Type of Dog

[JasonL]

Lol your call am stafs smart, I have kept and bred pit bulls and american staffy's my whole life as well as a few different breeds, (bull mastiffs, neopolitan mastiffs, bull arabs and american bull dogs) and I wouldnt really call american staffy;s and pitty's smart,

There IMO on of those cases if your gunna be dumb you gotta be tuff, Thier one of the most loyal dogs, good guard dogs and are very tuff but I just dont think thier as intteligant as other breeds,

Most dogs can be considered smart...that is, untill you own a really smart one ... I have a test for a smart dog, walk your dog on a six foot lead, walk straight at a pole, does your dog pull in behind you ( smart) or try to walk the other side of the pole and get stuck? if so, how long does it keep trying to walk? I have owned both smart, and ..not so smart dogs..generally speaking, smart dogs require alot more work, and now I opt for the lazier thinkers... My cattle dog used to bark at people walking down on the street ( about 30m away), she could see them from at the top of the stairs.. when they got out of view, she would then run down and look at their reflections in the window of my house, making sure they kept on walking.. she NEVER got hung up on her lead whilst walking.

 

[JasonL]

now there's the face of Intelligence!! well OK, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, though he does try...

 

[NotoriouS]

now there's the face of Intelligence!! well OK, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed, though he does try...

hahahaha... that pic is awesome!

 

[Montyshock]

As smart as a fox

Gentle

As fast as a car

As hungry as a wolf

 

[Vixen]

Go the German, you won't look back.

Bullmastiffs are also great, both are breeds which I will be bringing into my home in the next few years.

 

[gozz]

Growing up we had over 80 greyhounds and they are the most gentle dog ever.
But iam a sucker for a staffie lol

 

[tempest]

Haven't read through everyone's suggestions but I did notice a bullmastiffs get a mention... I love the breed, don't get me wrong, I'd never have another breed... I just wouldn't recommend one for a first time dog owner, but that's only my opinion. My boy can be quite feisty and I'd hate to see a first time dog owner have to deal with a 60kg dog!

 

[Dan123]

i gots a bullmastif cross dane and hes about 8months old and much larger than most other fullyy grown dogs already and has a nasty bark. but is the most PLACID loving doppy dog ever hes awsome. you can pick them up for nicks as "runts of the litter" from people breeding them for hunting.

 

[thals]

Now i love all the pit type dogs (bullies, staffies etc) you can call them loving, heroic, stubbornly protective but the one thing they can't be called is... smart. lol

My girls a pittie and she is very intelligent as well as affectionate, loyal, protective, etc.. she's got the whole package lol

But I agree with the generalisation that most bull breeds, in particular bulldogs, aren't reknowned for their intelligence.

Ultimately, it's up to you mate which dog you prefer. You want a Shepherd, go a Shepherd. Provided it's brought up correctly and purchased from a respectable, well established registered breeder, you'll end up with an awesome companion and guard.

Personally, I'd go a bull terrier as they are without doubt fantastic dogs (would recommend a pittie, but with all the legal mumbo jumbo etc I'll steer clear lol Anywho, I'm somewhat biased )

 

[gravitation]

Well to name a few mastiffs, rottweilers, bull terriers, dobermans, boxers, english staffy's, german shepherds etc

However, what do you expect from this dog? Most working breeds have a guarding instinct but the trick is teaching them how to use it, an incorrectly trained large (or small for that matter but to a lesser degree) dog is a serious danger.

I know plenty about most breeds, pm me or add me to msn to ask some specific questions.

 

[pythonmum]

Go the shepherd and train it - they thrive on obedience training. If you want home protection go for a bitch, as they can be more territorial than dogs. If you want a rescue, plenty of dogs end up at rescue and most breed societies know people who rescue.

 

[Rainbow-Serpent]

Yes GSD's are great dogs, but they are prone to hip dysplacia (not sure how to spell it), which apparently isn't really good for first time owners.

Look into American Pit Bull Terriers, extreamely loving, loyal dogs who would protect their owners with their lives.

 

[Dan123]

go to a shelter and see whats there. the people who work there know and love dogs they will be able to give u accurate advice not biased mumbojumbo

 

[waruikazi]

Thanks guys! Yea I like the staffy's as well but as mentioned I was told they were not the smartest and therefore not ideal for a first time owner because they can cause a mess. I would a bull terrier but frankly - the missus just has something against them (in the looks department ).

