Another What Breed For Me...

[huski]

Actually, there are many spitz breeds that have been working closely with people for thousands of years and make very good companion dogs. I have two spitzy herders - a medium one and a small one - and neither are particularly independent, difficult to train, or aloof. The Lapphund doesn't need much exercise at all as he's a lazy sod, and the Vallhund gets by on one 20 minute walk/run a day and lots of free play with the Lappie. Mental stimulation is more important than exercise for him. He can cope with just a short walk as long as I'm prepared to give him lots of things to do later. He can miss a day without going mad. He's also outrageously cuddly. It's thoroughly ridiculous how snuggly that dog is. I've never seen anything like it. My first dog was a corgi, which is also a spitz breed, and she was not too much dog for a kid to raise and train.

I never said that Spitz breeds don't make good companions. I am well aware my breed has been bred to work closely with people, however, many Spitz breeds are considered to be more aloof than other breeds of dog. FranQ's recent thread on adjusting to having a dog who is not a constant snuggle bum is a good example, even Lappies can be a bit independent and aloof.

In general Siberians, like a lot of the Spitzies, are active dogs who require a fair bit of training and exercise. I don't know any Sibe owner who would refute that. Going by your posts, Corvus, Erik definitely does not seem like the laid back and 'not too energetic' dog that the OP is looking for. I think there are many novice owners who would find a dog like Erik difficult to handle.

Edited April 13, 2010 by huski

[Freshstart16]

Im not really into going to a dog park, there is too many idiots around here, I would prefer home play inside and out and walking on lead around my suburb. I definitely want a dog that isnt high energy, my kelpie cross was mad energetic and wont even stop for a pat most days and It crazy, my dad brought him over today and he didnt even let me pat him, he was too busy playing with a little plastic broom handle he found and the a bit off a palm tree.

Leonberger....haven't really looked into them, don't even know much about them. Will look into that

Wow Zero has some hair but yeah it happens...

[Sayly]

There isn't a whole lot of difference in size between Bostons and Pugs.

Kudos for you for doing the right thing and researching a breed, sorry if any of my posts have come across rude tonight, not intended at all.

Perhaps someone in WA can point you in the direction of a great rescue group who could set you up with a suitable dog.

[~*Shell*~]

Here you go, the leonberger breed thread:

http://www.dolforums.com.au/index.php?showtopic=173197

A DOL member i know (brintey) has one named singe (her photo is in the breed thread) who is lovely but who isn't the quietest of dogs. She is still only a puppy though and even laid back breeds can be hyperactive as puppies!

[Freshstart16]

Wow so many posts, I can't keep up Thank you so much for all the advice. I would find Obedience trials interesting I think. Maybe I should find a local club and have look see at it, I could use the exercise...

Yeah I wouldn't pass up a Boston in heartbeat if one was dropped on my door, but I do like bigger dogs though, but there is something about a boston.

I read the Breeds 101 alot and look at the "would a first time owner cope" bit and when it says no, I go oh crap next...

So much to think about....ohh I love dogs, my dog is going to be the most spoiled baby ever....while still keeping in mind that it is a dog

[tianakaesha]

What is it about the large dogs that you like?

What is it about the Boston's that made you look at them (considering they are small)

Your list of dogs are very contradictory, perhaps you should do a ranking list about the behaviour/look/feel/attitudes etc that you want/need/don't want/could tolerate, so that you have a more definitive list to work against.

It sounds to me you actually want a small dog personality, in a large dog body. Grey's might be your best option for that, don't stop looking at the smaller breeds just because they are not big dogs, you know?

[animalia]

I would go for a lab or golden retriever, both breeds are great and are easy to train. I love Grey hounds as well, I used to have a Grey hound X bull terrier and she was great with cats and she was one big couch potato

[aussielover]

I think a bernese mountain dog would be good for you if you don't ming the hair! All the ones i have met have been absolutely gorgeous dogs! They are on my wish list. I have heard they don't require a huge amount of exercise and are friendly and very cuddly. If you like giant fluffy breeds (like i do!) then there is also the newfie and saint bernard (they come in a smooth coated variety also). They are friendly, cuddly dogs who don't require massive amounts of exercise.

