What breed for me?

[Zoes_mama]

Ok guys, I'm considering getting another dog. But not before I do a looot of research! Right now I'm looking for some opinions on breeds based on my experience, preference, finances, and location.
1)Experience - I've owned an American Cocker spaniel when I was a bit younger. Now I own and take total care of Zoe, an American Eskimo/Husky mix. I also take care of Bear sometimes. He's a Chow Chow/Border collie. I have also taken care of my cousin's Shih Tzu on quite a few occassions.
2)Preference - I would love to have a Boxer. But I'm not sure it's realistic. My mom is hesitant with the larger breeds. So taking everyone into consideration, I think anything from a mid-sized breed and smaller is best. Something friendly, not too hyper, not a very high prey instinct, easy to train. Grooming isn't a problem.
3)Finance - So basically I don't want something that will eat me out of my house lol! Or something that will be very costly at the vets. I hear English bulldogs are very expensive in these respects. Or anything with a lot of known diseases.
4)Location - I live in a semi-detached house, with a large backyard. Though the dog would not be kept back there often. Just some playtime then an hour long daily walk. The house itself isn't big at all.
So with all this, what do you think is best? I will not be going to a breeder. These are just guidelines. If I find the perfect breed, I will go to a breed rescue. If not, I may just go to a shelter and see what's available! Thanks in advance :)

[JDogg]

hello zoes_mama boxers are great dogs i have not met a boxer i didnt like they are a fun breed to own
jay

[Adorabull]

How about a schnauzer,They come in a variety of sizes

[Zoes_mama]

Thanks JDogg! :) I'll run it by my mom. Maybe if I'm persistant enough, and show her all about them, she'll give in. Afterall, that's how I got my snake, and she's deathly afraid. Of course she rarely has to see him lmao. But can you tell me personally, about Boxers? I know there's all that infor on the net. But I'd love a more personal view. Do they cost a fair bit to care for? Like for the vet and food part? Do they get along with other animals? These are my biggest concerns. How active are they? Energy?

[Zoes_mama]

Adorabull, I've considered Schaunzers. A lady I met on a walk had a mini and she was soooo cute. But I know nothing about them. So lots of research is required.

[JDogg]

ok z_m i have had 3 boxers all together and every one has been a joy to own they are a very loyal funloving dogs easy to train eager to please although they can be stubborn at times but i think that is with any breed. as puppies they are a little hyper but that goes for most any breed puppy also they are rather easy to groom and you should have no problem getting one from a rescue or your local pound my boxer even likes cats even though i have never had a cat they are not dog aggresive at all but that goes for all my dogs boxers are just great dogs as far as food costs go it is hard for me to make a good guess i feed four dogs if you would like to know anything else just let me know
jay

[Adorabull]

You can even get white boxers that is what I was going to get ,but because the boxer is bit hyper and I wanted a more reaxed type of dog I decided upon the Aussie Bulldog ,Not very suitable as they are quite exspensive with out the cost of shipping them over to where you are.The cost of which even i don't want to think about LOL
Goodluck on what ever you decide but here is a link on the white boxer .

http://www.wtboxers.com/

[Zoes_mama]

JDogg, thanks you soo much for the info! I'll take it to my mom, and see how that goes. Ever since I met this one boxer last year, I've been in love with them. So sweet! And Zoe even liked him. If I have any more Q's I'll come to you.
Adorabull, I know! Haha, I didn't even know that until I took this quiz (http://www.pitbullsontheweb.com/petbull/findpit.html ) today! There's a white boxer in it! You should try the quiz. I got it on the first try :D But I thought that was awesome. White Boxers, that's different. I may look into them. But I have a feeling they're not too common in the rescues here. Thanks again to you both.

[Adorabull]

Goodness me it took me 3 goes to find the pitbull LOL

The white boxer is not suitable for showing and due to certain out dated beliefs most of them are put down at birth .Thank god more people are being educated about these lovely animals . I think the people on the site I gave can head you in the right direction of finding one to rescue.

[ruffian]

if your mom doesn't go for the boxer why not look at the coston terrier, the brindle onles really look like little boxers.

[Becky]

I would avoid white boxers. I don't know if holds for boxers, but it seems many breeds have health issues with all white dogs.

This is also from the AKC website- Boxer Breed Standard:
The colors are fawn and brindle. Fawn shades vary from light tan to mahogany. The brindle ranges from sparse but clearly defined black stripes on a fawn background to such a heavy concentration of black striping that the essential fawn background color barely, although clearly, shows through (which may create the appearance of reverse brindling). White markings, if present, should be of such distribution as to enhance the dog's appearance, but may not exceed one-third of the entire coat. They are not desirable on the flanks or on the back of the torso proper. On the face, white may replace part of the otherwise essential black mask, and may extend in an upward path between the eyes, but it must not be excessive, so as to detract from true Boxer expression. The absence of white markings, the so-called "plain" fawn or brindle, is perfectly acceptable, and should not be penalized in any consideration of color. Disqualifications Boxers that are any color other than fawn or brindle. Boxers with a total of white markings exceeding one-third of the entire coat.

I will check other KC's as well, but, if this seems to hold with other KCs, white boxes would seem to be a marketing scheme.

