What do you want in a dog?
- Thread starter sparks19
- Start date
For me, the criteria changes depending on WHY I want the dog...
but a few that carry on no matter which type i am looking into:
-very confident, shows no fear (ie if keys are thrown towards the puppy i want it to pounce on them, not shy away and then go check them out)
-dominant
-drivey
-active
-always ready for a new challenge
-curious
-self-control (can turn on and off)
-brains
*all the traits that could be the makings of a great working dog
but a few that carry on no matter which type i am looking into:
-very confident, shows no fear (ie if keys are thrown towards the puppy i want it to pounce on them, not shy away and then go check them out)
-dominant
-drivey
-active
-always ready for a new challenge
-curious
-self-control (can turn on and off)
-brains
*all the traits that could be the makings of a great working dog
Yeah some things are wide open, and other things less so.
Mostly I want them to fit into something I want to do. Buster can do hiking, skiing, and probably make a passing attempt at sled dogging. The Saint Bernard I've been looking at could too. On the other hand, I'd love a Greyhound, Saluki, or Deerhound and do coursing with it.
They can't be however, and more active than Buster, and the next one especially can not be as clingy. I don't need two dogs trying to sit ON me at the same time.
At this point, the limit is strongest barking and grooming. Something bred to bark like a scenthound or LGD, or or something that requires grooming is out. I can barely deal with a brush, nevermind clippers for a poodle or something. (Well, I could deal with wirehaired dogs, I think)
Mostly I want them to fit into something I want to do. Buster can do hiking, skiing, and probably make a passing attempt at sled dogging. The Saint Bernard I've been looking at could too. On the other hand, I'd love a Greyhound, Saluki, or Deerhound and do coursing with it.
They can't be however, and more active than Buster, and the next one especially can not be as clingy. I don't need two dogs trying to sit ON me at the same time.
At this point, the limit is strongest barking and grooming. Something bred to bark like a scenthound or LGD, or or something that requires grooming is out. I can barely deal with a brush, nevermind clippers for a poodle or something. (Well, I could deal with wirehaired dogs, I think)
I have adjusted my life to the Border Collies and until they have died I won't be adjusting it too much to any new dog. Miley isn't really my ideal dog but she is lovely. I wouldn't want another like her though.
The dog must:
Be able to keep up with my twin terrors.
Not be too clingy. Bandit is already like an added limb.
People tolerant. Doesn't have to be friendly but can't be a jerk.
30+ pounds unless it's an active little terrier.
Not dog aggressive.
Other then that I don't have much else I care about. I am willing to take whatever needs me at the time so long as I feel I can manage it.
The dog must:
Be able to keep up with my twin terrors.
Not be too clingy. Bandit is already like an added limb.
People tolerant. Doesn't have to be friendly but can't be a jerk.
30+ pounds unless it's an active little terrier.
Not dog aggressive.
Other then that I don't have much else I care about. I am willing to take whatever needs me at the time so long as I feel I can manage it.
Miley is great in her own little way. She is so easy going. She has won over many dog haters in the short time I've had her. Terrific dog in so many ways. She fits in perfect excluding the activity level. She can't keep up at all. She gets sleepy in a 10 minute walk and wants to come home and snooze.
Bandit does have really soft fur. He is all bushy and snuggly in the winter. I love cuddling with him. Cuddle with Spanky and all you get is bone. Cuddle with Bandit you get a nice solid furry bundle.
Bandit does have really soft fur. He is all bushy and snuggly in the winter. I love cuddling with him. Cuddle with Spanky and all you get is bone. Cuddle with Bandit you get a nice solid furry bundle.
I'd prefer a medium to large size dog
I want a dog that will be able to get along with other dogs/animals... and my kitty
I want a dog that is alert and responsive
I want a dog that I can take with me camping, hiking, etc
I want a dog that rides well in a car
I want a dog that for the most part gets along with other people
I want a dog that I can do agility with and is smart since I love to train all kinds of tricks... I just love training in general
I want a dog that has medium-high energy
I want a dog that's well socialized and a good companion
I'm not picky on hair type- short or medium is preferred but long is just as great
I want a dog that is confident and not timid
I want a dog that is willing to snuggle up with me sometimes
I honestly prefer herding, working and sporting breeds
Always up for a new challenge
Any suggestions for me?
