thinking about the next dog (again)

FoxyWench

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#21
some breeds that sprung to mind

whippets (particularly the long haired)
silkens
and lurchers
irish water spaneil, less grooming needs than the poodle and porti.
toller
Xolo...the xolo come in 3 sizes and a standard is about the size of a dobie, and they do come in a coated veriety. they are sighthoundish in personality, tend to be good with other dogs in the family, (watch for problems with strange "in your face" type dogs, they tend to dislike dogs who dont respect boundries when there not used to them)
they run like the wind, tend to be independant ect
 

Brattina88

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#23
My first thought was gsd, but when I read the bird dog part a Brit came to my mind as well ;) I've heard that they are the bc of the spaniel world lol. The ones I've met were drivey, but well behaved. Beautiful dogs
good luck on your search!
 

Toller_08

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#24
Dance fits your description absolutely perfectly. I wish you had a good oportunity to get to know the breed. I can't remember if there are any breeders around you or not for sure... but I think there is. Just remember that if/when you do get to hang around some Tollers, you might not get to see quite their true selves right away due to their tendency to be reserved around strangers. But you'd definitely get a good feel for them regardless, especially in their own environment.
 

Paige

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#25
Tollers are cool. My neighbor has one. I should steal him and give him to you. He's exactly what you are looking for.
 

hey_jude

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#26
I know BC's are the top of your list anyway- towards the top- but I really just have to say that Jude really fits your description to a t. I love the organized energy and focus of border collies. We do about 1.5 hours of dog parks and walking per day (plus some mental stimulation like sitting out at coffee shops, walking downtown, rides, etc) and honestly it's a great mix. When we're home he does a combination of entertaining himself, chewing on bones, and sleeping. It really is the perfect combination of energy. I never let him become ball obsessed or anything and made sure he got a wide range of acitivites in his day, so I don't see that border collie obsession in him. He's thoughtful and focused, but well rounded. some border collies I meet don't know how to have fun at all! I need a dog that can.

I also love that BC's seem to be so independent and yet when well socialized, also so loving, friendly, and easy to get along with.

I had no idea I'd fall head over heels for the breed when I first began to fall for it, but I could never go back. There is also something so special about knowing you have one of the smartest breeds. Makes training easy and rewarding and everyday fun. I'm looking into getting my second in about 6-9 months.

also, a bc would be great for your sports and hobbies.

I will say, and I'm sorry to the aussie people here, but I meet tons of them at the dog park and they just don't have the same 'fire' that I see in border collies. I know that many aussie people would say the opposite though! Just my two cents.

Like the brit suggestion too! And Vizslas!

Good luck!
 
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Lizmo

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#27
I will say, and I'm sorry to the aussie people here, but I meet tons of them at the dog park and they just don't have the same 'fire' that I see in border collies. I know that many aussie people would say the opposite though! Just my two cents.
I've met a few Aussies too, and I agree with this.
 

Laurelin

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#28
Hey Jude, you touched on a lot of my worries about bcs. There are lots that I don't particularly care for. Aussies and Tollers both sound better on paper but based on experience I prefer bcs to aussies, I'm not sure why. I'd feel better if I had some hands on with the tollers because on paper they sound just darn near perfect. They don't really have the 'it' factor (for me) that bcs do, but I'm not sure if that's just from lack of real experience with them.

That just settles it. You're gonna need to bring Jude for me to meet, lol.

I've got at least probably 2 years before deciding. I want to have some time to just work with Mia (and to get her more mature lol).
 
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#29
Well, since you are considering bird hunting in your future :) ...

A Brittany is a good size, of course a GSP is, too.. I have a smaller sized bitch that weighs in around 45lbs (and there are smaller field bred GSPs). I know a lot of people seem to think they are too high energy with no off switch, but I don't think they've lived one. Both of mine have off switches and are content to just "hang out" and not do anything on nasty weather days.

Also maybe a field bred English cocker (or even a springer)? I've actually been thinking about a field cocker for myself and am pretty much set on getting one as my "next dog". They don't have a high maintenance coat and weigh in around the 30lb range.

The advantage of getting a bird dog is that you can buy one that is already started or completely finished if you'd rather not get a puppy.
 

Dekka

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#30
IME the difference between aussies and BC is the aussies tend to think its all fun. Agility, herding etc they are having a great time! With BC its serious, they take every job given them like they are doing a mission that could save the nation. (not to say BC aren't having fun.. its just they take even their fun seriously)

Tollers are pretty serious, but not as much so as BC.
 

Laurelin

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#31
The field bird dogs have always been a consideration but I'm not sure if I'm going to be that into bird hunting or not. It's something I've wanted to do a long long time and am finally getting the chance to learn.

