Finding a dog for me

[Ilyena]

Well I'm now one year away from being done with my education before I find a job and sometime after that (in a couple of years probably) when I got a more stable environment for keeping a dog I'd very much like to get one of my own. So I thought I'd start early and research what breed(s) would be suitable for me.

I'm very likely going to live in an apartment for a while. I will eventually be getting a house of my own but not in the nearest 5 to 10 years. However my parents live in a house on the country-side and we also have a summerhouse with water nearby so at least weekly visits there is pretty much guaranteed.

I'd prefer a medium-sized or bigger dog but it should be one that is able to comfortably live in a 1-2 room apartment so I'm open to all suggestions really, but no miniature dog that will need clothes to survive our chilly Scandinavian winters. He should be loyal, intelligent, pretty easily trained since this will be my first dog and moderately active to active. He will be walked several times a day and if possible I'd like to get into agility as well. He should have a stable temperament and be friendly towards both other dogs and people (children as well). I have one guinea pig, one parrot and the neighbor's Golden Retriever that I regularly watch out for when necessary and I'm also around horses a lot so getting along with other animals will be necessary.

I don't mind the regular grooming but I don't want to have to go to a groomer for any harder tasks much, if at all. Shedding isn't really an issue.

All ideas would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[jess2416]

you can start at K9 Country they are a pretty good source

 

[anna84]

good with other kids and dogs and fairly easily trained medium sized. I would look at a lot of the sporting retrieving breeds. Some of the bigger spaniels like the brittany, also goldens and labs might be a good fit. of course all of these dogs are going to need plenty of exercise and you need to look for a good breeder

 

[FoxyWench]

apartment compatible
medium-large
loyal, intelligent, pretty easily trained since this will be my first dog and moderately active to active
agility compatible
and very frinedly
light grooming...

hmm first dog that jumps to mind is the english cocker spaniel...english tend to have a softer temperment and less snappy than the american cocker. there medium sized, have good indoors energy but LOVE to play and walk and romp so would be good for an apartment, there usually GREAT with kids people and other dogs there a flushing breed so youd need to get a puppy and teach it early that birdy isnt a toy...we had a working english cocker and an african grey who were best frineds as she was taught from day one, outsid birds = flush, indoors bird = friend so its easy done. and most wont bother small mammals as there bird dogs by nature.
they do need some grooming, a good brush daily if you want to keep them in their gorgeous coat and a trim every 8 weeks or if you want feild/puppy coat a simple puppy cut (alot simpler than the ful coat cut) the brushing is the big thing to keep up with, they tend to get tangles in their armpits and the ears should be checked regularly.

if your lookgng for somehting on the larger end have you through about a dane, greyhound or wolfhound? all of these dogs are large dogs that do great in an apartment so long as they get plenty of playtime outside (walks playtime ect). they also tend to be easier on the grooming, and very sweet dogs...all of them have been described as couch potatoes lol.

goldens are of course big sweethearts...

hope this helps...
are there any breeds in particular that your interested in and wondering whether theyd fit? theres sooo many breeds out there lol

 

[MK&C]

English Springer Spaniel, maybe?

 

[Ilyena]

Thanks for the suggestions. Some pretty good ideas that confirmed that I'm at least thinking of the right type of dogs. I love the retrievers, especially the flat-coated and golden, but it seems they need more space than I can give such a dog for the time being. But the spaniel breeds seem quite interesting so maybe some type of spaniel would be more suitable.

Daily brushing and trimming every now and then won't be a problem as long as it's something I can do myself so I don't have to bring the dog to a professional groomer since it's pretty far to the closest groomer and they're just so expensive here. I know dogs are expensive and I won't get a dog before I can afford everything that comes with owning a dog but professional groomers are in my opinion a waste of money when I have no plans for a show dog.

As for the big dogs suggested (wolfdog, greyhound, dane), they are a bit too big for me. The size of the setters is about the largest I can consider. Not only do those really big dogs make me turn around and go in the other direction when I meet any but such a big dog would make transportation a bit difficult since whatever dog I get will have to fit in a car and preferably leave some space for other things as well. The temperament of the Irish wolfdog sounds great, but that size is just too much.. lol

Off the top of my head and a quick look at some list of breeds resulted in the following list that I've found interesting but I'm guessing some breeds probably won't meet the criteria listed.

American Water Spaniel
Brittany Spaniel
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
English Cocker Spaniel
Field Spaniel
Flat-coated Retriever
Golden Retriever
Labrador Retriever
Irish Setter
Samoyed
Sheltie
Keeshound
Beagle
Chow chow
Weimaraner
Vizsla

Out of the smaller dogs the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is the one that I like most but the common health problems for that breed makes me quite hesitant thinking it might be better to choose some other breed instead. Still there's no one of the others except for the retrievers and the irish setter that are as appealing to me as the cavalier.

 

[bubbatd]

Three guesses !!!!

