Need Dog breed advice

[jensieblue]

I am the proud owner of four shelter rescue dogs. My niece is in the throes of choosing between a labradoodle and a Black Russian Terrier. Any folks her have any experience with those breeds or any advice. She is a young mother of two young children. thanks ya'll

 

[ItzKatzTime]

I've never owned either, just have a friend who bought a very expensive labradoodle for her son, 5-6 years old. After a month she was going crazy. It had so much energy. She took it to obedience school and took it on long walks. She could never get it totally potty trained. She ended up selling it to another person who wanted one. I know of people that love them and they have had no problem.....so I think it depends on the person themself and what they are willing to go through to get past the puppy/teenage stage.

I've had terriers but not a Black Russian. They are sweet adorable dogs with lots of energy and jumping skills. They can be barkers too.

Tell her to go through each breed and look at their personalities, their pros and cons. It will tell her everything about the dogs. There is a book on all breeds at the bookstore. That may help.

Good luck to her. I love all dogs!

 

[Smiling JOe]

Like you, I live with "pound hounds." I will never have anything other than a rescue dog. For me, I have learned that in finding the right dog, it is 100% about matching the personality and needs, and has almost nothing to do with breeds. Yes, some breeds will have given traits -- eg - If you live in an apartment with no yard, and work all day, the last thing you need is a dog which needs to run, such as a hunting dog, like a lab, poodle, terrier, and you sure as heck don't need a herding dog. Within every breed, there are numerous personalities, and you cannot say that a dog will work for you just because of the breed. Does the dog have dominant traits, or is it laid back, like the runt of the litter? The spectrum is greatly varied.

That said, I have heard good things about the LabraDoodle.

 

[AugustInTransit]

I met a couple once that had a labradoodle. Cutest thing in the world, I have to admit. Whole buncha energy, though.

As to the topic of rescue dogs, my theory is go to the rescue and see if anything catches you. My sister and I went to the rescue just to look at dogs (she wanted a Rhodesian and I wanted a black lab) and we ended up finding a Rhodesian/Lab mix who was starting to go stir crazy. Four years later, that dog still is the best stroke of luck we ever had.

 

[grace]

i know two labradoodles. both crazy. one is on medication. good luck.

 

[Teresa Cline]

just my opinion but I think all dogs take on an element of their owners personality and are greatly effected by the environment they live in. All dogs are so adaptable and very quickly respond to LOVE and CARE and TIME.

 

[jensieblue]

Thanks for the help...I'll pass it on...

 

[DD]

just my opinion but I think all dogs take on an element of their owners personality and are greatly effected by the environment they live in. All dogs are so adaptable and very quickly respond to LOVE and CARE and TIME.

So true.

 

[Beach Runner]

I'd say go with a mixed breed. Pure-bred dogs are more likely to have genetic illnesses.

Our black standard poodle got melanoma (toe) because she was bred from a long line of champions, and one of those champions had toe cancer . I had seen that in her blood line, but dismissed it as low probability. Her cousin one best of breed and best of group at Westminster this year, but will that dog get toe cancer, too? A friend of mine has a black standard poodle who just had its sixth toe amputated due to toe cancer. Obviously it's not a show dog anymore.

 

[Smiling JOe]

just my opinion but I think all dogs take on an element of their owners personality and are greatly effected by the environment they live in. All dogs are so adaptable and very quickly respond to LOVE and CARE and TIME.

I think there is much truth in your opinion, TCline. Dogs are greatly affected by their environment. A dog which needs to run, like a Border Collie, will go ba-zerk if it has to live in an 900 sf apartment with an owner who doesn't like to go outside for walks or play. A friend of mine has an Australian Sheppard which likes to herd my friend around the house. You can take the dog out of the sheep field, but a herder is a herder.