Also, you could consider a great dane, they seem pretty laid back dogs, if you educate yourself of risk factors for bloat, signs to expect etc, then I don't see why that would stop you from getting one.

[Sharna3]

Only speaking from experience, my 'first' dog as an independant adult was a male rottweiler.

He was the sweetest, most obedient, loving, loyal and tolerant dog you could ever ask for.

As a pup (meaning up til about 2.5yrs) he needed training and a firm hand but he was home trained and was just a wonderful ambassador for his breed - meaning that even a non-trained human (me) was able to train this breed because they are quite smart and ultimately really want to please you.

Exercise wise, a daily walk and a play should keep him happy and if there is a day where you can't get out that would be OK. My boy was just happy to do whatever I was doing.

Bastian was an excellent natural guard dog but his best quality was his obvious and great love for me. I cannot recommend rotti's highly enough as a wonderful breed to own and love.

Hope this helps

[Freshstart16]

I like big dogs because they are .....I really do not know, I just prefer the bigger dogs, bigger the better, I do feel safe with a big dog, I dont want a dog to be aggressive but I like the fact there bark would deter people from wrong doing like break in etc.

I would love a great dane they are soooo beautiful, yeah it scares me about bloat though, some people say oh you need alot of room, but I also hear that you need to be careful about how much exercise they get due to leg problems etc

[Sayly]

I would not call a Lab low energy needs, all the labs I have met through working in a boarding kennel have been pretty go, go, go.

[GoldenGirl85]

I would love a great dane they are soooo beautiful, yeah it scares me about bloat though, some people say oh you need alot of room, but I also hear that you need to be careful about how much exercise they get due to leg problems etc

I think those some people are people who just look at a Dane and say "wow big dog...must need a farm for that breed"

[corvus]

Cross off Siberians and most of the Spitz breeds off your list (if you were considering any others). They are energetic, active dogs that require a dog savvy owner who is prepared to have a dog who can be aloof and not necessarily interested in being with you all the time and having lots of cuddles.

Sorry huski, must have misunderstood the above. Somehow. Erik isn't real easy, but I wasn't really recommending Valls. Just pointing out that he's anything but aloof and disinterested in human company and cuddles. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Most giants I've met have been lovely, but I did run into a guy one time who rescues giants. He had a stunning Berner that was just barely under control on leash. He was telling me the joys of what happens when giant breeds don't get any training or socialisation. That gave me a lot of respect for big dogs. And for this fellow who would take in giants with habits that are outright dangerous in such a large dog and give them a better life.

I remember being scared about bloat when I was looking into Akitas. I think doing lots of research on it helped me to understand it better and feel like I would know what to look for and what to do. Mind you, I don't think it's as common in Akitas as it is in Danes.

Oo, short-haired St Bernard?

[aussielover]

I would love a great dane they are soooo beautiful, yeah it scares me about bloat though, some people say oh you need alot of room, but I also hear that you need to be careful about how much exercise they get due to leg problems etc

I think those some people are people who just look at a Dane and say "wow big dog...must need a farm for that breed"

I have known great danes that happily live in an apartment. Yes, it was a large apartment, but they only had a small outdoor area. They can't do vigorous ecercise when growing (up to 2-3 years). But you said you only wanted to exercise for 20 mins a day or every second-third day?

If you really want one, I am sure you could make it work

Also in regard to labs- as gorgeous as they are, I think they can be quite "challenging" without proper training. They are higher energey dogs and without proper exercise and training (I think more than 20 mins a day) they may become quite destructive. A guide dog trainer told me that a lab puppy chewed through a tyre, furniture legs and then finally, a wall

Edited April 13, 2010 by aussielover

[Greytmate]

It really sounds like the right retired greyhound would be perfect. You don't do enough exercise for most of the breeds on your list, you need a lazy dog.

Contact GAP WA.

[Freshstart16]

The more I think about it a dane is perfect. I live in a 4x2 in the suburbs with a decent size backyard. theres lots of great places to walk etc. I would do whatever was needed in regards to a danes exercise requirements, or whatever was needed for the dog.

