Breed help/suggestions?

[Toller_08]

My mom has been thinking a lot lately about her next dog. No new dogs will be added into our home for a long time (not until one/both Dobes are gone), but she wants to start getting to know different breeds now and find something that truly suits her.

She's had dogs forever, but has never had a breed that is really suited to her. She grew up with little rescued dogs of all kinds -- Chihuahua mixes mostly, I think. She's lived with three Rottweilers in the last 20 years or so -- the first one was severely abused and didn't work out, but the two girls we had after him were awesome and mom did an amazing job with both of them. Then we got Winston, and because of him, we now have our current two Dobes. In between those dogs, we also had a Dalmatian, a Dachshund, a Bichon Frise, and of course Tango (Toller/BC) and now Dance. So she's been around all sorts of breeds and temperaments, and is one of those people who basically loves any and all dogs... but not all dogs suit her, of course, and she really wants something next time that does for suit her for once.

She needs a dog that is:

- People pleasing and wants to work with their owner
- Is willing to learn and intelligent
- An interactive breed willing to play, engage and learn with and for her
- Is moderate energy (but not lazy). A dog that will not demand exercise, but will go for regular walks and/or play fetch in the park or something. In other words, not something that requires tons of stimulation and lots of running to have them semi tired at the end of the day. Also, a dog that won't complain if they happen to miss a day of exercise for some reason.
- Between 30-80lbs, give or take. She doesn't want a small dog. She likes medium and large dogs.
- Doesn't require a lot of grooming
- Doesn't have a tendency to bark excessively, but it doesn't have to be super quiet either. She just doesn't want a dog who barks for what seems like the sole sake of hearing their own voice.
- A dog that doesn't have a strong tendency to be reactive (to noises, people, dogs) or aggressive (to dogs, people)


There's probably more information that I should give, but I can't think of anything else at the moment. Her dream dog is a Great Dane, but she's not sure she could ever really own one. The health issues and short lifespan aren't very appealing, and she doesn't know what raising a Dane puppy would be like. It might be too much dog for her.

She's thought about another Rottweiler as well, but eventhough Echo was the perfect dog for her, she doubts that another Rottweiler will be and feels she lucked out with Echo.

Basically, she wants a dog that she can live with and enjoy. She loves the Dobermans, but they're really a lot of dog for her. Very intense, way too much energy, not as people pleasing as she'd like, and pretty pushy if we're not on them constantly. They're more work than they are fun for her, as much as she loves them. She's not a pushover, but she's not the most confident person in the world always either anymore, and has a hard time being as assertive as she needs to be sometimes with the dogs.

Anyone have any suggestions? They'd be really appreciated. I've thought maybe a Smooth Collie might be a good fit, but I have very limited experience with Collies and am not sure. Does anyone know what their energy levels are like? How barky they are? Do they enjoy pleasing and working with their owner as much as they appear to?

 

[MicksMom]

...She's thought about another Rottweiler as well, but eventhough Echo was the perfect dog for her, she doubts that another Rottweiler will be and feels she lucked out with Echo...

Hmm, I was going to suggest a Rott. If she really isn't opened to the idea of another one, I'd suggest she look into something else in the working group.

 

[Catsi]

Mmm... I nearly said a miniature poodle then, then I thought it may be too small and then the last stumbling block was the grooming lol!

Maybe a whippet?

 

[Toller_08]

Hmm, I was going to suggest a Rott. If she really isn't opened to the idea of another one, I'd suggest she look into something else in the working group.

I think she's afraid of her expectations being too high, and she's also afraid of losing the dog young. Our first girl died at 7yrs old due to health issues, and Echo died of cancer by 5yrs old. I think she is giving some thought to another one, though. She's also just trying to open up her options incase there is something better suited to her out there too.

Mmm... I nearly said a miniature poodle then, then I thought it may be too small and then the last stumbling block was the grooming lol!

Maybe a whippet?

Haha, I've mentioned Poodles to her before, but the grooming is always what gets to her. She likes them otherwise, though!

She's given some thought to Greyhounds and Whippets before, but she doesn't totally like the look of them and I think they might be too independent thinking.

 

[*blackrose]

Hmmmm....the list actually sounds a lot like what I am looking for in my next breed of dog. I had on my list of breeds to highly consider:
Labrador Retriever
Boxer
Rottweiler
Cardigan Welsh Corgi
Olde English Bulldogge (OEBKC version)
Great Dane
Clumber Spaniel

If it wasn't for the fact that I have always had Labs and I love them to peices, I was seriously, seriously considering a Clumber Spaniel. I still toy with the idea, actually. They do have a coat that requires grooming and they SHED like no other. I am typically not a spaniel person at all, but something just draws me to Clumbers.
Clumber Spaniel Club of America

If she is a spaniel person, I've been told a Welsh Springer Spaniel or Brittany would be a good fit for what I want...I just don't prefer spaniels. LOL

As for myself, I think I settled on another Labrador. The close follow ups would be the Rott and the Clumber. I can't comment on a Smooth Collie, but from what I know of them they may work.

