Good Family Dogs.

[alpha bet]

Purdie, shall answer from my experience.... 40+ years of dog ownership, 30+ years as a breeder, and with the last 25 years as a Professional Trainer running classes a few days a week, Owner of a Farm Style Boarding Kennel and specialising in working with Families and their Dogs and building Off leash Skills.

.........

What breeds in the medium / larger and Xlarge sizes are most suited to the average family pet home ?

Would size alone indicate a dog is not suited as a family pet ?

Is activity level alone a factor in a breed being considered not suitable as a family pet ?

What breeds would you consider only suited to owners with a special activity or work requirement for the dog

and what would those requirements be.?

1, breeds?

As with most things.... size doesn't really matter.... it is more about the breeds adapability to different environments that is important.

I always tell clients that a good family dog is one that a sensible 12yo kid can walk down the street with comfort. Hence if the dog has great manners he would not pull a kid over and drag off down the road chasing anyone or anything. However there are many breeds that are not easy to adapt to this... hence I believe there are many out there that are not ideal (in general) to family homes...

the first of these would be the American Staffy... and to some extent many of the bull breeds....which are too strong minded mentally for most kids and these are a breed that although generally quite good with people are unpredictable with other dogs... hence makes them a poor choice for the average family.

Another I would often cross of the list is the Husky/Malmute... in particular the males.... these again are a fairly dominant dog who are very pushy and arrogant with other dogs and unreliable with small dogs and small animals. There is a reason these dogs have such a high dump rate and that is because they have an extremely high independence and quite difficult to train. I suspect that they are the breed that causes the most problems in dog parks because owners usually have a lousy recall hence they feel it is only safe to let them off in an enclosed park where generally they hassle other dogs and intimidate owners.

In the 80's I was heavily involved with the German Shepherd... back then the club worked hard to improve the status of the breed to show how good these dogs were as they had always been considered a guard dog and the club made big steps with temperament testing to show them as good family dogs. However now I feel these dogs are no longer good in families. Many are prone to health issues with poor back ends and hocks, but more so is the hyperactive temperaments that make these dogs unstable for families. Most families do not have the time nor experience to deal with this breed and there are so many breeders out there just breeding for high drive and yet selling these pups into homes that will never provide the activity to suit.

The size of a dog is really determined by the family... how much room they have in the car..... how would a dog fit into their home.... is there room on the floor for the dog without falling over him.... The problem is that families think they need a big backyard for a bigger dog but in truth this is not the case... an active dog can live in a small space provided the family live an active lifestyle and include their dog into the program.

I now breed Australian Shepherds... these are a breed that are very adaptable to different lifestyles... they can easily fit into small yards inner city if the family are into walking in the park or driving down the beach for a good stretch... they also are great for hanging out in the street cafes with their families soaking up the ambience of the city life. They are equally happy jumping in the car and heading out with the retired couple who want to travel around in a caravan... or a busy mum who wants a dog to take to watch the kids soccer matches...

As long as a family consider the activity for the dog at least three times a week and are prepared to put in the time to socialiise/train in the first 12 months the rest of the time the dog will happily fit into their program.

Other medium to larger breeds who also qualify and generally easy care coats .... Nova Scotia Duck Toller, Springer Spaniel, Logotto, Greyhounds, Airedale, Schnauzer, Curly coat retriever.

[Salukifan]

I have a few recommendations for family dogs, based on ease of care, temperament and affordability.

Smaller in height but not in character - the Staffordshire Bull Terrier. No dog park social butterfly but if well bred and trained, generally a delight. If dog sociability is a key factor though, not one that goes to the top of the list.

Medium I'd go the Whippet. Generally once past the crazy pup stage its a big star on the lead and on the bed. Happy to curl up with the kids or go for a run and fits well on the couch and in the car.

Larger = the Pointer. I think an undiscovered gem of a family dog. Usually lovely natures, not too heavy and quite trainable. Also one of the cheaper pedigree dogs to buy.

For all those three inside as part of the family is a must. But then for me a family dog lives with the family, not alone.

If you want cute and hairy then the Finnish Lapphund IMO is a way safer bet than a Sibe or a Malamute.

And if you want a small dog and are up for professional grooming, you would go a long way to find a better pet than a Toy or Mini poodle!

Edited July 31, 2016 by Haredown Whippets

[karen15]

The nova scotia duck tolling retrievers are lovely dogs.

My staffy might have been an exception, but he was very social and dog friendly. Loved everyone. I put a lot of work in when he was a puppy to socialise him. He loved nothing more than romping at dog park or having a dog come to visit. He was an entire dog for the majority of his life (desexed due to cancer at 11).

He went to play with my friends young toller when he was getting on a bit. Everytime the pup got a bit too enthusiastic he'd body slam him into the cement or the wall. It was his way of saying tone it down junior.

I agree with a poster above. Small dogs are more common because you can neglect their training and whist they will be irritating, they aren't the problem an untrained big dog is. When I went to visit my cocker to see if we'd get on, they had a huge golden retriever as well. That thing raced up to me and just about knocked me to the ground when it jumped on me. The lady was surprised I wasn't scared of it. I was ticked off it dared to touch me. But that sort of dog (untrained) wouldn't be good with young kids.

Kids were apprehensive of my staffy until they saw his tricks. They always loved "bang" where you pretend to shoot him and he dies. Once he'd done his tricks they'd play with him for ages.

[Tor]

My boxer is a brilliant family dog. He is so patient with kids and loves everyone. I am working very hard with his training, so one day they will be able to walk him, but not yet (he's 8 months). Boxerd generally are good family dogs, but they need training and they are puppyish for a long time.

