Breed Suggestions For Us

[Nevafollo]

Ok so I can tell you more about pointers, they arnt really that big, if your girl is around 40kg then my girls are almost half that, mine are both around the 23-25kilo mark, but then they would probably be around her height. As far as enough excerise a walk daily would be more than enough, my boy spends all day outside and entertains himself chasing birds... my two girls are couch potatos and spend all day hanging out with my pug, my boy is as birdy as they come, he is from very good imported feild lines so is "gifted" as far as knowing what to do with birdies... its a lovely sight to watch! My girls prefer fly hunting! Grooming is obviously easy as, they are GREAT with kids and they are friendly and shouldnt show any signs of aggression towards people or other dogs!

[Snoopy21]

Thanks Jacobite. Deerhounds are just beautiful. I think too big for what we are looking at atm. Willow's best friend and walking buddy is an Irish Wolfhound, so I'm sure she would love a deerhound, but she doesn't get to pick ;) .

Thanks Nevafollo. I think Willow must have a bit of Pointer in her, she also loves to hunt the birds in the yard (and the lizards, bees, wasps, flies, wallabies and her latest attempt - an echidna who escaped with no damage). Pointers sound lovely. How do you go with training things like recall?

[dee lee]

I see Goldies are on your list! They are great family dogs. Massive snugglers and adore their kids. :D

My dog isn't much of a rough player (she is a rescue & apparently wasn't socialised as a pup) but most other young goldies I have met (and I have met a lot) are pretty robust & terrific with other dogs.

Grooming isn't so much of a problem, they can get by with just a regular brushing once a week, or when necessary, but the shedding is pretty intense. If you cant handle daily golden tumbleweeds, probably not the breed for you.

ETA: I forgot to say, most female GRs are not as big as the males, my GR is fairly small and she is only 26kgs.

Edited October 31, 2011 by dee lee

[trinabean]

I think a Boxer would also suit your situation. In fact, your situation sounds like an ideal Boxer home/life.

Most are very play oriented, though they do play a little too roughly for some other breeds. All of the Boxers I know are sort of boisterous, but well-meaning and not aggressive. Full of a joy of life. So I think a boxer would typically get along and play well with Willow. Your children are older than mine and that is ideal really due to the bouncy nature of Boxers. I wouldn't recommend a Boxer to a family with babies/ young toddlers. That said, I haven't had any issues with our dog and my 5 year old. They are always supervised together and my kids participate in basic training too which probably helps.

Access to the inside of your house is also ideal as Boxers need respite from weather extremes. I find mine wants to lay low and sleep when it's hot, and we get some 40 degree days every summer here! And the short coat doesn't offer much warmth from winter weather. I love the fuss-free Boxer coat, checking for ticks etc is very easy too. Size of Boxers is about 28kg for bitches and about 30kg for dogs, I'll check the standard and edit if I'm incorrect though.

You could always pop into the Boxer thread and ask some questions. There are some very experienced breeders and other Boxer owners who would be able to answer any questions you may have about the breed. Much more experienced than me too.

Anyway, good luck in your decision-making and let us know what you end up deciding on. ;)

Edited October 31, 2011 by trinabean

[GSPDean]

Another pointer family breed you might consider is a German Shorthaired Pointer (I am biased here - having two ourselves) . They fit in with most of your requirements. Good family dogs. They don't mind a bit of rough and tumble play, especially the boys. Their coats are very easy to maintain. A male weighs in at about 30kg and would stand at around the same height as your current dog. In terms of exercise, we do a daily walk and play a bit in the backyard with them. They also love a good run, but given the size of your property, this shouldn't be a problem - playing with your other dog and a good game of fetch perhaps? We have found they are better to be tired out with mental stimulation rather than just pure exercise. So fetch games and toys that ask more of them to win their food are good. We have two, both still very young and energetic. They are incredibly gentle with kids and love to be around the family. Their coats do shed, but a brush with one of those rubber grooming mits once a week seems to work wonders in getting rid of any coat they are shedding, which is usually very minimal. Good luck with your selection!

[raineth]

Another pointer family breed you might consider is a German Shorthaired Pointer (I am biased here - having two ourselves) . They fit in with most of your requirements. Good family dogs. They don't mind a bit of rough and tumble play, especially the boys. Their coats are very easy to maintain. A male weighs in at about 30kg and would stand at around the same height as your current dog. In terms of exercise, we do a daily walk and play a bit in the backyard with them. They also love a good run, but given the size of your property, this shouldn't be a problem - playing with your other dog and a good game of fetch perhaps? We have found they are better to be tired out with mental stimulation rather than just pure exercise. So fetch games and toys that ask more of them to win their food are good. We have two, both still very young and energetic. They are incredibly gentle with kids and love to be around the family. Their coats do shed, but a brush with one of those rubber grooming mits once a week seems to work wonders in getting rid of any coat they are shedding, which is usually very minimal. Good luck with your selection!

oh yea I second a GSP, they are excellent

[Scarlet]

On your list is a curly coated retriever - problem solved

Perfect for what you're after.

