Dog breeds like Labs and dalmations have been popularized by movies and poorly bred. What are some “unpopularized” dogs that make great family pets.
What Is The Best Family Dog Breed With A Gene Pool That Hasn’t Been Damaged By Its Popularity?
Posted December 28th, 2009 by admin
December 28th, 2009 - 10:19 am
actually, what you are saying isn’t true. you just need to find a dog breeder who has a good bloodline and does health testing- you’ll mostly see the “damaged gene pool” in puppy mill and BYB dogs. that theory doesn’t apply to breeders who know what they’re doing.
December 28th, 2009 - 11:13 am
Any breed – provided you go to a GOOD breeder. The overpopulated, poorly bred labs and dalmatians come from backyard breeders. The well adjusted dogs come from legitimate breeders.
First research what breeds would fit best with your lifestyle and expectations of a dog. Then visit the AKC website to find the parent club of the breed. They will have a list of breeders who breed for temperament rather than the almighty dollar. Talk to the breeders and put your name on their list for a pet quality puppy when one becomes available.
Yes, there will be a list and you will probably have to wait for a puppy. If more people were patient enough to wait, instead of running to the nearest backyard breeder, there’d be fewer poorly bred dogs out there.
December 28th, 2009 - 2:24 pm
This is a little difficult, as all families define what do is best for them differently.
Welsh Springer Spaniels fit that category, as do Stabyhouns and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Cairn terriers and corgis haven’t been overexposed, either.
I’d start out with those breeds and do a lot of research on each to determine if they’re right for you. Also, because of their ‘rarity’ compared to labs and the like, they’re going to be much more expensive.
December 28th, 2009 - 6:59 pm
I totally understand your question! And actually DeeDawg is a bit wrong. It is true that different breeders have different bloodlines relating to different structure and health problems to the dog. There are a few dogs that will never change. For example, the boston terrier has a few problems that can’t be changed unless cross-bred. They have bad hips and asthma problems. Any Boston Terrier breeder will have this problem with their dogs. A good dog that will live long and most likely have very minimul, if not any, health problems, would have to be a mutt. Don’t get me wrong, there are purebreds out there that can live a long time, but wouldn’t you rather have a dog die from a long life, or creating hip problems or other genetic defects? Mutts are good house dogs and can come in a variety of sizes, shapes and coats. Mutts are more ignored and left at pounds. We have a collie shephard mutt and he is almost 15 years old, and he runs, plays, eats, jumps, barks etc. just like all of the other dogs! Honestly I think anyone may tell you mutts are good dogs. They are also extremely fast learners! And a mutt doesn’t have to be a heins variety (many different breeds) it can just be two or three. And some truely are beautiful dogs!
December 28th, 2009 - 9:03 pm
If you really look, you can find Labs, Goldens, Collies and such from good, responsible breeders. I wouldn’t recommend dals for familys, though. They aren’t mean or anything, they are just too hard for a kid to handle. As for ‘unpopularized’ breeds, I don’t think I’ll bother making a list, because any breed can be a good family dog if socialized and trained properly. You have lots of choices here. Check ot the AKC website for a list of breeds, from Labradors that you see every day to the Pyreanean Shepherds you’ve probably never heard of.http://www.akc.org/breeds/index.cfm?nav_…
December 28th, 2009 - 10:48 pm
DeeDawg is right. The only gene pools that are damaged are those of irresponsible breeders.
A Dalmatian from a good breeder is a wonderful dog. Not necessarily the best family dog, but a great, healthy dog.
Pretty much any medium-large breed can be good with families. When purchased from a responsible breeder, socialized correctly, and trained correctly, just about any breed can co-exist with well-trained children.
Info on good breeders: http://www.pbrc.net/breeding3.html
I personally like Portuguese Water Dogs, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, and Australian Shepherds as general Family dogs. These are high activity dogs, but are pretty even tempered. Properly bred APBT’s and American Staffordshire Terriers are also wonderful, but not for beginners nor for people who might ever move to a BSL area or home.
December 29th, 2009 - 1:27 am
It depends on what kind of family you have, really. Right now we have border collies which is great for us. They’re very loyal and can be controlled even off leash. They do great with young kids, but are a little high energy for itty bitty babies.
Previously, we had a rottweiler cross, and honestly I would suggest a rottweiler. I used to be terrified of them because of their reputation, but they are awesome dogs if raised right. My husband had one that would not let anybody near his neice except for family or people that family said was ok. They are very intelligent, but a little large for some family’s situations.
Boxers would be good, as long as you have the time for training and exercise. From what I’ve seen, they’re good with kids and a good laugh at home.
My husband says a Dutch Shepherd or a Belgian Malinois, but he’s a little biased since he used to work in law enforcement haha.
Good luck!
December 29th, 2009 - 3:29 am
Here’s some great sites that should help you figure-out what type of dog is best for you. And help in training you dog.
http://www.puppyfind.com/
http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/
My suggestion is not to get a beagle if you don’t have much training experience. From what I’ve heard they our harder to train.
If you have younger kids around the house get a lab. That’s what I have, and he get along great with my 2 year old brother, and he’s still a puppy (10 mo.). And yes, he is still very hyper but you have to just be firm with him and let him know he is not to jump on you and he does fine. Lab’s our also easy to please.
Hope this helps. ~Bethany B
December 29th, 2009 - 7:56 am
my uncle had a rottweiler and i dont care what anybody says he was the most loyal and obedient dog ive ever known. loving and gentle but will fight to his death for you in a split second. he was taken by a tick that gave him lime disease
bull terriers are also very good campanions
December 29th, 2009 - 9:51 am
most people might not think so but Pitt Bulls are a wonderfull family dog if raised in a family it will protect and be loyal to its family….. plus its great with kids if raised with them…… I got a 2 year old pit bull and it wont let anyone near our fence when the kids are out, he gaurds them but has not every bittin anyone
December 29th, 2009 - 2:41 pm
depend on the kind of dog you are looking for. Such as size, temperament what your life style is like ect. Many breeds are still good quality. I like for smaller breed and a family dog the maltese, goldendoodles
December 29th, 2009 - 7:29 pm
American Pit Bull Terriers make great pets if you find a good breeder the easy way to find APBTs that have good genes is if they are ADBA registered game bloodlines
also look into Bull Terriers not to many of them around and they are good stable fun family dogs
December 29th, 2009 - 11:40 pm
A mutt.
Other than that….find a reputable breeder for whatever purebred you decide on.
Though we plan to get a lab/pit from the shelter when we decide to get a family dog.
December 30th, 2009 - 5:43 am
The Schnauzer breeds are great pets. I’ve never seen a popular movie or tv show with a Schnauzer in it.
December 30th, 2009 - 8:51 am
PITBULLS ARE AMAZING FAMILY DOGS
December 30th, 2009 - 10:18 am
Beagles are sturdy and small.