Need help picking a dog breed

[dps]

I'm looking for a family dog that will be good with my kids two yrs old and 9 months, needs to be good with cats and horses. I want a medium to large breed that will protect the farm and kids if needed, and intelligent

I like the Boxer and German Shepard (except for the sheding part) I also like the Bulldogs any other suggestions. they don't have to be purebreds
I would prefer a puppy

[marta]

I'm looking for a family dog that will be good with my kids two yrs old and 9 months, needs to be good with cats and horses. I want a medium to large breed that will protect the farm and kids if needed, and intelligent

I like the Boxer and German Shepard (except for the sheding part) I also like the Bulldogs any other suggestions. they don't have to be purebreds
I would prefer a puppy

no suggestions but let me know if you find one that comes w/ all those qualities guaranteed. i will get one, too ;)

[IFG]

I always put in a vote for a Standard Poodle. My only caveat is to go with a good breeder who does genetic testing. When you shave them naked, you can ignore the coat.

See my profile for a pic of our puppy play-fighting with his Corgi friend.

Boxers are great family dogs, but they have A LOT of inherited health issues.

[Remmah]

Australian Cattle Dog (Blue/Red Heeler). Good farm dogs, extremely intelligent, very protective of their family and home.

[BuddyRoo]

How much do you want to spend?

Intelligence, disposition, health, etc aren't really as much about breed as they are about BREEDING. (IMHO of course)

My boss got a GSD that came from very good stock. That dog is trainable and smart. Good tempered. Virtually the opposite of many that I've met in the course of working at a veterinary clinic. But he paid a couple of thousand for it.

I have a lab with good breeding. He's smart and trainable. Not a hyper idiot like some.

Making sure that you can meet the parents and they have good temperments, have the OFA certificates and health checks for breed specific issues like heart or eye problems--all of that can get you much closer to having a "good dog".

And then there's training, exercise and environment.

What kind of setup do you have? Fenced yard? Do you keep your dogs inside or out? How much time will you be able to dedicate to training and exercise?

There are lots of great dogs out there...all manner of breeds. Finding the right fit means being pretty realistic about what you are willing to spend both on the up front cost and time wise with the training and socialization.

I personally like the lab personality I ended up with. Friendly, exuberant, great with kids, not aggressive towards people or dogs UNLESS one of his people is in trouble.

[dmalbone]

I sent you a PM

[PicturePerfectPonies]

Australian Cattle Dog (Blue/Red Heeler). Good farm dogs, extremely intelligent, very protective of their family and home.

I second this one whole heartedly. They can be a little trying their first year (high energy puppies) but they are SO smart and EXTREMELY loyal. Mine also seemed to come with horse and baby sense built in. We have 6 dogs in our house and he is the one that is the best with my 6 week old son (http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss242/mwascorinne/100_0323.jpg).

[BuddyRoo]

See, and I'm just the opposite. I don't like the heelers much because they're so cautious of everyone. I prefer to have a very happy go lucky type--but my environment/lifestyle is such that my dog is with me a lot--at work, driving around town, out in the neighborhood, at the farm, etc. I need to have a dog who is not going to snap at someone just because they're a stranger.

[PicturePerfectPonies]

We spent a lot of time socializing our heeler, took him everywhere as a puppy, let him meet everyone we could. My fiancee works at a drive through and would take him to work to meet people. He has never snapped at anyone and loves to meet new people. However if mom gives off a bad vibe about someone he will sit in b/n me and them and stare the other person down. They are fiercely loyal though and without proper socialization i could see how they would easily become overprotective.

[ToTheNines]

Third the heeler. Mine is the only dog I know that will not run off. Ever. If I am in the house, she is at the door on the porch. If I am at the barn or riding, she is at the barn watching for me. She takes her job of watching me and the place very seriously. She has long enough hair to be an outside dog, except for the coldest nights (in Texas). She does have an undercoat, and sheds though. She is a kind, smart, great dog. I have had her for 14 years, and she has never put a foot wrong.

Added in response to the heeler temperment: I have known of heelers that were fiesty. Heelers are very direct, and I never ever lie to or tease my dog. If I say "want a cookie" she gets a cookie. I am very straightforward with her, and spent a lot of time with her as a baby, just being attentive, looking her in the eye, and talking to her. She loves kids. I suspect they are not the type for roughhousing with.

