Which breed would be best?

[Elite]

Well, if I do get a playmate for Molly, I will certainly have to do a lot of research first [img]smile.gif[/img] So, here's what the new dog would get/need to deal with:
1. Molly, lol. She's a rott/pit/lab, so she's going to be rather large, although her growth was stunted in the pound. I'm gueesing she'll be 60-70 lbs full grown. So, I need a dog that can handle her.
2. Well, I do NOT have a fenced yard. I have a relitvely large house, though. It has quite a large amount of stairs, and that might be bad for some dogs' hips and backs, so I need to consider htat.
3. Needs to be quite trainable, because I'd like to have the dog offleash most of the time when outside (will have outside time on a long leash in the front og the house, as well). I am willing to take quite a lot of time to train the dog, but I need it to respond, at least most of the time.
4. Needs to be a relitively popular dog, as I won't go anywhere but a shelter or rescue.
5. Can be fairly active, as we spend a lot of time outside with Molly, take her for a few walks a day (at least 2, normally several more), and there is a dog walker that comes when we work (my mother only works until 3), and we don't work during the summer, so that means even MORE dog time.
6. Needs to get slong well with the kitten.
7. Needs to be good in the car (although I don't think that really depends on the breed).

Okay, so, the ideas I've had so far are corgis, great danes, basset hounds, and rat terriers. I don't think any of them are really fast learners, and am unsure that they could deal with the stairs/lack of yard. I'm also a little worried that when Molly reaches full size, she could hurt a much smaller dog, such as the rat terrier. I'm open to any mixes of these dogs, of course.

Does anyone have any other ideas for breeds? I still may not end up getting a friend for her, but I might, so I need all the information I can get with the PERFECT match for my situation [img]smile.gif[/img]

[lou3]

all the dogs you mention are relatively uncommon and unlikely to be found in a shelter. I would suggest that pointers and labradors fit your criteria best although i would just go along to the shelter and find a dog that you like. If it gets along with your pup and is of an appropriate size (i would suggest trying to find a similar match although it isnt essential) A lurcher might be a good match, thats a cross between a collie and a "long dog" usually a sight hound such as a greyhound.
Lou

[weimlover0816]

Congrats Elite, on your future addition I'm surprised we didn't scare you away wiht our responses to beaucios' question about a good large dog

anyway, i agree with lou that a lab/lab mix will be a good companion for molly..... they are quick learners, popular so there wil be many in the shelters, and will certainly keep up with Molly!!! But, the dogs you mentioned were relatively small.... are you looking for a smaller dog?

Anyway, good luck!! And your dog portraits were absolutely wonderful by the way!!

Lou- I think that greyhounds/greyhound mixes probably wouldn't be the the best idea for her, as the yard is not fenced and she wants the dog to be off leash a lot. greyhounds, I have heard, really need to be leashed all the time... they have a higher prey dirve than most dogs, IMO... not a bad thing, certainly, as it is their job, but, for off leash, prob. not the best....

anyway.....

[Elite]

Well, those were the only dogs I mentioned that I liked because I AM able to findthem in the shelters. Well, not great danes, and generally not bassets (although there might be soon, considering there are two in the lost dogs section, and they can only stay there for a week). There are two great dane resces in my state, though, and one of their dog's profiles looked like it could do well in our life.
There is a corgi/lab mix at my closest shelter right now, which got the idea started on the corgis [img]smile.gif[/img]

I generally don't like small dogs (and I don't consider bassets small, lol), however most of the breeds I truly enjoy would probably not be right for our life. I enjoy rotts, any dog with "bull" in the name (possibly too active), most gun dogs (for the most part, I like the ones that are too active), cattle dogs, Akitas (wouldn't be good with the nearbye children), and german shepherds (can't risk their hips). Another small dog I like is the shih-tzu, but that would be a bad choice as a playmate for molly. Not to mention my mom prefers dogs without reputations (the fact that we got Molly is amazing...my mom would have never adopted her if she had known what she was).

