I'm looking for breed suggestions:

[milos_mommy]

Eventually, within a few years if things get straightened out with my JRTs aggression, I will be getting a second dog. I'd probably start out with a rescue or shelter dog, and depending on how much I fall in love with that dogs breed or main breed, i may start conformation, working, and breeding myself. I'm just not sure what breeds to consider.

I'd love an APBT more than anything, but they're not AKC recognized, and i don't know if i could deal with all the assholes in this world owning one.

I want an active dog. (JRTs and Border Collies are two of my favorite breeds ). I'd like a medium/large - large dog. I LOVE huge dogs, Mastiffs, Danes, St. Bernards, but really, their lifespan seems wayyy too short for me. I want a dog that doesn't need constant grooming and coat management. If it needs a little brushing twice a week, fine. I can not spend two hours a day making sure my afghan hounds coat doesn't tangle.

I like cuddly dogs, over-sized lap dogs, etc. I'd like a breed who gets very attached to one person, but is friendly with everyone. I want a breed that is intelligent and thinks for themselves, but also one that is easy to train. I'd like to participate in agility, maybe obedience, and probably whatever the dog was bred to do (sledding, herding, tracking, etc).

I want a dog that will be good with other dogs, can tough the outside weather (it would be an inside dog, but playing in snow or high temperatures, etc) and IS GOOD WITH KIDS. It doesn't have to love kids, but it needs to play nice. Licking and pawing is fine. Scratching, biting, barking, and going insane around children is not. (Milo can not seem to understand the concept "humans come in different sizes. Just because it's small, does not make it a dog or rabbit").

I prefer a dog that doesn't have a big mouth. A bark at the doorbell, a little play-growling, etc, is fine. Barking because you want my burger or because there are birds outside is not okay.

The dog will probably be spending time in an apartment, but will have a large area to run at my parents house at least a few times a week, and will get ample walking, ball-playing, romping, wrestling, etc, every day. As long as the dog can chill out for a few hours alone (ie - seperation anxiety = bad), everyone will be happy.

As a young girl who will in a few years (or like, one year, jeez time flies), i'd like a semi-intimidating looking (or at least sounding) dog, and not one who is going to kiss the tresspassers to death, or just sleep through my brutal murder

Some breeds i have in mind: Giant Schnauzer, Australian Shepherd, Rhodesian Ridgeback, German Sheperd, Rottie, Lab, Old English Sheepdog (i'd clip it), Dalmation (not sure how good with kiddos they are, though, and i wouldn't get one from a shelter, i don't think), German Shorthaired Pointer, Weimaraner, Vizsla... other suggestions are welcome

 

[Xerxes]

What about a spinone italiano? Or a Ibizan Hound (challenging for obedience work, but super friendly and super smart, combined with independence.) Portuguese Waterdogs always come to mind because of how versatile they are, and how diverse in size...

Just thought I'd toss those out.

 

[milos_mommy]

Spinone!! i forgot about those! They're one of my favorite breeds. I wanted an Izbian hound terribly when i was younger, but i don't think a sighthound is the dog for me... PWDs are cool, but again not for me.

**goes to research Spinones**

 

[JennSLK]

Weims cant be in cold weather. Neither can anything with hair like it.

 

[Romy]

Karelian bear dogs are awesome tough hardworking dogs that do well with children. They are not AKC accepted, but you could work them no problem.

A very well bred and well socialized akita might be a good fit as well. They get extremely attached to their people, and when raised with children they'll do anything to protect them.

 

[elegy]

we have a client at the vet clinic where i work with a young spinone bitch. if they're all like this girl is, i want one. she is the coolest dog. she's the only one i've come into contact with on a regular basis, so i don't know how true she is to the breed. she comes from what seems to be a pretty responsible breeder.

 

[Dekka]

Tollers..you basically described a toller to a 'T'

 

[milos_mommy]

Tollers..you basically described a toller to a 'T'

i do like tollers, but i don't care for their coats

As far as cold, we'll be down south. It's unlikely the dog will ever be in extreme cold. If he was, and it was needed, a coat & booties would be provided.

 

[CelticxConnections]

An older GSD comes to mind, a sleek coated one if posible.

Only problem with them is that twice a year they blow their coat and generally that means a bit extra brushing or you will get a somewhat raggity looking dog.

When I say slick coat I mean something like Duke:

VS Someone like Baron

 

[milos_mommy]

An older GSD comes to mind, a sleek coated one if posible.

