Another What Breed Thread

[Pudel]

I also believe Curly Coated Retrievers make a good working dog. Brilliant gundogs. They just want to please their owner, but are happy to take themselves off for a nap, on thier own when at home. Our pup is picking things up really quickly. Plays brilliantly with our standard poodle. Also very light on the grooming. Do need regular ear cleans though, and checks between paws for grass seeds.

Poodles can also be good in trial work, need clipping about every 8 weeks but are otherwise grooming light. Also require regular ear cleans. My poodle however is scared of the water and considers it a personal affront if her paws get wet. The walk around our neighbourhood during the floods was funny as she lifted and shook her paws with every step, and gave us accusing glances.

[budgiew]

Curly coated retriever and Weimaraner

[lovemesideways]

I also believe Curly Coated Retrievers make a good working dog. Brilliant gundogs. They just want to please their owner, but are happy to take themselves off for a nap, on thier own when at home. Our pup is picking things up really quickly. Plays brilliantly with our standard poodle. Also very light on the grooming. Do need regular ear cleans though, and checks between paws for grass seeds.

Poodles can also be good in trial work, need clipping about every 8 weeks but are otherwise grooming light. Also require regular ear cleans. My poodle however is scared of the water and considers it a personal affront if her paws get wet. The walk around our neighbourhood during the floods was funny as she lifted and shook her paws with every step, and gave us accusing glances.

Poodles are just too much work coat wise otherwise they would be high on my list. I'm not interested in paying to have them clipped every 4 weeks, and most definitely not interested in learning to clip them myself .

Also not going to go with a curly coated retriever. If I was going to go with a retriever, I will get another Labrador. Thank you for your suggestions though

[Sandra777]

(Porties)

The coat is what worries me here, Im not interested in having to get my dog clipped often.

Then definitely ignore my suggestion

Is there really no grooming reuqired? I would have thought a coat like that, matting would be a issue without regular grooming.

Clipped every 8 weeks and the only grooming is keeping the ears and elbows matt free and running a slicker over the rest. This is based only on the wavy - for curlies basically listen to a poodle person. The coat on the wavy doesn't grow enormously quickly, especially with a dog that lives in the real world, but if you don't want to clip then just don't go there!

[Finnesse]

I think an Aussie Shepherd would really suit your needs and if you are still unsure then scroll back to Lyndsay's post ;)

What would a Toller be like? I've heard they are a great family dog if well socialized and love dogs sports. Not sure on how they would go with body slamming but they seem robust and I think they are a gorgeous looking dog and something different.

[lovemesideways]

I think an Aussie Shepherd would really suit your needs and if you are still unsure then scroll back to Lyndsay's post ;)

What would a Toller be like? I've heard they are a great family dog if well socialized and love dogs sports. Not sure on how they would go with body slamming but they seem robust and I think they are a gorgeous looking dog and something different.

I have been oogling all the lovely photos quite a bit

I would be interested to hear more about Tollers also! They are one of those breeds I have heard of but don't know anything about!

[wuffles]

Aussies are the most versatile dogs that I have met, and they also wrote the book on rough play. Mine lives to please and will just do anything you ask - we often jokingly say 'Ava, go wash the dishes' or 'get your own dinner' and she will look at us and run around the house like she knows we want something from her and she wants to do it, she just can't work out what

Regarding shedding, I think there is a difference between individuals. My (desexed) girl sheds all year round, not an excessive amount but you do find the white fur on EVERYTHING. My other dog (GSD x) sheds less in general but when he goes through his 6 monthly coat drops he is way, way, worse than the Aussie. I only brush her probably once a fortnight, but she doesn't have a huge coat for an Aussie.

[W Sibs]

I really want a Toller.

How about getting another GSD?

Kelpies are awesome too. TerraNik's kelpie, Revan, he loves playing rough.

[Jumabaar]

Kelpies would be up to the rough play- when it comes to body slamming they tend to 'go with it' and dont get injured, or jump the obstacle.

There are some great lines out there- both WKC and ANKC lines that have as much get up and go as you want, and turn into couch potato's at home (yes there are also lines that are unsuitable so research is the key). You have seen my guys and I think you also met Tilly who is doing herding for memory now who is from an awesome kennel- amazing temperaments and plenty of dogs that are actually being used for obedience, agility, herding, tracking and Flyball- so you know their dogs can do the job!

[Gayle.]

Some of the breeds mentioned here would be a bit thin on the ground. Tollers being one and PWDs too. If you're wanting one of them, you might have a lengthy wait.

