Need help finding a breed

My brother's dad is getting a puppy in the next few months. His last dog was apparently a BC mix (I couldn't see it), and so he's pretty set on a BC or BC mix. However, his dog didn't act at all like a BC, and so I think he'd be in for the surprise of his life if he got a dog that actually acted like one. It really wouldn't suit his lifestyle at all.

And so I'm left trying to figure out a breed that I can sort of talk him into thinking about lol. Problem is, I can't think of anything. Everything seems to contradict something else. It's like there is no breed on earth suitable for him LOL. I know that no matter what I try to talk him into, he'll probably just end up doing his own thing...but it's worth a try. I've already tried talking him into adotping from the SPCA...which didn't work. So I'll atleast take a shot at this.

Now, the only thing that he's pointed out to me so far is that he wants a black and white dog that is medium sized (no more than 30 pounds).
And these are the qualities I think the dog should have:
-Good with children (my brother is 6).
-Very sociable, non dominant nature (lots of other dogs will be around).
-Not shy, but not overly confident. Kind of middle-of-the-road type.
-Very little grooming requirements. His last dog had lots of mats.
-Love for camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, etc.
-Easy to train and eager to please.
-Loves to play fetch, but isn't obsessive about it.
-Generally calm, not high-strung
-low to medium exersise needs.

I can think of so many breeds, but I can't think of any that fit all of the criteria. They are always missing some of the most important ones. And apparently it must be black and white, so that doesn't help any. Help???

a Beagle sounds like a great match for them.I had one growing up and theyre wonderful dogs!Great with children,playful,affectionate,but theyre not the easiest dog to train though.

oh boy, if he gets a BC thats yet another one that will end up at the pound :( heck a BC sounds like exacly what he does not want!

I am sure you already know these things lol but maybe you could show my responce to him, as a BC owner myself.

Now, the only thing that he's pointed out to me so far is that he wants a black and white dog that is medium sized (no more than 30 pounds).

good luck! lol my 2 are 25lbs but they are VERY light boned for the breed, an average BC is a miniume of 40lbs


And these are the qualities I think the dog should have:
-Good with children (my brother is 6).

again quite rare , took 2 years to get Happy on good terms with kids, and every person I know who has both, the BCs have snapped at the kids, they will NOT tollerate being pulled on etc, and most hate being cuddled.

-Very sociable, non dominant nature (lots of other dogs will be around).

can happen, but most BCs tend to be "breed snobs" and only like other BCs.

-Not shy, but not overly confident. Kind of middle-of-the-road type.

that sound BC, but they can also be very shy, or vary confident, or middle of the road. its luck of the draw entirly

-Very little grooming requirements. His last dog had lots of mats.
smooth coat BC will fix that problem

-Love for camping, swimming, fishing, hiking, etc.

yup, BCs will love all that

-Easy to train and eager to please.

that fits as well

-Loves to play fetch, but isn't obsessive about it.

HA! good luck on that one buddy! lol Happy is known to drop her toys in the bathtub for me to throw!

-Generally calm, not high-strung

can happen with a rescue, but highly unlikley.

-low to medium exersise needs.
BC = the highest exersize needs you will ever find in any breed. at LEAST 4 hours of off leash running a DAY.

if he is still set on a BC after reading this tell him to go to a rescue, they may be able to find a rescue BC that suits what he wants. and also tell him to go here:

border collie boards
many of the people here are involved in rescue, and they will tell him the truth, with the facts weather he agree's or not. they have helped deture people before.

Quote:

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Originally posted by cali

-Loves to play fetch, but isn't obsessive about it.

HA! good luck on that one buddy! lol Happy is known to drop her toys in the bathtub for me to throw!

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LOL, that's one thing I keep thinking about.A border collie would drive him insane. His sister has a springer spaniel that is constantly dropping a ball in his lap, and as much as he likes a good game of fetch, he wants a dog that knows when to quit.

I'd have to say the most important thing that tells me he can't have a BC, is the exersise needs. His last dog was never taken for walks. His exersise was a game of fetch. In one twisted way it would serve him right for getting a BC and having it ruin his house, after I told him it would happen..

I don't know if he'll go to a rescue -- he already said he's not going to the SPCA. He wants to get a puppy fro ma free ad -- Which I think is VERY bad...I mean, his chances of getting a black and white dog are quite good since most free pups are mutts, and black and white is so common..but what are the chances that he'll get the personality that he wants? I'm trying to talk him into going to a responsible breeder if not the SPCA..I doubt he'll get one fro ma free ad anyways. I practically never see dogs for free in the paper.

I did a search for your requirements an it seems that the Field Spaniel has the best bet for them! If you go to the thread of "How do you decided your family's dog," I think that's it and look under mine and click the link it will take you to it! I hope it'll help!

Older cocker spaniel

Don't field spaniels need professional grooming?

He doesn't like cocker spaniels, and he wants the dog to be a puppy.

I'm not too sure, LOL! The results will be there! If its an X I think that means that it is qualified for that "section" is it has numbers I think thats how close it was to being "suggested", LOL!

Good luck!

I really think a springer is what you need but they are 60-65 lbs. Great family dogs .

I was also going to suggest an English Springer Spaniel :). Labs, Goldens, or maybe a mellow adult Australian Shepherd would fit him. Tell him NO Border Collies, getting a BC puppy is a complete risk for him and not worth it, I know many that see kids as livestock and will herd and snap at any child that comes near(even after a lot of socialization). They're awesome dogs, but some, especially the neurotic working BC's, just cannot live with hyper children. That is a big reason why people turn in their BC's to shelters.

He would probably do best searching shelters, a smaller Lab mix (there are tons of these) would probably fit him perfectly. And, it sounds like he doesnt like a big hassle, so just try to refresh his memory on how much of a PAIN puppies are. He'd probably do well with a 1 year-old or older rescue. Also, if you get a puppy from a breeder, you never know how that puppy will be with kids when he/she becomes and adult. With adult rescues, its easy to tell!

If he is going to be so particular about what he wants in a grown dog, then he should NOT get a puppy. He would have a better chance of finding a dog that suits his needs by searching through the shelters or rescue groups. Adopting a full grown 1 year or older mutt will be his best bet and most shelters and rescue groups will already have the dog spayed/neutered and current on vaccinations. Rescue groups that use foster homes know a lot about the dogs and will be able to match the right dog with the right family. By getting a free puppy out of the newspaper he takes the risk of not knowing what kind of personality, temperament, size, grooming needs or exercise needs the puppy will have once it is an adult. Free puppies usually will not have any of the medical work already done, leaving the chance that it will come down with parvo or something that could cost him thousands of dollars in vet bills to fix.

lol my moms responce was "well apperentyly he wants a very OLD border collie, they may have slowed down to that extent by the time they are oh 15-16 years old.." lol

I'd have to say get a mix or a basenji. Beagles are high energy, independent dogs that are hard to train, springers are high energy and tend to not be good with children. Try going to dogbreedinfo.com and taking their breed finder test, or a similar website. good luck

Thansk everyone for your suggestions. Apparently he's decided that he doesnt' care if it's a puppy or not anymore lol. He wants a BC mix that is already trained. He saw an ad in the paper for a free 3 year oold spayed, female BC mix, and he would have called about her, but it just isn't the right timing. I'm glad he's considering adult dogs.

That is encouraging Jordan :). What about a Britanny Spaniel, Not as high strung as a BC, medium sized and if raised correctly would be good with kids.

I will send your uncle Elvis for the day, no less than 2 hours of flat out running, swimming and romping with other dogs will wear this dog out lol. And he is quite obsessive about playing fetch ;).