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So I've decided I want a new dog sometime in the near future, and I'm beginning to do my research. I wanted to ask the community here about the subject because there is usually a wealth of knowledge on just about everything on this forum.
I'm in between the following breeds: -American Eskimo Dog. I know summers where I live are hot, but it does get cold in winter as well. I would hate to have to keep the dog inside on the triple-digit-days. -Shetland Sheepdog. I like the marking of the Collie, but these dogs are a bit smaller, which I like. -Doberman Pinscher. Very cool markings, good guard dog, though I don't plan on moving into a neighborhood where that's needed. -Welsh Corgi. I knew somebody that had one of these and I thought it was the coolest dog ever.
Now I know these choices seem random, but those are my favorites. Now all I need to decide after I pick the breed is the gender and the name. Thoughts?
Posts: 4229 | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
I recommend mutts. They rarely have the health issues that purebreds can have due to interbreeding. Plus, you can score some karmic points by adopting one from your local shelter. They're cheaper, too.
Posts: 2149 | Registered: Aug 2000
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Adopt a mutt. I have only ever had mixed breeds, and they have all been smart with great temperments.
Posts: 3134 | Registered: Mar 2005
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Do you just want a pet or do you want the dog for a task (protection)?
I had a greyhound for four years (seven years ago) and I really want another one. Louie was taken from me due to cancer and he died too young. He was an amazing dog. He would play outside with me and had so much energy, but then we would come back inside and he would take a nap. Since my family travels so much now, it is not feasible for us to get another big dog. I still miss him and carry his last dog tag as a zipper pull on my laptop bag.
We have two Mini-Schnauzers now and they are wonderful dogs too. They are very affectionate and are very intelligent dogs. Mine only bark when the doorbell is rang. I can't play with them like I could with the grey but they are still fun.
I agree with people saying adopt a mutt also. We looked at a couple of rescues and animal shelters before we decided to go to a breeder. Since we do travel, we needed to go with a small breed. The unknown of the breed of the puppy and how big it could get was really a big factor for us.
Have fun with the search.
Posts: 1766 | Registered: Feb 2006
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What exactly are you wanting from a dog? Do you live in a place where it will be inside all day; or have the run of a big yard? Do you need it to be a quiet dog (due to close neighbors) or can it be talkative?
I hope you are basing your decision on more than cool markings.
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Labradors are great dogs, and I've heard full-size poodles can be very good too. Both would need a fair amount of space.
Do you rent or own your residence? I don't know about everywhere, but in Utah County it's becoming nigh unto impossible to find a landlord who's okay with any kind of pet. While your living situation might be fine now, if you want a dog you have to think about the next 10-15 years and how it will effect your choice of living conditions.
Posts: 4089 | Registered: Apr 2003
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We have an American Eskimo but I'm not sure its the best choice for a new dog owner. Our dog is extremely high energy (although thankfully, it is also of the "full-speed-full-stop" variety) making it a bad choice for leaving home during a day if you work away from home.
On the other hand, we've never had a problem with it being too cold to walk the dog and I think we live more north than you. Too hot, yes.
Posts: 7593 | Registered: Sep 2006
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Shelties are great dogs. One of the favorite breeds. The ones I've known were the perfect combination of an energetic and sweetness. I could throw tennis balls for them or curl up with them in the hotel room (they belonged to another member on my mom's old flyball team). It never felt like they shed much (the girl seemed to shed the least) but of course that's alot of fur to keep clean and brushed.
Posts: 1733 | Registered: Apr 2005
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Ummm, your purebred choices there are all over the map. It seems like you are picking the breeds just because they "look" cool. I agree with Farmgirl, we need to know about your lifestyle (yardspace, activity level, etc.) to figure out what sort of temperment dog you want. It's good to have a list of characteristics you want, even if you adopt a mutt, because temperments can vary widely there as well.
For example, there are actually two kinds of Welsh Corgi, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, that has as tail, and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi, without a tail. Even though they are closely related breeds, their temperments are very, very different.
Shetland Sheepdogs can have very delicate limbs, and also have profuse coats and would likely also need to be kept in the house except for potty breaks on triple digit days.
