Hypothetical next breed!

[PWCorgi]

Megan, either, really. Depending on living situation. But you are ABSOLUTELY more than welcome to find me a breeder. Cause I am lazy and you are insane with that stuff.

Adrianne, I realize they are high high high energy, and I think if I can instill an off-switch young (I should be a freaking pro at Protocol for Relaxation by the time I'm done with Frodo ) or rescue one that settles well in the house, that I would have a blast with lots of energy.

And I've never heard one scream, lol. The ones I have met are silent even when their tails go a million miles an hour cause they want to meet you SOOO bad. We see probably 5-6 brittanys in my store a week, and I have yet to meet one that I really didn't like.

[Saeleofu]

I think a Smooth or Rough Collie would work very well with all of your needs!

Except for the whole quiet dog part Sure, you can teach them to be quiet, and that's probably easier when you get a puppy, but they don't come that way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0D62UDlUgk

That being said, Logan IS perfectly quiet when we go to a hotel, and I would be comfortable living in an apartment with him.

They also may or may not be ball/water dogs. Logan really doesn't give two shits about balls. Fox tail? OH YES. Ball? Meh. He'll play in the hose/sprinkler and wade in the river, but that's as far as his water-loving tendencies go.

[Doberluv]

I like many of the same qualities you like in a dog. I want a healthier breed too. Check out these: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=0xPOgX1Tn2s

The only hassle would be the grooming. But I think they look like lovely dogs...a very old breed and foundation of all water dogs or at least, most all water dogs, including, but not limited to Goldens and Poodles.

[Aleron]

Originally Posted by Doberluv

I like many of the same qualities you like in a dog. I want a healthier breed too. Check out these: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=0xPOgX1Tn2s

The only hassle would be the grooming. But I think they look like lovely dogs...a very old breed and foundation of all water dogs or at least, most all water dogs, including, but not limited to Goldens and Poodles.

These dogs like PWDs can tend towards some...umm...temperament weirdness especially concerning strangers, strange environments, noise/storms. I'm not saying they can't be great dogs or that all will have issues, just that they are one of those "really, really needs proper early socialization" type breeds from what I understand.

[PWCorgi]

Yeah I met a LR once and it was VERYanxious and didn't let anyone get near him, it was really sad

I was set on a PWD for a long time a few years ago until I started reading more and more about all of their temperament issues.

[ihartgonzo]

Originally Posted by Saeleofu

Except for the whole quiet dog part Sure, you can teach them to be quiet, and that's probably easier when you get a puppy, but they don't come that way.

I haven't met an obnoxiously vocal Collie! Maybe I'm just lucky... but the ones I know will get vocal while playing, but otherwise they're quiet. Definitely nothing compared to 99% of the Corgis I know.

I second that Brittanys DEFINITELY are screamers! I've never heard anything so annoying. My boss's dog isn't even from a working breeder, just a crappy pet breeder, but that dog is a crazed terror. Chasing other dogs, screaming, snapping, she has ruined the breed for me.

[Aleron]

Originally Posted by PWCorgi

Yeah I met a LR once and it was VERYanxious and didn't let anyone get near him, it was really sad

I was set on a PWD for a long time a few years ago until I started reading more and more about all of their temperament issues.

I have spent a lot of time for many years around PWDs. They are fun dogs, very amusing and really attached to their people and needy. They are not quiet dogs at all, I think loud is in their breed standard LOL Over the years they seem to have become increasingly prone to temperament issues involving phobias and fearfulness. It is still possible to find good ones even good ones, the breed still needs a lot of socialization. And they are prone to being rather destructive as youngsters if they feel you aren't entertaining them enough. There are a lot of health concerns in the breed too and a lot of breeders with some rather...weird ideas LOL I enjoy them as extended doggy family though

Originally Posted by ihartgonzo

I second that Brittanys DEFINITELY are screamers! I've never heard anything so annoying. My boss's dog isn't even from a working breeder, just a crappy pet breeder, but that dog is a crazed terror. Chasing other dogs, screaming, snapping, she has ruined the breed for me.

Doesn't sound like she is a good or typical dog of the breed to me. Probably best not to write a whole breed off because of one bad example.

[Laurelin]

I am just curious but how do Chessies and Curlies stack up to the other retrievers health wise? I know Flatcoats and Goldens have some pretty terrible cancer rates.

[BostonBanker]

I haven't met an obnoxiously vocal Collie! Maybe I'm just lucky... but the ones I know will get vocal while playing, but otherwise they're quiet. Definitely nothing compared to 99% of the Corgis I know.

Ugh, I used to house sit for two, and they were terrible. Their only saving grace was that their barks weren't very loud. But they were non-stop.

Funny story - they lived in the town where I did Animal Control. I once got a complaint about their barking - while I was house-sitting. Whoops.

[Doberluv]

Originally Posted by Aleron

These dogs like PWDs can tend towards some...umm...temperament weirdness especially concerning strangers, strange environments, noise/storms. I'm not saying they can't be great dogs or that all will have issues, just that they are one of those "really, really needs proper early socialization" type breeds from what I understand.

It's too bad. Like most breeds, there are breeders who are less than stellar. I think you have to go to Italy to get one from an old timer breeder. I don't know...that would be awful. It's like all dogs, you really have to be careful where you get them. It's amazing to me too, how so many Golden retrievers and Labs are showing up with poor temperaments and so forth. They use to be such lovely dogs. Well, they still are IF from well bred stock. My own Lab and Lab mix I had years ago were wonderful examples of Labradors.

Okay, well...back to the drawing board. What about a well bred Chihuahua? They're wonderful companions. My two aren't well bred...they're both from a back yard breeder. But I lucked out. They both have wonderful temperaments. And boy, can they hike! Well, Chulita can't anymore. Her old age has brought about some problems. But they use to keep right up with my Lab and Doberman on looooong hikes.

But maybe you don't want such a small dog.