[sheltiemom]

Another twist on the what breed threads...I've picked our last three dogs and my husband gets next pick, so lets hear some breed recommendations for him...

First and foremost, he would like a dog that likes water. Our neighborhood is on a lake and a dog that liked to swim could have alot of fun here....our currents ones don't...

Needs to be reliable off leash (with training of course) for hiking and at the lake.

Playful...he would like a dog that will play ball/frisbee/tug, easy to train and smart enough to learn tricks, but nothing that needs a job to do this time. No plans for anything formal like agility.

Medium energy, no couch potatoes but at the same time there are no joggers in this family...someone is home almost all the time though, so it wouldn't be alone much.

We have two kids, ages 8 and 10, and four other dogs, so dog and kid friendly and cat manageable...we live in a typical suburban neighborhood, so friendly in general.

Size wise, bigger than we have now is ok, but not too big, I'm gonna say under 60 lbs....I know he has a looks preference, but I'm gonna leave that open for now...

 

[FourIsCompany]

My first pick for your specs would be Labrador Retriever, followed by Golden Retriever, Portuguese Water Dog and Toller

 

[MissMutt]

This is going to seem like a commonplace suggestion.. but might a smallish Lab work here? Some lines are less energetic than others and the females are of course smaller than the males. You've got 4 other dogs to burn him/her out.. kids for him/her to play with.. a lake.. hiking.. they are highly trainable and usually like water. Offleash shouldn't be a problem for a Lab either.

If not, maybe a Toller.. I feel like I've been saying that a lot lately though.

 

[rosemaryninja]

Wow, seems like the Toller suggestions have been really pouring forth lately... I was going to suggest the same thing. Perhaps also consider a Flat-Coated.

Any grooming or shedding preferences?

 

[Laurelin]

I say golden. Tollers are fun too, but they're a bit more energy.

 

[bigblackdogs]

the first thing I thought was golden, but they can be over 60 lb. other than that, they fit his requirements to a t

 

[Marsh Muppet]

If you have a lake nearby, the dog's energy level is mostly irrelevant. You can get the dog perfectly adequate exercise in much less time in water than you can by jogging.

Boykin Spaniels and American Water Spaniels are true water dogs and run below 60 pounds. You may have to look around for a Boykin breeder who will sell to a non-hunting household--and I wouldn't buy from one who would.

 

[ownedbypups2010]

mine would be a lab too, as i have one, but, he is just over 60lbs right now, , and he is not too sure of water, mainly because we have not taken him to lakes, there are really no good ones here that are dog safe, he does love Kiddy pools tho LOL. he is not much of a couch potato either, and he is easy to please and very active, when he wants to be .mm, he is great with kids and loves to play rough, but, not too rough.

LOL sounds like a personal ad for my dog huh ROFLOL!!! but, he is fun.

good luck with the new addition and let us know what hubby gets to pick

 

[sheltiemom]

Any grooming or shedding preferences?

Not really...we are pretty used to shedding and brushing here. I know he prefers the look of coated breeds though.

Marsh...I actually looked at Boykin Spaniels a while back, you're totally right though about breeders not being interested in selling to pet homes. DH doesn't care for the spaniel look as much anyway.

We considered both Goldens and Labs back before we had any dogs, I think I said no because of size, but next time will be his choice so....at the time he was also worried about hip problems in labs...we'd heard stories...but now we know alot more about what to look for.

I think he would love a flat coat...worried about energy levels there, but considering we have a bc and an aussie maybe I shouldn't be.

 

[bigblackdogs]

how about a flat-coated retriever?

the females should be 55-70 lbs. so you would want a smaller one, but they are ok with less exercise, but are active outdoors.

 

[Shaina]

how about a flat-coated retriever?

the females should be 55-70 lbs. so you would want a smaller one, but they are ok with less exercise, but are active outdoors.

Okay with less exercise? That is one thing I have never heard about flatcoats...


Anyway I thought one of more water-loving spaniels sounded like a good idea, but if he doesn't like them then...

 

[bigblackdogs]

Okay with less exercise? That is one thing I have never heard about flatcoats...


Anyway I thought one of more water-loving spaniels sounded like a good idea, but if he doesn't like them then...

Compared with other sporting breeds, Flat-coats have a relatively low activity level indoors, but outdoors can play, run and retrieve tirelessly. Flat-coats given too little exercise, companionship and mental stimulation, however, can become overly active or destructive indoors, especially if left alone for extended periods of time.

that's what I was referring to. is that incorrect? I'm sorry if I spoke out of the left side of my mouth I like to look things up before I speak though. I look like less of an idiot that way.

 

[sheltiemom]

Anyway I thought one of more water-loving spaniels sounded like a good idea, but if he doesn't like them then...

Actually the American Water Spaniel looks interesting, less of that look...I dunno, like a cocker, that he doesn't like. They seem to be hard to come by though.

 

[reinawolf360]

lab or a setter possibly?!?!? setters are great or possibly a German sheperd, a friend had a GSD named Metallica he was awesome and he was always energetic, playful and sweet.

 

[Dogstar]

AWSes aren't impossible to find, you just seem to have to know someone and get a personal referral to the breeder. (Through the magic of 6 degrees of separation, I've got two breeders I can refer you to ;p) They're neat dogs!

If you're looking for a dog who just enjoys the water and water recreation but not actually a bird dog, I would actually say look at the more laid back terriers (WFT from show lines, Wheaton- which is really an all-purpose farmdog as much as a terrier.) If he likes/tolerates curly coats, the Lagatto Romano is a lovely dog!

 

[TooneyDogs]

I once told my wife that I fell in love with a sweet young gal earlier in the day...golden hair, brown eyes and she showered me with kisses. She immediately replied, "Who's got a new golden puppy?"......she knows me too well.

 

[Marsh Muppet]

...or a setter possibly?!?!?

Setters are funny. Some love the water, and some won't get their feet wet. German Shorthair and German Wirehair Pointers are enthusiastic swimmers.

 

[wabanafcr]

that's what I was referring to. is that incorrect? I'm sorry if I spoke out of the left side of my mouth I like to look things up before I speak though. I look like less of an idiot that way.

Unlike goldens and labradors, most Flatcoats are still bred as much for work as for anything else, which means that they are bred to work all day long--not just for a little while! Mine are only calm indoors if they have had TONS of exercise both mental and physical. Otherwise, they are busy busy busy, and if their physical and mental needs are not met, they will create their own entertainment, and that includes chewing things up, barking, digging, counter-surfing, etc. They can be difficult to crate train and a nightmare for the unprepared or the misled.

Flatcoats are not lower-energy indoors. They don't think, "Oh, gosh, I'm indoors now so I'd better just shut down a bit." They are calm indoors if they are taught to behave and if they have had enough entertainment, just like any other high-energy breed, and even then they will probably follow you from room to room with something in their mouths, begging you to play. Anyway, the calm-indoors thing is a huge fallacy, and as a breeder/owner/handler since 1995, I think it does my breed a gigantic misservice--they are called, after all, the Peter Pan of the dog world!

Better Flatcoat information can be found here:
http://www.bertschire.com/is_a_flat_coat_right_for_you.htm
http://www.crfcrc.org/Articles/The Forever Adolescent Flat-Coat.pdf

If you have a border collie and an Aussie, I wouldn't think a Flatcoat would be too much energy-wise, but they can be large (most of mine are between 60 and 70 pounds) and they are rambunctious. If you want more info, PM me, please!

 

[bigblackdogs]

ok, thank you, sorry to give faulty information.

 

[wabanafcr]

Oh, no problem! There is as much bad information on the internet as good, and I've been led down many a flawed road! No worries!