Next Herder?? ACD/Aussie?? Kelpie/Koolie?

[FG167]

NextDog is going to most likely be a girl - and a puppy - because that's what I enjoy. I am a BoyDog person but I have too many intact boys at this point. Anyway, Limit goes in for his knee evaluation on the 18th (thinking about it makes me want to vomit). If that goes badly, he will probably be my Rally/Obedience dog. If it goes well we will be doing ALL THE AGILITY! If it goes badly, I will want to add another agility dog in a year or two. Unless Kastle fails at IPO at which point he'll do agility. Random rambling going on here...

The theoretical question - ACD or Aussie or....??? I definitely want another herder. I am leaning towards something that can be AKC registered (unlike Limit) because I do enjoy showing my dogs as well. HOWEVER if something else would fit my pack better, that would of course win. Most of you "know" how my pack is but I have three intact males at this time and a spayed female. They are all house pets and we all co-exist fine with some management. Kastle and Limit don't *love* each other but we haven't even had the smallest scuffle in a long time.

The details - I prefer double coats, dogs that swim, active dogs, dog neutral dogs if possible, high drive, toy love and food love. My dogs are hauled just about everywhere so neutral to social with people is preferred. I don't know...most of Chaz "knows" how I raise/train my pack so is there anything else you want to know? Aussie's are new on my list of "potential future dog" so I'm interested to hear if others think they would fit. I have an ACD breeder that I am in contact with so I can hopefully meet her dogs/puppies quite a lot in the next couple of years to get a gauge on how the fit would be. I don't know any Aussie breeders around here that I can do the same thing with but I'd be open to suggestions.

Thoughts? Must look good in this line up

 

[Whisper]

I think an Aussie would look fab in that line up.
ACDs are awesome dogs, but they are very prone to DA and SSA. Having 4 other dogs that would be a concern of mine.
Aussies line up with pretty much everything you said. They're able to be AKC registered, floofy with a double coat, energetic but usually not too "crazy," often get along pretty well with other dogs, love to play, etc. Some I know like to swim, some act like water is flesh-dissolving acid, so it depends.

There will be more people who know way more about Aussies than I do to give you more info, but that's my first impression based on what your post.

 

[~Dixie's_Mom~]

ACD. Love Aussies but I have Aussie puppy fixes on Chaz already and ACD puppies....OMG....can't handle the cute!

And idk if ACDs come coated like this, but talk about perfect for your line up!

Also ask Sit Stay for pics of her Dally as a puppy...OMG...perfection!

ETA totally missed that you were considering Koolies as well! You need one of those too.

 

[AgilityPup]

I think a female GSD would look great in that line up.

 

[meepitsmeagan]

As an ACD person, I would say you are probably better off going with an Aussie or Koolie based off of your wants.

As it was said previously, ACD's are known for DA and SSA. Part of the reason we are not keeping Lucy is the fact that we have to monitor she and Harlow very closely, as they have gotten into four fights now. If you do end up getting an ACD, it's probably a good thing that you are looking at a girl as that would stack your odds better against SSA. ACD's can definitely excel at agility, but I think you are going to see a Koolie or Aussie stack your odds better at being competitive.

Are you looking at getting into herding at all? What breeder are you looking into (PM is fine)? AuCaDo, an ACD forum, is a good reference to use as well.

They are amazing dogs, but I find that most people either LOVE them or HATE them.

Dixie- You will be getting PLENTY of ACD puppy pictures in a year or two from me.

 

[GatorDog]

I think you should get a little tiny pocket rocket female GSD

 

[FG167]

Lol this is not a "what sort of puppy (pics) does Chaz need?" Hahahaha you guys crack me up!

Just realized that if I got an Aussie, it would ruin my up-ear dog run. Lol

A female Black and Tan Kelpie, or a Koolie is definitely on the list as well but I'd like to learn/get in contact with some other breeders so I can KNOW how another dog may fit since my pack is so large already. I would like to show but if it turns out that Kelpie or Koolie would be perfect then I'm open to that.

Can't be a GSD unless it's a female that just falls into my lap because I want my GSDs to do IPO first and my other crew to do agility. Plus I'd like a smaller dog since I have two GSDs now.

 

[Taqroy]

I'd be super careful with a female ACD for all the reasons mentioned already. I think an Aussie or Koolie would fit into your pack better (plus Aussie FLOOFINESS).

I'm biased because of my situation but I will never ever own two herding breed bitches again. I love my girls but....no.

