New dog loving member need help choosing a breed.
- Thread starter pytis123
- Start date
Australian Shepherd!
I believe Grammy was reffering to the K9country quiz. It's one of the best breed selectors out there!!
http://k9country.com/perl/dogBreed.pl
I believe Grammy was reffering to the K9country quiz. It's one of the best breed selectors out there!!
http://k9country.com/perl/dogBreed.pl
Border Collies are great, I don't think I'll ever be without one again.
They fit all of your requirements, but in general they are not a dominant breed. They have to maintain a certain level of independence in order to do their job correctly, but they like to be with you. If you don't want a dog that will follow you around, don't get a BC or any herding breed for that matter.
Why do you want a dominant/independent dog? I'm just curious as to why you put that on your list. Most people DON'T want a dominant dog.
Border Collies do sound like they would fit your requirements, but do you fit a BC's requirements? Having a Border Collie, especially a young one, is like having a child. It's a big commitment and the dog will want (and require) a lot of your time and attention. They are brilliant as adults and are well worth the work, but if you can't put the time and energy into training them, they can be disasters.
Good luck in your search! Please stick around and let us know what you decide on!
They fit all of your requirements, but in general they are not a dominant breed. They have to maintain a certain level of independence in order to do their job correctly, but they like to be with you. If you don't want a dog that will follow you around, don't get a BC or any herding breed for that matter.
Why do you want a dominant/independent dog? I'm just curious as to why you put that on your list. Most people DON'T want a dominant dog.
Border Collies do sound like they would fit your requirements, but do you fit a BC's requirements? Having a Border Collie, especially a young one, is like having a child. It's a big commitment and the dog will want (and require) a lot of your time and attention. They are brilliant as adults and are well worth the work, but if you can't put the time and energy into training them, they can be disasters.
Good luck in your search! Please stick around and let us know what you decide on!
I have aussies as well as GSD's, and love them both. I don't think having a dog that "is to smart" would be a problem for anyone! "Brains" make everything so much easier!
Border Collies are great, and I'd probably have one if I didn't have 4 dogs, they require alot of mental as well as physical stimulation and are really 'into' their owners which is certainly not a bad thing.
Aussies, tho I will always have them, can have their own agenda's at times, but are smart, energetic, and ready for anything. However, the falsehood IS they love people/other dogs,,sure most do, but I tend to see ALOT of dog aggressive aussies. As one poster put it, it's all about how you raise/train them and they require ALOT of socialisation and training..Borders same thing, the ones I know, the majority just aren't "into" other dogs, they tend to be more "into" doing something..Which again, isn't a bad trait in my book, it's just the way they are..
good luck with your search
diane
Border Collies are great, and I'd probably have one if I didn't have 4 dogs, they require alot of mental as well as physical stimulation and are really 'into' their owners which is certainly not a bad thing.
Aussies, tho I will always have them, can have their own agenda's at times, but are smart, energetic, and ready for anything. However, the falsehood IS they love people/other dogs,,sure most do, but I tend to see ALOT of dog aggressive aussies. As one poster put it, it's all about how you raise/train them and they require ALOT of socialisation and training..Borders same thing, the ones I know, the majority just aren't "into" other dogs, they tend to be more "into" doing something..Which again, isn't a bad trait in my book, it's just the way they are..
good luck with your search
diane
I think its a very good reason to have a doberman. Your mom is afraid of dobermans. Now think of it in this way! Let's say you are afraid of the wolf but if you have the chance to keep a wolf under your feet; won't it be nice? A loyal and loving wolf? or say you are scaed of going to a friend cause she has a big guard with her. wouldn't it be good for you to have that guard serving you instead? Dobermans are very loyal and loving if you keep one for yourself. They are extremely versatile; athletic and playful and arr aggressive when required!
And for your Dad; it will be a good reason to keep one so he can forget the bad experience by enjoying with this one!
And for your Dad; it will be a good reason to keep one so he can forget the bad experience by enjoying with this one!
Jynx put it wonderfully . . . My Border Collie will play with other dogs, but he's more into doing his job than goofing off. It isn't that he's unfriendly, he just prefers to pay attention to me . . .
A Doberman could work, too, but I think it's important that all members of the family want the dog as much as you do. Otherwise, there can be a lot of tension. My dad does not like my Papillon, and it's definitely not easy to constantly keep Ripley out of his way.
A Doberman could work, too, but I think it's important that all members of the family want the dog as much as you do. Otherwise, there can be a lot of tension. My dad does not like my Papillon, and it's definitely not easy to constantly keep Ripley out of his way.
