It's what breed for me time again

Catsi

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#1
My criteria -

Small to medium

No big coat. I prefer wash and wear. I would consider a poodle or similar but I would get them professionally groomed. But no big coats.

Tolerant to heat

Would have to tolerate being home (with another dog) for about 8 hours a day, very occasionally a bit longer.

Inside dog - my dogs pretty much have the run of the house and yard.

Exercise - two walks per day generally. The occasional day of nothing if I can't do it for whatever reason. This would probably happen once every couple of months on average. I do love my walks. Would possibly come running with me if I ever get my butt into gear. A swim every fortnight approximately. Basically a dog that will take whatever I through at him/her but won't go stark raving mad if I have a bad day and just want to curl up on the couch with them.

Training - I dabble. Trick training, shaping and would love to get into agility, obedience, rally-o and scent discrimination with my next dog. I don't take classes or compete with my current dogs, but I have taken many classes over the years with them. For me it's just a lot of fun and something to keep them stimulated. I don't mind a dog that is a bit of a challenge. *looks at Abby* She is clever (yes of course I'd say that!) but I have to work hard to keep her interested. When I can do that, the results are really lovely and so much fun.

Health/longevity - I like a breed/dog who will likely live to 14+ and have minimal health issues. A hardy, healthy breed.

Temperament - A confident, social dog who likes people. I'd like to stack the cards in my favour in terms of reactivity. Dog aggression is also not something I desire, but they don't have to love other dogs either. I'm generally not a fan of dog parks (will go if we are the only people there).

I'd love a very affectionate dog but I'm also used to a certain degree of independence. Honestly, I think I am fairly laid back in this area. I generally mesh well with many personalities. Unlike with cats... I am needy and adore affectionate cats, but aloof cats make me sad for some reason. (All my cats growing up seemed to hate me although I adored them lol)

Ideas and suggestions much appreciated!
 

Whisper

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#2
I thought of a lab, but that's probably too big, right? By "small to medium" what weight ranges are you thinking? Just want to clarify because sizes are kind of relative depending on what size dogs a person has. ;) To me a small dog is 10 lbs. or less, and to some people it's more like 25 lbs and below.
 

Catsi

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#3
^ Haha good point! I know what you mean, I have a chi x and stafford and the stafford is my 'medium' dog. But a lab would probably be my upper limit but still fine size wise. Let me do some conversions (I'm not used to imperial) - may 80 lbs max?
 
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#4
I may be a bit biased but standard poodle sounds like a perfect fit for what you're looking for. I had my 2 professionally groomed about every 8 wks -kept them in an even short clip all over. Very easy to maintain between groomings & they still looked good. If they got muddy in between once they dried it'd brush right out. Very easy to train, great with people & other dogs. Loved swimming, fetch, obed. classes & competing, agility classes for fun (couldn't compete due to me not being able to keep up! :rofl1:) Ready, willing & able to go for whatever I was ready for but quite willing to be a couch potato with me and snuggle. Farley was 64 lbs & Chloe 48 lbs, I find this breed to have quite a personality and most assuredly will bring many laughs.
 

Catsi

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I may be a bit biased but standard poodle sounds like a perfect fit for what you're looking for. I had my 2 professionally groomed about every 8 wks -kept them in an even short clip all over. Very easy to maintain between groomings & they still looked good. If they got muddy in between once they dried it'd brush right out. Very easy to train, great with people & other dogs. Loved swimming, fetch, obed. classes & competing, agility classes for fun (couldn't compete due to me not being able to keep up! :rofl1:) Ready, willing & able to go for whatever I was ready for but quite willing to be a couch potato with me and snuggle. Farley was 64 lbs & Chloe 48 lbs, I find this breed to have quite a personality and most assuredly will bring many laughs.
I've really enjoyed the poodles I've met. Some of them have a very 'look at how awesome I am' attitude which I find endearing. I've always been a bit unsure of whether or not they would be a bit too 'sharp' for me. Apart from the real grooming, which I'd have someone else do, they do sound wash and wear. Don't get me wrong, I love spending the time brushing my dog, but there is no way I could maintain properly a lovely long coat or get into the clipping.

I suppose the other thing about poodles that I'd have to look into more is the health side of things. They certainly seem like fun dogs!

Labs - they have grown on me over the years. I'd have to be careful with the lines though, as some of the show lines in Australia are much too heavy for my liking, but the right dog would be a lovely. They seem very fun and would definitely take whatever I could throw at them exercise/training wise. Do you think they'd be ok with the occasional quiet day?