So Dekka you'd say a toller is more serious than an aussie? I think that's my problem with aussies is they're a bit too goofy. But some BCs seem too serious for me. Summer is very very serious all the time. It's hilarious ina way but I like Mia's ability to let loose and just run around and romp sometimes. Although if you bring out the tennis ball, it's all business for her.

Happyhound, your avatar is hilarious! :rofl1:
 
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#32
Pointing dogs are hard work, wait on them even if you do get into bird hunting. It seems like you have the time, but if its not your focus, you'll have problems.

How about a Springer Spaniel? Good on pheasants, though you have to pay attention! Lighter, more agile (for agility ;)) than the retrievers. You could probably find a hunting or even field trial line retriever to your specifications too. They tend to be smaller and more nimble, although off switches might suffer with the trial lines.
 

Romy

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#33
Pointing dogs are hard work, wait on them even if you do get into bird hunting. It seems like you have the time, but if its not your focus, you'll have problems.
I'd agree, if only because they LIVE to hunt. I honestly can't see Charlie being a happy dog without his daily pointing.

If you have access to an area where a dog can run off leash, that birds live in, that counts as hunting time for a griffon. Charlie loves to go out in the pasture for a couple of hours and he will point every last little quail, grouse, duck, etc. that he runs across. He loves it. He doesn't care if you shoot at the bird as long as he gets to find it and point.

Of the pointers, griffons seem to have the most consistent off switch. He does settle down in the house really well when we bring him in, and can even contain his crazies if he misses a day of exercise. Any more than that and he turns to destructo boredom however.

They are very very high drive when "working". He would fetch for hours. And if we let him, he would run the fence perimeter endlessly as long as the chickens are in view. We have the "crate and rotate" between him and the chickens, otherwise he will run all his weight off. It got to the point where we had him on 10 cups a day of high performance GF food, and he was still skeletal from the amount of running he did. He had awesome muscle tone though, lol.

Laur, honestly you described all the traits of an ibizan hound in your original post. :p Are you sure you're not ready for one?
 

hey_jude

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#34
Wow i just typed the longest reply ever..... and it got deleted. Will come reply again later!
 

Jynx

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#36
well I have to agree re: aussies being goofy,,,mine don't have a serious bone in their bodies and everything is all about "them" LOL..Altho I must say my cream puff aussie is quite a 'birder'..:)) The borders are more serious imho but can also be obsessive.

My GSD (and all of them that I've had in the past) are all about ME, which I tend to like:))) To do agility, I highly recommend (if you go with a gsd) look for a nice leggy one. I like LONG legs when it comes to agility, tho they can do agility and do it well, most gsd's don't have a long shelf life when it comes to agility:(( And my gsd's have all gotten along great with my sister's paps:))

There are a couple of people in my dog club who have tollers and they are really NICE dogs! Not to big, not to small, not golden retrievers but easy to take anywhere. They do well at agility and probably have a longer shelf life than the bigger breeds...I like the tollers as well
 

jasmom87

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#38
You pretty much described my English Springer Spaniel (I have the field). She will have the energy and drive to do pretty much everything, super intelligent and a lover at home as long as properly exercised.

I finished reading the thread and want to add that my female is 45 pounds, and very low maintenance hair and ear wise. I pretty much think she is a great dog, and loves peoples of all ages. (Now if we could perfect the not jumping, and counter surfing).
 

Paige

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#39
As for BCs being serious... well. That isn't all true. Bandit is such a clown when his tennis ball is out. He has a sense of humor to him that's for sure. He is a pretty serious dog in general though. He knows when to cut loose and when not to. Spank was the same way.
 

BerryBye

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#40
I’ve gotta say, I also have a English Springer Spaniel (field) and he fits your description really well!

He is 50 lbs

Definitely high energy, but a great off switch in the house where he turns into a total cuddle bug!

Very athletic: We are near the top of our class in agility, he runs with me, swims while I kayak, plays fetch, hikes alongside me etc. He just loves to be where the action is.

Very obedient and smart but also quite quirky – always has me laughing.

Great around small dogs and cats – will adjust his “force†to the size of his playmate

Zero DA

Low maintenance coat. I brush him daily and clean his ears weekly, but that’s mostly because I enjoy doing it. He doesn’t require anything fancy.

Mine is very aloof with strangers but I don’t think that’s the norm. I got him at 6 months so he came with the fear issues – but has been coming along just wonderfully!

I just love him and would get another ESS when the time is right. Good luck with your decision. How do I attach pictures? I would love to share some!
 

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