[Gecko]

OK. Well most of you know I already have a beagle. I am thinking about getting another dog in about 2 years after I graduate from college. But I want to have plenty of time to do research and find good breeders and stuff.

So I am trying to decide what kind of breed. I love my beagle, but I would like something a little larger this time. around 50 lbs or larger, but probably not giant.

I just did a search and read through a border collie thread on another dog forum. I love these dogs and think they are beautiful and intelligent but Im not sure I am ready for one of those.

I like the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retriever although I havent found a whole lot of info on them. I also like the Siberian Husky and Alaskan Malamute. Although since my bf just adopted a husky I am thinking of maybe something different, though I am still considering them.

I am not too worried about the grooming requirements. I want a friendly dog that is loyal. I cant think of things too specific right now that I want.

Anyways I am looking to get a list of some breeds to consider and compare instead of just finding one I like and going with it and then deciding later I might have liked something else better.

If you have any further questions to know what kinds I might like just ask me!

 

[Sasami]

My first thought was an Australian Shepherd but they do need alot of stimulation and excercise. Great dogs, though .

How much excercise can you provide? How long are you home? Do you have a fenced in yard?

Those are all questions you should ask yourself.

Some other breeds I can think of right now would be the American Pitbull Terrier, Shetland Sheepdog, Boxer, Airedale Terrier, American Eskimo Dog, Chow Chow, Dalmation, Greyhound, Miniature and Standard Schnauzer, Samoyed, Schipperke, Brittany, and Whippet.

Do you want an active, energetic dog? Or a calmer, quieter one? Do you prefer certain coat legnths, colors, or patterns?

I'd start by going to akc.org and looking at all the breeds .

Oh, and here is one of those selector things that say what breeds would fit in best with your lifestyle: http://www.pedigree.com.au/select/

Of course, there are always shelter mutts, too .

 

[Gecko]

Well it will be in a couple years and I plan to have a bigger yard. I will definitely have a fenced in yard, cuz I will not move somewhere without one for my beagle. Hopefully it will be big though. And most likely I will have lots of time to play with them cuz I will most likely be moving in with my boyfriend and I will probably stay at home, if anything I will probably do more of work at home photography stuff.

I want a dog that is active, but probably not so much as a Border Collie. A dog that likes to play, possibly a frisbee dog, and possibly agility, I hope to make an at home course for my beagle this summer mostly just for the fun and exercise, not for competing. Im looking at around 40-80 pounds most likely. It may waver if I find a breed I really want out of that range.

The hair isnt a big issue. I was thinking something with the coat similar to a border collie. But it isnt that important. Although I am not a big fan of wire-haired breeds. I prefer a silkier, smoother coat.

If I go with a spitz it will be a husky or a malamute though Im sure. I was set on one of these before, but since my bf just adopted one I was thinking of maybe something different. I just like soo many kinds of dogs I want one of each...lol...but I know I cant handle that...

Some dogs that I am really not that interested in (no offense to those who own them, just I dont think they are for me) are terriers, rotts, dobes, and dogs similar to those.

 

[Sasami]

The Shetland Sheepdog would be a really good choice. I'd check them out . The Australian Shepherd and Dalmation might be good too.

 

[Gecko]

Thanks!! I will definitely read up on them and do some research

 

[Scarlette]

Some dogs that I am really not that interested in (no offense to those who own them, just I dont think they are for me) are terriers, rotts, dobes, and dogs similar to those.

Hey now! I have 2 terriers and a dobe! :handhip: :lol:

I was actually going to suggest a doberman. Scarlette can be high energy at times when we're outside but she's a big couch potato inside.

A friend of mine has an Australian Shepard and she is a very smart dog but she always acts like she just drank 10 cups of coffee......constantly moving and wiggling around. She seems really fidgety. She a gorgeous dog and my friend keeps her active playing frisbee and going for long walks.

 

[Gecko]

Hey now! I have 2 terriers and a dobe! :handhip: :lol:

I was actually going to suggest a doberman. Scarlette can be high energy at times when we're outside but she's a big couch potato inside.

A friend of mine has an Australian Shepard and she is a very smart dog but she always acts like she just drank 10 cups of coffee......constantly moving and wiggling around. She seems really fidgety. She a gorgeous dog and my friend keeps her active playing frisbee and going for long walks.

:walkaway: I could have swore there was some kind of smiley hiding behind a curtain on here and I cant find it. lol

One thing with the dobes, Im not sure I am prepared for the big issues surrounding cropping and docking.

I am interested in having a dog that plays frisbee though. My beagle couldnt even figure out how to really pick one up...lol...though she did use it as a bed when she was small enough...

 

[pihlaja]

As far as cropping and docking--if docking is done it is at 3-4 days of age, therefore it's a breeder's decision. Cropping, however, is usually at the OWNER'S discrection since it is done when the dog is older. Therefore, you do not have to crop if you choose not to (I personally would choose not to).

And having a sheltie myself, I can say he is NEVER tired. He wiggles and jiggles and moves around CONSTANTLY. The dog can go on an 8 mile walk with you and still have energy to burn. So, unless you want a dog that never sits still, like an Assie and Border Collie, I would NOT suggest a sheltie.

 

[Gecko]

I would prefer the ears uncropped if I were to own a dobe, but I know a lot of dobe owners who thinks its so bad there are dobes with uncropped ears and tails. I just spent yesterday reading through a thread on another forum about banning docking and it was not pretty.

Someone who owned an Aussie said they are not quite as active as a BC. and that they are tend to be a one person dog and will follow that person around. That is actually something I would like. I love my beagle and I know she loves me, but sometimes I feel that she likes my boyfriend or my sister's fiance better. I would kind of like a dog that would be more attached to me, but not aggressive towards other people.

