Okay, this turned out SUPER long, but if anyone wants to read any or all of it and basically tell me which breeds can gogogo all day and still be reasonable to live with, you get a cookie!
I was talking to a local trainer about a future breed for me and I am still undecided. I don't plan on getting a pup until Zoe is gone, but want to know what I am getting into ahead of time. She was rather horrified at my love of sighthounds and terriers, as she is into herders herself.
I really want a dog that can accompany me on any adventure. Biking all day, hiking super difficult terrain all weekend (it's not a hike to me unless it involves climbing a mountain,) running all... afternoon. :-D You get the idea.
When looking at potential future breeds, I tend to be able to find the other traits I want, but then realize that breed may not have the endurance I want. Breeds that have the endurance I want end up having other traits I DON'T want.
For example, Malinois have crazy endurance, but are too much dog for me. Dalmatians have endurance in spades, but I want to avoid getting a pup when doing so means it probably had siblings euthanized for deafness. Border Collies don't quite have the right "feel" from a temperament perspective for me, though I could maybe find the right one. Koolies sound perfect, but I would like to be able to get into conformation, plus my understanding is that a non-AKC breed would have to be neutered to even do AKC agility trials.
I want a handler-focused dog that can become competitive in agility, but isn't necessarily super biddable (off breeds sound like a fun challenge so long as the structure is there, though I would like a dog I can let off leash safely in certain places.) I want a dog that can do pretty much any dog sport. I really, really, really don't want to deal with DR/DA issues. It needs to be big enough to not be eagle food, but small enough that I could carry it off a mountain if injured and take it kayaking without tipping over every five minutes. Say 20-40lbs?
The dog would need to be able to handle a bit of cold or rain or snow or heat, though I'm fine with one that needs a sweater/coat moreso than one I have to worry about overheating. Zoe has little tolerance for any temperature extreme. Basically I don't want a dog that is afraid of getting icky. I also nee a kayak buddy, so water aversion would not be cool.
I personally don't care for most breeds in the sporting group. Retrievers, spaniels, etc. just don't really do it for me. I know they probably are the dogs that fit much of this, but I can't help myself. They seem to be too stranger oriented and... just something. lol... I think they care too much about what their owners think/feel. A little stubborn or willful/independent is good.
I don't like long poofy coats (like most Aussies) and I need tails on my dogs (though a natural bob might be doable.)
Yeah, I realize how picky I am, but I figure if I can pick from ANY breed, I may as well be picky. That's not to say a rescue won't show up and take over all my plans, but I do want a purebred some day.
I'd really like to get into Earthdog, and the Standard Manchester seems to be a lot of what I love. I'm looking more into them as well as the Cirneco Dell'Etna. I'm just curious if there is a better fit out there, and what other people have to say about which breeds could go all day pretty much anywhere.
I lovelovelove bully breeds, but again with the DR/DA potential. Mini Bull Terriers can do Earthdog, and they seem pretty fantastic, but I don't see one going on a bike ride over hills and through the woods for an hour.
Basically - I need a list of dogs with insane endurance so I can check them up against all my other standards.
Oh - longevity is a HUGE priority for me. I want a dog that can do the gogogo thing for many, many years.
I was talking to a local trainer about a future breed for me and I am still undecided. I don't plan on getting a pup until Zoe is gone, but want to know what I am getting into ahead of time. She was rather horrified at my love of sighthounds and terriers, as she is into herders herself.
I really want a dog that can accompany me on any adventure. Biking all day, hiking super difficult terrain all weekend (it's not a hike to me unless it involves climbing a mountain,) running all... afternoon. :-D You get the idea.
When looking at potential future breeds, I tend to be able to find the other traits I want, but then realize that breed may not have the endurance I want. Breeds that have the endurance I want end up having other traits I DON'T want.
For example, Malinois have crazy endurance, but are too much dog for me. Dalmatians have endurance in spades, but I want to avoid getting a pup when doing so means it probably had siblings euthanized for deafness. Border Collies don't quite have the right "feel" from a temperament perspective for me, though I could maybe find the right one. Koolies sound perfect, but I would like to be able to get into conformation, plus my understanding is that a non-AKC breed would have to be neutered to even do AKC agility trials.
I want a handler-focused dog that can become competitive in agility, but isn't necessarily super biddable (off breeds sound like a fun challenge so long as the structure is there, though I would like a dog I can let off leash safely in certain places.) I want a dog that can do pretty much any dog sport. I really, really, really don't want to deal with DR/DA issues. It needs to be big enough to not be eagle food, but small enough that I could carry it off a mountain if injured and take it kayaking without tipping over every five minutes. Say 20-40lbs?
The dog would need to be able to handle a bit of cold or rain or snow or heat, though I'm fine with one that needs a sweater/coat moreso than one I have to worry about overheating. Zoe has little tolerance for any temperature extreme. Basically I don't want a dog that is afraid of getting icky. I also nee a kayak buddy, so water aversion would not be cool.
I personally don't care for most breeds in the sporting group. Retrievers, spaniels, etc. just don't really do it for me. I know they probably are the dogs that fit much of this, but I can't help myself. They seem to be too stranger oriented and... just something. lol... I think they care too much about what their owners think/feel. A little stubborn or willful/independent is good.
I don't like long poofy coats (like most Aussies) and I need tails on my dogs (though a natural bob might be doable.)
Yeah, I realize how picky I am, but I figure if I can pick from ANY breed, I may as well be picky. That's not to say a rescue won't show up and take over all my plans, but I do want a purebred some day.
I'd really like to get into Earthdog, and the Standard Manchester seems to be a lot of what I love. I'm looking more into them as well as the Cirneco Dell'Etna. I'm just curious if there is a better fit out there, and what other people have to say about which breeds could go all day pretty much anywhere.
I lovelovelove bully breeds, but again with the DR/DA potential. Mini Bull Terriers can do Earthdog, and they seem pretty fantastic, but I don't see one going on a bike ride over hills and through the woods for an hour.
Basically - I need a list of dogs with insane endurance so I can check them up against all my other standards.
Oh - longevity is a HUGE priority for me. I want a dog that can do the gogogo thing for many, many years.
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