kiwifeathers

You could look into Border Terriers? We've only had the one so I am by no means an expert on the breed, but based on my experience with our dog they could fit your criteria. Great with kids, good watch dog but not yappy, nice size, sturdy but portable etc. I think they are worth looking into for your situation. Oh, and I also realized our lab growing up pretty much lived in your exact circumstances. So maybe a lab from the right lines could work too?

Yeah it doesn't look quite right to me either, doesn't look like a free double suspension gallop.That hind leg really should be extended out like the other one. I hope you can get the issue sorted, good luck. Perhaps physio could help? You can do basic massage and exercises at home. Helped immensely when Breeze tweaked a major muscle that was bothering her off and on for months. Not been a problem since.

This is one of the breeds on my list, such stunning dogs, though I don't know if I'll ever get around to owning one. I have no issue with dogs that don't care for others personally. Even my IG doesn't go fawning over people she doesn't know, usually she tolerates a pat then wants to keep moving. I've heard it pronounced "oza-wok" too, but I'm not sure what's actually correct.

The Bullarab is one. :) Rat terrier, another. Though they've now been accepted as a breed by the AKC. Silken Windhounds are probably another. They fill a niche (smaller longhaired sighthound). I'd have one lol

From the lagotti I have met, they have ranged from very happy friendly dogs to rather shy. I have never seen any aggression in any of the ones I have met. Of course, this is NZ and most lagotti here are from imported bloodlines and carefully bred, the breed is also still very rare here, less than 100 dogs. I don't know the state of the breed in Aus though. I'd say they are definitely a working breed and need plenty of exercise and stimulation, from my own research into the breed. They apparently love swimming but a good number a big time diggers so something to think about if you have a nice garden! I know one person with a pet one here gave the dog its own "digging pit" to use, they'd hide treats in there and it helped keep it out of their garden. I think its a breed that would love a job to do or to compete in canine sports. I think early and extensive socialization is probably important too. It was one I have considered for myself in the past, for show and sports, but I've decided dogs that need heaps of grooming aren't for me lol.

Knowing my aunts ridgie, even now at 8 years old, no back yard would drive her mental and she'd be destroying everything in the house. While an adult would certainly appreciate going on runs, they are also not a breed I would recommend for the inexperienced. All the ones I have met have been either very shy/reserved or very sharp with strangers (I'm not saying they are all like this, but its my experience with the breed and you could easily end up with a dog like this). My aunt's is very protective and has a high prey drive, and quite frankly not a dog I would trust if I didn't know her. They can't run her off-leash if there are other dogs/people. Great with her family, not so much with anyone else. I agree with what everyone has said, a rethink and more research is in order. :)

