Sending you a PM Noludoru. There is a wonderful rescue in your area.
In CO now.
An Affie is an awesome idea, and I haven't ruled out them or Zois. It's just a lot of money to pay for a dog that I'm not 100% sold on. I'm fine with the grooming requirements - every two weeks is already what I prefer. I realize that baths and grooming will take more time with an Affie than they do with Middie, but I have all the tools.
I think the Afghans have the temperament I truly love.. the cat-titude. . . the "**** you, the world revolves around me" kind of attitude. I love that. It's why I love Rumor so much. :rofl1:
Although, I agree with Dizzy. If they're health tested and proven dogs from a responsible breeder, I don't think it's awful to buy a 'doodle" mix...especially a labradoodle. They were bred to fill a niche. If you didn't want to go through a breed, you could always look into getting a washout guide dog - I'm not sure if the guide dog associations ever place pups in pet homes without giving them a shot at training (or if you're looking for a puppy).
The aussies I've known have shed pretty heavily (and not all of them were 50 lbs +). The dobes I've known have not been heavy/bothersome shedders at all, if they're fed a decent diet and bathed 3 times a year.
Also: the doodles that shed badly are the ones with the fluffiest coats. The wirey or curlier coated ones don't typically shed much, but the ones with the soft, wavy coats usually do.
Maybe. I don't want a puppy, though - puppies are a PITA and I don't know how big they are, what coat type they'll have, or how they will mature. I can deal with a young adult if I have to, but an adult from rescue is ideal. I'd take a puppy if it were the right situation and the right breeder, but it is NOT what I am looking for.
That's part of my hesitation about a rarer breed. . . very hard to find that way. And hard to find an adult breeder rehome.
Aussies definitely shed, but I can deal with the shedding. Long hair is easy for me to manage and clean up. Barking I can't deal with. Middie has almost completely stopped barking now that we're not living with Marley, and if I have to go back to barkbarkbark at any point in the future I will kill the dog or myself.
If Doodles appeal to you the most, get a Doodle.
PWDs really do sound like a potential match but they can definitely be loud. A large male can be right about at your minimum. The biggest male I know weighs I think 75lbs.
All the ones I met were 45lbs. Middie-sized. I didn't know they came that big. LOVED them but they seemed kind of doofy and sweet.
I am following this thread with interest. Your wish list is my wish list (except I want a dog a fraction of the size: 20-30 pounds is perfect to me.) I really lucked out with Lucy, she has the absolute perfect coat. Long, soft, fluffy, and while she sheds it's always in "clumps". I find dust bunnies of hair in the corners, behind the sofa, or after she rolls around on the carpet, but she can lay in my lap and I can pet her for hours and not have a single hair in my hand.
When I find one I will shrink it and send you the clone. :rofl1:
Lucy's coat is amazing, though. I completely agree. I would take a Lucy coat.
What about something like a Bouvier? I admittedly know very little about them, but the two that used to be in my agility class had temperaments similar to what you're describing.
Me, too. Around here at least maybe 25% or so do have a wiry, terrier-like coat, though.
True. I have seen HORRIFYING doodle coats. Yet another reason I lean towards an adult.
Why? I'm mean.... If it was bred by someone who health tested their dogs, researched their breedings, bred few and far between etc etc etc, ticked all the boxes.., then why not.
I also agree with you on the wire coat feeling.... I don't like the feel of them, they always feel dirty, no matter what. I like the look a lot, but actually don't like the feel, and think they look smelly!
THANK YOU. I am so glad I'm not the only one who feels that way! The texture freaks me out.
And as to the doodles, well, if I could find a good breeder I'd consider it, but I want an adult.
Doodles are very alert-y, would they bite? I don't know but I lean towards probably.
I don't need a dog who will bite, though. Alert barking is fine. I just want a dog with a sharper temperament in general - something that matches mine. Not Belgian or Fila sharp..