 

[wellahart]

Did you ever consider a golder retriever? They are very loyal loving dogs who can be playing and active one minute and laying on the couch the next. Shadow is lazy, but he does get spurts of energy. I think he is just enjoying the good life since he had such a hard beginning. And since they are retrievers you should be able to train it to play frisbee, fetch, etc. Mine is 109 but he is much bigger than average. (plus he is about 10 lbs overweight) Most are 35-75 lbs.

 

[wellahart]

Oh and he will definetely get attached to you but still be EXTREMELY friendly to other people also. They are also really smart.

 

[Gecko]

Goldens are one I am also thinking about. I dont really know any personally though, I plan to read up on them also.

 

[Gecko]

Here is a list of answers I posted for someone else that might help to know what I will be able to provide.

OK well I am not planning to get one for about 2 years. I will then have graduated from college and will most likely be moving back to my hometown with my boyfriend. I will most likely be more of a stay at home person, if I work it will be at home or not something extremely time consuming.

I definitely will have a yard. I will not ever move somewhere without one. If I do happen to have a place without a big enough yard I will wait to get the dog until I can have enough room for it. But I will not live somewhere without one cuz I wont take away my beagles running space. And I hope to maybe this summer or next make an at home agility course for my dog. Not for competing but just for fun and exercise.

If at that time I also do not have the money to take care of it I will wait. This isnt going to be a for sure thing at all but I want to have a really good idea for when the time does come and have enough research and everything to know which dog will be right.

Socializing the dog will not be a problem. We dont have dog parks, but I know lots of people with dogs.

I dont want a dog that is extremely difficult to train. But Im not sure what people consider easy to hard. I am training a beagle now, a lot of people consider them somewhat diffficult to train cuz they are stubborn, but I havent run into many problems.

Grooming really isnt that big of an issue. I am not a big fan of wire-haired breeds.

I am not looking for a protective dog. I am looking for a friendly dog that can easily be trusted around children and other animals.

 

[PeekABooChin]

My very first dog was a Boxer. Talk about a loyal dog Great with kids, LOVED other people. He passed away at the ripe old age of 12. We brought another Boxer into our hearts shortly there after and I couldn't be more pleased. It's something in their personality that gets me so attached. Both of my Boxers absolutely loved fetching. Roman loves the frisbee. Maverick liked to play keep away lol.

Anyway-- The breeds that seem to fit the bill here are as follows:

Boxer
Pembroke Welsh Corgi (the second breed I've owned)-- and I know you wanted a bigger breed, but this is a VERY large personality in a small package
Australian Shepherd
German Shepherd
Shetland Sheep Dog
Samoyed
Collie
Golden Retriever
Irish Setter
Lab


A good site I'd suggest for just some general browsing is www.puppyfind.com Below each breed there is a little graph that shows you the dogs' "needs" as far as size, grooming and exercise requirements, good with other dogs and watchdog abilities.

 

[Scarlette]

I've known a couple of Goldens and they are really smart, loyal dogs. Mandi made some great suggestions in her list too! I forgot about German Shepards, Collies and Labs.

 

[Gecko]

I am going to read about collies, it was suggested also. Maybe a GSD also. Also goldens have been suggested quite a bit.

I like labs, but the labs I have seen are very very extremely rambunctious (sp?) as puppies, more so than any others dogs I have seen. and the one in my dog's training class was more interested in everything else than training really. They had a hard problem keeping his attention.

 

[PeekABooChin]

That's just how some puppies are lol! It's very hard to keep MOST dogs' attention in my opinion lol!!

I eventually want to get another dog but I'm not sure if I want a large or a small breed. Since we're still doing the apartment thing we're leaning toward another small breed.

Now just a few quick things here to clarify with you...

You're looking for a dog that is loyal, easily trainable, likes to follow you around, is not very rambunctious, not a wire-haired, 50 lbs. or so...hmmm...anything else?

To me it sounds like the perfect breed for you would be the Australian Shepherd

 

[Chrisanne]

I'd look into a boxer or an American Bulldog. I love GSD too.

Now, if you decide to go the way of giant breed I can definately vouch for a few breeds.

The key in any breed is WELL bred.

 

[Gecko]

You're looking for a dog that is loyal, easily trainable, likes to follow you around, is not very rambunctious, not a wire-haired, 50 lbs. or so...hmmm...anything else?

To me it sounds like the perfect breed for you would be the Australian Shepherd

I have had suggestions for the Aussies and that is definitely one I want to look into although some people think they are too active, but others say they are not as much as the border collie. They say they are active like huskies, and well my bf has a husky so I dont think that is a big problem.

And I understand all puppies like to play and be rambunctious, but not quite so much as the labs.

Trainability, well I dont know what is considered easy/medium/difficult. So probably easy-medium. not extremely difficult.

I havent thought a lot about Giant breeds. I am afraid they might be a little too big, but I have heard great danes can even be apartment dogs. That is really the only giant breed I know anything about, and I dont know much about it at all.

Is the Newfoundland a giant breed? I like those a lot. THough I have heard they drool a whole lot.

 

[HappyDancer]

lol I have an aussie and I love him to pieces...hes all about playing ball and frisbe and he loves to go to the lake and go camping...my pop has always had Germans and they have been so loving and loyal (but they wouldn't play ball lol) I myself want to get a yellow lab...but really it will come down to your personal tastes lol...I have 2 dogs from teeny tiny to my australian shephard and I love them all

oh and training my aussie was the easiest I have ever had lol...my others are slowly learning lol and I have had them 5 years ...