Help with choosing a dog breed

[fluffypuppylover]

I'm having a lot of problems finding a dog breed that would suit me so I thought I'd ask for some recommendations here. Seems that all the breeds I'm finding that I like are not what would be best suited for me. I adore the Dachshund, Pomeranian, Lhasa Apso, Papillion, Australian Shepherd, Newfoundland, and Great Dane. But with Abbie the small dogs are too small, I've been scared off the Aussie by their exercise requirement, and the Newf and GD just seem too big for me. I'm 5'2 and 110lbs myself, I'm not sure it would be the smartest thing to have a dog that weighs that or more, especially since I plan to rescue so the dog may or may not have behavioral problems.

Essentially, I am looking for a medium sized dog, something bigger than a toy breed but perhaps under 100lbs. Size is hard to go by, I know. To me, medium is a Beagle, but to others Medium is a Lab. So size is not a main factor as long as its large enough to play with a 75lb dog safely and not gigantic. Coat length is of no issue to me, I'm used to brushing daily and having a groomer on hand, so a long haired breed would be fine, but yet if I find a short haired one, thats fine too. As far as exercise, BC's and Aussies are definetly too too much for me. I have no idea what my area offers as far as agility, flyball, etc so I wouldn't want a dog that would need something like that unless I'm certain I could give it to them. I am fairly young and go running each morning. While Abbie abstains from my runs and gets her own walks later, I could handle a dog who will go running with me or one who would simply enjoy a walk and some playtime with Abbie in the yard. I also work pretty standard hours, nothing especially long, and don't enjoy travel or going out, so I'm home most of the time. The dog would never have to be alone for more than 4-5 hours at a time.

As far as temperment, I'm not entirely sure what I'm looking for. Like I said, it will most likely end up being a rescue dog, so temperment may be out of my hands and based on what the dog has been through. But I'd like a smart dog, one that's trained semi-easily. I have no problem training a dog or attending an obedience class, but I'd prefer to stay away from the especially stubborn and hard-to-train breeds as I am quite new to dog training and have never really had experience with a dog that was hard to train before. I don't really need a guard dog, we're a safe neighborhood and Abbie will bark if someone strange is outside. There are no children in my life and never will be, so I don't need a breed good with kids but I won't turn away one that is. I live in a three bedroom house with a fenced dog run, and always always have my dogs leashed when they aren't in that dog run or the house, so anything that tends to run if not leashed/fenced would be fine.


I can't really think of anything else to mention. Obviously I will take all recommendations with a grain of salt and will thoroughly research that breed before even searching for rescues in my area. I won't simply go out and apply tomorrow based on ideas from an internet forum. There are just so many dog breeds and I really only have a very general idea of the breed groups and I don't have the time to look into every single breed, so I thought perhaps someone may be able to at least give me an idea of a few breeds or even a breed group that may be right for me.

Thanks for any advice you have. That got longer than I expected, but this is not something easy or simple to go about deciding.

[Odetoadream]

Why not consider a collie? Either rough or smooth.

They get along with other dogs, are smart and love to learn.

Best of all they have on/off switchs. Inside they are content to lay at your feet, but the minute you walk out the door they are ready and willing to work or do anything you want them to do.

They do need excersize, but if you run, they make excellent partners and if there's another dog to play with, even better! But in my opinion they are not as intense as a Aussie or a border.

I am a bit biased tho, seeing as my heart dog is a collie.

Best of Luck,
Cinthia

[Cassiepeia]

Hmm....

Schnauzer
Old English Sheedog (LOTS of grooming..but you can keep it cut short)
Bernese Mountain Dog
Any of the Setters (Irish, English, Gordon)
Shetland Sheepdog
Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier
Bullmastiff

There are sooo many more, but there are a few to start.

Cass.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Check out the Tibbies as well

[Carrie]

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/search.htm

See if that's any help.

[Spiritus]

Sometimes, when breed itself is not important, the thing to do would be to talk to rescue in the breeds you are interested in.

We have an Aussie here who needs a job. She bounces off the walls. She is from a sport breeder - a breeder who breeds her dogs not only for conformation, but for drive for flyball. Our Aussie is definately high drive. I have met others that would fit nicely into the lifestyle you mention.

In my breed, Belgians, a person can typically find one as drivey as they want or as mellow as they want. I have Belgians that go from working drive to mellow-couch-potato drive. the couch potato may like a jog now and then... yes, she wouldn't mind at all.

I would contact breed rescue in your desired breeds. Tell them what you are looking for. There are such a wide variety of drives and activity level within specific breeds that it's hard to say one is not right and the other is. Someone could mention their perfect breed... their dog is exactly as you describe.... you could choose to add one to your family, and it could be a high drive, destroy your house if not stimulated enough kind of puppy....

[rottnpagan]

What about a German Short Haired pointer?

[linnie]

Originally Posted by Crossfire Bulldogs

Check out the Tibbies as well

I own one of these and I can honestly say they are an enchanting dog with not a nasty bone in their body. Great with small children.
One drawback is they have selective hearing
My izzie weighs about 14lb but they are not a fragile dog by any means.
Definately a dog for people who love to have them with them tibbies dont like being left outside the family circle they get lonely

[J_A_IT]

Like Cass said, maybe a Soft Coated Wheaton?

[BellFounder]

Perhaps some sort of terrier? Cairns are lovely little dogs and very hardy, definately well able to play with your other dog. Clumber spaniels are also very nice dogs and not difficult to train. They are what i would call medium size dogs, somewhere around the working border collie height mark but a bit heavier.

[Winjammin]

You might also want to consider a Samoyed. They love to please, are incredibly smart, a long walk works well for them, and they play well with other breeds. They are usually 60lbs or so, and of medium build.

[Tiffany0204]

My aunt has a soft coated wheaton. Has to be the most sensitive soul I have ever known. This guy is a SWEETIE. Oh, he's adorable.

The only drawback (and that's why my aunt got this breed... don't ask) is that they have on average a shorter life-span than other dogs. My aunt didn't want to be caring for an animal well after the kids were gone from home, so she researched what would be good in terms of short life spans.

Um... yeah.

But they're such cuties!

[J_A_IT]

I'm not sure about Wheaton's life spans, but I know a lady with one, and it's been around forever. Keep in mind though, as a general rule, the bigger the dog the shorter the lifespan is going to be.

[J_A_IT]

Wheatons are good with allergies aswell (maybe you aren't allergic, but if you have any guests over...)

[marley05]

this seems like a good site to find a dog that matches your life style.
http://www.k9country.com/perl/dogBreed.pl