Breed Suggestions

[Finkie_Mom]

Not anytime soon, but being now hooked to agility has made me think about the possibility of other breeds. I LOVE my Finkies, but they are not really all about that kind of thing usually (Kimma is an exception, unfortunately).

So here are some things I would like in a dog:
- Drivey, but not ridiculously so
- I love my independent dogs, but I would like a dog that also wants to please. So basically take my Finkies and make them more biddable
- I don't mind grooming, but I prefer a more wash and wear coat. The need for professional grooming wouldn't be a turn off, but ideally it would be something I could just do and maintain by myself. Shedding doesn't bug me, but due to my allergies, I seem to do better with longer-haired breeds
- Between 10-60 lbs
- Aloof with strangers
- I enjoy having a rare breed, so I wouldn't mind keeping that trend going
- Not DA or SSA
- Doesn't have to be particularly cuddly or velcro
- Noise doesn't bother me (obviously LOL)
- Medium-high energy, as this dog would mainly (hopefully) be used for agility

Thanks in advance

[HayleyMarie]

well I would say a Westie, They sound perfect, but some of them can be SSA or DA, but I am sure it would be no problem finding a breeder with dogs that do not add up to that.

Teagan is not SSA/DA, but she does not put up with rude crap.

[FG167]

Kelpie!

[CatStina]

More Finkies! Or at least more pictures of them!

[BostonBanker]

Icelandic Sheepdog? One of the members of our agility club who ran Shibas for years got one for similar reasons. Still similar to the things he liked about the nordic breeds, but with more drive and bidability.

She is a very cool dog and runs well at the masters level. Good lord the barking though. I could never do that piece!

[PWCorgi]

Originally Posted by BostonBanker

Icelandic Sheepdog? One of the members of our agility club who ran Shibas for years got one for similar reasons. Still similar to the things he liked about the nordic breeds, but with more drive and bidability.

She is a very cool dog and runs well at the masters level. Good lord the barking though. I could never do that piece!

I have loved the Icelandic Sheepdogs that I have met, save the barking!! So if barking doesn't bother you, then I second this suggestion

[JacksonsMom]

Border Terrier? Okay, I'm probably biased, since I am HOPING to get one. But they pretty much fit the criteria. Including the 'rare' breed (they're fairly rare, at least, IMO. I never see them. And they're a healthy breed). No shedding so long as you don't shave the coat. Hand stripped a few times a year, so I hear. Never heard of any DA/SSA from any of the breeders I've spoken to. Great house pets, good with kids, but most do fantastic in agility and dog sports.

[Finkie_Mom]

Originally Posted by HayleyMarie

well I would say a Westie, They sound perfect, but some of them can be SSA or DA, but I am sure it would be no problem finding a breeder with dogs that do not add up to that.

Teagan is not SSA/DA, but she does not put up with rude crap.

Hmmmm I actually have never considered any terriers! I love the look of Westies, but I'm not QUITE sure they are "me" if that makes sense... I will keep an eye out for more at events and see if I can't meet a few

Originally Posted by FG167

Kelpie!

Woah. Now I totally wouldn't have thought of a Kelpie LOL. What about them (in your experience) fits my sort of random criteria???

Originally Posted by CatStina

More Finkies! Or at least more pictures of them!

Hahahaha I swear I don't post a lot of pics because I feel like everyone is sick of them by now

Originally Posted by BostonBanker

Icelandic Sheepdog? One of the members of our agility club who ran Shibas for years got one for similar reasons. Still similar to the things he liked about the nordic breeds, but with more drive and bidability.

She is a very cool dog and runs well at the masters level. Good lord the barking though. I could never do that piece!

Ohhhh those are PRETTY. Again, never would have thought of them. I would definitely have to meet a few before deciding. Wonder if there are any breeders near me... I don't think I've seen any at trials near me, but then again, I haven't been to too many trials anyway

Originally Posted by PWCorgi

I have loved the Icelandic Sheepdogs that I have met, save the barking!! So if barking doesn't bother you, then I second this suggestion

Yeah, barking is fine. As it is, Kimma is in the other room barking at something or other and I honestly hardly notice anymore. My DH on the other hand does, but I take care of the dogs, so which to get are ultimately my decision

Originally Posted by JacksonsMom

Border Terrier? Okay, I'm probably biased, since I am HOPING to get one. But they pretty much fit the criteria. Including the 'rare' breed (they're fairly rare, at least, IMO. I never see them. And they're a healthy breed). No shedding so long as you don't shave the coat. Hand stripped a few times a year, so I hear. Never heard of any DA/SSA from any of the breeders I've spoken to. Great house pets, good with kids, but most do fantastic in agility and dog sports.

