Originally Posted by susansmom

I don't think I'd get a Lab from a shelter. Lots of Labs are unstable and wild and that's why they end up in shelters. Mom and Dad have one with their Yorkie and their Lab is WONDERFUL but it's hard to know if you're going to get a great one or a lousy one. Apparently they're absolutely terrific or absolutely unbearable without much in between. If you could get one and be able to meet the parents and see that the parents are calm and steady, that would be different.

Originally Posted by susansmom

Oh, that's so funny! Mom and Dad's 130 lb Lab thinks she's a small dog and wants to sit in laps. Their 7 lb Yorkie has a big dog soul in her small package and thinks she can take on the world!

Originally Posted by txshopper73

I'd say boxer or bulldog. :D

Originally Posted by rnnw62

Jen...In regard to worrying about size. I just want to
tell you this...My big dogs are very aware how small
Teddy is. It's Teddy that doesn't know how small he
is. My Labs are big--each goes over a 100 pounds easy.
What is also kind of odd is my chocolate Lab actually
sheds way less than the black does. I didn't even think
about that until you talked about your Mother-in-laws
dog so maybe color does have something to do with that?
Here is my mean little man playing tug of war with his sister
and for some reason he always wins.

Originally Posted by JCarlson2004

My hubby, Jim, has always wanted a big dog. So we've been researching breeds that will fit into our lifestyle. Since we just got our new little girl, Tee Tee Mouse, we're not looking to get another dog for at least 1 year because we want to give Tia and Codie enough time to bond. We also want to have Tia spayed and up to date on all shots before we bring home a new family member. :p But since I am a planner, I'd like to pick out a breed so that I have a game plan in mind when the times comes.

Here are 2 breeds that I absolutely LOVE:

Schipperke
http://www.akc.org/breeds/schipperke/index.cfm

Shiba Inu
http://www.akc.org/breeds/shiba_inu/index.cfm

The only problem is that Jim and I both have pretty bad allergies. We need a dog that does not have a thick double coat. So more than likely these 2 beautiful dogs are not an option for us. :( :( I'm so bummed because these 2 breeds are so beautiful and sweet. But I can't get a dog only because it's beautiful -- I have to get a dog that fits into my lifestlye and that includes health.

The other breeds that we're looking into are:

Boxer
http://www.akc.org/breeds/boxer/index.cfm

Brittany
http://www.akc.org/breeds/brittany/index.cfm

Bulldog
http://www.akc.org/breeds/bulldog/index.cfm

Labrador Retriever
http://www.akc.org/breeds/labrador_retriever/index.cfm

Rottweiler
http://www.akc.org/breeds/rottweiler/index.cfm

My hubby and I are considering adopting a dog from a rescue group or a shelter. My hubby keeps saying that he wants to save a homeless dog. So we're going to look into breed specific rescues as well as mixed breed dogs in shelters. The only problem I have with adopting a shelter dog is that I worry if the dog was abused and will one day take that out on my 2 precious babies and try to hurt them. Some may think my concerns are silly but I MUST put my 2 pooches best interest first. I will never put their health and happiness at risk for my own selfish reasons.

Can you guys give me some advice about each specific breed and how they would get along with a male Maltese and a female Yorkie? I know each dog is different but I'd like some general info about these breeds. I've read some info on-line but it's always better (in my opinion) to hear about the breeds from actual people who have owned them. Are these breeds gentle with smaller dogs? Are they friendly and mild or are they aggressive and known to attack others (dogs as well as people)? Any other info or advice you may have is greatly appreciated.

Also, anyone who has adopted a dog (large or small) from a shelter or rescue group, please tell me about your experience. Was the dog overly aggressive? Did it ever attack you? If you had other dogs in your house, did the shelter dog ever attack your other dog(s)? Please remember to mention to breed or mix of breeds that the dog was.

I'm also open to suggestions of other dog breeds to adopt -- just keep in mind that Jim and I both have allergies, so we need a dog who does not shed a lot. Thanks in advance everyone! :p :p

Originally Posted by cajungal

My friend's fiance has a shiba inu. And he is not good with people or dogs. He is very mean. He has attacked her and bit her before. And he is very used to her because they practically live together. He also bit her 8-year old neice. I don't know much about this breed, so I don't know if they are all like that.

I am very partial to boxers. It is my 2nd favorite breed after yorkies. I used to be best friends with someone who owned a boxer. His name was Choppers. He was very sweet with me. Big baby. Used to sleep with me when I would spend the night there. But, he was very much a guard dog. And he tried to attack anyone he did not know. Especially the pizza delivery guy. And they had to sedate him everytime he would go to the vet for safety reasons. The only dogs he seemed to like was other boxers. I would never trust him around my yorkie. I never brought Lacey around him for fear that he would hurt her.

Labs are very sweet dogs. My brother had a yellow lab. She tried to play with Lacey. But, she was terrified. And would hide behind the couch to get away.