wuffles Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Note that in KTB's video above, my Aussie (the one with the white face) is featured quite prominently in the 'eating' part. This seems to be a large part of Aussie play and usually happens at high velocity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Note that in KTB's video above, my Aussie (the one with the white face) is featured quite prominently in the 'eating' part. This seems to be a large part of Aussie play and usually happens at high velocity It's always consensual eating, though ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 If you don't like dogs that shed a Dalmatian is not for you! I think Vickie's advice was excellent. There is so much variety within a breed, let alone between breeds. Every dog will have it's strengths and weaknesses when it comes to dog sports. The high drive Border Collies, for example, need awesome handlers who think on their feet. Otherwise the dogs might bark and spin in frustration or choose their own course. The high energy/low drive dogs (thinking my Dally here) need LOTS of work building drive and focus. They make you very honest as a trainer - any holes in training become gaping chasms in trials :D That said, I am on cloud nine after our last 2 JDM passes - his size means he is not as agile or fast as the 500 dogs but all the work I have put into building focus and drive is paying off in spades. He was very close to taking an off course jump right in front of him at Saturday's trial but turned on a dime when I called him off. My working ESS is obsessed with birds (and I mean manic!) but at 10 months will ignore them (mostly) when retrieving dummies or training obedience/agility. It's about building value for working with me and not blaming the dog but asking "what can I do that's important for THIS dog?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I don't think there is a huge difference in aussie and lab temperament. They can both be clowns, are happy, friendly, energetic and playful. Aussies are probably more athletic and lighter on their feet. Borders are more focussed and serious. They use their "eye" for herding and I think this gives them a very intense look to whatever they are doing. I think Borders are more people focussed compared to aussies and labs who love to play with anything- people, dogs, cats There is no doubt that it would be hard to go past a WL border collie for a top sport dog. I think Borders are generally smaller than aussies. The aussies we do agility with are as big, if not bigger (some of the males) than my lab! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greytmate Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 It's about building value for working with me and not blaming the dog but asking "what can I do that's important for THIS dog?" That is a good way to look at it. Lovemesideways, how has agility been going with your current dog? I think you will be in a much better situation to be able to choose the right dog for dog sports when you have been doing dog sports for a while. You have two young large smart dogs that could possibly benefit from doing dog sports, is there a reason you need to think about getting a third dog now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulesP Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Interesting people are saying get a WL border collie. In Victoria I see mainly ANKC border collies competing. I have always gotten the breed I want to live with and then found an activity for them. Ok I've only had border collies Hate to be a party pooper but think you should think very carefully about this as you are renting. Would hate to see you in a position were you have to rehome a dog because you can't get a rental. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemesideways Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share Posted July 18, 2011 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 Love all the photos. Always love hearing about what your 2 get up to :D. I can see that they would in theory fit Note that in KTB's video above, my Aussie (the one with the white face) is featured quite prominently in the 'eating' part. This seems to be a large part of Aussie play and usually happens at high velocity It's always consensual eating, though ... It looked consensual If you don't like dogs that shed a Dalmatian is not for you! I think Vickie's advice was excellent. There is so much variety within a breed, let alone between breeds. Every dog will have it's strengths and weaknesses when it comes to dog sports. The high drive Border Collies, for example, need awesome handlers who think on their feet. Otherwise the dogs might bark and spin in frustration or choose their own course. The high energy/low drive dogs (thinking my Dally here) need LOTS of work building drive and focus. They make you very honest as a trainer - any holes in training become gaping chasms in trials :D That said, I am on cloud nine after our last 2 JDM passes - his size means he is not as agile or fast as the 500 dogs but all the work I have put into building focus and drive is paying off in spades. He was very close to taking an off course jump right in front of him at Saturday's trial but turned on a dime when I called him off. My working ESS is obsessed with birds (and I mean manic!) but at 10 months will ignore them (mostly) when retrieving dummies or training obedience/agility. It's about building value for working with me and not blaming the dog but asking "what can I do that's important for THIS dog?" Great advice, and I agree with Vickie also. Its all in the research for me at the moment. Picking a breed is hard enough when theres so may choices, and then finding the right fit within that breed makes it even harder Interesting people are saying get a WL border collie. In Victoria I see mainly ANKC border collies competing. I have always gotten the breed I want to live with and then found an activity for them. Ok I've only had border collies Hate to be a party pooper but think you should think very carefully about this as you are renting. Would hate to see you in a position were you have to rehome a dog because you can't get a rental. Not being a party pooper, that is a valid point! But the rental is no issue, I have thought very long and carefully about this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Midniara~ Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 A Belgain sounds like it ticks your boxes. The coated breeds really don't take a great deal of grooming except when shedding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 One more thing....I had several breeds on my list and the Dalmatian was not one of them! Chatted to a work colleague who had a couple, rang the breeder (interstate), clicked with them and the rest is (Spotted) history With my Springer it was a chat over wine with a friend (working Lab breeder) about getting a pup for retrieving. Was offered a pup from her but mentioned that I'd always loved English Springers. She said "I've got just the breeder for you" and I didn't even know there was a split between working and show lines!!! So it's funny where opportunity and contacts take you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budgiew Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 (edited) Can't help myself and i know you want minimal grooming,but i 'd like to mention Airedales;they do dog sports.They are one of my favorite breeds. edit spelling. Edited July 18, 2011 by