[J10055]

Hi!

As the title says, I'm looking for some dog breed suggestions. I did post a very similar thread on another forum and got some excellent advice and suggestions, but I would also like to get some other people's opinions as well.

Lifestyle information:

• I currently live in the country with my parents, so it's very unlikely that the dog will ever be left alone. Whilst our house isn't very big, we have a large fenced yard and plenty of fields we can use for walks.
• I do not have any children of my own, but I do have nieces and nephews, so it's important that the dog is kid-friendly or at least tolerates being around them. Either way, I'll be supervising.
• I'm not incredibly active to be 100% honest. I do enjoy going on walks, but I would say 60-90 minutes of exercise is my limit.
• My family has owned a few dogs in the past, but this is the first dog of my own. I helped with teaching some of the basics, but besides that my training experiences are limited.

Requirements/preferences:

• Small-large. Giant breeds are unfortunately off the table.
• Fur length or drool doesn't matter too much.
• Since I'm in a rural area barking won't be a huge issue, but it wouldn't hurt to have a quiet dog. I'll obviously work on this when training too.
• Medium energy levels
• A calm but playful temperament

Breeds I'm interested in:

• English Cocker Spaniel (from show lines rather than working)
• Miniature Schnauzer
• West Highland White Terrier
• Whippet

I've probably left out some information, so feel free to ask questions! Thanks 🙂

 

[Sandy S.]

Border collie they are smart lovable, gentle easy to train, and beautiful. I think this is your dog, black and white, they come in brown and white also..... these dogs are known as the smartest dogs of all breeds and no I don’t own one, I have a beagle, but that is not for you.

 

[J10055]

Border collie they are smart lovable, gentle easy to train, and beautiful. I think this is your dog, black and white, they come in brown and white also..... these dogs are known as the smartest dogs of all breeds and no I don’t own one, I have a beagle, but that is not for you.

From the research I have done, they seem like super high energy dogs. Whilst they're an excellent breed, I don't think they're right for my lifestyle.

However, thank you for the suggestion!

 

[DaySleepers]

Border collies are lovely dogs, but they can be a lot for a new owner who isn't prepared for a challenge. They're definitely very smart, but they need regular (often daily) mental stimulation to be happy. They're a sensitive breed, and not very forgiving of handler mistakes, ie if you reward the wrong behavior a single time, you're likely to spend ages trying to re-teach things the 'right' way. It'll depend some on the individual, but I just don't want anyone falling into the trap of thinking a smart dog is always an easy dog, you know?

J10055, you say fur length doesn't matter, but how much grooming are you willing to commit to? I'm fond of poodles, but they will need regular grooming even if you keep their fur cut short. They come in several sizes too, of course. They can be energetic as well, and do need mental stimulation, but aren't as demanding as border collies tend to be. You might be able to find a breeder who's producing service dogs or therapy dogs (these are the ones that visit hospitals and elderly homes), which is often a good sign that their adults have a very confident, laid-back temperament. Other breeders might produce a lot of competitive sports dogs, for example, which are great for some owners but probably not what you're looking for in terms of drive and energy.

Of course labs and goldens are popular breeds for a reason, too, and many would fit with your requirements perfectly. Just keep in mind that they can be little hellions as puppies!

Granted, most puppies and adolescent dogs can be A Lot, and need more attention, interaction, and overall effort from their people than an adult. Don't overlook a 2+ year old shelter dog - there's a lot of them out there that'd fit your requirements. A friend of mine just got an american bulldog mix who's the sweetest thing under the sun, great off-switch inside, and already had good house and leash manners.

 

[J10055]

J10055, you say fur length doesn't matter, but how much grooming are you willing to commit to? I'm fond of poodles, but they will need regular grooming even if you keep their fur cut short. They come in several sizes too, of course. They can be energetic as well, and do need mental stimulation, but aren't as demanding as border collies tend to be. You might be able to find a breeder who's producing service dogs or therapy dogs (these are the ones that visit hospitals and elderly homes), which is often a good sign that their adults have a very confident, laid-back temperament. Other breeders might produce a lot of competitive sports dogs, for example, which are great for some owners but probably not what you're looking for in terms of drive and energy.

Of course labs and goldens are popular breeds for a reason, too, and many would fit with your requirements perfectly. Just keep in mind that they can be little hellions as puppies!

Granted, most puppies and adolescent dogs can be A Lot, and need more attention, interaction, and overall effort from their people than an adult. Don't overlook a 2+ year old shelter dog - there's a lot of them out there that'd fit your requirements. A friend of mine just got an american bulldog mix who's the sweetest thing under the sun, great off-switch inside, and already had good house and leash manners.

Our previous dog was an Old English Sheepdog, so I do have experience with grooming. Whilst I'm not looking for a dog with as high of coat maintenance, I'm willing to get professional help and advice if I decide to get a medium-long coated dog.

As for rescuing, I'm 100% to adoption if I meet the right dog.

Thank you for the advice and recommendations! You've definitely given me a few things to think about.