Family dog: Lagotto? Std Schauzer? Std Poodle? Port WD? Vic Breeders?

[gnook]

Hi there - new member here.  We are looking for a family dog (our daughter is 13) and are keen to hear recommendations on breeds and breeders within a couple of hours of Melbourne.  

 

I guess our ideal dog would be mid-large size, intelligent, trainable, affectionate, playful without being boisterous, protective without being aggressive, active without being too hyper and perhaps non-shedding.  And while we understand the need for training, exercise and stimulation, we have to be realistic in that we are all at work / school full time, so the dog would likely be on it's own from around 8.30-3.30.

 

We always respond well to Labs, though they are probably a bit too sheddy for us.  Lately, we have been gravitating towards Lagotto Romagnolos and Standard Poodles.  Any thoughts on the suitability of these breeds for our needs?  

 

From what I've read, its important to get to know breeders and the temperament of their lines before sourcing a dog from them.  Are there any particular Lagotto or Standard Poodle breeders you can recommend for us to visit?  Or avoid (feel free to PM).

 

Thanks in advance...

 

Edited March 25, 2017 by gnook

[Simply Grand]

Welcome, and good on you for doing your research

 

I think either breed would be suitable. Standard Poodles are bigger than Lagottos and possibly more readily available. Also from what I've seen (noting that I haven't owned either breed) I'd say the SP is probably a bit "harder" in nature (more independent, stubborn, confident, protective) whereas a Lagotto may be a bit more reserved. Either should be super trainable and really fun to train, but they'll respond best to reward based but consistent training - ie they're smart enough to know they don't HAVE to so what you say but more than willing to if you build a good relationship with then.

 

I think either would be a good family dog for an 13 year old but like you say finding a really good breeder who focuses on temperament as well as health is essential. Lagottos can be excessively timid and SPs can be pushy if not carefully bred and socialised, and i don't know about Lagotto health issues but Poodles can have heart, eye and joint issues so health testing parents is vital.

 

Both will need extensive grooming, SPs being bigger will obviously take longer. If you are very patient you could do it yourself but I groom my 5.5kg Toy Poodle x myself and I would never do it with a bigger dog, it's hard work! So you'd need to pay a groomer upwards of $50 every 6-8 weeks max and brush thoroughly several times a week.

 

Oh also, either breed would thrive doing an obedience or agility, for fun not necessarily to compete, so it would be great if you could do that for at least the first couple of years

[Kazm]

Hi there. I know you mentioned a mid/large size dog but reading further everything you want comes in a smaller form of a mini schnauzer. Plus they are very adaptable and can be quite ok on there own during work/ school hours. I have 2 little girls (previously had a male) and they are just the most awesome dog. Highly intelligent, love their family, make brilliant guard dogs without being aggressive, can be energetic but if you're having a lazy day they are happy with that also, extremely affectionate and best of all non shedding. Pretty darn good package.

Good luck with your decision

[Chloe08]

We have a standard poodle from Giday  poodles in Victoria. Linda has breed some beautiful dogs and is worth talking to. You can also get a list of breeders from the Poodle Club in your state.  My children were 7, 11 and 13 when we got her. She has fittted in well, very high energy in the first year but has calmed down a lot. We do obedience every week. 

[Dogsfevr]

You could also look at the Portuguese Water dog

[sandgrubber]

Lagottos require critical sorting.  High prices and a rare breed mean some people have been breeding from anything they can get.  Temperament faults and or health problems can be concerns.  Not saying don't.  Just be careful.

[gnook]

Thanks so much for all the excellent replies - plenty of food for thought to sift thru.

Portuguese Water dogs were on my radar, but not mini Schnauzers - so thanks for that idea, I didn't know they were non-shedding.

 

Given the need for sorting, any recommenation on specific breeders in Vic is gratefully received - particularly Lagotto breeders that have good results with temperament (thanks for the recommendations already provided via PM & above).

[Dogsfevr]

Not sure where in Vic your located but there is a big show weekend coming up soon at Bulla ,I would imagine you could see all 3 breeds and I would imagine one of the top Lagotto breeders fromSydney could be there 

[Rascalmyshadow]

4 hours ago, Chloe08 said:

We have a standard poodle from Giday  poodles in Victoria. Linda has breed some beautiful dogs and is worth talking to. You can also get a list of breeders from the Poodle Club in your state.  My children were 7, 11 and 13 when we got her. She has fittted in well, very high energy in the first year but has calmed down a lot. We do obedience every week. 

I would check out Giday poodles, they are bred for excellent temperaments and assessed to match their new family.

I personally would stay away from the lagotto, the few I've groomed have had terrible temperaments, not a dog I would want around children.

[gnook]

1 hour ago, showdog said:

Not sure where in Vic your located but there is a big show weekend coming up soon at Bulla ,I would imagine you could see all 3 breeds and I would imagine one of the top Lagotto breeders fromSydney could be there 

Thanks - do you mean the Bulla Amenities Show on 8/9 April?  If so, unfortunately we are visiting family in NZ then.

[gnook]

Portuguese Water Dogs read well.

