casowner Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 I am starting to research breeds as our next indoor breed after losing my pom cross Shannon in September, I will not be ready for a pup or adult for about 12 months but that will give me adequate time to research breeders and get put on waiting lists. I am very good at being patient waiting for the right breeder to have the right puppy. Important facts – Inside dog – small breed We live on a property but dog will have access to the house and a ½ acre snake proof meshed yard, this area will not have the LGD’s in it We have 2 boys – currently 9 & 16 months, 2 girls – currently 17 & 15 that stay part time We have a vast variety of animals large and small from camels to possums We will have CAO’s also so must be a sociable breed with low prey drive Considerations – My 9 year old is very outdoorsy and is animal obsessed so I would like a breed that is happy to sleep in his room but also happy to go outside with him, play in/around the dam etc etc I have 20 years grooming experience so coat type is not that important but in all honesty long coated breeds may be clipped off if required Breeds I would not consider – Poodle, cocker spaniel, Labrador (I know this is a large breed), schnauzer, JRT or most terrier breeds Breeds I would like – Pekingese, Japanese chin, Tibetan spaniel Breeds my son likes – Boston terrier, French bulldog My main experience with owning breeds are Great Dane, Bullmastiff, bloodhound, GSD, keeshond, CAO and my little Shannon pom x pap x chi. Are there any breeds that I may be missing out on as I admit I have always been a big dog person. This will be a long process for me as I want to really research the breed before I commit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Sociable + low prey drive? Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. I think anything shorter faced on a country property may have issues with grass and seeds. I was going to suggest a Whippet until you said low prey drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charley101 Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Sociable + low prey drive? Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. seconded I am also researching breeds at the moment as i want to get a pup at the end of the year, i need something that will be a companion for my small fluffy, be ok with my chickens but will be happy playing around at agility and other dog sports i am currently thinking Finnish Lapphund as they seem to tick all my boxes but if i wasnt fussed about agility i would definately get a King Charles. Good Luck it sounds like you have an amazing life with all those animals :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 (edited) seconded I am also researching breeds at the moment as i want to get a pup at the end of the year, i need something that will be a companion for my small fluffy, be ok with my chickens but will be happy playing around at agility and other dog sports i am currently thinking Finnish Lapphund as they seem to tick all my boxes but if i wasnt fussed about agility i would definately get a King Charles. Good Luck it sounds like you have an amazing life with all those animals :) OT- If you want to do agility then make sure you go to a breeder that already has titles in the sport! My Finnish Lapphund is..... well very interesting to train she is my 'pretty' dog, while the kelpies are sports dogs :) I can't think of anything else MS- all my other suggestions would be double coated breeds so I think you have it covered. Edited February 17, 2012 by Jumabaar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCheekyMonster Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Japanese Spitz? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huga Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Get that kid a Frenchie! Sid loves my boys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumabaar Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Japanese Spitz? Coated and its undesirable to clip them because the coat keeps them cool in summer and warm in winter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purdie Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen or a Pembroke Corgi. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiskedaway Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 OT- If you want to do agility then make sure you go to a breeder that already has titles in the sport! My Finnish Lapphund is..... well very interesting to train she is my 'pretty' dog, while the kelpies are sports dogs :) Not necessarily, Halo's breeder doesn't have titles in sports, yet Hales is super focused and will definitely be a sports dog. Her agility isn't as good as Akira yet, but I don't really focus on agility that much with her (she's only done some foundation classes), at the moment we're focused on obedience. I think if you let a breeder know what you want, they should be able to pick pups that are more likely to have the necessary temperament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charley101 Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 (edited) Thanks for that its ok i dont want anything too drivey, if i wanted to go full on agility i would probably get a Kelpie or an Aussie Shepherd but i am a pet dog trainer and have access to an agility field so the main qualitys i would want from the dog is that its a happy sociable butterfly (and yes they are very pretty) but that it would be happy to run over the agility every now and again just for fun. I may start looking more into lines though now you have mentioned it :) Edited February 17, 2012 by charley101 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charley101 Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Not necessarily, Halo's breeder doesn't have titles in sports, yet Hales is super focused and will definitely be a sports dog. Her agility isn't as good as Akira yet, but I don't really focus on agility that much with her (she's only done some foundation classes), at the moment we're focused on obedience. I think if you let a breeder know what you want, they should be able to pick pups that are more likely to have the necessary temperament. Thanks Whiskedaway i am sure i will be talking to you lots the closer i get to having a pup p.s sorry for taking over this thread i will be quiet now :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog geek Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 ... Pomeranian? http://s289.photobucket.com/albums/ll237/doggeek/eNRGeez%20Pomeranians/?start=all Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ons Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 have a look at a griffon bruxellois - a smooth coat may suit you best my griffon fits perfectly into my home with my own 4 other dogs - 2 coolies and 2 golden retrievers and 3 cats. We presently live on a property that has masses of coolies and he has a great time playing with everyone, very friendly dog to humans as well, very energetic and in fact can almost run as fast as the coolies but likes nothing better