what dog should my bro get

[Sassy_luvr]

my bro wants a dog and does not know what he wants.he wants a pit bull but r mom said "NO!".he wants a guard dog and he does not want a goldie like me (he is so crazy ).he would prefer a medium size dog.also would like it 2 be very sweet and loving while still be protective.if u have any suggestion please post.thanks.

[wolfsoul]

We need just a few more specifics...

-How much grooming can your brother handle? Will he be willing to brush for an hour everyday, take it to the groomer to be clipped every six weeks, or is he looking for something that he can just rub down with a brush once a week?

-How much exersise can he handle? A jogging companion? Or maybe he wants something he can just let offleash to run around (in which case he would need a breed willing to come back lol)? Or something that can take for a short walk everyday?

-Does he hate barking? What about drool? Shedding?

-Is there anything he would like to do with the dog? Some dogs are more suited for some things than others. Agility, flyball, flying disc, herding, etc?

[Sassy_luvr]

he would like as little grooming as possible, medium walks (around a mile),not in2 drooling a lot,barking does not bother him,he would also like it 2 be agile,and little 2 none shedding.

[back_at_ya]

yo wuz ^ i am Victoria's (Sassy_luvr) big bro. i am the 1 who wants a dog but does not know what breed. i am new 2 PT. thanx 4 postin'.

[IRescue452]

ACD, German Short-haired Pointer, or find a good mixie to rescue

[jennifert9]

Trust me, from someone who owns a VERY protective dog, I would not recommend trying to find one....I think if you just want a dog that looks scary when you are walking down the street, you can get a german shepherd or a mastiff or a rottweiler. Those breeds can look intimidating walking down the street but are very often sweethearts once you know them.
Having a protective dog definitely limits where Duncan and I can go and what we can do...it's not easy and has been a struggle from day 1 even with all the help I have received here and professional training on my own.
I think most dogs will naturally protect their owners if someone attacks them and most protect their homes also.
However, almost all larger dogs shed and most need lots of exercise. Maybe one of the giant breeds like a great dane? I have heard they are couch potatos

Why don't you just go to the shelter and let a dog pick you?

[AngelZoo]

Lots of dogs, some related by breed, others random dogs can have protective traits.

Even little chi's can try and gaurd their owners from other people/things. Some breeds are more well known for it then others.

How old is your brother, if he's young and inexperienced with dogs, some big ol' gaurd dog would not be his best option.

Any dogs you see that you like, make sure you do weeks, if not months/years worth of research on the breed, and dog training/dog behavior. So this way you will not be ill equipped to deal with a dog from the get-go.

Here are some sites with Dog Breed Selectors, that are a simple GUIDELINE to help your brother pick, what dogs might be most appropriate for him.

http://animal.discovery.com/guides/d...r/selector.jsp

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

http://selectsmart.com/beta_dog/

[cali]

I tooks a test using the requirments given these are the results:

pembrook welsh corgie 98%
cadrigan welsh corgie 97%
Saluki 97%
finnish spitze 96%
shiba inu 96%
staffy bull 96%
sussex spanial 96%

[wolfsoul]

I personally wouldn't reccomend an ACD or GSP. Both need TONS of exercise. They are very active breeds that thrive on physical stimulation.

I think if you just want a dog that looks scary when you are walking down the street, you can get a german shepherd or a mastiff or a rottweiler.

I find GSDs and Rotties both very protective breeds, not just intimidating by looks -- even though they are big sweethearts. I've owned both breeds, and if a stranger ever entered my property, the stranger would be in big trouble. I've known alot more rottweilers that have absolutely no guard skills than GSDs though. I have never met a GSD that didn't have good guarding skills, whereas with rotties it's half and half.

[wolfsoul]

How about a boxer? Daily exersise is a requirement, but it's not excessive. They do drool, but pretty much only after they drink. They are medium to large. They are quiet and don't need alot of grooming. I've never met one that makes a good guard dog, but they say that boxers generally do make good guard dogs. I do know they do well in schutzhund so they must have some protection drive. They are very sweet and loving. Big clowns -- I swear, if you want a dog that will make your day, a boxer is awesome. They are hilarious. They are so goofy and they just love life. They are agile, and do great in agility. Bouncy dogs with tons of spirit.

[wolfsoul]

And there are 92 boxers in Tennessee on Petfinder looking for homes. http://www.petfinder.com/

[cocker_luva]

dobermans

[IRescue452]

I was waiting for somebody to unrecommend the ACD. Actually they make great companions for the elderly who can give them not more than a free run in the backyard once or twice a day for exercise, a mile would work. They tend to be on the fat side if not fed according to their exercise. The thing that they need in order to keep from being destructive is constant companionship. Perhaps this is not the right breed for your brother but maybe it is. This is a one-person dog that is going to be right on your heels all day. They need games such as hide-and-seek and if you are gone something like hiding some treats for them is great stimulation. They also need lots of socialization from the start because they are a one-person dog, but I think you would have no problem with that since you live with other people and animals already.
Anyway the others are right in saying that any dog can become protective of their owner. Autumn is a friendly toller but will protect me without question if she needs. She's even trained to be on the guard when we go for walks in the evening, I use "place" for a command to point out any people (we walk in some dark places and I can't often see so she will point at people like a pointer until I say ok) and "guard" to let her know that I want her to act tough. If she feels somebody (usually mean looking men coming from the bars) is too close she will growl and I usually cross the street, and if they get really close she really starts to snarl and bark (while still at heel next to me), but she would never bite without my permission. I thought of doing classes for protection, but I guess she doesn't need it. I think whatever breed you choose will work out just fine since you seem to be a responsible person who is willing to ask and to take advice from others on raising a dog.

[manda99]

he would prefer a medium size dog.also would like it 2 be very sweet and loving while still be protective.

haha... this sounds just like my pit bull
it's too bad your mom said "NO!"
because , and this is important::: Protective does NOT mean aggressive.

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

How about a German Pinscher?