[dps]

I use to pet sit for a family that had an Austrailan Cattle Dog and he was very intelligent and protective he was my favorite dog of all five of the dogs in the house the others were black lab and something else I cant remember very large black doges with curly coats.

[Remmah]

True, they are suspicious of strangers and you do have to watch that. But they are so trainable. And despite the fact that they take their responsibilities very seriously, mine was a happy guy who loved frisbee and playing with kids, etc. I guess it depends on the dog and the situation. I wouldn't rule out a mix breed either, a lot of times you can get the best dogs that way!

[Nes]

I have had golden retrievers all my life and now that I've had collies I would never go back! Our two collie crosses (both border, one x smooth-coated collie, one x doberman) are amazing with our 1 year old! They both allow him to jump, stand and generally hit, run into, steal food off, etc. all over them!

They are great with our cats, although they do like to herd them (a great trick when our cats stay out too late at night, we just send the dogs to go find them! ;)) but they lick and love all over both our cats.

They are both highly trainable, and way too smart for their own good. Although they are high energy I don't find them unreasonable. We live on farm property so going out back and chasing each other around for an hour is enough exercise. Actually they've both been cooped up all week because of the rain and they are sleeping in the living room right now :D.

Both intensly loyal too. Especially the collie/collie who has adopted our son as her puppy and sleeps beside him every night :). They are protective of the house, but incredibly friendly - I've never heard them growl at a human, but we had a dog over visiting last night who got too interested in the cat and they both stepped right in to the middle.

They are both also great with horses although my collie/collie has tried to herd them before (was out of breath laughing so I was having a very hard time calling her back) :D with a little training they understand not to go near the horses and do really well with commands like "out of the stall" "out of the barn" "into the stall" "don't eat the poo (as in at least wait until my back is turned...)" just generally very smart dogs.

They also don't shed all that badly (esp. compared to my family's goldens!!).

Roo is right though, really you need more qualifiers then just "a good family pet" if you're looking for a dog breed. Boxers, German Shepards and Bulldogs are VERY different from one another, in energy level, care requirements, health problems.

[Nes]

I use to pet sit for a family that had an Austrailan Cattle Dog and he was very intelligent and protective he was my favorite dog of all five of the dogs in the house the others were black lab and something else I cant remember very large black doges with curly coats.

Curly-Coated retriever or Portuguese water dog maybe?
(or a poodle? :D)

[Alagirl]

Dalmatian. All of the above (minus maybe trainability - they are too smart and indipendant) :lol: oh, and they shed, a LOT. (and here, again, breeding is important, so you don't end up with a poster child for spay and neuter....BAER tested for hearing is cool, as well as the hip deal thing)

But if you like the trainability of a GSD..a Dal won't likely be the one... :D

[Equino]

My family had Boxers while I was growing up. Wonderful family dogs, great with kids and strangers. The breed is guard dog like, but yet we were robbed in broad daylight by an estranged family member, a male who was very large, and the dogs let him in. They didn't know him, but he had met some previous dogs we had and I guess figured they'd be harmless. We had horses on the property, and they were always fine around them. My only issue is they aren't farm dogs. Farm, really herding, dogs have more tendency to stay around the farm and not wander off. We never lost a dog, but there were incidents of one taking off after deer no matter how much we called to them, and these were dogs who showed and earned titles in Obedience. They have all been EXTREMELY smart, just mind boggling how intelligent the breed is. Human-like in their thought processes.

My parents just lost a 12 year old to a degenerative disease-she 1st got sick last fall, and have another healthy 10 year old. Every breed has their own health issues. You need to research breeds and be aware of what questions to ask breeders about health history.

Since I now manage a farm and my dogs are with me at all times, I went the herding group route. I have an Aussie and Sheltie. All around, the Sheltie is better, friendly with everyone and alerts me to strangers (only time the yapping comes in to play). The Aussie is more protective, but also standoffish with most people. Both are great with kids, around the animals and do not wander off. Again, very smart breeds, very trainable, and NEED/WANT to work.

For not long haired breeds-I do like Smooth haired Collies and think Standard Poodles are a good breed based on your list.

[PicturePerfectPonies]

My mom has a smooth collie, and i grew up with rough collies, and they are an amazing breed. I can't believe i didn't mention them earlier when i posted about my heeler. I'm sure theres some out there but i have personally never met a bad collie. I'm not sure where the OP is located but we have gotten all three of our collies from the Tri-State Collie Rescue and have been extremely happy with them as an organization.

