My work takes me away from my family and home quite often. I worry about them constantly when I'm gone. Anyway the wifes wants a dog (a little yappy one :rolleyes: ) I can't stand them little squeaky yappers. Anyway, we settled on a medium sized dog. Something in the 50-65 pound range.
I like shephards as that is what I grew up with but the wife doesn't and they are bigger then what we prefer, unless I can find a breeder of smaller shephards???

I also do not want a dominant dog, as the dog will be in the house all the time with my children, when my wife works at night.

The liability of a biteing dog scares me as my kids have friends over, and you know how kids are, running, chaseing, squealing, wresteling etc.
I guess what I want is a dog that is alert, and will bark if someone is outside. Has good trailing abilities for if one of my kids ever got lost while camping.

There will be more questions to come but these are the basic ones for now. Any help is appreciated a lot.

Thanx, Tim

Any suggestions on a good breed of dog for these prerequisites?

We will be getting a pup and I will be doing the training.

I would suggest a labrador or golden retreiver.

I would say go for a mutt from the pound, or from rescue that suits you guys individually.

Even within a breed the dogs can be VERY different.

There is a general misconception that labs and Goldens make great family pets, when most of the time it is quite the opposite - these are both working dogs.. and many families find them to be too 'much'.

My Golden is a NUT and very dominant.. as well as being a biting fool! LOL!!!!

look for rescued dogs, many of them are already trained and ready to please

Id say get a Corgi. I usually advise that as a good family dog. Whatever you do ,DONT get a cocker spaniel.

A good rescue group will have placed its available animals in foster care, and will have a good idea of their temperments - they can help you find a dog that fits in with your family! We got our Ceili (she's Shepherd/Lab) from a local rescue group, and she's been a true gem. Came spayed, housebroken, crate-trained, and leash-broken. Needed manners, but that was within the realm of reason. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I got my GSD mix Maggie from a rescue, well mannered, a little sharp, barks at anything that approaches the house, which is what I want, and loves everybody except evil squirrels and cats <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I would consider rescue also. My last two shepherds were rescues. They both love everybody but bark at anything that moves outside. Check out petfinder.com. They have shelters and rescues listed, search by breed and zip code. Also a lot of female shepherds are usually smaller, 65 pounds or less.

If I had to make a breed choice with your needs I'd go with an Australial Shepard. Otherwise, the pound or rescue.

Okay, now I have another question. I have always thought it was better to get a pup and raise it with the family. A dog that comes from the rescue has questions because you don't know it's past.

Part of the fun for me is training. I enjoy it. I have trained two of my own labs to finished dogs in waterfowling tests. I FF my lads but also helped my K9 buddy force his GSD and done bite work with him too.

But like I stated in my original post, the liability scares me. And if a "Bad Person" hears a dog barking inside the house they aren't going to be comming in.