Trying To Choose A Breed Would Love Some Help Thanks

[perrin]

I'm usually hesitant to suggest my own breed but if you want a real running companion, can't go past a Dalmatian! Of course, would need to be over 12 months before any serious running but my girl could run all day.

They're a dog that needs exercise or they can be destructive but my girl gets less exercise in winter and is not too bad. She has a lovely big yard to run around, and a companion to play with.

They can be great with kids, my girl finds them strange because we are a young couple with no kids and she's had minimal exposure. But I'm part of a dally group that regularly posts photos of their spots and their kids happy together. Of course, proper supervision always.

They also have some special needs with their diets (just can't eat things like certain proteins (eg Beef) and organ meats coz they get urinary stones) but it's fairly easy to manage really. Girls are better than boys in that regard.

My Dal is the complete oposite.

Today for instance Georgia didn't get out of bed except for a toilet break. :laugh:

And this is about as much as we've seen of her lately.

I know she's under there somewhere.

[Staff'n'Toller]

My Dal is the complete oposite.

Today for instance Georgia didn't get out of bed except for a toilet break. :laugh:

And this is about as much as we've seen of her lately.

I know she's under there somewhere.

That's how I look on Sundays too. :laugh:

[Purdie]

I second a Dalmatian ....

[*Lolapalooza*]

Have you looked at a Bernese Mountain Dog?

They are shorter but chunkier than a standard poodle and are lovely family members.

[Salukifan]

Small animal wise, i would make sure any dog was kept well separated from small animals, but yes, I can see how a herding breed would have less prey drive than a gun dog so definitely something to consider :)

Herding instinct is modified prey drive. I'd assume no such thing.

I don't care what breed we're talking about, I would never trust the safety of small animals to socialisation or breed. I'd trust it ONLY to separation.

I think the OP needs to consider what level of trainability, intelligence, biddability etc she's looking for in a dog before identifying breeds. Coliies and Standard Poodles are both bright and trainable but I think its their level of people focus and energy that are qite different. Standard Poodle males can be a bit full of themselves as adolescents and IMO they need firmer boundaries than Collies do.

[Salukifan]

Small animal wise, i would make sure any dog was kept well separated from small animals, but yes, I can see how a herding breed would have less prey drive than a gun dog so definitely something to consider :)

Herding instinct is modified prey drive. I'd assume no such thing.

I don't care what breed we're talking about, I would never trust the safety of small animals to socialisation or breed. I'd trust it ONLY to separation. That said, I think the Collie would be a 'safer' breed in this regard than the SP.

I think the OP needs to consider what level of trainability, intelligence, biddability etc she's looking for in a dog before identifying breeds. Coliies and Standard Poodles are both bright and trainable but I think its their level of people focus and energy that are qite different. Standard Poodle males can be a bit full of themselves as adolescents and IMO they need firmer boundaries than Collies do.

Edited July 22, 2013 by Haredown Whippets

[Chloe08]

Yes of course I would never leave small animals and a dog together even supervised. My cavalier is crated when my son takes out his budgie for exercise. But when my brother brings his pointer over we have to fully lock the bird in another room as he will do anything to get to it. I guess that's more what I was referring to. I guess I am looking for a dog that's easily trained as I am enjoying training, moderate exercise requirements, and reasonably biddable. I hope that's a bit more clear. Thanks again for your responses.

[kelpiecuddles]

Have you considered getting a slightly older dog 8-12 months old. At that age you'll more easily be able to tell how settled they are. For example my kelpie would be perfect for you but there are a lot of other kelpies out there that would be completely unsuitable.

[Salukifan]

Yes of course I would never leave small animals and a dog together even supervised. My cavalier is crated when my son takes out his budgie for exercise. But when my brother brings his pointer over we have to fully lock the bird in another room as he will do anything to get to it. I guess that's more what I was referring to. I guess I am looking for a dog that's easily trained as I am enjoying training, moderate exercise requirements, and reasonably biddable. I hope that's a bit more clear. Thanks again for your responses.

You'd probably be gobsmacked at the number of people who do. WreckitWhippet can tell you about Whippets coming into rescue for killing chickens and cats... more than once.

