Oh suz, so sorry to hear about your DH. No suggestions re: dog breeds.
[QUOTE=suz;7795875]
[QUOTE=Kyzteke;7795871]
Oh good point----I wonder how that will play out.[/QUOTE]
Get something directly from an A/C animal shelter instead of a rescue and they will have far fewer, if any, questions. Also, those dogs are generally directly slated for euthing so it would be a good thing all around.
You aren’t terribly far from me, if you are still in Houston, and I know my ACO would let you take one of their dogs.
I also would have recommended a Pitbull, but figured people would jump all over me. Although, mine is not much of a watch dog…he NEVER barks and if someone comes to the door, he is more apt to hide behind me than investigate. He’s more of a “Mom, someone’s at the door…maybe we shouldn’t open it and they’ll go away” kind of dog.
That being said, if he runs around for 15 to 20 minutes he’s good for the day…he’s been napping for the last 4 hours.
[QUOTE=suz;7795739]
…I’ve never not had dogs in my life, this is the first year ever without one. For the past dozen years we’ve had weimies—I know an older one is a good possibility too. Before that there were labs and shepherd crosses, setters, beagles, great pyrs and even a Hungarian Kuvasz.
I know I don’t want a lot of hair—I won’t be spending winters anywhere cold in an rv anyway! And an adult dog FOR SURE—NO puppies for me!
Low energy, low shedding, mild mannered yet mean looking and sounding are my requirements.
And I hope to learn as much as I can before contacting a rescue—in fact fostering myself might be a great way to get to know a few before one chooses me.
But I’ve never had a rottie or dobe or bully breed and am thinking of venturing outside of my known breeds.[/QUOTE]
there is a female at Houston Humane that they have listed as ‘retriever cross’ whose picture matches to a ‘T’ the AKC photo of Anatolian Shepherd
I went to adopt her but she was taken - then later returned - I can just imagine an adopter wanting a retriever and getting an Anatolian would be quite disappointed
[QUOTE=SGray;7796396]
there is a female at Houston Humane that they have listed as ‘retriever cross’ whose picture matches to a ‘T’ the AKC photo of Anatolian Shepherd
I went to adopt her but she was taken - then later returned - I can just imagine an adopter wanting a retriever and getting an Anatolian would be quite disappointed[/QUOTE]
Are you going to try to get her now? fingers crossed I could only imagine what could happen with her in the wrong hands.
[QUOTE=SGray;7796396]
there is a female at Houston Humane that they have listed as ‘retriever cross’ whose picture matches to a ‘T’ the AKC photo of Anatolian Shepherd
I went to adopt her but she was taken - then later returned - I can just imagine an adopter wanting a retriever and getting an Anatolian would be quite disappointed[/QUOTE]
Do you mean Wendy?
She does look like an Anatolian to me too. Look at those looong legs!
I liked the looks of Roxie too.
NOT that I’m ready, I’m not sure yet, just gathering data still.
I’d really like to travel and maybe even try living overseas–so adopting a pet will mean I’ve given that dream up for the time being, and I’m not sure I’m ready to do that.
Though I understand why dh wishes I’d keep a dog as a guardian.
OP says she has a cat; I would not suggest a greyhound or corgi, or, basically, any sighthound or herding breed.
Hound mix. You will need a fenced yard, but I have found scent hound types to be perfectly happy to sleep on the couch and then bark at the target of choice.
Bonus: They are bred for the voice.
Good family dogs, friendly, durable. A bit hard headed, but far from impossible to train. Ours loves her kitties.
I’m on my 7th and 9th Dobermans right now. Of them, ALL my females were always the “busiest” and most territorial, that is quick to bark/warn. Dogs (males) 1, 3, and 9 have been VERY mellow. Dog 1, although loving everything human, I would have trusted my life to, if need be. Dog 3 had a high prey drive but NEVER showed any sort of aggression towards any of my cats and the two small dogs I also had when I had him. (Unfortunately, one of my female Dobermans DID kill one of my indoor cats.)
If you check the Doberman rescue groups, you will indeed find many Dobermans with moderate activity levels or less. This is NOT to say that a Doberman would be the right dog for you. Just want to put my own experience out there.
[QUOTE=Guin;7796479]
OP says she has a cat; I would not suggest a greyhound or corgi, or, basically, any sighthound or herding breed.[/QUOTE]
Herding breeds can be fine with cats. All of my collies have been great with cats…they used to sleep on top of my last collie.
[QUOTE=GypsyQ;7796495]
Hound mix. You will need a fenced yard, but I have found scent hound types to be perfectly happy to sleep on the couch and then bark at the target of choice.
Bonus: They are bred for the voice.
Good family dogs, friendly, durable. A bit hard headed, but far from impossible to train. Ours loves her kitties.[/QUOTE]
Hounds tend to be VERY high energy. I would stay away from hounds or herding breeds, although of course each dog is an individual.
