Breeds to consider?

[zoe08]

OK. Well most of you know I already have a beagle. But 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 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!

[Taeric]

Huskies are just plain beautiful dogs and have always been one of my favorites (based largely on appearance and with limited exposure to a few different ones over the years. Goldens are great dogs, especially if you plan to have a family down the road. They have a wonderful temperment and are great with kids. They are very needy in terms of wanting lots of attention, but that's half the fun of them.

[zoe08]

Yes I do plan to have a family in the future. So something that will be good with children.

I have thought about goldens also. I have seen lots on TV and stuff, but havent ever really had much experience with them. THough the few I have seen in PetSmart were really sweet.

[Cheetah]

Border Collies need jobs to do, and they need to run. A lot... if they don't get these things, they will eat the wallpaper off your wall... or chew a hole in your nightstand... or shred your pillows... or...

Huskies are also very energetic, and need a lot of training and exercise so they don't try to dig or climb out of the yard... >O_o;<

Goldens love attention... my aunt got one and didn't give him enough attention or training, and he became very destructive... her back yard looked like the surface of the moon lmfao...

[zoe08]

I read all about border collies and their need for activity and such. Which is why I said I didnt think I was ready for them.

My boyfriend has a husky and a husky mix, so I am pretty familiar with them.

[lassie]

http://www.nsdtrc-usa.org/

this link may help you with info fot the Nova Scotia DTR;)

[k8tymem8ty]

you should have a brittany spaniel mine is very friendly with kids and everyone and everything. try and consider these dogs they are great

[Becky]

How much time are you willing to spend on exercise? What kind of trainability?

As for size, Malamutes typically run 70lb+. Maddi is still a little underweight, and weighs somewhere around 76-77lb. Her father weighed in at 120lb. They are big freight dogs :).


Malamutes can also be on the dog aggressive side if they aren't consistently socialized, and need a lot of exercise, mental stimulation, and positive training. Basically, they are siberians times two :).

[zoe08]

One reason I was looking at the mals possibly over the huskies was because there is a breeder near here and I was hoping that if I wanted one I could go visit between now and the time I get one to get to know some of the other dogs and learn more about them. They are the only ones I found, but I do not know yet how reputable they. I havent found any sib breeders that seem very reputable. But my bf just rescues a husky that we believe to be full bred, and he has a husky mix, so I was thinking of maybe something different because I love so many different breeds and think I might find another breed that I might like to have.

Here is a list of answers I gave to someone else that might help.

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.

[keeks62]

I know that Labs and Goldens are pretty high on the list for being trusted with children.

It sounds like you are looking for a purebred dog, but have you considered checking for a foster dog from a shelter? Many people foster dogs and will know if they are good with children and many of the older dogs are trained already. The advantage of a foster dog is that someone has "tested it out" to see if it has the qualities that you are looking for.

Also, petfinder.com has listings for dogs (purebred and mix) that tell if it is good with kids, other dogs, etc.

I totally understand the draw of a pure bred, but I had to ask :)

[Cheetah]

Most rescues adopt out purebreds as well as mutts. >^_^<

[MaryGrace]

Get a Lab!! They weigh about 75 pounds or so, but are fabulous dogs! Very little grooming, average exercise, and great tempermant. They are terrific with kids and love family life. I know, because we have a black lab, Max, in our family, with 5 kids. But also, I reccomend shelters or all-breed rescues. You can save a life!

[zoe08]

I am not looking for a lab. I would rather go with a golden. I have met lots of labs and as puppies they are the most hyper puppies I have ever met.

About the rescues. I would if I found a puppy there, but I definitely want a pup. And preferably one that came directly from the litter and the mother so that I have it it's whole life, and hopefully so I can get to know it a little before bringing it home, and maybe know the parents.

Also where I will be living at that time I will have to drive a ways before finding a shelter that really has much of a choice of breeds. I also prefer to know something about the breed before hand, so I can know the normal temperament and size beforehand. So even if getting one from a rescue I would still want certain breeds or mixes.

[Shaggy_Dog]

Lets see....right off hand I think mabye

Boxer

Collie (Smooth or rough...I think they have diff. tempermants though)

Golden Retriever

German Shepherd

Bearded Collie

[MaryGrace]

Okay. Goldens are terrific dogs too!

[chase_pike]

labrador retriever defenatly but theres others to and i think the nice smart ppl here have pretty much named a majority of them:)oh yeah and if u dont care for big dogs great danes are awesome pets my step mother has one and its so nice and beutiful but if u want it inside remember it wont take up the foot of youre bed but the !whole! chest and stomache trust me and thats a heavy dog too its done that to me once oh and you better go ahead and buy another couch for those...

[zoe08]

I guess I should add here that I decided on an Australian shepherd. There is a slight chance that could change between now and then, but I have started looking for breeders.

[dlambertz]

I guess I should add here that I decided on an Australian shepherd. There is a slight chance that could change between now and then, but I have started looking for breeders.

nice choice... i love animals and it is hard for me to have a favorite breed. i really like my afghan hound

[retriever crazy]

Go for a golden retriever! they are awsome dogs.

[Ziggy]

Boxers and most of the herding breeds seem a little too rambunctious in this case. Goldens are awesome dogs. I have one and she is so sweet.
Have you thought about a Havanese? They're kind of poofy little dogs, but compared to other toy breeds, they're pretty tough.
www.animalplanet.com has a dog breed selector quiz, but I wouldn't follow it completely, it moreso gives you a few suggestions based on the questions. However, it doesn't ask you about dominance levels, compatibility with kids, or your living space.

[zoe08]

I do not want a toy dog. They are just not for me. If I wanted another smaller dog, I would get another beagle. I said in the first post I would like something bigger.

I chose the Aussie cuz all the info about them I have got makes them seem like a good fit. I also plan to do agility and I would like to try frisbee

[Aurora]

I think the Australian Shepherd is a great choice they are lovely looking dogs.

[Ziggy]

What about a Sheltie?

[zoe08]

What about a Sheltie?

If I wanted another smaller dog, I would get another beagle. I said in the first post I would like something bigger.


But I am already looking for Aussie breeders in my area...

so if anyone knows of good Aussie breeders in Texas, preferably Texas panhandle or around it let me know!