In my street there is a Lab, a Rottie, a Standard Poodle and a bull Arab type. They're the ones I see walking, I think there are some smaller dogs but I've only heard them behind the fences. At our training there are tonnes of bigger dogs. Rotties, Vizlas, Border Collies, a gorgeous Dogue, heaps of Labs and Goldies, an Irish Setter, a Weimerana, a Giant Schnauzer and two St Bernards. Oh and about three other Boxers.I live in a suburban area but we are surrounded by more rural spaces (Mornington Peninsuls)

Edited July 31, 2016 by Tor

[RuralPug]

The best family dog is a well trained, well socialized one!

Which of course begs the question, which breeds are the easiest for the average family to manage so that (given a good start in life from a good breeder) they will end that way?

The answer will depend on the family's lifestyle and willingness to commit to a level of interaction with their dog(s).

An active family, willing to go the extra mile to include their dog in all their activities and ensure that the dog has plenty of mental stimulation and exercise CAN manage high prey drive/high work drive and/or highly dominant type breeds.

A family with full time work and school commitments is more likely to succeed with a lower needs breed that will be reasonably content with a walk or two each day and a couch to snooze on while awaiting the family members to return home. Many breeds will not reach this stage until adulthood, so it is important for families to realise that puppies and especially adolescent dogs will have higher needs than adults.

Another factor in choosing a family dog is that many breeds do much better (in the full time family scenario) if they have a companion pet. Therefore whether or not there is, or soon will be, other pets in the family needs to be taken into consideration.

Lastly, what some people do not want to hear, not every lifestyle is suited to having a family dog. They may need to wait until there is time in their lives - it is unfair on a dog to be treated as a back yard ornament.

[Dogsfevr]

The real question should be why should my family own a dog ,After thinking this through carefully then proceed to the next step .

I don't believe there is such a thing as no breed being suitable or not for a first timer .It just comes down to honesty within the family & common sense hence why pet shop puppies have become more popular as there is no questions asked about the family.

What we have learnt over the last 10 yrs or so is the sense of entitlement to own a dog & being questioned about what they have to offer as a dog owner & suggesting said breed isnt what there after leads to people being offended & then venting how hard it is to get a dog.

We work in the grooming world & we see what pet owners do every day,you have your great ones & you have the terrible ones & the worse offenders are those who are retired or have a non working family member .

[Pjrt]

The real question should be why should my family own a dog ,After thinking this through carefully then proceed to the next step .

I don't believe there is such a thing as no breed being suitable or not for a first timer .It just comes down to honesty within the family & common sense hence why pet shop puppies have become more popular as there is no questions asked about the family.

What we have learnt over the last 10 yrs or so is the sense of entitlement to own a dog & being questioned about what they have to offer as a dog owner & suggesting said breed isnt what there after leads to people being offended & then venting how hard it is to get a dog.

We work in the grooming world & we see what pet owners do every day,you have your great ones & you have the terrible ones & the worse offenders are those who are retired or have a non working family member .

Generally I would have to agree with your last sentence! Somehow the double income three kid family with ridiculous endless schedules of school work sport parties camps etc etc manage to groom, walk, train and adore their high maintenance coated fluff ball while the retired couple or the family with a stay at homer bring you out of control matted idiot dogs with endless excuses. Generally of course, there are always exceptions!

[Purdie]

Thank you everyone,lots of sound advise there.

Alpha bet. i am glad you mentioned 3 of my favorite breeds;Airedale Schnauzer and Curly Coated Retriever.

I am going to research more about Tollers.

HW. I am glad you mentioned the Finnish Lapphund,i wonder how they compare to the Samoyed,?

[Sheridan]

For better or for worse I think Jo public generally are of the opinion that smaller dogs are easy/easier to train, and perhaps easier to live with if untrained, than larger dogs.

Also there is a wider choice of 'non shedding' breeds/types among smaller dogs.

society has changed much, dogs not so much.

We are witnessing the rise of a more contemporary domestic dog in this country. Many breeds will be left behind, as many before them. To think the breeds we currently recognise as pure are going to be all there ever is, is naive. Sure some will stay, some will change, some will go extinct, and new ones will rise.

Any larger low shedding breeds that make good family pets ?

I'm thinking Standard Poodle, Airedale,or are they ""Too much dog'' for joe public average family.

St.Poo, Portie, IWS, then a little more on the medium size Lagotto, Puli

A few other low or non shedders.......afghan, beardie, OES, Bouvier .......

They're all high maintenance coats, and most are very to very very active. Some would make great family pets depending on the level of dedication

Airedale shed a bit, not like a Lab, but they do shed fairly. Other large wire coat Deerhound, Wolfhound, Irish Terrier.

My sister's Irish terrier shed a lot.

[huck house]

"the first of these would be the American Staffy... and to some extent many of the bull breeds....which are too strong minded mentally for most kids and these are a breed that although generally quite good with people are unpredictable with other dogs... hence makes them a poor choice for the average family."

In a list of breeds to cross off for the average family , Bull breeds would definitely not be the first crossed off the list . Dogs that are not devoted or generally not fond of children would be .

[Taliecat]

There's a lot of staffies and amstaffs in my area, which is a lower socio-economic area but also a few retrievers, swfs, Spaniels and bitsas. I know of a couple of greyhounds as well.

Personally I like medium-large dogs but I'll be leaning towards either a smaller pup or a Gap hound for our next dog.

I know our housemate will be getting a retriever or a American Bulldog for his pup after Dozer is over the bridge.