Breed Suggestions

[tedington]

hi everyone i've been a long time reader but have only just decided to become a member!

i need some help deciding on what breed would suit me. this has been a long process for me, i've been researching for over a year!! so i thought i would dip into the wealth of knowledge on this forum.

i now feel i am in the best situation to get a dog as i have recently moved into a new house with an awesome backyard (instead of the small place i was living in!)

i cant decide what breed would suit me. there are just so many lovely dogs out there- i want them all! i really want to make the right decision but i keep changing my mind as to what i want!

so i guess i should give a bit of info on my life

i work 5 days a week. the hours vary a bit but usually 8-4 sometimes a bit longer (never later then 5) sometimes a bit earlier (never before 2) with a 15m trip to and from work.

grooming is not concern for me but i lean towards smooth/short coated dogs more (purely on looks alone). so low-medium maintenance coat wise, something that wouldnt need to be brushed every day but every few days i could cope with

my dog would be able to come to work with me sometimes, so they would need to be fairly friendly and also pretty easy going.

exercise wise- i walk in the morning before work about 15-30mins and again after work about 30m-1hr. i had small mutt who was reasonably high energy but lived happily in the flat as long as he had a walk everyday. so most days would get at least an hours exercise, involving off lead walking, sometimes ball/toy games, training. i also go to the beach regularly over summer, so sometime swimming.

i took my boy to training from puppy school up until he was about 2. so my new dog will be going to training classes as well. i did some obedience work but not very seriously (i found it a bit boring- sorry!! plus my dog wasnt really that into it) i would like to get into agility. mostly i would be training to have a well-mannered companion.

i do have some regular social things late evenings/nights a few times a week. nothing serious eg. netball one night. but it does mean i will be out sometimes for a couple hours. these are the times when i would be planning to take my dog to work so they aren't home alone a lot. but when i am home it will be all about them! playing, walking, cuddling, training or just hanging out.

so i dont really know what else to say about my life. i have a housemate who is a nurse so she is quite often home when i'm not. but the dog will be mine and i wont expect her to do anything serious with him/her.

as to what i want in a dog- i ideally am after a medium-large dog. prefer short/smooth coat but that is not super important. energy levels- i want a playful dog and one that is happy to go for walks, but if they didnt get a lot (say only 40m) they arent going to tear the house down wanting to play. training wise i think a breed that wants to work with me and fairly easy to train. i dont want a constant battle of wills! that may sound a bit slack but i want them to enjoy training as well.

so i just read back and i'm pretty vague sorry!! but i really dont know! there are just so many beautiful dogs out there and they all sound great! i've been to countless breeders websites and done numerous breed selector things i've got heaps of breed books. its too hard i want them all!!

if there is something i've missed let me know.

thanks in advance!! teddi

[Jed]

How about getting a short list of 8 or 10, and going from there? Narrow it down to a few, and do the research

Medium size, short hair

dalmation

boxer

staffy

amstaff

beagle

pointer

bulldog

bull terrier

basset hound

whippet

basenji

collie smooth

Some of those you wont like at all, so cross them off, and I've probably missed a heap anyhow. Collie Smooth is probably too large.

Also consider a standard poodle - slightly bigger than "medium" and would need regular clipping, but apart from that, fills all the requirements. Doesn't have to have "big" hair. Whether it would be good with time alone, poodle people can fill you in on.

[gareth]

Brittany

[Guest Ams]

Shar Pei

[voloclydes]

'matians.... they love doing tricks and if you have a yard the dog will wander around and get some exercise....

leo fave pastime in cooler months

[voloclydes]

whoopsy pic did not load.

[Guest belgian.blue]

English Pointer

[Sayly]

Smooth Collie sounds like it might be suitable.

[dancinbcs]

Some of the smooth coated, easier to train breeds are:

Collie Smooth,

Hungarian Viszla

German Shorthaired Pointer

Pointer

Labrador

Dobermann

If you dont mind a medium coat you could try:

Brittany

English Springer Spaniel

Border Collie

Australian Shepherd

Portugese Water Dog

Standard Poodle.

Try writing up a list of things you don't want and start crossing breeds off. Include physical and temperament traits.

You may find that if you do a thorough list there are only a couple of breeds left to consider.

That is how I ended up with my Border Collies nearly 30 years ago. It was the only breed left after I eliminated all the ones with traits I didn't want.

The things I wanted were medium size, highly intelligent, easy to train for trialling with a strong will to please. That shortened the list considerably to start.

