Popular Breed Alternatives?

My family thought about a lab or retriever but I too thought they were too common & looked like every other dog on the block. When my family & I decided to get a dog we decided on a boxer. They are great family dogs & are also known for being great with children. We loved our boxer Mugsie so much that we decided 6 months later to get another boxer named Oscar. They are very playful & lovable. People that don't know much about boxers assume they are an aggressive breed which is not true. Ask a vet & they will tell you that a boxer is a great choice.

I agree on some fronts but I have go differ with you on your last point.

There is a HUGE difference between a dog like a lab and a giant breed like a Newfie or St Bernard. While I love those dogs and think they are wonderful, giant breeds are much different than a 75lb lab.

I can't recommend other breeds to people because I don't know the temperament of any of those other dogs very well (seeing as how I'm a lab person).

I think the thing is to research the breeds out there and get a general idea of what may be a good fit for your lifestyle. Afterwards, you to reputable rescues or shelters and look and see if they have a particular dog that matches what you want. I wouldn't get so hung up on the breed at that point as I would finding the right match for you.

If you were going to a breeder, then more research into breeds is a good idea. If you like labs, there are other dogs in the working group or sporting group that you may like as well.

I don't have much room to talk as we will be bringing home a Golden Retriever in May.

However, I can say that I have worked with my share of breeds and I'm completely familiar with the difference between Golden Retrievers and similar breeds and we made the educated decision to go with the Golden. The GR was the only breed that met the exact characteristics that we were looking for. Similar breeds were either less amiable or had greater exercise requirements. Size was also something we had to take into consideration. If size wasn't an issue, we would have definitely gone with a Newfoundland.

The reason that there are soo many labs/goldens is because people are uneducated, they are reletively inexpensive and EASY to find.

I, myself, love the rare breed dogs. I have a catahoula, 5 peruvian inca orchids, and two neapolitan mastiffs.

I would NOT reccommend the neos to anyone who has never had a dog before. The catahoula is a nice dog, but needs a firm owner who will not allow them to get away with anything, they also have high exercise requirements. The peruvians, I would give to first time dog owners. They are neat dogs, hairless (not a lot of grooming!!), have wonderful personalities, and are smart, but not too smart.

I am not sure why more people do not have standard poodles. Those are some great dogs. Also, the belgian sheepdog is a neat one too, but pretty hard to find.

No - AKC will by no skill understand any mix that is created by skill of utilizing 2 regarded breeds. Cocker/Poodle mixes were round a lengthy time period and they nonetheless are literally not regarded nor do they breed actual and consistent like a breed could. you could take 2 of the mixes and nonetheless not get something that resembles the mum and dad on a consistent foundation. So the Labrador/Poodles will not be a breed for an similar reason - they don't look consistent in form, length or any incorrect way. human beings do not use a similar forms of dogs - they in simple terms mix even if poodle they prefer to a Labrador. in my opinion, I actually have not considered a 'wonderful" mix yet! 2d, the unique breeders who all started this in Australia gave up because the dogs were not consistent in besides and unquestionably SHED like the different dogs. genuinely everyone appears to be like lower than the false impression that any breed mixed with a poodle gained't shed - unhappy ingredient is ninety 5% of them do - some extra, some a lot less. yet imagine about it - why are those poodle mixes (or different clothier dogs) in shelters now? because they have an excellent challenge in a lot of techniques and individuals in simple terms unload them at the same time as they don't "finally end up suitable".

A few good family dog that are good with kids and protecting would be boxers, German Shepard and rots. I grew up with these three types. I also love the Kane ca so mastiff. this dog gets to 400lbs but is great with kids. But I highly recommend the boxer breed. We have a black lab and yeah it's great with our kids but we also have a boxer and so is she!! the kids love her. they also come in a variety of colors, solid white being rare (with no problems). my mom has three white boxers and two are deaf and the other has very sensitive. there is also a boxer rescue located in houston tx, or you could look on the web!!

Why not think out of the box & adopt a retired racing Greyhound from a rescue group!?

They have little to no body odor, shed very little compaired to most breeds of dogs, and are outstanding companion animals. You don't have to worry about hips or things like this, as they are bred as athletes. They have a quiet and gentle disposition, too.

They take their retirement very seriously .... and actually need much less exercise than any of the hunting breeds.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks... athletic, great with families (i use mine as a pillow, and he'll let 3 yo kids pull on his tail) and they're good guard dogs, and coon dogs. Poodles, everyone thinks girly when they think of them, but they're awesome dogs and they don't shed (a major plus). Then there's the more common German Shepherd, also a great family dog. And Catahoulas are great for people who live out in the country.

I agree with everything that you are saying, but the fact is that not all people want an alternative because of size, grooming requirements, amount of feed, amount of room for housing and exercise, etc. Also, many uneducated people just plain never heard of some of the breeds, because they are not popular. Another thing is that some breeds have to have way more health problems than others. So, I get what your saying but most people just aren't willing to go the extra mile to learn more about different breeds.

Personally, I'm all for shelter dogs. I have a jindo I rescued there, and she is just the best!

However, saying that, I think Bernese Mountain dogs are great family dogs. I've met quite a few recently, and they are such warm and loving dogs.