Hi everyone!
I'm looking to get a puppy within the next year or two and am having trouble deciding on a breed of dog. I was raised with German Shepherds, had a BC for a few years, and raised a lab puppy who is now a service dog.
I'm a grad student and a distance runner, I usually run between 5 - 15 miles at a time, a few times a week. My partner and I have a house with a yard in a big city and are looking to have kids within the next 5 years. We also have a very dog savvy cat named Pistachio.
I want a medium sized breed dog that will go on runs with me, do agility/obedience, and go on hikes and backpacking trips with us. That said, I don't want BC intensity or a dog that is difficult to live with. We do work during the day and want a dog that when properly exercised before and after, would be content to chill. The dog should be good with kids (supervised of course) and with other pets. I would prefer a dog that is not aloof or reserved with strangers, although of course I understand this varies even within breeds.
I am currently considering the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (too unstable/reserved?), Australian Koolie (too active?), English Shepherd (vary too much within the breed?), Welsh Springer Spaniel (can't find any that do sports and not just show?), and Stabyhoun (not lots of info out there). I am open to other breeds too, and would really love some help narrowing down the breeds based on my needs. Thanks!
I'm looking to get a puppy within the next year or two and am having trouble deciding on a breed of dog. I was raised with German Shepherds, had a BC for a few years, and raised a lab puppy who is now a service dog.
I'm a grad student and a distance runner, I usually run between 5 - 15 miles at a time, a few times a week. My partner and I have a house with a yard in a big city and are looking to have kids within the next 5 years. We also have a very dog savvy cat named Pistachio.
I want a medium sized breed dog that will go on runs with me, do agility/obedience, and go on hikes and backpacking trips with us. That said, I don't want BC intensity or a dog that is difficult to live with. We do work during the day and want a dog that when properly exercised before and after, would be content to chill. The dog should be good with kids (supervised of course) and with other pets. I would prefer a dog that is not aloof or reserved with strangers, although of course I understand this varies even within breeds.
I am currently considering the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (too unstable/reserved?), Australian Koolie (too active?), English Shepherd (vary too much within the breed?), Welsh Springer Spaniel (can't find any that do sports and not just show?), and Stabyhoun (not lots of info out there). I am open to other breeds too, and would really love some help narrowing down the breeds based on my needs. Thanks!