Just out of curiousity/for fun, pick a breed for me!

[PerformanceDog]

My ideal dog would be:

-around 25-35 pounds
-around 18-22.. (maybe 24) inches tall preferably
-light build/frame- and good structure for working high impact sports (would like to do agility and disc, possibly dock dividing, IPO, therapy dog, obedience)
-wash and wear coat- single coated would be the most ideal
-isn't a super-slobberer
-somewhere more in the middle of the dependent vs independent continuum
-preferably good off-leash capabilities
-drivey/ food/toy motivated
-pretty fast
-doesn't tire quickly
-wants to work and play hard, I dont care if its because they really want the food/toy or if it was because they also wanted to please me. Ideally they would want to please me, but again, not necessary.
-..but has an off-switch
-no reactive tendencies
-generally good with dogs/people/etc, but doesnt need to seek them out and be super friendly to them/can ignore.
-not very soft. would rather be in the middle of the continuum, to the upper end toward 'hard'
-not sound sensitive/or other weird sensitivities
-I don't know how to describe it.. but I don't like stupid happy dogs where they seem kind of doofy? again, not sure if you guys will know what I mean by this description, if you don't- just ignore it.

umm.. I think that is it. Yeah.. All I can think of at the moment.

...And Go!

 

[Julee]

Toller, though they may be a bit "jolly" for you.

 

[milos_mommy]

I'm not sure on their reactivity, but some kind of feist?

Portuguese podengo?
Chinese created if you're willing to go hairless but they might be on the small side...

 

[PerformanceDog]

Toller, though they may be a bit "jolly" for you.

I have only seen one in person, and that was just watching them at an agility trial, but interesting idea!

I'm not sure on their reactivity, but some kind of feist?

Portuguese podengo?
Chinese created if you're willing to go hairless but they might be on the small side...

I have never heard of the portugese podengo! But both of those breeds would be too small and wouldn't be big enough to do the stuff I am wanting (especially in disc).

 

[milos_mommy]

Podengos come in three sizes, the largest of which is quite large. Even the medium is larger than the range you listed (I think 30-45 is more typical). I don't know how small the smallest usually are, but the ones I've known have probably been around 20? You said 25-35 in the OP, so they definitely fit that. They can get up to the size of a small shepherd.

Feists too can come in a big range, but you can definitely find them around 30 lbs.

And Chinese cresteds are too small, oops, I forgot about your size requirements halfway through posting!

 

[crazedACD]

I honestly can't think of a single breed that would tick all your boxes. I think you may have to decide what's really important to you, and decide to work on training the things that might not be ideal for that breed. If you'd like to do IPO, or want a hard dog, you may have to relent on a breed with reactivity tendencies. Herders sound good until you get to reactivity/sound sensitivities. Spaniels and sighthounds sound a like a fit, but you want a harder dog that can be off lead and less drive.
I might suggest a Koolie, but you may have to import, and they can be loud/sound sensitive I think, herder reactivity possibly? I haven't met any.
A small German Shorthair? Too doofy? Not always great off leash but can be fine.

Podengos come in three sizes, the largest of which is quite large. Even the medium is larger than the range you listed (I think 30-45 is more typical). I don't know how small the smallest usually are, but the ones I've known have probably been around 20? You said 25-35 in the OP, so they definitely fit that. They can get up to the size of a small shepherd.

I saw a bunch at an AKC show recently, it must have been a specialty? But the smalls were teensy. 10# tops.

 

[milos_mommy]

It's very possible the dogs I've seen IRL have been smaller sized medios that I mistook for pequenos. the pictures I've seen online do make them look much smaller, so I'm starting to think I've mixed them up

 

[PerformanceDog]

Podengos come in three sizes, the largest of which is quite large. Even the medium is larger than the range you listed (I think 30-45 is more typical). I don't know how small the smallest usually are, but the ones I've known have probably been around 20? You said 25-35 in the OP, so they definitely fit that. They can get up to the size of a small shepherd.

Feists too can come in a big range, but you can definitely find them around 30 lbs.

And Chinese cresteds are too small, oops, I forgot about your size requirements halfway through posting!

Feists are just mixes correct? There would be a wide variety or no real breed tendencies? I didn't know the podengos came in three sizes, my quick google search showed me the smallest of the three.

I honestly can't think of a single breed that would tick all your boxes. I think you may have to decide what's really important to you, and decide to work on training the things that might not be ideal for that breed. If you'd like to do IPO, or want a hard dog, you may have to relent on a breed with reactivity tendencies. Herders sound good until you get to reactivity/sound sensitivities. Spaniels and sighthounds sound a like a fit, but you want a harder dog that can be off lead and less drive.
I might suggest a Koolie, but you may have to import, and they can be loud/sound sensitive I think, herder reactivity possibly? I haven't met any.
A small German Shorthair? Too doofy? Not always great off leash but can be fine.

I saw a bunch at an AKC show recently, it must have been a specialty? But the smalls were teensy. 10# tops.

IPO is not a priority, agility and disc are the priority as far as sports go. Therapy dog stuff would be nice too, but not necessary.

That's funny that you mention a koolie, I don't know if you are aware, but that is the breed I am pretty set on getting for my next dog. I am really hoping I don't have to import, but am willing to do so if the right pup comes along.

I will copy my list and bold th things I really want.