I want a dog that will be able to get along with other dogs/animals... and my kitty
I want a dog that is alert and responsive
I want a dog that I can take with me camping, hiking, etc
I want a dog that rides well in a car
I want a dog that for the most part gets along with other people
I want a dog that I can do agility with and is smart since I love to train all kinds of tricks... I just love training in general
I want a dog that has medium-high energy
I want a dog that's well socialized and a good companion
I'm not picky on hair type- short or medium is preferred but long is just as great
I want a dog that is confident and not timid
I want a dog that is willing to snuggle up with me sometimes
I honestly prefer herding, working and sporting breeds
Always up for a new challenge
Any suggestions for me?
Daisy is semi-active, she enjoys a good run around with the Frisbee at least once a day. She's very food motivated (which makes her easy to train), inside she's either laying around or begging for food. Daisy is also shy and fear aggressive toward strangers on the property. Daisy is a low-confidence dog. She is not a cuddler.
Benji is barely active at all, although once in a while he will do zoomies around the house. Benji can get tired out by a 30min walk (shorter if its hot out). Benji is an independent thinker, and is a challenge to train. He has a high prey drive, and so cannot be allowed around the cats. Inside the house you can find Benji sleeping in the sunbeam or lying on the couch, or if we are eating he sits under the table. Benji is not particularly fond of strangers either, but if Daisy isn't around, he doesn't become aggressive. Benji feeds off of Daisy's anxiety. Benji is more confident than Daisy, but he's not high confidence. Benji loves to cuddle with his people, but he is not clingy.
My ideal dog would be friendly to people, and not DA. That's pretty much my only stipulations (I don't WANT a dog who acts like a monster when people come to the door). Although I am learning all I can about fear aggression so that I may help Daisy and help future dogs at FOHA with that problem. But in the future I will always have a normal, stable dog in my house while doing so. Having a normal, stable dog to show 'em the ropes can help a fearful dog immensely.
Benji is barely active at all, although once in a while he will do zoomies around the house. Benji can get tired out by a 30min walk (shorter if its hot out). Benji is an independent thinker, and is a challenge to train. He has a high prey drive, and so cannot be allowed around the cats. Inside the house you can find Benji sleeping in the sunbeam or lying on the couch, or if we are eating he sits under the table. Benji is not particularly fond of strangers either, but if Daisy isn't around, he doesn't become aggressive. Benji feeds off of Daisy's anxiety. Benji is more confident than Daisy, but he's not high confidence. Benji loves to cuddle with his people, but he is not clingy.
My ideal dog would be friendly to people, and not DA. That's pretty much my only stipulations (I don't WANT a dog who acts like a monster when people come to the door). Although I am learning all I can about fear aggression so that I may help Daisy and help future dogs at FOHA with that problem. But in the future I will always have a normal, stable dog in my house while doing so. Having a normal, stable dog to show 'em the ropes can help a fearful dog immensely.
I want a house full of Marlowes. He's pretty much my ultimate dog:
--Low energy level, but ready to go when you are, for as long as you want
--Quiet in the house (yes, a quiet coonhound, who woulda' thunk?)
--Bold, curious, courageous but not an idiot about it
--Friendly with all kinds of people, but not jumping-all-over-everyone-he-sees
--Social with other dogs but not so much so that he NEEDS to meet every dog he sees
--Trainable but not biddable
--Independent
--Snuggle-bum
--Affectionate but not needy (this is huge for me--me and DH both work full time and we do have lives as well and we can't have a dog who NEEDS to be with us, dropping a slobbery ball in our lap, every waking moment)
--Low maintenence
Having now lived with Conrad for 6 years, I feel like I've fulfilled my lifetime quota of Dealing With a Dog With Issues. He's taught me a lot and I love him to pieces, but given the choice I would not get another anxious, shy, fearful, squirrelly, reactive dog like him again. Marlowe's just the complete polar opposite: if he were any less reactive he'd be lacking a pulse.
--Low energy level, but ready to go when you are, for as long as you want
--Quiet in the house (yes, a quiet coonhound, who woulda' thunk?)
