# Help us pick a dog! **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 30, 2005, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663 "2005-12-30T01:13:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2006, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/61 "2006-01-06T22:26:24Z")
> [@Poysyn](#): > > The best way to determine personality is to see what the dogs were bred for in the first place, sounds simple but true. > Once you trace the breed back to the original intent the pre-disposition in the personality becomes clearer. You are correct- to an extent. The sticking point is- how many generations ago was the breed last normally bred for that intent as opposed to how many generations bred ONLY to match to a certain "look’? ---
**Author:** ![Anne\_Neville](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Anne\_Neville](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anne_Neville)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2006, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/62 "2006-01-06T22:29:04Z")
> [@MacTech](#): > > the excuse that infuriates me the most is “we’re having a baby”, thus implying this animal that _relies on them for care, sustenance and love_ is not a part of the family anymore/never was and is now no longer an important part of their lives… The cat ones that make me sad are “Meows”, “Wants to sleep on the bed”, and “Wants to sleep with us”. Those behaviors are some of the things I love best about my kitties. I enjoy having a conversation with my very vocal Siamese mix, and I love waking up with the kitties curled up near me in the bed. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2006, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/63 "2006-01-06T23:48:51Z")
> [@](#): > > reading some of the sad stories of mistreated/abused dogs just infuriates me, i want to go to the shelters in petfinder and adopt _every one_ of the animals needing a good home Me too. I donated to Noah’s Wish for the forgotten segment of Katrina’s Victims. As for mastiffs and the drooling issue, another doper ( delphica? Bibliocat?) mentioned a newer breed of mastiff ([American Mastiff](http://www.flyingwfarms.com/amastiff_index.html) that was bred specifically for drying out the drooling issues. I want one of these dogs more than a spinone x1000. and I would name a boy dog _Sherman_ and a girl dog \*Lola… And all would be good in the world. Who’s a good boy?! ---
**Author:** ![Caprese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a9a28c/32.png) [@Caprese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caprese)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2006, 10:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/64 "2006-01-07T10:46:38Z")
> [@Shirley Ujest](#): > > . > > As for mastiffs and the drooling issue, another doper ( delphica? Bibliocat?) mentioned a newer breed of mastiff [American Mastiff](http://www.flyingwfarms.com/amastiff_index.html) that was bred specifically for drying out the drooling issues. I met an “American” Mastiff. He was a very nice boy. Had orthopedic issues which I hope were resolved. AFAIK he had less, if not zero drooling. I think I read that they used Anatolians (which look like they have mastiff genes already) for the American Mastiff. I dunno, I figure if I have a strong enough stomach for all the other aspects of large dogdom, the drool is just part of the package. I imagine American Mastiffs barf just as big, poop just as big, and fart just as big as regular Mastiffs. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Blonde\_Bomber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@The\_Blonde\_Bomber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Blonde_Bomber)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2006, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/65 "2006-01-07T12:32:00Z")
First, thank you all who have replied to this thread. The information, links, and stories have really helped. My wife and I are going to the local shelter today to see what we can find. The good news is that my wife is warming up a bit to the idea of a mutt. She’s not sold, mind you… but she is now more open-minded about it. This change has been in large part because of this thread. One breed I haven’t seen much discussion about is the dalmation. I love these dogs, but like the cocker spaniel, it seems to have been over-bred to the point of serious genetic defects. Is this true? My kennel days were quite some time ago, but most of the dalmations I saw were fairly even tempered. The younger ones seemed hyper, but most puppies seem to be hyper to some extent. However, I’ve heard some horror stories about their health and haven’t really considered them at all. Keep the stories coming and I’ll keep you all informed as to how the trip to the shelter goes. TBB ---
**Author:** ![jimmmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@jimmmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimmmy)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2006, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/66 "2006-01-07T14:01:04Z")
[pros and Cons](http://members.tripod.com/~RavenwoodDals/proscons.htm) on Dalmations. The cons are almost the same as the Cons on my favorite the [Shar-Pei](http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/sharpei.htm) (altho SP are a little bit less hyper, active and exercise “needy” than the spots – they re less naturally other dog tolerant.) Both Cons will say “not good with kids other dogs or small children” and this conjures images of wolves or pitbulls chained and salivating for a chance to snap up Jr. And Mary Jane in one bite. In my experience ANY non abused dog or non-mentally ill dog (there really are some) can/should be trained and socialized properly and these cons are never , ever an issue. For instance, Maybe it would be harder to train a Shar PEi top be friendly to other dogs than to train a Golden Retriever. OTOH Shar Pei’s are very, very easy to house train – even little puppies get it almost right away. Would you say “Retrievers can be hard to housetrain”? No you know you just need to do it. Same is true of Dalmatians and Shar Pei’s with kids and other dogs. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2006, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/67 "2006-01-07T14:55:21Z")
