I'd love some breed suggestions

[Georgygirl]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this but feel free to move it wherever.

I live in a 3 br duplex with my bf and another roomy and I'd really like to get a dog. I had a springer spaniel when I grew up and my parents have a beagle now. I've been doing a lot of reseach on different breeds, but reading is a little different than knowing a breed. I thought maybe people here would have some suggestions. Here's what I'm looking for.

-med. sized or smaller (50 lbs or less) not a big fan of little yippy dogs
-moderate exercise (3 long walks a day and some playtime/training too plus potty walks of course) I don't have a fenced yard.
-looking into taking some agility classes in town but not seriously compete and of couse puppy/obedience classes
-okay alone for 5-6 hrs a day max during week
-okay with cats
-fairly friendly with strangers

I realize no dog is perfect but I'd like to find a breed that will fit my lifestyle. I'd appreciate any suggestions!

Jordan

[calgal]

Do some research on different breeds first. Then check out the rescues and shelters. Take your time with all this and you will end up with exactly what you want.

[poodlesmom]

There are so many breeds, both purebred & mixed, that would fit in with what you are looking for. I commend you for doing your research ahead of time to attempt to find the breed(s) that best fit your lifestyle.

I'm willing to bet that there are some breeds that you are more interested in than others. After all everyone has their own personal preferences.

Why don't you let us know what breeds you might be interested in and then among the members here we'll try to give you the pros & cons to each of them.

[Georgygirl]

Excellent suggestion poodlesmom! Here are some of the ones I've been interested in.


Vizla
Brittany
English Springer Spaniel
Scottish Terrier
Bichon Frise
Poodle Min. or Std.
Sheltie
Westie
Boxer
Basset Hound

My main concern is which breeds would be happy with me. I love sporting breeds but I don't hunt. I guess I'd love to hear from ppl who own these breeds and see if any of these breeds would be happy with my lifestyle.

[linnie]

my mum owns a min poodle and they would be suitable for appartment living. The down side is they do need regular grooming
They are affectionate and friendly.
fairly hardy breed.

[poodlesmom]

I'm familiar with some of these breeds & will share what I know and I'm sure other members will gladly share their knowledge as well.

In my opinion hunting breeds as a whole are not for the average person as they do require considerable exercise, both physical as well as mental and the typical owner's lifestyle is not attuned to it. Of course, as in everything there are always exceptions. Some pups may be more laid back while some dogs that typically require less will have a pup that is way more hyper.

Vizla - stunning dogs who love their humans. Adapt quite readily to obed. training from the few I have seen. However, all bets are off if a bird flies by!

Brittany - I have only personally met French Brittanies which are a little smaller than the other variety. Sweet, sweet dogs who are definitely comediens. A friend had 3 of them and they were wonderful.

English Springer Spaniel. Gorgeous breed. I have known 4 of them that have gone to the obed. school. All were lovebugs. 1 was very laid back, the other 3 were what I would classify definitely high energy (translation: HYPER HYPER HYPER ). All 4 presented their own training challenges.

Scottish Terrier - I have had no experience with this breed.

Bichon Frise - a gal I worked with had a lovable bichon. She was quite easy to house train and never met anyone she didn't like. One of her favorite dog pals was an Old English Sheepdog. She was fabulous with her grandsons. This breed doesn't shed but does need grooming about every 8 wks with regular brushing in between.

Poodle Min. or Std. - Not that I'm prejudice or anything, but this is a wonderful breed in any of the sizes. My 2 are standards - Farley is about 64 lbs & Chloe is 48 lbs. They are all legs! Very intelligent, a joy to train, willing to participate in any activity from obed. to agility, swimming, playing fetch or just cuddling on the couch. Out of all the dogs I have had over the years this breed has been by far the easiest to train. They also don't shed but do need to be clipped about every 8 wks. Maintenance between clips is very easy as long as they are in a shorter clip but they do need regular ear cleaning which is usually required on most breeds whose ears lay down. My 2 were raised with cats & were fine with them in the house but if there is a cat outside and it runs the chase is on. I will never be without a poodle again - I am thoroughly hooked on this breed.

Sheltie - have only briefly met a couple and they were sweet dogs. I'm sure other members have much more info.

Westie - a gal I work with has one. As a pup he wasn't the friendliest pup around and was a little snarly but as he has matured he has gotten alot better. The early standoffishness (is that even a word?) was most probably due to lack of socialization and training knowing his owner.

Boxer - have only met one and he is a doll but have heard they are excellent family dogs.

Basset Hound - great breed - gotta love those ears and who can resist those lovable faces! I wouldn't count on doing too much in agility although there are exceptions. At the obed. school we did have one that went through all the AKC levels in obedience and earned his CD & CDX. Having said that though it is very rare to see one competing in obedience.

Best of luck with your research. I truly wish more people were like you!

[Georgygirl]

Thank you so much poodlesmom and linnie!

Poodlesmom, is there a temperment difference between the different sizes of poodles? I must admit, I like standards a lot better, but I think the mini's are cute too. The toys are a little too small for me.

