thinking of dog ownership... dont know what breed

[rabbitsarebetter]

In about two years the situation should be right for me to own a dog. I am not sure what breeds would work out for me. i just wanted to tell everyone what i want in a dog, and maybe someone can help me out!

-i want a jogging partner! a dog that will be ready to run with me, and with a playfull side. i want a dog that will play frisby with me and maybe even do agility courses!

-i will probably have my own home, but there is a possiblitly i will be renting an apartment. so that means i will need a smaller sized dog. I prefer a medium sized dog anyway.

-MOST importantly I want a dog that if raised around rabbits will be rabbit freindly. i know all dogs have a prey drive, but my rabbits are my babies and i dont want a dog that is likely to be aggressive with them. (they will never be together unsupervised anyway)

-i dont like dogs that are mouthy and chew on you. i dont like slobbering either. i am fine with shedding, i am sure there are ways to keep it under control. also i have no grooming prefrances.

-it would also be nice if the dog could protect the house. maybe even give more than a warning bark. but i dont want it to be agressive with people when i am taking it for a walk, etc.

-i want an active dog but not a yappy hyper dog. id love a dog to snuggle with and spend lazy days on the sofa with.

some breeds i have been considering are:
shelties and bull terriers
and maybe border collies??

ps. i dont mind a strong willed hard headed dog. i prefer a bit of a challenge

[rabbitsarebetter]

oh yeah, i like heelers and aussies too! and anyone know about kelpies? i think they are just in australia tho! i wonder if a siberian husky would work for me? are they a larger dog

[Saje]

Your best bet is to get a puppy from a shelter while it's still young enough to be raised around your rabbits. I had rabbits and my newfie wanted to chase them at first but then he was ok. You will never, ever be able to assume that your dog can be left around your rabbits unsupervised. It's just not possible. If raised around them then can probably be loose together but always supervised and give your bunnies lots of places where they can seek shelter. You probably know that.

Anyway, you probably don't want to get heelers or aussies or any herding dog as they like to chase. You probably want a breed or mix that will be quiet and content inside but still wants to go play when outside. I'm not that good with breeds but I'll think about it.

[rabbitsarebetter]

i was thinking of a mix myself. i work at the dog shelter down here and spend lots of time with the adoptable dogs. since i know there personallity maybe it would be best for me just to chose a mix

[Renee750il]

I think that's a marvelous idea, Rabbit :)

[Saje]

Even with a mix you can sometimes get a good idea about what their energy levels will be like. I adopted nanook as an adult but just from looking at her mix I knew she'd be high energy. (that's an understatement). She's husky gsd (probably) so you know she's going to be a busy girl.

[Saje]

what about a boston terrier (or mix)
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/bostonterrier.htm

[Aussie Red]

My Heelers play with my ferrets but I think that may be exceptional. I would never leave them alone together. Heelers can be a lot of work and really may not be a good choice for a first time owner.
I agree that a shelter puppy might be best for a first time owner and for the rabbits.
Happy hunting because there are so many out there just waiting for someone to love.

[rabbitsarebetter]

i love husky mixes myself. maybe a husky mixed with a small dog breed!
boston terriers are a little small for me. i mean, could i go jogging and take it to agility trails?

[Saje]

http://bostonterrierclubofamerica.org/faq.html

edit: oops...

Q. Can Boston Terriers do agility?

A. If you want to see something that is not only exciting but fun for the whole family, then find an agility match that has Bostons in it...or go to the BTCA Agility competition held during the BTCA Nationals. There you will see just how athletic a Boston Terrier can really be. They can jump with the best of breeds. They can weave, run, sit & stay, go up and down planks, go through tunnels and anything else that is ask of them. But best of all, they can steal your heart as you watch them compete with all the heart of a true champion. For more information, click HERE.

[Mordy]

Try this breed selector. If you are honest about answering all the questions, it's a really great tool. :)

http://www.k9country.com/perl/dogBreed.pl

Be patient, the site is very slow at times.

[rabbitsarebetter]

thanks. i will try it now. i have tryed a few in the past and totally didnt agree.

[rabbitsarebetter]

that was good! but it didnt help the most important question. i need a dog with not much of a prey drive!
most dogs they listed were the hearding group, and sighthounds

[RD]

Honestly I would avoid sighthounds with the rabbits. It's just not a good idea. even if you do get a puppy and raise it with rabbits, they have an instinct to chase little fuzzy things. I would also avoid most of the herding breeds. While some are good with smaller animals, most are a little rough with them. My Border Collie is a saint with the small furries but I know some that would eat them if given the chance.

How about a Miniature or Standard Poodle?

What size do you consider "medium"? Like the size of a Boston Terrier (under 20lbs) or that of a border collie (30-55lbs)

[rabbitsarebetter]

size of a aussie would be nice

[bubbatd]

Why is size an issue ?? A Retriever fits all.

[rabbitsarebetter]

the panting that big dogs do drive me crazy.
and its harder to rent with big dogs
they eat more
and well.... there bigger!