IMO they mature earlier than labs and are maybe even "tougher" and love rough play.

Very smart but maybe not as complaint as a lab.

I'm not too sure if one would be happy if it didn't get the occasional swim - they :heart: water.

Very little grooming and very little shedding.

I think a boxer would suit but I'm not too sure about border collies.

My BCs run a lot, and mouth a lot when they play but aren't all that rough.

[Snoopy21]

Another pointer family breed you might consider is a German Shorthaired Pointer (I am biased here - having two ourselves) . They fit in with most of your requirements. Good family dogs. They don't mind a bit of rough and tumble play, especially the boys. Their coats are very easy to maintain. A male weighs in at about 30kg and would stand at around the same height as your current dog. In terms of exercise, we do a daily walk and play a bit in the backyard with them. They also love a good run, but given the size of your property, this shouldn't be a problem - playing with your other dog and a good game of fetch perhaps? We have found they are better to be tired out with mental stimulation rather than just pure exercise. So fetch games and toys that ask more of them to win their food are good. We have two, both still very young and energetic. They are incredibly gentle with kids and love to be around the family. Their coats do shed, but a brush with one of those rubber grooming mits once a week seems to work wonders in getting rid of any coat they are shedding, which is usually very minimal. Good luck with your selection!

Don't give me more options!! I already can't decide!

I love the GSPs. What differences would I notice between the Pointer and the GSP?

Rightio......goldies off the list - the dust bunnies thing put me off. Is this going to happen with border collies and aussies too?

Curly coats back on. Scarlet - not wanting to offend, but do CCRs have a particular smell? I knew some when I was a child, and they did, but I wasn't sure whether that was just the dogs in that household, or a CCR thing.

[Snoopy21]

Any Corgi people out there?

[Nevafollo]

Another pointer family breed you might consider is a German Shorthaired Pointer (I am biased here - having two ourselves) . They fit in with most of your requirements. Good family dogs. They don't mind a bit of rough and tumble play, especially the boys. Their coats are very easy to maintain. A male weighs in at about 30kg and would stand at around the same height as your current dog. In terms of exercise, we do a daily walk and play a bit in the backyard with them. They also love a good run, but given the size of your property, this shouldn't be a problem - playing with your other dog and a good game of fetch perhaps? We have found they are better to be tired out with mental stimulation rather than just pure exercise. So fetch games and toys that ask more of them to win their food are good. We have two, both still very young and energetic. They are incredibly gentle with kids and love to be around the family. Their coats do shed, but a brush with one of those rubber grooming mits once a week seems to work wonders in getting rid of any coat they are shedding, which is usually very minimal. Good luck with your selection!

Don't give me more options!! I already can't decide!

I love the GSPs. What differences would I notice between the Pointer and the GSP?

Rightio......goldies off the list - the dust bunnies thing put me off. Is this going to happen with border collies and aussies too?

Curly coats back on. Scarlet - not wanting to offend, but do CCRs have a particular smell? I knew some when I was a child, and they did, but I wasn't sure whether that was just the dogs in that household, or a CCR thing.

Main different between GSP and pointers besides looks would be that the Pointer is known to be more laid back, less high energy ect but that still depends on lines. Like I said my boy spends all day hunting where as my girls spend all day on the lounge.

As far as recall goes all my three recall. My boy is still learning so his isnt 100% but both the girls are!

Edited November 1, 2011 by Nevafollo

[Snoopy21]

Thanks Nevafollo.

Laid back sounds good. So does recall (our girl's is very unreliable - not for lack of trying).

[corvus]

I grew up with a Pembroke Corgi. She was my first dog. I made stacks of quite terrible mistakes with her and she was still an angel. Great with kids until a toddler poked her sharply in the eye by accident one day. She air-snapped, but didn't make contact. After that she was a touch defensive if any small child waved their hands around near her eyes, but was fine if we kept an eye on things and warned the kiddies not to touch her face. She would put her face in their hands anyway, so mostly she didn't care. It was just a precaution. She loved a good hike and could go for hours, but happy to sleep by your feet as well. Very adaptable. She didn't need a lot of exercise, but would take it happily if it was on offer. She was very tough, played chase and a little wrestle with the other dogs, very easy to train, very biddable, really no trouble until she got old and went mostly blind and deaf.

When she was old we got Kivi, who is a Finnish Lapphund. He is even less trouble than my corgi was. He's basically the perfect companion dog. Easy going, tolerant, gentle, playful, very social, great with other dogs, friendly to absolutely anyone, happy to go on long walks or play, but also happy to veg for most of the day. I have never met a more social and sweet-natured dog. Probably too much fur, though. I brush it every few days, although most lappies have less coat than he does. I don't find it hard, but I wouldn't want more than one like that to look after. People often look at him and say his coat is so beautiful and I must spend so much time on it. I do and I don't. When he's shedding, it's time consuming getting all the undercoat out because it stays in there until I comb it out. When he's not shedding, I brush him quickly every few days or so.

[Snoopy21]

Can't I just steal Kivi corvus? He sounds perfect.

