Hmm, Ideas On Breed

[Guest Tess32]

I think Borzois are out - as are all other sight hounds. I do prefer a dog that is fairly easy to teach a recall to so I can just head off to the beach with the others.

So what about newfies? Any small female owners of giant breeds worry about the strength issue?

I am mostly leaning towards now Aussies or Lappies.

[Greytmate]

So what about newfies? Any small female owners of giant breeds worry about the strength issue?

They can pull you over if they want to, I have been pulled over by one, as I held it for the owner and they walked off.

Heading off to the beach? Expect your newfie to drag you back to shore.

I am sure you will be fine though, as you will do the early training needed.

One thing you may not have considered is the drool factor. Having a tight lipped breed, you wouldn't know about that yet. If you get a newfie you will know.

[Bjelkier]

So what about newfies? Any small female owners of giant breeds worry about the strength issue?

They can pull you over if they want to, I have been pulled over by one, as I held it for the owner and they walked off.

Heading off to the beach? Expect your newfie to drag you back to shore.

I am sure you will be fine though, as you will do the early training needed.

One thing you may not have considered is the drool factor. Having a tight lipped breed, you wouldn't know about that yet. If you get a newfie you will know.

Your not kidding about the drool, though some are worse then others.

I have seen Newf's pull over full grown men and drag them along (I showed and lived with them before the Samoyeds)

The thing I really didn't like was the combination of drool and hair, yuk it's just too much.

My MIL's bitch would walk along the hallway and wipe her chest and head along the wall leaving a trail of hair and drool behind her

Sorry not my thing.

They are a nice dog if that kind of thing dosn't bother you.

[Guest Tess32]

ok back to aussies and lappies then, hehe.

Still would like to know more about English Setters, maybe they aren't all dumb (hehe)

[Belgianlover]

I'll live through you and say Zoi LOL

Borzois? I've always wanted one but then I thought....what is it with me and that type of head

Then there's Belgians

If you like Long Coats you even get two colour varieties to choose from

[Guest Tess32]

I can't have a Belgian, I can't pronounce any of them

[Belgianlover]

I can't have a Belgian, I can't pronounce any of them

Groenendael - Gron-en-dale

Tervuren- Ter-vu-ren

Mallinois - Mal-en-wa

Laekenois - Lake-en-wa

Now you can

[Guest Tess32]

I can't have a Belgian, I can't pronounce any of them

Groenendael - Gron-en-dale

Tervuren- Ter-vu-ren

Mallinois - Mal-en-wa

Laekenois - Lake-en-wa

Now you can

At least I know which one is which.

[Belgianlover]

I can't have a Belgian, I can't pronounce any of them

Groenendael - Gron-en-dale

Tervuren- Ter-vu-ren

Mallinois - Mal-en-wa

Laekenois - Lake-en-wa

Now you can

At least I know which one is which.

Definitely an advantage there ;)

If you wanted the most relaxed out of them, from my experience and everything I've heard as well, that would be the Groens

[Greytmate]

The list of dogs you are considering is still more based on appearances rather than temperament.

That's fine, but I think you could narrow it down more.

You say you want the dog to be relaxed about the house, but what do you mean exactly?

Restful attentiveness? Comatose?

How do you want the dog to react to the doorbell? Strange sounds outside? Friends? Strangers in the street who may want to pat your dog?

Don't automatically rule out the sighthounds, with your capability you could get a reliable recall if that is what you concentrated on, and you bought the right pup from the litter.

I think any of the gun-dogs would probably require more attention (interaction and training) from you than your current breed, and all of the sighthounds would probably require less.

[RallyValley]

Tess32 an adult Flat Coat suits most of your requirments. Of course not many puppies would Once they mature they can be very good sport dogs (in fact thier is one in Canada that is ranked very high nationally). Just something to think about.

[Guest Tess32]

Inside - just normal laying around when nothing is happening. I don't want completely lazy, I've had that in a Collie and we didn't bond. I definitely don't want a breed that leans towards going nuts inside, never settling down. Noah is pretty much 'restful attentiveness' and that's fine.

Doorbell type - I would prefer a dog that didn't feel a real need to be protective. A warning bark is fine. Don't need super "I love everyone" either. Middle of the road type here.

I would prefer 'friendly' to strangers, but doesn't have to be lick them to death.

Obviously most of these things can be trained but easier to start with a breed that leans towards these qualities.

