Breed Suggestions, please?

[Whisper]

Well, Millie and I are both getting lonely. It's far too quiet. Of course most of it has to with Lucy missing, though that hole can't be filled.
Part of it also, though, is general- that I miss having two dogs and Millie misses having a sister. We need someone around to make some noise.
It's decided that we'll start looking next year.

Anyway, I'd love some suggestions from Chazzers.

First thing I'd like to say is I know a mixed breed could fill my requirements and I am definitely keeping that in mind. For this thread I'd like to focus on purebreds, though. I am planning on going through a shelter or rescue in any case.

Wants and likes/dislikes:
-General size range, medium; bigger than 20 pounds, under 60 pounds.
-Handler focused, i.e. a dog that is "into" me.
-I like spunky dogs. I greatly prefer high energy dogs that like to train, hike, chase a ball until they drop- dogs that like to be doing things.
-I like a certain amount of biddability.
-I don't care how the dog feels about strangers. In fact it's kind of annoying to me when a dog is "too friendly."
-I don't mind brushing a lot or some trimming, I don't mind lots of shedding (I'm used to picking hairs out of my food), but I draw the line at needing professional grooming, like poodles or similarly coated breeds.
-I really don't want to deal with DA. Some DR or selectiveness is fine, I can deal with that.

Physical traits:
-No brachycephalic breeds.
-No curly or wiry coats.
-I love fluff. Smooth coats are fine, too, definitely, but I'm especially drawn to dogs that are feathered or long haired.

The top breeds I have in mind are Aussies and Tollers, though Tollers would be very hard to find in rescue in my area.
I would love a BC but my mom is still not sold on them, and while she would allow me to get one, I'm not going to force her while I'm under her roof.

 

[SailenAero]

a u s t r a l i a n s h e p h e r d

or border collie

 

[Dekka]

toller? Though they are hard to find in rescues as you said.. but you never know.

 

[JessLough]

I think you need a Rosey

I like (generally) the same things in dogs... and aussies and tollers are definitely on my list.

 

[toxic]

Yep, Aussie was what came to mind as I read through your list. I'm itching for a purebred one myself in the distant future.

Some retrievers would also fit your criteria (although they ARE generally more loving towards everyone.) I'd peek around the sporting group for ideas as well. I rather like pointers and setters and spaniels.

 

[momto8]

Aussie was the first thing I thought of..or a border collie Also Collies are pretty energetic and very focused on their owners, but they are pretty much love everyone they meet lol!

 

[Beanie]

Yup, Aussie would probably do the job. You could probably find one of the monster-sized shelties in sheltie rescue and that would put them in your size range, too...
I know you said purebred, but maybe your mom would be more open to a BC mix if she's not game for a full BC? Then you can sell her on a purebred BC later hahaha.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

Border collie or tervuren come to mind for me.

 

[Red.Apricot]

Border collie or tervuren come to mind for me.

It does sound like Elsie... but when you say high energy, you better mean high energy. She'll chase a ball forever, but I've never seen her drop.

 

[Emily]

Sounds exactly like my Cardi... if you chose carefully, you can find one that's high energy/high drive in rescue. And if you want spunk, they've got it in SPADES. Aleron on here found her Cardi Ziggy in rescue - he had been turned in for biting pant legs and herding the kids, LOL.

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

Your list sounds a lot like mine! Some things are different, but I'm all for biddabilty and don't neccesarily want super "in your face" friendly. I love floof, med. size and handler oriented. Breeds I'm considering are Shelties and Border Collies. I think my next dog will be a mutt, but after that I want a purebred and those are the breeds I'm considering. I'm not 100% sold on the BC energy, I want to meet more of them, but sounds to me like you could handle it. Isn't Millie part BC? If I were you I'd look for a BC or BC mix, and have your mom meet the individual dog so she's "sold".

Good luck! I know no one could ever replace Lucy, but I know my girls have made losing my original crew so much easier. And out of all of it, I found Chloe, my heart dog. Losing the pets you love is one of the hardest things there is, but I comfort myself by knowing that if none of it had ever happened, I wouldn't have what I have now.

 

[Whisper]

Thanks, everyone. I really think it will be an Aussie. I keep looking at Aussies for adoption (and there are PUPPIES in rescue, ACKKK) and doing random research and I'm falling more and more in love with everything about them.
Of course there's always the huge chance I fall in love with a muttly mutt that's both the exact opposite of what I want and just right.

I know you said purebred, but maybe your mom would be more open to a BC mix if she's not game for a full BC? Then you can sell her on a purebred BC later hahaha.

That would be a good idea (for a sane person, as much as I love her), but Millie's a BC mix, and she's still still scared. She's convinced a purebred border collie is a guarantee of a completely destructive, obsessive compulsive nutcase. The funny thing is I don't think she's actually met a purebred BC, apart from seeing them in a yard from a distance.

Good luck! I know no one could ever replace Lucy, but I know my girls have made losing my original crew so much easier. And out of all of it, I found Chloe, my heart dog. Losing the pets you love is one of the hardest things there is, but I comfort myself by knowing that if none of it had ever happened, I wouldn't have what I have now.

Thank you. <3 It's hard to think that logically when you're so full of grief, but I know it was true for Millie. When I lost Mandy I didn't want anything to do with Millie, I just wanted Mandy back. Fast forward almost a decade and Millie and I are almost like one being. She's my heart dog and my best friend.