[Natsu chan]

Chloe what part of Melbourne are you in? I'm more than happy to meet you up at KCC for collie cuddles. Collies are very trainable and where for a long time a force in obedience rings, they are lovely dogs but not for everyone. Standard poodles are lovely too but the two breeds have completely different temperaments and most people prefer one or the other. What matters most is what breed fits you, your family and your little cav best. :)

[frufru]

Why don't you pop over to the poodle and collie threads in the breed sub forum - have a look around and ask some questions :)

[mita]

Chloe, good to see lots of advice coming from people who know their breeds well.

I've found that responsible registered breeders tend to be frank about the pros & cons of their particular breed .... when seeing how it will match particular lifestyles, owners & settings.

[Dogsfevr]

I think people forget the OP first dog a Cavie is a hunting breed & a true sporting spaniel so if your going to suggest breeds due to hunting history the Cavie is a no no & yes i have seen plenty of cavies with good sporting traits & hunt well .

My first question would be how much exposure has your Cavie had to big dogs & how does it interact with them.Does it enjoy the rough & tumble or prefer a more laid back playmate .

Something to keep in mind if your plan is to have the 2 dogs live happily together.

I agree with others the 2 breeds you have selected are like chalk & cheese to live with so maybe list the pros/cons of the 2 breeds that make you want to own them .

Going to a dogshow would be a good start aswell not only will you see the breeds in public it will also make you decide what you prefer or maybe see other breeds you never considered .

[Purdie]

Labrador or Golden Retriever..??

[dotdashdot]

I'm usually hesitant to suggest my own breed but if you want a real running companion, can't go past a Dalmatian! Of course, would need to be over 12 months before any serious running but my girl could run all day.

They're a dog that needs exercise or they can be destructive but my girl gets less exercise in winter and is not too bad. She has a lovely big yard to run around, and a companion to play with.

They can be great with kids, my girl finds them strange because we are a young couple with no kids and she's had minimal exposure. But I'm part of a dally group that regularly posts photos of their spots and their kids happy together. Of course, proper supervision always.

They also have some special needs with their diets (just can't eat things like certain proteins (eg Beef) and organ meats coz they get urinary stones) but it's fairly easy to manage really. Girls are better than boys in that regard.

My Dal is the complete oposite.

Today for instance Georgia didn't get out of bed except for a toilet break. :laugh:

And this is about as much as we've seen of her lately.

I know she's under there somewhere.

Could Georgia come have a quiet talk with Cleo please? Although she's currently curled up in a ball in bed...I sometimes take her for a decent walk, come home, my back hurting coz I've pushed my limits and she goes and does zoomies!

[Chloe08]

Thank you for the replies. It's fantastic. I actually wasn't aware on the great differences between the breeds as research on the net described both breeds in very similar terms i.e active, sensitive, easy to train, intelligent, needs people etc.. I think going to some dog shows is a good idea.

[Dogsfevr]

Thank you for the replies. It's fantastic. I actually wasn't aware on the great differences between the breeds as research on the net described both breeds in very similar terms i.e active, sensitive, easy to train, intelligent, needs people etc.. I think going to some dog shows is a good idea.

Many breeds will fill those exact traits but ease of living with each breed can still vary dramatically .Those above words would describe my breeds & many would so no way to active so really understanding each breed more is a must

I would consider a Std Poodle active much higher to a Collie Rough active .

I would also consider the maturity levels of the 2 breeds different in varying ages .

I have breeds that would be similar to a Std Poodle description & would consider a Collie rough quite docile & boring in comparison it doesn't mean there still not active etc etc but just in a different way so it really comes down to the interpretation of active & what people expect from that word

[kelpiecuddles]

Exactly what showdog said. I have a kelpie which many people would consider to be a very active dog, and she is, BUT I would see a labrador or a beagle as being too much work for me. Whereas other people are happy with their lab and would never consider a kelpie for the same reason.

[ginge]

I found this dog breed selector website to be quite an eye opener I was very surprised by the results and it also opened my mind about the type of dog I was after. When I showed the results to the dog people I know they were all extremely supportive of its results. It was surprising as these tend to be treated as a "bit of fun" only and not all that helpful.

http://www.selectsmart.com/dog/

[Jetpoint GSP]

i just tried that breed selector and it was spot on, had Weim's in top spot and GSP's second but still at 100%, the top 5 were all on our short list. Really surprised as GSPs have never shown up on any we've done before and yet they're perfect for us!