More Aussies. So many more. But sometimes I think Journey is perfect enough just to have her forever and kind of don't want another dog while I have her lol. It's ridiculous, but I don't want another dog to take any time away from her. I'm too obsessed with my Journey Dog haha. But, it's inevitable that I'll add another eventually. Reasons why I want more Aussies? Because Journey has been an amazing introduction to the breed and I'd be happy to live my life with a bunch of dogs similar to her for the rest of my life. They're everything I've ever wanted. Fun, spunky, goofy, cuddly, velcro without being obsessively needy, incredible learners, ideal size, easy care coat, most I meet are friendly with people, etc.
I really, really want a Belgian Groenendael one day. From one particular breeder. Or a Terv, because more colour, but I really love Groenendaels. Why? To be honest, I don't really know haha. For one, I think they're super pretty. And I've just really enjoyed the ones I've been around. Another active, intelligent, eager breed. A little more dog than what I've experienced so far I think (maybe not though), which is why I've yet to have had one, but I know I will someday.
Tollers I'm undecided on. As of right now, I can't say I truly want another as much as I used to. But I'd really like a dog someday from one or two particular breeders, and I feel like once Dance is gone I am going to miss having a Toller around. So there is a good chance I'll have another, but it'll have to be a very particular type of dog. And Dance I am sure will likely be around at least another 7-8 years based on her family history, so I've got a while before there will be anymore Tollers.
And I still really want a Koolie someday. Just not sure when because I want a very particular type of dog. Pretty much I just want a Traveler or a Ned haha. And why a Koolie? Basically because of all of the traits I like about Aussies. Or at least Journey anyway. Fun, goofy, eager, quick to learn, active, etc. With the added bonus of an even more easy care coat and a little less physical with their bodies (they seem more careful with their bodies, as opposed to my body slamming, cliff jumping Aussie) and seemingly less prone to dog reactivity (I've not experienced this with Journ, but I know other Aussies who are, and Koolies so far I've not heard this really be mentioned).
My very next dog will most likely be another Aussie, but not for at least 3 years I think. No more dogs will be added until a) I've lost one or two of my current dogs, because I don't have time to devote to five nor do I want to, b) I've reached some goals with Journey (don't have the time or money to trial and attend classes with multiple dogs really), c) I have my own house.
I think my future will consist of a couple of Aussies and another breed thrown in here and there for good measure if there is time, money and space for an additional dog.
If you already have purebred dogs, do you want to continue keeping what you have now, branch out to new breeds, or both?
As you can tell, the only breed of which I currently own that I am dead set on continuing to own in the future are Aussies (knowing that although they should be similar to Journ, it's likely no dog ever will live up to her, and that's ok). I am undecided on Tollers, as much as I love Dance. And Dobermans will always be very special to me, but I know we clash, so I'd rather enjoy Dobes that live with other people. I'm not really keen on experimenting and like sticking with tried and true since dogs are a huge commitment and are around for a long time, but I feel like the three breeds I really want to own in the future are all similar enough that it's not really experimenting. A Belgian would be the most experimental.