Terrier - I could see myself with another stafford. I've been very lucky with Grace as she is very dog tolerant so I have no huge fear in taking her out and about. I wouldn't let her run with unknown dogs in the dog park as she has a very full on/rough style of play that can be overbearing and I have seen her reaction to a dog aggressing twice in her life. Both times she was on lead and I was in control. She is great with carefully chosen friends and is very gentle but playful with my Chi x. But I know that she can be over the top with bigger dogs.

I suppose I would be a bit wary in case I got a stafford who had full blown DA, but I really love the breed. I'm quite happy to not expect my dog to love all dogs, but if the DA was severe enough that I couldn't go out for a walk without having a nervous breakdown... well, that wouldn't be ideal either. I guess it's about stacking the cards in your favour as much as possible. I certainly haven't written them off though.

Other terriers - I have a soft spot for mini foxies/tenterfield terriers and jack russells.
 
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#8
Reading your list of desires, I can wholeheartedly recommend a Westie/Poodle mix. Mine is 10 pounds and shows the adaptability you desire and the ability to master just about anything that's "thrown" at her. Her poodle heritage is a teacup. She's smart and innovative, and has initiative as well as being amazingly affectionate.

She came to me from a shelter in excellent shape, except for a fear of other dogs (which I didn't know about at the time--she was in survival mode looking for a human to care for her.) Over time I was able to train her into abundance and she has dog friends and the self confidence to be her own dog. She's amazingly affectionate and loves to play.

For the first few years I had her groomed in a Westie cut, but then a groomer ignored my instructions and gave her a basic dog cut. I thought it gave her more leeway to be who she is, rather than accent the Westie heritage.

I think she got the best of both breeds, and would recommend a poodle mix. We've met a number of small/medium dogs that are a poodle mix and they can be excellent companion dogs.

I'm new here, so I can't post photos until some magic unknown time, otherwise I'd give you a glimpse of what she looks like. If you go to my profile I believe you can see a recent photo. Best wishes on your search!
 

JacksonsMom

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#9
First thought was a Border Terrier and that's not just because I love them so much ;) but seriously, would fit your criteria very well.








To get that look, they do need to be hand stripped a few times a year, but apparantly they are very low maintenance otherwise.

Here's a blue.
 
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#10
It sounds like you are describing my shih tzu to a T. She is now 11 years old, and about perfect ;) Super healthy, loves her walks, but no big deal if the weather is bad and we don't get out for a few days.

Extremely quiet. Calm (except for over exuberant greetings at the front door with strangers / friends). Loves all people, but is not in their face. Quietly walks up for a pet. Gets along with every dog she's ever met. Was top of her class in every obedience class we did. Now, having said that, she works for me when SHE decides she's motivated to do so. Definitely has an independent streak.

No shedding, no smell, I take her to the groomer every 6-8 weeks. Do nothing in between. Have her in an adorable cut (not the typical shih tzu clip, which I don't really like). I wonder if I could figure out how to post a picture here ....
 

Catsi

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#12
StompinT I hope you can work out the photo thing. Your girl sounds just lovely. I've met a few shih tzus. All of them were very lovely dogs.

The heat tolerant aspect is pretty important because I live in Tropical Qld. But then, some coated breeds have natural insulation - from heat and cold. Not sure if that is the case for shih tzus - I'm sure you would know, owning one!

An independent streak is very much welcome. Out of curiosity - your girl is very healthy, is that typical of the breed?
 
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#13
I think they are typically quite healthy, as a breed. She is super healthy, and always has been. People don't believe it when I mention she is 11 years old. She is not heat tolerant because of her short little face / nose. Similar to a pug, bulldog, etc. Having said that, we have warm summers here (+30 C) and she just finds a shady place to lay down. And we have air conditioning. But she really wouldn't be interested in exerting herself much in the heat.

Turns out I can't post pictures because of some forum limitation. Not sure why that would be, or how I get it changed.
 
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#14
Oh, and when we were doing formal obedience classes (for a year, because we both loved it) the instructors really wanted me to get her involved in agility and fly ball. She would have LOVED it, but it wasn't at all convenient for my life then.
 

Catsi

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Well that actually sounds ok. I mean it's more the humidity up here than anything - we've got air conditioning. I wouldn't expect my current dogs to run around in the heat of the day but even the evenings can be pretty hot. I may have to find out from owners / breeders how they go. The shorter face is a bit of a concern.
 

SoCrafty

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#16
A cocker from a good breeder seems to fit what you want. Not sure where you are, but I would say a field coated American cocker. The OH family has one (or an English cocker mix). Best dog ever. She is sweet, trainable, biddable and does just about whatever they ask her to do. They haven't had a lot of health issues with her, and she only needs a brushing like once a week, and a shave every other month or so.
 

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