Recommend your big dog :)

kgreek · October 2010

We are getting ready to move out to the country-- lots of land and super creepy Wink So, we're looking into getting a big dog to feel a little safer than my current 8 lb'er makes me feel. I'm doing all the research but just curious if you have a big dog that is great with LO, what kind? Tell me a little about him/her. Thanks!!

STAR15 · October 2010

I recommend a Lab. I grew up with them, and they were always gentle with my brother and me (I can't say we were so kind to them as rambunctious kids) and DH and I have a black Lab now. He's not the sharpest tool in the shed (I say that with all the love in the world), but he's a lovable guy. Very mellow, has never showed any aggression of any kind. The only times he ever barks is when he's protecting us. He doesn't mind LO at all, just sniffs her now and then and I believe he's accepted her as one of the pack and he gets protective of her when people visit. He looks like quite the guard dog, but we know he's just a big goofy lug.

FWIW: I've heard there are two types of Labs. There's the English blockhead who is low energy, stockier build, and there is the American Lab that is taller and more hyper. Ours clearly falls into the English blockhead category.

allyandpat2010 · October 2010

I love the boxers we had. I would get one again if we had the time. They are smart, easy to train and she was great with kids.

Growing up I had a dog that was half german shepherd and half doverman.... sounds scary- best dog in the world. He used to follow me everywhere (big farm and woods) and was very protective. He even attacked a rattlesnake we came across and won! My parents said if i got too close to the street he would herd me back to the house.

Of course you can't go wrong with labs either.

mts1199 · October 2010

I currently have a yellow lab, he's 3 yrs old, and I think he's the hyper American type :-) He is so much fun, loves to go on runs, go swimming, and be the social butterfly. He isn't quite sure what DD is, he looks at her and sniffs her, but is completely mellow and gentle with her. If I hold her close to him, she'll reach out and grab a handful of hair and he doesn't seem to care at all. I can't wait until she's a toddler so the two of them can run around the back yard together! Our dog doesn't bark in the house or out on walks, only if he hears a strange noise in the dark, so he makes a great watch dog as well. The only thing that can get a bit annoying is how much they shed! Be sure to have a broom or vacuum handy at all times! :-)

mrsdeanna · October 2010

A Lab by far is one of the best family dogs. They are so gentle with kids, but do require a lot of exercise and attention. My lab is spoiled rotten and I treat him just like my child.

Shortcake2675 · October 2010

I have two Great Pyrs and a Newf. I'd definitely recommend the Newfoundland, but it takes a special kind of person to have a Pyr.

What activity level are you looking for? Where will the dog live? Dogs don't exercise themselves and a bored dog outside will get into trouble whether they have a postage stamp or acreage.

When you said big dog, I was thinking oh wow! I can recommend my favorite breeds. Then I see people responding with labs and boxers. :-) If you're not familiar, Pyrs are around 100 lbs and Newfs are a little larger than that.

My Newf is a 9 year old, but she's a wonderful dog. At her age, she sleeps lots, but she loves pets and is a gentle giant. She is good with L, allowing her to "pet" her and always keeps a watchful eye on her. She's a licker though. And her tongue is as long as L's face. :-)

Please rescue any dog you choose. You might find the perfect mutt for you at your local shelter.

valetdecoeur · October 2010

I grew up on 20 acres of forest, our house was built in the middle of it all. We had a Golden Retriever/ Vizsla Mix, and she was great (just died a year and a half ago at 14 1/2 years old!). She was really good with my siblings and I, my brother was 1 when we got her, and she was great with my little Silky Terrier. She was a great guard dog, and always made us feel safe. There was also one time in the fall not long after we got her, when my brother wondered off into the woods and no one could find him. 30 minutes later the dog comes out of the woods dragging him by his sleeve. My mom believes that the dog knew how upset and worried we were so she went out and found my brother for us! We're gonna get a Golden Retriever when we move out of an apartment and into a house.

