Best type of dog

Does he/she look anything like this?


That's Angus, my Lab/Mastif. He's about 110 pounds and gentle as a kitten. As long as you're in a good place not doing bad things.

 

Mine is also mixed with St Bernard. He is more St looking but has the solid body of a mastiff with the webbed toes and fur of a lab. He's sweet too as long as everything is calm and good. As soon as something comes near our house at night though he is up and at it, letting us know.

 

I've always been fond of a shepherd/rottie mix.

 

i would have to say an american pitbull terrier.
people really underestimate these amazing dogs.

 

I have a pit too.
I couldn't recommend anything better.

 

Best outdoor dog I ever owned was a boarder collie/german shepard mix,smart,very loyal,great watchdog and as gentle as a kitten.If I ever get another I will definitly try to find one like her.

 

Purebred German Shepard...only breed I will ever have

 

Pitties are where it's at... but they might not protect you from an animal of the human variety.

 

I have a Mutt but she is i guess mainly a Border collie x coolie she i a grand travel dog cause being a working dog she is super loyal but i reckon the most practical dog would be something like a staffy cause they look tough but they are actually sweet hearts and they arent to big?

 

Cattledogs,

They are not to big or to small, they are tough and hardy, have great stamina for hiking, very loyal and will protect you and your belongings well when and if the need arises.

 

A sausage dog is the best dog, whatever the occasion.

 

The best dog is the one that you see at the shelter or rescue event that speaks to you with their eyes and their heart. It is a different dog for every person. Sometimes it is a dog that comes to you in a roundabout way, one you did not expect. It might be a purebred or a mutt (and yes many purebreds end up in rescue groups). Personally I love the mutts. I do have a love for terriers with their tenacity and loyalty, and the australian type dogs (like cattle dogs and heelers) because they are hardy in all situations if you are travelling.

So many good dogs are needing homes right now, because of the economy folks have had to give up their pets because of foreclosures and other factors. If you need links let me know. Many shelters are euthanizing great dogs every day. Don't shop, ADOPT!! thanks.

 

^Good call Garth^

 

This is so very, very true and I really hope people out there take your statements to heart and accordingly do the right thing!!!

I have had many types of dogs in my life and am proud to say that each and every one of them was abandoned and in need of a good home and they where and are always there for me regardless of their breeding.

Keep in mind, that we humans are only animals/mammals, or more specifically, the so-called "thinking monkeys" and that we are really, each and every one of us, nothing more than "mutts" too!

 

It depends on your needs. There's no 'one best type'. For travelling, though? I wouldn't get anything bigger than about 70 pounds, (I'd look in the 50ish pound range- a good median for a dog able to carry their own gear and keep up on hikes, but not so large that it ups the risks of orthopedic problems- never own a dog too big for you to carry to a vet in an emergency!) and I'd avoid breeds or mixes that looked like breeds that have a lot of problems with breed bans.

I choose to get my dogs from people who are breeding heritage breeds of dog for their original purposes, and who can document health in the family lines, because I consider that an investment in the future health of my dogs, and because I happen to love the history and heritage involved in it. (And I'm only pointing this out because of some other threads on here, but not all 'heritage' breeds are created equal- there are a few purported 'Native' breeds here in teh US that are just husky mixes created by scammers for the wolfy-look, with no health testing done and no real breeding for any purpose but an exotic appearance.)

Shelters and rescue groups rock. But there are some breeds that I would not recommend getting from shelter or rescue unless the dog is a mature (4-7 years) adult with no existing health problems. 'Hybrid vigor' is a myth in dogs, so don't buy into the doodle-type dogs being healthier, but a multi-generational feral-type mix can be a very low risk for genetic problems. I know that no one reasonable would give up on a dog because of health problems, but if you don't have money to treat those problems (especially stuff like hip dysplasia, where the dog may end up living in pain if you can't afford to fix it), it only makes good sense to try and find a dog who won't have them.