Help Me Choose A Breed Please

[Rileys mum]

I'm another GSP owner who would highly reccomend them if you are genuinely able to commit 2 hrs a day to excercise then you will find they tick all your boxes. I excercise my guy twice a day. One good off leash run/play and a second short walk with obedience training etc. In the evening. It's definately a must for their sanity and if they are happily excercised they are delightful to have around. Careful though.... You can't stop at just one lol I'm currently forcibly restraining myself from getting a second. They are truly beautiful dogs

[geo]

Perhaps go to your local shelter and have a look around? save a dog.

[Gayle.]

What about a pointer (English)? They are so friendly, smoochy and pretty much match your description. And they are so pretty!

[:ange:]

When I read your post I automatically thought gundog..

I have two Weimaraner's and I haven't got a problem with either of their recalls. My girl was probably the hardest to train out of both of them.

Like the GSP they are a slow maturing dog.. but such loons!! Ruby is nearly 3 and she has settled down so much in the last 12 months.

They can dig and destroy if bored.. but if you can provide the exercise you say you can you would have the happiest Weimaraner in the world!!

[whiskedaway]

Finnish Lapphund. Coat is longer, but they are definitely wash and wear, they're working dogs so their coats aren't meant to be high maintenance. They only need about a 20 min brush a week. They don't need too much exercise, but will take what you give. They're definitely family dogs.

Would have said a Lappie too. They have a longer coat but its not a lot of care (at least, my lot aren't!).

Aren't they quite small though? I don't think I've ever seen one in the flesh, only pictures

They are roughly boarder collie size - some a bit smaller, some a bit larger but in the ball park

Plus you said Kelpie size, and I'd say most lappies are about that size - though I haven't seen the two next to each other to compare.

[Nevafollo]

What about a pointer (English)? They are so friendly, smoochy and pretty much match your description. And they are so pretty!

Yeps pointers would suit you prefectly Mixy! Wonderful dogs, mine are serious couch potatos and are the most smoochiest dogs ever! Mine wont destroy the house if they dont get a big chunk of exercise but also do love exercise so its definately a happy medium. They are fantastic with kids (if thats in your plans at all) mine are excellent with other dogs, I can take them anywhere and know I wont have any issues.

They are a true wash and wear breed, so easy to bath and after a quick towel dry are dry in like 10 minutes.

They LOVE their people!

Training wise Kite has been harder to train because I never really tried to train her properly, she does random thing like fetch but will only fetch a certain ball and only up and down the hall way :D She doesnt sit but stands wonderfully and drops :D she speaks when I tell her too. My new girl Hootie is fabulously smart, (to the point where she makes me think kite only has half a brain) she sits, waits for food comes when called (very well and shes only 7 months). I am thinking of doing some sort of trialing with the smart one. Kite on the other hand I would love to try at feild work or something cause shes amazing to watch, she stalks and points so well these days! :D

If you want and more info let me know!

Edited November 22, 2010 by sammy_ballerina

[Gemelo]

I would suggest and english pointer as well, I have one and Aussie Shepherds and I think the gundog would suit your needs much better, short coat, loves a snuggle on the lounge, loves getting out and about.

I wouldn't call the Aussies wash and wear though, which have also been suggested

[Gayle.]

I would suggest and english pointer as well, I have one and Aussie Shepherds and I think the gundog would suit your needs much better, short coat, loves a snuggle on the lounge, loves getting out and about.

I wouldn't call the Aussies wash and wear though, which have also been suggested

Aawwww, Isaak washes himself in the fishpond then wears it all through the house! He would completely disagree with ya!

[aussielover]

I think a Weim or GSP might suit you.

I don't think they have more of a problem than your average dog with recalls, though a lot comes down to training and the individual dog.

They are breeds that I would classify as "highly active" with similar energy needs to a Border Collie or Kelpie, but like all working dogs, if you provide enough exercise and mental stimulation, they should have an off switch and be fine for 8 hrs alone/inactive.

I have heard English Pointers are slightly more laid back than GSPs so might me an option if you were after a less active breed?

Dobermans are great people dogs and may be suitable if you have the right leadership skills.

We also have quite a few ridgies in our area and they are lovely dogs too, but more laid back than the breeds I previously mentioned.

[poodlefan]

Good on you for doing your homework.

My thoughts would be to check out Ridgebacks and add Rottweilers to the list - a well bred Rottie is a delightful dog and you've got some very good dogs in WA.

[minxy]

A Rottweiler. I grew up with them, and they are just the most beautiful dogs. Very well natured, loyal, easy care coat, like exercise but aren't hyperactive, love being around people but can also be by themselves during the day, and ours have always taken to training really well. Great recall.

[Gemelo]

Aawwww, Isaak washes himself in the fishpond then wears it all through the house! He would completely disagree with ya!

Peach does the same in the duck pond, clam shell and water bowl

[SpikesPuppy]

Our smooth is in the yard for 11 hours, 4 days a week. The neighbors reckon they rarely hear her make a noise which is surprising because she is NOT a quiet dog (gets it from her father lol. Some lines seem to be more talkative than others but they don't bark at nothing, some just like to chat to you or have the last word ).

There are some very nice ones in WA.

They like walks and to zoom but are otherwise pretty chilled out. They sleep like the dead, honestly I hve never had a dog who slept so soundly.

Grooming wise they don't need much apartfrom when they are blowing coat (change of seasons) an they will leave a halo of fur where they lay down lmao but once that is over after about 2 weeks or so they don't drop much coat.

