hello all
i have no idea which breed to choose theres so many!
i've a large house and garden all fenced in . All the tools , crates, pens etc etc but no dog!
i'm finding it very difficult to choose a breed that i like ,i have a 6 year old so temperment must be 100% . please any ideas would be great

Hmmm you must have a rough idea of what type of dog you are drawn to,most people have a favourite breed or at least prefer big or small.If i were you i would gather plenty of books and information on the particular breeds that interest you and talk to the relevant breeders or breed club and then narrow your list down to see what best fits in with your life style and take it from there.

border collies are THE BEST,

BUT are not best for everybody!

make a short list then go & visit some,ask people owners /breeders what they areliketo live with etc!
im sure theres the perfect breed out there for you & for everybody!

Think it would be best if you join, so that you could ask more specific questions.  There are so many people on here, with different breeds who would be able to answer your questions.  Each breed is different, so some idea of what you like about a dog and the amount of time you have to spend at home, training, grooming, working, walking etc will all effect your choice.
From a completely unbiased point of view ;) Staffies are the best, closely follwed by Dobies :D

Hi,

Well i'm biased :-) and I would say do your homework find a excellent breeder of Golden Retrievers,a dog for all reasons.
A well bred Golden that has an excellent temperament that has all the relevant health tests hips and eyes make fantastic loving ,loyal family dogs with a great nature,will need some training to make it obedient so he/she will be a joy to live with and admired by all.
Briony who has 4 children and owned by 4 wonderful Goldens:-D

This is a question only you can answer! What size would you consider - tiny, small, medium, large or giant? How much grooming would you be prepared to do - a quick brush every couple of days or an hour or two every day? How much exercise are you prepared to give it - a quick walk round the block or a few miles at least twice a day? How much are you prepared to spend on its food (the bigger the dog, the more expensive they are to feed!)?

When you've done a lot of reading and narrowed down the options, contact some breeders of your short-listed breeds and visit them to meet some adults.
:)

The breed that is best for you is the one that is the right size, the right coat, the right temperament, the right "group", the right "trainability" etc etc

Make a list of what you don't want eg lots of grooming, stripping, exercise; do you want lots of hair or none, prick ears or drop ears, docked, undocked, do you want a dog you can let off the lead or would you be happy with one that you cannot let off?

If you strike off the qualities you don't like you will probably be left with no more than 3 from each group which you can investigate fuirther.

How much time can you give to training?
How much time can you give to exercising it?
Are you prepared to get up at bird's fart to exercise a dog in horizontal rain and wind in the winter?
How much money can you afford in insurance, pet food, toys, classes, equipment, vaccinations, wormers etc

http://ndnd.essortment.com/choosingdog_rjdu.htm

That looks like a helpful website. Plus, you can go to shows and look and talk to people about their breed. Hope you join this board! Good luck.

Carrie

Oh Guest, you'll get as many different replies as there are breeds of dog!

While I'm prepared to admit that other dogs are fantastic, too, I have to give my unbiased (ha ha) opinion that Staffies are the best.  ;)

As everyone else has said, you have to decide what attributes you want in your pet.  Size, looks, coat type etc.  Register and post under general with a more specific wish list and no doubt you'll get lots of help!

Yes, you would get as many answers as there are breeds. Hee hee...how true. I can say Labs are best. GSDs, Chihuahuas, and Dobermans. My latest is my Doberman and I think they're the greatest. My Lab is smart, but this Doberman is really smart, so quick to catch on, it's almost eerie sometimes. (it's like....I'm always saying "how did you know that?")

But they aren't for everyone. They are high energy and need a lot of time, a lot of training and massive socialization. I have time and a real interest in being involved with him, with dog sports etc. I'm constantly doing something with him. They are super smart, really have a sense of humor, terribly sensative, loyal and  affectionate, know everything that you're thinking. They're perky and atheletic and beautiful, no grooming. They protect you and are extremely alert and astute. I think this is the breed for me after having had several different breeds. But, it wouldn't be for everyone for sure. So, check out that website that I think gets you to look at all the different aspects of a dog that you like and it should then list a bunch of breeds that may work for you. Good luck!

Carrie