I'm not emotionally ready for a new dog yet, but I'm getting there. I need to sort some of Lucy's stuff and let myself grieve a bit more, seeing as it's only been a month.
But you guys should see Millie. She used to be an only dog and resented living with the Rotties, and then Lucy, but it's been a long time since she was an only dog now. She seems so very lost and lonely. She and I both need some distraction and someone else fluffy to pierce all the quiet.

 

[Toller_08]

I think a Toller would be a great fit... but as you said, finding one in rescue would be tough. There is a Toller rescue group in the US, though. They might be able to help you. The only thing I find is that often the rescue "tollers" aren't even Tollers at all. They often seem to be little red and white Cocker or Aussie mixes. Sometimes breeders get dogs returned to them as well though for one reason or another, so that might be an option too. I know this past year I've heard of a lot of Tollers being returned and having to be rehomed.

I think an Aussie is an excellent choice also. The ones I've gotten to know remind me a lot of Tollers too, which surprised me. They do sound similar in a lot of ways, but in person the similarities were nearly endless. Though I do find Aussies more bouncy and barky.

That's too bad your mom doesn't want a Border Collie. I know you've been wanting one for a while.

 

[monkeys23]

BC or Aussie sprang first to my mind too.
If you don't mind going a little bigger a GSD could be good as well!
I bet a Terv would be nice too.

It does sound like Elsie... but when you say high energy, you better mean high energy. She'll chase a ball forever, but I've never seen her drop.

At least you can throw a ball... my Sibe/GSD mixes have very little toy drive, so I just get to go running. I have never worn Lily out, even taking her to my parent's where she can run full tilt in the pasture or hiked up a mountain (she probably does twice or thrice the distance I do with exploring). Count your blessings.

 

[monkeys23]

Thanks, everyone. I really think it will be an Aussie. I keep looking at Aussies for adoption (and there are PUPPIES in rescue, ACKKK) and doing random research and I'm falling more and more in love with everything about them.
Of course there's always the huge chance I fall in love with a muttly mutt that's both the exact opposite of what I want and just right.

Yay I'm glad you are thinking Aussie! You'll know when the time is right I'm sure.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

BC or Aussie sprang first to my mind too.
If you don't mind going a little bigger a GSD could be good as well!
I bet a Terv would be nice too.


At least you can throw a ball... my Sibe/GSD mixes have very little toy drive, so I just get to go running. I have never worn Lily out, even taking her to my parent's where she can run full tilt in the pasture or hiked up a mountain (she probably does twice or thrice the distance I do with exploring). Count your blessings.

I know that frustration! i have had some fosters like that, endless energy and no workable focus. gah!

This is why I'll never get a seppala, even though I love them, and probably always have herders.

 

[Red.Apricot]

BC or Aussie sprang first to my mind too.
If you don't mind going a little bigger a GSD could be good as well!
I bet a Terv would be nice too.


At least you can throw a ball... my Sibe/GSD mixes have very little toy drive, so I just get to go running. I have never worn Lily out, even taking her to my parent's where she can run full tilt in the pasture or hiked up a mountain (she probably does twice or thrice the distance I do with exploring). Count your blessings.

It wasn't pure luck. ;] She tried (repeatedly) to steal the string from my hoodie when I met her at 4 weeks old. I absolutely couldn't deal with a dog that didn't have toy drive--I don't jog or run (well, for any real distance), and there really isn't anywhere close to bike safely with a dog. The constant balls dropped in my lap gets old, though, especially because they're so wet.

When we go for hikes, Elsie likes to run in 20-50 foot diameter circles around the whole group, full speed, the whole time we're walking. She pauses occasionally to pick up sticks to hit me with, and then takes off again.

She's actually taking a nap (recharging) right now, but I think the reason is that she spent the whole day policing the tree-trimmers in the back yard through the window.

There is a reason that, while guests have frequently 'threatened' to steal my boyfriend's dog, no one has ever said that about Elsie. :rofl1:

 

[monkeys23]

Yeah I definitely want one with toy drive in the future, though I think I probably will always have a husky mix around. Northern breeds are like **** potato chips if they are what you love. At least they play with each other really well too, they wrestle and have spastic zoomies around the house which amuses me to no end. They do like tug with the bite suit tugs, but that's about it!

 

[Whisper]

Okay, an Aussie is it. That's my final decision.

monkeys, you need to post more pictures! I've only seen pictures of your dogs in the thread where we listed all our animals, and I need to see more. Your dogs are absolutely gorgeous. <3

 

[toxic]

Yeah I definitely want one with toy drive in the future, though I think I probably will always have a husky mix around. Northern breeds are like **** potato chips if they are what you love. At least they play with each other really well too, they wrestle and have spastic zoomies around the house which amuses me to no end. They do like tug with the bite suit tugs, but that's about it!

Oh man I have that problem too. Both of mine are so well built for agility or frisbee... but have zero drive for it! Drives me bonkers, much as I love them for being true blue husky mutts. They definitely have their own play style though! Perfectly matched.

That's why I also want a pure aussie in the future, and a retriever again. But it'll be hard saying no to any future husky/malamutes that catch my eye.