Finding the right dog

[CharlieDog]

Hi all. I have a thirty two pound Australian Shepherd/ Jack Russell mix whom I love just about everything about, a few problems, but we are working on those. I want to add another dog to my family to help exercise with Ozzy. Nothing like playing with another dog to make a dog tired. The problem is, I cant seem to find the right breed.

I want a dog about the same size as Oz, about thirty pounds or so. I want a shorter haired dog, no extensive grooming please. I take Ozzy to a nature park where there are miles of trails, just about every weekend, and Id like the dog to enjoy that as much as Ozzy. I really want a breed that loves people and doesnt have a huge prey drive so that I dont have to worry about the cats in the neighborhood getting the scare of their lives when they come in the backyard. Oz is chill with them, and hangs out on the patio with our cat.

Anyone know of a dog breed or hybrid breed like this? I would go to a shelter, but there is no guarantee that the dogs there will match anything like that other than size. I'm already having to hire a behaviorist for Oz's leash aggression problems with other dogs, I don't want to do even more extensive work with an under socialized dog.

Any help will be appreciated!

 

[Lizmo]

Golden. From your description it sounds like that would fit you well and what you are looking for. Happy-go-lucky, friendly, long walks.

 

[milos_mommy]

Golden's aren't really "short-hair" though, and they're bigger.

I'd go for another Aussie mix. Although they do try and "herd" cats a lot, if you go to a shelter they usually test them with cats. i say a mix because you could find a mix with short hair.

 

[BostonBanker]

You need a Meg. Fits all your requirements, and available for $25 at your local rescue!

Do you have any all-breed rescues near you? You can check on Petfinder. Often, rescues spend a lot more time with the dogs in a home-type environment, so they will be able to give you more information on the dog and any potential issues than many shelters can. I certainly never would have gone looking for a Mountain Cur, but was just looking for a dog with basically the same requirements as you, and got the right match thanks to a rescue pointing me to the right dog.

 

[Hillside]

My Aussie is 31.5 pounds at a year old. He most likely comes from working lines. I am judging that from the fact that he isn't as heavy boned as most Aussies you see and he is ALMOST short haired. ( Plus his turn in paperwork from the shelter said he was from a farm.) He has a bit of a ruff and his pantaloons, but that's about it. Maybe if you search in Aussie rescue, you can find a dog to meet your needs. If you go through ARPH, their dogs are in foster families so they know WAY more about their temperment than a shelter would.

 

[CharlieDog]

I just put in an application with ARPH, so I hope to hear back from them soon. They had a couple dogs that caught my eye on their website for my area, that also sounded like they would be good fits, but Im not sure how big they are. There was one who sounded like the perfect dog for me, but he is way down in south Georgia, and Im in Atlanta. I wonder if they would move him up here if he is a good match?

 

[Dekka]

You might want to look at dogs with a bit of coat. The short coats shed waayy more than wirey longer hair (see my siggy for pics of my hairy beasts) and don't need grooming

 

[CharlieDog]

I dont mind brushing a dog out, but I dont want to deal with matted fur and dirty feathers, and making sure there isnt anything stuck in the fur around the butt. Please no. Not me at all. I've gotten used to having to brush Oz, he sheds a rather lot. A whole lot actually, but I dont want to deal with mats, and poopy pantaloons.

 

[Lizmo]

LOL sorry, I totally missed the part about size.