Dog recommendations?

[Macaqueistrong]

I'm looking for a dog to:

-Protect my wife and daughter when I'm not home.
-Alert us of any intruders.
-Intimidate trespassers.
-Become the family pet.
-Play with my daughter.

I would like to start with a puppy that will eventually grow into a full size dog. I really like Siberian Huskies but, I'm open to any reasonable recommendations.

[JoshM]

Is shedding an issue?

[mtnbikaah]

how about a rhodesian ridgeback?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4USlfvBKBwQ

i've wanted one for awhile now..

super energetic though....

just thought i would throw one out there

[cbscandal]

Halfway through your post, I was thinking of suggesting a Husky.
They are great dogs, but they are a PITA to train and aren't as domesticated as other breeds. (from my experience. I've only raised one, but I have many friends that have also.) I used to call mine my little wolf-dog.

That being said, I think it really pays off to have one.
Pros: they're super loyal, playful, beautiful and loveable.
Cons: hard to train, can be a bit hyperactive, they SHED, and they sometimes try to eat small animals. (can be trained not to.)

Also Pitt Bulls are a great choice. Me and my family have owned over 10 throughout the years and they're the best dogs I've ever known.

[King James]

German Sheppard

Pretty much everything your looking for.....Im actually planning on getting one myself very soon....I, like you, would like a siberian husky but in all my research it says since they are pack animals its best to get them in pairs, otherwise they have a higher tendency to get bored and be destructive....I dont want 2 dogs and I dont want the one I have to be bored and lonely all the time.

[JoshM]

Catahoula Leopard / Catahoula Cur

[fatboy1185]

[cbscandal]

Did you feed that thing after midnight?

[Macaqueistrong]

Is shedding an issue?

At this point I'm not sure. I would like to just have an outside dog, but I would feel bad with it being a pup and having to be left in the cold. I think that is why I would like an animal that is used to cold weather so I won't feel obligated to bring him or her inside. Unless conditions outside are just horrible.

I wouldn't mind having two dogs, but do they both have to be Huskies? Well, obviously not, but do Huskies get along with other breeds?

Edit: I should add that I don't like Pitbulls or Rottweilers. Here where I live everyone that has either of those dogs are drug dealers or scum. I don't mind them as animals, but they are more of a gangster status thing around here.

[cbscandal]

At this point I'm not sure. I would like to just have an outside dog, but I would feel bad with it being a pup and having to be left in the cold. I think that is why I would like an animal that is used to cold weather so I won't feel obligated to bring him or her inside. Unless conditions outside are just horrible.

I wouldn't mind having two dogs, but do they both have to be Huskies? Well, obviously not, but do Huskies get along with other breeds?

It depends on how they were socialized. If you want your dog (any dog, really) to be good around another, then you have to get it used to the idea that it's not the only dog out there. It has to be familiar with occasionally coming across another dog during it's routine. It would be ideal to raise them together, but if you're getting two huskies, I suggest them being at least a year apart, if not more. That way the older one can teach the younger one manners, and the young one can keep the older one on it's toes.

[almostJDM]

also if you get huskies walk them everyday, and play with them, if they get bored they will try to get out and succeed quite often, my dad took our male with him to visit my brother in phoenix, and to check out a rental house, and left him in a fenced in back yard and he was only gone for 30 mins and when he got back the dog was in the yard 2 houses over playing with the dog there lol

[life_shift]

Saarloos wolfhounds are beautiful dogs. They are very good with people and yet at the same time they are a wolf hybrid. Its basically a mix between a german shepard and a wolf =D you get the looks of a wolf and the personality of a german shepard. What's not to love? Well, maybe the pricetag isnt he best at up to 2,000 haha but its a great dog and its unique. However it is a very social dog and doesnt do well if isolated but that shouldnt be a problem if you have another dog and or you interact with it often.

heres a pic.



german shepard + wolf = this

[cbscandal]

also if you get huskies walk them everyday, and play with them, if they get bored they will try to get out and succeed quite often, my dad took our male with him to visit my brother in phoenix, and to check out a rental house, and left him in a fenced in back yard and he was only gone for 30 mins and when he got back the dog was in the yard 2 houses over playing with the dog there lol

Yeah, huskies can get pretty crazy if they don't get their exercise and attention. They're also pretty noisy. I'm sure you've seen the videos of the husky (or malemute, I can't remember) saying, "I love you." Mine made similar noises all the time, especially when I joined along.

[f22a4bandit]

I'd definitely vote German Shepard. I was going to suggest a Doberman, but you want an outside dog that you don't have to worry about in cold weather.

[crazymikey]

Dont get a fucking wiener dog. My room mate has one and I'd rather put my foot through it's head than put up with it.