We had to put down our Aussie Shep/Heeler mix in December, age and cancer. He was an outside dog and we are looking for another great out door dog. We have 2 kids, ages 3 and 17 months and about 8 outside cats. I like German Shepperds and Mastiffs. We had a Sheperd and he was shot in the leg by a neighbors kid and had problems with his spine, he had to be put down. We also had a Mastiff, he just showed up one day in our yard(I think it was a Mastiff, mix maybe, he looked like Marmeduke but wasn't a Great Dane). A few weeks later we found him under our porch. So now we are looking for another dog, the neighbors kid is no longer a problem. We are looking at the pound, but wonder what other breeds we could look at that have some of the same characteristic of the dogs we have already been looking for. As you can probrably tell, we aren't into small dogs.SaraOur Aussie mix we had for over 10 yrs, then we got the Shepperd from the pound, had him about a year. The Mastiff was only a few weeks. You should see the luck we have with cats....

you should get a golden retreiver.

gloden retriver duh

Labradors are great outdoor dogs. Highly trainable and usually very friendly. Plus, they're cute!!

Golden retrievers are great with kids. We have a mixed Chow, and it is a great dog as well, and she likes kids, and she is very affectionate as well. Whatever you do, Dalmations aren't good for children. They are temperamental and can bite.

BERNESE MT DOGThey are super super gentle giants, and soooo friendly. They don't bark unless someone approaches the house. They are sooo cute and super soft as pups! Did I mention they are totally gentle? Kids can drive them mad and they never growl or bite!

I would reccomend a lab. They are as smart as sheperds and heelers, but a little less aggressive ( barking at everything) I prefer a female to a male for that reason. Females labs tend to be more affectionate, and more laid back. A lab will also do wonderful with the children. I grew up with one my whole life(They make a great outfield team for baseball games) They love to be outside, or lounging at a foot, they are very easy going, and have the best temperment. Training them is usually very easy, and they seem to pick up body language quickly. I have 2 now, as well as a lab-german shepard mix. Good Luck on your new family member.

I have a Chesapeak Bay Retreiver and just love him. He can play ball all day with my daughter, defend the yard, and just is a big loveable moose of a dog. They are very protective and very loving. We have two cats, 8 show horses and 2 small house dogs and he gets along great with them. If you are into big dogs, this might be one you want to look at. Good Luck!