I have a Lab/Springer mix and my uncle has a wirehair. I love both to death, and they both can get the ringnecks up like none other. They are both very hyper though.
My favorite dog of all time was my Jack Russell. She was by far the smartest dog I've ever been around and acted more like a little human. I had her in college and she was very socialized and understood many commands. We currently own a Miniature Australian Shepherd and she is also very smart but has some social issues that need to be fixed. I wouldn't suggest her as a breed if you're not willing to do some serious training on obedience.
I have a 12 year old Siberian Husky and cannot believe how perfect of a dog he's been for our family. They do not bark - only occasionally howl at the moon. He has never shown his teeth or snapped at a soul - and there were a few kids that deserved it But they are runners - when young - if they get out, they like to run...so a fenced yard is the only option. And although very large in size, they are actually VERY lean, consume very little food (and crap in yard very little). Here's a pic of how I found him one morning heading to work - thought he'd make a bed overnight in our wisky barrel planter: I would say #2 & 3 breeds would probably be a Lab/Golden Retreiver and the German Shephard...but wow - those two breeds crap HUGE LAND mines all over the yard
One more vote for a lab. I have had two females and both were (are) great dogs. They can be hyper for the first couple of years, but IMO they are the best family dog there is. Neither of my labs were bred to be hardcore hunting dogs, but when I got them out in the field they took to it with little to no training.
We taught our dog to crap in the neighbors yards :D. It's not anywhere where they would normally walk, so it just gets chopped up in the lawn mower every now and then.
Brett another vote for a Lab from me to. I have a black and a chocolate right now and have had a yellow also. My kids grew up with Labs, and ill always have one They have proven themselves many times over for me
Another Lab vote. If you do some research, you can certainly find labs that ARE NOT hyper, even as pups. Because they are so popular, there are many breedings that should never take place, so I wouldn't buy one unless it had a guarantee for for hips, eyes, elbows, etc.. They sure do make great hunting buddies/companions
I second the golden retriever. Great breed of dogs that don't want to do anything else but please. Here's my last dog, Sandy. Had to put her down almost a year ago (bone cancer). She was and will always be the best dog I've ever owned.
I didn't realize labs were the only "good" dog to own. I have an australiam shepard mix. Great dog, socialized great with kids & other dogs(& cats) listens very well. Her favorite playmate is the neighbor's yellow lab.
Another vote for labs. My kids are now 5 and 2...they have climbed on, fell on, pulled on, messed with his food bowl while eating and he has never shown an any aggression towards them. Another thing I really like is how protective he is of the kids. He always stays close to them when strangers are around and he will bark if a stranger comes too close to the yard while the kids are playing. We had our lab before the kids were born so I wasn't sure how he would respond. He has been great. I've heard great things about retreivers too, but have no personal experience.
Regardless of the breed you choose unless you get a dog from a reputable, conscientious breeder then it is a crap shoot, temperament and healthwise, especially healthwise. Do yourself and your family a favor and do a bit of research on breeders before you buy a pup. You may also want to contact a Lab rescue. A good rescue will test grown dogs extensively before adopting them out and that way you get a known quantity. Rescues also have pups a lot of times and, while they can't be extensively tested, temperamentwise, you won't do any worse than than if you bought a pup from the majority of breeders, especially ones that advertise in papers. A rescue won't adopt to you if you use an electric fence though. Electric fences don't keep other dogs/critters out, don't let your dog back in if he manages to get out and don't work if/when you lose electricity.
hard to beat a lab or a retreiver! looking to hunt for sheds you prob cant go wrong either... but i would like a tad bit bigger gal... i'd take a Chesapeake if i had kids... since i dont have kids i'd go with an Akita!!!!!!!!!!!!
My in-laws have a lab. Great dogs. I grew up with beagles. Again, great dogs unless they got on a trail, then they would disappear for a day or two and come back home absolutely filthy! We have a Boxer now, and we love it. Great with the kids, ( we have a 2 and a 3 year old) they crawl all over her and she just lays there. She can be a bit hyper, but as she gets older it isn't as bad. Great house protection, just ask the gas meter reader! They only thing, if you don't want a 60+ pound lap dog, don't get one, boxers will follow you anywhere you go, and want to be right beside you at all times. Very loyal dogs.
We always had goldens, but our owner's dog Otto is a yellow lab, and he couldn't be better suited for the resort life (ie. ton's of strange dogs and kids). Maybe kninedr will chime in... his is a K9 Dr. after all I know he has daily experience with all sorts of breeds... he has 4 kids and a Golden.