Hi all, this is KF's friend speaking. I'm borrowing her account so I might speak personally, rather than relay the info through her. If I repeat anything she has already said, or sound a bit jumbled, forgive me, this sort of thing is rather nerve wracking! First and foremost, the dog is something to help me feel safe in my home at night, and as a companion to me. During the day, my home is my safe haven and I can truly be myself and relaxed here. When I go to bed however I feel tense, unsafe and feel like someone is going to break in or otherwise something bad will happen, and thus have trouble sleeping. I usually have to have music or a movie or something playing just to relax enough to sleep and even then it takes a long time. I cope with the lack of sleep by taking catnaps during the day currently. I think having a large dog at home to sleep near me will really help me feel much safer and sooth my anxiety. If a loud bark, or taking one look at the dog through the fence would be enough to send someone packing more's the better, but that's not necessarily a requirement. This is actually a fairly safe town, but anxiety isn't rational (which is extremely frustrating when your mind knows better!) so the feelings persist regardless. As a companion, the dog will be my primary source of companionship. I have difficulty making friends with people and don't really go out unless I have to (although I am trying to get better with this, taking baby steps like going to the pool once a week) so I don't see a huge amount of other people outside of visits with my few close friends or family. The house is fairly big, and has about a quarter-acre section with 6-foot, solid wooden fences. Dog would have access inside and outside during the day and would sleep inside. The climate here is pretty seasonal, but I don't think that matters too much with the dog being allowed inside? I'd really like to raise a pup myself, though I do recognize a couple disadvantages to this, so I'm not totally putting the right adult dog out of contention. I don't want a wire-coated dog that needs hand-stripping or something like a poodle with a huge amount of grooming needed (although I love standard poodles!), nor do I want something that is a heavy shedder, although one big seasonal drop if the rest of the year isn't too bad might be ok? The prickly coat of Shar-Pei and some wire coats makes my skin react but so far I haven't come across any others that do. I don't really have any breeds appearance wise I dislike, although I'm less a fan of breeds with squashed faces like pugs. I love the regal elegance of sighthounds, like KF's IG, but I'm not sure if a sighthound would be a good match? A breed known to have less health issues would also be an advantage, although if most of a breeds issues are testable, and thus can ask a breeder about those health tests for the parents, that would be ok too. Breeds known for gentleness and affection with "their people, calmness in the house and a steady nature are the sort of thing I am looking for. I'm ok with dogs that are aloof with people they don't know. People will be visiting me from time to time, dog must be able to handle that. Other pet friendliness? Doesn't matter if they are or not with small animals or cats, as I don't own any, and there are quite a few places a dog would love to chase rabbits around here :) , but I'd rather not have a breed known for dog-aggression, just to make things easy when walking them. Exercise wise, the dog would usually get anywhere from 30mins to an hour long walk at least once but usually twice a day. The length of time would be adjusted to suit the dog, but an hour at once is pretty much my limit, and I don't want to go running, just a walk. I'm happy with a breed that has to stay on-leash in certain areas or one that can be off-leash. I have to go right now, but I will come back and finish this later. :) And I think KF will add this post to the OP when its done. Thank you all for your suggestions and support.

This is true, but I'm pretty sure she is aware of this and is ok with positive attention at least. When I had her look after my two for a night she was fine with people coming up to ask about them (I get it almost every day because the Border Terrier is cute, and the Italian Greyhound is unique), because the attention was on the dogs, not herself. She's happy to talk about dogs all day because she knows she knows what she's talking about, if that makes sense lol, a true dog nerd like myself! Besides that, if it all gets too much she is good at politely removing herself from the situation from what I have seen. It's hard to speak for her exactly so I'm probably not giving the most accurate picture haha.

30 minutes twice per day is not enough for a young Belgian Shepherd. It may be alright for a mature dog over the age of 5 or 6, but certainly not enough for the ages of 12 months to 3 or 4 years. Most people get into trouble with their dogs around the 15 months age when the dogs are beginning to look for some real work & an outlet for their creativity! My girl was a chewer up until 4 years of age, her prizes included a director's chair & some Roman blinds - she had a penchant for wood! She still gets a decent amount of exercise at 9 years of age. 10km most days, with a good hike of up to 17km on the weekend. Maybe a mature Belgian would suit? Amanda of Vanrusselhof has a lovely mature Malinois for sale & she is looking for someone interested in showing http://www.dogzonline.com.au/breeds/mature/belgian-shepherd-dog.asp?state= I did say in the OP it was 30min-around an hour max (not having a go btw, it was easy to miss! ) Shorter walks would be more likely in bad or very hot weather. I think she really wants a puppy to raise herself, but I'll pass the suggestion of an older dog along.

The behavior of a socially awkward person is VERY different when they are home in their own safe surroundings. ^This too. She's very relaxed at home and generally fine on familiar walks. Most of the situations that really stress her out are not situations where the dogs are allowed anyway.

She's a kind person, very good with animals, but understands the need to balance affection with boundaries. She's from a farming background on one side of the family and spent a large amount of time there growing up, if that makes any difference, and I think would be fairly "take charge" with a dog, but I'm not sure if she'd be up to something really really sharp. Its hard to say as she hasn't had a dog on her own before. I don't think she'd want the stress of a dog she has to be on her toes with all the time.