I didn't want a doggy odour, a flat face, a docked tail (now they are not docked but many breeds were then), a drooler, any instinct to dig, fight or hunt, smooth or very long coat or a coat that needed hours to prepare for a show. I also didn't want a heavy shedding dense short double coat like a Labrador, GSD, Corgi or ACD. I had owned a Lab and couldn't stand the 365 day a year shedding that comes with those coats.

So try to think of things that would drive you mad and use that to elimate breeds as a starting point.

[tedington]

Some of the smooth coated, easier to train breeds are:

Collie Smooth,

Hungarian Viszla

German Shorthaired Pointer

Pointer

Labrador

Dobermann

If you dont mind a medium coat you could try:

Brittany

English Springer Spaniel

Border Collie

Australian Shepherd

Portugese Water Dog

Standard Poodle.

So try to think of things that would drive you mad and use that to elimate breeds as a starting point.

thanks for the quick replies. most of the dogs on your list dancinbcs are on my list especially the ones in bold. i guess i didnt really make it clear that i have a 'short' list of breeds i like and ones i dont like and really wanted peoples opinions on what would suit me to see if i was on the right track or not.

i seem to be quite attracted to a lot of the breeds in the gun dog class.

i like border collies and australian shepherds but i'm not sure about the exercise needs. smooth collies are out simply because i dont really like the look.

i guess i havent really been thinking about what i dont want and more what i do. so i need to rethink a bit more...

[Guest belgian.blue]

If you dont mind a medium coat you could try:

Brittany

English Springer Spaniel

Border Collie

Australian Shepherd

Portugese Water Dog

Standard Poodle.

Belgian Shepherd - Groenendael

[Esky the husky]

Why not head down to a dog show just for a look see.

Watch the dogs go round the ring and see if there are any breeds that 'click' with you.

[Monah]

Vizslas are very easy to train, love to please, short hair, very people orientated so would love to be at work etc. (even at netball ) love the beach, swimming, bike rides, off lead runs.

Also, feel the cold, can be very demanding so you have to have ground rules in puppyhood, really do need to be with you indoors etc. love love love to snuggle and cuddle , are over the top boisterous but settle quickly (ground rules again), love agility, flyball etc., are meduim sized, and of course they are the BEST LOOKING breed of dog there is

Do check out dog shows as other have mentioned, I babysat a viz puppy recently at a show while others were being shown. I forgot how busy, naughty and determined they are at that age exhausted after half an hour (me, not the pup!)

[oakway]

How about a nice Greyhound.

Beautiful natures and short coats.

Great companions.

Plenty looking for homes out there.

[mumof3]

kelpie (perhaps from pound / rescue)

border collie might be too hairy but otherwise seems to fit your description well

whippet (apparantly an excellent pet)

greyhound

boxer

Brittany - this is what I'm getting.

Puppy or adult? If you'd consider an adult, go to the local shelter and see what takes your fancy. You might be surprised.

[tedington]

thanks again for the thoughts.

i have been to quite a few dog shows. they are an excellent day out!! i always end up hanging around the gun dog ring.

my last dog was from the pound. he died far to young which is why i would like to get a pup from a proper breeder this time. so any necessary health tests have been done and there is some degree of safety in that regard. i understand that things can still go wrong even when every health test has been done.

i would really like a pup but am open to an older dog (such as ex-show or something) from a breeder.

i love greyhounds but i have a cat and a rabbit so i think i would be waiting quite a long time for a suitable dog. another reason i would like a pup, so they are exposed to the other pets from a young age.

this is the list i have atm:

1. Vizsla (love the look and nature, but i'm not sure about the energy. and a few i have met are really boisterous and a little out of control. is this the breed or the owners not laying down the rules?)

2. Pointer (again i love the look. i have only met one as a pet and loved her nature and personality. the ones at the shows are just devine! i dont know a lot about them though)

3. German short-haired or wire-haired pointer (lovely dogs have met a few short-haired dogs but only a couple wires)

4. Dobermann (not sure. these guys sound awesome personality wise and obiously very impressive to look at. but i'm not sure if i could handle the training side. they sound pretty full on)

5. Dalmatian (had one as a kid great dogs. but a few i have met havent seemed to enjoy training? thoughts?)

6. Labrador (fantastic dogs have a very soft spot for them, but maybe a bit too 'common' and my parents have one. would like something a little bit different.)

