[SarahMorrison]

Hi. I would like some opinions on breeds that would be appropriate for me. I do have experience with dogs. I had a GSD who passed away earlier this year at the age of 12. My GSD was a wonderful dog, but I am looking for something a bit smaller now. I would still like an active, intelligent breed, however. I only work part time, so I will have plenty of time to spend training and exercising the dog. I jog a few miles every day, so I would love to have a dog that could accompany me. Our property is a little over 1 acre and we have a very large fenced back yard, so we have plenty of room too. The reason I would prefer a small to medium sized dog is that we travel a few weeks of the year and I would like a dog that could travel with us.

So here is a break-down of what I want:

- Small to medium sized.
- Active, intelligent breed.
- Jogging companion.
- Shedding/grooming not an issue.

Can someone please point me in the right direction? Thanks in advance!

[Elana55]

German Pinscher comes to mind.

Or see who adopts YOU at the shelter.

[Locke]

Australian Shepherd and Miniature poodles are two that come to mind. Also check petfinder or your local shelters.

[SarahMorrison]

German Pinscher? I've never heard of that. I know of Doberman Pinschers and Miniature Pinschers. I like the Dobermans, but they are much too large for my needs. How big are the German Pinschers?

I would be willing to adopt from a shelter or rescue, but I'd like to have some ideas of what to look for beforehand.

[Keechak]

If you go the puppy route you'll have to wait about a year and a half before you do any serious jogging with the dog (no jogging at all untill 1 year old). As puppies need time to grow properly without any strenuous excersize. Your description matches a lot of dogs in the shelters in my area. There was just a small Border collie mix (about 35 pounds) that I saw at my shelter who was such a lover and full of energy, potty trained and basic obedience already done (the owners got rid of her because she had "too much energy")

I would say another herding breed would be good, Shetland Sheepdog (sheltie) Australian Shepherd, Border collies, Welsh Corgis. There is a wonderful Australian Shepherd rescue I can put you in touch with if your interested.

[pittsabowawa]

I also was going to suggest a sheltie.. they have a long thick coat so you'd have to be willing to brush them everyday.. but they are very active.. love to run. They're very smart but tend to be barkers so you'll need to train them not to.

If you don't have a specific breed in mind though I would definitely go to a shelter. There's bound to be tons of mixes that fit your specifications

good luck with your search.

[skelaki]

If you would like another herding breed, I'd go with the Sheltie (from your description of the size wanted).

Here's information on the German Pinscher: http://www.german-pinscher.com/

[SarahMorrison]

Originally Posted by Keechak

If you go the puppy route you'll have to wait about a year and a half before you do any serious jogging with the dog (no jogging at all untill 1 year old). As puppies need time to grow properly without any strenuous excersize. Your description matches a lot of dogs in the shelters in my area. There was just a small Border collie mix (about 35 pounds) that I saw at my shelter who was such a lover and full of energy, potty trained and basic obedience already done (the owners got rid of her because she had "too much energy")
I would say another herding breed would be good, Shetland Sheepdog (sheltie) Australian Shepherd, Border collies, Welsh Corgis. There is a wonderful Australian Shepherd rescue I can put you in touch with if your interested.

Thank you for the advice. I think I would prefer a young adult dog to a new puppy. I like the herding breeds. I actually read up on the Border Collie after seeing one on the petfinder site and the site I looked at said that they need a job to do. Are the Australian Shepherds similar to the Border Collies in this regard? Would a few hours of exercise and fetch along with training every day be sufficient? If not, what other sort of activities would provide the dogs enough stimulation? I only work 20 hours a week, so I have a lot of free time to devote to the dog. I would be interested in looking into the rescue you mentioned. Is it located in your state?

Your dogs are beautiful, btw.

Originally Posted by pittsabowawa

I also was going to suggest a sheltie.. they have a long thick coat so you'd have to be willing to brush them everyday.. but they are very active.. love to run. They're very smart but tend to be barkers so you'll need to train them not to.

If you don't have a specific breed in mind though I would definitely go to a shelter. There's bound to be tons of mixes that fit your specifications

good luck with your search.

Thank you. I don't mind grooming at all. I like the shelties a lot too.

Originally Posted by skelaki

If you would like another herding breed, I'd go with the Sheltie (from your description of the size wanted).

Here's information on the German Pinscher: http://www.german-pinscher.com/

Thanks!

[trumpetjock]

If you're looking for a young adult jogging partner, your best bet is definitely to just go to the shelter and meet a bunch of dogs that fit the criteria you have put forward. There should be plenty that meet the standards you are after!

[sheltiemom]

I a sheltie or a brittany would be good, or a mixed breed shelter dog since you're looking into an adult.

[Dog_Shrink]

A few breeds that come to mind for me when I hear smaller active and intelligent are

Jack russell, sheltie, keeshond, havanese, manchester terrier, irish terrier, mini poodle, schnauser, pit bull/staffordshire bull terrier (if you can live with the stigma and be an ambassador for the breed), italian greyhound, australian terrier, rat terrier, schipperkee, finnish spitz, basenji (but they can be stubborn to train), lundehund, cocker spaniel,.