Also, a word of caution. It seems you are going through a very tough time with quite an emotional roller coaster. Yes, it’s nice to have a dog for protection, but they ARE a life-long commitment (or they should be), so take your time before deciding.
In fact, if you can find a rescue or shelter that will let you foster, that might be the best plan till your mind & heart are alittle more settled about the future. Best of luck!
[QUOTE=LauraKY;7796557]
Herding breeds can be fine with cats. All of my collies have been great with cats…they used to sleep on top of my last collie.[/QUOTE]
Or they can not be…I have one ACD who has killed cats. But they are still so close to their working roots and tend to be very assertive dogs. A dog who is not really used for that anymore (GSD, collie) might not be as bad.
I’m so sorry about your husband - that’s really tough for both of you.
Have you ever heard of Pilots & Paws, Pets for Patriots, or Dogs On Deployment? All very worthwhile, nationwide sensible charitable groups. Dogs On Deployment might be very happy to have you foster a dog or two!
They’ve all got FB pages, but you’re probably better approaching them by email.
Here’s a little story from Pets For Patriots:
I haven’t dealt with any of them directly, but they do seem to be a great bunch - I think perhaps soldiering knocks the sanctimonious holier-than-though drama-llama aspect of rescuing right off its perch, and they’re much more realistic than most private rescue groups.
[QUOTE=suz;7794618]
ok, let me re phrase this—
what are some medium to large breeds which prefer the couch potato lifestyle?
I’m just wondering what breeds are thought to have this trait more than say, a border collie from working lines![/QUOTE]
I just lost my BC/JRT cross at 15 years. GREAT dog, quiet/peaceful in the house, but not guard-ish!! No mean bark and never met someone she didn’t love!! I don’t think she would have scared anyone!!
[QUOTE=VFT;7795195]
Great Pyrenees will check some of the boxes. They are great guard dogs, sleep a good portion of the day, and are great with cats. You will have to give up black clothes due to all the long white fur that will be everywhere.[/QUOTE]
Yes, but they BARK all night!! Ask me how I know!! They are NOT good house pets…even though I love mine.
What do you think makes a good cross for someone who wants a mellow low activity doggie who’ll look and sound menacing when necessary?
an electronic alarm system?
even a low-activity dog requires exercise, training, and work. Someone deliberately setting out to look for a low-activity dog just because they want an alarm system needs… an alarm system.
[QUOTE=Kyzteke;7796689]
Or they can not be…I have one ACD who has killed cats. But they are still so close to their working roots and tend to be very assertive dogs. A dog who is not really used for that anymore (GSD, collie) might not be as bad.[/QUOTE]
I forgot about ACDs…yeah, my experience is more with collies and corgis. An older collie tends to be low energy (5 yrs +) and they can be very protective. My last collie prevented an attempted home invasion in Baltimore when she scared him away with the snapping jaws of death. If you like the personality, collies can be the best dogs ever! If you don’t want a lot of grooming, look for a smoothie, not a rough coat.
If you get a dog from a foster situation you will know if they are good with cats and kids and low or high energy.
Our mutt who came from the local shelter would fit the bill, and our best guess is Boxer/Pitbull/??? mix and around age 2 when we got him. He is a conformational nightmare :D, but he is a wonderful dog. Have you ever seen a dog with a lateral walk? I hadn’t. He has 4 speeds, walk, trot, canter, run. Seriously, that dog just can’t adjust speed in a gait! It is so weird! He will be running around in the yard, take a quick turn and his hind end will slip out from under him but the front end is still churning so he never actually falls…
He is most guests favorite because he is very chill and snuggly. I have taken him over to a friends with cats with absolutely no issue. He is great with our little one; when he gets annoyed he walks away and we let him downstairs. He is great with other dogs too. He does bark very loudly when someone is at the door or when he thinks someone is coming in the back yard.
If I were you, when you are ready I would start looking at smaller shelters. The one near work is smaller, and the staff get to know the dogs before they are adopted out. You probably will not get that level of service at a bigger shelter.
[QUOTE=suz;7796415]
Do you mean Wendy?
She does look like an Anatolian to me too. Look at those looong legs!
I liked the looks of Roxie too.
NOT that I’m ready, I’m not sure yet, just gathering data still.
I’d really like to travel and maybe even try living overseas–so adopting a pet will mean I’ve given that dream up for the time being, and I’m not sure I’m ready to do that.
Though I understand why dh wishes I’d keep a dog as a guardian.[/QUOTE]
yes indeed
when I went there hoping to adopt her I told the very chatty volunteer about the problem with the listing and was poo-poo’d
but seriously - adopt a ‘retriever’, throw a tennis ball - have the ASD look at you with a ‘what are talking about dude? you want me to what?’
are you sure you don’t want to go meet her? she’s got it all: short hair, beyond puppyhood, easy for her to step up into RV, and would easily and willingly take out anyone that bothered you