Another idea is Springer Spaniels, I love those, and htere might be a couple in my area. However, for the most part rescues will not adopt dos out to people who do not have fences. The great dane rescue is a rare exception. The usually require it, but if you can prove other ways of excersizing your dog, they will consider it.

I will certainly consider labs/lab mixes...there are plenty around here! Almost as many as there are cattle dogs!

[Dax]

A smaller shepard cross would be fine. Just avoid the 110 - 150 bruts as they are the ones more prone to hip/elbow problems. They are popular so your ASPCA should have several. How about going online to your shelter and picking some that you like and let us see them.

[lou3]

lurchers dont have to be greyhound, and remember their other half is the oh-so-willing-to-take orders border collie. Lurchers that are borzoi cross collie are becoming very popular over here. Its a beautiful mix and produces an excellent dog. Lurchers are primarily used as "flushing" gun dogs here.
Lou

[weimlover0816]

Elite, don't compltetly discount the shih-tzu, my in-laws have one and he looooves to play with Roslynd. He actuallly wears her out sometimes!! And, his other best friend is the 90 lb. black lab that lives across the street!! LOL But, you may have a hard time finding on in a shelter..... rescue maybe. A pure bred shih-tzu in this area goes for about $600.... yikes!!

(my in laws got theirs for free.... lucky ducks!!)

Yeah, pick some out, post pics, and we'll help you choose!! you know we never fail to give our full opinions!!! LOL

[Elite]

Alright...I can post a few dogs that interest me [img]smile.gif[/img] There are sars next to the ones I particularly like, maybe just a tad more than others, although I do really like them all [img]smile.gif[/img] *

http://www.boulderhumane.org//adopt/...s/A116065.html
*http://www.boulderhumane.org//adopt/...s/A116206.html
**http://www.boulderhumane.org//adopt/...s/A116491.html
**http://www.boulderhumane.org//adopt/...s/A107942.html
*http://www.boulderhumane.org//adopt/...s/A116002.html
http://www.boulderhumane.org//adopt/...s/A116364.html
*male 1 year old terrier mix-
http://www.petharbor.com/get_image.a...&LOCATION=DDFL
male 7 month old german shepherd mix-
http://www.petharbor.com/get_image.a...&LOCATION=DDFL
**Male 1 y/o terrier mix-
http://www.petharbor.com/get_image.a...&LOCATION=DDFL
*Male 9 m/o boxer/german shepherd
http://www.petharbor.com/get_image.a...&LOCATION=DDFL
Male 3 y/o cattle dog purebred-
http://www.petharbor.com/get_image.a...&LOCATION=DDFL
Female 3 y/o chow mix-
http://www.petharbor.com/get_image.a...LOCATION=DDFL1
*Male adult Basset mix-
http://www.coloradohumane.org/MVC-493S.JPG
Male 8 m/o chocolate lab-
http://www.coloradohumane.org/MVC-893S.JPG
Male 2.5 year old shiba x
http://www.coloradohumane.org/MVC-514S.JPG
Male adult shepherd x
http://www.coloradohumane.org/MVC-591S.JPG
Male adult mastiff x-
http://www.coloradohumane.org/MVC-586S.JPG
*Male 2 y/o skye terrier-
http://www.coloradohumane.org/MVC-508S.JPG
**Male 15 months Great Dane
http://www.rmgreatdane.org/Photos/Apollo035.jpg
Male 2 y/o chessie/lab mix (no picture)

Yeah...I like quite a few [img]smile.gif[/img] So if you actually had the patience to look through this many, thank you, and I'd love to hear your opinions [img]smile.gif[/img]

[ June 28, 2004, 01:47 PM: Message edited by: Elite ]

[Dax]

I like the boxer - Max. Good looking fellow - looks pure. NICE STRONG lines

[Elite]

He is a lovely dog, isn't he? Right age, gender, and size as well [img]smile.gif[/img] And he is possibly the least "tough" looking boxer I've ever seen. And I love his "Navy" collar..he seems perfect for it [img]smile.gif[/img] I wouldn't be suprised if he was yet anohter one of those dogs whose owners were sent off to Iraq...ugh. Somebody PLEASE stop this dumb president before even more dogs have to go homeless