 

[Catsi]

Yes, you are right Toller, you would have to find the 'right' dog to be a bit more people focused in the grey/whippets.

I have no info on Smooth Collies but they sound like they could fit the bill. They have all the intelligence and trainability, they would be active, but they don't take me as a breed that would bounce of the walls if they miss a day here and there. Hopefully a collie person will come in and give you their thoughts.

What about a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Big dog, low maintainence coat. Again active, but not going to bounce off the walls. Possibly a little bit more of a challenge in the training department?? Being a hound though, they may be a little independent, again though you'd have to confirm with some Ridgey people.

 

[MericoX]

I was going to suggest a Standard Poodle as they sounded perfect for her requirements minus grooming. Though grooming at home is quite easy unless your wanting them kept in s continental.

 

[CharlieDog]

I would recommend against the brittany myself. I've been around a LOT of them, and they ARE bounce off the wall type dogs until they hit middle age. Seriously, they have a ton of energy.

 

[Dekka]

She wants a Bounce lol.... Whippets are pretty people pleasing for the most part. Esp if you use positive reinforcement. They are too soft for many corrections, that is where I think they get their reputation from.

Whippets are less 'sighthoundy' than most sighthounds. Bounce will honestly work for praise and a chance to chase me for most things... The one thing with whippets is that they won't work for many reps. If you are training them less is more. But they are easy and eager to fit in for the most part. Love exercise but not demanding. Quiet but not silent.

 

[mrose_s]

Aussi, GSD or Poodle?

 

[sillysally]

I know that a lot of people dismiss them for being "too common," but a lab from a good bench breeder sounds like it might fit well (definitely would stay away from field lines for her situation though).

 

[Ilyena]

Flatcoated retriever? Or perhaps a show golden or lab would fit too.

 

[CaliTerp07]

I know that a lot of people dismiss them for being "too common," but a lab from a good bench breeder sounds like it might fit well (definitely would stay away from field lines for her situation though).

I was thinking that too.

 

[Lizmo]

We have a Standard Poodle, and unless you want the dog to be in a show coat all the time, we clip ours about twice a year. No other grooming. His coat is pretty wash 'n wear.

 

[Toller_08]

Thanks everyone!

I'd thought about a bench/show line Lab and suggested it, but she wasn't too keen on one. She doesn't have anything against dogs that are popular, but Labs just aren't her thing. Actually, retrievers in general aren't really her thing after getting to know a bunch of Flatcoats (and a few Labs and Goldens). They're almost too eager and a little in your face.

She likes Standard Poodles (and Miniature Poodles), but the grooming does bother her. We had a Bichon Frise and she hated having to shave him constantly. Poodles aren't being ruled out completely, though. Poodles are pretty high energy though, aren't they? The Dobe people I know who have had Poodles previous (Standards) say that the two breeds are pretty similar. Although, their Dobermans might have different energy levels than mine do.

Dekka, I'd actually thought of Bounce when I was making this thread! Just by the things you've said about her here and there. Is Bounce typical for a Whippet? Also, are there many differences between regular Whippets and LH Whippets? We'd love to know more about them if you have a few moments. Mom used to adore Whippets, until she got to know one that belongs to a friend of ours. Juno (friend's dog) isn't really eager to do much of anything besides be a couch potato, and when he's out in public he's just so blah about everything and extremely reserved.

 

[Dekka]

If you get a good whippet, from lines that do more than just conformation yes she is relatively typical of whippets in general. I have met quite a few now and they are similar to her. (though of course I think she is the bestest whippet there is...)

 

[Amstaffer]

I know some will blast me for this but I say APBT. You can find plenty of APBTs that are great with other dogs but you do have to be careful in this area. Otherwise every other requirement is a slam dunk for the Pittie. They are great dogs IMHO.

I have just potty trained my 3 Pittie and I am still amazed as to how fast they get it. Dotty was the slowest of the three and she had only three accidents and for her age, I actually think that two were my fault and one was my wife's. She also came from a home where they encouraged her to go to the bathroom in the basement

 

[darkchild16]

IF she doesnt want a puppy that is indeed true Amstaff. If you could find a cold APBT thats not a puppy you would fulfill ALL the requirments. ALOT of APBT rescue groups I know do foster to adopt as we;ll so you could truly see the dog day in and day out to make sure it is the right fit.

 

[JennSLK]

if your looking at a pittie Home

 

[Romy]

I have just potty trained my 3 Pittie and I am still amazed as to how fast they get it. Dotty was the slowest of the three and she had only three accidents and for her age, I actually think that two were my fault and one was my wife's. She also came from a home where they encouraged her to go to the bathroom in the basement

Wait wait wait wait. You're a guy?!? All this time I thought you were a girl for some reason. :doh:

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread...