energy levels of....

Hey I was wondering is a a big difference between Australian Cattle Dogs, and German Shorthaired Pointers when it comes to their energy levels? Im looking for a dog that is playful, but does not run around the house wanting to play 24/7. And would age be a big factor? For example how much more energy would a 1 year old Australian Cattle Dog have over a 5 year old German Shorthaird Pointer?
Thanks

Not sure, but you will get the answer here. Welcome to Chaz.

Thanks!

I know ACD's and GSP's are both high energy dogs. From the sounds of it they will both be too energetic for you.

Perhaps you should look into some less energetic breeds?

If you tell us more about yourself we may be able to better match you to a breed.

~Tucker

Cattle dogs are active pretty much all of the day, or atleast the one I have and the other 1 I use to have were. Kodak is way more active than my last one, but both were in need of something to do almost all day. If your looking for a couch potatoe, or a dog that will run on only maybe 2-3 hrs of play a day, ACD is def. not for you. I have even met cattle dogs 8, 9 yrs old who would rather chase the ball for hours than lay and enjoy being older haha.

Yeah.. if you don't want a high-energy dog, neither of those breeds are probably for you.

Oh ok, well what would you like to know? I have a medium-large backyard, and will be able to provide daily walks, and play several hours each day (some days more than others). There are 4 people in my family two who are children and they are who are 15 and 10. I want a medium-large breed (rather have a large dog). Oh and I do have 2 small birds (budgies).

It would be kind of hard to tell me what breed to get because I am looking to rescue a dog. I mean there are breed specific rescues where I live, so there is that option.

Please tell me what else you would like to know

Good for you! I had a wonderful experience doing rescue, and am amazed by the fantastic dogs that are just sitting out there, waiting for a home.

Have you found a rescue or shelter to work with? At least in my area, the private rescues are often more helpful than the shelters as far as evaluating dogs. It may be worth your while to contact one or two rescues in your area, and let them know what you are looking for with size, age, energy level, etc. That way, they can help you find the right dog.

I can spend hours happily looking at various breeds and deciding which I would like to own, but remember, many dogs defy their breed's sterotypes. Reading through the traits of a Mountain Cur, I never would have thought to go out looking for one, but Meg came along, and was everything I wanted. A rescue that does a good job of temperment testing and evaluation will be able to steer you in the right direction.

Welcome to the board, and good luck!

mixed breed? go to petfinder. or if you want to tell us the area where you live, we could definately help you look.

What about a Lab? There are thousands of them in shelters looking for homes, and a lot of times they are puppies.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Oh and there is a lab rescue somewhat near me.

Yes, labs, or goldens, or maybe a chessie (with caution).

One thats 2-3 years old will calm down considerably from the puppy stage yet still be willing to play all day. Young ones and puppies can be VERY hyper, but so can most puppies.

The retrievers were originally bred to be active, but also able to sit around all day waiting for ducks to fly over, whereas the pointers and cattle dogs are the opposite, constantly out working the cover or the cows.

I've seen a GSP that was extremely active at 10 years old! My uncle has a GSP "herding dog" mix that would have run his 3 ACRE yard all day during its first 5 years. Its slowed down a bit in its age, now, but it can still run. It also ran circles around their lab...

i havn't met any GSP's yet, but their one of my favourite breeds. their both bred to work long hours.

i've found with buster, eventhough he's a mix (probably with kelpie so same sort of dog) he can have limitless energy if you ask, but if not, he doesn't use it. he's an energy conserver, he can go all day if you want him to but won't otherwise.

ACD's were bred to run up to 50kms a day remember.

ACD's don't seem to be what you are looking for. I have not met a laid back model yet. They are notorious for getting into mischief if they are bored. Take my two monsters ( please) lol just kidding. But seriously they are dogs that need to be doing something all the time .

Yeah I think you all are right, an ACD is probably not the best match for me. I will keep looking, thanks you all your help

try:

labrador
boxer
australian shepherd
american pit bull terrier

or mixes of any of those breeds.

those are all active but not hyper breeds, very common in shelters and rescues, and seem to be the size you're looking for.

If you go with a lab or a lab mix, I would try to find an older adult...all the labs I know are very active..and I know Chloe my gsd/lab mix is very active and always has to be doing something....

I love APBT's but of course they are banned here in some parts of colorado I cant stand it, but that is a whole different story that I wont get into (or at least right now).

But yeah this may sound a little off topic,seeing as I wanted a playful larger breed, but I went to a shelter today to look around, and I saw a 15 lb Bichon Frise/ West Highland White Terrier mix, he was awesome. He is 4-5 years old. When I saw him I thought that he would be a great dog for us, since it has been awhile since we have had a dog. But what do you think?

I am doing research on both breeds, but it will probably to hard to get him, seeing as he seems like a great dog, he will get adopted fast, and my family and I dont want to rush into this.

I've seen Bichons and Westies in Agility competitions over here!

They are cute little dogs and a rescue would be awesome!

I've also seen Bichons in Obedience work over here as well as RallyO!

They are active little dogs and do need exercise, most are very playful as well.

Take the little guy out for a walk and see how he like him.

That would be a great match for you! Westies are more active, but Bichons are meant to be companions. I think a dog of this mix would be a nice medium between the two. And since it's an older dog, he's already past his puppy hyper-hyper-hyper phase.