[poodlesmom]

I have only had standards but I believe the only difference between the 3 sizes should be size. Temperment should be the same regardless of size. I will admit that I have seen some of the smaller ones, be they mini or toy, who I would prefer not to be around but I honestly believe it is all due to their lack of training. Unfortunately many times those with smaller dogs don't feel it is necessary for them to be trained and learn manners and it is not the dog's fault. I have always preferred larger dogs so standards were my choice and I've never regretted it. As with any breed it is important to find a good breeder and get to meet the parents. Chances are if a neurotic or aggressive dog is bred the pups will have a problem too.

[Checkers]

Okay.. I'm more than a little biased but I have to put a plug in here also for the corgi (either Pembroke or Cardigan). With the three walks a day a corgi would be quite happy as long as there were people around enough of the time. Not only that but my corgi boy has done very well at filling the "big dog" attitude with the little dog package (not too little though, they average around 25lbs, just right for me). I also don't care for the little "yappy" types much. On the agility/obedience thing I have known a few that are great at both... as well as flyball. In fact, they do best if they have something to "work" at... very similar to the sheltie in that regard. As far as grooming... the corgi does shed a lot but a good brushing every day goes a long way to help that, as does a good diet. They can NOT be allowed to get overweight though because it makes them more succeptible to back issues. Of course, it all depends on what kind of look and personality you like as well. Just a thought! Here's a pic of my boy.. he's a red headed tri-colored Pembroke Corgi....


Whatever breed or type you decide could work best for you, do please look into rescues and shelters to see if they have any first. Good to see you doing the research first and best of luck to you and your new future companion!

-Cheryl

[Ritz459]

I thought if a Brittany Spanial when a read what you were asking. They are medium sized dogs, are good at agility, very smart, good w/ other people and animals, and they love their exercise!

An excelent dog breed selector/guide is at www.k9country.com It is one of the best selectors I've ever seen and is very matter of fact. I'd suggest you take a look at it.

Good luck!

[Winjammin]

I'll second Checkers' plug for a Corgi. It sounds like you would have a perfect environment for either a Cardigan or a Pembroke. The main difference, other than size (Pems about 25-30 lbs, Cardis 27-38) is that Cardis are more reserved around strangers than a Pem, who is everyone's best friend. Once a Cardi gets to know people, they are just as outgoing and rambunctous as any Pembroke, in my experience. As a matter of fact, our Pem has raised our 2 Cardis, so now they have the Pem personality!!

I must emphasize the need for a job for them to do around the house. It will make them much happier, and it will spare your furniture! Corgis are WONDERFUL for obedience and agility. It isn't widely know, but there are even a couple of Cardis out there that have achieved their MACH agility title, and one that I know of is even going for it's MACH 3 or 5!!

I have attached a picture of both of our Cardis, as you have a nice example of a Pem with Checkers' picture.

Phantom (10 month old male, already weighs 32lbs)


And here is Ruby (an 18month old bitch, who weighs in at about 29lbs)


I would also recommend attending some dog shows to see what kinds of dogs there are out there, and to speak with some breeders to get more inside info on a particular breed and they can also put you in contact with breed rescue. Since you live in Iowa, and so do I, I can also provide you with a nice LONG list of dog shows coming up in the state (depending on where you live), or in the neighboring states. Just to give you and idea as to how many shows there are close by, we show about 28-30 weekends a year, and never travel more than 5 hours from Des Moines, with the exception of our National Specialty.

Good luck with your search, and i hope I didn't bury you with too much information!! If you need any more info let us know!!

[sammy]

How do you feel about shedding? What are you looking for in terms of personality? Do you want a dog who is easy to train and easy to motivate or are you ok with a bit of an independent atittude ?

[rmci]

I agree- Check out what's available at your shelter.
Walk a few dogs, get to know them, then research the breeds.

I researched breeds first and never would have thought about getting a herder. After meeting Bax and walking with him I realized how perfect he was for me, no matter what his breed. Now I try not focus on the "breed", but the individual temperment.

[Georgygirl]

Aww, the corgis are gorgeous. I will definitely keep them in mind! I'm very open to different temperments. Like I said I grew up with a Springer and I LOVED her temperment. She was fairly laid back but she loved going for walks and hikes. She didn't mind missing a day though if the weather was bad. I'd really like to get invovled in an activity with my dog whether it be obedience, agility, ect. I don't mind some shedding because my cats shed too, but I suppose I would prefer a breed that doesn't blow it's coat every year. As far as training goes I wouldn't mind an independent attitude (reminds me of my cats )

[Carrie]

Depending on how much exercise you can provide, hunting dogs are great. Leash walks only just don't cut it IMO. But if you want a smaller dog who doesn't shed much, is a nice companion, I am partial to standard or mini Schnauzers. I think Corgis are wonderful too...such nice temperaments. How about a Pug? They seem to be calm type dogs for such a small breed. Those are some smallish dogs...not too small and maybe don't need the unbelievable exercise that hunting dogs do. I don't know about these breeds, but I've found, having had Labs that hunting dogs tend toward wanderlust. LOL. A fenced yard is almost a must, depending on where you live or constant supervision and pretty reliable training.