 

[smkie]

i am dedicated to www.petfinder.com I believe that if you go there and scan until suddenly your heart strings go twangggggg you will find the absolute right dog for you. It may not be anything you had preconcieved notion of wanting, but i have heard too many people say they found THE ONE! there. I know i did.
Here is a pretty gurl i would like to bring home http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?ac...c-app1&display=&preview=1&row=175&tmpl=&stat= and if this one doesn't get a home today! i will be amazed. Who could look away from a face like this http://www.petfinder.com/pet.cgi?ac...c-app1&display=&preview=1&row=300&tmpl=&stat=

 

[Mindy Miller]

Out of your list, I also like the Cavalier king Charles. So pretty. My aunt had a keeshund that was beautiful. She matched every quality you were looking for.

 

[FoxyWench]

American Water Spaniel: one of the spaniel breeds im not very familiar with.
Brittany Spaniel: wonderfull spaniels tend to be higher energy than some others. but typical spaniel temperment (sweet and bouncy lovebug)
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel: WONDERFULL dogs, there typical spaniel charcater in a smaller package, do need daily brushing but not much in the ways of trimming required. again keep an eye on those floppy ears. ALWAYS buy from a repuatable breeder to ensure best health possible.
English Cocker Spaniel: one of my fave breeds, generally all around great dogs, not prone to many of the problems the american cocker has due to them being so lightly bred.
Field Spaniel: another great spaneil, a little more indoor energy than the english...
Flat-coated Retriever: not very familiar with this breed
Golden Retriever : generally big swethearts when well bred (be warey ive seen backyard bred goldens that are agressive, this is NOT how a golden should be...) goldens usually fit anywhere their people do.
Labrador Retriever: great dogs, do tend to shed ALOT...
Irish Setter: another of my favorites! they do need a good run every day, andneed their silky coat brushed through every day. can be a little aloof but otherwise a wonderfull (and beautiful) breed
Samoyed: from what i know fo these guys if you live in a warm climate, this wouldnt work, (they HATE the heat lol) they do have that thick undercoat so brushing will take a little longer and they need a good long walk/run. any of the spitz like breeds tend to be playfull but can be a little stubborn.
Sheltie: nice but tend to be VERY high energy, there small enough physically for an apartment but a sheltie would need some form of working activity (agility) at least once a week ontop of their daily walks.
Keeshound: another double coated spitz like breed, tend to be a little better in the warmth than a sammy, but wouldnt love you for moving to florida lol.
Beagle: he will follow his nose...they tend to be talkers too, i dont think id suggest a beagle for an apartment as they have very BIG voices and like to use them lol. they also tend to be stubborn and while very inteligent are difficult to train.
Chow chow: watch out for skin and eye problems and dog agression, very protective of his people, chows make GREAT watch dogs but probably wouldnt work if you think one day youd like to get a second dog
Weimaraner: beautiful but dont knwo much else about them,
Vizsla: again beautiful but dont know much about them.

 

[Mindy Miller]

Have you thought about a Tibetan terrier or a Tibetan Mastif?

http://akc.mondosearch.com/cgi-bin/...=X&QUERY_ENCODING=UTF-8&QUERY=tibet&MCAT[2]=X

The terrier might be a little more grooming than you wanted, but they're cool dogs.

 

[RetrieverLove]

I think a Cavalier would suit your situation well! All dogs are prone to some kind of genetic problem, get it from reputable breeder and I wouldn't worry *too* much. They are great dogs. I see them as the Golden Retrievers of the small dog "world". They are great all around pets.

 

[dogluffer]

the lab or golden r both very loyal dogs! they r both good 4 rescue,blind people,and retrieving! not good 4 gurd dogs! if u want an loyal gaurd dog id suggest the kuvasz,or great pyranese! just look up both those breeds!i may have spelled pyranese wrong?

 

[dogluffer]

oops! u want medium size! id suggest the cavilier also! they r great dogs! or cocker! beagles r nice too! they can get pretty stubborn but they make a great dog!

 

[yoko]

adopt a mix!!!

they'll love you for the rest of your life, they're loyal, and they come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and activity levels

 

[dogluffer]

mixes r cool! and mostley u find more mixes than purebreds! i recomond my dogs breed! kona shes a jack russel terrier and chihuahua mix she is soo loyal! she only grows to be 15lb i think? shes only 5motnhs! check her! click on my avatar and ull see her pic!

 

[yoko]

why don't you take a couple of breeds you like and then look in the shelters for something with a bit of each

 

[dogluffer]

yes! i suggest u get an dog breed book! and it will tell ya the size,weight,hair,feeding,agressission,and all that! lots of breeds r rare so do what yoko said pick a couple breeds! hope that helps?

 

[yoko]

yay for mutts!! they need love just like any other dog

how could you turn down a face like that

 

[dogluffer]

yoko ur dog is soo cute! i love mutts! all my dogs r mutts! except vinnie hes pure bred! what is ur dog mixed with? mines kona a terrier/chi
and coby is a pitbull-australain shepard-rottie-lab mix!