Salukifan Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 (edited) I'm going to add a note of caution about the utility gundogs. I realise you are only at the narrowing of options stage but prepare yourself for actually meeting breeds. Utility gundog pups are FULL ON. GSPs are great dogs but they are not low maintenance. They need a lot of training and stimulation to be happy. Even then, they are not going to quietly fit in to urban life IMO. A Standard Poodle pup is just a big silly gundog so they are the same. Agree with Showdog about Pointers being potentially a better option but even then you have to survive the first year. I wonder if one of the utility breeds might suit you better. They still need a lot of work for the first 18 months but I would have suggested a Dobe or a Rottweiler. I love Rotties. Edited June 9, 2015 by Haredown Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I was thinking a Rotty too HW, though they are a bit bigger than what the OP is looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 (edited) I was thinking a Rotty too HW, though they are a bit bigger than what the OP is looking for. A well bred, well trained Rottie is a wonderful dog :) ETA but they have a double coat Edited June 9, 2015 by Haredown Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labadore Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 (edited) Apart that most would probably be just over 30kgs I was going to suggest Labs until you said no lab hair! I may also be one of those awful people who doesn't really like labs... Every one I've met has been lovely but I just don't get them! God me too! I don't know what it is about them but I don't get the hype I find the goldens way more attractive if I was looking into that sort of dog. Why turn this thread into a Lab hating thread I don't get people that don't get Labs and I probably don't get some of the breeds these people like either, but I don't feel the need to hate on their breeds just because I don't get them/like them. It gives me the sh*ts when these type of threads turn into a particular breed hating/disparaging exercise. The OP specified up front "I don't need lab-style exuberance" and it should have been left there. Edited June 9, 2015 by labadore Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dididog Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 I'm going to add a note of caution about the utility gundogs. I realise you are only at the narrowing of options stage but prepare yourself for actually meeting breeds. Utility gundog pups are FULL ON. GSPs are great dogs but they are not low maintenance. They need a lot of training and stimulation to be happy. Even then, they are not going to quietly fit in to urban life IMO. A Standard Poodle pup is just a big silly gundog so they are the same. Agree with Showdog about Pointers being potentially a better option but even then you have to survive the first year. I wonder if one of the utility breeds might suit you better. They still need a lot of work for the first 18 months but I would have suggested a Dobe or a Rottweiler. I love Rotties. I know about 4 GSP's that live in my area, they are all young dogs as well. I know 2 of them very well and see them all the time as they like playing with Didi, they are very full on energy wise but their owners have trained them very well and take care of their exercise needs and don't seem to have any problems with them living in the city. They are probably a bit more full on then what I'm after energy wise but they tick all the other boxes so I will have to spend a bit more time with them and ask the owners I know some more questions. I know quite a few pointers who also live in my area, one is owned by a pretty good friend of mine and she's a very sweet dog. I don't mind a dog that's a bit of hard work just to clarify! Didi might be a dream around the house but she has a lot of issues going outside the door which make her hard work. I do like Rotties, they are very good allrounders but probably a bit big and then again the double coat issue. Plus I want to avoid breeds that may have a tendency to guard/be protective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dididog Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Apart that most would probably be just over 30kgs I was going to suggest Labs until you said no lab hair! I may also be one of those awful people who doesn't really like labs... Every one I've met has been lovely but I just don't get them! God me too! I don't know what it is about them but I don't get the hype I find the goldens way more attractive if I was looking into that sort of dog. Why turn this thread into a Lab hating thread I don't get people that don't get Labs and I probably don't get some of the breeds these people like either, but I don't feel the need to hate on their breeds just because I don't get them/like them. It gives me the sh*ts when these type of threads turn into a particular breed hating/disparaging exercise. The OP specified up front "I don't need lab-style exuberance" and it should have been left there. Sorry, obviously not my intention. I was clarifying that I just don't like labs as a breed because I could tell that a lot of people would probably think they're the ideal fit for what I want and keep suggesting them. Nothing wrong with saying I don't like a breed, I dislike a lot of breeds. It doesn't mean labs aren't great dogs, just means I don't want to own one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dididog Posted June 9, 2015 Author Share Posted June 9, 2015 Anyway thanks for the insight guys, I've knocked a few off my list and have a few I'll need to consider a bit more carefully. It seems like the Boxer has fared the best so far in that nobody has warned me off them. Are they particularly keen water dogs? Didi is pretty susceptible to the heat so working around that wouldn't be an issue. Didi also snores and drools a lot so I can handle that. I guess they're also probably the most outgoing and friendly of all the breeds I like which is the main thing I'm after. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Apart that most would probably be just over 30kgs I was going to suggest Labs until you said no lab hair! I may also be one of those awful people who doesn't really like labs... Every one I've met has been lovely but I just don't get them! God me too! I don't know what it is about them but I don't get the hype I find the goldens way more attractive if I was looking into that sort of dog. Why turn this thread into a Lab hating thread I don't get people that don't get Labs and I probably don't get some of the breeds these people like either, but I don't feel the need to hate on their breeds just because I don't get them/like them. It gives me the sh*ts when these type of threads turn into a particular breed hating/disparaging exercise. The OP specified up front "I don't need lab-style exuberance" and it should have been left there. Jesus calm the farm, it's called a forum and sharing opinion, there are people that don't like all sorts of breeds suck it up and don't take it personal. No one is lab bashing, get some therapy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denali Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Anyway thanks for the insight guys, I've knocked a few off my list and have a few I'll need to consider a bit more carefully. It seems like the Boxer has fared the best so far in that nobody has warned me off them. Are they particularly keen water dogs? Didi is pretty susceptible to the heat so working around that wouldn't be an issue. Didi also snores and drools a lot so I can