Life Dogs - Page 5

Mr. Plow · 07-22-2009, 11:57 AM

We bought a Chihuahua (Bruiser) several months ago and quickly discovered that small of a dog is NOT the dog to have around 3 small children. He was always under our feet and the kids did not understand "be gentle".

Last night, Bruiser was staying with my parents while the wife & I are out of town. My dad was taking my kids somewhere and backing out of the garage - Bruiser ran under one of the tires. He was severely hurt - broken leg, internal bleeding, and burst bladder among other things. The vets recommended to put him down - which is what we decided.

My kids loved Bruiser. Too much it seemed at times. So, my wife & I decided to not tell him that he was put down. We are going to tell them that we had to get rid of him because he was so small. But, we are going to get another dog for the house - probably this weekend.

So, my question is, what is a loving type of dog - fairly good sized & tough - to have around kids? A dog they can rough house with without worrying about hurting him and without worrying about him getting defensive and biting. I guess I'm asking what are good kid friendly dogs?

Frosty · 07-22-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

No doubt these dogs need a job or a lot of exercise. Fits my lifestyle, but they're certainly not for everyone.

Does yours bark? Mine has never barked much but has started to lately. She's almost 12 years old, though, and I think her hearing isn't as good as it was. She gets startled more easily now, which sets her off.

Other than that, the only downsides are she sheds a lot and she loves skunks.

Rooster · 07-22-2009, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

high strung, bull headed & high maint.

Have you ever owned one or did you read that off of something?

KC native · 07-22-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

till i started to condition dogs i didnt know any better.

Guy told me my dog was fat and it stung abit inside but i took his advice and he was right.

I've been lucky with Chief and not had to condition him aside from him playing in the back yard with my other dogs (first a female pit that I had to put down and now a miniature pinscher) and throwing a stick for a little while. He's been stable at 70 pounds his whole life (probably because I monitor his food intake like a hawk).

MOhillbilly · 07-22-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rooster

Have you ever owned one or did you read that off of something?

yes, ive owned a few in my day. And been around plenty more. Bulldogs is kinda my thing.

KC native · 07-22-2009, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rooster

Have you ever owned one or did you read that off of something?

My brother owns one and I will vouch for his assessment of them. They're great dogs but they require a lot of time and attention.

**TrebMaxx** · 07-22-2009, 12:40 PM

Get a Lab. Or get a Lab mix from a shelter. Best dog I ever had was a Lab/Shepperd mix. Most people couldn't believe she wasn't a full blooded Lab by the way she looked.

DJ's left nut · 07-22-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

till i started to condition dogs i didnt know any better.

Guy told me my dog was fat and it stung abit inside but i took his advice and he was right.

It's so much easier on them. If your dog doesn't have at least a slight tuck and if you can't feel his ribs with just a little bit of pressure, he's overweight.

Fat dogs have such a tough go of it as they age and by then the damage is already done. Most labs with severe hip issues weren't really resigned to it due to congenital defects. Many of them were juts labs that had mediocre hips which progressed to bad due to poor conditioning.

Keep the weight off your dogs. I also strongly suggest not free-feeding any dog, especially not any large breed. If you control their food, you will always be their boss. So not only is it a health issue, but it aids greatly in establishing just exactly who the BDIC is.

Sofa King · 07-22-2009, 12:41 PM

Labs are super easy to own... yellow or chocolate... i wouldnt go black...

male and female are fine..

**The Franchise** · 07-22-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pestilence

The wife and I have a Lab/Beagle mix that will lay there and let our 2 year old beat on it. The damn dog laid there and let her color her with a sharpie marker. Never bitten her....only knocked her over a few times. Otherwise a loving dog....

Want her?

Here she is.

**Fire Me Boy!** · 07-22-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Just Passin' By

Newfoundlands and Saint Bernards are excellent with kids, but they are very large.

Same temperament as the Great Pyrs, too.

