first dog ideas?

pyramid head · 07-08-2007

I am preparing for my future, which includes my first dog. We currently have a black lab mix (with what, I'm not sure) whoam is a bit fat and lazy. He is about 7 or 8 years old. He was adopted by us the very day he was brought into the SPCA for $35 I believe was the price. He is not my dog, but rather the family dog. I for some reason have the mindset of there being "dominant" or overall better dog breeds, in which I would only consider having as a pet. another problem of mine is that I do not care for mixed breeds for some reason, must be pure. So my question for you is out of the listed breeds, which would be best suited as a first? malamute, Doberman, rottweiler, huskie, german shepherd, great dane, akita, and mastif. I have read that the doberman, rottweiler, and great dane are not exactly starter pets for their size, and needs. I guess this is more of a opinion based question, so don't be afraid ot speak your mind on my behalf.

nattiej1976 · 07-09-2007

As an Akita owner I often am reluctant to recommend the breed. Whilst on the flip side will not own any other breed than the Akita myself.

To be honest alot of ppl will tell you that an Akita is not for the first time dog owner, but the reality is that Kato is my first dog. (not the first dog around me but MY OWN FIRST) so i would never call myself experienced as a dog owner, however I am stubborn and strong willed by nature and have always been capable of exerting dominance over a dog so having an akita has worked well for me.

I am not going to make comment on the other breeds, i have not owned one so have no business suggesting one or the other. The only thing with an Akita that I would encourage you to consider is that given there is another dog around your home, that if you do get an Akita, you go the opposite sex of the dog you already have. If you put a male Akita with another male dog you could very well look at battles of dominance and with an Akita this battle is often with alot of gusto and ferocity.

The other thing to always consider with an Akita is if you have kids reguarly around your home. They are fantastic with their own children, but not always that tolerant of kids from outside their pack, we have found that Kato loves our daughter soooooo much but is snappy at friends kids, even the ones that he has grown up with being around him, particuarly so if they are chasing or wrestling with my daughter.........he gets his back up at this very quickly and steps in to protect her.

I suppose what I am trying to say is that, as you may know from research, the Akita is alot of dog both physically and by nature, alot of strength alot of will but also alot of love and an outstanding companion and protector of the family. I have found Kato to be quite trainable, but I also spent many months before the hard core training began, builiding a relationship of respect between the two of us, because of the independent nature of the Akita, I had to convince him that he is in fact dependent on me for his survival and happiness, once we got there, training did become simple because he wanted to work for, and with me.

I hope i may have helped in some way, even if it is just a little bit. Good luck with your decision, and please make sure you let me know how you go, love hearing of new babies coming into their new home.

pyramid head · 08-04-2007

I now will slim the breeds down to the Doberman, German Shepherd Dog, and Rottweiler.

nattiej1976 · 08-06-2007

I hope you didnt mis understand me, I am not trying to completely discourage you from considering the Akita, just wanted you to know what some of the downfalls can be. Alot of the breed profiles that you may have read, will breifly mention the cons of an Akita but not go in to detail as to the effect or backlash of some of these charictaristics.
They are incredibly faithful to their pack, and dont seem to want to find much room for many more in their heart than those that they consider part of this pack.
There are lots and lots of pros, but I figured you may have already known about them (breed profiles dont seem to hesitate on giving details of the good things about particular breeds)
Im more than happy to discuss in depth my experience so far with the Akita if you would like me too.

dogs_180 · 08-06-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by pyramid head

I am preparing for my future, which includes my first dog. We currently have a black lab mix (with what, I'm not sure) whoam is a bit fat and lazy. He is about 7 or 8 years old. He was adopted by us the very day he was brought into the SPCA for $35 I believe was the price. He is not my dog, but rather the family dog. I for some reason have the mindset of there being "dominant" or overall better dog breeds, in which I would only consider having as a pet. another problem of mine is that I do not care for mixed breeds for some reason, must be pure. So my question for you is out of the listed breeds, which would be best suited as a first? malamute, Doberman, rottweiler, huskie, german shepherd, great dane, akita, and mastif. I have read that the doberman, rottweiler, and great dane are not exactly starter pets for their size, and needs. I guess this is more of a opinion based question, so don't be afraid ot speak your mind on my behalf.

Hello,
I see your a bit concerned.. Well me myself started out with a small dog. I would recommend that. The reason being is that they are easier to look after, active and have not to many needs. Once getting used of having a easy, small dog around, increase to a bigger dog with more needs.
Hope my advice helps you,
Tiana

pyramid head · 08-06-2007

Well, we already have a small dog. ~black lab mix~ I also ma aware that Akita's are not bad, but I would prefer to start with a more common breed that I listed above. We went to a friends house the other day, and I was confronted by a gigantic Rottweiler, which was pretty awsome. I am not sure why, but he rammed his head into my crotch! This dog weighs 160 pounds, and is half me height, so I almost lost my balance. Then he turned around and sat on my foot. I almost fell backwards seems how he hit my leg on the way down. He was very friendly, which gives me a stonger lean towards a Rottweiler even though some do have agression problems. I understand that some of the problems like that (agression) come from actions of the owner, or bad breeding/ breeding for a different purpose.

dogs_180 · 11-02-2007

Well I guess this is now all up to you. Because it is good to get a common breed but if you get a different breed and mate them then people might be more excited into getting a dog that they have never seen before and plus Jack Russells are common.
Tiana