I won't be looking for many years hopefully, but the Next Dog thread got me thinking about breeds, and I'd love some breed suggestions and thoughts from chazzers....
Size: smallish (pug or frenchy size) all the up to very large
Coat: No poodle or bichon type coats. Anything from smooth to double coated to long coated is OK though
No heavy drooling in combination with a heavy coat-it can be drool or a heavy coat but not both (DH's rules)
I would like a reasonably intelligent and biddable dog. Some independence is fine though. I like a dog that can think for itself when necessary but be happy to work with me as well.
Energy levels are variable, but nothing more energetic than say a young lab or pit bull (I already know I can handle that-lol).
Something that's not going to eat my birds is a must. I don't ever allow my birds and dogs loose and unattended together, but I want a dog that can hang out in the same room as loose birds while we're watching TV or something peacefully.
It must get along with household dogs and at least ignore strange dogs. I can do anything from very dog friendly to just not giving a hoot about strange dogs at all, but I'd prefer not deal with dog aggression or high reactivity.
I would like a dog that would at least bark at the door when someone is there. I don't want a super hardcore guard dog, but some guarding/watchdog instinct would be nice, even if it's just barking at the door.
With strangers the dog can be either gregarious or aloof, but they need to NOT be timid or activity dislike strangers.
My ideal is a take anywhere, do anything sort of dog....not sure how realistic that is-lol.
Any thoughts?
Size: smallish (pug or frenchy size) all the up to very large
Coat: No poodle or bichon type coats. Anything from smooth to double coated to long coated is OK though
No heavy drooling in combination with a heavy coat-it can be drool or a heavy coat but not both (DH's rules)
I would like a reasonably intelligent and biddable dog. Some independence is fine though. I like a dog that can think for itself when necessary but be happy to work with me as well.
Energy levels are variable, but nothing more energetic than say a young lab or pit bull (I already know I can handle that-lol).
Something that's not going to eat my birds is a must. I don't ever allow my birds and dogs loose and unattended together, but I want a dog that can hang out in the same room as loose birds while we're watching TV or something peacefully.
It must get along with household dogs and at least ignore strange dogs. I can do anything from very dog friendly to just not giving a hoot about strange dogs at all, but I'd prefer not deal with dog aggression or high reactivity.
I would like a dog that would at least bark at the door when someone is there. I don't want a super hardcore guard dog, but some guarding/watchdog instinct would be nice, even if it's just barking at the door.
With strangers the dog can be either gregarious or aloof, but they need to NOT be timid or activity dislike strangers.
My ideal is a take anywhere, do anything sort of dog....not sure how realistic that is-lol.
Any thoughts?