Looks do matter to me Not completely against short haired dogs, I like the look of Weims, but feel they'd be too clingy for the amount of time I'm gone, and probably too much energy.

Think I am ruling out the extra giant dogs like newfies, I'm too worried about the strength. I really have none, heh.

Maybe this would be helpful, this is what I DON'T like about Collies and what I'd want in another breed:

- More agile, happy to for eg, jump onto a grooming table. Along with this is less nuts about flooring. I socialised the crap out of mine but have known many Collies and their super sensitivity to this type of stuff is much too common for my liking.

- More confident, less nervy.

- Training wise I think most Collies are fine, so would like something similar, but not "I'm going to destroy everything in sight if you don't train me one day".

Have done herding and obedience so happy to do that with it. Collies are extremely hit and miss when it comes to herding ability anyway.

I'm only 5 mins from kcc park so off leash romps are regular (though not daily).

[Greytmate]

A sheltie...lol

[GoldenWei]

Inside - just normal laying around when nothing is happening. I don't want completely lazy, I've had that in a Collie and we didn't bond. I definitely don't want a breed that leans towards going nuts inside, never settling down. Noah is pretty much 'restful attentiveness' and that's fine.

Doorbell type - I would prefer a dog that didn't feel a real need to be protective. A warning bark is fine. Don't need super "I love everyone" either. Middle of the road type here.

I would prefer 'friendly' to strangers, but doesn't have to be lick them to death.

Obviously most of these things can be trained but easier to start with a breed that leans towards these qualities.

Looks do matter to me Not completely against short haired dogs, I like the look of Weims, but feel they'd be too clingy for the amount of time I'm gone, and probably too much energy.

Think I am ruling out the extra giant dogs like newfies, I'm too worried about the strength. I really have none, heh.

Maybe this would be helpful, this is what I DON'T like about Collies and what I'd want in another breed:

- More agile, happy to for eg, jump onto a grooming table. Along with this is less nuts about flooring. I socialised the crap out of mine but have known many Collies and their super sensitivity to this type of stuff is much too common for my liking.

- More confident, less nervy.

- Training wise I think most Collies are fine, so would like something similar, but not "I'm going to destroy everything in sight if you don't train me one day".

Have done herding and obedience so happy to do that with it. Collies are extremely hit and miss when it comes to herding ability anyway.

I'm only 5 mins from kcc park so off leash romps are regular (though not daily).

Please bare in mind that I am on my first Wei, and she is only 12 weeks old at the moment. She is a long hair, she is VERY good inside, at the moment, infact she is very good for a puppy. I too was quite averse to getting a wei initially because of the amount of time I am usually away. Long Hair's generally, but its not black and white, are a lot better with being separated from their owners. I spoke to 3 or 4 different breeders, letting them know how long I would be away for, but also letting them know that we have two other dogs and 3 cats. All said we would be fine with them. I can honestly say that she is fine being left WITH another dog at this stage. I have also left her inside by herself for a few hours and she seems to be ok, she is generally asleep when I leave though. They do require a lot of exercise though, which I am used to giving one of my goldens anyway, if I wasn't it would put me off.

I looked at setters, and besides the amt of clipping they need for the show ring, one breeder in particular said that they need regular bathing even as a pet. If you like the Setters, why not look at the Large Munsterlander, there are not many in the show ring unfortunately, and that was one reason that put me off, not many LH Wei's either, but atleast there is usually 1 or 2 at shows, whereas the large munster I would be going it alone in NSW. The large munster does not need nearly as much grooming. The breeder I spoke to is planning two litters this year as well.

[Guest Tess32]

A sheltie...lol

No chance

[Guest Tess32]

Inside - just normal laying around when nothing is happening. I don't want completely lazy, I've had that in a Collie and we didn't bond. I definitely don't want a breed that leans towards going nuts inside, never settling down. Noah is pretty much 'restful attentiveness' and that's fine.

Doorbell type - I would prefer a dog that didn't feel a real need to be protective. A warning bark is fine. Don't need super "I love everyone" either. Middle of the road type here.

I would prefer 'friendly' to strangers, but doesn't have to be lick them to death.

Obviously most of these things can be trained but easier to start with a breed that leans towards these qualities.

Looks do matter to me Not completely against short haired dogs, I like the look of Weims, but feel they'd be too clingy for the amount of time I'm gone, and probably too much energy.

Think I am ruling out the extra giant dogs like newfies, I'm too worried about the strength. I really have none, heh.