budgiew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovemesideways Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share Posted July 18, 2011 A Belgain sounds like it ticks your boxes. The coated breeds really don't take a great deal of grooming except when shedding. "Not a great deal of grooming" is probably still going to be too much grooming. Belgians are beautiful though, but just too much coat for me! One more thing....I had several breeds on my list and the Dalmatian was not one of them! Chatted to a work colleague who had a couple, rang the breeder (interstate), clicked with them and the rest is (Spotted) history With my Springer it was a chat over wine with a friend (working Lab breeder) about getting a pup for retrieving. Was offered a pup from her but mentioned that I'd always loved English Springers. She said "I've got just the breeder for you" and I didn't even know there was a split between working and show lines!!! So it's funny where opportunity and contacts take you... Thats awesome. I love how they both sort of came to you at the right time! Hopefully something similar is going to happen to me with all the research and going along to shows/trials I'm doing :D Can't help myself and i know you want minimal grooming,but i 'd like to mention Airedales;they do dog sports.They are one of my favorite breeds. edit spelling. Lovely breed, but yep, too much coat work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ons Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 have you thought about a coolie? Absolutely wonderful dogs, very loyal, very loving, very intelligent. and they do have an off drive especially the boys. The boys are more socially outgoing and confident than the girls but as you say it does depend on the individual pup. My coolies play beautifully with my golden retreivers, no problems at all and the girl plays with my little griffon. she is only young so needs a reminder to be gentle which she does. I have thought of a coolie, but again a breed I don't know much about. How they differ in personality do a border collie or kelpie would be interesting. I would be worried also as the ones I have met seem to me on the lighter side, and having a 30 kilo Lab crash tackle you is not going to be great for a real light dog. I can't answer about a border collie but can about a kelpie. I fostered a kelpie last year and whilst she was the most beautiful dog she was on the go all the time. the coolies seem to have more of an off switch. I have two golden retreivers here, one 45 kgs one about 35 kgs. They play with the coolies and never been a problem whatsoever. My boy coolie is quite small too. Coolies are sturdy dogs so I dont think crash tackling would be a problem. If you are interested in coolies I am about to help my friend set up a facebook and website soon so can let you know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
budgiew Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Can someone tell me if a Coolie is the same as or related to the Smooth coated collie? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyValley Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Just want to say I have a kelpie x here but his off switch is great ;) If I am in bed sick for a week he is happy to sleep all day, if I decide to go for all day long hikes 3 days in a row he is up for that to. I think other Kelpie people often find the same with thier well bred Kelpies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Just want to say I have a kelpie x here but his off switch is great ;) If I am in bed sick for a week he is happy to sleep all day, if I decide to go for all day long hikes 3 days in a row he is up for that to.I think other Kelpie people often find the same with thier well bred Kelpies. Yup, but Kelpie people find it impossible to convince non-Kelpie people of this despite plenty of video and photographic evidence I was home yesterday, my dogs spent the whole day snoozing. They could and would easily run 80km but their favourite thing is to be with their humans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vickie Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 I can't answer about a border collie but can about a kelpie. I fostered a kelpie last year and whilst she was the most beautiful dog she was on the go all the time. the coolies seem to have more of an off switch. Again, seems like a biased answer... Without any doubt whatsoever, 2 of the most manic dogs I know are coolies. They have NO offswitch & are lucky to be owned by people who can manage/ cope with it. I would never base my opinion of the breed on these individuals, but it should be recognized, that these traits exist in the breed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RallyValley Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Just want to say I have a kelpie x here but his off switch is great ;) If I am in bed sick for a week he is happy to sleep all day, if I decide to go for all day long hikes 3 days in a row he is up for that to.I think other Kelpie people often find the same with thier well bred Kelpies. Yup, but Kelpie people find it impossible to convince non-Kelpie people of this despite plenty of video and photographic evidence I was home yesterday, my dogs spent the whole day snoozing. They could and would easily run 80km but their favourite thing is to be with their humans. In my house it's the feral Brittany pup you have to watch for ;) She goes non stop Toby just wants to sleep in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 One more thing....I had several breeds on my list and the Dalmatian was not one of them! Chatted to a work colleague who had a couple, rang the breeder (interstate), clicked with them and the rest is (Spotted) history With my Springer it was a chat over wine with a friend (working Lab breeder) about getting a pup for retrieving. Was offered a pup from her but mentioned that I'd always loved English Springers. She said "I've got just the breeder for you" and I didn't even know there was a split between working and show lines!!! So it's funny where opportunity and contacts take you... Thats awesome. I love how they both sort of came to you at the right time! Hopefully something similar is going to happen to me with all the research and going along to shows/trials I'm doing :D I should point out that it was the breeders that I came across at the right time - I then waited 2 years for my Dally pup and 1 year for my Springer - partly availability and partly timing issues. But yes, I have been incredibly fortunate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koalathebear Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 In my house it's the feral Brittany pup you have to watch for ;) She goes non stop Toby just wants to sleep in. Yes! It's so dog by dog! Even in Hoover's litter, his breeder said that two of his brothers were very high energy and one of his sisters was a bossy cow - Hoover was the most chilled and laid back of the lot. I had very long conversations with the breeder about what sort of dog we wanted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 I think out of the dog breeds you have said you're interested in an Aussie would be most suitable I also think a Toller could be suitable. We almost got a toller but there weren't any available for like 3 years lol (this was 13 years ago). We got an aussie instead. I think a Dobe could suit you as well. Very people focussed but can also handle rough play, good build for dog sports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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