[TKR]

Collies are amazing dogs for kids! GSD's are also wonderful -- but many have that prey drive as far as cats. Just don't get one from a puppy mill type breeder or pet store. Check the rescues and pounds -- they usually do a very good assessment of a dog's temperment and can advise since they want the home to be permanent and a good match. A mix of something would be good, too. Poodles are great -- very smart and trainable and non-shedding, but do need clipping. Labs are wonderful -- but so many popular breeds are indiscriminately bred -- so caveat emptor. What about a Beagle -- had one as our first dog, found in the woods. Great size, sooo sweet and adorable and that wonderful voice! Good luck!
PennyG

[Parker_Rider]

I'm going to put in a vote for a golden retriever!! I love my aussie, but I will never stray from my goldens again.. smart, loyal and they scare creepy fed-ex men with big barks (the aussie? growls from under the bed. scary.). great family dogs and super friendly, so typically you don't have to worry about kids' friends and parents coming over.

[chai]

I grew up with Collies and they are wonderful dogs. Kind, loyal, great with kids. We lost our dear Kuvasz this past winter after 13 years and I would highly recommend that breed as well. No shedding, and they are loyal, intelligent, sweet natured and beautiful inside and out. Good luck with your choice! I will also second Parker Rider's suggestion about Goldens. Our neighbors on 3 sides have dogs. The German Shepherds across the street are sweet, but the male is very aggressive and pinned my daughter in the back of our barn when she was 9...scary. But the Golden Retriever next door is the most perfect family dog. We call him our surrogate dog because he loves to come over and do farm work. The kids hang all over him and he has the most tolerant, happy outlook.

[MunchkinsMom]

I've had many different breeds of dogs over the years (beagles, airdales, german shepards, brittany spaniels and my two aussie/golden cross pups). I have also known many other breeds of dogs (australian cattle dogs, boxers, dalmations, rottweilers, labs, golden retrievers, cocker spaniels. . .)

I would have to say that with young children, the best were the Brittany Spaniels. My daughter was 2 when we got Murphy as an 8 week old pup, and Abbie was already a year old when my daughter was born, and the beagle was 11. The Brits were the best with her, although the beagle was good too.

Honestly, I think with most dogs, it is all in how you raise and train them, although admittedly some are easier to train than others.

I was born on the farm, and my family had a golden/yellow lab cross, and he put up with a lot of stuff from me as a child. But I do believe a lot of it had to do with how my family trained him.

[EventerOP]

My two favorites are Australian shepards and great danes. We have one of each and they are great! They are very family friendly dogs!

[Sunnydays]

My vote is for a Bouvier. They were bred to "mind the farm" in Flanders, and do that instinctively.
My Bouvier (purchased, based on knowledge of my sister's loyal Bouvier) is the perfect farm dog. Joyful and energetic outside, quiet in the house. With her coat she is dandy in the cold (I have her "shaved" for the summer though), and Bouviers are somewhat hypo-allergenic, so don't shed the way the double coated short haired shepards and labs do.
She is loyal and patient, good with kids and smart with horses. She and my cat have an understanding, and may be "best friends" in their own wierd way. Bouviers make great guard dogs, as they are intelligent, and gentle, so won't go off attacking strangers, but will use "sufficient force" if their family or property is threatened. She warns off encroaching coyotes, or geese too!
Plus, she "stays home". No need for fencing. When I used to hack, she'd follow me to the property edge (which she sensed instinctively), then turn back, and await my return in the barnyard, guarding the "majority". When I hacked with another, she could sense that 4 bodies were leaving - less staying home, so it was right and fitting to follow the larger number.
She is easy to care for and very kind.
PS Bouviers are not "heelers", and herd cattle by body-slamming, not heel nipping. They also aren't yappy or barky. I really don't like yappy dogs ....

[MistyBlue]

A well bred standard poodle, hands down best family and barn dog ever.

No, seriously.

