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As a frequent reader, but not poster, here goes nothin'. I know some of you are on other dog forums and may have seen me post there. Not sure why I never made it here.
I'm looking for a "like GSD" but healthier. I'm willing to go smaller, but nothing below 45 lbs.
What I love about shepherds:
- Brains
- Seriousness
- Owner worship without being touchy feely (current hound would prefer to be in your lap at all times - drives me nuts)
- Bombproofness
- Wash 'n wear (highly prefer short but double coated breeds)
- Aloofness with strangers
- Good off switch
- Hardness
We live on 500 acres in Maine, so must be able to handle very cold weather and rough terrain. We hike long distances in the back country, camp, kayak, etc. This is also why I mention hardness - we're sort of a rough 'n tumble family.
I've thought about Border Collie, but sound reactivity is a problem during hunting season, and whenever DH gets irritated (he's a shouter - eggs are burning, he yells at them. I fear a Border Collie would take this to mean all eggs are a source of anxiety that should be treated with suspicion.)
I've thought of Aussie, but "bouncy" and "happy" sort of turn me off. Maybe working Aussie? Any working Aussie people here?
I've thought of ACD but frankly all the ones I see look too short of leg for our area. I'd have to hoist them up rocks. No fun.
I've thought of Malinois, but fear it's way too much dog.
I've thought of the other Belgians but their snipey heads and abundant coat turn me off. My chow mix has a coat like that - it's a snowball magnet.
I've thought of English Shepherd but they seem so variable that I can't peg them. Some are too fluffy as well.
There's a bazillion rare breed herders, but I'm not super keen on importing. I will if I have to, however, since I feel like I've hit a wall.
I'm also open to non-herders. Since I like them, that's just where I started, but maybe I should broaden the search?
I'm looking for a "like GSD" but healthier. I'm willing to go smaller, but nothing below 45 lbs.
What I love about shepherds:
- Brains
- Seriousness
- Owner worship without being touchy feely (current hound would prefer to be in your lap at all times - drives me nuts)
- Bombproofness
- Wash 'n wear (highly prefer short but double coated breeds)
- Aloofness with strangers
- Good off switch
- Hardness
We live on 500 acres in Maine, so must be able to handle very cold weather and rough terrain. We hike long distances in the back country, camp, kayak, etc. This is also why I mention hardness - we're sort of a rough 'n tumble family.
I've thought about Border Collie, but sound reactivity is a problem during hunting season, and whenever DH gets irritated (he's a shouter - eggs are burning, he yells at them. I fear a Border Collie would take this to mean all eggs are a source of anxiety that should be treated with suspicion.)
I've thought of Aussie, but "bouncy" and "happy" sort of turn me off. Maybe working Aussie? Any working Aussie people here?
I've thought of ACD but frankly all the ones I see look too short of leg for our area. I'd have to hoist them up rocks. No fun.
I've thought of Malinois, but fear it's way too much dog.
I've thought of the other Belgians but their snipey heads and abundant coat turn me off. My chow mix has a coat like that - it's a snowball magnet.
I've thought of English Shepherd but they seem so variable that I can't peg them. Some are too fluffy as well.
There's a bazillion rare breed herders, but I'm not super keen on importing. I will if I have to, however, since I feel like I've hit a wall.
I'm also open to non-herders. Since I like them, that's just where I started, but maybe I should broaden the search?