Suggested breeds?

Hello, we just returned to Norfolk VA area after several years in Sasebo
Japan. We have no pets currently.

While what we get will also be dependant on the available types at the local
'no kill' pet facility, we'd appreciate any opinions on breeds that we might
find suitable or unsuitable for our needs.

Needs are:

Size: Yard is not huge, only back is fenced. City lot, believe 1/4 acre?
Free roaming NOT allowed nor would we do that if it were.
-Although people do have german shepards and labs in these
yards, I am worried the size is not optimal for a dog that active and big.
- Husband isnt into small dogs, really wants a shepard or
golden retriever, feels the yard is big enough (aout 1/3rd of 1/4 acre lot)

Activity level: Husband and I both have some health issues which will
negate taking a dog 'running' but long walks (3-4 miles) are well in line.
- 1 mile fairly brisk pace walk a day a given, with .5 in
morning and .5 in afternoon.
- Probably a 4 mile walk in addition to this, at least
once a week though might be 2 walks of 2 miles
(In Japan, we did 3 miles a day to get to work. Our
walking above is based on current area habits and may negate much of the
yard size issue but walking, not running)
- Have active 14YO but during the week, she doesnt have
all that much time around homework to run a dog every day
- Leash laws applicable to area

Nature: My husband has much experience with dogs, I have some and love
them, but just never got to raise one.
- My preference is for fairly mellow and friendly to all.
No 'one man dogs' or ones who would bite a neighbor kid. Husband says this
is more relative to how the dog is raised.
- Indoor sort that would be happy inside. Not intending
to put them in the backyard and 'leave'em there' like so many cruel folks
do, just let'em play a few hours if it's not too cold or hot for the
breed and it's coat.
- Husband is experienced mostly with german shepards and
golden labs or retrievers
- 14YO has no significant dog experience other than rare
contact with friends dogs, mostly the heinz57 'small collie' next door

Adaption to other pets: We plan to have a cat and a dog
- Must be either raised with cats, or a puppy and a breed
that adapts well to such
(note above, at our no kill facility, we are on a
contact list for any paired cat/dog set they may have. Such do arrive every
now and again and can be very hard to place as few want
one of each right at the outset)

Age of pets: We've taken several rescue kitties that were older (up to 10
YO when adopted)
- Though not relevant to 'breed' we have no required
age, do not mind an older dog/cat so no insistance on puppy/kitten
- What we think is it is easier to start when both are
kitten/puppy, or older cat and puppy if not already paired previously

Previous pets in past 20 years:
-Cats and fish tanks. 3 'rescue kitties' and one free
pedigree 'rescue runt' (failure to thrive syndrome himilayan <sp?> who lived
to be 13 despite all warnings he wouldnt make 5YO)
(The rescue pedigree came from a reputable breeder who
was very upfront that accidents do happen and had him 'fixed' for free as he
was not to be bred and just needed a home
for the remainder of his anticipated short life).
- Due to being Navy (shift work, days when we were not
home at all before the usband retired) and apartment dwellers, cats were all
we really could have until now.

The only other thing I can add is we've peeked at a few web pages and the
idea of a full size poodle or middle size one seemed good but my husband
cant get the yippie mini's out of his head (grin). We both agreed the
english bulldog a neighbor has is seemingly the size and mellow nature we'd
like. That one is about 16inches 'tall' at the back, maybe slightly less.
Husband who is experienced with dogs but
not since he joined the Navy when he was 18, is sure the yard is big enough
but I fear he is not adding in our age now (and our ability to take the dog
for a daily run). I'm more concerned with the dog being happy and not 'just
enough room to get by'. Have no allergy concerns and pet hair doesnt scare
us. Long hairs that take much work, will probably get a haircut <grin>.

Ideas welcome!