[casablanca1]

It is harder to rent with bigger dogs, and the cutoff is frequently very low. Toys (12lbs and under) are the most easy to get housing with, then 25lbs, and then 35lbs and under. It's maddening, but true. Don't forget that many breeds that are considered potentially dangerous - pit bulls, bull terriers, GSDs, Rotties, Dobes, etc. - are even harder to find housing with.

I think your idea of simply looking for a suitable personality at the shelter where you work is the best move. Types and breeds can be surprising. I had a terrier/husky mix who I'd always assumed would shred anything she caught. She turned out to have a mouth so soft that she could (and did) carry around 'fainted' possums and unhappy cats without a scratch.

[Sprout]

Just go to the pound. Each dog will have its own personality size and shape, and there are normally PLENTY of pups that are desperate for a home in shelters.. so it really couldnt hurt to look. My friend got this dog from the pound (he is so mixed with breeds that its hard to tell what he is lol), and he sounds a lot like what you want.. and Im sure theres many dogs out there that fit what youre looking for :)
And I would suggest getting a dog when its younger so that you can teach it to respect smaller pets while its young :)

Good luck!

[stevinski]

affenpinscher, do some reserch on them, they fit most of it, and they are gorgeous.

also you could try with a sheltie, but shelties can be hyper, try to go for show lines rather then working lines if you get a sheltie.

[Sprout]

Yeah, if you really want a pure dog I kinda agree with stevinski.
My dog Sprout is a Brussels Griffon, which are REALLY closely related to the Affenpincher.
Sprout is a great dog.. and EXTREMELY intellegent! I do some obedience with him and we do agility too which is very fun. Sprout loves to sit and watch movies with me, but right when I get up he's like my shadow, he follows me EVERYWHERE! I tell ya, once you're a friend with a griffon, you've forever got a friend! He's more like a one person type dog but he is nice to everyone. What I mean is, we would do anything for eachother, and we have a bond that no one else will ever have with him, or me.
lol, and when I sleepwalk he comes with me and (from what my mom says) I go downstairs and he goes in my mom's room and wakes her up to come get me. He protects me :)
Then when he's in an excited mood he'll play fetch with his toys with me, and when Im tired he will manage to play with himself by flipping the toy up and catching it, so they'd be good for apartments too. And they're pretty darn small.
Hope I could help some ;)

[rabbitsarebetter]

wow thanks for all the helpful info guys!!
i was starting to get discouraged

[rabbitsarebetter]

affenpisncher just looks sooo small and yappy? are they yappy dogs? i still have my heart set on the hearding group dogs! or a husky mix.
still got my mind on a very well bred sheltie. i know three shelties who are not very vocal, and listen sooo well. and i know their breeder too!

[RD]

If you are interested in a herding breed, go for it.. Most of the herders are responsive and intelligent and would probably be fine with the rabbits if they were raised with them. If you do your research (which you obviously are - good for you :D) and don't leave them unattended I wouldn't be too worried.

I would feel comfortable putting rabbits all around my Border Collie. Although he will chase and kill wild ones outdoors, he's played gently with several inside a house and a fenced yard, and never showed the slightest intention of hurting them.


With the herding breeds, though, there is always the question of "how much".. How much energy can you handle? how much drive? Some people want a low-key Sheltie, others a live-wire Border Collie.

[lastkid]

If you pick a particular breed, going through a breed rescue would be a great idea, especially if you're concerned about prey drive with rabbits. Most of the dogs are in foster homes and have been (or can be) tested with small animals. Plus, then you know (more or less :)) how drive-y/energetic the dog is, which is a good thing if you're looking into herding breeds and aren't sure "how much" (great term, RD!) dog you want.

[casablanca1]

also you could try with a sheltie, but shelties can be hyper, try to go for show lines rather then working lines if you get a sheltie.

There are working lines for Shetland Sheepdogs? I've heard of that for other breeds (setters, pointers, etc.) but I never heard that Shelties have that sort of division between show/pet and 'original purpose' activity. Just curious.

[stevinski]

Quote:
Originally Posted by stevinski
also you could try with a sheltie, but shelties can be hyper, try to go for show lines rather then working lines if you get a sheltie.


There are working lines for Shetland Sheepdogs? I've heard of that for other breeds (setters, pointers, etc.) but I never heard that Shelties have that sort of division between show/pet and 'original purpose' activity. Just curious.


yuh, theres lots of working shelties, just not as much as other breeds, herding is the most common thing that they are worked in, and it is what they are bred for, but you get the ocassional sheltie trained in tracking, theres lots of herding lines for shelties which is what i would class as a working line.
The shelties from the herding lines often have alot more drive and energy then the dogs that are shown more in conformation.

[casablanca1]

theres lots of herding lines for shelties which is what i would class as a working line. The shelties from the herding lines often have alot more drive and energy then the dogs that are shown more in conformation.

