Out of Your Comfort Zone

[Linds]

If you had to pick a breed that you wanted to own that was out of your comfort zone (you pick what that means) or typical breed choice, what would it be and why? Or if you already have done so, what made you take the leap?

How would they (or how were they?) be out of your comfort zone?

 

[Southpaw]

I feel like my ACD is going to be out of my comfort zone. I've never had a herder so learning to channel that instinct will be different. I'm expecting him to be more "bitey" than I'm used to. I'm also expecting less tolerance of strangers.
In general they're just spoken of as difficult dogs, and it's not like the dogs I've had have been easy, but I'm prepared for this one to be difficult in ways I'm not used to (and maybe easy in the ways that a boxer and dobe aren't!).

But I'm going for it because I like the way they interact with their handlers, their intelligence, athleticism, drive. We'll see how it pans out

 

[Laurelin]

Rhodesian Ridgeback!

I don't know why but I love them! they are so pretty and I have adored all of the ones I've met. But they are soooo not my usual type. But I still want one. I will probably never have one though.

Too big, too guardy, too houndy, too much prey drive. But so lovely.

 

[Shai]

Huskies, either Siberian or Alaskan (but with clear husky influence, looks-wise). Bred for sledding/racing.

I think they are gorgeous and funny and fabulous. But the low biddability and difficulty in channeling drive for things other than pulling and not really being big swimmers and not being easily trustworthy off leash would be a helluva challenge, haha.

 

[DJEtzel]

Maybe a French Bulldog?

Different in everyway. Why? Because cute?

 

[milos_mommy]

Definitely my first choice is Siberian husky. I'm not big on what I consider "primivite" breeds. Dogs like shiba, basenji, many of the spitz, I just don't see as domesticated as other types. they're the only breeds out of my comfort zone. I do guardy, houndy, giant, terrier, DA/Prey drive, whatever.

I would own a husky but it definitely wouldn't be filling my dog needs. It'd be a cool experience, though.

 

[frostfell]

I have always owned bull breeds and never owned anything else. ever.

Im getting a Silken next year. a tiny part of me is screaming "WHAT THE **** ARE YOU THINKING?!"

 

[Sekah]

A Malinois (maybe a Dutchie) or a Silken would be pretty cool. All a little removed from my comfort zone, but in different ways.

 

[BostonBanker]

If I were going to go way out of my comfort zone - I really, really like a lot of things about Malinois. It will never happen, and I don't even logically want one, but I see them at trials and think "**** those are cool dogs". I don't like guarding behavior, I don't like barking, and, as much as I complain about soft dogs - I am good at working with soft dogs and don't know that I would actually enjoy a hard dog.

The "slightly less out of my comfort zone" answer would be an ACD. Another breed I really like a lot about, but also the guarding and the mouthy behavior, and the dog issues. I wouldn't 100% write them off like I would a Mal, but really - there's better options for me.

 

[k9krazee]

I think large, working dogs are out of my comfort zone. I mean, I can barely teach my 20 lb dogs not to jump on people or LLW--can't imagine the chaos of a large breed under my watch.

 

[sassafras]

Honestly, Toast was a little out of my comfort zone. Not so far that I didn't bring him home, obviously, but I'd never had a herder before and hadn't really considered myself a big herder fan but for a variety of reasons thought I would mesh. I'm glad I took the plunge, I really love him and we really click.

I think most terriers are outside my comfort zone. They are a little too much for me. But you know, I used to say I wasn't a hound person, a husky person, or a herder person and look where that got me.

 

[amberdyan]

If I was going out of my comfort zone for a dog I really wanted it would be a Mal. There are a few in town that I know and I adore them. Their handler focus and drive is everything I want, but I know I'm not ready yet. I think eventually I'll have a Mal or really drivey GSD, but I need to learn more and become more experienced before I'd be comfortable.

I would also LOVE a nice Long Haired Whippet... I don't know why but I have loved every whippet I have met. It would be out of my comfort zone because I love off-leash work and I know they aren't really compatible with that life style.

 

[Linds]

Answer my own thread!

Hiccup is waaaaay outside my normal dog pick. I've never had a dog smaller than Didgie and she's not really small. I've also not really gone outside of herder (and retriever if you count Fergus). Hiccup is tiny and not a herder. And it's fun.

In the future I want to venture to a sighthound whether it be a whippet, greyhound, borzoi or something else. They are completely different from what I am used to but I think they would be a nice change and a fun challenge

 

[StillandSilent]

The Quid was outside my comfort zone. I never really thought about guardy dogs before, and I don't think I would have another one. That said, I would have Quid back in a heartbeat

 

[Paviche]

I consider myself a herder and sporter person, so a Silken was definitely outside that. That being said, a Silken-sighthound is not nearly as far outside my comfort zone as, say, an Afghan-sighthound.

If I were to go way outside my comfort zone, I'd consider an Alaskan Husky. I can't believe I'm even saying that, lol, but the one I spent time with was so intelligent and so fascinating. I can't really put it into words, but I really enjoyed her. I dunno if she was typical (or as typical as such a varied type can be) but I'd probably take one like her if offered.

 

[cellardoor]

Anything really high energy, high drive, and vocal. Anything that pesters you with tennis balls and tirelessly begs you to play fetch. That would be...a pretty weird transition from my current two. Even just being *around* dogs like that throws me for a loop these days.

All of the young sporting breeds I've interacted with lately have been like...the anti-Chalo and Priya. So maybe I'd say that. A young sporting breed would be out of my comfort zone.

 

[teacuptiger]

Hm... a dog that I actually want and is outside of my comfort zone? I'm not too sure, tbh.

Maybe a Dogo Argentino? I really want one someday, but they might be too much dog for me. And, honestly, I don't need one at all. I just like everything I've heard about them. They seem like such cool dogs, and I really really like them. I'm just not the right person for the breed. Does that still count as outside of my comfort zone?

I think a Papillon would also be outside of my comfort zone- I've always thought they were such a pretty dog and have admired them for years. Buuuut... tiny and super long, flowing hair. And there is no way I would ever keep a Papillon in a short clip. That's like, a crime against humanity lol. I mean, I'm not against small dogs- I would totally take my neighbor's Shih Tzu in a heartbeat, but those are easy to keep in a short clip. I just don't do all that long fur, lol.

 

[Cassie&CoopersMommy]

Prob a small poodle. I've never had a small dog or one with the poodle fur. I think that would be an interesting change for me.