MOhillbilly · 07-22-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC native

I've been lucky with Chief and not had to condition him aside from him playing in the back yard with my other dogs (first a female pit that I had to put down and now a miniature pinscher) and throwing a stick for a little while. He's been stable at 70 pounds his whole life (probably because I monitor his food intake like a hawk).

flirtpole is your friend.

stumppy · 07-22-2009, 12:46 PM

I've got two Beagles and they have been great as family dogs. Great tempermant and smart dogs. Haven't had any health problems with them which is great as far as vet bills go. I'm begining to think Betty is going to outlive me. She's about 14 yrs old and is as fit and trim as she was 10 yrs ago.

Rooster · 07-22-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

yes, ive owned a few in my day. And been around plenty more. Bulldogs is kinda my thing.

I just haven't had that experience at all with mine. He was the runt so maybe his temperment is different.

KC native · 07-22-2009, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

flirtpole is your friend.

Yea, don't think the neighbors would look highly upon that (fort worth is pretty conservative so I would be worried about dog fighting paraphenlia allegations). Luckily I have a ton of trees so he gets the lower branchs for me.

MOhillbilly · 07-22-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

It's so much easier on them. If your dog doesn't have at least a slight tuck and if you can't feel his ribs with just a little bit of pressure, he's overweight.

Fat dogs have such a tough go of it as they age and by then the damage is already done. Most labs with severe hip issues weren't really resigned to it due to congenital defects. Many of them were juts labs that had mediocre hips which progressed to bad due to poor conditioning.

Keep the weight off your dogs. I also strongly suggest not free-feeding any dog, especially not any large breed. If you control their food, you will always be their boss. So not only is it a health issue, but it aids greatly in establishing just exactly who the BDIC is.

all good points. though on a short haired working breed i wanna see some rib.

07-22-2009, 11:57 AM
Mr. Plow In Search of a Life Join Date: Dec 2005 Casino cash: $2007391	Dogs We bought a Chihuahua (Bruiser) several months ago and quickly discovered that small of a dog is NOT the dog to have around 3 small children. He was always under our feet and the kids did not understand "be gentle". Last night, Bruiser was staying with my parents while the wife & I are out of town. My dad was taking my kids somewhere and backing out of the garage - Bruiser ran under one of the tires. He was severely hurt - broken leg, internal bleeding, and burst bladder among other things. The vets recommended to put him down - which is what we decided. My kids loved Bruiser. Too much it seemed at times. So, my wife & I decided to not tell him that he was put down. We are going to tell them that we had to get rid of him because he was so small. But, we are going to get another dog for the house - probably this weekend. So, my question is, what is a loving type of dog - fairly good sized & tough - to have around kids? A dog they can rough house with without worrying about hurting him and without worrying about him getting defensive and biting. I guess I'm asking what are good kid friendly dogs?
Posts: 30,802

07-22-2009, 12:40 PM	#66
TrebMaxx Supporter Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Peoples Republic of CoMo Casino cash: $1507252	Get a Lab. Or get a Lab mix from a shelter. Best dog I ever had was a Lab/Shepperd mix. Most people couldn't believe she wasn't a full blooded Lab by the way she looked.
Posts: 4,321

07-22-2009, 12:41 PM	#68
Sofa King Hello Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: South Dakota Casino cash: $1102096 VARSITY	Labs are super easy to own... yellow or chocolate... i wouldnt go black... male and female are fine..
Posts: 23,208

07-22-2009, 12:46 PM	#72
stumppy New and Improved Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, Mo. Casino cash: $1518590	I've got two Beagles and they have been great as family dogs. Great tempermant and smart dogs. Haven't had any health problems with them which is great as far as vet bills go. I'm begining to think Betty is going to outlive me. She's about 14 yrs old and is as fit and trim as she was 10 yrs ago. __________________ “As a nation, we can endure damaging policies for a four-year term. But we cannot survive a president willing to terminate our Constitution”
Posts: 21,077