kgreek · October 2010

Thank you for all of your rec's so far! As for the Newfies, I'm hearing they are #1 with children! I would personally love on as my mom and I used to have a Bernese Mtn Dog and we loooved how gentle and cuddly she was! Buuuut SO feels differently on THAT big of a dog. I wasn't sure about a lab, but now you guys have me looking into them a little further. I know SO would really love a boxer. And yes, I'd definitely like to rescue a dog after we figure out what we want.

konaboomom · October 2010

I have two labs and am madly in love with them. They are amazing with DD and just all around great dogs. Lab puppies are HARD though. I would recomend looking into a rescue and getting an older dog with a baby in the house.

allyandpat2010 · October 2010

konaboomom:

I have two labs and am madly in love with them. They are amazing with DD and just all around great dogs. Lab puppies are HARD though. I would recomend looking into a rescue and getting an older dog with a baby in the house.

I agree with you there. We had one a few years back when I had my oldest andit was too much for me to train and have a new baby- my in laws took him over (we lived next door so I still loved him up every day).

kgreek · October 2010

allyandpat2010:
konaboomom:

I have two labs and am madly in love with them. They are amazing with DD and just all around great dogs. Lab puppies are HARD though. I would recomend looking into a rescue and getting an older dog with a baby in the house.

I agree with you there. We had one a few years back when I had my oldest andit was too much for me to train and have a new baby- my in laws took him over (we lived next door so I still loved him up every day).

I definitely wanted to raise them together.. little boy and his puppy.. BUT thats a very valid point. I have no patience to train a dog. I've always rescued older dogs or just had outdoor dogs. So, looking into an older, already well-adjusted dog would probably be best!

Erika6504 · October 2010

We have a boxer. He's awesome with the kids and great in general. He was a super easy puppy too. He looks scary as hell but wouldn't hurt a fly.

swinsto3 · October 2010

We have two mixes from the shelter - totally the way I will always go. They were both adults when we got them, so we didn't have any puppy issues. They are both the biggest wusses you'd ever meet, but they get really excited when people come over and have huge barks, so that helps deter unknown people from walking it. I would totally contact a local rescue - their dogs will be fostered so you'll have an idea of temperament and a lot of the training will already be done. All you'll have to do is love on them!

rubiafaerie25 · October 2010

We have two huskies and love them. They are more of a "medium" dog, b ut a large dog is considered like a great dane or irish wolfhound. Huskies are wonderful with kids, however they are VERY VERY high energy, stubborn, have serious animal ADD/ADHD moments haha, and basically you need to be prepared to own one. A lot of people don't research them and then are overwhelmed by their energy and their willfulness haha. They are wonderful wonderful dogs though. But, they can't be off leash (some people swear their huskies are ok off leash but it is not recommended at all. they have a strong hunter/prey instinct and are runners. They're sled dogs for a reason. They can run up to 25-35 miles in one day. So you would have to have a fenced yard for them and the fence should be at least 6 feet tall. They are also big diggers (they would have to dig a hole in sn ow to sleep in...) We have some nice holes in our yard haha. However I love them. they are wonderfully loyal sweet beautiful dogs who look intimidating to many people but are sweet as can be. They're more likely to lick an intruder to death but most people are intimidated by their looks/eyes/size so they have tht factor to them. Also they rarely bark. In rare occasions do we hear them bark, but they "talk" a lot

Our daughter loooooves them and they love her

sbabe214 · October 2010

Absolutely LOVE our Catahoula! We've only had him a year (got him @ 4 mos right before we found out we were pregnant) & he has been great w/DS. They are bright & need to know their place in the pack. He loves people (and all animals) he checks on DS all the time - even lays near him when he's napping. He is a rescue dog. They are normally 55-80 lbs. Ours is 50, so a little on the small side. He has tons of energy - but with living out in the country this breed would be great. DH trained him to run along while DH bikes. We knew very little (ok...nothing...) about this breed before we found him & couldn't be happier!

