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NFT: Dog Experts...

GMen131 : 10/28/2014 4:05 pm
So my wife & I have a bit of a dilemma. I've had dogs my whole life & I prefer bigger dogs. Labs specifically. She's never had a dog of her own and doesn't want to deal with the shedding that comes along with a lab. She prefers a smaller dog, but is willing to get a larger breed IF it's not a heavy shedder. Any recommendations? Thanks
Golden Doodle or Labradoodle sound like  
jlukes : 10/28/2014 4:06 pm : link
your best options.
Rottweiler.  
Britt in VA : 10/28/2014 4:08 pm : link
Had two. I've been a dog owner all my life, and those two dogs were the smartest, by far, and had the most personality out of any dog I've owned (Dachtson, Cocker Spaniel, German Sheppard, and English Bulldog).

It wouldn't have surprised me if those dogs started talking, that's how unbelievably smart I thought they were.
I should add they were both females.  
Britt in VA : 10/28/2014 4:10 pm : link
Perfect temperament.

No experience with the males.
Britt  
GMen131 : 10/28/2014 4:11 pm : link
My neighbor had several Rottweilers when I was younger. Loved those dogs! How's the shedding though? That's really her biggest concern. She doesn't want the tumbleweeds of hair all over the house lol
They are short haired so it wasn't the same as a German Sheppard...  
Britt in VA : 10/28/2014 4:12 pm : link
or a Lab, it was more easily managable.
But like any dog, they did shed...  
Britt in VA : 10/28/2014 4:15 pm : link
you just have to stay on top of it.

But it's not like the tumbleweeds you described.
there aren't too many large breeds that don't shed  
Greg from LI : 10/28/2014 4:15 pm : link
Giant Schnauzers, standard poodle, wirehaired pointer. That's about all I can think of.
pitbulls  
biggb : 10/28/2014 4:18 pm : link
Have two and shedding is not bad
some dogs hardly shed at all  
Greg from LI : 10/28/2014 4:18 pm : link
I have a wirehaired dachshund, and she really doesn't shed. They recommend stripping the coat periodically, but I just get her coat trimmed every so often.
I have a 85 lb Yellow Lab  
Chef : 10/28/2014 4:20 pm : link
and yes the shedding is horrendous..
How  
BigBlueinDE : 10/28/2014 4:21 pm : link
about an English Bulldog?
Irish wolfhounds don't shed much either  
Greg from LI : 10/28/2014 4:23 pm : link
Although that's really more of a gargantuan breed than a large breed.
Sizewise, a standard schnauzer....  
MOOPS : 10/28/2014 4:24 pm : link
would probably be a good compromise. And no shedding.
Airedale Terrier  
Jim in LA : 10/28/2014 4:28 pm : link
.
Boxers  
BigBlueDownTheShore : 10/28/2014 4:28 pm : link
are a good medium size dog that shed, but not as bad as a lab since they are short haired.
Boxer  
GP : 10/28/2014 4:32 pm : link
Very manageable shedding, no need to groom.
Adopt a greyhound.  
Section331 : 10/28/2014 4:37 pm : link
They're short-haired, and they shed a little, but FAR less than a lab. And despite misperceptions, they are couch potatoes, and very sweet dogs. I had a grey for 10 years, we put him down a couple of months ago, and without a doubt, the best pet I've ever had.
I have had Shetland Sheepdogs my whole life  
robbieballs2003 : 10/28/2014 4:38 pm : link
I love those dogs. They are awesome. They are mini Collies. They are probaby between 30-55 pounds. They are not huge dogs. In terms of shedding it is minimal. Really fantastic dogs.
Shetland Sheepdog  
robbieballs2003 : 10/28/2014 4:42 pm : link
[img]http://dogbreedinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Shetland-Sheepdog-15.jpg[/
Shetland Sheepdog  
robbieballs2003 : 10/28/2014 4:43 pm : link
Shetland Sheepdog  
robbieballs2003 : 10/28/2014 4:44 pm : link
RE: How  
David in LA : 10/28/2014 4:45 pm : link
In comment 11945269 BigBlueinDE said:
Quote:
about an English Bulldog?


I have one, they shed a LOT.
Chinooks. They're awesome.  
GiantNatty : 10/28/2014 4:46 pm : link
the intelligence of a german shepherd without the anxiety. fantastic, wonderful dogs.
Chinook  
GiantNatty : 10/28/2014 4:47 pm : link
as an example, right here: http://www.aspencreekchinooks.com/
Alternative solution  
Gman11 : 10/28/2014 4:47 pm : link
If you get a dog that sheds get a Roomba or similar vacuum cleaning robot.

