Trying to decide on my next dog

[Paviche]

Although it'll be a while yet before I get another dog, I've been trying to find "my" breed. I have a 4 year old Brittany right now and he's darn near my perfect dog, but I'm not convinced I should get another Brittany because mine doesn't seem to know that that's what he is, haha. The main thing is that he's one of the biggest couch potatoes I've ever met, and he's... well... a Brittany! I guess no one ever mentioned to him that he's supposed to be crazy active and have unlimited energy.

I worked at dog daycares for three years, so I have a fair amount of dog experience and know the traits I want. I'm just having a hard time figuring out what breed best matches my requirements.
- I'd like the dog to be between 30 and 75 lbs. *This isn't INCREDIBLY important, just my preference. My dog is 41 lbs and I think he's the perfect size, but there are certainly bonuses to having a dog bigger or smaller.

- I'm okay with brushing a few times per week, but I don't think I want a high-maintenance dog that requires a lot of clipping. *I grew up with toy and miniature poodles, and while they're great dogs. I'm not sure I could deal with those requirements again.

- I'm a lazy person. *I'd like a dog with a moderate energy level: ready to get up and go when we're doing things, but also happy to settle on the couch when I'm down for the day. *I enjoy doing fun things with my dog and would love to dabble in some agility, obedience, flyball, hiking and camping, but I also don't want a dog that NEEDS all that activity to be happy.

- I want a clingy, loving, affectionate dog who is crazy about me. *A dog who wants to be pet, who cuddles and sits on my lap (even if they're far too big to fit!) A velcro dog, a shadow, a dog who always wants to stick near me.

- I'm not looking for a training challenge right now. *I would prefer a dog that is fairly easy to train and tends to be biddable. *A stubborn, independent dog isn't really for me.

- I plan on being a multi-dog household so I'd rather avoid breeds with a tendency toward dog aggression. *Same-sex aggression also worries me.

I'm crazy about sporting dogs, and am especially drawn to spaniels right now (among others!) My biggest concern is being able to provide enough exercise. If I ended up with a high energy dog, I'd adjust my lifestyle to provide it the stimulation it needs, but of course I'd rather find a dog that jibes with my current activity level.

I also love a lot of herding breeds, but I think they'll probably have to wait until I have more free time for competitive sports and other activities to keep them busy

I hope to get into showing eventually, so while I love mutts and will own them as well, I'm specifically looking for a purebred right now.

 

[Dekka]

What about a toller (not one of the crazy sport bred ones lol) or a flat coated retriever? They are a little more chill than a typical brittany.

 

[Paviche]

I've actually been interested in Tollers, but I figured they'd probably be too much for me... maybe I'll see about talking to some Toller people. The FCR interests me too, although the short lifespan makes me a little wary. Maybe they're another to look in to.

 

[Aleron]

There is someone at our training club who has Curly Coated Retrievers and I think they might fit what you're looking for. Her's are fun dogs, seem to be very trainable but from what she says they are not crazy off the wall active like some sorting dogs can be. She has a couple year old girls and even at that age they are very level headed.

 

[Paviche]

Huh, despite my general interest in the sporting group, somehow I never really thought about curlies. I think that's a breed I'll need to look into, too - your description of them sounds lovely

 

[Bleuell Papillons]

I too am a sporting dog fanatic. You may want to look more into:

English Setter
Clumber Spaniel
Vizsla
English Cocker Spaniel

Hope that helps.

 

[Bleuell Papillons]

Or maybe even a Papillon or Cavalier?

 

[Brattina88]

What about a Pointer? Smkie's Victor comes to mind Though, I am by no means an expert with the breed

 

[Pops2]

i have limited experience w/ them but a Boykin spaniel can be had w/less feather & in the 35-45# range. the one i kept for a while was really trainable and just as happy to relax as to train. not perfect but he was a overall a good dog.

 

[milos_mommy]

Viszlas are generally very high energy. So is the only flat-coated retriever I know, not sure about how they generally area.

You say you're lazy and want a dog to chill out, but most dogs will calm down if they get enough exercise. How much exercise do you plan on giving the dog? Do you have a big yard? Will the dog go to day-care with you? If no fenced yard, how many times a week can the dog get off-leash exercise?

I think a young adult dog would be better for you than a puppy. Puppies are crazy and have tons of energy, even if it's temporary. Are you opposed to a mixed breed?

 

[Bailey08]

You basically described my Bailey. Unfortunately I have no idea what he is and he's neutered anyway. He gets regular exercise and training (daycare on weekdays helps), and is a really easy keeper in the home.

I prefer sporting dogs, too, but didn't want an over-the-top crazy dog. I'm looking at Tollers right now for my second dog. (They're a pretty healthy breed, too, which is important to me.) Here's a link to the US breed website: NSDTRC(USA) Home

Maybe also look into collies?

 

[Paviche]

I LOVE vizslas, but yeah, I'm worried about the energy level.

I don't have a fenced yard nor any opportunity for daycare, but we go to the dog park 2-3 times/week and do a lot of indoor games and roughhousing, which is enough to keep my Brittany and my roommate's cattle dog mix happy and calm. It's not that I wouldn't be willing to do more - just that, the closer the dog's needs to what I already provide, the easier a transition it'll be for everyone.