[Monah]

I never 'advocate' my breed either..but you have described a vizsla. They are extremely people focussed and very easy to train and versatile. Easy care, great fun but really HAVE to be part of the family and indoors and doing stuff with you!!!! which is why I don't normally suggest them as they would DIE if not given sufficient attention. Also need positive training at all times!!! very very boisterous though...especially during the first couple of years. I also think GSP, generally larger than a viz, beautiful, clever, super energy. I've never met one who was not people orientated and attention seeking..

I have a working border who is a perfect match for my viz re energy etc.

My spinone is also very energetic but more of a plodder than a rocket.. All mine are around the 25 to 35kg mark but I have had tiny dogs with irish wolfhounds etc. no problem at all.

I have had giant schnauzers, fantastic wonderful breed, more protective than the gundogs and a lot larger.

There are mnay vizss and GSPs who excel in all areas of dog sports, maybe take a look in the breedpages at the top of 'general' to get some ideas?

also remember the dog is for you, although I do understand you also need a dog who gets on with your others, but this could be a dog of any breed really, terriers can run and tumble and can be very rough and some big dogs are very gentle...

[Monah]

I think an Aussie Shepherd would really suit your needs and if you are still unsure then scroll back to Lyndsay's post ;)

What would a Toller be like? I've heard they are a great family dog if well socialized and love dogs sports. Not sure on how they would go with body slamming but they seem robust and I think they are a gorgeous looking dog and something different.

I have been oogling all the lovely photos quite a bit

I would be interested to hear more about Tollers also! They are one of those breeds I have heard of but don't know anything about!

Tollers are quite small, the ones I've met at agility have been good at agility but make my viz look LAID BACK!

PWDs are truly lovely, and clever etc., also not large...Irish water spaniels are laos terrific and I had a gorgeous male years ago..they are larger than a PWD and can be boisterous..and um..stubborn ;)

[Sayreovi]

What would a Toller be like? I've heard they are a great family dog if well socialized and love dogs sports. Not sure on how they would go with body slamming but they seem robust and I think they are a gorgeous looking dog and something different.

I would be interested to hear more about Tollers also! They are one of those breeds I have heard of but don't know anything about!

Tollers would suit most of your requirements though I was wary about recommending due them needing to put up with body slamming.

My guys do it too each other and play rough enough that it sounds like they are killing each other but they are a smaller breed and wouldn't take getting body slammed by a GSD too well. What is the GSD like with smaller dogs? Does he still hit them as hard as he does your Lab?

I am talking about mine though, I am sure there are some out there giving their all back to bigger dogs.

Apart from that, they are very owner focused. I have two here who are so intent on me that I've had obedience competitors say they wish their dogs were like that....and I haven't even trained them to pay attention. They are an active breed mentally and physically but mine are more than happy to sleep the day away if it's raining/cold but if you mention going somewhere they are by your side before you know it! :p

They will wait quietly in the car or their crate while I am training one of the others and then be raring to go once I ask them, well except the puppy who will scream at being left out but we are working on that!

They do drop coat a bit but have a very easy care coat, a once a week brush will keep their coat in good shape

In regards to being outgoing and confident, I would be meeting the parents first preferably not in a home environment. There are a few Tollers that are pretty nervy but picking a confident puppy and then socialising would ensure a confident adult. That being said, if you tell the breeder you want to compete in dog sports then you should be given an outgoing confident puppy.

[lovemesideways]

Aussies are the most versatile dogs that I have met, and they also wrote the book on rough play. Mine lives to please and will just do anything you ask - we often jokingly say 'Ava, go wash the dishes' or 'get your own dinner' and she will look at us and run around the house like she knows we want something from her and she wants to do it, she just can't work out what

Regarding shedding, I think there is a difference between individuals. My (desexed) girl sheds all year round, not an excessive amount but you do find the white fur on EVERYTHING. My other dog (GSD x) sheds less in general but when he goes through his 6 monthly coat drops he is way, way, worse than the Aussie. I only brush her probably once a fortnight, but she doesn't have a huge coat for an Aussie.

:D PHOTOS, for research purposes obviously ;)

I really want a Toller.

How about getting another GSD?

Kelpies are awesome too. TerraNik's kelpie, Revan, he loves playing rough.

GSD are the very top of my list :D. But I think I would be looking at other sports rather than agility or flyball if I go with a shepherd. Something like tracking would be really interesting! Though I know nothing about it!

Kelpies would be up to the rough play- when it comes to body slamming they tend to 'go with it' and dont get injured, or jump the obstacle.

There are some great lines out there- both WKC and ANKC lines that have as much get up and go as you want, and turn into couch potato's at home (yes there are also lines that are unsuitable so research is the key). You have seen my guys and I think you also met Tilly who is doing herding for memory now who is from an awesome kennel- amazing temperaments and plenty of dogs that are actually being used for obedience, agility, herding, tracking and Flyball- so you know their dogs can do the job!