They do not have the pain in the arse trainign period that many other breeds have. No herding issues. Extremely rare to find one with aggression issues...they'd have to be very poorly bred and then raised by morons.
They're good with kids, excellent with livestock and have the perfect combination of being brilliant minded without being evil geniuses...so very easy to train.
Not useless either, big enough to keep strangers wary and will take care of unwanted varmints on your property if you want them to. If you don't want them to, a "leave it" command works wonders with this breed.
They do not shed and are hypo-allergenic.
And only the show dogs looks stupid. A pet or sport quality standard poodle is a handsome animal and they can be clipped short in summer and left longer in winter. They also come in a variety of colors and markings.
Here is what a standard poodle is supposed to look like when working...this is the actual working clip despite what folks who show them will tell you:
http://www.ben-chers-poodles.com/P1010020aa.jpg
Here they are in the normal pet clip and in the most common colors:
http://www.greatdogsite.com/watermark/Standard%20Poodle-5%20years-Black,%20White,%20Red-
Strangers will not bother you:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/99675645_d2bdb22287.jpg
Parti-colored:
http://alordrot.tripod.com/Martese2.jpg

You can train them to guard, track, water, rescue, therapy, tricks...they excel in agility and water launching. (long distance jumping into water)
The standard poodle is by far, IMO, the top all around dog. :yes:

[Alagirl]

I think by the time we are done, the poor OP has more dogs than the local pound! :lol::lol:

[eqrider1234]

Golden Retrievers are my favorite dog breed. They are so SOOO trainable for almost anything and I have never known one to bite, bark at strangers?.... perhaps if allowed but mine never do because they are not allowed although we did have one who was very protective of me as a baby and young child! She grew up on my great grandparent's farm and was given to my family as a two year old when they passed away, that dog followed me everywhere and never left my side. They are extremely loyal and they LOVE children. They are not hyper and again are extremely intelligent and playful yet they know when it is time to be serious.

I think the main thing though is how you raise the dog, I also have a terrier mutt who we raised just like the goldens and while he is good with my niece he did snap at her the other day when she startled him and he did recieve a strict reprimand for that.

some pictures of the dogs with my neice :D:D
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/eqrider1234/digitalcamera069.jpg
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/oo151/eqrider1234/DSC_0161.jpg

[CDE Driver]

My vote is for the Boxer! Mine is great. Adopted the children of the man that works for me as his own. Is great around the horses. Never, ever leaves, his is kind of a velcro Momma's boy. Goes to all the driving events with us and is great around camp. On the rare occasion that he feels the need to be a guard dog he is very effective.

After reading the Bouvier description they sound like a great dog too.

The labs I have known all shed like crazy, all the time.

And I was shocked to learn that there are lines of Goldens that are incredibly aggressive. Pays to do your homework.

[vacation1]

My suggestion is to choose a non-territorial breed with a reputation for being agreeable to strangers, and leave the property guarding breeds alone until the kids are older. Most of the working, terrier and dog-fighting breeds have issues with inappropriate aggression/dominance. Are there nice ones? Sure. Can you find one? Sure. Will even a nice one demand more time and attention and responsibility than a Basset? Sure. I'd choose from the sporting and herding groups, and maybe some of the smaller hounds if I had kids. Two things that people with kids often forget when buying a powerful, protective breed:

1) Your kid will want to walk the dog, take it places, be in charge of it. If the dog has any aggressive instincts, this is a tragedy waiting to happen. Someone's kid, dog or cat is going to get hurt when your 80lb Rottie pulls effortlessly away from your 60lb kid.

2) Your kid will have friends. Friends who will run and scream and do things like stare the dog in the face, throw things at the dog and/or people the dog considers his/hers to protect, etc. A deeply protective dog will react to these stimuli, and the result could be tragic.

[Go Fish]

Gee, I dunno. I don't think I'd recommend a heeler for small children. My dad had several on the ranch while I was growing up. I really like them, but I don't see them around small, grabby, drooling kids, really.

I second the Bouvie...wonderful dogs. Think "nanny" around the kids. You do have to keep them in a semi-puppy clip though if they are going to be around the barn. Great guard dogs, too but won't tear anyone's head off. They just sort of sit there and stare at you...the UPS guy won't get out of the truck, but if they know you, they are all "smiles!"

[dalpal]

There's good and bad in every breed......there is no PERFECT BREED for what you want....there is a perfect dog....he/she may be a GSD,
dalmatiAn, Golden Retriever, etc. etc....and he/she may be a simple pound dog.

I have three dogs here...1. Purebred Dalmatian 2. Dalmatian/Pointer 3. GSD/Border Collie/Golden mix

Out of the three...my pound rescued Dalmatian Pointer is the one who meets all the OPs specific criteria...they are all great dogs, but no dog is perfect.

