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Anonymous
So my wife and I are planning on getting a dog, but we're not sure what kind would be good to get. he things we're looking for is a larger dog rather than a smaller one. The thing is we already have pets, including a tortoise, a skunk, and a cat. What would be a good larger-sized dog that wouldn't shed too much, and wouldn't feel the need to hunt down or harass the other pets? We live on a farm so if it needs a lot of room that isn't a problem. I was looking into Akitas, as they sound like really great dogs and are extremely pretty, but I read that they are really bad toward other animals?

tl;dr whats a good dog to have that won't harass other pets?
>> Anonymous
my friend has a beagel. He says that the beagel gets along well with his too cats and two other dogs. supposedly they're good companion dogs for humans and other animals.
>> Anonymous
Eh, I don't know about beagles. I know someone that has 2, and they are VERY high energy, and those two in particular can be very aggressive to other animals. Aren't they bred to be hunting dogs, anyway? Maybe not such a good idea if you have smaller animals like a skunk. I don't know, they are supposed to have a pretty good temperament generally...

Honestly, you're probably better off just going to the shelter and picking the mellowest dog you can find there.
>> Anonymous
I know they seem a little boring, but Golden Retrievers are generally a pretty safe choice.
>> Anonymous
The dog's actions depend on its care. If you don't set rules or walk it twice a day for an hour each it'll get antsy on way or another.
>> Anonymous
Rat Terriers are awesome. I'm going to have to say that they're the best dogs of all time. Small, too.

The only thing you may not like is their bark, but you can train them not to.
>> Anonymous
>>180213I know they seem a little boring, but Labrador Retrievers are generally a pretty safe choice.
fix'd
Also if you get a pup when he's young enough, the other critters (i.e. cafts) will put him in his place and he'll accept them as being beta and delta to his gamma.
Get'em while they're young just like the Jesuits say.
>> Anonymous
beagles are disgusting and constantly rummage through trash and BARK/HOWL non stop. labs are boring and HYPER. dachshunds are mean.akitas are often aggressive and need a lot of socialization.
>> Anonymous
don't get a hound (i.e. beagle) or a terrier.. or any dog bred for hunting or fighting.
>> Anonymous
adopt from a shelter!:)
>> Anonymous
well, my wife seems to think we should go down to the pound and just find a really mellow mutt to get, but I really want a young puppy that hasn't had any real human interaction yet, because as>>180473said, thats the time that they learn how to treat humans and other animals the most. I really dislike beagels, as growing up my friend had one that was extremely mean. I'll look into goldens and labs, but I remember hearing somewhere that they are extremely stupid dogs due to the massive breeding for them to be show dogs. Is this true or just something I heard somewhere?

Also to all the people saying that the way dogs behave depends 100% on how you raise them, that is true for the most part, but certain breeds do have natural instincts towards preying on other small mammals, and certain breeds do have characteristics that are very hard to surpress, such as an australian shepard's tendency to herd other animals through niping at them.

Also, what is /an/s opinion of brazilian mastiffs? i've read that they are extremely loyal and bond very well with other animals, although their use as a fighting dog does deter me a bit...
>> Anonymous
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Weimaraner.

They are extremely well tempered, but while walking my dog this 2 pound crap dog started barking and rushing at it so it snipped at it.

It does not go after my cats though.
>> Anonymous
Akitas are really bad towards all animals including humans more often than not, so that's a definite no.
Look at what the dog was bred for. If it was bred for hunting, it's safest to not risk it. What about bernese mountain dogs? They're huge and nice to pretty much everything.
>> Anonymous
>>180517
Labradors are intelligent, I can not speak for Goldens. Any dog is intelligent if you put some effort into the task.
What are you expecting? Your dog to split the atom and publish a Grand Unified Theory?
>> Anonymous
>>180517
As for "extremely stupid," sure that's true-- if you go to a shitty breeder. If you really feel like you need a puppy of a specific breed (and you don't, I adopted an adult dog who gets along great with my cats, even plays gently with them), do a LOT of research in to breeders. Don't go with someone advertising theirself in the classifieds, who breeds "designer" dogs or has lots of litters at once. A good breeder only has a few litters a year, actively involved in showing dogs (or agility, herding, etc) and will probably put you on a waiting list.

Puppies exist at shelters too, by the way, especially in Spring.
>> Anonymous
>>180639
>>What are you expecting? Your dog to split the atom and publish a Grand Unified Theory?

Well, that WOULD be nice.