Anyone familiar with this breeder?

http://bluegrace.com/wp/

[gnook]

On 3/20/2017 at 10:52 AM, Zena's mum said:

Hi there. I know you mentioned a mid/large size dog but reading further everything you want comes in a smaller form of a mini schnauzer. Plus they are very adaptable and can be quite ok on there own during work/ school hours. I have 2 little girls (previously had a male) and they are just the most awesome dog. Highly intelligent, love their family, make brilliant guard dogs without being aggressive, can be energetic but if you're having a lazy day they are happy with that also, extremely affectionate and best of all non shedding. Pretty darn good package.

Good luck with your decision

We know a dog trainer who is suggesting we consider a Standard Schnauzer.  I assume they have similar traits to the Mini?

[SchnauzerMax]

Minis and giants are very similar in nature barring size (obviously). Our experience of all 3 sizes is that all 3 are stubborn in nature but standards are often a bit softer. 

[mackiemad]

Isn't that funny schnauzer max - I have a mini schnauzer and spent a few months handling a standard and the standard was much sharper. It may have been the individual, though I've found my mini is quite a soft dog.

[Dogsfevr]

The 3 sizes of schnauzers are all very different ,the only common factor is the looks .

The minis where originally ratters but now mainly a companion animal that thrives in all dog sports ,easy going ,intelligent and very easy to train .

Stds and Giants are working dogs and as such need owners prepared to do the work in the teenage faze and be prepared to keep them mentally worked for life .

Stds are a good all round dog when it comes to dog sports ,biggest pitfall they are smarter than most owners who don't give them the respect they deserve ,devoted to there family,great guard dogs and loyal to the end .

Giants again very much a working dog having been used in police and military.

bright and again great learners .

The biggest pitfall most std /giant owners make is thinking there getting a mini in another size ,this is not true .If your happy to own a Rotti,Dobe ,GSD then a std / Giant could be a great match ,if those breeds are not something you would want then maybe not the size for you mainly due to that working background.

Obviously any breed needs training some just require more effort to enjoy living with i would own a Giant over a Std 

[Kazm]

I've always been led to believe all 3 sizes of schnauzers were very similar. I have always had minis but a friend owns a giant as well as 3 minis and she swears  that the giant is just a huge mini. Same characteristics just more foreboding at the gate. 

Minis are definitely stubborn but hey keep a firm hand on them and they tow the line brillliantly. Highly intelligent, and very eager to please. I have people that have bought puppies from me who have owned other breeds previously and they all reckon they are now schnauzer addicts. Won't own anything else now. They are just a great all round dog. Sorry if I sound totally biased.

[Dogsfevr]

Minis aren't stubborn not sure why people say that  and certainly don't require a firm hand ,they are people pleasers and respond very well  to pleasing there owners naturally the stds are the ones who could be called stubborn  but that's generally due to owners getting it wrong in training and under estimating there desire to learn .

The 3 sizes are very different any Schnauzer breeder knows that and advises as such ,any companion animal will be different to a working dog ,owners who get it right will have an enjoyable breed.

Been involved with Mini s for over 30 yrs ,shown Stds and groomed Giants all very different and rightly so .

 

[Kazm]

Fair enough Showdog. I can only go on what other owners have told me about the giants and standards. I have only owned minis. I will disagree with you though about the stubbornness. When I got my very first mini, 20 years ago, the first thing a dog obedience instructor ( who had worked with all breeds for 40 years ) told me was that they are fantastic dogs, eager to learn and please but yes you do need to be firm other wise they will rule the house in no time. Intelligent to the point of putting it all over their owner if they are too soft. And stubborn if you let them. I can honestly say my second mini, Zena, who is 9 is all of the above. She is a stubborn girl, likes to do everything I ask of her but on her own time. But she knows what I say and she's never in trouble. She has always made us laugh. She is the most amazing, beautiful girl I could ever have owned. Over the years of reading on the internet she is a schnauzer right down to the last word. I have often sat reading and thought, my gosh are they writing about my girl. Lol. Her daughter Molly, who is 5 is exactly the same as are all of her brothers and sisters. I also know other people who own minis that are not related to mine and they all say the same thing. But don't get me wrong, the stubbornness is not a bad thing in my eyes. It just shows the dog is smart and thinking and the schnauzer seems to be blessed with lots of brain power. Both my girls have been trained and learnt things very easily. An absolute dream to own. 

[mackiemad]

If I was 'firm' with my mini I think he'd crumble. He's an excellent dog but very soft, eager to please and not at all stubborn.

 

Perhaps what people call stubbornness is just that the dog is smart and doesn't do well in long periods of training? I've always found short bursts of no more than 10 minutes best with keeping my mini's attention.

[Kazm]

Maybe females are different to males. Maybe it's the girls that try it on a bit , haha, but I do agree Mackiemad that short bursts of training are best. My Zena, as a small pup, during home  training would just walk off when she had had enough. She was very willing to run through everything but if we went over the same command too many times she'd just go. That was my cue to try a new command and mix it up a bit. Needless to say she does know a lot of tricks, words and commands. 

How old is your little guy?