For recommendations... well, first, how much are you willing to spend? Big dogs do simply cost more than little dogs (which I know you know :) ) You might check out http://www.dogbreedinfo.com (be sure to only look at the purebreds... they get lost when the "designer mutts" are thrown in) to get an idea on some breeds and then check out breed clubs for more information.

ETA: from UKC website:
Acceptable colors are fawn and brindle. The fawn is found in various shades, from light yellow to a deep dark red. The brindle variety has black stripes on a golden yellow or red brown background. The stripes are clearly defined.

White markings are permissible and desirable, if attractively distributed.

A black mask is absolutely required. When white stretches over the muzzle, that portion of the black mask disappears. However, there must not be so much white on the muzzle that all the black is displaced.

Serious faults: Grey or dirty appearing brindle stripes. Stripes that do not cover the whole top of the body.

Disqualification: Albinism.

Finally, from the CanadianKC Breed Standard (I didn't do the whole color part):
Disqualifications
Boxers with white ground colour or entirely white or any other colour other than fawn or two types of brindle. White markings that exceed one-third of the ground colour.

[JDogg]

hello becky you are correct most white boxers have health problems

[lassie]

how a bout a cavalier king charles

[Zoes_mama]

Ruffian, I've always loved Boston Terriers, and was considering one, if a Boxer was a no go. But I did some searching and there are no Boston rescues in my area. Not that I'm aware of anyway. I'll take a look at some shelters. My mom is still against Boxers for now, but she's at least thinking about it.
Lassie, strange haha. Cavaliers are my mom's fav breed. So that's what she's insisting on. So right now I'm looking at Boxers, Bostons, and Cavaliers. Thanks for that link Becky. I'll take a look through it and see if I come up with anything else. Other suggestions are still very welcome :)

[Ziggy]

How about a Westy?

[Zoes_mama]

I don't know if I'm very big on westies. Or terriers in general. They all seem to be little yippy, over-confident dogs. I don't know if that's true, but every one I know is that way. Any other ideas?

[JDogg]

its to bad your mom wont go for the boxer they really are a great breed how about a pug i have met several i think they are very cool little dogs also just a thought ???

[Zoes_mama]

Ugh I loooooove pugs!! My mom? "They're so ugly!" She hates their eyes. But she isn't against them. They'd actually be really easy to attain in my area. Lots in shelters. So that's a good choice. I think after a little while longer, if she's still against boxers (she seems to be giving in a little at a time) I'll get a pug or boston. You've been a great help. All of you have. Thanks!

[JDogg]

glad to help. boston terriers are also nice dogs i like dogs with smashed faces lol

[Zoes_mama]

Lol I noticed! There's something endearing about those smooshy faces, I think :D

[Adorabull]

What about a rescue dog !!!

[Zoes_mama]

That's what I'll be doing, which is why I said I'm not sure I could find a Boston here. There are quite a few breeders. But no rescues. And I've only seen a couple in some shelters last year. Pugs and Boxers are a lot easier to find :)

[Adorabull]

I don't know about where your from but here in Australia we have a dog site for purebreed dogs(they do let all dog owners join even the heinz 57 varieties) and one of the forums is specifically for rescue dogs and whom rescues what breed in what states.I am sure you must have a similar type of site over there .May be worth looking into ???

[Zoes_mama]

Well I go visit www.petfinder.org quite often. That's actually how I found Zoe, Bear and Piper. They have a list of rescues in Ontario. Boston terriers are listed. But it's hours from where I live. The Boxer one is about an hour if even that from me. Here's a list of all of them. The majority are far from me.
Bullies in Need (Bully breeds)
Alaskan Malamute HELP League
Canadian Yorkshire Terrier Rescue
Adopt-A-Rott (Rottweiler)
Danes in Distress (Great Dane)
Staffordire Bull Terrier Club of Canada
Boston Terrier Club of Canada Rescue
Chow Rescue Ontario
Gordon Setter Club of Canada Rescue Program
Siamese and Chinese Crested Rescue of Ontario
Pomeranian and Small Breed Rescue
Weimaraner Association of Canada
Boxer Rescue Ontario
SHEBA Foundation (Siberian Husky)
Pawzietively Precious American Eskimo Rescue
Ontario Border Collie Rescue Network
Dalmatian Adoption and Rescue
German Shepherd Rescue Toronto
Big On Beagles (B.O.B.)
Shiba Rescue GTA (Shiba Inu)
Ontario Britts Rescue (Brittany spaniel)

[Adorabull]

I personally like the staffordshire or the dane out of your list.The dane might be a bit exspensive to feed though .I own a Staffy and she is wonderful intelligent ,lovely natured dog ,great around other dogs ,loves kids and is a big sook and there is not a bad bone in her body

You should look at transportation costs as I found it quite cheap when I had my Bulldog flown down from mainland Australia to Tasmania they have animal transporters here and usually the rescue people can set that up for you and get you the best deal as they do that sort of thing all the time:)

A lot of rescuers on the site im on also try and find some one who is travelling to your area and send them that way.There is always some one on the site asking if someone is heading to such and such a place.

[Zoes_mama]

Oh thanks I didn't even think of that! Well when I find the perfect dog, I'll try that, if they end up being too far. Hey I'd love a Staffy or a Dane but a Dane, you're right, is too expensive and too large to live in my house. A staffy, my mom would never go for in a million years. She's kind of ignorant that way. I think chances are, we'll be getting a boston.