JulyFiveBride · October 2010

I've had a boxer/bull mastiff mix and a vizsla. Both great dogs. Vizslas are very, VERY trainable, but they are also very high energy. The boxer/mastiff mix was gorgeous, big, and scary looking, but such a cuddle bug. Much lazier than the vizsla.

Shelter dogs are a great option when you have kids. You can find one that is out of the puppy stage, already trained, and has a good track record with kids. GL.

mfaris89 · October 2010

We have a German Shepherd mix. She's great and really obedient. We've also pulled on her everywhere, everytime we interact with her since finding out we were having a baby. She never reacts or even tries to get away. Also, she's super protective, whenever DH is out of town, which makes for an awesome guard dog.

JKB1986 · October 2010

We have two German Shepherds that are GREAT with DS, they are great with all ages of kids. You need to be willing to show them you are in charge though because they are very smart!

katieriedel · October 2010

Bullmastiff, they were bread in england to be estate dogs. They are very loyal to their owners and protective of their land without being aggressive. They do not bark or bite, they just use their body weight to pin an intruder down and hold them there until their owner comes to get them. They are a lazy dog and only require 30 minutes of daily exercise. They have really short hair and dont require a lot of grooming. Personally I think they are the cutest puppies ever and they are just sweet, cuddly, lazy loyal dogs. When they are puppies they love to play, and jump and run, but they are more happy if you will just lay down with them and cuddle. Our mastiff will spoon with my husband for hours without moving.

mjj13579 · October 2010

We have a Boxer-Mix. Not sure what she is mixed with, but we saw her mom and she was a full-blooded boxer. She is absolutely amazing with our girls. Very protective of them both. I was afraid of jealousy issues when we brought LO home - but I soon learned I have absolutely nothing to worry about. Boxers are GREAT with children. Good Luck! :-)

kgreek · October 2010

Thanks for all the responses! You ladies are always a big help!

NewMommy423 · October 2010

We have a Vizsla and adore her! As someone said they are very trainable. The breed is sweet in general and typically do really well with children. Our's loves our DD... I can already tell they will be buddies. They do, on the otherhand, require a lot of exercise and companionship. I don't mind the exercise part (and it probably wouldn't be an issue with a lot of land), but she follows me EVERYWHERE and it some times drives me crazy because I'm always bumping into her. Good luck with your decision!

karatechrissy · October 2010

allyandpat2010:

Growing up I had a dog that was half german shepherd and half doverman.... sounds scary- best dog in the world. He used to follow me everywhere (big farm and woods) and was very protective. He even attacked a rattlesnake we came across and won! My parents said if i got too close to the street he would herd me back to the house.

Of course you can't go wrong with labs either.

Our dog is the same mix. He is the.best.dog.ever. He acts the same way w both of the kids. Most loving dog. He is amazing.

green bean · October 2010

we have German shepherd /mastiff , he's the best dog ever , he weighs around 145 lb and he is super mellow, great with kids and super protective of our whole family.

cherylnicole · October 2010

We have a Great Dane and he's the BEST dog ever

He does so incredibly well with DS (and our two cats!) He's such a big softie, he's a gentle giant for sure!

Ashleygoo · October 2010

I agree with all the boxer and newfie lovers!! We have two boxers, and they are AMAZING with Annabelle. Rufus (our older one) is super gentle with her, but really protective. From what I've found, they're SUPER easy to train. Our Newfoundland/Chow mix is alright. The Newfoundland side of him is the best part. haha Chows are just more aggressive. He's never been aggressive with Annabelle, but he's far more playful and nippy. But my best friend has a Newfoundland and when I lived with her, he was AMAZING, too! haha They're super sweet giants. Plus, they dont realize their size and think they're lap dogs, and that's always cute! I hope you pick out the best one for you! :]

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