protective
not small, not too big
good temperament around kids / visitors
lab
retriever
shepherd
akita
wolve

None of these, if you get a puppy...labs and retrievers need two years to
wind down and if there is going to be a lack of attention 50% of the time,
then they're out...the other three are not for people with limited dog
experience...they are smart breeds and if left to their own devise, become
assertive and dominant and you'll have problems. Corgis, Shetland sheepdog,
some of the larger terrier breeds (not a Jack Russell, too labor intense)
would be better. They incorporate protectiveness and watchfulness with
loyalty and enough smarts to get by and be good pets. BTW, Akitas are
generally one-person dogs....and are quite a handful...any type of
domesticated wolf is a major problem...
--
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein



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