Best dog breed?

[AVCKimberly]

Hello everyone!

About two weeks ago, we had to have our 12 year old Bassett house put to sleep from illness and old age. We are all heart broken! The rest of my family wants another dog. I would like to have another dog as well, but my first concern is our parrots. We have two Ekkies and a Conure. In your opinions, what is the best breed of dog for parrots?

They are currenly looking into Chocolate Labs. What do you think?

Thank you so much for all of your input!
Kim

[Rue]

Labs are generally excellent dogs, but be very careful who you purchase from...there are instances of agression in poorly bred animals...and even more common is hip dysplasia...make sure puppies come from parents who've been x-rayed...

All of the retriever and other hunting dog breeds are likely good bets...and probably most of the working dogs...

However, I would avoid the terriers...although some would likely be fine...you're more likely to have issues with terriers, and also with sight-hounds...

Have fun searching for that special puppy!

[Monica]

I would say a lab or similar dog. I don't really care for the small dogs as they tend to be extra hyper. Shepards are quite hyper as well so may not be too good of a choice unless the dog is well trained. You'd probably be looking for a puppy however so that the dog can get use to the birds.

We have a lab/chow/???aus shep??? mix, and although he didn't come from the best of situations with the best of training (training was actually quite poor, and he was a pup near adulthood), he is much better and listens, for the most part. He prefers to sniff rather than grab. With training, almost any dog would be fine around birds, though I wouldn't trust something such as a terrier or any hyper small dog for that matter.

[birdyland]

Originally Posted by Rue

All of the retriever and other hunting dog breeds are likely good bets...and probably most of the working dogs...

Please just remember that these types of dogs are instincting hunters or "bird dogs" I think they would be the smartest to train not to interfere with your birds, but that's the thing, they must be trained!

[CKD]

I personally dont trust any dogs around Birds. Even the most loved dog one min. can turn and you could loose a bird in an instant. I have a mini pin & I NEVER let him around the birds even knows I dont believe he would ever try to hurt them.
Just my own opinion.

[birdyland]

Originally Posted by CKD

I personally dont trust any dogs around Birds. Even the most loved dog one min. can turn and you could loose a bird in an instant. I have a mini pin & I NEVER let him around the birds even knows I dont believe he would ever try to hurt them.
Just my own opinion.

Yeah... what she said! I mentioned training.... but even that's no good without supervision.

Also, even the specific individual that you choose may act differently than we could assume that the breed *should* act. But of course, you probably already knew that.

Some of the breeds I have had around birds with no problems:
Toy Poodle
Toy/Standard Poodle Mix
Russian Wolfhound
Bearded Collie/mix
Cocker Spaniel

There are also two Britney (sp?) Spaniels that I know. Father and daughter living in different households. The father scares the birds and I wouldn't trust him either.... but the daughter is very trained and the birds aren't scared of her.... although, once again, I wouldn't leave them alone together.

[AVCKimberly]

Originally Posted by birdyland

Yeah... what she said! I mentioned training.... but even that's no good without supervision.

Also, even the specific individual that you choose may act differently than we could assume that the breed *should* act. But of course, you probably already knew that.

Some of the breeds I have had around birds with no problems:
Toy Poodle
Toy/Standard Poodle Mix
Russian Wolfhound
Bearded Collie/mix
Cocker Spaniel

There are also two Britney (sp?) Spaniels that I know. Father and daughter living in different households. The father scares the birds and I wouldn't trust him either.... but the daughter is very trained and the birds aren't scared of her.... although, once again, I wouldn't leave them alone together.

Thank you all for the suggestions, please keep the coming.

Yes, it goes without saying, that the dog is never alone with the birds. Even for a second.

Like I said in my first post, we have had a dog. We had her before we got our birds. We do understand all of the precautions to take. Now in looking for a new dog, the best breed for the birds is now the first priority.

[birdyland]

Originally Posted by Blake

Just a note...

My grandmother's toy poodle killed her parrotlet, while she was in the room. So be cautious with those little buggers.

My toy poodle was the dog I trusted *most* with my birds... but when that instinct takes over, it could be any dog, with any bird. Little dogs DO tend to think they are rotwillers to begin with though.... terriers, toys, miniture anythings...

[Spinnergirl]

I may be a newbie with birds, but dogs ~ I feel I have some insight. I have been showing dogs since high school. I moved to Michigan to study with the worlds top "handler" George Ward.

I have since stopped showing and all my show dogs have since crossed rainbow bridge. I now have two labs, although I do not leave the birds alone with them ever I do trust them to some degree. More so than little kids that is 4 sure !!

Terriers are tough, and VERY headstrong. Not my pick although I do very much like some of the breeds. Hounds...well I had a whippet and that is the one breed I might one day have again. Otherwise I really have a "issue" with thier houndy smells...sorry!! Working breeds are nice..the big dogs are not so edgy. Sporting breeds are very trainable, but some can never learn not to chase (like the hounds in some cases). Labs are never taught to kill but rather to have a"soft" mouth. It isn't really in them to "chomp" but of course there are exceptions. Toy breeds are a mix of all, some are hunters like the poodles, some are pets of leisure like Japanese chin and such.

I guess it depends on your lifestyle, the ages of people in your house and such. Good luck with your choice, sorry if this is a bit long...........I'll stop now!!

[The Outlaw]

I wouldn't trust a poodle either. After all, their roots are as water retrievers. I have a herding dog (Aussie) and she's amazing with my birds. In fact, they are trained when pups to herd geese and ducks before they are given a flock of sheep or herd of cattle to manage. That having been said, I just don't think any dog can be fully trusted around birds. Its often not out of meanness that accidents occur, but they happen all too frequently and the bird always pays the dearest price. My Joey is my last dog. Frankly, she gets the least amount of attention anymore since I'm constantly tending to the birds.

I would avoid all terriers. Most were bred to chase vermin down holes and simply work on instinct. Its really not something a "thinking" dog would just do. I think a lab is probably as good a choice as any IF supervised.However, it must be remembered that they,too, are retrievers.

THE OUTLAW