Need a place to start.

There are so many incredible breeds out there it is hard to know where to start. All my animals have been shelter/rescues. Up until recently I was very active in the horse world - which takes a lot of time. However, I am moving away from that and would like to put more effort in to dogs. I have loved training them, worked with a few types of breeds as well as gone hunting with various pointers and retrievers.

I'd like my next dog (not in any rush) to be my new partner. I've not had a dog of my own for two years and it is getting lonely - especially now that I have mostly stopped training horses and teaching riding lessons. Can people here help point me in the right direction?

Here is what I am looking for...

-Moderate to large size, no giants though. 40 - 75 lbs.
-Somewhat active. I'd like a dog that I can do agility, hiking and potentially other breed specific trials (absolutely love watching a good bird dog). Would also like to look into showing as well, but I prefer performance based competitions first and foremost.
-Trainability. I love some of the "slower" breeds but stubborness can frustrate me. Perhaps I am not smart enough for that type of dog!
-At least has the look of being protective. I hike alone and whether it is people or cougars (mainly people I am worried about) I'd like to feel safer.
-Grooming, easy to moderate. Once a week is fine. I can deal with shedding but prefer not to have the type of shedding that comes with labs and shepherds.
-Independence is just fine. I do not need an extra shadow. I do want a dog that will have a decent recall (I know a lot of this has to do with training! But I think it leaves out hounds and some terriers).
-With socialization, is a dependable dog and good with children. (I do not have any but you never know! )
-The ability to snuggle on a couch and keep me warm in the winter.
-Good with a house cat. She is my princess, rescued, and deserves respect from the new dog.

What I am willing to be flexible on is the activity level (either more or less), grooming (more is okay if the dog suits my needs) and the size. Trainability and a good disposition/family dog are a must. I plan on speaking with responsible breeders and am willing to wait for that special pup/dog.

Thanks so much in advance for helping a newb on the board!

- Nicole

Hhmm, all that pretty much described just about every Rottweiler I've met, but they shed almost like a Lab (I was actually going to suggest a Lab until I got to the part of your post about the shedding). Except for the shedding part, I think a Rott or black Lab fits your description.

Thank you! Rotties have been on my "list" to look into. I am weary of dogs with a bad rap... though I love pitties and bull dogs. My sister was once lunged at by a doberman who was nice to everyone else it came in contact with. My sister was 4 or 5 at the time. So I am very conscious about children and dogs.

All dogs shed some . Looked into Goldens ? Best companions ever !

standard poodle? more grooming involved, but they're active, social, fun dogs.

I was thinking american bulldog? Not much of a shedder as far as I know. Have intimidating features,active,smart,sweet dogs. Girlfriend used to live on a farm and she had around 17 of them as working dogs,best dogs she ever had.

how bout a boxer?

I think a Rottie might be a good fit as well.

I was thinking pittie until you said he had to be good with a cat, generally doesn't happen though sometimes it does. Plus they are not independent But Boxer sounds good, might try to play with the cat but I'm sure the cat will put an end to that, if not you can teach him to be calmer around the cat. Don't know how clingy they are though. I like the idea of Rotties too just remember they are a protection breed, this means he will try to guard you and the house from what he considers a threat, it is your job to teach the dog what is NOT a threat, that means socialization. A dog who has learned who is a "normal" person and what is normal behavior will not consider those things threatening. So anything you want your dog to be okay with must be introduced regularly. That way only really odd behavior (like someone crawling in the window and following you closely and very quietly) will be considered threatening by the dog. Other than shedding they do match what you want. both breeds may have some trouble with other dogs of the same sex.

If you are going the breeds route I'd love to help you find good ones!!

Standard poodle would be a perfect fit

If I were you, I would get black and keep them in a normal puppy cut, a show cut wont help with the whole protection thing. but the sight of a big black dog is enough to ward off MOST people


Incredibly smart, quick to learn, soft for cuddliness in the winter, great size, playful and great in agility,and from what ive seen.. great with cats
lol

Thanks all. I am doing more research on the rottie. In the meantime, these are the breeds I have been considering in no particular order...

Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Brittany (any protection went out the window here!)
Rotties
Smooth Coat Collie
Aussie Shepherd
Akita
Pitbulls
Boxer

Still open to more suggestions. I am trying to find a local all-breeds show so I can see them all in person and hopefully meet them and their breeders.

The above group includes a range of size and coats. Grooming is not a high priority for me so if I have to clean the house a bit more then that is not a problem! Although I do not want to be at the groomers every month either.

I do want to do Agility and Obedience.

I was going to say Aussie until you hit the grooming part. They have great wash n' wear coats but do shed quite a bit. It can be managed with regular grooming, baths and a good diet though. Otherwise, they fit the majority of your requirements. And they do come in black bi, black/tan or black tri with minimal white, if you're looking for the common "OMG black and tan, it'll bite me!" reaction. They have decent guarding instincts as well. Now, you're going to be very hard pressed to find a dog with minimal white in AKC show breeders, they breed for as much flash as possible. But working breeders, rescue and ASCA breeders are better places to look. I can give you a list of referrals if this is a route you'd like to go.

Some do chase cats, some are horrible with cats, some have cats as their best friends. It really depends on the dog themselves.

A note on rotties and kids... they can be AWESOME. As a kid, our neighbors had an intact male they kept chained out. The dad was a drunk and a mess and the dog was basically a lawn ornament that would bark at everyone in sight. One day, I was walking home from elementary school and passed by their house. The teenage kids were outside and the dog was barking and lunging on his chain at me. Well, of course, the chain busted and that rottie came flying toward me.

I do not come from a dog-savvy or even dog-liking household but always thought this guy was cute. So I saw him coming, knew enough not to run, and just turned to him and happily said, "Hi, Bo!" Sure as the sun, Bo the rottie was positively THRILLED to see me and his whole body wagged to make up for the lack of a tail. And of course I loved up on his smiley self before the teens dragged him away. This guy probably has a crappy life with very little in the way of exercise and socialization and yet he was still so happy to have a kid shower him with attention. All of my other rottie experiences have been positive as well.

Despite the grooming requirements, I think you've described a German shepherd very nicely. A female from German showlines or even German working lines would probably do you very well. Some of the females are around 55-65 lbs which is a very nice, manageable size. You'll have a shadow, but a well bred one will do very well in those activities and that lifestyle. Working lines (and this includes showlines that are bred to work before bred to show) are often VERY biddable... easily trained! And yes, MANY get along extremely well with cats.

A second the boxer suggestion. What about a flat-coated retriever? "Big Black Dog Syndrome" for the deterrent aspect.

You might look into German Shorthair or Wirehaired Pointers too ...

I think a chessie would actually be a really great dog for what you are looking for!! Good luck!

I grew up with Brittanys and they are hyper dogs! I have lived happy with a Border Collie for years and before him a Sheltie but neither had anything on my mom's pack of Brits. They were off the charts. I don't know if they are all like this but from the majority I've met they certainly are exuberant dogs.

How about English/Irish setter or English Springer Spaniel? Not sure of the shedding levels of the breeds throughout the year though, I only know that during the summer months the english setters I took care of didn't shed much.

I agree with Rottie, Smooth Collie, or Boxer, I think. A pit bull is more likely to want to be your shadow and some aren't good with cats...although a Chessie might be a good choice, too.

Aww, I love Rancid! :3

Anyhoot... I like the Smooth Collie suggestion... because I want to see Smoothie pics! My next dog will hopefully be a Smoothie. Collies are insanely bright, loving, loyal, outgoing dogs and Smoothies are very easy to groom. German Shorthaired Pointers are also AMAZING. So adorable, so active, and super people oriented.

Do you plan on adopting or buying from a breeder?

Thanks again for all the suggestions everyone. I have contacted at least one breeder about meeting their Chessies. Still keeping an open mind for the other breeds. I really hope my timeline of October works out. I miss having a dog.