corvus Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 poodlefan: i think corvus just meant 'good home' in the respect that they'd taken a lot of time to socialise and train the dog throughout it's life. not that it was a 'good home' and therefore deserved a good dog, hence why the animal was well behaved. and corvus did say in the first post it may be because it was 12 that it was a bit more mellow... Being a 'good home' is no guarantee that your dog won't be DA or have high level prey drive. Socialisation and training are not cure alls. That is actually what I meant, mackiemad, thanks. I certainly did not mean only good homes get the nice dogs. Erik ain't always a nice Vall, but we forget about it because we know how to handle him and it pretty much becomes insignificant. We forget about how hard it is to get reliability out of Kivi, too. We forget it took us about 18 months of constant practice. You do the right thing, you train a good dog, and then you forget how hard it all was. They seemed like that kind of doggy people. It's easy to forget when your dog is 12 and a complete angel. Anyway, doesn't matter, as the OP doesn't want one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted January 17, 2011 Share Posted January 17, 2011 I have thought about Tollers and they could definately be an option. Reading Huski's thread in Training the sound like a LOT of work - great for an active, sporting home. Are you interested in doing dog sports? All of the ones I've met have seemed more active than what the OP sounds like she wants. What about a Finnish Lapphund? Most are active without being over the top. Not sure if they'd meet you grooming requirements though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiesha09 Posted January 18, 2011 Author Share Posted January 18, 2011 I've considered a Finnish Lapphund but concerned they don't totally have the 'willing to please' attitude that I'm after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiskedaway Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Yeah lappies are Spitz, so they're definitely independent. Not as bad as a Sibe in that respect, but they are definitely more independent than a BC, for example. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuffles Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 I think it's really hard to find the right balance between a biddable, highly trainable dog and one that is very high maintenance. Once you've narrowed it down to a few breeds, IMO, it starts boiling down to individual personalities. How many Aussies have you met? Sometimes it helps to get out and about and see a range of individual dogs so that you can get an idea what both ends of the spectrum are like We have two Tollers in our street. One is laidback but independent. The other is very drivey and high energy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiesha09 Posted January 18, 2011 Author Share Posted January 18, 2011 I think it's really hard to find the right balance between a biddable, highly trainable dog and one that is very high maintenance. Once you've narrowed it down to a few breeds, IMO, it starts boiling down to individual personalities.How many Aussies have you met? Sometimes it helps to get out and about and see a range of individual dogs so that you can get an idea what both ends of the spectrum are like :D We have two Tollers in our street. One is laidback but independent. The other is very drivey and high energy. I think you are competely right here. I do want highly trainable but I also don't want REALLY high maintenance. I guess alot of this comes down to expressing exactly what I want to the breeders I speak with and let them guide me to a degree. I have met quite a few different Aussies. Three that I know quite well as they belonged to fellow obedience instructors where I was a trainee instructor and lots that came through our training school as students. The three I knew well were so well behaved but thats because their owners put in a lot of time and effort to train them that way (I am under no misconception that they come perfectly behaved!!). One was quite shy and reserved and the other two were the life of the party. Even including all the student Aussies I've met too, they were all 'go' when asked but happy to settle on a mat when required. Having said all that though it is so different seeing a dog out and about at training and then actually living with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumof3 Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Boxer? Kelpie? Rescue working breed cross? Rescue Grey hound? Bull Arab? Just some garden variety breeds which I happen to think have ALOT to offer. I tend to think that there are good reasons why some of the most common breeds ARE so common - because they tick alot of boxes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogfan Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Airedale Terrier? They can be very dominant though if not trained properly. Abbey can be left inside, and even though they were bred to hunt independently, she is still a very friendly social dog They were bred to hunt around water, but Abbey doesn't like it, so beware, you might get a 'broken' Airedale :D Good luck with your search Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gayle. Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Dusty cane pretty much perfectly behaved from when we got her at 8 weeks. Although she's been going to obedience training and competed in dog shows most of her life, I really didn't need to put a lot of effort into making her a beautifully behaved dog. She is just that type that would rather die than displease me. She's never really been naughty, not even as a puppy. The boys, on the other hand, are a different matter ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitka Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 I love Aussies and they will be my next dog but I am really starting to fall for Standard Poodles :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmoothieGirl Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 (edited) I have two dogs already and am not getting another for a while as I don't really have time for 3 dogs at this stage. But I go round and round and round in my head about what breed to get next and I can't work it out. I want to make a decision though because it consumes my mind alot.So my criteria is: - Medium to large breed - Not excessive moulters (ie no labs or GR), 2 coat drops a year or non-shedding - Excercise requirements of 40mins - 60mins per day, but won't bounce off walls if a day was missed - Willing to please (probably not independent breeds) - Easy to train - Not hyperactive, has off switch - Able to cope alone for 8 hours per day while at work - Inside dog when home - Some form of training each day - I enjoy walks at the beach and hiking so I need a dog versatile enough to chill out and home but be willing to get up and go when we're doing things. Ask any additional questions you would like. Deep down I really want an Aussie. But I only have a small back yard and not sure of the exercise requirements and not sure of the shedding. I'm sure the shedding wouldn't be an issue but I currently have non-shedding dogs. I don't want a dog that ultimately ends up unhappy because I can't provide all it needs. I know the Roughs don't capture your heart, but what about a smooth Collie. Tick all your boxes :D I only have a large courtyard too, outside exercise is what keeps her happy. I don't always recommend my preferred breed, but you have pretty much described my girl to a tee, so why not, indulge me. Edited January 18, 2011 by SmoothieGirl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 I agree, a smooth collie does tick all the boxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlemum Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Standard Poodle, get the Standard Poodle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiesha09 Posted January 18, 2011 Author Share Posted January 18, 2011 What are the differences between the smooth and rough, other than the obvious (coat)? Poodlemum standard poodles are still on the list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jr_inoz Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 My friend's Bernese Mountain Dog ticks a lot of your boxes. She is at the smaller end of the scale for a berner - but still within the standard. She seems to love all the exercise she gets, but also loves chilling out and doing nothing. They started training (obedience) with her at a young age and she is pretty good. Obviously not a good breed for agility though. Same shedding as most double coated breeds (once or twice a year only) Ever considered one of these? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayly Posted January 18, 2011 Share Posted January 18, 2011 Kiesha if you want to meet some more Aussies mine would love to meet you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiesha09 Posted January 19, 2011 Author Share Posted January 19, 2011 I think Bernese Mountain Dogs are a bit too big for me. I'm not sure one would even fit in my car Lyndsay I'd love to meet some more Aussies, that would be great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 As you can get smooth and rough collies within the same litter, i don't think there are too many differences if any. Although i could give me POV from the ones i have met- i haven't met enough to compare fairly so probably best to ask a breeder that question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WoofnHoof Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 (edited) Sounds like Aussies tick the boxes nicely, if you want a slightly smoother coat you could also look at a cattle dog or kelpie, they may have more working drive than you need but I've seen heaps of working breeds do well as long as they get some interaction and aren't just left in the backyard ETA or you could just get a horse instead Edited January 19, 2011 by WoofnHoof Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tralee Posted January 19, 2011 Share Posted January 19, 2011 I don't give a toss what other people call my dogs. If they think poodles are girly dogs its their loss. They've obviously never seen a Poodle take out a tennis ball. Not that girls can't take out a tennis ball too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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