Dog Advice

• joe.hackett

  Looking for some advice for a family dog. Have had golden retrievers in the past, they are great dogs, but was looking for something a little smaller and less hair.
  
  So, anyone have any advice? I have scoured the net looking at many different breeds and so on, but many that I find are incredibly expensive.
  
  Want something that is good with small kids and other animals, not too hyper, can go on long hikes, maybe 30 to 40 pound range.
• thePITman

  

  I was going to recommend a lab. I've had 3 of them, and they are AWESOME pets! But you said you don't want hair, and they shed. Good luck in your search.
• CenterBHSFan

  

  joe,
  
  I've ALWAYS had good luck with pound puppies. Mutts are the bestest dogs. If you're looking for a breed, I'd suggest a Beagle, if you can handle the whooping bark.
• Al Capone

  Cant go wrong with a boxer.
• iluvz

  Beagles are great. Great with kids, super affectionate, can be lazy as hell, yet love to run like crazy. The barks not so bad, and mine barely shed at all! Miss that dog like crazy! Boxers are also great!
• Dozer

  id say lab other than they are gonna be larger than the 30-40 lb range
• Manhattan Buckeye

  We have a mutt, he's about 45 lbs right now, and likes to get into trouble.
  
  
• sonofsam

  

  We have 3 dogs... All 3 are mix breed. Best dogs ever. No one wanted them because they were not "pure breed"... Wouldn't trade them for a pure breed, they are family.
  
  
  
• sonofsam

  

  Biggest dog is a greyhound/Lab mix, medium do is a Husky/Corgie mix, and the small guy is a yorkie/pom mix.
• Manhattan Buckeye

  sonofsam, that looks like a Foxhound mix to me.....our guy is a complete mutt, have no idea what he is, animal control caught him up in horse country. He's a hound/Brittany Spaniel/beagle/lab whatever.
• zambrown

  

  iluvz wrote: Beagles are great. Great with kids, super affectionate, can be lazy as hell, yet love to run like crazy. The barks not so bad, and mine barely shed at all! Miss that dog like crazy! Boxers are also great!

  +1 !!!!!
• Scarlet_Buckeye

  

  It may not be "smaller" but get a Labradoodle. The BEST loving dog in the whole world. GREAT family pet.
• FatHobbit

  

  Here's another vote for mutt/pound puppy. There are tons of dogs out there that are literally dieing for someone to love them.
• j_crazy

  

  dachshunds. I've had 3 (sadly one died about 3 months ago) and love them all.
• joe.hackett

  I have heard a lot of people say they got pound puppyie and were very happy with them. Probably should do some research on how to seperate their personalities so I don't get a naturally wired hyper dog.
  
  I really am not concerened about being a pure breed, was just thinking I would know if they were typically a hyper dog, good with kids type and so on.
• v_falcons

  Labs are great! BUT, mine is 2 years old, and he already weighs 80lbs! and there is LOTS of HAIR! ; )
• HitsRus

  

  Every boxer I've known (2)was hyper. Beagle's are great dogs but they like to run. The hell with yappy dogs.
  
  You like Goldens....and there is a darn good reason for that. You know exactly what you get with that breed, so why would you get anything else?
  
  Live with the hair. You could try a rescue group for an older dog...and maybe find a smaller one.
• hang_loose

  Go with a poodle if you don't want the hair....But the hair needs to be trimed or you'll have a giant dust bunny running around your house.
• killdeer

  

  I agree with not worrying about the purebred issue...
  
  had half Lab, half Collie...great dog.
  currently have half Lab, half German Shepherd...great dog.
  IMO...retriever breeding of any type makes for a good family dog.
• Strapping Young Lad

  

  Beagle....good with kids, healthy, long hikes. Sounds like what you're looking for.
• Strapping Young Lad

  

  FatHobbit wrote: Here's another vote for mutt/pound puppy. There are tons of dogs out there that are literally dieing for someone to love them.

  I vote this too. It's all I've ever had (I've a beagle mix now) and they're great dogs!!!!!!!!!
• zambrown

  

  Beagle's are great dogs but they like to run.

  As pups, ours would occasionally try to make a jail break, but with some training, we've had no further attempts. I heartily recommend Beagles. They are fantastic with not just children but babies, they will love you unconditionally and are pretty easy to train.
• OUgrad

  joe.hackett wrote: Looking for some advice for a family dog. Have had golden retrievers in the past, they are great dogs, but was looking for something a little smaller and less hair.
  
  So, anyone have any advice? I have scoured the net looking at many different breeds and so on, but many that I find are incredibly expensive.
  
  Want something that is good with small kids and other animals, not too hyper, can go on long hikes, maybe 30 to 40 pound range.

  don't now where you are but if you are near a lg city, go to your local aspca. they have tons of info on a wide variety of breeds, they work with the animals and will tell you backround info on them. they need help with unwanted pets and you won't be sorry rescueing an animal that desperagtely needs a forever fAmily to love. They also have connections to many rescue groups in case you have your eye on a specific breed. Good luck.