Trying to decide on a breed of dog.

[dee]

I've always wanted a Rhodesian Ridgeback. They require a lot of space (yard) and exercise from what I've read and heard, so may not be suitable for what you want, but are very loyal and protective of the family unit.

I have 2 and love the breed. They are not for a person that has never had a dog before. They are very stubborn and can be a handful. mine have all but destroyed what grass I had in my yard. They are awesome with my two little girls and anything to do with family. They typically don't make much noise which I love. I know if they are barking something needs to be checked out.

[4bangen]

A mut. Go to the pound or adopt a dog.

THIS!!!

best dogs I've ever had were either found on the street or saved from a pound.

[Labora]

@ SFO
Doberman. Don't get a Mastiff like her parents had, they drool way too much.

[jluv]

Goldies are great, but have a lot of hair to shed and a very high energy level for the first few years. Boxers have insane energy and are pretty rambunctious to have around small kids. Danes are cool, but so big and have a shorter life span. Pit bulls are awesome dogs, but require extra responsibility, and our current society makes them a pain in the ass to own.

I agree with the rescue/adoption suggestion. Every one of my dogs from now on will come from the pound. Save a life!

[Roscoe]

A mut. Go to the pound or adopt a dog.

This

I love my two, but I will never get a blue heeler again. Don't get herding dogs unless you have lots of time for them.

Heelers rock your face off!

Love my Akita as well.

[Labora]

Danes have a great temperament but do have short lives 7~ years seems good for them.

I know the OP wanted a boxer at one time but they have a lot of energy and can be a bit stubborn.

[71chevellejohn]

Get a pound puppy - they're always grateful once they've been behind bars!

[talisman]

Please rescue a dog and don't get hung up on some stupid papers. There are millions of unwanted dogs out there facing death because people don't fix their animals or try to breed them to make money and then figure out they're going to be left with 2 or 3 of them.

Everyone is likely going to recommend the breed of dog that own, and I'm no exception. I'm working with my second border collie rescue and they are just incredible dogs. Sweet as hell and ridiculously smart(they are generally considered to be the smartest breed on the planet). I do have a lot of time to work with her, and they are high energy, but if you've got a big yard, they'll love it. They get to around 35-40 pounds generally. Go to YouTube and watch them doing agility competitions. You'd be surprised how EASY it is to teach them a lot of that stuff.

[GrayStangGT]

Mutt Heeler from the pound

I've got an Australian Kelpie/Blue Heeler mix and she is the best dog I've ever had, minds fairly well, great personality and is calm when you don't want to play but will get rowdy when someone wants to play.

[8mpg]

Have 2 mastiffs... would change a thing

[Labora]

Have 2 mastiffs... would change a thing

I WOULD too, they are sweet dogs but so much drool.

[DieselSmoke]

I just put my Vizsla down last week because of lymphoma and he was only 4 years old. According to my breeder it's the first case lymphoma in one of their dogs in 15 years, so who knows. Research a breeds health, i hunt my dogs and spend thousand on there training, i need birdy dogs with good bloodlines. I'm about to put a deposit down on a female Brittany, 10 month wait though.

Out of the ones recommend on here.. Lab, Golden Retriever or Border Collie if you want a smart dog easy to train. Or Ridgeback, Dobi, Pit, Et cetera for home protection.

RIP Gauge...

[Mike]

Boxer.

[Treybiz]

My parents had lap dogs growing up and still do. I don't care for them at all.
My older sisters have lap dogs as well. One of them has a french bulldog and I love that little shit. He's the only lap dog I've ever cared for.

I have a black lab/pit/mutt mix that my ex found 11 years ago as a tiny puppy in an alley. He has been my stinky best friend ever since. He is great with our little boy now.

Owner of my company has 3 aussies that are at our office everyday. They are a mess but very well behaved. I wouldn't mind an aussie at all.

We are going to get our mutt a friend in the next year or two. Probably a Lab.

[Sleeper]

Lab has been the best dog ive ever owned.