Pit bulls all the way. You can pick one up at any shelter, and they will love you and your toddlers. TO DEATh. srsly

Had my mind set on an Akita once but I am not prepared for another member of the family right now.

These Dog 101 videos are pretty awesome! Thanks for posting them.

Here's the dog I had until I had a baby. Seems to fit your needs nicely, if you're an active person. Maybe 2/3 the size of a Ridgeback, very similar colour, fast as shit, very loving, smart, affectionate, playful, everything you'd want in a dog.

Here's the Dog 101 video:

Caveats would be they're not kidding when they say the dog wants to be with you at all times. If you're at your computer, your dog will be underneath your desk. If you get up, he's coming with you. You'll be tripping over him all the time, and using your knees to keep him out of things.. Like if you're going into the fridge, guess what, he's going with you. ;)

They're awesome looking dogs, when they see something they're interested in their ears perk up like triangles and they pause.. as seen here:



I sent my dog to Mexico with my wife's family when I had a baby because I didn't want to take the risk. They'd found him on the highway when he was ~2, he'd already had a broken and healed paw, big scar on his nose, didn't respond to commands.. Pretty positive he was in a hunting pack and got away. Vizsla's are a popular hunting/bird dog. He'd snap if you went for his food the first time, then think twice about it and let you.. He was territorial, etc. Just couldn't trust him with a baby.

When my kid is a bit bigger I'll get another one, this time from a puppy.

Dude if you are going to travel a lot you should get one that's less than 8 KG so you can bring it aboard the plane ;)

You should talk to my gf about this btw, she obsesses over dogs 50% of her time awake lol

I have a Bull Mastiff, she is a beautiful dog and they are usually quite big ( mine isn't very big) they do say that when you buy a bull mastiff for the first time it should be a bitch as dogs are a little harder to handle. you should really check them out and if you want any advice feel free to ask me..

Here is a video not sure how to embed sorry. It shows that they are obedient https://youtube.com/watch?v=L-Pzk...ADC2050BF42F5B

lol just remembering one time at my dad's I took the canoe down the river several km's, and then we heard rustling in the bushes and my dog walks out, gets into the water and swims to our canoe.. Always wants to know where you are.

This was common too indoors, this weird looking run around a small room when they get excited, then pausing, looking at you for a second, then back to running. In this video it's the wire haired kind. I've never seen one in real life yet.



It's {youtube}ID{/youtube} but with square brackets.

haha.. yeah also be prepared to get molested.

You should impregnate her, that keep dogs or travelling out of a woman's mind ...

Spot on, she talks about dogs, travels (we just came home ffs!) and getting pregnant. That's about it.

:1orglaugh

Thanks for all the suggestions guys. Really looking into Rhodesian Ridgebacks right now. Loving them more and more. Awesome dogs!

My gf obviously wants a fluffy cute dog, but I'll have to respectfully throw that suggestion in the trashcan.

Gonna think this through long and hard and read up on dog training as much as I can. I never want to underestimate the time and effort I'll have to spend on the dog. Will post pics ofcourse if we decide to get one!

i'd recommend a shar pei for anyone who likes calmed, intelligent and loyal dogs. they can be a bit stubborn too so they need more attention than your everydog. if they are trained, loved and well brought up, you can't go wrong with them.

By all your replies it sounds like the Rhodesian is the best breed for you. They are awesome dogs, there is one that lives close to us so we see him all the time. He's simply majestic!

Truth. Save a life and give a sweet dog a chance.

forget about the travelling, many countries don't allow dogs in without quarantine

Yeah, dogs + travel don't mix. Why give yourself the headache? You probably have to go one or the other. Stay home and be there for your dog, or be free and travel.