--Bold, curious, courageous but not an idiot about it
--Friendly with all kinds of people, but not jumping-all-over-everyone-he-sees
--Social with other dogs but not so much so that he NEEDS to meet every dog he sees
--Trainable but not biddable
--Independent
--Snuggle-bum
--Affectionate but not needy (this is huge for me--me and DH both work full time and we do have lives as well and we can't have a dog who NEEDS to be with us, dropping a slobbery ball in our lap, every waking moment)
--Low maintenence
Having now lived with Conrad for 6 years, I feel like I've fulfilled my lifetime quota of Dealing With a Dog With Issues. He's taught me a lot and I love him to pieces, but given the choice I would not get another anxious, shy, fearful, squirrelly, reactive dog like him again. Marlowe's just the complete polar opposite: if he were any less reactive he'd be lacking a pulse.
So far I have always had the perfect dog for my situation.
Walker came into my life when I needed a friend and protector. And thats what he is. Now I need a dog that will protect and be a great dog for my baby and he is. I need a dog that doesnt accept everyone and is hard he is. I need a dog that can run for 5 miles while I skate, or can keep up withme on horseback or the APBT's he can. I want a dog whose form flows and goes with the functions they were bred to do he does. I dont want a long haired dog shedding is fine but long hair around horses and the like isnt fun. I need a dog that can go from the city to the country and back again and not freak out thats walker. I need a dog that I can walk off leash and can turn on and off his prey drive. That is Walker. Basically he is everything I wanted and more.
Walker came into my life when I needed a friend and protector. And thats what he is. Now I need a dog that will protect and be a great dog for my baby and he is. I need a dog that doesnt accept everyone and is hard he is. I need a dog that can run for 5 miles while I skate, or can keep up withme on horseback or the APBT's he can. I want a dog whose form flows and goes with the functions they were bred to do he does. I dont want a long haired dog shedding is fine but long hair around horses and the like isnt fun. I need a dog that can go from the city to the country and back again and not freak out thats walker. I need a dog that I can walk off leash and can turn on and off his prey drive. That is Walker. Basically he is everything I wanted and more.
It really depends on what kind of dog I'm looking for at any given time.
When Ilsa goes to the bridge, her "replacement" will...
~ NEED to be a good leader. Ada and Ronin aren't leaders.
~ NEED to be calm, cool, and collected - I don't want a spaz leading my "pack".
~ NEED to be fair to the other dogs - keep them in line without flying off the handle.
So basically, I need another Ilsa. This may be hard to find, as Ilsa is a quiet leader - she's the boss because she says so - even strange dogs often instantly defer to her. Ilsa is a bitchy bitch, she WILL jump in and set things straight if the other dogs are being naughty. She's my right-hand-girl, my "Number Two" in command. This is what I need in my next leader.
In general, this is what I look for in my Dobermans:
~ alert and intelligent
~ a strong sense of loyalty and devotion
~ protectiveness and territoriality
~ the ability to bounce back quickly from being surprised
~ egotistical (optional, but preferred)
~ biddable
~ good structure
~ an OFF switch!
~ tolerance to puppies and smaller dogs (since I have corgis)
For the corgis...
~ SPUNK - I don't want a corgi without that impish grin and zest for life
~ good structure
~ darker pigment and coloring (I don't prefer the washed out corgis - too light)
~ the ability to settle down (some spazziness is okay, but again - needs an OFF switch!)
~ biddable
~ NOT dominant (I don't want scraps with the Dobermans - the dobes are the bosses around here and I want to keep it that way)
~ NO Napoleon Syndrome - corgis already think they're big, I don't need inappropriate aggression based on their size!
And of course - good health and longevity!
When Ilsa goes to the bridge, her "replacement" will...
~ NEED to be a good leader. Ada and Ronin aren't leaders.
~ NEED to be calm, cool, and collected - I don't want a spaz leading my "pack".
~ NEED to be fair to the other dogs - keep them in line without flying off the handle.
So basically, I need another Ilsa. This may be hard to find, as Ilsa is a quiet leader - she's the boss because she says so - even strange dogs often instantly defer to her. Ilsa is a bitchy bitch, she WILL jump in and set things straight if the other dogs are being naughty. She's my right-hand-girl, my "Number Two" in command. This is what I need in my next leader.
In general, this is what I look for in my Dobermans:
~ alert and intelligent
~ a strong sense of loyalty and devotion
~ protectiveness and territoriality
~ the ability to bounce back quickly from being surprised
~ egotistical (optional, but preferred)
~ biddable
~ good structure
~ an OFF switch!
