Pet Friendly Dogs Over 30 Pounds

Pet friendly dogs over 30 pounds do exist. In fact, several of them are on the American Kennel Club̵7;s top 10 most popular breeds list. Yet a dog being friendly with non-canine pets has nothing to do with size. For example, do not trust the Yorkshire terrier alone with the cat, but the Doberman pinscher is fine. The AKC lists both breeds as very popular with U.S. dog owners. To some big dogs, however, socializing with a pet of a different species comes naturally.

  1. Labrador Retriever

    • Canadians created the Lab. Specifically, fisherman in Newfoundland used the dog to pull fishing nets ashore and ̶0;retrieve̶1; any fish that escaped the net. The ancestors of today̵7;s Lab include setters, other retrievers and spaniels. The mix created a true game dog with an even temperament. Setters and spaniels fall in the AKC ̶0;sporting group̶1; of hunting dogs along with the Lab. The dog̵7;s disposition makes it suitable for a family because it̵7;s obedient, non-aggressive and loyal. Labs make good service and narcotics dogs too. As a retriever, the dog instinctively knows not to bite down on something it might perceive as game such as a cat or a ferret. Labs weigh 55 to 75 pounds. Their coats are colored black, yellow or chocolate.

    German Shepherd Dog

    • A well-known police and guard dog, the black and tan-colored German shepherd weighs 75 to 85 pounds. Often described as fearless but not aggressive or hostile, German shepherds need training and obedience. The breed was developed in Germany by a German military officer, Captain Max von Stephanitz, less than two decades before World War I. In 1899, von Stephanitz created the breed from other local farm and herding dogs around Karlsruhe, Germany. The first German shepherd shown in the U.S. was in 1907. The dog belongs to the AKC̵7;s ̶0;herding group.̶1; The German shepherd̵7;s loyalty makes it a good family dog. This breed likes children after they have formed a bond. Its obedience to the handler makes it amiable, or at least indifferent, to other pets.

    Golden Retriever

    • This breed originated in the Scottish Highlands beginning in the late 19th century. ̶0;Lord Tweedmouth,̶1; also known as Sir Dudley Majoribanks, took the only yellow puppy from a litter of black retrievers from a local merchant that owed him money. He began to breed the dog with his kennel of other hunting dogs, which included the now extinct Tweed water spaniel as well as Irish setters and bloodhounds. Eventually, he produced the perfect hunting dog bred to deal with the local climate, the highlands and the seasonal game. Golden retrievers weigh 55 to 75 pounds with a coat that ranges from light golden to dark golden, almost red. The AKC lists golden retrievers in the sporting group and describes them as ̶0;a joy to own̶1; because of their good-natured temperament. Golden retrievers are perfect for any family. They love children and get along with other pets. They also make good rescue dogs.

    Boxer

    • Boxers are the product of mastiffs and bulldogs in Germany during the 19th century. In the beginning, boxers tracked and held wild boars, baited bulls, pulled carts, were part of dog fights, herded livestock and were even circus dogs. The AKC classifies them in the ̶0;working group̶1; because of this. Their coats are fawn or brindle with white. Boxers get their name because they stand on their hind legs and ̶0;box.̶1; They weigh in at 60 to 70 pounds. Boxers are loyal and loving toward the family, especially children. They get on fine with cats, but you might want to think twice if you have a pet duck, according to the Dog Breed Info website.