Getting A 3rd BIG Dog

[Rockster's Mom]

I just had Rocky around my sister's 3 yr old boxer this weekend, well lets just say Rocky had to stay up in a chair or in my arms the whole time. The boxer keep stepping on him, holding him down, and played too rough for him. I don't think she was meaning to hurt him, it just she is so much bigger than him and hyper.

[JCarlson2004]

Originally Posted by Carinhosamulher

Any info you want on a Brittany, just let me know. Like I said, we have a female, she is 13 years old and just the best. Drop me an email if you would like pictures of our girl.

Yes I would love to see some pictures of your Birttany. Thank you.

[teri88]

Labs are great, very loyal, but they stay puppies for YEARS! Lots of energy. In my opinion, when you rescue a dog, you just don't know what you are getting. There is usually a reason the dog was given up in the first place. If it's your first dog and can have all of your attention you are probably ok with it, but as a third dog, you are looking at a lot of work and sometimes a lot of "unlearning" of bad habits. Of course, that said, our lab came from the pound and he's a good boy. I think it's just the luck of the draw when you rescue. some are great, others are more challenging. Boy, I was a big help, huh?

[Babbie]

Brittanys are gorgeous... I do love labs tho and i don;t think the size matters that much,temperament is much more. Minnie never hurt Mojo in any way, actually Mojo beats her up :P She is the friendliest, sweetest pup I love all the breeds you posted, and may i even suggest a french bulldog? They're not even huge but full of character (like yorkies )

Good luck

http://www.megagaleria.com/pictures/Pic_6419_14.jpg

[parker'smom]

Just from experience, the rottie, bulldog and the boxer are not good choices with a small dog or child. I know everyone has heard the "scare" stories. Actually, if raised "right" you probably wouldn't have a problem with them.... but, they can be very tempermental and dominating... This gets worse as they age and can wreck havoc in a home with small dogs... Trust me.... I haven't personally had a Brittany, but I do have friends with them, and they seem ok, but hyper! Labs are wonderful!!! I would also recommend a Border Collie or a Golden Retriever as well.... just a few suggestions!!! Also, be weary of rescue dogs... especially in a shelter setting... the people usually don't have time to actually get to know the "habits" good and bad of these dogs. I would suggest taking your dogs and "introducing" them under control before you commit to getting another dog! Hope all goes well!

[Carinhosamulher]

My brittany has never been hyper a day in her life. She doesn't even play with toys. And I have known at least four friends who had brittanys (which is why we adopted one) and they all said the same thing - nice calm easy going dogs. In the puppy stage they are a bit hyper, but pretty much ALL puppies are hyper.

[parker'smom]

I didn't mean to offend. Most of the Brittanys that I have been around have been "hyper" NOT like a lab, but not just laying around.... They are a hunting breed, which are bred to have energy on the hunts... I am just speaking from my experience with them.

[Shanatink]

I love boxers and I own one, but I have to be honest. I have just recently been diagnosed with asthma this past year and Penny(my boxer) is the main reason. She is an indoor dog and she sheds contantly( I dont know if its because she is bigger now and not as active when she goes outside or what, but its been a lot worse in this past year). She also had a lot of dander and since she is so big it is impossible to keep my house dog hair/dander free. I have been sick with all sorts of upper respirotory and allergy problems all year. I just dont know what to do because we have had penny for 4 years now and I love her to death and getting rid of her is not an option. So Im just going to keep getting sick for several more years to come.
Bottomline, if you have allergy problems, I would not recommend a boxer.
However, besides that issue, they do make wonderful pets and they are extremely affectionate towards thier owners and other pets(and they are also protective and make great watch dogs). Penny takes care of my little dogs. SHe loves them and treats them like they are her babies.

[starleneo]

I think a Shar-Pei or maybe a standard poodle.
My neighbor had a lab puppy and she kept wanting to smash my little one. So they now only play with a fence between them.

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by JCarlson2004

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!

Folks, please keep in mind that the large dog they may or may not get will be coming from a rescue situation. Dogs personalities sometimes change when they have gone through an abuse situation. These large dogs will come into the home already full grown and some will adapt very well and some will not.