I do like kelpies (especially your lovely guys Woofen :D!) but not really sure if they're the breed for me. The more I research the less I feel they would really fit it for me.

[Jumabaar]

Aussies are the most versatile dogs that I have met, and they also wrote the book on rough play. Mine lives to please and will just do anything you ask - we often jokingly say 'Ava, go wash the dishes' or 'get your own dinner' and she will look at us and run around the house like she knows we want something from her and she wants to do it, she just can't work out what

Regarding shedding, I think there is a difference between individuals. My (desexed) girl sheds all year round, not an excessive amount but you do find the white fur on EVERYTHING. My other dog (GSD x) sheds less in general but when he goes through his 6 monthly coat drops he is way, way, worse than the Aussie. I only brush her probably once a fortnight, but she doesn't have a huge coat for an Aussie.

:D PHOTOS, for research purposes obviously ;)

I really want a Toller.

How about getting another GSD?

Kelpies are awesome too. TerraNik's kelpie, Revan, he loves playing rough.

GSD are the very top of my list :D. But I think I would be looking at other sports rather than agility or flyball if I go with a shepherd. Something like tracking would be really interesting! Though I know nothing about it!

Kelpies would be up to the rough play- when it comes to body slamming they tend to 'go with it' and dont get injured, or jump the obstacle.

There are some great lines out there- both WKC and ANKC lines that have as much get up and go as you want, and turn into couch potato's at home (yes there are also lines that are unsuitable so research is the key). You have seen my guys and I think you also met Tilly who is doing herding for memory now who is from an awesome kennel- amazing temperaments and plenty of dogs that are actually being used for obedience, agility, herding, tracking and Flyball- so you know their dogs can do the job!

I do like kelpies (especially your lovely guys Woofen :D!) but not really sure if they're the breed for me. The more I research the less I feel they would really fit it for me.

Tracking is great fun!! The people that do training are really nice too

[Fatsofatsoman]

Giant Schnauzers fit the ,bill so long as they've had their daily exercise they are happy couch potatoes. They have been bred to be a versatile breed, I have done show, obedience, agility and tracking with my old girl and will be working more towards show and IPO with the new pup.

The hard coated dogs need very little coat care and have minimal shedding (would need a clip/trim every 3 months and if you hand stripped the coat, just half an hour a week working on the body coat)

Play style tends to be some running, body slamming and standing up on back legs to 'box' if the other dog is up for that too. They tend to shape their play style to suit the other dog.

They have a different work style to BCs and GSD, in that they won't do things just to please you ad won't keep repeating the same exercise (they like to get it right first time!) so training should be kept varied and fun and if you want to practise eg the present, then it should be worked into the daily activities instead of doing 10 minutes of just the present as the giant will get bored and start to try alternative ways instead of trying to improve!

I had my first taste of a Giant Schnauzer down the dog park a couple of weeks ago and he got on brilliantly with Boonie (Lab) - I would say there playing styles were perfectly matched - I was surprised about the robustness (is that a word?) of the GS.

[Sayreovi]

Some of the breeds mentioned here would be a bit thin on the ground. Tollers being one and PWDs too. If you're wanting one of them, you might have a lengthy wait.

Yup, the wait can be long. Usually the wait is 1-2 years depending on what you want and which breeder.

Tollers are quite small, the ones I've met at agility have been good at agility but make my viz look LAID BACK!

They are a small breed, males ideally are between 48-51cms and bitches 45-48cms, 3 cms on either side is allowed.

Agility is a very high energy, exciting sport. Don't know too many dogs that aren't excited too be there ;) but yes, Tollers do give their all when doing something especially when it's extremely enjoyable!

[lovemesideways]

What would a Toller be like? I've heard they are a great family dog if well socialized and love dogs sports. Not sure on how they would go with body slamming but they seem robust and I think they are a gorgeous looking dog and something different.

I would be interested to hear more about Tollers also! They are one of those breeds I have heard of but don't know anything about!

Tollers would suit most of your requirements though I was wary about recommending due them needing to put up with body slamming.

My guys do it too each other and play rough enough that it sounds like they are killing each other but they are a smaller breed and wouldn't take getting body slammed by a GSD too well. What is the GSD like with smaller dogs? Does he still hit them as hard as he does your Lab?

I am talking about mine though, I am sure there are some out there giving their all back to bigger dogs.