Doberman Pinschers have a host of genetic problems including heart defects, and rescued Dobies may have skin conditions that will need maintenance throughout their lives. They also tend to be "velcro" dogs, that are wherever you are, and need a lot of excercise too. If you don't have any experience with a powerful breed of dog, this may not be the breed for you.
American Eskimo dogs, along with many of the other spitz-type breeds tend to be more independent and more difficult to train, along with super high energy requirements. (They were bred to pull sleds through snow after all!)
Depending on which variety of welsh corgi you get, you can either have a yappy high energy on the go blur of fur. (And both breeds shed) Or you can have the most devious couch potato you've ever seen, that will outsmart you on a regular basis just to prove it can. Both kinds of corgis are going to run your household with an iron paw if you let them get away with it.
(In the interest of full disclosure I am a Cardigan Corgi breeder, and I've been involved in competitive obedience for about 20 years, and showing in breed for nearly 10.)
Posts: 11265 | Registered: Mar 2002
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I don't know enough about your lifestyle or personal choices to recommend a dog for you. All of those breeds will be decent alert dogs but obviously not as many are actual protection dogs. I own a sheltie and have been around Dobermans and Corgis extensively. It really boils down to whatever you like and are most comfortable with. There are good and bad examples of every breed so you're going to have people tell you that's the breed to get or one not to get. Adopting a dog from a purebreed rescue or a shelter is an option and can work well for many people. Some rescues don't adopt to people in rented housing or ones who have never owned a dog before (usually childhood counts).
I really want to disagree with people saying that females are more calm than males, it's entirely a personality thing and not that general. I've worked with, owned, and shown both male and female dogs, they both can be any personality trait.
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
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In conjunction with what bryerchic said, I would like to point out that the proper definition of the word "bitch" is an unspayed female dog.
Posts: 11265 | Registered: Mar 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Farmgirl: I hope you are basing your decision on more than cool markings.
Do you really think I'm that stupid? It really seems like that's what you're implying. . .
Anyway, I did some research into each one. I didn't know how many problems dobermans had, so I must have missed that. I'll have to scratch that one off the list.
I'm kind of indifferent toward energy level, I run often, so I would like a dog that can keep up with me on 2+ mile runs, but it's not a necessity. I have a large yard for a dog to play in. I need a dog that doesn't bark constantly.
I was more or less looking for information on each of the dogs I listed. I know they're "all over the map" but It's only because I haven't decided on what kind of dog I want, I just wanted some information about the dogs.
If you wanted a list of qualities I'm looking for or avoiding: -I don't need a dog for protection, I just want a dog for a companion. -I want the dog to be affectionate and have a calm period of the day. -I would like a dog to be able to run with me, but it's not a must -I want a gentle dog, one that's not aggressive. -I don't want a constant barker -Cost isn't too much of a concern, I see how much my parents pay for their Bichon's grooming, and that's affordable.
Posts: 4229 | Registered: Dec 2002
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Nick, do you realize how many people do pick dogs based entirely on pretty markings? It's sort of scary. I don't think any of us have implied you're doing that, it seems much more likely you're picking based on dogs you've had experiences with, that's a better method. Especially since you didn't include the breed that your parents own, that makes me think you're seeing both positives and negatives in dogs.
I feel uncomfortable saying "get the breed of dog I have" even though it's on your list. My sheltie certainly is a companion, he wouldn't be any sort of protection, actually he shakes and likes to be held when someone over 5'9 looks at him, but he is very willing to let you know there is an intruder, even if that intruder is the icemaker in the fridge. He's calm now at ten, he was not calm when I got him at two, at least not very often. He did go on runs when a bit younger, now not so much if I were still working with him at that level he might be able to, I don't run much anymore either. He is not at all aggressive, he is a bit defensive, he doesn't bite or nip but there can be a bit of a curled upper lip (one of his canines is going the wrong direction so it isn't very intimidating) but only when he thinks he's threatened. I think the biggest thing with barking is my dog thinks he has a reason, that can be addressed with training.
That's just a write up of my sheltie though. I have been around 20 or so rescue shelties, several corgis (of both types) and two very strange American Eskimos named Killer and Fluffy, but I don't feel I can write up their personalites for you even after spending so much time with them.