I hope to have a yard by the time I get my next dog, but I don't know for sure if I will or not.

I'd be happy to get a young adult - that'd be my preference over a puppy, actually. I could deal with the puppy thing, craziness and all, but I like dogs that have already matured a bit. Rowan was 2 when I adopted him.

I would love to get into conformation one day, so I'd like to find a purebred that fits my lifestyle. Otherwise this would be MUCH easier! It'd be no problem to find a medium sized, medium energy dog in a shelter around here.

 

[CharlieDog]

Have you looked at English Shepherds?

 

[Paviche]

Have you looked at English Shepherds?

I'm actually super interested in them, but I kind of mentally filed them away with Aussies - a breed I'd love to own some day, but maybe not compatible with my current lifestyle. I feel that way about a bunch of herding breeds, actually. Maybe I should look into them more.

 

[CharlieDog]

I'd really recommend checking out English Shepherds. From what I've seen, they are much more laid back than Aussies.

 

[Sit Stay]

I'm not 100% sure I'd recommend an English Shepherd from what you've said, but I could be misunderstanding things!

Quinn is not a big cuddler and would probably rather die than sit on a lap, LOL. She is very much a shadow and never wants to be far away, but she isn't like a Greyhound or something that will climb up into your chair to be with you. She is happy to lie down at your feet or across the room with you in her line of sight.

I think everyone has a different understanding of "lazy", but I wouldn't say these dogs are great for lazy people. Maybe you could expand on what your typical day is? It doesn't take a whole lot to satisfy Quinn but she can't go very long doing absolutely nothing - not a breed I'd recommend to someone who works long hours and just wants to crash at the end of the day, or say a college or university student who has no time outside of class and studying.

Third, this of course depends on the dog as an individual, but from what I hear it isn't uncommon for these dogs to test their boundaries with other dogs in their teenage years. For instance, I notice Quinn challenging Dally a little bit now. My next dog will 100% be a male - while we could take our chances with another female, she is a bossy little girl and loves her people and I think she would get along better with a male.

That said, they definitely fit your preferred size, require little coat maintenance (I brush Quinn a couple times a week), they are very much your shadow, and they have a great off switch! It might be worth looking into the breed a bit to see if they're a good fit

 

[Sit Stay]

OK I am not very smart tonight and missed your previous post. It sounds like you'd probably do fine with a lower energy ES individual - for instance, Quinn needs a little more than what you've described, but she had a few lower energy sisters who've gone on to live great lives in the suburbs. Quinn herself probably won't end up being a dog park dog but I'm unsure of how much of a breed thing that is vs. her just being a bossy little fun police, LOL.

 

[Paviche]

I think I'd rather over-exaggerate my laziness than the other way around, if that makes sense - I'm not a TOTAL couch potato and am willing (and sometimes eager) to go out and do things with my dog every day. Unfortunately, Rowan doesn't go for that - I tried to take him to the dog park two days in a row one time and the second day he barely did anything because he was still worn out from the previous visit. :lol-sign: I can definitely deal with more than that.

I've been reading the forums a lot and I vaguely recall you saying that Quinn isn't crazy about other dogs, is that right? That she's dog tolerant, but wouldn't really enjoy the dog park? That's my main activity with Rowan, but only because he has a very poor recall (that we're working on, but I don't think it'll ever be truly reliable) and I don't trust him being off-leash in an unfenced area. There are lots of hiking opportunities around here, so it's not like the dog park is the only choice - just what works best for Rowan!

I LOVE a cuddly dog, but I've actually considered that maybe I shouldn't look for that trait in my next dog because that's Rowan's "thing" - I don't think he'd be terribly happy having competition for my lap. Of course, I wouldn't choose a dog JUST based on my dog's preferences, but Rowan was here first and he's only 4, so he's got a good long time left with me. Seems only fair that I'd try to match the dog to him as well as myself.

 

[Sit Stay]

Quinn's a-okay with other dogs as long as they aren't super hyper and in her face, or have their paws all over her. She absolutely hates that and will correct a dog in that mindset, but unfortunately when dogs are that excited they aren't likely to listen. She's fine with dogs that aren't in her face and/or that run a lot in play - usually other herding dogs, spaniels, and she has a couple Husky and Beagle buddies who play like she likes. She'd do fine with a big dog park where you can get away from the 'main' area, but I've stopped going to our local 1.5 acre one where there's no way to get away from hyper rude dogs. She'd probably do best with playdates with dogs she likes and plays well with.

Quinn absolutely loves going on long walks and hiking. Unless she's in a teenage 'tude of hers she's generally got a great recall - she's always checking in on walks and making sure she knows where I am.

I like a more cuddly dog as well! Quinn will sometimes spoon at night (and then she gets too hot like 5 minutes later) but is not a big cuddler other than that. It's great that you're trying to find not only a good match for you, but for Rowan as well

 

[stardogs]

I'd stay away from flatties and vizslas - both are generally quite busy, especially as young dogs (under 3yo).

The Boykin is a good choice - not sure if they are able to be shown in AKC confo yet though.