Apart from that, they are very owner focused. I have two here who are so intent on me that I've had obedience competitors say they wish their dogs were like that....and I haven't even trained them to pay attention. They are an active breed mentally and physically but mine are more than happy to sleep the day away if it's raining/cold but if you mention going somewhere they are by your side before you know it! :p

They will wait quietly in the car or their crate while I am training one of the others and then be raring to go once I ask them, well except the puppy who will scream at being left out but we are working on that!

They do drop coat a bit but have a very easy care coat, a once a week brush will keep their coat in good shape

In regards to being outgoing and confident, I would be meeting the parents first preferably not in a home environment. There are a few Tollers that are pretty nervy but picking a confident puppy and then socialising would ensure a confident adult. That being said, if you tell the breeder you want to compete in dog sports then you should be given an outgoing confident puppy.

Both the GSD and the Lab will play alot more gently with other dogs (and they do play gently with eachother when not outside,

), but picking a breed whos play style is going to slot into what already goes on in my house seems more fitting than choosing a breed where they just obviously do not suit.

They sound like a great breed, what are the differences between them and say, a Border collie, or a australian shepherd?

[koalathebear]

I also normally don't recommend breeds because I am biased (and not that familiar with other breeds) but since you've already mentioned Kelpies in your list ... The right working line Kelpie would probably suit you and your pack :D

Elbie my Kelpie x Border Collie cross is a bit sensitive and doesn't particularly enjoy playing rough with other dogs but Hoover my Kelpie from a WKC-registered breeder is definitely capable of very boisterous play. He modifies himself to whatever the behaviour is that is going on so he is extremely happy to body slam with wuffles' dog Ava but he usually doesn't have body contact with other dogs he plays with - except when playing bitey face with Elbie. He loves all dogs. As woofen has said, with Kelpies you have to be super careful to pick the right breeder because some can be over the top and unmanageable in a home environment (which is why they often have such bad press) - the right one can be so wonderful, though. Hoover's so bomb-proof and despite having only left the farm at 3 months old, never been in a car before, never met a washing machine, electric mixer, blender or any other household appliance before, he is curious and brave. Despite never having been in a house before the age of 3 months, he was so easy to house train - a well-bred Kelpie is just really easy to teach and they love to learn and to please their humans.

As for exercise requirements, our yard isn't huge but the two are very happy to play in there - we definitely don't live on a farm/on property with a large yard. This video is from when we first got Hoover. You can see that they still that they still play like that from

.

They're both obedient and smart. In the hands of the right trainer, I know my dogs would be amazing - alas, I'm not dedicated or experienced enough so they're just chugging along. Nonetheless, Kelpies can definitely be wonderful at agility and obedience. My two LOVE going to obedience class and never seem to get bored during class even though so much of it can be kind of boring. Elbie loves agility. Training them is fun because they both love learning and will learn from watching each other.

As for an off-switch, you'll see from MOST photos that I post, the dogs are very happy to laze around the house doing not very much at all. If we're walking around, they might follow us. If we're on the computers/having dinner/watching tv, they'll just chill out and do their own thing, whether playing with each other or just lying about. They wake up/get out of bed when we do and they go to sleep when we do. When my father was ill and we were at the hospital all the time, they went weeks and weeks without a walk without any noticeable effects on their behaviour (bad or good). We do spend a lot of time on enrichment with them though - tricks, playing with them, training them a mealtimes etc.

They can also endure being dressed up:

Also, here is a video from a playdate on Australia Day - in the video are one Australian Shepherd, two Border Colllies, one Kelpie, one Kelpie/Border Collie cross, one Akita and a Big Black Dog Play ranged from boisterous to laid back.

Biggest downside of my two? They shed like crazy .... So much dog fur :p

Have fun, whichever breed you pick - all the ones mentioned here sound like they could be fabulous

Edited July 18, 2011 by koalathebear

[Sayreovi]

Both the GSD and the Lab will play alot more gently with other dogs (and they do play gently with eachother when not outside,

), but picking a breed whos play style is going to slot into what already goes on in my house seems more fitting than choosing a breed where they just obviously do not suit.

They sound like a great breed, what are the differences between them and say, a Border collie, or a australian shepherd?

That's cute, mine lay there too and do that....usually when they are too tired to get up Mine are very rough and tumble, though that's between my father/daughter duo. There is alot of boxing, running, jumping around and body slamming going on between those two. My oldest boy is quite happy to watch and doesn't play as much as his idea of playing is roll on back and try and attack them that way :rolleyes: That, and he has given up on trying to out run them!

I've never owned a BC or Aussie, though they were my two other choices when deciding on a breed. I went with a Toller because I liked the look of them, I wanted a gundog and I wanted to do dog sports and do well in them but wanted something other than an extremely common BC (vain much?). I still love Aussies and BC's but I will always have Tollers as they suit me so well. :D