We're doing this on another forum and I thought maybe you guys could put in your take too. I am actually wavering a bit on breed choice for the future larger dog, so here goes...
I'm looking for a medium to large dog in the range of 30-70 lbs preferably. I will obviously go smaller but I want something different than the paps and honestly I can't see myself with another breed that is small. If I want a small dog, I'd likely just get another pap. I could go a little larger, but I am not a fan of giant breeds, though.
Energy level needs to be high, but I like focus and an off switch that can be instilled. I'm looking at staying with the typical 2-3 hours a day of exercise. We do the park two hours where they run offleash and we also do a lot of fetch games and training.
I'm looking for a sports dog. Agility is my main focus, but I'd like to try both flyball and lure coursing in the future. (Probably not with the same dog, so an either/or would work there)
I like some biddability but I also like a somewhat independent streak. I'm realizing this working with Mia and thinking of my past dog Nikki. Both are somewhat independent and like to throw a wrench into your plans. Summer is so biddable, it's like cheating with her, lol. I like that edge that Nikki and Mia have that Summer seems to lack. I like dogs that are good problem solvers over anything else. (You know, the ones that figure out how to open your draws and take things out ... coughmiacough)
Needs to be able to live with the papillons however they will obviously be separated when not strictly supervised. I can deal with not allowing them outside together though too. (In the case of sighthounds I know many live fine inside but can have prey drive kick in outside).
No tendency to be DA, but doesn't have to be a dog park dog either. I'd just like to avoid any huge issues between my own crew.
No coats that need professional grooming.
Either friendly or aloof with strangers works for me. I've had both and like both but I do tend to like the aloofness a bit more, honestly. Summer is super friendly and Mia is very aloof with strangers. She's a one person dog.
Both Mia and Nikki have been my favorite temperaments in my dogs (though Summer is my heart girl). They both have what can only be described as a bit of an attitude and it is oh so fun to deal with. (Did I just say that out loud?) I really love Mia, she fits to a T though I could use a little more confidence in a dog as Mia is a bit skittish sometimes. Mia is busy, high drive, super smart, sweet to me and her people, aloof with random people, slightly DR but okay to be around other dogs, she's athletic, biddable when you can motivate her but still has enough of that 'i'm gonna flip you off right now' tude to keep things interesting.
I'm looking for a medium to large dog in the range of 30-70 lbs preferably. I will obviously go smaller but I want something different than the paps and honestly I can't see myself with another breed that is small. If I want a small dog, I'd likely just get another pap. I could go a little larger, but I am not a fan of giant breeds, though.
Energy level needs to be high, but I like focus and an off switch that can be instilled. I'm looking at staying with the typical 2-3 hours a day of exercise. We do the park two hours where they run offleash and we also do a lot of fetch games and training.
I'm looking for a sports dog. Agility is my main focus, but I'd like to try both flyball and lure coursing in the future. (Probably not with the same dog, so an either/or would work there)
I like some biddability but I also like a somewhat independent streak. I'm realizing this working with Mia and thinking of my past dog Nikki. Both are somewhat independent and like to throw a wrench into your plans. Summer is so biddable, it's like cheating with her, lol. I like that edge that Nikki and Mia have that Summer seems to lack. I like dogs that are good problem solvers over anything else. (You know, the ones that figure out how to open your draws and take things out ... coughmiacough)
Needs to be able to live with the papillons however they will obviously be separated when not strictly supervised. I can deal with not allowing them outside together though too. (In the case of sighthounds I know many live fine inside but can have prey drive kick in outside).
No tendency to be DA, but doesn't have to be a dog park dog either. I'd just like to avoid any huge issues between my own crew.
No coats that need professional grooming.
Either friendly or aloof with strangers works for me. I've had both and like both but I do tend to like the aloofness a bit more, honestly. Summer is super friendly and Mia is very aloof with strangers. She's a one person dog.
Both Mia and Nikki have been my favorite temperaments in my dogs (though Summer is my heart girl). They both have what can only be described as a bit of an attitude and it is oh so fun to deal with. (Did I just say that out loud?) I really love Mia, she fits to a T though I could use a little more confidence in a dog as Mia is a bit skittish sometimes. Mia is busy, high drive, super smart, sweet to me and her people, aloof with random people, slightly DR but okay to be around other dogs, she's athletic, biddable when you can motivate her but still has enough of that 'i'm gonna flip you off right now' tude to keep things interesting.