Alrightie. This might be a bit long.
I'm seriously looking at obtaining a puppy, probably next spring. Although my primary concern is fitting into the household, I am interested in a dog for sport purposes. I guess I'm looking for an 'all purpose' breed..if I want to do competition obedience today, or agility tomorrow, or tracking the next day, they will be up for it. I need a breed that typically lives well with other dogs...and won't drive my poor mother crazy while I'm living here. Eventually I am whisking away to a warm state by myself, but not now. But, to be realistic, it gets cold and miserable here during the winter and sometimes you can't walk across the yard without sinking waist deep in snow. So...a dog that can at least chill and not drive me nuts during those periods where outside exercise isn't wise. But..I do like a dog that is sharp and intelligent..zaney and crazy with some good drive and trainability. There's a bit of a catch-22 there, I know.
I have a love affair with herding breeds. I would really love a breed that I could dabble in actual herding with. I am really on the fence about Border Collies or like a Terv...I'm just not sold on them being the breed for me right now.
Honestly I think the ACD temperament is perfect, BUT, not the dog aggression. There is a problem with SSA in the breed and I'm not sure I'm really comfortable adding a dog that is more inclined to cause problems upon maturity.
I am interested in Kelpies but I'm not importing from overseas and I'm unsure about temperament over here in the US, being almost strictly bred for stock dogs. I've read a bit about human aggression in the breed. I also see it quoted that they are independent...I do best with velcro dogs .
This brings me to Australian Shepherds, and the herding breed I'm leaning closest to. Everything sounds really good, I've always fancied them, until I think of a forum member that had an aussie that bit strangers. And my friend that put one to sleep for HA. And that other friend that had one that wasn't stable. Oh and there was that one in the boarding kennel...the list goes on. I've met nice aussies but the HA thought is still in my head. Otherwise I am very interested. I am in no way afraid of training or socializing, but I would truly like a 'bring anywhere' dog. Thoughts?
And...one of the forerunning breeds in my mind...is a working bred Standard Poodle. They seem to fit the bill pretty well, with the exception of the herding part. The ones I have known, have been active/athletic, but content to crash on the couch. Slightly reserved but friendly, good with other dogs and pets, relatively quiet. I just personally haven't seen them much in anything but the conformation ring. I'm a little concerned about drive and desire to do sports. I don't know.
Told you it would be long . I'm open to other breeds but I am a bit picky. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.
I'm seriously looking at obtaining a puppy, probably next spring. Although my primary concern is fitting into the household, I am interested in a dog for sport purposes. I guess I'm looking for an 'all purpose' breed..if I want to do competition obedience today, or agility tomorrow, or tracking the next day, they will be up for it. I need a breed that typically lives well with other dogs...and won't drive my poor mother crazy while I'm living here. Eventually I am whisking away to a warm state by myself, but not now. But, to be realistic, it gets cold and miserable here during the winter and sometimes you can't walk across the yard without sinking waist deep in snow. So...a dog that can at least chill and not drive me nuts during those periods where outside exercise isn't wise. But..I do like a dog that is sharp and intelligent..zaney and crazy with some good drive and trainability. There's a bit of a catch-22 there, I know.
I have a love affair with herding breeds. I would really love a breed that I could dabble in actual herding with. I am really on the fence about Border Collies or like a Terv...I'm just not sold on them being the breed for me right now.
Honestly I think the ACD temperament is perfect, BUT, not the dog aggression. There is a problem with SSA in the breed and I'm not sure I'm really comfortable adding a dog that is more inclined to cause problems upon maturity.
I am interested in Kelpies but I'm not importing from overseas and I'm unsure about temperament over here in the US, being almost strictly bred for stock dogs. I've read a bit about human aggression in the breed. I also see it quoted that they are independent...I do best with velcro dogs .
This brings me to Australian Shepherds, and the herding breed I'm leaning closest to. Everything sounds really good, I've always fancied them, until I think of a forum member that had an aussie that bit strangers. And my friend that put one to sleep for HA. And that other friend that had one that wasn't stable. Oh and there was that one in the boarding kennel...the list goes on. I've met nice aussies but the HA thought is still in my head. Otherwise I am very interested. I am in no way afraid of training or socializing, but I would truly like a 'bring anywhere' dog. Thoughts?
And...one of the forerunning breeds in my mind...is a working bred Standard Poodle. They seem to fit the bill pretty well, with the exception of the herding part. The ones I have known, have been active/athletic, but content to crash on the couch. Slightly reserved but friendly, good with other dogs and pets, relatively quiet. I just personally haven't seen them much in anything but the conformation ring. I'm a little concerned about drive and desire to do sports. I don't know.
Told you it would be long . I'm open to other breeds but I am a bit picky. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.