than to sit on your lap for a snuggle at night time. He is respectful of the other dogs and taught himself to stay well clear of cattle and horses in the nearby paddock so sensible. One thing to be careful about is the fact being a flat nosed breed. But I live in what should be a hot climate (this summer is a bit different), whilst I'm at work he is inside in air conditioning anyway and on the weekends he wants to be running outside but I do bring him in in the heat of the day and put him in his crate with the air conditioning on great little dogs, not well known but should be - there may be a waiting list for one as litters tend to be small, I just happened to be at the right spot at the right time and said the right thing when I got my Mocha. I've been waiting for ages for my second and hopefully the bitch is pregnant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 I am thinking WHippet even though you said low prey drive. Mine have prey drive however they know when theya can turn it on or not. They have been out with Guinea PIgs who were bolting around after their house got flipped in a strong gust of wind. They were told leave it so the did. If they are taken out to chase bunnies they do not go until told then come back when they are called. If you train what is acceptable from day dot you should be right. Mine do not even think about chasing stock and never try to get into paddocks or the such. I think they are still one to consider. Quiet in the house, no smell, very little shedding, quiet, good bed dogs :) and like following their person around like a velcro dog well not all but many Whippets are velcro dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
megan_ Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 The griffon bruxellois are ratters though? So high prey drive? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 [ Tibetan spaniel Good option. We owned working dog breeds & were not small dog people. Then I walked into a bunch of calm, self-possessed little dogs at a dog show. They looked me straight in the eye as if they were summing me up as much as I was summing them up. Found out they were Tibetan Spaniels. Did research by talking to the registered breeders.....who were generous with time and information....& honest. We adopted a 3 yr old Tibbie that a breeder was retiring from showing. We thereby discovered the beauty, intelligence and unusual personality of these little dogs. And have never had anything but Tibbies since. Our long-term neighbours also caught the 'tibbie bug'....and now only have the breed as a pet. All these Tibbies have been past the puppy stage & retired from showing by their registered breeders. Which means they showed the effort put into their breeding, and also socialisation from being around other people & dogs....and their individual personalities were developed. The Tibbie personality is said to be 1/3 dog (loyal & loving), 1/3 cat (clean & self-possessed), 1/3 monkey (intelligent & playful). I've found each tib's personality is combinations of those. Like, one may be slightly more playful, while another might be a bit more cat-like. Prey drive? None of our Tibbie girls have had a high prey drive. But the Tibbie boy next door specialised in catching flies & beetles! I've heard US breeders say they have some Tibs that expertly catch mice. (The breed has hare-feet, like the sighthounds, & can move fast.) If you'd like some contacts to registered breeders to talk with, PM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nevafollo Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 (edited) Petite Basset Griffon Vendeen or a Pembroke Corgi. Definately NOT a petit! My mum owns and shows two and they are lovely but have noisey moments and high drive! One wouldnt just follow your son around!!! The griffon bruxellois are ratters though? So high prey drive? Mum also has Griffons with another on the way, great dogs and would shadow your son a rough would be find if you cant be bothered hand stripping just cut the coat off. I wouldnt call them high drive at all! A pug could work, when we lived on property the family pug was a farm dog... followed my step dad everywhere, to the dam doing the mowing ect! But with any of the brachy breeds theres alot to take into consideration! Like heat ect! What about a feild spaniel a friend has one and she is just devine! She'd be a great kid dog and a great farm dog, some lines can be abit scaredy cat-ish but if you talk to the right people you'd get a great puppy! ETA. I know you said no cockers but feildies are way nicer (no offence cocker people) they are medium thou so might not work but they arnt much taller than cavs just more solid!! Edited February 17, 2012 by Nevafollo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ons Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 (edited) The griffon bruxellois are ratters though? So high prey drive? yes they were bred for ratters but my boy definitely doesn't have high prey drive. He lives with cats quite amicably and does not chase them at all, in fact my birman is quite horrible to him and he does nothing back there are cattle and horses in the paddock next door - his favourite coolie whom he generally follows everywhere will often go into that paddock to look at them, he never does, just wanders away elsewhere, hasn't shown any interest He never chases birds although again his favourite coolie does our yard only has paddock fences and he has never wandered off at all the breeder's griffons are the same so I don't think i got a broken one :-) eta that I was writing when Nevafollo posted so confirmed griffons are not high drive, her mother's griffon is just to die for :) Edited February 17, 2012 by Ons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huga Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Griffs are pretty tiny though, aren't they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ons Posted February 17, 2012 Share Posted February 17, 2012 Griffs are pretty tiny though, aren't they? yes they are small, my boy weighs less than 5 kgs but he is a tough little critter and a sturdy build. My friend who has pomeranians won't let hers on the couch because she says they will break their leg if they jump off - I have no concern with that with my griffon, he jumps up and down off with no problems. as I said his best mate is a tall coolie and they rumble and chase each other - he certainly doesn't show any signs of being tiny or fragile then - he gives as good as he gets. when i was thinking of getting a show dog I thought hard and long about what to get as I did want to get a little dog - i have four other dogs, two goldens and two coolies so I needed a "tough" dog - the griffon ended up ticking all boxes - my griffon breeder also breeds golden retreivers and finds the two breeds are a good combination. Naturally I don't leave my small dog with my larger dogs unless I am around and I think the situation that OP was talking about is the same Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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