Neat. Are there physical differences too? I'm thinking of the setters, where field lines are less 'pretty' than the show lines, less feathering, etc. Personally, I think a less fluffy Sheltie might be a good idea.

[stevinski]

Neat. Are there physical differences too? I'm thinking of the setters, where field lines are less 'pretty' than the show lines, less feathering, etc. Personally, I think a less fluffy Sheltie might be a good idea.

there isnt much physical difference between the working lines and show lines, eccept obviously the working lines will be more out of standard then the show lines.


I think a less fluffy Sheltie might be a good idea.

if you go for show lines and would prefer a sheltie with a lesser coat then its best for you to get a girl as their is alot of difference between the coats on a male and a female, the males have a much more superb, longer coat then the females.

[What Position]

i have a border collie.....it is fine around everything..........mine is trained bye me(13 year old) and is fine around me rabbit...it slept next to my rabbit once......hes a decent jogging partner..

[rabbitsarebetter]

i like a high energy dog. a dog that can play fetch for hours and go out jogging and walking nearly a hour everyday. but i want it to be willing to be lazy with me too. i dont want a dog that wants to jump up and chew on me all the time! but the hearding group is so trainable it could have those bad habbits trained out of it.
yeah, my heart is set on a sheltie, border collie, or an aussie. i def will get a female sheltie because of all that fur that the males have. and i was planning on keeping it cut short (not sheard, but short cut) anyway.
no matter how the dog seemed around the rabbits when i am there i would never ever ever leave them alone together. but of course the rabbits will be in there cage and the dog will be there. i dont want to worry about a dog trying to break down the cage, and bark at them all the time. but if raised with them from a puppy i wouldnt have that problem anyway.

[stevinski]

shelties generally dont have a very strong prey dive, as they were bred mainly for herding, but some dogs do,
if raised with the rabbits from young you should be fine,

[RD]

Stevinski, for the record, herding behavior is simply a modified prey drive. :)

Rabbitsarebetter, I would check into the herding styles of the Sheltie, Aussie and Border Collie. Undoubtedly, the dog will try to herd the rabbits a few times and excessively grippy (bitey) herders could hurt the rabbits. I know Shelties use their bark quite a bit in their work, I'm not sure if they are particularly grippy. Aussies can be forceful at times, but I don't know that many working Aussies and some may be different than others. Borders tend to stay off the stock and use their eyes to control them.

Sounds like you would be a good home for an active herding breed. :)

[rabbitsarebetter]

I hope so. I prey that the conditions are right where I can share my home and love with one.

[stevinski]

Stevinski, for the record, herding behavior is simply a modified prey drive.

Rabbitsarebetter, I would check into the herding styles of the Sheltie, Aussie and Border Collie. Undoubtedly, the dog will try to herd the rabbits a few times and excessively grippy (bitey) herders could hurt the rabbits. I know Shelties use their bark quite a bit in their work, I'm not sure if they are particularly grippy. Aussies can be forceful at times, but I don't know that many working Aussies and some may be different than others. Borders tend to stay off the stock and use their eyes to control them.

i always knew that shelties used to nip there 'flock' to herd it in the direction they want, but i always thought that a prey dive was like, when they see a animal or something and just take off chasing it.

[rabbitsarebetter]

i could use help hearding the rabbits sometimes! LOL
they are out all the time unless i am sleeping or gone and they hate going back in their cages!

[rowdy ridgeback]

Shetland Sheepdog. They are on the smaller side, like to run, great agility, herders not hunters, they will give a couple barks if someone comes around. They are also smart and fast learners.

[Senna]

what about a corgi?


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

[PWCorgi]

You read my mind Senna!

Just a few thoughts about a corgi:

Pros-

-They make great running partners, even thoug it doesn't look like they would

-Sometimes you can wiggle past a small dog restriction on an apartment because they are so low to the ground, :p

-They are people oriented, but they usually aren't velcro dogs

-They are awesome at agility

-They have a lot of energy, but they aren't "hyper", it's more of a controlled energy

Cons-

-If they have strong herding instincts, they can me QUITE aggressive at it, they are small dogs that were bred to move huge cows and they did it my nipping.

-They can be very vocal (my female hardly ever barks, but my male never shuts up)

-I am not sure that they would make the best frisbee dog, they would if you just care about them bringing it back, but they aren't going to leap 4 feet into the air or do backflips to get it most of the time, it just isn't possible because of their body structure

-They probably are not going to be a big deterent if someone decides to break into your house, lol, although they can be territorial sometimes


As far as the rabbits go, it depends on the individual dog. My male I am sure would chase and hurt/kill a rabbit if he could get ahold of one. I have a chinchilla and he'll paw and bark at the cage and try to get at it, we have to watch him with the cat too. My female on the other hand, I can get the chinchilla (who is more hyper and flitty than most rabbits) out and Izzy (female corgi) will sit there and watch the chinchilla, if she can sneak up on him she will try and lick him :rolleyes: . Both dogs came from the same litter, and are complete opposites.

Overall, they seem like a good fit to me.