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I've grown up with GSDs and found them to be awesome family dogs. They were protective of the family/pack and not an individual. They also did great with our cats.
Can't stand Akitas. Had to watch one for a friend of my wife's and the damn thing destroyed my back yard. Big and strong, but didn't strike me as intelligent.
Any type of sled dog is better off pulling a sled. You likely won't keep it engaged enough for it not to find other ways to entertain itself.
Just my 2 cents.
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I was always a big dog guy til our first Jack Russell. Huge dog, small package. And Corgis. Just fun. I know those aren't what you're looking for.
We do have a 2 year old Blue Heeler (aka: Aussie Cattle Dog). He's pretty big for a Heeler...about 48 pounds. Strong as an ox. Smart. VERY loyal. Protective of the home and yard but friendly when we take him out. He can hear a flea fart 1/2 mile away and he lets us know about it. He's our first Heeler and there was a steep learning curve. He is very strong-willed and needs positive control all the time. He really doesn't respect the wife as his superior. He responds to me instantly. Down side is he sheds. I think if he had been raised with cats he'd be fine...as it is, he sees them as treats. Stubborn. Wife frequently walks him in a local, but isolated, park area. She says he always moves in close and stays between her and someone passing by.
Lot of Heelers and Border Collies working farms and ranches up here. Very popular breeds in this area. Not uncommon to see 2 or 3 running around the local farms...very protective of the livestock.
If "minimal shedding" is really a key factor . . . don't get a GSD. We love ours. He's a great dog, phenomenal protective instincts, smart, loves to play, etc. But the shedding is epic and constant.
End of summer last year my wife and I picked up a standard poodle in Missouri, She has been a pretty good dog and is finally starting to calm down some. Very high energetic, even as a pup I had to run her almost every day to burn off her energy, we are now upto 3-5 miles a week. Biggest cost so far has been grooming, since the dog doesn't shed it will need regular hair cuts. We usually go with a sports cut and let it grow for a few months before it gets out of hand. So far her kill count is 1 set of sony ear muffs, a left dress shoe, and uncountable amount of socks and every chew toy ever bought, beside kong toys.
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Beretta at 7 Months
Heelers rule. Not the best pet for everyone, but the best one for us. Tough as nails and all go. As BG said, needs strong hand and a job and space.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bailey Guns
Second the vote for Corgi as pet. Good size and disposition.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d89d0732fc.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ee7746817c.jpg
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Our last two dogs are both from a rescue, great dogs. One is a Boxer/Beagle mix or possibly a Black Mouth Cur, the other is a Mountain Cur possibly mixed with something. The Mountain Cur is exactly what you describe you want.
Yeah, Heelers and Corgis are good choices too (well Corgis aren't exactly "protective" but they'll bark at anything that moves and think they're tough).
Oh and as much as I love my Engilsh Shepherds, Corgi pups are hands down the cutest of all dog breeds. Period.
Get a pound puppy they are usually the best family dogs. Plus you are saving their life and they will remember that forever.
Mrs bo claims various NOCO shelters/rescues have Corgi/Corgi mixes pretty regular.
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