Best family dog for Texas?

[lynnylo]

Originally Posted by Mom2Feebs

Just an idea. Good luck to you!

A very good idea, I was thinking about the exact same thing. It might be a compromise between having a purebred but also rescuing a shelter dog.

The issue with Cocker Spaniels is very well known over here, but it's more about the red ones. Veterinarians call it "Cocker-Wut", which would be something like Cocker-Rage when translated to English. My Ex in Laws had a black Cocker girl and she was a great dog. Not aggressive at all, very charming and funny.

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by Mom2Feebs

Interesting. I was bitten in the face when I was 7 by a neighbor's Cocker Spaniel. I had to get four stitches in my cheek. That was pretty awful!

To the OP: shelter dogs can be great--we have one ourselves and she can be very sweet. However, they come with their own set of issues if you just go randomly pick one out, because you don't know the history of that dog nor its genetics (working in a shelter yourself, you already know this). She is only laid back with us,--with others, she's quite protective and tends to scare some people (barks very loudly). She has also bitten smaller dogs because she is very food-aggressive. I say all this because I can understand wanting a specific breed for its traits, and you shouldn't feel guilty over wanting to go with a purebred. I would suggest breed specific rescue groups--labs especially. They can run the gamut from high-strung to totally chill. My sister got her two from a rescue group in Indiana, and was able to really get an idea of the dogs they chose because they had been in foster care for a few weeks. Just an idea. Good luck to you!

Right about a lot of this stuff, and one thing to consider is that you can usually get a PUPPY from a rescue center. A puppy would have fewer issues all the way around.

And I agree that a lab mix is usually a good gamble. They have such good personalities in general. I've been so pleased with every lab or lab mix I've ever had, including my current lab/pit bull mix female rescued dog I got as a puppy. She is the lovingest dog ever!