With the current situation the way it is, the only way I'll be getting my own dog in the next few years is if it is a small(ish) breed of dog. Easier to transport, takes up less space, and I like the idea of having dogs of similar size (you can swap crates/collars/dishes/beds/toys/leashes/what have you). That, and I just cannot picture another large dog in addition to four other dogs. I can a small(ish) dog, but not a large dog. This might change in the future, but at the moment...no.
In short, what I would love to have (based off my earlier thread about Chloe):
- Around 30 pounds. No bigger than 35, preferably not as small as 10. However, I'm also going off of height, not just weight. Cocker Spaniel size, or a bit bigger.
- Athletic, physical in play
- Adaptable energy level (aka, good off switch)
- Intelligent, eager to learn
- Expressive
- stable temperament (I am tired of dealing with reactive, sound sensitive, anxious dogs with no tolerance level for anything - I realize breeding/socialization plays a large role in this)
- Family pet friendly, be they dog, cat, or rat. Considering we'll likely only have the dogs this isn't a huge issue, but if we ever wanted to get a pocket pet or foster a kitten or something...
- wash and wear, or a coat I can shave down to be wash and wear
- can be trained to be off leash reliable
- good with children; I will be having kids in the next five to ten years
What would be icing on the cake:
- "Watch dog" instincts: protective of its property/humans/other pets, but still social to accepted people and great out in public. Aka, can put on a very good show, but in the end, I don't have to worry about the dog seriously hurting someone
- only barking when necessary. I absolutely hate demand barking.
- polite with strange dogs
- eager to please on top of having brains
The other preferences:
- boyfriend says no poodles, and he thinks "unnatural" looking dogs are, well...unnatural (aka, not attractive)
- I don't like curly or wiry hair. Greatly prefer a thick, short coat (like a Lab/Rottie/GSD).
- I'm open to adopting a mutt from the shelter, or a rescue. Boyfriend would actually prefer a rescue over a breeder bought dog.
- I'd like to be able to dabble in rally/agility/therapy work. Nothing serious, just for fun and the experience.
Current breeds of interest: Swedish Vallhund (there is a breeder about three hours away from me), French Brittany, English Cocker Spaniel (field bred), Miniature Aussie
I'm having a hard time really just feeling a "click" with a certain breed, because most of the breeds I'm looking at I've either never interacted with at all, or if I have interacted with them, they have all been very poor specimens. So I'm hoping people with actual breed experience can chime in.
In short, what I would love to have (based off my earlier thread about Chloe):
- Around 30 pounds. No bigger than 35, preferably not as small as 10. However, I'm also going off of height, not just weight. Cocker Spaniel size, or a bit bigger.
- Athletic, physical in play
- Adaptable energy level (aka, good off switch)
- Intelligent, eager to learn
- Expressive
- stable temperament (I am tired of dealing with reactive, sound sensitive, anxious dogs with no tolerance level for anything - I realize breeding/socialization plays a large role in this)
- Family pet friendly, be they dog, cat, or rat. Considering we'll likely only have the dogs this isn't a huge issue, but if we ever wanted to get a pocket pet or foster a kitten or something...
- wash and wear, or a coat I can shave down to be wash and wear
- can be trained to be off leash reliable
- good with children; I will be having kids in the next five to ten years
What would be icing on the cake:
- "Watch dog" instincts: protective of its property/humans/other pets, but still social to accepted people and great out in public. Aka, can put on a very good show, but in the end, I don't have to worry about the dog seriously hurting someone
- only barking when necessary. I absolutely hate demand barking.
- polite with strange dogs
- eager to please on top of having brains
The other preferences:
- boyfriend says no poodles, and he thinks "unnatural" looking dogs are, well...unnatural (aka, not attractive)
- I don't like curly or wiry hair. Greatly prefer a thick, short coat (like a Lab/Rottie/GSD).
- I'm open to adopting a mutt from the shelter, or a rescue. Boyfriend would actually prefer a rescue over a breeder bought dog.
- I'd like to be able to dabble in rally/agility/therapy work. Nothing serious, just for fun and the experience.
Current breeds of interest: Swedish Vallhund (there is a breeder about three hours away from me), French Brittany, English Cocker Spaniel (field bred), Miniature Aussie
I'm having a hard time really just feeling a "click" with a certain breed, because most of the breeds I'm looking at I've either never interacted with at all, or if I have interacted with them, they have all been very poor specimens. So I'm hoping people with actual breed experience can chime in.