[Monah]

Wonderful that you are researching. Good on you and your BF :D

Choosing a breed is such a personal thing, you may meet one of a breed that you adore and then another of the same breed may not click with you, there are differences in dogs of the same breed.

So I can only comment on what i have personally experienced.

Lappies I've met have been enormously less busy, boisterous and excitable than gundogs. Lovely, often can bark a lot like many herders. Very sweet.

GSPs, Vizsla, Weis, I have owned and seen have been very busy. If you are saying you can exercise for a couple of hours a day, keep in mind that that will not be 'optional' if you are tired, it's raining, you worked late etc. ;) :D These are high energy dogs.................very beautiful looking, very intelligent, eternally young at heart (or to say another way, grow up at around 8 years of age... :D ) all very lovely breeds. Weis are very large and strong too.

Rotties are gorgeous, laid back, dont' mind missing the odd walk we've had several in our extended family, like my spinone, when they have a drink be prepared for half of it on your floor

I only know aussies through flyball so cannot comment on them.

I adore cattle dogs, a well socialised and trained (they almost train themselves) cattle dog will not stray, have great recall, be active but also happy to sit and guard the fence, garden, car, you ,etc etc... A good one will also stick with you and love ball games, bike rides, swims etc. I know some can be pretty protective, but as long as they are used to outings and visitors etc. they are fine (from my experiences, ours were fantastic)

English pointers are a wonderful breed and if people realised how great they were we'd be seeing them everywhere ;) :D they are a well kept secret..

Keep in mind things llike, do you want to travel at any time? if you have to rent, will you have a problem finding dog friendly etc. My kids travel a lot, but we have my daughter and her BFs BC or else his parents do (he was their dog first anyway but I adore him and love having him here...) I'm sure you've already thought of all the things like this and that you will offer a fantastic home to a lucky dog!!

You have a lot to do to find the breed you would like to spend the next 16 or so years with (hopefully), it's a huge responsibility and you are very responsible to be thinking a lot about it. Good luck :D

Spikes puppy... Now I want a smooth!!! lovely!!xxx

Edited November 22, 2010 by Monah

[Rottigirl]

My thoughts would be to check out Ridgebacks and add Rottweilers to the list - a well bred Rottie is a delightful dog and you've got some very good dogs in WA. smile.gif

Rotties definitely tick all the boxes and mine is definitely laid back and doesn't mind missing a walk, especially during summer, he's quite happy to find a cool spot to lie in. Ongoing OB is necessary though. I walk mine 2 hours a day in the morning and at night, or take him for a swim, he's pretty happy to do whatever I do. His recall is fast and they are awesomely fun to train. My dog usually doesn't take more than 2-3 reps to get something.

One problem with rotties though...once you have one you will find it difficult to get another breed

Good luck with the rest of your research. It is so exciting getting a new puppy

Edited November 22, 2010 by Rottigirl

[corvus]

They only need about a 20 min brush a week.

I spend closer to an hour a week on mine and I definitely do not find them wash and wear if they happen to like jumping in the swamp, rolling in the burrs and pine needles and annointing themselves with dead rat! Let's not mention what happens when he gets the runs. The dirt does tend to fall off when it dries, but then you get a dirt pile in the house. I love him like life itself, but they are not a breed for someone looking for easy coat care IMO. I'm never having more than one long-coated dog.

[aussielover]

I would never recommend a medium-long haired breed for someone after an easy care "wash and wear" coat.

While the dirt may easily brush off them, you can't just towel them down and they are clean and dry.

I;ve noticed a huge difference in coat care required for an aussie vs a lab.

The aussie you could towel down and she'd be clean but still remain damp for a while.

The lab is generally clean and dry by the time we get back from a walk anyway.

If you like Ridgebacks, I think they could be suitable. They probably not as easy to train as say a labrador or BC, but I wouldn't say they are overly difficult to teach manners and general obedience.

If you wanted a comp obedience dog, then maybe they are not the breed for you- although I have heard of several ridgies attaining high levels of obedience trial results.

They don't need as much exercise as a GSP or Weim or Kelpie

[corvus]

If I spot clean my Lappie he's wet for hours. If he runs around and rolls in the wet grass he can end up being damp for hours. He likes being damp, so we have to be cool with a dog that regularly leaves damp patches inside. I can give my Vallhund a full bath, though, and he's dry in half an hour.

There's a Large Munsterlander litter advertised on the puppies page of Dogz Online.

[FHRP]

We rarely get 1 Vizsla shown, we have a wirehaired Vizsla shown more often.

Keep in mind i don't believe we have any breeders of Vizsla's in WA so you would have to go east.

And the one Vizsla that was shown with any regularity over the last few months in WA has recently titled so may not be around the rings much anymore. However, there is an active social group that meet every couple of months and would be a great way for someone to meet the breed. Most (all?) of the Vizslas that meet were bred by Eastern State breeders, but once you've chosen a breed there's no reason not to look outside your state for a pup.

As already mentioned, the breed is high energy and if you don't provide physical and mental exercise regularly they will drive you mad. I'm sure seeing a few of them together will demonstrate how active they can be

Edited November 24, 2010 by FHRP

[Bjelkier]

I would be looking at an English Pointer

We had one growing up and they are fantastic dogs!

I would have another one in a hot second but they arnt my OH's thing sadly.

Personally I don't think he knows what he's missing

Edited November 23, 2010 by Bjelkier