You will get a list of every breed on this thread because everyone has a favorite breed....you will hear negatives about some breeds because someone new ONE or TWO dogs of that breed in their lifetime and they weren't great dogs....therefore, the entire breed is horrible.

My suggestion to you is to either research for reputable breeders in your area of whatever breed you tend to lean towards or go to a rescue. Just my Two Cents.

[Amwrider]

Another vote for collie, fantastic dogs with great dispositions. My next dog will be a collie or sheltie. (shelties are a bit more hyperactive). They are very smart and trainable dogs.

[black dog]

I have my rottie with me most of the time at my farm. He looks mean but is really a 100 pound lap dog, unless you mess with his mom! He has been great with my nephews as well as my neighbors' kids. They do require training so they understand who is in charge and so they have manners. But, as an average sized female, I have no problems with training and keeping him under control. He is sweet tempered abd doesn't need a leash for walking.
If you have ever read the Carl book series, my boy is a lot like that dog in the story.

I do, however, agree with the statements above about you must judge each dog by itself, not by its' breed. For those who so love the cattle heeling dog, I was bit by one at a farm I was bording. I had been there for years. One day the dog snapped and bit me. next week, he bit someone else. I don't blame all herding dogs for the bit. Just that one dog. There are good and bad reps for each breed.
My rottie is a lovely rep for the breed but I have met some that are not so great for kids. By breed standard, rotties should have an even temper, easily trained and very possessive of their family.

Best wishes for whichever breed you pick.

[PicturePerfectPonies]

Most of the working, terrier and dog-fighting breeds have issues with inappropriate aggression/dominance. Are there nice ones? Sure. Can you find one? Sure. Will even a nice one demand more time and attention and responsibility than a Basset? Sure.

Agree 100%. Along with my heeler i have two pit bulls. Are they the best dogs I've ever owned? Yes hands down. They are the most loving, sweetest, goofiest, well behaved ladies (http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=39571804&l=c052478dd9&id=12918673). But they are pits, they have endless energy, are stubborn as could be, and i ALWAYS have to be aware of their breed. I am terrified someone will get hurt around them and will blame it on them (ex, kid reaches through the kennel to pet them, scratches their arm on the kennel, mom sees the mark and the dog, accuses my dog of biting them). They get along GREAT with other dogs but i will only let them play with the dogs in this house b/c if something happens guess whos dog will be at fault (whether it really was their fault or not).

In every breed you will have good ones and bad ones. My heeler ADORES children, however i have known many that don't. With any dog of any breed i would suggest taking your kids to meet it before it comes home. The dog can be trained to be good around horses and the house, but it is not worth it to bring it home and find out it doesn't like the kiddos.

[EponaRoan]

Boxers, German Shepards and Bulldogs are VERY different from one another, in energy level, care requirements, health problems.I've had Bulldogs AND German Shepherds and they are very different from each other. As a matter of fact, a(n intact male) Bulldog was my guardian/nursemaid & constant companion when I was an infant and toddler! Which may explain some things ... :lol: I wouldn't consider most Bulldogs to be particularly athletic dogs and they have the short snoot which makes them susceptible to the heat. And my Bulldogs weren't particularly good guard/watch dogs, although like any dog, they could be protective if necessary. Although they've got short hair, they do shed and it's the type of short hair that can get stuck in stuff.

GSDs - well, it varies, but some really love kids and some not so much. They shed. They can be herders/have high prey drive. OTOH, they've got lots of energy if properly channeled and there's an intensity about them that I haven't seen in the Bullies. They tend to be more territorial/better guard/watch dogs. My female GSD is quite vigilant about stuff that just Isn't Right - sometimes to an annoying degree. And she doesn't like cats. My male is afraid of cats since his mother had her own cat which probably disciplined him when he was tiny. It stuck. :D

Things are going to vary a lot between individuals of course, but I think if I were going for a dog that was going to be mostly outdoors/farm, I'd steer away from the Bulldogs.

[fourmares]

My first choice would be a Golden Retriever. My second would be a Rottie.

[certifiedgirl]

Another vote for the Standard Poodle! We have always had Labs and I just couldn't deal with the shedding anymore. Two years ago we got our standard puppy and he was bonded to me before we completed the 10 mile drive home.