 

[AussieAshley]

Just realized that if I got an Aussie, it would ruin my up-ear dog run. Lol

Not necessarily

Desoto by Say It Aint SO!, on Flickr

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

Not necessarily

Desoto by Say It Aint SO!, on Flickr

Yes.

Have you considered a Terv? I know you like mals but they may not suit your desires, however a Terv might however many may not great with all the exposure but finding the right one may be a joy. Or why not another border collie? A koolie would be great.

 

[FG167]

I'm biased because of my situation but I will never ever own two herding breed bitches again. I love my girls but....no.

We have two Corgis that are marvelous with each other, both female. I feel bad for you in your situation, that would be extremely difficult (I kept up with your blog).

Not necessarily

Desoto by Say It Aint SO!, on Flickr

Ahhh!!! Too cute! Is that common?

Also, I'm sooooo not a BC person so not that herder and preferably not much like them...it would take a very special dog.

 

[AgilityPup]

Plus I'd like a smaller dog since I have two GSDs now.

Simi would like to point out that she is only an inch taller than my Border Collie and thinks that Agility is the freakin' bomb!

 

[FG167]

Have you considered a Terv? I know you like mals but they may not suit your desires, however a Terv might however many may not great with all the exposure but finding the right one may be a joy. Or why not another border collie? A koolie would be great.

I adore Mals but I think with CurrentPack it wouldn't work unless it was the perfect dog. I get to scratch that itch by working with several at work every day too so that makes it easier.

I have never met a Terv I liked. They're pretty popular in MI for agility and Flyball and I was not too impressed with their temperament. I do not want a nervy dog. Same for BCs, too soft/sensitive/hyper aware. I want another strong nerved dog. I have met a couple of BCs I liked but the odds are not high enough for me since I want to get a puppy.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

That reminds me of the dog snobs post "(We refuse to believe anyone actually enjoys Border Collies.)"

You like a harder edge, huh?

 

[FG167]

That reminds me of the dog snobs post "(We refuse to believe anyone actually enjoys Border Collies.)"

You like a harder edge, huh?

I do! I'm actually marker training Robin to growl when we tug and also to "enjoy" me thumping on him LOL

I also like a dog a little less thoughtful. I prefer more drive than smarts but a good off switch.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

I do! I'm actually marker training Robin to growl when we tug and also to "enjoy" me thumping on him LOL

I also like a dog a little less thoughtful. I prefer more drive than smarts but a good off switch.

You almost had backup without the but. LMAO (He would be disastrous in your pack)

I vote another Kelpie, you know you like them but shoot for a slightly differently bred one?

 

[AussieAshley]

Ahhh!!! Too cute! Is that common?
.

I have met a few others, usually out of working/herding focused breeders.
I was too lazy to tape his as a pup when they started to go up, and prick ears suited him anyways.

 

[AdrianneIsabel]

I have met a few others, usually out of working/herding focused breeders.
I was too lazy to tape his as a pup when they started to go up, and prick ears suited him anyways.

One of my best clients in Vegas had fly ears like that, I lobed them. Her brother had correct ears but I think they did tape them.

 

[SaraB]

I think kelpie.

ACD's have a tendency to bully/SA/DA, but fit your harder requirement.

Aussies tend to be softer unless you go with a working line but then you have the same SA/DA to deal with in certain lines.

Koolies can't play AKC unless they are altered. They can do USDAA, NADAC, ASCA, CPE though. As long as you research your lines you should have a dog that has plenty of confidence and no tendency to DA/SA. I beat my dogs daily (during play) and they love it.

 

[Cardiparty]

Cardigans might be a good fit for you. I hesitate recommending them to people, but I think you're active enough.

Most fit well into a pack scenario, even the feisty girls, and they're really a blast to train and do performance.

I prefer Cardi females of the boys...it seems like after the boys hit maturity at three that they become real pills if they're not neutered. But, all the intact girls I've had have been very agreeable, even when in heat.

Bear in mind, I dog sit alot and my real pack only consists of two, although there could be up to four cardigans in my house at any given time.

My girl, Miz Naughty, is very very high drive for a cardigan and incredibly intelligent and very trainable.

Her daughter, Lil Sis, is only 9 weeks old but already shows biddability and promise, and I'm really excited to show her.

Both my girls are very intelligent and also very stable.

Cardigans are great off lead dogs when properly trained and it's fairly easy to get a Ch title as there's so much variation in the breed.

Just can't say enough about my girls and this breed in general. With the right owner, they're so fantastic.