We have 3 dogs. They all shed. The Roomba picks up a bunch of hair every day. No problem.
Shetland Sheepdog  
robbieballs2003 : 10/28/2014 4:48 pm : link
I've had  
Bleedin Blue : 10/28/2014 4:58 pm : link
A German Shepherd, Border Collie/ Lab mix and now a Lab Golden mix. I stripped and brushed regularly and they shed like crazy! My friend has a Rottweiler and yes she sheds but not as much as my dog, and she has a great personality. Stay on top of your prospective dog's grooming it will definitely help with the shedding.
If you want to go really big  
megget : 10/28/2014 5:11 pm : link
Komondors and Black Russian Terriers don't shed at all. Bergamasco Sheepdogs are a medium/large breed and they don't shed. A nice smaller dog that doesn't shed is the Bedlington Terrier.

I personally don't like poodles or poodle mixes.
Try a Rhodesian Ridgeback  
pjcas18 : 10/28/2014 5:31 pm : link
awesome, beautiful dogs and they shed very little.

I have always wanted one, but couldn't bring myself to pay for a pure bred dog when there are thousands in need of rescue. And I've had no success with the ridgeback rescue associations.

if I were to buy a pure bred this would be it.
They get big  
pjcas18 : 10/28/2014 5:36 pm : link
but here they are as puppies.

all depends on your lifestyle  
bc4life : 10/28/2014 5:47 pm : link
boxers, dobermans, rottweilers don't shed much but they aren't for everyone.

and from what I've heard Ridgebacks aren't a dog for all people.

and it had to be a dog you both can manage.
I have a Boxer  
bc4life : 10/28/2014 5:48 pm : link
and I would not recommend them for everyone. that's how a lot of them wind up in rescue shelters.

Have also owned Shepards and one Doberman.
I think Animal Planet  
bc4life : 10/28/2014 6:17 pm : link
has a thing on their website where you can select the breed by traits - size, grooming requirements, temperament - that would be a good place to start. and if the misses isn't a dog person it would probably be a good idea for her to interact or at least see up close what some of the options are -not just the puppies, but what the final product looks like.
You do not need a dog expert, you need a marriage expert.  
Marty in Albany : 10/28/2014 6:36 pm : link
Facts: You want a dog, but your wife in not so sure.

If you pick out the dog and she is not happy with it, you will suffer. Therefore, your wife has to be the one who picks out the dog.

Take her to the kennel or wherever you get a dog. Show her the ones that don't shed much and let her fall in love with a puppy. Then, when it pees on the rug, you won't be sleeping next to it, instead of your wife.
Smaller dog  
snickers : 10/28/2014 6:56 pm : link
That we had in the past and loved is the bichon frise. Non shedding, non allergenic and a good temperment. We now have a Havanese, also in the bichon family that is great as well. Both great with children.
All dogs shed.  
GiantJohn : 10/28/2014 7:25 pm : link
Better to get a short hair breed. Viszla' are amazing dogs.
RE: Rottweiler.  
BigBlueShock : 10/28/2014 7:41 pm : link
In comment 11945244 Britt in VA said:
Quote:
Had two. I've been a dog owner all my life, and those two dogs were the smartest, by far, and had the most personality out of any dog I've owned (Dachtson, Cocker Spaniel, German Sheppard, and English Bulldog).

It wouldn't have surprised me if those dogs started talking, that's how unbelievably smart I thought they were.

This.

I too have had dogs my entire life. I consider myself the biggest dog lover on the planet. My wife and I do not have kids, so our dogs are our kids. When i first started dating her, we got a rottie (I'd never owned one) and this freakin dog was the closest thing to having a child without having one. It was amazing. Loving, caring, yet still protective and intimidating looking enough to keep would be hoodlums far away from our property. But the best part, is the personality. They are unbelievable. You can tell when they are happy, sad, or just plain pissed off, lol. Amazing animals. That pooch has since passed, and we got another rottie pup 7 years ago. He is now the freakin love of my life, haha. Exactly like our first rottie, but bigger. He's a big doofus, yet incredibly intelligent at the same time. He makes us laugh 10 times a day. He'd also give his life for us. Insanely loyal.

Rottie gets a bad rap, but they are half human. They only inherited the good half...
Oh  
BigBlueShock : 10/28/2014 7:43 pm : link
and they shed, don't get me wrong. But it's worth the work
If shedding is bothersome...  
arcarsenal : 10/28/2014 7:46 pm : link
... then you definitely can't get one of these guys



I love mine to death but his hair gets EVERYWHERE. I could brush his coat for 2 hours straight and the brush will just keep filling with hair. I've needed a lot of lint rollers over the years.
RE: All dogs shed.  
Greg from LI : 10/28/2014 8:00 pm : link
In comment 11945543 GiantJohn said:
Quote:
Better to get a short hair breed. Viszla' are amazing dogs.


Again, not true. Wire haired dachshunds don't shed. They simply don't. I've had one for seven years. You can easily pluck her fur out, which is what is done when people strip the coats of wire haired dogs, but it really doesn't come out on its own.
Try one of these...  
HelmetCatch : 10/28/2014 8:19 pm : link
Portuguese Water Dog  
JCin332 : 10/28/2014 9:10 pm : link
are awesome and don't shed..also very smart..

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