Favorite dog breed?

[Kalamnity]

I am dog shopping currently. I am looking for a big dumb affectionate dog that I can play around and wrestle with, with big floppy ears that loves to swim. None too slobbery though.

I've been looking at Newfoundlands for the reasons mentioned above but apparently they're fucking huge and die rather early (8 or so). Also a bit expensive to get around these parts.

As I realize we have some dog owners in these here parts, what's your favorite dog and why do you appreciate it? What qualities does it have that you admire? I hope to use some information here to make a more informed choice when shopping around.

[Peterpigman]

Retired greyhounds make awesome pets, contrary to popular belief you dont need to walk them miles. The added bonus you get it for free!

[TickleMeHellNo]

Shar-pei's are my favorite, they get really attached to the owner and are VERY loyal. They have a bit of an attitude, but very affectionate.

or English Bulldogs ( They fart alot ) because well I owned one, He was lazy, fat and didn't really care much about his surroundings. These dogs are much better with older people.



Isn't he cute?

[Sato]

a LabradorRetreiver.
Energetic yet calm, passionate about 'master', they love water, black.
Get it as a puppy, it will make you a better person.

[Gogo]

Not really sure which breeds are dumb, but most are affectionate and loving.
I have my favorites, Lab's, German Shepherd, Boxer, Collies, etc. but that's not going to help you really find the one you want.
PPM is on the right track with the Greyhounds.
My suggestion is to go to a local rescue, pound, ASPCA and look around (if you can take it).
You'll know the right one when you see it.
Mutt's make great companions too, sometimes the best of a few breeds
And if that's not your bag, get a lab....any kind...

[Rosie]

i personally love Leonbergers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leonberger
they are wonderful, loyal, child friendly dogs. Big too!

failing that, you can't go wrong with a lab.

[meececat]

mutts make the best dogs.

[Eisblut]

Go to the Humane Society and rescue a dog. I got both my dogs and one of the cats from rescues (the other cat we found all burned and beaten up in a parking lot). I wouldn't recommend a puppy if you can't be home all day though
On the topic: I like all kinds of large dog breeds but mixed breeds are generally healthier.

Oh, and if you get one from a puppy mill I'll come over there and disembowel you

[ubee]

Originally Posted by Eisblut

Go to the Humane Society and rescue a dog.

this

Originally Posted by Eisblut

mixed breeds are generally healthier.

and this

basically all you need to know right now, the people at the dogpound will fill you in with the details

personally i'd go for a labrador kind of dog, loyal and gentle, yet big enough to wrestle with

[black_pathology]

Not really a typical domestic k-9.... but I love them and would say that they are my favorite.

[Rosie]

it's a fox

[Kalamnity]

Notwithstanding the fact I couldn't fucking catch it, I would crush a fox in a wrestling match. No dice!

I'll definitely check out the local pound. (Though if I want to be disemboweled, I'll go ahead and go the other route and head to the nearest illegal dog mill)

I'll probably end up getting a newfoundland or a black lab. I love these dogs

[aRyan]

For the big dogs, I'd say
Doberman Pincher (RIP Ginger)
Great Dane (RIPx2)
Newfoundland

Smaller dogs
Fox Terrier (RIP Bobo)

[Sonya]

What is your lifestyle like? What is your living situation (i.e. apartment, house with fenced yard, etc...) How much time do you spend at home? Because a dog is a pack animal, they are not meant to be alone, and they wait all day for you, you can't come home and feed them and then run out to the pub or whatever. They waited 12 fucking hours for you to come home and that is just wrong. What about social life (frequent visitors, small children visiting, etc...).

A dog is a 12-15 year committment, not something to be gotten on a whim and gotten "rid of" when you get bored with it. If you are just bored get a girlfriend (or hire a prostitute), or volunteer your time with a dog rescue group.

Those that get dogs on a whim and then dump them should quite literally be shot in the head and dumped into a mass grave because they are worthless pieces of human shit, (and when I become dictator that is exactly what will happen, the minions will dig mass graves for the worthless dog owners that take great dogs with great loyalty and treat them like disposable items). Dogs have evolved to be human companions over thousands of years, that type of loyalty is not something to be trifled with. A wife may leave you, but your dog will stay by your side for his lifetime and if you die first he will mourn by your grave.

As far as "wrestling" goes, definitely stay away from all protective breeds (Dobes, Rotts, etc...) as dominant dogs often do not take kindly to being pinned by anything/anyone once they are adults. If they are bred to guard the house and fight off human predators those traits do not lend themselves to being manhandled, pinned, or dominated for "fun".

[Snoogins]

I pin our German Shepherd the fuck down and chew on her neck and she just wags her tail.