7. Brittany (these dogs seem like awesome little characters all the ones i have met seem like real fun dogs)

8. English or Welsh springers (gorgeous dogs. i lean a bit more towards the welsh)

9. Standard Poodle (again very beautiful dogs especially in their show clip! i dont think i could handle that but in a pet clip sure.)

so thats it so far anyone with comments or advice please feel free. any breeds that i've overlooked let me know or any on the list that you think would be unsuitable definitely let me know.

i would really like to hear from anyone who owns these breeds what they like, dont like any little quirks etc.

thanks again!

[Nevafollo]

Another vote here for Pointer!

Wonderful friendly dogs! My girl likes going for a walk but is equally happy just having a big play with me and the other dogs in the yard then she tends to chill out on the lounge! She is a snuggle bug and likes to cuddle people. Awesome with other dogs of all types, shes very clever and knows how to adjust her playing style depending on who shes playing with. Shes also great with kids and knows not to be too jumpy. As for training I havent done much with my girl besides show training so she doesnt do sit...she does stand and down, she isnt as quick to pick up new things as some other breeds but I dont think this is typical of the pointer breed I think its just my girl being abit spethial! Lastly she is a complete playful goose of a dog, she finds new ways to make me laugh every day and I'm totally hooked on the breed! Try and meet a few if you can, you wont regret it!

[Sayly]

Dalmatians need ground rules set down early and you need to be consistant. I have found from working with them they are high energy and just love a game. They love training if you make it interesting but are smart enough to think of ways around doing something you might want them to do. Lovely dogs though.

My Aussie Shepherd gets about the level of exercise you are willing to give and is a happy dog. If you were really interested in Aussies I would suggest talking to a couple of breeders and when you put your name down for a pup make sure you ask to be matched with a calmer puppy. Although you sound keener on the gundogs, many of which sound suitable.

[dancinbcs]

thanks again for the thoughts.

i have been to quite a few dog shows. they are an excellent day out!! i always end up hanging around the gun dog ring.

this is the list i have atm:

1. Vizsla (love the look and nature, but i'm not sure about the energy. and a few i have met are really boisterous and a little out of control. is this the breed or the owners not laying down the rules?)

4. Dobermann (not sure. these guys sound awesome personality wise and obiously very impressive to look at. but i'm not sure if i could handle the training side. they sound pretty full on)

5. Dalmatian (had one as a kid great dogs. but a few i have met havent seemed to enjoy training? thoughts?)

9. Standard Poodle (again very beautiful dogs especially in their show clip! i dont think i could handle that but in a pet clip sure.)

so thats it so far anyone with comments or advice please feel free. any breeds that i've overlooked let me know or any on the list that you think would be unsuitable definitely let me know.

i would really like to hear from anyone who owns these breeds what they like, dont like any little quirks etc.

thanks again!

The only Viszlas I have known were top knotch obedience dogs. They are high energy and very smart, so with the right training they can be exceptional dogs. They are one of the few breeds that I know I could live with. :D

Dobermanns can be quite dominant, need a lot of consistency in training and need to know you are in charge or they will take over. Other than that they can be great dogs. Also keep in mind that a male Dobe can be a very big dog. The females are usually quite a bit smaller so more med/large than large.

I love Dallies but would never own one. They like to learn tricks but are hard work for any sort of consistent obedience performance. They do like to do things their way and are much slower learning than my Border Collies. :p I have a friend who has had several Obedience Champion Dallies over the years, but she has had to work really, really hard to get them to that level. She likes a challenge.

Standard Poodles are wonderful dogs, easy to train with a real sense of humour and you can have them clipped to look any way you want.

Any of your other choices would also be suitable for your lifestyle.

[Monah]

Vizslas are very boisterous. They are easy to train and LOVE to please and be praised etc. and would wilt if ever trained in a rough manner. Their charm is that they love life and people etc. Even a well trained viz is enthusiastic but there are many ways of calming and teaching them to be quieter. A good run also makes a big difference they are very energetic. Mine is not the best trained! but she is allowed to greet people, she always has a toy in her mouth too!, and once the initial greeting is over she will settle on her rug as thiis is what she has been taught to do. Vizslas are a joy to be around and a joy to train. Maybe you could meet some in a home environment rather than a show?

English pointers seem to be more calm (I have not had one, but would love one!), so these may be a better option, but dont get put off by vizss, they are not full on all the time and there are quieter pups in some litters. I love welsh too, I know several and I think they may need a fair bit of socialisation (all dogs do I know) to ensure they are not 'suspicious' of people they do not know.