Maybe this would be helpful, this is what I DON'T like about Collies and what I'd want in another breed:

- More agile, happy to for eg, jump onto a grooming table. Along with this is less nuts about flooring. I socialised the crap out of mine but have known many Collies and their super sensitivity to this type of stuff is much too common for my liking.

- More confident, less nervy.

- Training wise I think most Collies are fine, so would like something similar, but not "I'm going to destroy everything in sight if you don't train me one day".

Have done herding and obedience so happy to do that with it. Collies are extremely hit and miss when it comes to herding ability anyway.

I'm only 5 mins from kcc park so off leash romps are regular (though not daily).

Please bare in mind that I am on my first Wei, and she is only 12 weeks old at the moment. She is a long hair, she is VERY good inside, at the moment, infact she is very good for a puppy. I too was quite averse to getting a wei initially because of the amount of time I am usually away. Long Hair's generally, but its not black and white, are a lot better with being separated from their owners. I spoke to 3 or 4 different breeders, letting them know how long I would be away for, but also letting them know that we have two other dogs and 3 cats. All said we would be fine with them. I can honestly say that she is fine being left WITH another dog at this stage. I have also left her inside by herself for a few hours and she seems to be ok, she is generally asleep when I leave though. They do require a lot of exercise though, which I am used to giving one of my goldens anyway, if I wasn't it would put me off.

I looked at setters, and besides the amt of clipping they need for the show ring, one breeder in particular said that they need regular bathing even as a pet. If you like the Setters, why not look at the Large Munsterlander, there are not many in the show ring unfortunately, and that was one reason that put me off, not many LH Wei's either, but atleast there is usually 1 or 2 at shows, whereas the large munster I would be going it alone in NSW. The large munster does not need nearly as much grooming. The breeder I spoke to is planning two litters this year as well.

Yep if I got a Wei it'd be a long hair....I do like them but really don't know much about them at all. Any other experienced long haired wei owners here? hehe.

How long are you away for? I'm out of house from 8 till 5.30 or so.

How much exercise is a lot? Basically I'd do two walks a day (one in morning, one in evening) and some romps at kcc a few times a week, but I'd prefer a breed that didn't suffer if it was raining or something and I didn't want to go. That said, Noah is one of the higher energy Collies and so he basically does need daily exercise.

[dogdayz]

The aussies i have found to be more like a collie than i expected. I find they settle around the house and laze quite happily but like to keep a check on you, but in contrast to a collie they will work willingly all day if its asked of them. Off lead they check in often. They are as adaptable as a collie, not much concerns them. They are generally dog freindly though they do play rough at times, lots of shoulder charging. I havent met Noah so no idea how would handle that. Though i have found my boy has learned the play behaviours of collie and weim and switches his style to suit whichever. Dare i say i dont think they learn as quick as a collie but neither do they get the 'why should i attitude'. Allowing for individual dog variations the exercise requirements are no more than you are expecting to do, indeed my boy goes on less throught he week, though he is obviously in the yard with two dogs all day when Im working. My boy is a one person only dog, he isnt concerned by other people and literally sees no need to seek them out. The boy i borrow is the opposite and very gregarious. Aussies can also be hit and miss with herding, but there are more out there in the herding arena so looking at lines is easier to predict than with the collies. aussie coat is way less work than the collie, and like a collie the dirt falls off. More agile and faster. Some can be vocal, mine is when playing, think it might be a working breed thing cos the weim is silent when he plays but collie and aussie are prone to yapping. Showing is competitive for aussies but i have found it freindly and helpful.

Of the three breeds i have, contrary to my preconceptions about the energy levels of an aussie, the aussie is the easiest dog without the energy levels/strength/destructive capabilities of the weim and doesnt have the 'psychology' of a collie. Like you i will always have a collie but i suspect i will always have an aussie too .

[Guest Tess32]

Hmm thanks DD....

Noah is more of the high energy, nuts Collie type so he'd be fine with 'rougher' playing. He was 'too much' for Reilly who is probably more like Skye. A dog like Reilly was much too overshadowed by Noah so I was happy to leave him to live with Ebony, he's much happier.

I totally get the psychology of the collie comment, hehe.

I'm actually about 90% towards Aussies....they seem different without being TOO different and are a perfect size.

[poodlemum]

Standard Poodle!! (It'll be fluffy if you keep it in puppy coat )

[Guest Tess32]

Standard Poodle!! (It'll be fluffy if you keep it in puppy coat )

The only one I've met was NUTS Gorgeous though