Dogue de bordeaux vs german shepherd vs labrador?

Question

We want to get a dog and have always really wanted a GSD but labradors are very nice and would be a good family dog, but recently on a rescue page there is a Dogue de Bordeaux we could possibly foster and then adopt.
What do you guys think?
PS we need a good family dog. our family already has soem GSDs but not us.

Answer 1

I personally love DDBs (I have 4) and rescuing one would be wonderful. The DDB rescue does an excellent job of screening dogs and potential adopters to make sure they have the right match. As you have already had GSDs you know that working dogs, esp guardian breeds, need consistency, discipline, and constant socialization.



Doggylover- DDBs make excellent family pets. Ihave six dogs (including 4 ddbs), two children, a cat and a bird. The ddbs are wonderful with my children and tolerant of the other animals.

Answer 2

These are 3 EXTREMELY different breeds! You really could not have two more different breeds than a DDB and a lab.



I am a strong believer that politics and finding a needy dog should not dictate the type or individual dog you bring into your home. That being said, both of my dogs are rescues, but I looked for a long time for a fit for my family. A Dogue de bordeaux MIGHT be the right fit, but they must be socialized from an early age to curb any aggressive tendencies. If this is an adult dog, it may require a very experienced owner. They can be great family dogs, but with any large guardian breed, may need an experienced owner.



Also, while labradors are known as god family dogs, and many are, I wouldn't bring any large breed dog into a home with children before a temperament test being done. A trainer, and sometimes the shelter, can do this for you. I have a purebred rescued lab, and I would not leave him unattended with children- he's very friendly, but doesn't like to be run up to quickly. Further, he's big and only a year old, so he's clumsy and could knock over a child by accident. Some day he'll be trustworthy around kids, but he's not there yet.



While rescuing is great, it isn't without challenges. The dog's history is sometimes unknown, and you're usually welcoming a very large dog into your home- who sometimes has had little or no training or inadequate socialization. I'm only mentioning these things so you know to look out for them. Obviously when you find the right rescue dog, it pays off! If you're really interested in the DDB, I would have a serious conversation with the shelter about the temperament of the dog.



Good luck!

Answer 3

These three breeds are all very different.

I run ddb rescue nation wide for the breed, and "doggylover" is completely wrong, ddb's are amazing family dogs, their "job" is to be part of the family. They must be taught respect for children and children must be taught respect for ALL dogs, your children must be above the dog in the pack. The majority are fabulous family pets. They can be dominant and stubborn, they can be dog aggressive (usually same sex aggression once they reach maturity), they may also have a high prey drive (meaning may chase small animals that run). The ddb is NOT necessarily a breed that children should take on a walk because they are powerful and even though they may be extremely well trained, you never know what other dogs may attempt, so it's best to just eliminate that issue and not allow children (under 16 or so) to walk them alone. They should NEVER be human aggressive but they will protect you if the need arises(thus another reason why children should always be supervised and children should be taught not to play fight with each other around any working breed, most will not tolerate play fighting, because of this, they are also NOT dog park dogs, they may not start any fights, but they will finish it if others are fighting/bickering!)

With the DDBSA Rescue, we match the dogue to the home. They are all thoroughly evaluated and vetted (spayed/neutered/micro chipped/vaccinated and any other medical issues taken care of). Some of the dogues in rescue are known to be good with children, a few are not good with kids. We also check refs on potential adopters and do home checks as well, getting to know our potential adopters so we make a good match for their family.

The Dogue de Bordeaux is a fabulous breed, but not a breed for everyone and especially not for a first time dog owner. The main reason we get them into rescue is once they hit maturity, they may become more dominant/same sex aggressive adn they may "push" the limits. Most people who turn dogues over to rescue had no idea what they may be getting because they purchased on impulse (pet store) or purchased from a back yard breeder who gave them no education on the breed what so ever. They purchased a cute little wrinkly pup not realizing it was going to get big, slobbery and shed, so they banish it to the yard where it becomes destructive and attempts to assert it's dominance, or it no longer gets along with it's other canine family members of the same sex even though it grew up with them.

Obedience training is a MUST for ANY working breed dog, especially the ddb. I recommend if you adopt a dogue, put it through at least 2 levels of structured obedience, you will learn more about the dog and vice versa and create a stronger bond with the dogue (actually, this goes for any dog you adopt) and you both will learn what to expect from each other.

Best of luck on your search for a new family member!!

Answer 4

Dogue's are good dogs. But certainly not family dogs by any means. They are very stubborn, and are naturally very temper-mental. They need to have an experienced owners, and if you are on yahoo answers, obviously you musn't be experienced with dogs. I love German Shepherds- I own one. They are the best dog breed (when trained properly) for families. However, not a starter dog by any means. Labs are also great- however, I do not think they make good starter dogs either. They have a lot of energy, and can be very destructive. They are good for mid-experience owners. In levels of suggestion the lab is easier then the other 2, the german shep. is easier than dogues, and dogues require lots of training and don't really get along well with children. I think you should look at a golden retriever, or you could go with one of these breeds. Hope you pick well!

Answer 5

Labradors are fantastic family dogs, possibly one of the best. German Shepards are great family pets too, but not so much as labradors in my opinion. As for the Dogue de Bordeaux, you need to find out a lot about this dog's history. If it was abused it would need a lot of training, whereas if it was given up because the owners didn't have enought time or something its much more likely to need less work on it.They are also not the best family pets. They are all lovely dogs, but Labradors are the better family pets.

Answer 6

i would say a labrador because they are great family dogs and with Dogue de Bordeaux's if you are planning on going on holiday and taking your dog to a caravan site for example some will not exept them dogs



p.s my friend has a lab and they are incredably intelligant aswell

Answer 7

I love Mastiffs and have owned 2 American Bulldogs. In a fight both dogs are fight to the death breeds. I would never want any of my dogs in a fight. This question is disturbing.

Answer 8

it would be hard to pick between a german shepard or lab.

Answer 9

I'd go with the lab.





bl