deciding on breed

Kids or no kids?
What breeds have you considered already?
Have you considered adopting a shelter pet?

Have you ever owned a dog before? I gather you've never lived with a dog?

What you have described is the ideal dog but they aren't born knowing when to bark and when not to bark, when to protect and when not to protect.

How much time and energy and money - if you need to consult with a trainer - do you intend to invest? Who will be home with the dog during the day? In-house dog (I gather) or outside dog? Kennel or no kennel?

Can you afford vet bills, shots, pet sitting or boarding if you go away? My GSD has an ear infection (again!), and today's bill for flushing and cleaning was $140. She goes back again in 10 days and again 10 days after that. My Gordon Setter died 3 months ago - her Vet bills were over $3,000 - and I lost her anyway. I also lost a chunk of my heart but ...

I've had dogs all my life - I have a puppy, Rott/Shepherd mix. He's a handful. We are going to Puppy Training classes. I have an older GSD, sweetest dog in the World, never needed an expert or a class.

Me? I rescue. All of my dogs have been rescues - "why buy when others die?"

They are all different.

One-third acre is not a lot of land for a large breed dog.

I'm not being discouraging. I am being realistic. If you take a close look at this and decide to proceed there will be one VERY lucky dog in this World!

Dalmatians are good beginner dogs.

If your a very active person, the German shorthaired pointer is good also.

Avoid any type of dog that has pit in it. Although I love te breed and they are fantastic with kids, they're not good beginner dogs.

Labs are fantastic family dogs. Moderate grooming needs.

Weimeriners are good... Vizslas as well

Honestly, any of the hunting breeds make good family pets. They were designed to be good with families and kids. You just need to make darn sure you meet their energy needs.

One warning about Dalmatians, and no offense Lucky. One genetic defect highly present in Dalmatians is deafness. They are beautiful dogs, but many of them have this defect and will end up being deaf. Not something most people can deal with easily, especially a newbie dog owner.

Labs are great. They're family dogs, bigger breed, little to no grooming (a brushing once a week and a bath when they get dirty). Labs live to please, love kids. They do need exercise, but are just as happy to sit at your feet by the fire.

The first year with a lab is the hardest. Actually, that's true of any dog. Puppies are adorable, but they're a pain in the....well, they're puppies. Dog love them.

If you're not very familiar with dogs, especially puppies, I would consider an older rescue dog. There are literally 4 lab crosses in my shelter as we speak, all under 2 years of age. They're spayed or neutered, house trained, have all their shots, and that's ideal for a novice dog owner.

Thank you for your imputs. I have been considering a Golden Retriever, a German Shepherd, and a Lab, but am totally open to any other breeds.

There are four kids in this house (9, 10, 16, 18) but one is moving to college.

I live across from a lake, so a dog that likes to swim would be OK.

Thanks again for your help! Keep it coming!

If you want a dog that loves to swim, I'd definitely go for the lab. Labs actually have webbed toes, they're born to swim, and love it.

Have you researched any of these breeds?

Golden retrievers are also a great family pet. But, you did say that you wanted something with minimal grooming. That's not what you'll get with a Golden. German Shepherds are also beautiful loyal dogs, but they're not a dog I would recommend to a novice owner.

I really think your best bet would be a lab.

One more question.

Have you considered a rescue dog?

If you have, and would like some help finding a dog that would fit into your family, if you post your general area (no address, just the state you live in), I will be more than happy to help you search for a rescue shelter in your area, and help you find a dog that will fit into your family.

There are also breed specific shelters all over the world. So, once you choose a breed, finding a rescue dog is not hard at all.

Puppies aren't easy, no matter what breed you get.

I myself have always had dogs. I've had a dachshund, heinz 57 (only God knows what was in that mix), a poodle, lab/border collie cross, border collie crossed with pi$$ and vinegar, beagle (most stubborn dog on the planet, and still with us), and our newest baby, a 4 month old border collie, lab, and Dog knows what else cross.

I have to say, the easiest dog by far, and we first met him when he was only a few weeks old, and brought him home at 12 weeks of age, was our lab cross. He passed away only 6 months ago at the ripe old age of 16. Easiest dog I've ever had.

Its not about the breed of the dog it simply boils down to how the dog is raise and how well disciplined it is. I have had lots of dogs my favourite being Staffordshire bull terriers. Despite the media making them out to be viscous animals.

I can tell you they aren't and i have 3 at the moment and have been brought up with them since i was 8 years old with younger sibling. They are very loving, loyal dogs which in my opinion are excellent people dogs.

They are good with children hence the reason they are called "children's nanny's" as they used to lie on the children's feet to keep them warm in the early 1900's.

They don't need to be groomed very much and they are the cutest of pups. They also require some form of exercise so your 35 acres will come in handy as they are working dogs so like to do loads of running.

So with a lot of love and discipline you will not regret buying one of these dogs. No matter what breed of dog you get it is hard work as they are practically like having another baby around.

Good luck and happy dog hunting.

I agree and disagree with this.

Yes, a dog is only as good as its owner. But, there are breeds that aren't for a novice owner. I have a beagle. I would never recommend a beagle to a first time owner. They're great dogs, but they need an experienced hand, they need someone that knows dogs.

The poster of this questions has never owned a dog before. That's something that really has to be taken into consideration. He needs a breed that's easy to train, easy to handle, good with kids.