He is hands down the easiest dog to train I have ever had. He is not agressive to the horses (I have seen too many heelers that will nip at them) and is great with my neighbors kids. My only complaint is that he bays like a hound when strangers come to the door- I would prefer he be a little bit more "protective", but he is still young. Unfortunately he has caught all of our resident wild rabbits- as he loves to hunt.

I love the fact that he doesn't smell like a dog!!!

[AKB]

Go to a retriever rescue group and get a young adult retriever who loves kids. Most of the rescues temperment test their dogs and can tell you if they are suitable for kids. My elderly parents got two adult Chesapeake Bay Retrievers who had needed to be rehomed. The dogs that were selected were perfect for them. The big young male is so funny with my 86 year old father. If my father forgets to eat lunch, the dog pushes him towards the refrigerator until he remembers to have lunch. When people come to the door, my father can't hear the doorbell. The dog takes him by the sleeve and brings him to answer the door.

Our kids learned to walk by hanging onto the fur of our retrievers. The dogs were so patient with the kids.

[gasrgoose]

I've had many different breeds of dogs over the years (beagles, airdales, german shepards, brittany spaniels and my two aussie/golden cross pups). I have also known many other breeds of dogs (australian cattle dogs, boxers, dalmations, rottweilers, labs, golden retrievers, cocker spaniels. . .)

I would have to say that with young children, the best were the Brittany Spaniels. My daughter was 2 when we got Murphy as an 8 week old pup, and Abbie was already a year old when my daughter was born, and the beagle was 11. The Brits were the best with her, although the beagle was good too.

Honestly, I think with most dogs, it is all in how you raise and train them, although admittedly some are easier to train than others.

I was born on the farm, and my family had a golden/yellow lab cross, and he put up with a lot of stuff from me as a child. But I do believe a lot of it had to do with how my family trained him.

I'll 2nd Brittany's as great family dogs. We have two. Great size & athletic. Our two do a great job keeping the chipmunk, mole, lizard and bird population down. They love to sniff things out and chase them down:D.

[Pirateer]

Buy a well-bred, English style lab (NOT a hunting-American style lab!!!)

Low aggression (great!)
Smart (great!)
Low Fear (not so great, fence your yard!)
Good with kids (my Daisy thinks all children are hers...toddlers can feed her treats and she'll take them gentle, she once came and found me when she heard a baby crying...)
Less Active than the hunting style, but still up for a good romp outside.
Chewers, but easily fixable (our never touch anything after puppyhood- lots of toys!)
Shedding is a problem (especially noticeable with yellows, our color of choice) but teach them to like the vaccuum and its gravy!

[morganmare]

How about an American Mastiff? Their temperment seems to fit what you are looking for. See the breed info here: http://www.flyingwfarms.com/amastiff/amastiff.html
When my JRT crosses the bridge I'll be getting one or two of these girls. (I can't get one now since my JRT is petrified of big dogs.)

[lizathenag]

You can't go wrong with a good Lab.

[MunchkinsMom]

You can try one of these online dog breed selector quizes:

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

http://www.doggiedealer.com/dog_breed_selector.php

http://www.selectsmart.com/plus/select.php?url=choosingyourdog

There are a bunch of them out there, you could try a few and see which ones give you similar results.

[Mtn trails]

I have a lab with good breeding. He's smart and trainable. Not a hyper idiot like some.

Making sure that you can meet the parents and they have good temperments, have the OFA certificates and health checks for breed specific issues like heart or eye problems--all of that can get you much closer to having a "good dog".

And then there's training, exercise and environment.

What kind of setup do you have? Fenced yard? Do you keep your dogs inside or out? How much time will you be able to dedicate to training and exercise?

There are lots of great dogs out there...all manner of breeds. Finding the right fit means being pretty realistic about what you are willing to spend both on the up front cost and time wise with the training and socialization.

I personally like the lab personality I ended up with. Friendly, exuberant, great with kids, not aggressive towards people or dogs UNLESS one of his people is in trouble.

I love labs. My girl Phoebe is loving, protective, playful (but not in a hyper annoying way), and loyal to the hilt. She is a yellow and from what I hear, yellow labs are more home bodies, i.e. less likely to wander. Blacks are the ones who like to wander around often times off the property and into trouble. Chocolates are the more hyper ones and exuberant(sp?). I've had 2 labs and both adored children and seemed drawn to them - oh boy, little people! Great farm dogs, gets along with our cats and horses. The only thing with labs is they are food driven and can become obese very easily unless you carefully monitor their diet and provide plenty of exercise.