 

[PerformanceDog]

Things that matter the most in my above list:

My ideal dog would be:

-around 25-35 pounds.. Maybe 40ish.
-around 18-22.. (maybe 24) inches tall preferably
-light build/frame- and good structure for agility and disc, maybe other stuff.
-wash and wear coat
-isn't a super-slobberer
-drivey/ food/toy motivated
-pretty fast
-wants to work and play hard
-..but has an off-switch
-no reactive tendencies
-generally good with dogs/people/etc, but doesnt need to seek them out and be super friendly to them/can ignore.
-not super soft
-Can be focused/serious when working.

 

[Jenne]

Boykin spaniel, the ones I've met anyway seem to tick all your requirements. I almost got one, but I wanted a slightly larger dog that didn't shed as much and was a little softer in temperament.

 

[CharlieDog]

Long Haired Whippet or Silken Windhound?

 

[frostfell]

the right SBT fits everything you want

 

[PerformanceDog]

Long Haired Whippet or Silken Windhound?

I would think of these breeds being very soft in nature, probably too soft for me.

I also really dislike the tuck of the tail typically, just makes them look really sad/scared all the time.

Although, in one of the fenzi courses I am taking there is someone with whippets that are very fun to watch!

the right SBT fits everything you want

SBTs are too bulky that I would worry more about injury and I just prefer a different body type of dog. For build I am looking for something between a whippet and malinois.

 

[teacuptiger]

What about a Boxer? Some are super bulldog-ish, some very mastiffy, but some are pretty light and not very slobbery. The lighter ones seem to tick quite a few of your boxes, aside from weight...

 

[Southpaw]

What about a Boxer? Some are super bulldog-ish, some very mastiffy, but some are pretty light and not very slobbery. The lighter ones seem to tick quite a few of your boxes, aside from weight...

That's funny cuz when I first read it I went "hey! This describes Juno!" She ticks all the boxes other than weight.
But yeah I know boxers aren't what you have in mind.

 

[milos_mommy]

I was also gonna say boxer til I got to the last one

 

[frostfell]

awww but shes so cute!

 

[Southpaw]

I was also gonna say boxer til I got to the last one

Ok I guess Juno is a little doofy LOL. She comes across as the happiest dog on the planet because she is just so darn JOYOUS about everything.

 

[Elrohwen]

GSP maybe? They work hard/play hard, are drivey, lots of energy, extremely athletic, short coat, and fairly serious (especially for a sporting dog)

Males would be above your ideal weight, but I think it's going to be hard to find a 35lb dog in a 24" frame. Do you want tall? Or do you want light weight?

 

[Pintage]

My ideal dog would be:

-around 25-35 pounds.. Maybe 40ish.
-around 18-22.. (maybe 24) inches tall preferably
-light build/frame- and good structure for agility and disc, maybe other stuff.
-wash and wear coat
-isn't a super-slobberer
-drivey/ food/toy motivated
-pretty fast
-wants to work and play hard
-..but has an off-switch
-no reactive tendencies
-generally good with dogs/people/etc, but doesnt need to seek them out and be super friendly to them/can ignore.
-not super soft
-Can be focused/serious when working.

I have an Australian Koolie, and I think that she fits most of the things in your list. My Koolie definitely has reactive tendencies though, especially towards other dogs. She was socialized extensively as a pup (many trips through shopping malls, beaches, parks, play dates with other pups) and really seemed to love interacting with all dogs, up until she hit maturity. She never had a single bad experience till I moved in with my SO and his Lab. His Lab was very boisterous and had a rude playing style and Circus effing HATED him for a few months. He clipped her shoulder while they were running at a tree to chase after a squirrel and now she absolutely lays into him if he's ever running towards her.

Circus can't stand poor social skills from other dogs which is weird, because she herself has poor social skills (I would say that she greets every new dog with a posture that's "confidently challenging"). She'll re-focus on me if I'm totally on top of things. If she's greeting a dog outside of my pack I always call her back to me within 2 seconds, otherwise she tends to fixate on them too much and gets too aroused.

I didn't acknowledge (I was in denial for the longest time) that she had a problem with interacting with dogs outside of our pack till I got asked to stop bringing her to the pet store I frequent. She'd get really snarky whenever a store dog came up to her (and usually the clerks aren't too great about managing their dog's behaviors, either). She has never growled or displayed any calming behaviors (and I've NEVER corrected her for growling as a pup), she just... reacts. She has never caused much damage to another dog, but it's still worrisome when a 25lb Koolie is ready to start a fight with a 95lb GSD just for making sustained eye contact with her. I've been working on click and treating for looking at other dogs in the distance or near her and just focusing back on me and she's making a lot of progress. My goal is to have it so that she learns to walk away from a dog whenever she's feeling stressed/aroused about the situation.

But yeah, around the time when Circus turned 1.5-2ish, I've really been having to micromanage her behavior around other dogs. It's a huge PITA BUT she has tons of other things going for her. She's extremely fast and athletic and a very bright and eager student. She truly enjoys learning and it is just such a delight to work with her. She is extremely animated and fun. She launches herself at my face and vigorously attempts to make out with me every time I come home from work. She LOVES to train and play. She is very talented at disc and it makes the sport much more fun for me, because of how good she is at it. She loves everybody and kisses everyone on their face if they get down on her level and call her over. She's a super snuggler at night, sleeps on my legs and keeps me warm.

I love Circus and I'd get another one like her in an instant. She's taught me so much more about dog behavior and psychology than any other dog that's been a part of my life. So far it's been an amazing learning experience working with her and bonding with her.

Circus is the only Australian Koolie I have experience with, though. So I'm not sure if my experiences with her are typical of the breed.