I really don't have much time or patience for grooming. I have come to love my wash and wear dog. I also appreciate that she doesn't shed much. We do collect enough fur to cover a small chihuahua when we shampoo the carpets though.

Your corgi sounds great too. Any reason you chose a Pembroke over a Cardigan?

[pie]

A Manchester would suit your grooming requirements certainly, they really only need nails clipped weekly/fortnightly and the occasional ear clean (I do it at bath time) but although they are said to be one of the 'non sparring' terriers they generally don't care much for strangers, be they dogs or people, they are certainly not a 'loves everything' type of dog, which takes some getting used to. They are a typical terrier in that they have a feisty streak. They don't like new overbearing people or dogs, which isn't really suitable if you'll have children coming over. Some of them are more tolerant/less wary than others but although they have 100% devotion and limitless love for their family, they aren't friendly to strangers. Their love has to be earned over time

I think they would be too small - they are about 9-14 kg and I think one might get hurt in rough play.

They have a very very short coat and really feel the cold and don't like to be outside away from their people.

They can be good at agility though (mine loves it). They are quite energetic (mine has more energy than a friends show Kelpie and runs rings around my Tenterfield) mine gets agility training twice a week and walks or obedience/general training every day and still bounces all over the place.

They have a strong instinct to hunt anything that moves.

ETA Sorry that all sounds negative, but they are a very unique breed

I think there are other breeds on your list that will suit though, sounds like a great situation for a lot of dogs :D The right boxer or Pointer perhaps?

Edited November 1, 2011 by amypie

[Snoopy21]

That's great amypie....thanks. To be perfectly honest my DH doesn't like the Mannies but I do, so they aren't perfect for our situation. I'll put them back on the one day list I think.

Inside is no problem. Willow is currently upside down in the sunny patch on the couch snoring a little. She spends most of her time inside and has an extensive wardrobe of coats for the chilly Tassie winters. Wouldn't want the delicate little possum to get cold.... ;)

[Gayle.]

As far as shedding with Aussies, it depends on the dog. I have one, Ripley, who is followed by a snow storm wherever he goes. We've only had him since August so I can't tell whether it's seasonal or he's just like this all the time, but honestly. I've never seen an Aussie shed so much hair as he does.

The others are all fairly good....Shae doesn't appear to shed much at all, Isaak's comes out when I brush him and Dusty has two big coat drops a year when she's coming into season, where she sheds more coat than she ever owned. That lasts a couple of weeks, then she's back to hardly shedding much at all. We have the four inside of an evening, and sweep the living area (tiles) once or twice a day and that seems to keep it under control.

If you like Corgis, maybe check out Cardigan Corgis. They seem to have a sweet, tolerant nature that would be good with kids.

[dancinbcs]

Most medium size working or gundogs would be happy in your situation. It is more a matter of deciding on the look and coat your are after, and getting to know some dogs to decide on the personality you want.

If you want less hair then a GSP or a Curlie Coated Retriever would be good choices. Both great breeds that train well and are robust.

Maybe try to go to some dog shows and get to meet some of these breeds and their breeders. Meeting the dogs will tell you a lot more about them than lots of descriptions on here.

[corvus]

Can't I just steal Kivi corvus? He sounds perfect.

He's a darling. He is happy to share himself around. ;)

Your corgi sounds great too. Any reason you chose a Pembroke over a Cardigan?

A family friend had a Pembroke that I was in love with. She was soooo easy going and she let me do anything to her. I was 13 and wanted a dog that would hang out with me wherever I went. I definitely got that from my corgi. She was my best pal all through adolescence and into my early 20s. I recently visited the friend who first introduced me to corgis and her current old girl had me all nostalgic for corgis again. My girl was a one-person dog, though, and I found that difficult at times. It's a lot of pressure to be the world to a dog. I always worried how she would cope when I was away. When I got back she would be very clingy and possessive. It's all right if you like a dog that's very devoted to you above everyone else, but I'm happier with my silly spitz boys with a stronger independent streak. Less pressure, don't need to mind my moods so much, and they don't give me traumatised looks if I get frustrated with them once in a while. They suit me better, but I'm a bit weird. Most people seem to like dogs that are very attuned to them and devoted.

[Ellinnet]

Can't I just steal Kivi corvus? He sounds perfect.

I was waiting for someone to come and suggest Lappies!

I was tempted, but seeing as I don't have one, I thought I would wait for someone who does.

Edited November 1, 2011 by Ellinnet

[whiskedaway]

Can't I just steal Kivi corvus? He sounds perfect.

I was waiting for someone to come and suggest Lappies!

I was tempted, but seeing as I don't have one, I would wait for someone who does.

As Corvus said, grooming with lappies really does depend on the dog - my female doesn't need much grooming at all, she's due a brush tonight and this will be her first brush in three weeks. I think if you don't want much grooming, you'd want to go with a female over a male because their coats don't tend to be as big. And they really do stand up to rough play - I just witnessed my Sibe (who might as well be 40kg because of how roughly she plays) completely bowl my 13kg lappie over and the lappie jumped up to play some more.