getting a new dog.....but which?

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Originally Posted by adi

standard poodle sounds interesting...ill look into it....any gentle non high maintence big dogs out there?

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Greyhounds are highly under-rated. They are wonderfully gentle, and contrary to popular stereotype, they don't need to run all day. They don't even like a jog...a quick sprint is about it for them. I love love love greyhounds...you'll hardly ever meet an agressive one, and they are really healthy for big dogs...most ones I know lived to be 12-14. The only caveat with them is they cannot be trusted off-leash...they are all prey-drive and will bolt after any small animal that moves. Likewise, not all of them are cat-safe, but any decent rescue group will know that before you adopt from them. Mostly, they just like sleeping on the couch. :-)

Great Danes are cool, but physically high-maintenance and have very short lifespans. Also, when they do need medical care, it's always expensive...bloat, heart failure, arthritis...even their heartworm and flea & tick meds are twice as expensive because you need to buy two doses to get up to their weight range. I love their temperaments, but they are not by any stretch of the imagination low-maintenance.

Don't get a husky as your first dog.

thanks for all the info!

this is definitely not my first dog....

the greyhound sounds wicked cool....ill get info on all of them...

in addition to a new dog, im getting me some spider and pastel baby! ive been saving up for more than a year

Huskies are great and like most said if you don't have the energy to keep then look for something else. My brother has one and it is his first dog he has had him for four years and when we watch him we get a work out. He is non stop energy but we love it and take him on long long long walks which hardly faze him. Also like it has been stated above they shed so much I just pulled a husky hair out of a shirt that I have washed 5 times since I saw him. They shed a lot. Good luck with your dog search.

If you want a smaller dog with a heart of a big dog, look into the West Highland White terriers, i own two and wouldnt trade them for anything. small energitic and think that they are big..

Shar pei or bull mastiff.

Huskies don't have a problem in warmer weather. I live in the south and mine do just fine. The insulation works both ways. They are definetly a handful, but they are so much fun and have wonderful personalities. If you can get over 6 mos to a year of your puppy being a destructive little monster and willing to exercise her as much as she needs, you will be a very happy dog owner down the road.

Have you considered the Irish wolf hound. A gentle giant, laid back attitude, good with kids, loyal protector of family but not overly aggressive unless it needs to be.

My mom has a standard poodle and besides the fact that you have to keep them groomed, the poodle is a very smart and learns very quickly.

Also what about a Doberman Pinscher? They are short haired and are supposed to be the third smartest dog.The only time I was ever scared of a dog was when I went to my uncles lake house. the neighbors had a large Doberman. It came walking up to me then turned over on its back wanting me to rub its belly. I am 6'2" and it's back came up past my waist.
As soon as I get a house I am going to get one

First off I'm a groomer so I've got a LOT of experience with many breeds of dog.

Everything Jess said was right on too.. I'd just like to add that there's two 'grades' of shedding dog.. the single coat (great dane, doberman etc) and the double coat (husky, german shepherd, labrador etc) BIG difference in shedding amounts there.

Standard poodles are AWESOME. Highly intelligent, generally good with kids, typically very well behaved animals, however lots of grooming is required.

I know someone with 3 great danes. They're big goofs.. like to have fun, and can be big babies. Looove their people. Something to remember with giant breeds though.. they don't live long. 6 years old is getting up there for a great dane, irish wolfhound, etc.

On the note of irish wolfhounds.. they're one of the most majestic breeds there is. I've never met an ill-mannered one. They know they are royalty, but they do love their family.

I can't say enough good things about greyhounds. They really are couch potatoes.. affectionate, intelligent, and beautiful. Hard to go wrong.. though they do have a high prey drive.

If drooling doesn't bother you, english mastiffs (aka just plain 'mastiff') are one of the best family dogs there are.. now, they do tend to be a dominant breed, so lots of training is needed, but these guys are absolutely crushed if you say a harsh word to them. They want nothing more than to protect you and make you happy. I've never met an aggressive mastiff. Bullmastiffs are a slightly smaller and more energetic choice as well.

While not really 'BIG', boxers are a great medium sized pet. They're energetic and playful, and I've never met a nasty one. They love kids too.

Dobermans get a bad rap, but every one I've met has been very sweet. One of my friends has one and he is the most well behaved dog I have ever met. Gorgeous animals too.. just require training (as does every breed really)

If you want a really active dog and don't mind a decent amount of training.. the pointers (vizslas, weimeraners, german shorthair or wirehaired pointers) are beautiful dogs. They are a handful though.

Well.. there's a start. :)