Well there's a good start. there is a wonderful site called http://dogbreedinfo.com where you can research a bunch of these different breeds.

Good Luck

[Laurelin]

How small is small? My first thoughts were Shelties and possibly papillons. Paps sound a bit smaller than you'd probably be thinking of, but they're great dogs. They're very surprisingly athletic for their size and are way beyond intelligent. I've found them to be the most intelligent dogs I've owned. Shelties are a bit bigger and are great dogs. They're a bit of a step down from border collies and aussies energy wise (usually). There are a few things to keep in mind with shelties, they shed a lot, they bark a LOT, and they need a lot of socialization because there is a definite tendency to dislike strangers.

I've had both and they're both wonderful breeds.

[Xeph]

I suggest too a smaller shelter mutt.

I also thought that one of the Corgwyn (Pembroke or Cardigan) could suit you, or a Swedish Vallhund.

[trumpetjock]

Originally Posted by Xeph

I also thought that one of the Corgwyn (Pembroke or Cardigan) could suit you

Did you miss the part about jogging partner?

Those little legs would really have to move...

[foxthegoldfish]

I think you should go to the shelter, even if it is just to look while you think about other breeds etc. Talk to the people at the shelter, they may know a dog who would be a perfect match for you.

Even if your not sure about going the shelter route I think going and looking couldn't hurt

[Xeph]

And they can and do They're herding dogs and those little legs most certainly DO move!

They might have to pick up out of a trot every now and then, but they're no slouches (Says MACH 7 Cleo xD)

[SarahMorrison]

Originally Posted by Laurelin

How small is small? My first thoughts were Shelties and possibly papillons. Paps sound a bit smaller than you'd probably be thinking of, but they're great dogs. They're very surprisingly athletic for their size and are way beyond intelligent. I've found them to be the most intelligent dogs I've owned. Shelties are a bit bigger and are great dogs. They're a bit of a step down from border collies and aussies energy wise (usually). There are a few things to keep in mind with shelties, they shed a lot, they bark a LOT, and they need a lot of socialization because there is a definite tendency to dislike strangers.

I've had both and they're both wonderful breeds.

Your Papillons are adorable. I love the ears. What are their temperaments like?

Originally Posted by Xeph

I suggest too a smaller shelter mutt.

I also thought that one of the Corgwyn (Pembroke or Cardigan) could suit you, or a Swedish Vallhund.

Is Corgwyn the plural form of Corgi? You learn something new everyday. Thanks!


Thanks also to Dog_Shrink and everyone else for the suggestions. I am going to do further research on some of these breeds. I am definitely still interested in adopting from a shelter. I have been looking at dogs on petfinder on and off today. There are so many dogs and puppies that need homes.

[TxRider]

Originally Posted by SarahMorrison

Thank you for the advice. I think I would prefer a young adult dog to a new puppy. I like the herding breeds. I actually read up on the Border Collie after seeing one on the petfinder site and the site I looked at said that they need a job to do. Are the Australian Shepherds similar to the Border Collies in this regard? Would a few hours of exercise and fetch along with training every day be sufficient?

A few hours of exercise a day like fetch would be more than enough.

Likely a couple of 30 minute fetch sessions and some daily training would be.

Fetching every day is a job, jogging every day is a job, as well as other routines you can train them to do. I take that saying of "needs a job to do" as the dog needing a daily routine they like to perform, and can frustrated if they don't get to perform it, and will invent their own if you do not give teach them one to do at all..

Can be anything though really from a game to jogging.

Like my GSD, her job is her walk, and she expects it, every day, right on time.

My last was a BC mix, her job was fetch. And if no peace was to be had unless she did her job for about an hour every day.

[digits mama]

Cairn Terriers are awesome little dogs. They love to run and play. Very very low shedding and very easily grooming. Mine run 4 miles a a day with me and still would go more If id let them. Even after that they would play fetch until they passed out. Inside they are couch potatoes and easily self entertains. Good luck on your search.

[Laurelin]

Originally Posted by SarahMorrison

Your Papillons are adorable. I love the ears. What are their temperaments like?

They're really great dogs. They tend to be quite active and inquisitive, very intelligent, and most are very biddable. (My Mia is not as of yet) They typically are very outgoing and doting and love most people they meet. In the breed standard they use the term 'lively' to describe them, which I think is a good descriptor. As I said they're highly intelligent and trainable and because of such seem to be the most common toy breed for service dog work and dog sports. I did agility with my oldest for a while and she really enjoyed it. We have five and they're all different, but all 5 are wonderful. I find them compared to my past dogs to be very easy. They are not a dog though that will entertain themselves, but that doesn't sound like a problem here.

They typically only reach about 6-10 lbs, but if you're interested in rescue, there are very frequently oversize (15-20 even) lb dogs too if you're looking for something more substantial. I know Nargle on here has a 19 lb rescue papillon. Mine are all small, but my smallest is actually my most active- go figure.

Here's a pic just for those curious showing two in standard dogs so you can see there's quite a variation! (The one on the left is Mia's brother btw)