[JCarlson2004]

Originally Posted by livingdustmops

Folks, please keep in mind that the large dog they may or may not get will be coming from a rescue situation. Dogs personalities sometimes change when they have gone through an abuse situation. These large dogs will come into the home already full grown and some will adapt very well and some will not.

Since you have rescued dogs, would you STRONGLY recommend that I do not adopt a bigger dog from a shelter or breed specific rescue? Or would you MILDLY recommend that? Please give me your honesty opinion because the 2 babies that I already have are my first and foremost concern. I would never jeopardize their health and happiness.

[StewiesMom]

Originally Posted by JCarlson2004

Since you have rescued dogs, would you STRONGLY recommend that I do not adopt a bigger dog from a shelter or breed specific rescue? Or would you MILDLY recommend that? Please give me your honesty opinion because the 2 babies that I already have are my first and foremost concern. I would never jeopardize their health and happiness.

I know that you didn't me directly, but I have rescued dogs. Most shelters do a temperment test for people, children and other dogs big & small. If you see one that you like, bring Codie & Tia in to meet him/her. The shelters will not lie to you about the animal because they want you to be happy and a good match for the dog. Most shelters are very careful about where their animals go because they don't want to get them back. You will know right away whether a dog looks to be a good match for your family. Follow your gut instinct.

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by JCarlson2004

Since you have rescued dogs, would you STRONGLY recommend that I do not adopt a bigger dog from a shelter or breed specific rescue? Or would you MILDLY recommend that? Please give me your honesty opinion because the 2 babies that I already have are my first and foremost concern. I would never jeopardize their health and happiness.

Jennifer, I would strongly recommend a breed specific rescue if you are going to adopt. It is hard for me to give a strong/mild not knowing your home situtation, if you work and what living conditions you have (where would the dogs stay if you left the house). I tend to favor the hunting breds over many of the others but that is because that is what I grew up with and my father made sure these dogs were children friendly first. I am very leary of big dogs/small dogs because I think these little guys stir the pot so much but I think if you are on guard at all times and if you work with the foster family you could probably adopt a very mello large dog who would be sensitive to your little ones.

My point of reminding people that were posting was that just because they got a large dog as a puppy and raised it without any problems with their little dogs that rescue's come with additional baggage. Many members were just posting what large dogs they love and not looking at the rescue angle (don't mean to offend anyone). I know that you said you were just beginning the thought process and I think this is great and studying each breed that you are interested in and working with a reputable rescue group will let you know what you should be looking for.

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by StewiesMom

I know that you didn't me directly, but I have rescued dogs. Most shelters do a temperment test for people, children and other dogs big & small. If you see one that you like, bring Codie & Tia in to meet him/her. The shelters will not lie to you about the animal because they want you to be happy and a good match for the dog. Most shelters are very careful about where their animals go because they don't want to get them back. You will know right away whether a dog looks to be a good match for your family. Follow your gut instinct.

Kristy, I think big city shelters probably do this and Jennifer lives in Brooklyn (there is a good one in New York that Animal Planet showcases) so I think you have a good point but in my experience a lot of these shelters do not have the time or the funds like a breed specific rescue will have. Many of the breed specific rescues foster these animals for a longer time then the Humane Society or the pounds can.

I can tell you in Tucson that this is not happening and that the pound only hopes that they do not get the dog back. They have a very short window to adopt these animals out or put them down. Even our Humane Society has to put dogs down if they get to full. Sad...

[YorkieRini]

Well, here's my thoughts. The breeds you listed are all shedding NOT hypoallergenic. They will aggrivate allergies. Jim has allergies bad and bad asthma. Here are some med-lg breeds that are usually good for allergies:

Standard Poodle
Portuguese Water Dog
Giant Schnauzer
Old English Sheep Dog
Airedale Terrier
Irish Water Spaniel
Basenji
Soft Coated Weaton Terrier

Here's a link that also gives some other info regarding breeds and allergies..
http://members.aol.com/AHTerrier/allergyb.html

Good luck in your search.

Irene

PS. If allergies weren't an issue, I would have suggested Rotties, my mom used to breed them. She has 2 yorkies that lived well with her retired stud Rottie (RIP Judd).