"Cshenk" <rubymaiden.DeleteThis@cox.net> spoke these words of wisdom in
news:Pt03j.447$9M.70@newsfe19.lga:

> Hello, we just returned to Norfolk VA area after several years in Sasebo
> Japan. We have no pets currently.
>
> While what we get will also be dependant on the available types at the
> local 'no kill' pet facility, we'd appreciate any opinions on breeds
> that we might find suitable or unsuitable for our needs.
>
> Needs are:
>
> Size: Yard is not huge, only back is fenced. City lot, believe 1/4
> acre? Free roaming NOT allowed nor would we do that if it were.
> -Although people do have german shepards and labs in
> these
> yards, I am worried the size is not optimal for a dog that active and
> big.
> - Husband isnt into small dogs, really wants a shepard
> or
> golden retriever, feels the yard is big enough (aout 1/3rd of 1/4 acre
> lot)
>
> Activity level: Husband and I both have some health issues which will
> negate taking a dog 'running' but long walks (3-4 miles) are well in
> line.
> - 1 mile fairly brisk pace walk a day a given, with .5
> in
> morning and .5 in afternoon.
> - Probably a 4 mile walk in addition to this, at least
> once a week though might be 2 walks of 2 miles
> (In Japan, we did 3 miles a day to get to work. Our
> walking above is based on current area habits and may negate much of the
> yard size issue but walking, not running)
> - Have active 14YO but during the week, she doesnt
> have
> all that much time around homework to run a dog every day
> - Leash laws applicable to area
>
> Nature: My husband has much experience with dogs, I have some and love
> them, but just never got to raise one.
> - My preference is for fairly mellow and friendly to
> all.
> No 'one man dogs' or ones who would bite a neighbor kid. Husband says
> this is more relative to how the dog is raised.
> - Indoor sort that would be happy inside. Not
> intending
> to put them in the backyard and 'leave'em there' like so many cruel
> folks do, just let'em play a few hours if it's not too cold or hot for
> the
> breed and it's coat.
> - Husband is experienced mostly with german shepards
> and
> golden labs or retrievers
> - 14YO has no significant dog experience other than
> rare
> contact with friends dogs, mostly the heinz57 'small collie' next door
>
> Adaption to other pets: We plan to have a cat and a dog
> - Must be either raised with cats, or a puppy and a
> breed
> that adapts well to such
> (note above, at our no kill facility, we are on a
> contact list for any paired cat/dog set they may have. Such do arrive
> every now and again and can be very hard to place as few want
> one of each right at the outset)
>
> Age of pets: We've taken several rescue kitties that were older (up to
> 10 YO when adopted)
> - Though not relevant to 'breed' we have no
> required
> age, do not mind an older dog/cat so no insistance on puppy/kitten
> - What we think is it is easier to start when both
> are
> kitten/puppy, or older cat and puppy if not already paired previously
>
> Previous pets in past 20 years:
> -Cats and fish tanks. 3 'rescue kitties' and one free
> pedigree 'rescue runt' (failure to thrive syndrome himilayan <sp?> who
> lived to be 13 despite all warnings he wouldnt make 5YO)
> (The rescue pedigree came from a reputable breeder
> who
> was very upfront that accidents do happen and had him 'fixed' for free
> as he was not to be bred and just needed a home
> for the remainder of his anticipated short life).
> - Due to being Navy (shift work, days when we were
> not
> home at all before the usband retired) and apartment dwellers, cats were
> all we really could have until now.
>
> The only other thing I can add is we've peeked at a few web pages and
> the idea of a full size poodle or middle size one seemed good but my
> husband cant get the yippie mini's out of his head (grin). We both
> agreed the english bulldog a neighbor has is seemingly the size and
> mellow nature we'd like. That one is about 16inches 'tall' at the back,
> maybe slightly less. Husband who is experienced with dogs but
> not since he joined the Navy when he was 18, is sure the yard is big
> enough but I fear he is not adding in our age now (and our ability to
> take the dog for a daily run). I'm more concerned with the dog being
> happy and not 'just enough room to get by'. Have no allergy concerns
> and pet hair doesnt scare us. Long hairs that take much work, will
> probably get a haircut <grin>.
>
> Ideas welcome!
>
>
>
>
>

How about an Elkhound?
"http://search.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9705610"