Dog Breed Recommendations

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We own 2 greyhounds. We don't have a yard but they get several walks a day. Contrary to popular belief, they sleep 23 hours a day and do not require to run bonkers all day long. They are quiet, and do perfectly well inside a small home. There are a few agencies located in Ontario that can assist with adoption. Most cover transportation cost from a racetrack down south up here, foster, full dental, neuter and all shots for $350-$450 or so. Most do not have huge medical issues because dogs that have problems are not bred for racing. Good luck!

Edit: If you want to see some in person, there is an agency called GRA located in London. He (Bill) actually gets them hauled up here a couple times a year and you can take some for a little walk to see who fits your lifestyle and who likes you. They always pick you - you don't pick them! LOL

Warning: Cute Adoptable Grey Pictures - http://gracanada.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=4638
 
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XTRAWLD said:
We own 2 greyhounds. We don't have a yard but they get several walks a day. Contrary to popular belief, they sleep 23 hours a day and do not require to run bonkers all day long. They are quiet, and do perfectly well inside a small home. There are a few agencies located in Ontario that can assist with adoption. Most cover transportation cost from a racetrack down south up here, foster, full dental, neuter and all shots for $350-$450 or so. Most do not have huge medical issues because dogs that have problems are not bred for racing. Good luck!
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YamahaGurl can put you in touch with a Greyhound rescue. She rescued one last year and has nothing but good things to say about it.
 
I've never met a Greyhound I haven't liked. They are very sweet and quite dogs.

CrazyKell said:
YamahaGurl can put you in touch with a Greyhound rescue. She rescued one last year and has nothing but good things to say about it.
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XTRAWLD said:
Yes, her Bella and my Ryder are both from GRA.
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Hey chicky :p

BIG, HUGE +1 to greyhounds, non shedding, non barking, loyal, and very very lazy a couple short walks a day keeps them sleeping for hours on end. And there are tons of events for greyhounds.

You could also consider the group GINA: http://www.meetgina.ca/
OR Glohw: http://www.glohw.com/

There are hundreds of racers that retire each year, that are looking for a forever couch ;)

Here's some pics, cause everyone loves pics:

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Yamaha_Gurl said:
Hey chicky :p

BIG, HUGE +1 to greyhounds, non shedding, non barking, loyal, and very very lazy a couple short walks a day keeps them sleeping for hours on end. And there are tons of events for greyhounds.

You could also consider the group GINA: http://www.meetgina.ca/
OR Glohw: http://www.glohw.com/

There are hundreds of racers that retire each year, that are looking for a forever couch ;)

Here's some pics, cause everyone loves pics:






fun.jpg
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I LOL'd hard at this one.
 
Cane corso, but mine loved doing protection work/obedience. Relatively lazy, but need a good walk once a day since they are one of the few Mastiff breeds that can run long distances. The Big ones drool.
Want a Presa Canario next.......similar type dog, less drool :-)
 
CrazyKell said:
If you want a rescue dog, try an all breeds rescue association OR if you know the specific breed you're looking for you can see if they have a rescue association too.

www.petfinder.com can be a good resource.

www.helpinghomelesspets.com is another one I've heard good things about.
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Also+1 on petfinder.

1 dog and 1 cat from there. Both are great.

Things to think about..
Kids / no kids? (now and future)
Other Pets?
In terms of energy level / exercise requirements when you say "walks" a few times a day do you mean 5 mins outside to go #1/2 or 1 hr of leash free romping and exploring? Labs and huskies generally need >1hr a day of activity to be happy.
You mention guarding - bark (warn) only or some actual protective instinct?
Amount of time you are willing to spend grooming? (/tolerance of shedding and allergies)
Amount of train-ability?
Willingness to "know what you are getting" (purebred) vs. take a chance (rescue/shelter)
etc.
etc.

My first dog was a golden, second was a lab/rotti mix (guess), current is dane/lab (possibly). The mutts have been "just as good" as the purebred and if anything less health concerns.
 
Standard Poodle - one of the most intelligent breeds of dogs and they don't shed.

Portugese Water Dog - intelligent and don't shed.
 
Purebred is such a load of crap, IMO. They breed in health defects to meet some ridiculous, arbitrary breed "standard" as defined by a bunch of snots called the AKC. However, if someone is bent on a particular breed, there's no need to go to a breeder. Plenty of breed specific save organizations out there, as someone else already pointed out. And yes, many 'purebred' dogs end up in shelters. There are far too many idiots out there who buy these dogs, can't care for them, and dump them at the pound. The shelter will let a person know when a particular breed comes in though.

A dog is a dog is a dog though. Doesn't matter if it's a "mix/mutt" or some rare $25,000 hound of golden lineage.
 
australian sheppard / boarder collie smartest easest to train but plz do not go to a breeder ever....... go to a animal rescue and be patient
 
stormcat said:
Purebred is such a load of crap, IMO. They breed in health defects to meet some ridiculous, arbitrary breed "standard" as defined by a bunch of snots called the AKC.
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Except that "standard" defined by those "snots" is based on the breed's purpose. In fact you'll probably find no bigger advocate for responsible breeding than the AKC. It's the backyard "breeders" of so-called purebreds that are the worst culprits.
 
CrazyKell said:
Except that "standard" defined by those "snots" is based on the breed's purpose. In fact you'll probably find no bigger advocate for responsible breeding than the AKC. It's the backyard "breeders" of so-called purebreds that are the worst culprits.
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don't kid yourself, AKC registered breeders who breed for conformation have ruined a lot of breeds as many, many standards have absolutely nothing to do with a "purpose" and everything to do with a particular breed fancier group whim. It's gotten so bad that many breeds have split into two or more types where one type is bred for performance while the other for show. The hunting and performance breeds that have maintained their confirmation based around performance vs. show would fall into your description, buth few of those breeds are left.


someone mentioned standard poodles..........a really fine breed for a family dog that would meet your energy level.

a few others mentioned mastiff breeds. While I love all mastiff types, the only one I would ever seriously consider for the potential of long term health and life is the south african boerboel.

personally, I would choose a pound or rescue dog.
 
I love german shepherds but they're pretty crazy as puppies. They tend to eat everything. Or at least mine did.

I've had good experiences with my dad's boxer....but that thing tends to eat everything as well. It's not as energetic as a shepherd, though, and, depending on the family it comes from, can remain pretty small. Even temperament, good with annoying kids, damn good guard dog. If you can put up with the ugliness, it's definitely a breed to look into. ;)
 
Great Danes are awesome dogs, dont require a lof of excercise, and are pretty quiet. Very large though. had a small female that was 155.

The poodle crosses do really well, and the pork chop water dogs are great too.

Me, ive got a boston, they are fantastic. high energy though.
 
XTRAWLD said:
And our Kasey is from Glohw.

All agencies are different, but do your research. Dare I post ones of our boys too....lol
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I've seriously considered a greyhound. I've only met one before and it was an awesome dog... very quite, gentle, and listened well.
I'll check out some of those contacts provided and see if I can adopt an ex racer.

petfinder is also a great link... thanks to those that suggested it.

As for the other suggestions... all breeds I will have to consider - I really don't care at all about pedigree. The dog I grew up with was a mutt that lived for 18 years with zero health issues (like hips, cancers, etc) - died on the road after he started to go blind and deaf.

So far the wife is mostly interested in a dog like the one we saw a couple weeks ago... a mutt that had a lot of collie and shepherd... but more collie than shepherd.
 
A lab would make a great city and family dog. Loyal, loving, and usually very good with kids and other pets....
As much as I love mine, don't get a Jack Russell,LOL.
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