Also, I would rather pick em up from a pound or shelter where I would be saving them rather than purchasing from a breeder. Do you guys know of any good places around Sydney where I might be able to pick one up? Not looking to buy for atleast another month or so though - I'd like to do my research and get as much info as possible prior to buying. Oooo I do have a cat though, does that depend on the individual dog or is it breed related?

I am going to get flamed for this but please do not get a rescue dog as your first dog. Not even a young puppy. You have to remember these dogs end up in pounds for a reason, often it is because the owners can't handle them or because they have been seized because of abuse etc. We have a rescue dog that we got a as a pup, we lover her, but she is the most neurotic bitch you ever met and she can't be trusted around anyone or any animal. I got a young rescue dog, he attacked the afore mentioned neurotic dog. My brother got a 5 month old rescue bitch and it bit my face.

Rescues can be really good but for your own sake and peace of mind buy your first pup from a reputable breeder and be prepared to pay the extra $$$ for quality. If you can get references or contacts of others who have bought puppies from them before you and have a look at what they are like. No matter what breed you get when you get them as a pup because you can raise them the way you want them to be raised.

My girls a pittie and she is very intelligent as well as affectionate, loyal, protective, etc.. she's got the whole package lol

But I agree with the generalisation that most bull breeds, in particular bulldogs, aren't reknowned for their intelligence.

My bullie is the definition of dumb, incredibly loving but dumb as dog s... er... really dumb

 

[wicca4life7]

I had a German Shepard for years and she waas the best dog she never barked like yappy dogs but if someone she didnt know was at the house she would bark at them. we lived on a property and she loved it never strayed or anything. she was great with the horses too. she got along with the cat as well.

 

[Jungletrans]

We are training our new Pomeranian puppy to be an attack dog . He will have backup , our Rottie Sid [ viscious ]

 

[Brigsy]

Most bullie breeds are a one person dog, If brought up with kids most are good but can get territoral around them if not. Also most bull breeds dont bark much so will let intruders into your yard but not out which will find you in trouble. That said i love all bullie breeds and find them dumb but fairly level headed and mature faster than alot of other breeds.

 

[hilly]

Whatever dog you choose you should get from a registered breeder who does checks on parents for any hereditary diseases (like hip displaysia) and you should find one who will match the pups personality with yours so you dont end up with a dominant dog that puts it all over you. Make sure your pup is microchipped, wormed, vaccinated and has been properly socialised while in the breeders hands. Then you should should find a good puppy pre school and get cracking with the training, spend as much time as posible with your dog and you will be handsomely rewarded with a devoted, well behaved friend for life.

Good luck, and i hope you find the friend you're looking for!

 

[gravitation]

I am going to get flamed for this but please do not get a rescue dog as your first dog.

I'm going to second this.
and as to what dan123 said, more often than not people who work with dogs at shelters and pounds don't know that much about breeds, classing of dogs and their temperament.

Best to get information from good breeders you are considering, people who have owned such breeds.

Every single dog can be dangerous, sweet, loving, yappy blah blah, it's about how it's raised. Obviously there are certain personality traits that you are stuck with but for the most part it's all about structure and discipline.

My personal opinion is a rottweiler, they are amazing with children (if trained correctly), natural guard dogs, they don't come with many medical issues and they have quite an easy coat to maintain, they carry undercoat which a (good) groomer will be able to remove every couple of months for you.

In regards to 'guarding' the dog must be taught to accept people who are willingly let into the yard, and as puppies it is crucial that you bring people in and out of your yard and introduce them to the dog. They also need to be walked, so intend on doing alot of exercise.

German shepherds are lovely dogs but you will find a hard time buying one that has good strong hing legs these days and whether or not you get a long coated or short coated, most have quite alot of undercoat, some people don't care, personally i hate having loose hair flying around all over the house, not that i ever have that issue because i'm a dog groomer but alot of people don't consider grooming when purchasing a dog and realise afterwards that it is alot more regular and expensive than they thought.

 

[cockney red]

Rottie. Born for the job. As long as you know what your doing with big and possibly lethal, "pets".