[zwyjibo]

(04-14-2013 07:01 PM)Fitzgerald Wrote:  

[Shiba Inus are] not natural people pleasers, and training isn't the easiest, plus most are kind of aloof in public, but chicks dig 'em.

Ha, that's been the biggest pro to owning a shiba. Mine ignores everyone but me and only does basic commands like "sit," "lay," and "come" only when he knows I have a treat for him. Even that was not easy. But the housebreaking - the training that really matters - was an easier go than other friends had with their huskies, etc. Otherwise, it's great when someone tries to pet him and he walks away, or accedes to it because he's tired/cornered and audibly sighs. Overall, a decent wingman dog.

[mikeymike]

I would never have one of those little yappy things... I volunteer at my local shelter those dogs are the domain of the elderly and chicks, never see a straight male take one home unless its for his kids or his wife lead that charge...sure you might get the odd girl that says cute dog but most likely they'll want to introduce you to their gay bff. There are few little dogs that don't scream effeminate it's like driving a miata. Now I'm not one to recommend getting a dog primarily on how it makes you look but if you're an active guy, a gym rat, a guy who likes to head out why would you want a dog that doesn't fit your lifestyle. Most little dogs don't.

I've got 2, I've got a house and a yard so plenty of room but I will put any dog on the planet up against my Saint Bernard for gaming purposes. I can't take her out to pee without it turning into a half hour+ cause people come running over to her. I have people stopping their cars to get out and take pics of her, girls roll around on the ground with her, she's like a giant toy that everybody wants to play with. I had no idea of this going in, she kind of fell into my lap but she gets me numbers/dates with no effort it's sick. Plus she's a badass dog, she's a little slower moving than my other but she tries to keep up, never stops trying. Downside dumb as a rock, been with 3 trainers, still hasn't mastered all her basics, and sheds like crazy. Other is a rottweiler...ultimate dog, perfect blend of intelligence, strength, affection, loyalty...you need to be a strong owner, I spent a couple grand training her, and took her everywhere with me to make sure she was socialized. She molds to my energy level, when i'm chill she's content to lie around, when its time to hike or run she's by my side, she'll catch frisbees, balls, she swims...never have needed a leash for her, she keeps her eyes on me 24/7 picks up new commands within days. Doberman was brought up, they're great dogs too, very much like a skinny rotti, in my experience they're a little more aloof and standoffish. Every rotti I've ever owned and worked with have been people pleasers, they're just dying to lean up against you and want to be touching you. Dobes were more like a cat in that sometimes they'd be into other times they were content to be on their own so depends on your preference.

Shibas are cute, not great dogs. Totally devoid of affection, not friendly with other dogs, just solitary animals and they like it that way, horrible for gaming purposes but just horrible if you like people to come around and you want to be at the dog park.

Whippets are girl repellents, nobody likes a shaky nervous twitchy dog, makes you seem like you'd be the same way.

Boxers, I like boxers but they're pretty high energy and dont stop moving. My cousin has one, that thing just runs up and down the stairs in and out of rooms constantly, thatd drive me nuts and rip up a floor pretty good.

My recommendations for the look you're trying to go for:

Goldens are always safe, everybody loves a golden, they're friendly, smart enough, not loud, and they'll do okay in apt if you exercise them. They make you look good as well, safe and steady.

Brittany Spaniel - if you can give it plenty of exercise, cause it'll reek havoc if you slack on that. If you don't it's smart and super chill, one of the best temperaments you'll find on a dog anywhere, always happy. Is not an issue with women. It says you've studied dogs and aren't just another guy who picks up the popular breed, they're not easy to find so it instantly makes ya look like you got some taste.

Old English Sheepdog - if you can handle the hair, it'd be a beast in terms of shedding but awesome dogs otherwise but the hair is a major deterrent. You can always keep it neatly trimmed.