As for dals, yeah, the can have temperment issues. The local fire station had tp put their firehouse dog down because, after 5 years, it could no longer be trusted with kids. My boss’s adult daughter also bent down to pet her neighbor’s dal one day, a dog she knew well and had taken care of often. She bent down and the dog snapped and literally tore off most of her lips. She needed many reconstructive surgeries and never looked the same. Even then, she begged the dog not be put down. She was a dal owner herself and she didn’t harbour and hard feelings. The owners didn’t trust the dog any longer, and had it euthaninzed anyway. Neither of these dogs had been maltreated, and both were seemingly friendly and happy dogs. StG ---
**Author:** ![jimmmy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@jimmmy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jimmmy)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2006, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/68 "2006-01-07T16:29:01Z")
Man that is gruesome **StG**. I just pulled some sh6t off the 'Net on Dals. I wanted to say Shar-Pei’s but I figured everyone would jump on “OK but they don’t like Other Dogs” band wagon and I slid them in on that pretext “Well if you are looking at Dals - look at S.P.”. So my solution is to pull more sh^t off the 'Net on Dog bites! [Fatalities 79-98 from the CDC (pops)](836 Vet Med Today: Special Report JAVMA, Vol 217, No. 6, September 15, 2000) - doesn’t mention Dals - but does talk about St. Bernards and Retrievers. I couldn’t find anything similar on bites – but here is a single study from a single year ['98 in Texas](http://www.dogexpert.com/Miscellaneous/TXBiteStat1998.PDF) showing the usual suspects which makes sense. From [here](http://www.dogexpert.com/HomePage/DogBiteStatistics.html) : Disease Control and Prevention document that a chained dog is 2.8 times more likely to bite than an unchained dog. Rotweillers and Pitbulls are responsible for over 50% of the dog bites in the U.S. Just so the BB has all this info – not denying your friends horrific experience StG ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2006, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/69 "2006-01-07T16:30:33Z")
Hi, I work for a vet, and I would have to say that if you do go for a Dal, get an adult and thoroughly evalute its temperament (or even have a good dog trainer do it for you). I’ve met some lovely Dalmations but also some real neurotic/flaky ones as well. Any breed that has been popularized like Dalmations have and bred simply to fill demand is going to have some real problems. Also, be aware that epilepsy, skin, and urinary/crystal issues are very common. Good luck with your search :)! ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2006, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/70 "2006-01-07T17:07:30Z")
Every dalmation I’ve known has also been dumber than _two_ bags full of hair. Behavior issues can be a problem with any breed if not properly socialized–I’ve known many Rottweilers and Chows who were just fine around children owing to the dilligent training and early socialization by responsible owners–and part of the bad reputation about Dalmations comes, no doubt, from the fact that they became a very popular puppy-mill breed that was purchased as a cute puppy (just like the movie! see, kids!) and ended up a neglected barker chained in the back yard. That’s not good treatment for any dog. But they’re stupid dogs, nonetheless. Also, many seem prone to deafness, which can be a real problem when it comes to training. I tend to look for intelligence beyond all other characteristics in a dog, and Dals just don’t have that. When looking at dogs at the shelter, have the dog brought out of the cage and preferably in an isolated room or outside, away from other dogs. They may act much different once they’re out of the shelter than when they’re there. I always look for an animal that appears to be trying to figure out what I’m saying (i.e. head cocked, eyes inquiring when I speak to it) and can learn a simple command like “sit” with a few minutes of conditioning. Anyway, good luck. Mutts can be great dogs, and are just as happy in a good home as breeds; plus, you’re both saving a life and not contributing to the AKC’s obtuse appearance philosophy that have caused so many breeds to suffer from inherited defects. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![MelCthefirst](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@MelCthefirst](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MelCthefirst)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2006, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/71 "2006-01-07T18:27:56Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#): > > Anyway, good luck. Mutts can be great dogs, and are just as happy in a good home as breeds; plus, you’re both saving a life and not contributing to the AKC’s obtuse appearance philosophy that have caused so many breeds to suffer from inherited defects. > Stranger Like I inimated before - all pure bred dogs and designer crosses have now become genetic problems and apparently the only safe pure breed is a whippet. So it is not just the AFC, but they may be one of the worst offenders. Mutts are the way to go to stop this madness! ---
**Author:** ![LVBoPeep](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/858c86/32.png) [@LVBoPeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LVBoPeep)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2006, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/72 "2006-01-07T18:46:48Z")
Like I inimated before - all pure bred dogs and designer crosses have now become genetic problems and apparently the only safe pure breed is a whippet. So it is not just the AFC, but they may be one of the worst offenders. Mutts are the way to go to stop this madness!