Breed Suggestions

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#1
Ok so I know I'm always going to have Koolies and I adore their size, crazyness and everything about them. BUT as much as Kaylee can drive me nuts I really love having a bigger dog to cuddle with and just have. So, I'm trying to figure out what larger breed of dog would mesh well with me.

Wants:
*70ish lb and up
*Not DA or SSA
*Shorter fur is better but not a deal breaker
*Relatively healthy breed
*Cuddly/Affectionate
*Shadow dog
*Happy, I like happy dogs. I don't mesh well with overly serious dogs.
*Doesn't have to be affectionate with strangers but I want to be able to trust him/her out in public with me.
*Easy going would be really nice

Energy: Ok, so I really love my crazy energy Koolies but having a nice couch warmer that's willing to meander with me would be nice. A dog that didn't need the amount of exercise that Traveler and Didgie do but that is still athletic enough to go hiking with me.

Biddability: Overly biddable isn't necessary really.

Umm, that's all I can think of right now. Any suggestions?
 

PWCorgi

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#2
Berner? I know every once in a while a high energy one crops up, but I don't think that's the norm. At least of the ones around here.

They are usually super adorably cuddly and happy happy happy!

Their fur might not be the best for what you are looking for though.
 
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#5
I seriously want a sighthound one day but would they fit my cuddly criteria? Because that's a must!
 

Saeleofu

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#10
You need a perfect combination of Gavroche and Logan. As do I :p

You should get a collie. A blue merle smooth collie. Just so people can ask you if those two are that one's babies.

Really, though, collies would probably fit in well. Logan wasn't too cuddly or calm when he was younger, but as he's matured he's turned into a MAJOR cuddler and does enjoy holding the couch down. He's also not the slightest bit DA/DR - he loves every animal and every person. Very good off switch, and not as much drive/activity as a koolie. Logan will rub and butt-bump and bounce a bit when he gets excited, but he won't fling himself at your face. He's not clingy as in separation anxiety clingy, but he does like to follow people around and watch whatever's going on. Logan also doesn't know how to be sad. Except for when he's getting wet against his will (chasing the hose is an entirely different story). Collies are relatively healthy so long as you get them from a responsible breeder (duh). The main concern is collie eye anomaly. Logan has very mild CEA, but nothing that affects his vision or needs any sort of care or monitoring. Logan weighs anywhere from 70-75 pounds, usually around 72 pounds. He is on the large size for a collie, right at the top end of the standard, but it's not necessarily unusual for a male to be that size. The collies I dogsat were 80+ pounds, but they were excessively fat.
 

Aleron

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#12
I thought Greyhound too :)

I'm not sure that you'd be approved to adopt one from rescue. And of course those dogs are altered. But you could possibly get one from a racing breeder if they appeal to you. Some of the AKC/coursing lines are pretty cool IME and definitely worth considering. IME those lines seem to be a bit happier overall but I'd say it could just be the difference between environment and how they're interacted with. I don't find Greys to be really needy but they love to snuggle up on the couch with you and sleep in bed with you :)
 
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#13
Ok, I'm sold! Greyhound it is.

It's really funny honestly, I have really always had greyhounds in the back of my mind. I was dreaming lately of them on and off but honestly wrote this list not thinking about it because I didn't think they were cuddly. Apparently my subconscious knew what I wanted.

I think I would definitely go through a breeder, I'm more comfortable with that. Any suggestions? Anything I need to look out for?
 

Aleron

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#14
Ok, I'm sold! Greyhound it is.

It's really funny honestly, I have really always had greyhounds in the back of my mind. I was dreaming lately of them on and off but honestly wrote this list not thinking about it because I didn't think they were cuddly. Apparently my subconscious knew what I wanted.

I think I would definitely go through a breeder, I'm more comfortable with that. Any suggestions? Anything I need to look out for?
The whole time I had Hannah, she slept with me. And then didn't get out of bed in the morning until I made her lol.

There is not a lot of routine health testing in the breed AFAIK. HD and ED are rare, some breeders OFA and some don't. The biggest health testing worry is cardio, I've known a few too many Greys die young from that :( Bloat is a concern in them too but obviously nothing can be done to screen for it. Still d ask if any close relatives have bloated. I have many who lived into their teens, so I wouldn't say they're unhealthy on the whole. I'd look for a breeder who shows and courses generally speaking. Or a racing breeder but I don't know much about them.
 

Romy

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#15
I seriously want a sighthound one day but would they fit my cuddly criteria? Because that's a must!
Expect this from a sight hound. Kaia is a champion snuggler. I get pics of one of her daughters almost daily on facebook doing major snuggles with everyone. lol.


Seriously though, a greyhound, zoi, or ibizan would all fit really well. Beezers tend to be way more bouncy/goofy overall. You can find individual zois and greys that are like that too.

Smooth collie is a good choice too. :) The Moxie Collies all mug my kids and smother them with their butts when we go over. Especially Logan's mom. She takes her job as a baby sitter very seriously.
 

skittledoo

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#20
I vote greyhound.

Ibizans are fun too though Romy is right, they can be a bit bouncy and in my experience tend to have a bit more energy than a grey. Joey is a bounce machine and has a lot of go go go. He does make for a fun hiking buddy though.
 

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