I've asked on other forums but I'm always looking for more opinions
I'm a couple years out from another dog and in the mean time, I waffle SO much on breed. I was pretty settled on at least a type, but my boyfriend really doesn't like them and we're getting more serious, so I need a dog we'll both enjoy.
My requirements:
- Handler oriented and biddable. I want a dog that wants to work and wants to work with me. Very independent, stubborn or aloof dogs just aren't my thing.
- Good candidate for agility and maybe some other sports. I'm a newbie to sports so I definitely don't need a potential top-tier competitor, but I want do want a versatile dog. I guess this ties in with the first one.
- Relatively healthy breed. I adore a couple of heartbreak breeds, and will probably own one of each some time in the future, but I'm looking for a breed I can become active in. Showing, competing, maybe someday breeding. I just can't invest myself so deeply in a breed with rampant health problems.
- I like both silly and serious dogs. My favorite dogs have a little bit of both! Riff is a huge goofball with his family 24/7, which is fun but not something I really want in a breed. Rowan tends to be more serious and focused with a silly side when he gets really excited and playful. I like his balance a lot more.
- Medium to medium-high energy. I could even do high energy with a decent off switch. Riff is definitely high energy and it's not my ideal exactly, but it's not a deal breaker either. I LOVE a dog that thrives on mental exercise as well as physical. Rowan is great this way: after a good training session, he's pooped out. Riff can train and train but without good hard physical exercise, he's not satisfied.
- Good off-leash, with the proper training. I might be willing to compromise on this but the breed would have to be pretty perfect otherwise.
- Somewhat reserved/indifferent with strangers would be nice for a change Rowan is best friends with everyone and I would enjoy having a dog that wouldn't happily go off with the first stranger that pet them, haha. Friendly with strangers isn't a deal breaker though.
- I would strongly prefer a dog that will be good with other dogs in their own home. Strange dogs, I don't really care, but I plan on always having multiple dogs and really don't want a crate/rotate set up.
- All else equal I'd like minimal grooming, but it honestly doesn't matter. I grew up with poodles and can do high maintenance for the right dog.
Boyfriend's requirements:
- Prefers dogs 20 lbs+ although not a hard and fast rule. There are a couple of little guys he likes so I know he's open to the idea.
- Doesn't like too much fur. Some show Aussies have "too much fur." Same with some of the more fluffy Tervuren/Groenendaels (ones with less to moderate coat are okay.) Pyrs and Newfies have too much. Lhasas, Bearded Collies, all long haired dogs like that are out. Might be willing to compromise but again, it'd have to be an amazing fit otherwise.
- Not prone to separation anxiety.
- No spaniels or setters! Not big on the sporting group in general, but he might be willing to consider others. Just not spaniels or setters.
Mutual wants:
- No super barky dogs. Riff is all BARK BARK BARK all the time, every time he gets excited/is playing/is in the mood to bark/whatever and it drives me crazy, especially because he has a really shrill piercing bark. BF is not a fan either. Alert barking is fine! Barking just for the sake of hearing their own voice, not so much, lol.
- A dog with some protective instinct would be nice. Not necessarily a requirement, but we'd both like it. I'm not looking for a PPD or anything that serious, though.
- Medium to hard temperament. Super soft dogs don't work well with either of us. We're not overbearing or rough, but I get frustrated training very soft tempered dogs, and I know my BF would as well, even if I'm doing most of the training. Better for everyone for the dog to be more resilient
Oh my gosh, this turned into a novel. At least I have a good idea of what we want, I guess? lol
I'm a couple years out from another dog and in the mean time, I waffle SO much on breed. I was pretty settled on at least a type, but my boyfriend really doesn't like them and we're getting more serious, so I need a dog we'll both enjoy.
My requirements:
- Handler oriented and biddable. I want a dog that wants to work and wants to work with me. Very independent, stubborn or aloof dogs just aren't my thing.
- Good candidate for agility and maybe some other sports. I'm a newbie to sports so I definitely don't need a potential top-tier competitor, but I want do want a versatile dog. I guess this ties in with the first one.
- Relatively healthy breed. I adore a couple of heartbreak breeds, and will probably own one of each some time in the future, but I'm looking for a breed I can become active in. Showing, competing, maybe someday breeding. I just can't invest myself so deeply in a breed with rampant health problems.
- I like both silly and serious dogs. My favorite dogs have a little bit of both! Riff is a huge goofball with his family 24/7, which is fun but not something I really want in a breed. Rowan tends to be more serious and focused with a silly side when he gets really excited and playful. I like his balance a lot more.
- Medium to medium-high energy. I could even do high energy with a decent off switch. Riff is definitely high energy and it's not my ideal exactly, but it's not a deal breaker either. I LOVE a dog that thrives on mental exercise as well as physical. Rowan is great this way: after a good training session, he's pooped out. Riff can train and train but without good hard physical exercise, he's not satisfied.
- Good off-leash, with the proper training. I might be willing to compromise on this but the breed would have to be pretty perfect otherwise.
- Somewhat reserved/indifferent with strangers would be nice for a change Rowan is best friends with everyone and I would enjoy having a dog that wouldn't happily go off with the first stranger that pet them, haha. Friendly with strangers isn't a deal breaker though.
- I would strongly prefer a dog that will be good with other dogs in their own home. Strange dogs, I don't really care, but I plan on always having multiple dogs and really don't want a crate/rotate set up.
- All else equal I'd like minimal grooming, but it honestly doesn't matter. I grew up with poodles and can do high maintenance for the right dog.
Boyfriend's requirements:
- Prefers dogs 20 lbs+ although not a hard and fast rule. There are a couple of little guys he likes so I know he's open to the idea.
- Doesn't like too much fur. Some show Aussies have "too much fur." Same with some of the more fluffy Tervuren/Groenendaels (ones with less to moderate coat are okay.) Pyrs and Newfies have too much. Lhasas, Bearded Collies, all long haired dogs like that are out. Might be willing to compromise but again, it'd have to be an amazing fit otherwise.
- Not prone to separation anxiety.
- No spaniels or setters! Not big on the sporting group in general, but he might be willing to consider others. Just not spaniels or setters.
Mutual wants:
- No super barky dogs. Riff is all BARK BARK BARK all the time, every time he gets excited/is playing/is in the mood to bark/whatever and it drives me crazy, especially because he has a really shrill piercing bark. BF is not a fan either. Alert barking is fine! Barking just for the sake of hearing their own voice, not so much, lol.
- A dog with some protective instinct would be nice. Not necessarily a requirement, but we'd both like it. I'm not looking for a PPD or anything that serious, though.
- Medium to hard temperament. Super soft dogs don't work well with either of us. We're not overbearing or rough, but I get frustrated training very soft tempered dogs, and I know my BF would as well, even if I'm doing most of the training. Better for everyone for the dog to be more resilient
Oh my gosh, this turned into a novel. At least I have a good idea of what we want, I guess? lol