Like I said, dominant is not a breed thing. Or a size thing. It's an individual dog thing. And probably no way for you to know in advance how things will play out (my 4-month old chihuahua is looking to challenge my roommate's 1-year-old samoyed for rank! 
who keeps saying small dogs are automatically submissive??)
who keeps saying small dogs are automatically submissive??)
I'd look into breeds the site suggests......I personally find it pretty darn accurate .... don't forget ALL of us here love our breeds !! Some are lucky with " exceptions " ...even when you decide , you have to carefully look into the breedings. Please stay away from the internet at this point and seek out breed clubs in your area. As much as I've been put down for stating it ... Good breeders may have web sites, but would never sell over the internet ! Breeders want to meet you and you them . Any good breeder I know may have a litter every other year. ANYONE who sells puppies twice a year is a Puppy Mill. Sorry , I was proud of my line , and my breeding .... Yes, had I had internet in my day , I would have had " Hawthorn Hill " pedigrees ... with stories and pictures ... but I would NEVER sell a pup on line !!
hrmmm....
What about a husky? You won't find too many dogs that have more energy then a huskie...you just have to have tolerant neighbors and alot of land.
Or, a retriever...after reading your posts I immediately thought, "Well bred Labradore Retriever!"
Labs I think would be a GREAT fit for you...they're active, a bit pushy, love to please, great with kids and other dogs, and fairly easy to train. However, please note that its hard to find a good Lab breeder. I suggest Karen Bell if you are going that route.
Terriers are high energy, but very prey driven. MOST (notice I said MOST not ALL) terriers are not good with cats or other dogs. Some terrier breeds are notoriously hard to train, while others take easily to it. They definately have heart, and are not quitters.
I would suggest a keeshond, but I don't think they're really what you're looking for, simply because you want a super high energy dog. I mean...they CAN be, but they definately don't have the energy level of a collie. They are smart, but very very very stubborn.
What about a husky? You won't find too many dogs that have more energy then a huskie...you just have to have tolerant neighbors and alot of land.
Or, a retriever...after reading your posts I immediately thought, "Well bred Labradore Retriever!"
Labs I think would be a GREAT fit for you...they're active, a bit pushy, love to please, great with kids and other dogs, and fairly easy to train. However, please note that its hard to find a good Lab breeder. I suggest Karen Bell if you are going that route.
Terriers are high energy, but very prey driven. MOST (notice I said MOST not ALL) terriers are not good with cats or other dogs. Some terrier breeds are notoriously hard to train, while others take easily to it. They definately have heart, and are not quitters.
I would suggest a keeshond, but I don't think they're really what you're looking for, simply because you want a super high energy dog. I mean...they CAN be, but they definately don't have the energy level of a collie. They are smart, but very very very stubborn.
Grammy, most of the time I agree with you, but on this one, I don't. I think a good breeder can have up to three litters a year if spaced well apart. I also think it's all about what that person is trying to accomplish.
My breeder has about two litters per year. She shows her dogs every single weekend, and takes her puppies with her when she goes. I know for a fact that she's great at what she does, and all of her dogs are titled and two have been featured in "Keeshonden" our breed club magazine.
My breeder has about two litters per year. She shows her dogs every single weekend, and takes her puppies with her when she goes. I know for a fact that she's great at what she does, and all of her dogs are titled and two have been featured in "Keeshonden" our breed club magazine.
Couldn't of said it better myself!
I think having more than one litter a year is fine as long as each bitch only has a litter oncer per year max. I wouldn't jump the gun and say anyone who has 2-3 litters per year (especially with small breeds) is a puppy mill, as long as they aren't with the same dogs.
I think having more than one litter a year is fine
as long as each bitch only has a litter oncer per year max. I wouldn't jump the gun and say anyone who has 2-3 litters per year (especially with small breeds) is a puppy mill, as long as they aren't with the same dogs.
Couldn't of said it better myself!
I think having more than one litter a year is fine as long as each bitch only has a litter oncer per year max. I wouldn't jump the gun and say anyone who has 2-3 litters per year (especially with small breeds) is a puppy mill, as long as they aren't with the same dogs.
I think having more than one litter a year is fine
as long as each bitch only has a litter oncer per year max. I wouldn't jump the gun and say anyone who has 2-3 litters per year (especially with small breeds) is a puppy mill, as long as they aren't with the same dogs.
There is also an excellent west coast kennel (Windrift Keeshonden) and they have a pretty good website up. Also