Breed Suggestions

[stardogs]

What about a poodle of some sort? Not sure they'd fit the "serious" part of your criteria, but the one's I've met and seen in the ring are tons of fun.

Aussie?

Brittany?

A mixed breed with the appropriate drives and other criteria?

[AdrianneIsabel]

Brittany's are usually crazy with energy...

[Julee]

Tollers?

[milos_mommy]

Puli???

[Flyinsbt]

Originally Posted by AdrianneIsabel

Are Std Schnauzers too common? I really like my coworkers girls and they fit your list, for sure.

Rïse's dogs are making me want an SS. I'm going to steal my godchild. I picked her anyway.

I think her dogs have more drive than a lot of the SS I've met, though.

[Raegan]

Tollertollertoller! Go Team Red Dog!




Nah but I don't think they'd really be your thing. You might look into the Laikas though. Spitzy but more recent hunting so more biddable and still generalists.

[Romy]

Never met one before, but maybe a shikoku? It fits the rare criteria anyway. lol.

Shikoku dogs are tough and sufficiently agile to run through a mountainous region. They are the ideal companion for active outdoor people. They are very energetic and active outside but they are calm and quiet indoors. The Shikoku is a very intelligent dog and a quick learner. They are not as stubborn and independent as the other native Japanese breeds, but still it is not a dog for every person.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shikoku_%28dog%29

There's actually a few videos of the breed doing agility on youtube. You could probably e-mail the people who uploaded them and ask more specific questions about their drive and stuff.

[Lizmo]

Originally Posted by stardogs

What about a poodle of some sort? Not sure they'd fit the "serious" part of your criteria, but the one's I've met and seen in the ring are tons of fun.

^that was my next suggestion.

[Aleron]

Originally Posted by Finkie_Mom

Pyr Sheps seem AMAZING, but maybe a bit much for me. Unless I was able to be hooked up with a specific Pyr Shep that is a bit more laid back (HINT HINT ). Though I finally got to see my first ones run agility this weekend, and they were SO GOOD. Put a smile on my face for sure.

If you like the breed that is sometimes possible. A PyrShep breeder recently posted to one of the email lists saying she has a male puppy who is much more laid back then the average PyrShep and a bonus, he's pretty unflappable when she's taken him new places. Says she's never had a puppy like him in a litter, who was so...I think she said thoughtful. I have seen other breeders occasionally have "easier" puppies available too.

I also have to say, a couple of my Groenendael would fit what you are looking for too. But that would again, that would be a matter of finding the right breeding and the right puppy. There can be quite a range of temperaments in them.

[speedydogs]

I like the Icelandic Sheepdog suggestion - they are very cool dogs and sound like they'd be right up your alley.