~ tolerance to puppies and smaller dogs (since I have corgis)
For the corgis...
~ SPUNK - I don't want a corgi without that impish grin and zest for life
~ good structure
~ darker pigment and coloring (I don't prefer the washed out corgis - too light)
~ the ability to settle down (some spazziness is okay, but again - needs an OFF switch!)
~ biddable
~ NOT dominant (I don't want scraps with the Dobermans - the dobes are the bosses around here and I want to keep it that way)
~ NO Napoleon Syndrome - corgis already think they're big, I don't need inappropriate aggression based on their size!
And of course - good health and longevity!
I don't care about size
I do want a wash n wear type dog
I really like dogs that are 'into' me. I don't want a dog that loves everyone indiscriminately. But I don't want one that is the least be HA. Dekka is the perfect example. If you have food, you exist, once the food is gone, so is she. If not then unless you are immediate family, she completely ignores you.
Dog must be smart. I don't care, they can be less than biddable, but they must have brains.
Must be Athletic
Must be high energy
Must be drivey
Should be confident
I prefer dogs with 'hard' temperaments.
I don't like 'goofy' dogs.
I like dogs that have 'off' buttons (and yes you can install off buttons on JRTs..they just don't always come equipped with one)
hmm I think that is all.
I do want a wash n wear type dog
I really like dogs that are 'into' me. I don't want a dog that loves everyone indiscriminately. But I don't want one that is the least be HA. Dekka is the perfect example. If you have food, you exist, once the food is gone, so is she. If not then unless you are immediate family, she completely ignores you.
Dog must be smart. I don't care, they can be less than biddable, but they must have brains.
Must be Athletic
Must be high energy
Must be drivey
Should be confident
I prefer dogs with 'hard' temperaments.
I don't like 'goofy' dogs.
I like dogs that have 'off' buttons (and yes you can install off buttons on JRTs..they just don't always come equipped with one)
hmm I think that is all.
Here's my list I made recently for my next dog:
Must have -
Between 30 - 60 lbs
Short coat (no combing/professional grooming)
Tolerant of people. Needs to be okay with people showing up at the barn, so no real protective instinct. I don't care if it is happy-love everyone, or just ignores them, but can not be aggressive.
Okay with dogs - don't care if it is a "dogpark" dog, but needs to be able to work in the presence of other dogs and tolerate most dogs after introduction.
Able to be trained to good reliability off-leash.
Good human focus.
Conformation for an agility prospect.
Able to handle being around horses.
Tolerant of cats. I don't live with any, but can not try to kill the barn cats.
Would like-
A dog with the ability to learn about property boundries (can be reliable hanging around the farm with me).
Ideally, in the 40-50 lb range.
Not prone to barking.
Ears that stand up
Don't care -
Male or female
Color
Must have -
Between 30 - 60 lbs
Short coat (no combing/professional grooming)
Tolerant of people. Needs to be okay with people showing up at the barn, so no real protective instinct. I don't care if it is happy-love everyone, or just ignores them, but can not be aggressive.
Okay with dogs - don't care if it is a "dogpark" dog, but needs to be able to work in the presence of other dogs and tolerate most dogs after introduction.
Able to be trained to good reliability off-leash.
Good human focus.
Conformation for an agility prospect.
Able to handle being around horses.
Tolerant of cats. I don't live with any, but can not try to kill the barn cats.
Would like-
A dog with the ability to learn about property boundries (can be reliable hanging around the farm with me).
Ideally, in the 40-50 lb range.
Not prone to barking.
Ears that stand up
Don't care -
Male or female
Color
I would take pretty much any dog given to me, but if actively looking for a pup, my ideal dog would:
~have a short coat
~be very people friendly
~good around other dogs & small animals
~be over a year old
~athletic/leaner build
~has a good amount of energy but also has an 'off' switch
~eager to please
~I prefer larger breeds, but there are a few smaller breeds that I do like
~have a short coat
~be very people friendly
~good around other dogs & small animals
~be over a year old
~athletic/leaner build
~has a good amount of energy but also has an 'off' switch
~eager to please
~I prefer larger breeds, but there are a few smaller breeds that I do like