Rottie's seem to be a favorite potential option here, I believe an aunt of hers had them, so she's rather fond of them. Definitely high on the possibles list. I don't think she dislikes labs, but mine growing up shed something awful, im not sure if she'd like that much shedding? She also likes the look of dobermans, but is worried about all the potential health issues. A Saint is also not a bad choice, if her squeaking over a pup at a show once was anything to go by! :laugh: Like me, she does have a bit of a flair for more exotic/rare. Any more unusual breeds you guys think may suit? EDIT: forgot to mention the belgian sheps as well are being looked at and are on the shortlist. It sounds like it would be important to pick the right personality dog, but if she got the right one could be a great match.

Ok I've gotten some more input from my friend, will try make sure I cover the questions everyone asked in this post: -She is confident with animals (her anxiety is mostly social, so its really only other people she has trouble with), and has worked with dogs before. She's a whole different person socially if she has a dog around to talk about, from what I've noticed when we have gone out with my two. Although this will be her first solo dog, I don't think she would have issues with making sure dog has boundaries etc. -Doesn't *have* to go for walks the length stated, that was just the maximum she is likely to do. -She likes most dogs appearance wise, although I don't think she is crazy on smushy-faced breeds, but if one was otherwise ideal for her, she wouldn't mind it. I do know a shar-pei wouldn't suit, she touched one at a show once and her skin had a reaction to the prickly coat. -I have warned her about the bad side of showing with the gossip and such. She still wants to give it a go, starting at ribbon parade level, our club's ribbon parades are very friendly and supportive. I think she may also be interested in other canine sports. She feels doing something with her dog will be a good way to build confidence around people, as she'll be in her element with her dog as a social crutch, if that makes sense. - She plans on taking the pup to puppy school and to at least one six week obedience course for basic stuff after that. - A loud bark may be enough, as long as it would make any potential intruder move on, I think that would be enough to help her be calmer at night alone. Any more questions you want me to ask her let me know. I'm trying to persuade her to join but obviously thats a bit tricky haha.

Hey everyone thanks for the suggestions, I will pass them on at next opportunity and get some more info from her to narrow down the list.

Hi all, one of my good friends who has social anxiety disorder is interested in getting a dog as a companion and to provide emotional support. In particular, she is very unnerved living alone, especially at night and would like a dog large enough to at least deter someone from intruding, it doesn't have to actually be a guard dog, just give at least an illusion of protection to her, if that makes sense? She is very good with animals, grew up with dogs big and small, and has worked in a boarding kennels. I've noticed she is a lot more confident out and about with other people when she has a dog with her, something to draw attention away from her and to talk about. She was even downright chatty when she came to a dog show with me once! She lives in a house and has a large well fenced (I'd say probably 6-foot?) yard. The dog probably won't be alone for more than 4 or so hours in a day, as she only works part time (though she isn't working currently due to unrelated health issue), and I'm happy to bring mine over for playtime as well. Dog will sleep inside and have indoor/outdoor access during the day. She really wants a pure-bred puppy, as she is interested in getting into showing as a confidence builder and this will be her first solo dog and she wants to raise one from the start. Obviously every dog is unique but in general she is looking for something that will meet the following: - Large enough to deter someone, but not necessarily a guarding breed. - Affectionate, fairly calm and steady as an adult, not typically hyper breeds. - Not wire-coated or otherwise needing lots and lots of complicated grooming work, remembering she is interested in getting into showing. She is ok with needing a little trimming or needing brushing regularly. Doesn't want crazy mad shedding, but can deal with a moderate amount. - Barking for a reason is fine, but not anything yappy for no reason. - Doesn't have to like small animals, but needs to be ok with other dogs in general, she doesn't need the stress of a dog trying to attack another while out walking. - She is ok with dogs aloof with strangers, but does have friends and family visiting fairly often, so dog needs to be able to cope with that. - Dog needs to be ok with at least one, but more likely 2 leisurely 30min-say an hour ling walks a day. Not interested in having to go running with the dog really. Happy with breeds that have to stay on leash if they must but there are plenty of off-leash areas around too. I think this is it, but will add to it if I think of anything more she said. I've told her a couple of ideas I had, but she'd like to hear what "those dog forum people say" too haha.