handle that. I guess they're also probably the most outgoing and friendly of all the breeds I like which is the main thing I'm after. The couple i grew up with spent their entire lives running in and out of our dam :) Though i dont know if thats typical or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 (edited) Anyway thanks for the insight guys, I've knocked a few off my list and have a few I'll need to consider a bit more carefully. It seems like the Boxer has fared the best so far in that nobody has warned me off them. Are they particularly keen water dogs? Didi is pretty susceptible to the heat so working around that wouldn't be an issue. Didi also snores and drools a lot so I can handle that. I guess they're also probably the most outgoing and friendly of all the breeds I like which is the main thing I'm after. Utility breed - and were developed to have a protective function. If you want to take your dogs to the beach, be warned that A LOT of dog breeds don't "get" Boxers. Their facial expression says "hard stare' to working breeds in particular. I hae never found them to be particularly friendly. Get a Bracco!! Edited June 9, 2015 by Haredown Whippets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 What about something like an English Springer Spaniel? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Dalmation??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rascalmyshadow Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Boxers are wonderful dogs, everyone I have met has been goofy and super friendly, we have quite a few in our area. They can be a little boisterous and silly as pups but are certainly not as serious as poodles and schnauzers. They are also a really nice size and relatively easy to train. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kavik Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Anyway thanks for the insight guys, I've knocked a few off my list and have a few I'll need to consider a bit more carefully. It seems like the Boxer has fared the best so far in that nobody has warned me off them. Are they particularly keen water dogs? Didi is pretty susceptible to the heat so working around that wouldn't be an issue. Didi also snores and drools a lot so I can handle that. I guess they're also probably the most outgoing and friendly of all the breeds I like which is the main thing I'm after. Utility breed - and were developed to have a protective function. If you want to take your dogs to the beach, be warned that A LOT of dog breeds don't "get" Boxers. Their facial expression says "hard stare' to working breeds in particular. I hae never found them to be particularly friendly. Get a Bracco!! I agree with HW - my dogs don't "get" Boxers, I think because of their stance and expression. I think they are lovely though :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
denali Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 What about something like an English Springer Spaniel? Or a welsh springer. Love them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rascalmyshadow Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Another breed you may not have considered is an Amstaff they are very easy to live with, will cope with a lot of exercise but are also content to hang out around the house when you don't feel up for a walk. If they are socialised properly they will get along with everyone, I know a few that happily live with cats, free range rabbits or little dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Anyway thanks for the insight guys, I've knocked a few off my list and have a few I'll need to consider a bit more carefully. It seems like the Boxer has fared the best so far in that nobody has warned me off them. Are they particularly keen water dogs? Didi is pretty susceptible to the heat so working around that wouldn't be an issue. Didi also snores and drools a lot so I can handle that. I guess they're also probably the most outgoing and friendly of all the breeds I like which is the main thing I'm after. Utility breed - and were developed to have a protective function. If you want to take your dogs to the beach, be warned that A LOT of dog breeds don't "get" Boxers. Their facial expression says "hard stare' to working breeds in particular. I hae never found them to be particularly friendly. Get a Bracco!! Similar to a Bracco, I was thinking a Spinone. Probably both just as difficult to actually get your hands on! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labadore Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 Apart that most would probably be just over 30kgs I was going to suggest Labs until you said no lab hair! I may also be one of those awful people who doesn't really like labs... Every one I've met has been lovely but I just don't get them! God me too! I don't know what it is about them but I don't get the hype I find the goldens way more attractive if I was looking into that sort of dog. Why turn this thread into a Lab hating thread I don't get people that don't get Labs and I probably don't get some of the breeds these people like either, but I don't feel the need to hate on their breeds just because I don't get them/like them. It gives me the sh*ts when these type of threads turn into a particular breed hating/disparaging exercise. The OP specified up front "I don't need lab-style exuberance" and it should have been left there. Jesus calm the farm, it's called a forum and sharing opinion, there are people that don't like all sorts of breeds suck it up and don't take it personal. No one is lab bashing, get some therapy OP stated what they were looking for and their preferences including "I don't need lab-style exuberance" which is fine, but people either don't read the posts properly or disregard the OP's preferences and recommend breeds, including Labs, that don't fit the OP's preferences/requirements. Then people like yourself just have to make a totally uncalled for snarky comment on Labs without even recommending a breed that might suit the OP. The OP didn't ask for opinion on Labs, but because people were recommending/mentioning Labs they thought they needed to clarify further why they didn't want a Lab, which they didn't really need to or could have done better as their response only provided people like yourself who obviously don't like Labs, an opportunity to bash them. Of course I don't expect everyone to like Labs, god forbid any more totally unsuitable owners get their hands on our beloved breed, but it gets tiresome when my breed and some others get more than their fair share of bashing on this forum. As for your comment that I get some therapy, hmmmm pretty unworthy of a response. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huski Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 I don't see anyone lab bashing I don't really understand why it becomes a personal offense for people to say they don't like x/y/z breed. Plenty of people don't like or wouldn't own my breeds, and there are plenty of breeds I don't want to own either. Who cares? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raineth Posted June 9, 2015 Share Posted June 9, 2015 As far as I know... Spinoni may be a little bigger than what you want, but that would be good in terms of playing with Didi. They love water. They are people friendly and biddable. Probably more energetic than Didi, but I think one of the least energetic of the gundogs. Very laid back temperaments. I have been stalking them for years now, and if you get one I can live vicariously through you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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