I know they are expensive but with a full time job and pet insurance im hoping it would be do-able. Of course I don't want to get to out of my league with money either. It still is a long time away and my partner doesn't want any more dogs while we have 2 already and 2 cats and one of the cats doesn't like the dogs or the other cat and she is 12 in December and my partner wants her to spend the rest of her days in as much peace and quiet as possible. which is completely understandable.

of course nothing is set in stone and I have changed my mind when it has come to trying to come to a decision about what breed for me. I always end up back at a dane.

Thankyou so much for all the advice and support. Its very important for me to find the right breed for me because above anything else a dogs happiness is more important than my own. Which is why my dad has my Kelpie X, he would not be suited to this type of yard and my dad is on a pension and he spends all day and night with him. It worked out perfect for all involved.

[RubyStar]

I would not call a Lab low energy needs, all the labs I have met through working in a boarding kennel have been pretty go, go, go.

Depends on the dog and owner. My girls won't tear my house down if they don't get a walk. They sleep all day and sleep all night! I was painting the other day from 4pm and they napped next to me. Woke them for dinner, were awake for about half an hour then took themselves off to bed. Didn't hear a peep out of them until the next morning. They get plenty of mental stimulation in the absense of physical stimulation if I can't take them out for a walk (ie. obedience training), so they are well balanced. Lazy when at home, but still have the motivation for go go go when I let them have an offlead run

I can totally picture a Lab being "go go go" in a kennel environment, that's some pretty exciting stuff there! Mine would do the same. But at home, lazybones galore. My dad puppysits the dogs while I'm at work most days at the moment and he sends me photos of them to my phone daily, and every photo is of them curled up asleep on a blanket on the floor

Anyway, no idea if a Lab suits the OP, but saw this and just wanted to put my 2 cents worth in based on my personal experience

Edited April 13, 2010 by RubyStar

[huski]

Cross off Siberians and most of the Spitz breeds off your list (if you were considering any others). They are energetic, active dogs that require a dog savvy owner who is prepared to have a dog who can be aloof and not necessarily interested in being with you all the time and having lots of cuddles.

Sorry huski, must have misunderstood the above. Somehow. Erik isn't real easy, but I wasn't really recommending Valls. Just pointing out that he's anything but aloof and disinterested in human company and cuddles. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Yes, perhaps the part where you somehow thought I was saying all spitz breeds are aloof? Many are in comparison to some other breeds, it's a common trait amongst the breeds. That doesn't mean all are, or that they don't make good companions. It also depends on your definition of aloof.

Edited April 13, 2010 by huski

[mr.mister]

I am amazed that you do not have a greyhound on your list... it sounds as though they would be the perfect breed for you

+1 here. I have heard nothing but good about greys adopted out from good greyhound adoption programs. They're beautiful looking dogs, with a great personality to suit. As other people have stated, cat-friendly greys are available I think there's even a thread somewhere devoted to photos of greys snuggling up with cats -can't remember what it's called though.

One day I would love to adopt one myself.

[Sayly]

I would not call a Lab low energy needs, all the labs I have met through working in a boarding kennel have been pretty go, go, go.

Depends on the dog and owner. My girls won't tear my house down if they don't get a walk. They sleep all day and sleep all night! I was painting the other day from 4pm and they napped next to me. Woke them for dinner, were awake for about half an hour then took themselves off to bed. Didn't hear a peep out of them until the next morning. They get plenty of mental stimulation in the absense of physical stimulation if I can't take them out for a walk (ie. obedience training), so they are well balanced. Lazy when at home, but still have the motivation for go go go when I let them have an offlead run

I can totally picture a Lab being "go go go" in a kennel environment, that's some pretty exciting stuff there! Mine would do the same. But at home, lazybones galore. My dad puppysits the dogs while I'm at work most days at the moment and he sends me photos of them to my phone daily, and every photo is of them curled up asleep on a blanket on the floor

Anyway, no idea if a Lab suits the OP, but saw this and just wanted to put my 2 cents worth in based on my personal experience

Most dogs of course are much more excitable in kennels but Labs seem to be especially so! I think the bolded bit above is so important though, alot of people get pet labs thinking they are big, lazy, sweet and easy breed, big, sweet and sometimes lazy maybe but they need mental stimulation as well as physical exercise, they are a working dog after all! I wouldn't call them easy by any means from my own experience but it has been minimal. :D And I know how much work you put into your two RubyStar!

Edited April 14, 2010 by Lyndsay