Bernese Mountain Dog - total attention getter, expensive so you look like a young professional. Not the most active or playful dog but they do have a good time at the dog park. My rotti and St play with a group of Berners everyday and have a blast so its in them they're just naturally chill so you gotta coax them a little bit. Totally friendly and great with everybody. Despite the hair not that bad to groom at all. On the bigger side but with them being lazy an apartment wouldn't be the worst as long as they got some room.

[Fitzgerald]

For gaming purposes, go with dog breeds you don't see often. Bulldogs are excellent wings, but they're not good if you've got an active lifestyle, and so many people have them now, it's plain unoriginal. Same for Labs, Corgis, and Golden Retrievers.

I agree with mikeymike, giant breeds (Bernards, Bernese, Newfoundlands, Danes), are my favorite, and great to have, but only if you've got the space and the wallet, and you're not fastidious. The hair and drooling can be a challenge, they're expensive to feed, and most shelters and breeders are loathe to sell or adopt them unless you've got prior experience with giant breeds. They draw people like flies to shit. Great Danes are popular with chicks ( I know a few who have them), and if you like big and shaggy, get a Newfoundland. Love Saint Bernards, a friend has one, but Newfs are smarter, easier to train, and the absolute best breed of dog around kids. Lazy, too, you can get away with keeping them in an apartment usually. Tibetan Mastiffs are badass, but they are absolutely not for beginners. They and Newfs are my favorite breed.

Rottweilers are also excellent, but make sure you go with a reputable breeder (some of them are breeding for mean junkyard type dogs). Rottweilers are great with kids, very calm, and steady as a rock, but if anyone breaks into your house, woe to them. Those are quite common in my area.

(A side note to any dog owners reading: if the dog food can be found at a grocery store, don't buy it. Animal feed isn't regulated to the standards of food for people, which says a lot in the US. You really don't want to know what goes into it. Buy a premium, grain free brand like Blue Wilderness, something you'll drop $40+ for a 30 lb bag on. Believe me, you'll save more in vet bills than you'll spend on food. Raw diets are gaining popularity, too)

[Screwston]

What do you know/think about miniature schnauzers Fitzgerald? I heard Hitler had one but I can't find anything about it. Guess it was wrong info.

[ozzyyooo]

Although I'm more of a cat person I've always been interested in these(cavalier king spaniel)
https://www.google.com/search?safe=off&q...4AOWx4HADQ

[mikeymike]

(04-14-2013 09:36 PM)Fitzgerald Wrote:  

For gaming purposes, go with dog breeds you don't see often. Bulldogs are excellent wings, but they're not good if you've got an active lifestyle, and so many people have them now, it's plain unoriginal. Same for Labs, Corgis, and Golden Retrievers.

I agree with mikeymike, giant breeds (Bernards, Bernese, Newfoundlands, Danes), are my favorite, and great to have, but only if you've got the space and the wallet, and you're not fastidious. The hair and drooling can be a challenge, they're expensive to feed, and most shelters and breeders are loathe to sell or adopt them unless you've got prior experience with giant breeds. They draw people like flies to shit. Great Danes are popular with chicks ( I know a few who have them), and if you like big and shaggy, get a Newfoundland. Love Saint Bernards, a friend has one, but Newfs are smarter, easier to train, and the absolute best breed of dog around kids. Lazy, too, you can get away with keeping them in an apartment usually. Tibetan Mastiffs are badass, but they are absolutely not for beginners. They and Newfs are my favorite breed.

Rottweilers are also excellent, but make sure you go with a reputable breeder (some of them are breeding for mean junkyard type dogs). Rottweilers are great with kids, very calm, and steady as a rock, but if anyone breaks into your house, woe to them. Those are quite common in my area.

