages ago and got loads of ideas. I've ended up with a flat-coated retreiver and she's lovely,but hard work,just as they said!!

[kita1]

I tried the site lankeela gave, it came up with the rare breed dog that I actually own at present, but it missed the two more common breeds that I am really into (GSD and BSD)!!

It also misses out on the slobber effect, it gave me Neapolitan Mastiff and Great Dane - lovely but I could not stand the slobber all over the house, especially meal times!!

Actually meeting the dogs in the flesh is much better, if you cannot get to Crufts then try any large dog show that is local to you. When you find a breed/type of dog you like try posting it on here (find out the things some breeders and web sites don't tell you).

[Maggoty]

Cheers for all that. Had no luck with the pedigree site, just a load of stuff about animal food. Maybe I should try again. My boyfriend is leaning towards a Bullmastiff (less slobber effect that the mastiffs) but I am for the Berners (Bernese Mountain Dogs) or a Newffy (newfoundlands). All quite large dogs but not too energetic. I would personally go for a mongrel but the bf wants a pedigree. We home cats and rabbits so there are always a large number of other animals (and kids) around. So socialble is a must.

[kita1]

Try this more direct link http://www.petplanet.co.uk/select_a_breed.asp

[Maggoty]

Brilliant Kita - tho it came out with an Old English as 1st - tho the Bullmastif was 3rd and the Newffy was 5th.
Cheers everyone!!

[ganesh]

I wanted a Bernese but the most beautiful breed but I was put off by their size (obviously not a problem for you) their short-lived tendency,prone to cancer, and some e-bayers said they were a bit slobbery. I saw them at the show and they were gorgeous,there was even a lovely pup there but they were very big,heavy dogs. Still think retreivers are the loveliest breed.
Good luck with whatever you choose.

[Maggoty]

I think my love for Bernese stems from a mutt we used to have (his name was Boss) when I was little (aged 4-16) he was a medium sized dog but had the little ginger eyebrows and facial colouring of a Bernese. But I must admit the 5-9 years life expectancy is a bit daunting. Also all these health issues relating to pedigrees is also a bit of a worry. I am the type of person who cries when someone else's pet dies - I go into deeep mourning when its one of mine!!

My bf has just emailed me to say that he did the survey as above and Finnish Lapplund 1st, Bullmastiff 3rd.

[kita1]

Newfoundland are nice dogs and I have never heard of an aggressive one. They LOVE water and swimming though.

One thing to think about with a giant dog is your car. If you are going to have the dog in the car then you need the space of an estate.

It is useful if you could get one to visit your house too, just so you can actually see an adult dog walking around in your space. They are perfect height for work surfaces and can nick things off the top of the cooker etc.

I have an Anatolian Karabash and I live in a terraced house - he has his own living room (the front room). He also has his own sofa! If he decides to get on the bed it is like having another person in bed! You have to decide early on where he/she is allowed to go!

As regards health issues as long as you buy from tested, proven stock (hips etc.) I don't honestly think they have any more problems than cross breeds/mongrels. After all cross breeds/mongrels have the same chance of inheriting faults, it is just that they cannot trace their ancestors so no-one knows what faults they had! How many mongrels/cross breeds that have say epilepsy are recorded? At least you know what to look for in pedigree dogs and if you buy from a good breeder you have the lifetime backup of help and advice.

[lankeela]

I would add that the bigger the breed, the more it costs to feed, the more poo you have to pick up, the more it costs to have any surgery done, the more it costs to board if you go on holiday, in fact more is definitely not less! Also most giant breeds are very short lived in comparison to smaller ones.

I realy can't see the connection between a Finnish Lapphund and a Bullmastiff - but then I did warn you!

[kat2206]

Hi, Im not sure if this will help but I used to have a Bullmastiff, I lost her about 5 years ago now and still miss her dearly anyway......

Bullmastiffs are fantastic dogs to have as long as you dont mind the slobber, them thinking that they are lapdogs and laying on you for a cuddle, they love to be around people, they are a little shy at first around strangers but as long as you intorduce them to people and other animals at a young age they will be fine, I have never heard of a "bad" bullmastiff but personally its the owners of dogs NOT the dogs themselves that are bad, but thats a different subject on ere ...

Yes they do eat a lot but if you buy complete food in large sacks its quite affordable, just because you buy a large breed doesnt mean to say that you have to feed it masses amounts of food as you will end up with an overweight and unhappy pooch.

However, Bullmastiffs are notorious for not liking exercise so this breed is ideal for the lazy dog owner lol they are not too keen at all on water either.

Hope you do well in your doggie choice.