Again, not sure about the terrier..... But I have hear they are good little agility dogs. Would have to meet some.

[Emily]

A good Cardi would fit the bill just about perfectly! A nice blend of biddability and independence! They can be dog snarky but are rarely seriously SSA or DA. There are occasionally blood feuds that happen between individuals, but most are more than capable of living with other dogs.

Coat care is nothing at all - I like to bathe/blow out Keeva regularly to keep the shedding down, but it's a self cleaning coat that sheds dirt super easily.

[FG167]

Originally Posted by Finkie_Mom

So here are some things I would like in a dog:
- Drivey, but not ridiculously so
- I love my independent dogs, but I would like a dog that also wants to please. So basically take my Finkies and make them more biddable
- I don't mind grooming, but I prefer a more wash and wear coat.
- Between 10-60 lbs
- Aloof with strangers
- I enjoy having a rare breed, so I wouldn't mind keeping that trend going
- Not DA or SSA
- Doesn't have to be particularly cuddly or velcro
- Noise doesn't bother me (obviously LOL)
- Medium-high energy, as this dog would mainly (hopefully) be used for agility

Thanks in advance

Ok, so I only have Limit to go off of and he's from true working stock...

-He has great drive. He loves food and has excellent tugging and good ball drive. He is not extreme like Kastle though. He outs easily, is possessive enough the toy has value, but not so much he will fight me for it. He will do almost anything for food.

-He is independent but sensitive. If I need nothing of him, he will entertain himself...for HOURS (I've seen him play with a bug for a solid hour or a chew toy for up to 4.5 hours while I do chores around the house). Same when we are out and about. He will take everything in and run around but the second I want to engage, he's there. He tries REALLY hard for me. However, he can sometimes reach a point where he's frustrated and try to blow me off. This is getting less and less frequent with age. He does need a strong, confident handler though.

-His coat is awesome! He has a pretty decent undercoat but his outer coat is harsh and short. He doesn't shed much (so far), and it is THE easiest of my dogs to do a quick clean up on.

-He weighs 42 lbs at 8 months, doubt he'll get much heavier.

-He doesn't approach strangers but is pleasant and sweet when they come up for pets....I'm not sure how much is him and how much he learned from Kastle. He's pretty independent though so I think he doesn't see the point in approaching people he doesn't know.

-Breed is pretty rare.

-They're meant to herd with other herders so are frequently in packs...him and Kastle don't get along fantastically but it is not disrupting having them out with me together with toys etc. I think that has more to do with loving me. He's fantastic with all of the other dogs he knows so far but he doesn't know a ton. I brought him out at agility tourney this weekend and he wasn't reactive at all unless a dog came into his face and then he came to me.

-He loves to cuddle...when he feels like it. I'd say about 30% of his time with me in the house he is cuddling, the other 70% he is playing with toys or Eden. Or sleeping.

-He is pretty loud...but no more than our other herders.

-He's medium-high exactly. He needs some exercise and fun time every day but not a ton and he's content to do it with or without me.

He's young and it's possible he is not to standard but I find him a LOVELY balance to Kastle's extreme drive, extreme clinginess, higher energy etc. He was an easy pup to crate and house train, he's polite in his crate, he can run in the pack or by himself. He's just well rounded in terms of drive and energy...IMO.

Originally Posted by Emily

A good Cardi would fit the bill just about perfectly! A nice blend of biddability and independence! They can be dog snarky but are rarely seriously SSA or DA. There are occasionally blood feuds that happen between individuals, but most are more than capable of living with other dogs.

Coat care is nothing at all - I like to bathe/blow out Keeva regularly to keep the shedding down, but it's a self cleaning coat that sheds dirt super easily.

Ooooo agree!!! Eden is not at all to standard, but Poppy is and she is VERY similar to Limit...although a bit more handler sensitive. Less toy drive but higher food drive.