Only problem with them is that twice a year they blow their coat and generally that means a bit extra brushing or you will get a somewhat raggity looking dog.

When I say slick coat I mean something like Duke:

VS Someone like Baron

<33 GSDs

If they need a little extra brushing every few months, that's fine. I don't mind brushing a dog at all, i just can't sit for two hours and trim and clip and de-mat. Running a brush through their coat for ten minutes a day is no problem.

My cousin has a GSD, Smokey. He might be the most beautiful dog i've EVER seen. He has seizures though, it's terrible.

 

[Laurelin]

Just a note, my GSD shedded like no other. Of course, he was a mix, so he may have had the wrong coat type.

Long hair does not always equal more shedding and more grooming, it depends on the coat type really. Just my 2 cents.

 

[milos_mommy]

Just a note, my GSD shedded like no other. Of course, he was a mix, so he may have had the wrong coat type.

Long hair does not always equal more shedding and more grooming, it depends on the coat type really. Just my 2 cents.

I don't care about shedding, at all really. It's not the hair falling out that's a problem. It's the hair getting matted or tangled that's a problem, for me.

 

[MafiaPrincess]

<33 GSDs If they need a little extra brushing every few months, that's fine. I don't mind brushing a dog at all, i just can't sit for two hours and trim and clip and de-mat. Running a brush through their coat for ten minutes a day is no problem.

You listed giant schnauzers.. They'd need to be clipped, or taken to a grooming salon..

 

[Dekka]

Tollers don't need much in the way of grooming..they aren't huge shedders either. A quick once a week brush seems to keep them looking good, and the stray hairs from floating around your house. (and they aren't stinky when wet..compared to most breeds)

 

[StaceyWebb]

Medium to large... check
Athletic....check
Intimidating looking....check
Great with kids.....check
Bonds with one person, but friendly to others.....check
Low grooming needs....check
Oversized lap dogs....check
Intelligent....check

Huh. Looks like you need a Boxer! :lol-sign:

 

[Toller_08]

Tollers fit your list pretty well, aside from the "look intimidating" part - but they can definitely sound intimidating. If you don't mind me asking, what is it that you don't like about their coats?

They don't require much grooming, and don't shed a ton either. I brush my girls about once a week, sometimes twice if I feel like it. They keep themselves pretty clean too. They don't get anywhere near as dirty as my short coated dogs, and if they do, you just comb the dirt out and they look and feel as good as new. They don't get matted easily either. Tango will be 5 and has never had a mat, ever. I do trim their paws and ears once, maybe twice a month just to keep them looking good, but that doesn't take long and it's well worth it. I understand if they aren't quite what you're looking for though. Oh, and as a side note, Tollers can hae black pigment if you don't care for the flesh pigment.

My other breed suggestions are ones that were already mentioned in previous posts.

 

[milos_mommy]

Tollers fit your list pretty well, aside from the "look intimidating" part - but they can definitely sound intimidating. If you don't mind me asking, what is it that you don't like about their coats?

They don't require much grooming, and don't shed a ton either. I brush my girls about once a week, sometimes twice if I feel like it. They keep themselves pretty clean too. They don't get anywhere near as dirty as my short coated dogs, and if they do, you just comb the dirt out and they look and feel as good as new. They don't get matted easily either. Tango will be 5 and has never had a mat, ever. I do trim their paws and ears once, maybe twice a month just to keep them looking good, but that doesn't take long and it's well worth it. I understand if they aren't quite what you're looking for though. Oh, and as a side note, Tollers can hae black pigment if you don't care for the flesh pigment.

My other breed suggestions are ones that were already mentioned in previous posts.

I love the tollers expressions and faces, but (and i don't know if you've seen pictures of Milo) i kind of go for the scruffier look or the the squarer look in a dog. (of course, i've never met a toller to totally and completely fall in love with)

 

[milos_mommy]

You listed giant schnauzers.. They'd need to be clipped, or taken to a grooming salon..

Clipping a dog once a month, or bringing him to a groomer is much different than sitting there combing out the coat every day.

 

[mrose_s]

i was gonnna suggest a kelpie or acd lol but they are prone to DA and very reserved with strangers, you wouldn't have a problem with defence. Plus they can be nippy (ie harry) but buster would be the best kids dog i could ever ask for lol.

what about a wire haired foxy?
bloody tough little dogs.

 

[mrose_s]

just read a bit on them, they say their smart, energetic and clever, very attached to one person etc but can be over the top with kids and snappy with other dogs (typical terrier) but I think a lot of that is how the dog is brought up.