So...breeds?

[houlahoops]

Well. If I stay on track with my life in general I will be graduated in about a year and a half. Which means (naturally) that in about two years I will have my very own puppy. Because everything always goes according to plan.

Anyway, I thought maybe some of you would help to point me in the right direction. I have no idea what I want. A 'houla isn't out of the question, but to be completely honest it's hard to find a stable dog up north that isn't outright DA/HA or a pillow pet (neither of which I want).

So some basic criteria:
* I want a dog that wants to be with me all the time. There is no such thing as too clingy.
* Between 15 and 100 pounds
* I want a dog that wants to do fun things. Brachy breeds are no bueno. I am a super active person and I spend a lot of time backpacking and hiking and generally being outside
* I don't care if he can do things. My dog doesn't need to reenact a Shakespearean play. I'd like to be able to train him to come. And sit.
* I am not a huge fan of barkbarkbark dogs. My dad has a Coton who is a little too much for me.
* No drool
* I don't like retrievers

Breeds that are currently on the radar: German Shepherd (although I don't know if I could get one after losing my Mammoth), Rough Collie, Brittany, Border Collie, Catahoula Leopard Dog/Catahoula Cur

Anybody?

[AdrianneIsabel]

That's a very open criteria, any specifics on grooming, guarding, and sociability?

[houlahoops]

Oh gosh haha I didn't even think to list those things.

* Grooming. Eh. As long as I don't have to get him professionally groomed, I'm not terribly concerned about it. Shedding is fine.
* Guarding. I do like my dogs a little more aloof with strangers, but outright guarding isn't really necessary. I am willing to deal with some guardiness but nothing tremendously serious (so no Filas, Bouvs, etc)
* Sociability. I'd like him to be good with other dogs if socialized properly. Naturally it can't be guaranteed, but I'd love to hedge my bets and try to avoid DA or DR if I can. There will be kids around, as well, and he shouldn't want to eat them

[Pops2]

Apparently someone forgot to tell you most catahoulas are very stranger unfriendly. Seriously I've been around them & BMCs off & on for over thirty years and most had the guarding mindset that Filas are reputed to have. Very protective on their own property (like legal liability level) but much better off, very protective of the kids & the wife but not so much the man of the house.

[CatStina]

I was going to suggest the Stafford, until I got here. They LOVE everyone, so wouldn't be a good choice...

Originally Posted by houlahoops

* Guarding. I do like my dogs a little more aloof with strangers, but outright guarding isn't really necessary. I am willing to deal with some guardiness but nothing tremendously serious (so no Filas, Bouvs, etc)

[houlahoops]

Pops: The 'Houla is only in there because I had one and he was well worth the Hell he put me through with his various cur-dog ways

CatSina: I like the Staffies I've met, but the DA/DR worries me a little as well!

[crazedACD]

Setter? We really need an English Setter on here I can drool over... . They are usually good natured, not overly reactive, loves their owners.

[CatStina]

Originally Posted by houlahoops

CatSina: I like the Staffies I've met, but the DA/DR worries me a little as well!

In my experience, they're less DA/DS than some of the other Bull Breeds. I guess, in part, it depends what lines you get the dog from. If you get one from the right lines they should be manageable with proper socialization. Saxon comes to work with me at the pet supply store and meets tons of dogs each day. No matter where the dog comes from, though, they are all stranger friendly!

[Saeleofu]

Collies can be barky. Some, very barky. Fair warning. The smooths seem to be a bit more independent than the roughs, so as long as you're okay with the fluff (and the barking), that's a decent choice.

A boxer with a less extreme face (BYB lines/rescue) could b a good fit. Gavroche isn't that brachy, and he has no problem with heat. Logan actually used to have more issues with the heat, since he wasn't acclimated to it (60s in WA, then suddenly 100s in Kansas). Gavroche was SILENT until Logan came into the picture. Now he's quite vocal, but he still doesn't really bark. He just makes the most adorable wookie noises

[Flyinsbt]

That really is a broad criteria that fits most breeds, but when you narrowed it down slightly, it eliminated a few. Such as mine. As Christina said, the Staffords (and other bull-and-terriers) tend to be really stranger friendly, so probably not the best choice. They aren't all super stranger friendly, my girls tend to be a little uninterested in most people, but the tendency is to be really friendly. Also, there is a definite tendency towards dog aggression, and while again, they aren't all that way (I wouldn't regard any of mine as dog aggressive. Tess is the most DA I have, and since she's 7 years old and never had her teeth in another dog, I tend to consider her mild reactivity to be more something to make fun of than anything), there's no guarantee that any individual dog you get will play well with others.

Personally, my suggestion is that since you are so open to pretty much anything, you not worry about breed, and get a rescue from a shelter. Just go in, and see what speaks to you.