(A side note to any dog owners reading: if the dog food can be found at a grocery store, don't buy it. Animal feed isn't regulated to the standards of food for people, which says a lot in the US. You really don't want to know what goes into it. Buy a premium, grain free brand like Blue Wilderness, something you'll drop $40+ for a 30 lb bag on. Believe me, you'll save more in vet bills than you'll spend on food. Raw diets are gaining popularity, too)

I 2nd the buy premium dog food recommendation, it makes a huge difference. I've switched both of mine to raw diets and even on quality grain free brands these dogs would leave poops bigger than small dogs, raw diets changed that, they're able to fully digest the protein. Coat gets better they shed less and gets way shinier. Breath gets better. Give them a raw bone to chew on as well and I haven't had to get their teeth cleaned vet says it spotless on both. Whereas my cousins boxers had to get his cleaned a couple times already, and they have to put them under to do it, gets pricy.

[mikeymike]

(04-14-2013 09:40 PM)houston Wrote:  

What do you know/think about miniature schnauzers Fitzgerald? I heard Hitler had one but I can't find anything about it. Guess it was wrong info.

didn't hitler have a german shephard?

[Screwston]

(04-14-2013 11:22 PM)mikeymike Wrote:  

(04-14-2013 09:40 PM)houston Wrote:  

What do you know/think about miniature schnauzers Fitzgerald? I heard Hitler had one but I can't find anything about it. Guess it was wrong info.

didn't hitler have a german shephard?

Yes, I googled it earlier. Didn't see no schnauzer in the pictures

What's the best dog food for the money? I always get Pedigree.

[Frank Valentine]

I have a a standard schnauzer. He doesn't shed, hypoallergenic, doesn't bark, plays fetch, loves people and girls eat him up. He's a German breed and is extremely intelligent. I use Don Sullivan Dog training programs that you can watch on youtube for free. I would highly recommend a Standard Schnauzer.

[Jbk]

Cavalier King Charles.

I have one. So cute and fun. Girls drip at the vag when they see him.

[Fitzgerald]

(04-14-2013 09:40 PM)houston Wrote:  

What do you know/think about miniature schnauzers Fitzgerald? I heard Hitler had one but I can't find anything about it. Guess it was wrong info.

Man, Hitler got brought up real quick in an internet discussion, and it wasn't even done in anger, haha!

Not really a fan of miniature schnauzers. Schnauzers look cool with their 'staches, have great personalities, and get along well with everyone provided they are well socialized. My issue is with bark control. Not all of them, but enough of them to turn me off to the breed get to where they make this really annoying bark. It sounds just like a shoe squeaking on linoleum, except way, way louder. It's a huge issue in apartments, and electronic bark control is often the only thing that helps. If you're miniature schnauzer doesn't do this, they make great dogs for apartments.
The bark thing doesn't tend to be a problem with the standard and giant ones however. Frank Valentine's got a standard, and he's right, they very rarely bark, they're not allergenic, they're usually easy to train, and chicks love them. They do require an alpha owner, and need to be gamed like you'd game a woman. If they feel they have the upper hand, they won't respect you (though this is true of any dog) and their behavior can get out of control.

At ozzyyooo, Jbk says enough about CKCs. Most spaniel breeds are cool. They're naturally happy, chill, well behaved dogs and they tend towards the cute/pretty side of the looks spectrum. The Brittany Spaniel mikeymike mentioned is great if you're looking for a larger more sporting type, but if small and cute is what you want to go with Cavalier King Charles are what you want. They get along well with cats, too.

[Fitzgerald]

@ Frank Valentine, I'm not familiar with Don Sullivan, what is his method like?

At home courses I recommend are Cesar Millan, it's pretty much like Game that you run on dogs (Tssst!), and if you adopt an older shelter animal with an abuse history, Tamar Geller's (hot Israeli chick) method is good. It's based on building trust and teaching through play.

[Fitzgerald]

(04-14-2013 11:26 PM)houston Wrote:  

(04-14-2013 11:22 PM)mikeymike Wrote:  

(04-14-2013 09:40 PM)houston Wrote:  

What do you know/think about miniature schnauzers Fitzgerald? I heard Hitler had one but I can't find anything about it. Guess it was wrong info.

didn't hitler have a german shephard?

