what breed?

Hello all - I'm new here. I've been wanting to post for a few days but haven't had the chance. Let's see. I've been reading up on you guys' other posts and you're all very knowledgable, so I figured I'd ask you.

I have been dying to get a dog since I was 12. Eventually I wound up getting the wrong dog (he was a rescued mini poodle that eventually wound up getting put to sleep by his next owner for agression). I just started to like dogs again because of my mother's boss' dogs. He's got a Parson Russell Terrier and a Rat Terrier - and the R.T. is a great dog. He's very sweet and submissive but the P.R.T. is an absolute racket case! Sweet but bounces off the walls. Well, the guy wanted to show his daughter the "miracle of birth" *GRRRRRRRRR* and the two had 5 puppies. I fell in love with the runt (Mom and I had named him 'Keegan') and the guy was supposed to hold him until this past Tuesday (Mom left a deposit) but he sold him.

But the more I see his brother (who has more of his mother in him no doubt) the more I realize that that just wasn't the breed for me!

I really have no clue about what kind of breed to get (or a mix of breeds). I have a cat and a bird and so I want a dog that's good with other animals. I want a dog that's quiet inside the house but would like to take runs/jogs with me. I want a dog that will bark at the door but stop there. I wouldn't mind doing obedience classes or maybe frisbee stuff...maybe agility. I don't want a toy dog, weight should range from 20-80lbs. I don't mind shedders (my cat sheds every day, LOL) and brushing is not an obstacle. I want a companion dog to sum it all up.

Does anybody have any ideas? I don't care if you tell me your favorite breed, but tell me why his breed would be good for me. I would really appreciate it. Because once you name some choices, I'll do more research.

Thanks.

Hey! I know alot about all kinds of dog breeds! It depends on what kind of lifestyle you have and all, please e-mail me at [email protected]

Welcome to pet talk! My name's Ashley, and I'm owned by two shelties...now back to the topic..

I think you should try going to your local shelter to visit the dogs. The shelter workers should be able to give you more info on the dogs there. I think rescue is always the way to go. :D

Now aside from mutts (which can be great fantastic dogs), I'd have to advirtise one of my favorite breeds. SHELTIES! :D Shelties generally get along well with other animals (if raised to). They're said to be barkers which is true but I know of some pet talk shelties who don't bark as much apparently. My youngest sheltie, Kai, could hold a conversation by him self for HOURS! Kaedyn will "talk" when something excites him or he hears someone outside the house. They both bark when they hear someone approaching the house but after the person is inside the house, they calm down. Both of mine are great watch dogs but they'd never make great guard dogs.

Shelties are some-what active. I don't think they're quite as active as jrts or border collies but they'd make a great jogging buddy. Shelties are known for their excellent work in obedience, agility, herding, flyball, frisbee and musical freestyle. They're basically an all in one type of breed.

They're not toy dogs but they aren't exactly huge either. The average height is about 14 inches but bigger shelties are more common now caused by those collie genes. They weigh at about 25-30 pounds typically. Kai is 17.5 inches and 38 pounds. Kaedyn, my rescue sheltie, is 14.5 inches and 16 pounds (Very underweight).

If you decide to get a sheltie or not, rescue is the way to go! :D

Hey! I know alot about all kinds of dog breeds! It depends on what kind of lifestyle you have and all, please e-mail me at [email protected]

whoops sorry about the double post, I pressed the "back" button and so it posted again

First of all - I would like to commend you for really thinking through your choice of dog. So many people don't really think it through and end up with a dog that is totally wrong for them. Many times the dog ends up either neglected or turned into a shelter. I get so frustrated when I see an older couple leaving with a high energy puppy when there is a wonderful 6 year old mutt in the shelter that would be so content to follow them around and lay at their feet. Or the people with the three young kids taking a dog that flinches at the slightest sharp movement.

That being said, since you seem to be more interested in a type of dog rather than a specific breed I would look into mixed breed dogs from a shelter or rescue organization. There is a great book by Brian Kilcommons called "Mutts America's Dogs", which discusses the personality trait of mixed breed dogs.

If you feel that a purebred or mostly purebred dog is better for you, his book "Paws to Consider" is also a great reference source of personality traits and can help you choose the best dog for your lifestyle. If you go that route - a reputable rescue organization in definitely the way to go. Even among the same breeds, there are different personalities and a rescue organization can help you choose the right dog.

If you truly decide you want a dog that you can work with in agility or such, herding dog mixes might be the way to go. If they are mixed with a breed that is a little calmer in nature they might fit in well. You would have to be careful with herding breeds, however since they have a tendency to be prey driven and could be a problem with a cat in the house. I have a cattle dog mix that I have to watch constantly when my cat is around. Again a rescue organization would be able to help choose the right dog for you.

I am also partial to German Shepards or Shepard mixes. They are very intelligent and do very well in obedience. I have also found that they are high energy when you want to be (i.e. in the yard or out for a run) but couch potatoes in the house. Since they are easy to train, they can be taught to bark once and then be quiet on command. Shepard mixes would easily fit in your weight requirement. Again a rescue organization would be able to help you choose the perfect dog for your lifestyle.

Good Luck

I'm also glad to hear that you are taking your time in deciding what kind of dog you want, but I have to agree with binka & clara.
I would try a shelter or a rescue.
Good Luck in your hunt and let us know when you get your new doggie:D

Thank you so much for all of your inputs. I had been researching actual breeds for the past few years and I had come up with a few favorites. Collies, Samoyeds, American Eskimo's, Flat/Golden Retrievers. Collies like to herd but they are very good house dogs (so I've heard). Samoyeds love cold weather which was a no-no for me (I live in Florida - it wouldn't be fair to him/her). American Eskimo's are the spitz type dog which I find highly attractive, but the more research I did the more I found that they just weren't right for me. My aunt just got a Golden puppy and says she's the sweetest thing. I still have to research that one.

I had been looking into Sheperd mixes, I've had nothing but good experiences with them (my aunt's old dog was a Sheperd mix), my sister's husband's last dog was a Sheperd mix and the sheperd's that I've seen in the shelter are nothing but 'oh my god, come love me'. Which is a good thing.

I'll check out that book you told me about and Kai is the sweetest looking Sheltie. Thanks for all of your inputs (again). If anyone has anymore, I'd appreciate it.

I agree to go to your shelter and find a dog that has the perfect personality there. :)

There are lots of breeds that match your description. :) The ones that come to my mind are labrador retrievers and golden retrievers, because they are calm indoors but love to go jogging. Plus they are usually good with small animals, like a bird or cat. ;) However, their puppy years aren't necessarily the most calm. That's why shelters are great; they have adult dogs too! Retrievers usually calm down around 2 years.

Breeds you have to be careful with are most of the spitz breeds --- they generally have very high prey drives and might take after your bird or kitty. Herding breeds can be great with small animals if they are raised with them. However, getting one that is unsocialized with small animals might not be the best idea --- herding is a moderated prey drive.

Good luck in finding your doggy! :) Being me, I would recommend the German shepherd dog and Catahoula leopard dog --- but they don't match your description. :)