A friend had one... He was a big goofy happy dog. Not very smart and a little slow to respond to commands. More independent than affectionate but they love their owners.
I'd consider a Poodle mix like a Labradoodle or Goldendoodle. Every one I've met seems like a very cool dog, and they don't shed.
A family member has one. He's a big ham. This one barks a lot, but that has subdued a bit with age. And similar to Dave's account, he's attached at the hip to his owner. Anywhere the owner goes, the dog follows. Though I guess "independent" isn't the word I'd use with this guy...
PS you have to love hair (all over the house, all the time) with this dog.
If you don't have property they won't be well behaved, and will not be happy. They have to have a perimeter or everything is wrong in their world. They bark, A LOT, when they cannot establish one.
Ron, this is Ra (she who shall/must/will be obeyed).
In the UK we call them "Pyrenean Mountain Dogs". They're bred for guarding sheep high up in the mountains. They have thick furry coats that shed like Hell, and it's not the done thing to trim them.
They're really not appropriate for the hot Cali climate, no matter how good yr A/C is.
And another thing, you need to be careful w the interaction issues you'd likely have mixing a highly territorial dog likely to bark all day w the smaller dog you already have.
Yup, unless you need a dog to guard your herd at your mountain home, might want to pass on this one...
If I ever got another dog it would definitely be one that didn't shed, intelligent, and not genetically predisposed to have health issues or be aggressive to humans or other animals. Probably a Labradoodle... it's one of very few that fit my criteria, so not much to choose from.
Once our current cats get a little older or pass on, we're considering getting Norfolk's favourite dog, the Lurcher. These are cross breeds, greyhounds bred usually with a sight hound e.g. Border Collie.
Fantastic temperament, likes nothing more than sleeping after a good long walk (plenty here around the chapel), no aggression or moulting issues, and critically no inherent genetic issues from selective breeding.
The Lurcher is pretty much unchanged from the same dog many years back.
I’m glad my Glen of Imaal doesn’t shed. There seems to be all kinds of breeds available now. When I was researching dogs that appealed to me, I went on Facebook.i found several groups dedicated to owners and breeders of specific breeds A great resource .
We just rescued an almost 8 year old Golden Retriever. She was a "breeder dog" and not very well treated. BUT, the sweetest dog I have ever owned. Lots of soft hair so vacuuming is a requirement). And she carries around stuffed animals when she is excited. Here she is resting with one of her "babies".
I am a huge Lab and Golden fan. If you like "affectionate", Labs and Goldens are hard to beat!!
Yup, unless you need a dog to guard your herd at your mountain home, might want to pass on this one...
If I ever got another dog it would definitely be one that didn't shed, intelligent, and not genetically predisposed to have health issues or be aggressive to humans or other animals. Probably a Labradoodle... it's one of very few that fit my criteria, so not much to choose from.
Ron, this is Ra (she who shall/must/will be obeyed).
In the UK we call them "Pyrenean Mountain Dogs". They're bred for guarding sheep high up in the mountains. They have thick furry coats that shed like Hell, and it's not the done thing to trim them.
They're really not appropriate for the hot Cali climate, no matter how good yr A/C is.
And another thing, you need to be careful w the interaction issues you'd likely have mixing a highly territorial dog likely to bark all day w the smaller dog you already have.
California is too hot for me for only a few weeks here, so that’s not a problem for me or for a furry dog — at least not for the dogs I have interviewed personally.
We just rescued an almost 8 year old Golden Retriever. She was a "breeder dog" and not very well treated. BUT, the sweetest dog I have ever owned. Lots of soft hair so vacuuming is a requirement). And she carries around stuffed animals when she is excited. Here she is resting with one of her "babies".
I am a huge Lab and Golden fan. If you like "affectionate", Labs and Goldens are hard to beat!!
View attachment 47135
This little guy thought I was going somewhere when I was replacing a sideview mirror for my mother on her brand car, after creaming it at my brother’s wedding. He ran inside to grab his binky, and came back ready to go. He’s a rescue and he’s glued to me. He is ever so watchful for me leaving - and goes through a bit of an experience on each return.
This little guy thought I was going somewhere when I was replacing a sideview mirror for my mother on her brand car, after creaming it at my brother’s wedding. He ran inside to grab his binky, and came back ready to go. He’s a rescue and he’s glued to me. He is ever so watchful for me leaving - and goes through a bit of an experience on each return.
If you don't have property they won't be well behaved, and will not be happy. They have to have a perimeter or everything is wrong in their world. They bark, A LOT, when they cannot establish one.
If not a Great Pyrenees, we are looking into guard geese. African geese and Chinese geese are big and territorial and will QUACK at strange humans and other animals.
Three guard geese should keep a tight lid on everything: keep strangers away and keep Lola under control.
Plus Tinka wants to dress the guard geese in bow ties and military hats.
My uncle got in a fight at a bar. He went home and some cops showed up to arrest him. He ran out the back and hid in the dark wooded area, laying down. Two officers started looking around. Then they were attacked by his killer goose, and fled. Not a joke, it happened.