\>\>\> Mutts can have their share of problems as well, but in general a hybrid is a better bet. However, I do want to put in my plug for the _working_ purebred dog. Hunting, stockdog, protection work, etc- all of these things require an excellent specimen of canine health and attitude. I’ve been a stockdog person (Border Collies) for over 10 years now, and have had 12 purebed Border Collies plus fostered several working bred rescues. I have never had a single genetic problem come up in any of my dogs and while I do know Border Collies with genetic issues, the vast majority of those were backyard bred as opposed to being bred to work. I’ve got my first two Border Collie’s still- they are both 11 1/2 years old with only occasionally old dog stuff (old teeth mostly lol) to deal with. My second oldest of these, Rhett, although retired from trialing, still works and helps me quite a bit. She gets a little slower after a long day, but other than that she’s still going strong. Not a recommendation for Border Collies for the original poster though- they will chew through your house faster (and more creatively) than a lab can (we have six right now, and love , love , love our crates !!) ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2006, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/73 "2006-01-07T19:30:29Z")
> [@MelCthefirst](#): > > Like I inimated before - all pure bred dogs and designer crosses have now become genetic problems and apparently the only safe pure breed is a whippet. > So it is not just the AFC, but they may be one of the worst offenders. Mutts are the way to go to stop this madness! Well, as I intimated previously, my biggest grip with the AKC is that they emphasize show characteristics–appearance and form–over fitness and temperment. As **Smokinjbc** says, the working and sporting breeds are bred for health and intelligence (or at least suitability for their jobs) and thus have a much lower incidence of defects, although those that have been co-oped as show dogs (i.e. the Weimaraner and German Shepherd) have been subject to the same pressures with likewise poor health and temperment conditions. Aussie Shepherds, for instance, only having been recently recognized as a breed for show purposes, tend to be more healthy than normal (aside for a high incidence of epilepsy). So, for a pure breed, I’d tend more toward a working dog, though as has been previously discussed, they do require an active owner. However, in general hybrid vigor tends to serve mutt dogs well. And they can be just as cute, fun, trainable, attentive, et cetera as pure breeds, without the expense. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2006, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/74 "2006-01-09T04:34:28Z")
**The Blonde Bomber** - How’d the Humane Society visit go? Did you add a family member? StG ---
**Author:** ![carlb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carlb/32/5930_2.png) [@carlb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlb)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2006, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/75 "2006-01-11T02:13:49Z")
Probably too late to this thread, but what the hell. I’m going to make a suggestion I haven’t seen yet. A [Rat Terrier](http://www.americanratterrier.com/). Granted, I have only owned one, but he is a terrific dog. They have (for you) the advantage of being a sort-of-mutt (the AKC doesn’t recognize them), but you can tell your wife it’s an actual breed. They are mostly Fox and Manchester Terrier, with a little bit of Whippet for speed and Beagle to improve the nose. Our Rat Terrier has the personality and intelligence of a Jack Russell, without the intractability. They are terriers, so you get everything that goes with that group of dogs - intelligence, independence, some digging instincts, and a tendency to view small furry animals as targets. Ours was wonderful with our kids, and they tend to be very long-lived dogs (the terrier mutt I had as a kid was 17 when we had to put him down). We got a male, and had him neutered as soon as the vet OK’d the procedure. Like a lot of dogs, they take training. They can be a bit hard-headed (especially with a bit of Beagle in them), but they are very smart. They will take to training well as soon as you can convince them it is in their best interests. Ours didn’t require a ton of exercise. For the most part he was fine in the house; he would have his energetic phases when he would do laps around the first floor, but he wasn’t like a Greyhound or Lab in that respect. Unless you have a fenced yard, I wouldn’t let them out without a leash. They have just enough Whippet to have good eyesight combined with speed, so if they see something interesting three backyards away, you won;t catch them. Ours sheds, but most all dogs do. And, hey, they were Teddy Roosevelt’s favorite dogs. That must count for something, right? ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2006, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/76 "2006-01-11T04:37:54Z")
> [@MelCthefirst](#): > > Like I inimated before - all pure bred dogs and designer crosses have now become genetic problems and apparently the only safe pure breed is a whippet. > …! Whippets may not have many genetic diseases but they break their legs a lot. That’s what happens when you give a dog toothpicks for legs. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Blonde\_Bomber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@The\_Blonde\_Bomber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Blonde_Bomber)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2006, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/77 "2006-01-11T05:59:08Z")
> [@StGermain](#): > > **The Blonde Bomber** - How’d the Humane Society visit go? Did you add a family member? > > StG Sorry it took so long to get back to everyone, but unfortunately no new family member yet. A family emergency (hospital and all) cancelled our plans this past weekend. We hope to go this weekend. I’m still reading the thread, so don’t worry about adding any breeds/opinions. This has been great, especially for my wife who has opened up her mind to a mixed breed. Since I’ve had two pure breds and two mutts in my life, I can live with either one… but she was dead set against it before this thread. Mutts can be great dogs! ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2006, 7:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663/78 "2006-01-17T07:17:21Z")
**The Blonde Bomber** - Did you go to the Humane Society this past weekend? Any decisions? StG [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-us-pick-a-dog/337663.md?page=3)