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
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Based on those, I would re-recommend a greyhound. Reasons listed below:
-Not a guard dog. We always joked that our grey would point out all the cool stuff in our house if someone came in. -The greys are known for being very loving dogs. They are excited and playful when you first come home and will play with you when you want but they love to take naps the rest of the time. -Greys can run with you but not for very long distances. They are sprinters. -There is not a gentler dog (especially a large breed) than a grey. -I never heard my grey bark in four years. -You just have to bathe them. No hair cuts. You do have to brush out their undercoat in the spring. -A large back yard would be great for a grey.
Here is the website for the Northern California Greyhound Pets of America chapter.
One of my favorite things to do was lay in the floor while my grey was laying on his side and use his ribs as a pillow while watching TV or reading a book. We were inseparable. He was with me through my divorce and if it weren't for him, I would have really struggled. And if my family didn't travel so much now, I would get another grey in a heartbeat.
/attempt at brainwashing
Posts: 1766 | Registered: Feb 2006
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I just took the quiz Sean linked and while it isn't as good as a quiz I took several years ago (no longer online) it said Bearded Collies rannk 94% for me and Airedales at 93%. I've had Airedales all of my life (except two years including right now) and have been compared in personality to a Beardie, so it's a decent enough quiz, or I put in to get those.
Posts: 5362 | Registered: Apr 2004
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I also grew up with a golden retriever which died at age 5. I miss that dog. My parents have a Springer Spaniel at the moment, but I want a dog of my own that I can play with since the springer is too old to run and play much at all. I just pet him and watch tv with him. I love the old guy, but he's just too old to play with. A little cooky too.
Posts: 4229 | Registered: Dec 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Farmgirl: I hope you are basing your decision on more than cool markings.
Do you really think I'm that stupid? It really seems like that's what you're implying. . .
No, I don't think you're that stupid, Nick. But I had nothing to go on besides your first post in this thread. That gave me all the information you offered at that point about your decision. If you read that particular post, you don't give other reasons, so that is why I asked.
I appreciate that you clarified it.
Posts: 9538 | Registered: Aug 2003
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Sean, that quiz surprised the heck out of me. It gave me a 99% match to the Pembroke Welsh Corgi and a 98% match to the Cardigan Welsh Corgi (I have four Cardis living with me at the moment)
There were three in the top 6 I would never own, but two of the three are actually reasonable (Australian Cattle Dog and Finnish Spitz) choices if you know nothing about me. I'm NOT sure why they put a Dalmatian in the Top 6 match, but still not to bad for a starting point.
Posts: 11265 | Registered: Mar 2002
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He has an interesting matching system with a bunch of tests you take. He also gives interesting anecdotes about famous people and their relationships with their dogs.
It probably would have changed the choice of my first dog, an Australian Shepherd, but not my Cardigan Corgis. I did have a reasonably knowledgable working base about Cardis, from being in competitive dog obedience with my Aussie, and knew I liked them at that time.
Posts: 11265 | Registered: Mar 2002
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I know I didn't give other reasons, but that doesn't validate the assumption that I picked them on the markings alone. I had a better way than being rude like I was. I realized it after I read my post again. I had a long day at work that day, might have been the reason for my initial snippiness. Sorry FG.
I do like physical features of those dogs, but I also like the typical behavioral traits each one has to offer. Before you say it though, I know(as most dog owners do also) that "typical" is never a given with dogs. Posts: 4229 | Registered: Dec 2002
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That dog breed quiz put Akita at the top of the list, with 100%. My dad had a couple of Akitas, and they aren't really my type. Plus, in my experience, Akitas are very slow to pick up training, and I told the quiz I wanted a dog that was easily trained.
Oh, well.
Honestly, for a dog that will simply be a companion, I would just go meet a bunch of adult shelter/rescue dogs until I found one that clicked.
posted
Nick, a lot of us have worked at shelters or animal rescue centers that are filled to capacity because people, even otherwise smart people, tend to pick dogs based on how they look without doing the types of research you did.
I was worried as well when I read your first post, although I came along after you clarified.
I love all retrievers, and that test had 15 types of spaniels and retrievers listed in the top 10%. Posts: 15082 | Registered: Jul 2001
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Do you really think I'm that stupid? It really seems like that's what you're implying. . . ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