Yes, I googled it earlier. Didn't see no schnauzer in the pictures

What's the best dog food for the money? I always get Pedigree.

You could go a lot better than Pedigree. If you can find a brand at the grocery store, don't buy it. Is there a Petsmart in your area? They have a good proprietary brand called Nourish that is comparable to brands like Innova, Blue, Nutro, etc, and runs 10-20 bucks cheaper than those, depending on the size of the bag. I'd suggest trying one of those brands out and seeing how you and your dog like it. Less filler, they typically need to eat less of those to get required amounts of essential nutrients, and that makes for smaller shits, too.

After reading mikeymike's post, I'm definitely switching to raw when I've got more coin.

[MrXY]

If you could have any dog you want and the wanted the best one for game, it's the English Mastiff, hands down

A relative has two of them and often takes one or both to a big local outdoor shopping center

Hot girls swarm those dogs-they'll come running across the street to pet them, squealing and cooing over them

That you are the master of such a big and powerful dog could only rub off positively on you as well

[Frank Valentine]

(04-15-2013 10:56 AM)Fitzgerald Wrote:  

@ Frank Valentine, I'm not familiar with Don Sullivan, what is his method like?

At home courses I recommend are Cesar Millan, it's pretty much like Game that you run on dogs (Tssst!), and if you adopt an older shelter animal with an abuse history, Tamar Geller's (hot Israeli chick) method is good. It's based on building trust and teaching through play.

Don Sullivan is all about being the alpha and having your dog know it's place in the pack. He doesn't believe in giving treats. Many parallels to game.

He had two full length videos 1.5 hours + on youtube but I can't seem to find them atm.

A lot of people don't agree with his style, but I think he will be well received on RVF.

[Pinch]

I have a boxer shepherd brindle.. Girls cannot help themselves.

[mikeymike]

so the lesson here is, it doesn't matter what dog you get from a standoffish prissy breed, to a giant oaf and everything in between everyone believes their dog makes girls crazy lol

[Pete]

I have one of these.



Though I'd like one of these too. They look so alpha and so classy.

[Ace]

Best dog I have ever had is the Brittany. You better exercise it, but it loves everyone, looks cute and still manly enough for you not to be gay, and the dog will open/approach for you because they love new people.

I miss my dog so much.

[JoyStick]

@ Fitzgerald

what's your opinion on owning one dog compare to two dogs?

[Fitzgerald]

(04-18-2013 11:56 PM)JoyStick Wrote:  

@ Fitzgerald

what's your opinion on owning one dog compare to two dogs?

If you can afford it and have the space, time and other resources I think it's great having more than one dog, they're pack animals. There's less chance of attachment anxiety issues, and if the dogs are the type that play energetically with each other, they can wear each other out without having to walk all the time. Some dogs may not do well though, just take into account the breeds, sexes, and ages. Males are more likely to fight with each other and jockey for dominance, obviously, and some breeds, like APBTs, were bred to be aggressive to other dogs.

The most I had at once was 4. Started with one, and added each new one as a puppy. If you get two, it's best to have a male and a female, and the breeds should be similar in energy level and temperament.

[Hotwheels]

[Screwston]

[Therapsid]

The inevitable flipside of getting a dog for game is that it becomes a burden and major expense whenever you're traveling. Needless to say, that's why you should never choose a dog primarily for gaming purposes.

Put it this way - if you can't be satisfied staying in the odd Friday night with your cane corso or welsh corgi instead of banging chick x, then you shouldn't get a dog.

[Prosal]

French Bouledogues . They are playful, mischievous, emotional, and nice nice nice. They also adore people and crave constant attention and companionship.

Mine was one-eyed, which appealed the attention and the compassion of many women.