I was thinking...

[zoomer]

yes, an APBT is the SAME thing as a pit bull.

APBT = american pit bull terrier

I still call APBTs pit bulls since I'm stuck with it but still...

[luvofallhorses]

btw amstaffs and pit bulls are completely 2 different breeds.

[Suki Wingy]

Krista, I think she meants the legal term "pit bull" means all those breeds. I avoid calling American Pit Bull Terriers pit bulls for that reason.

Porties DO require a lot of grooming though.

[zoomer]

What kind of grooming do Porties require?

[bckrazy]

Porties require similar/same grooming as Poodles. They must be brushed daily, and preferably clipped every 4-6 weeks. I know a reallllly nice lady who breeds Porties (by "breeds", I mean, she has 5 showing/working dogs and has had 2 litters in 5 years). They are higher priced than most show breeds because of their rarity and difficulty to find quality studs ($1000+ in my experience), it IS difficult to find good show & working breeders (I know one in the state... and she has taken in 4 bitches from across the country to breed to her stud), they do have high maintenance grooming & exercise requirements, and they are a dog that needs a job besides conformation. I know this lady well because my sister's husbands Mom is getting a puppy from them this fall, after talking to her and visiting back & fourth for 2 years. They are GREAT dogs, and just adorable! Temperament-wise, I find them too aloof for my taste, and a bit too bouncy & head strong.

Chessies are head strong dogs. They need a firm handler, a job, and lots of Obedience/socialization/exercise/stimulation.

Weims are a handfull + moooore! If you think Buddy is handful (and I don't know Buddy, but I'm just judging by his breeds & what you've said about him), you should think twice about this breed. They are gorgeous & intelligent, but can be extremely high-strung and destructive if their exercise & mental needs are not met (which varies of course on the dog, but my Aunt's Weim is pretty laid back for the breed and requires 2 hours of jogging per day to stay sane.) I have neighbors with a Weim that I know they take on "walks" and to the lake occasionally, but the dog bolts out of the front door and digs out of the yard and comes to my Dad's house weekly. My Dad & stepmom love the dog, and will hang out with him and keep him at the house for a few hours until the owner gets home from work frequently. He usually is kept in a secure outdoor pen, because he would just go ballistic when his owners were gone. Weims, IMO, are a smaller, super-charged version of a Lab.

Rotties are another SUPER headstrong breed. There are individuals who are much more relaxed, but my Rottie and the Rotties I've met have all been ready to challenge dominance at any sign of weakness in their owners. This breed is powerful and I feel they need a mature, experienced handler. Some Rotties require the same dog-to-dog precautions as APBT's.

I might have missed something, but I thought you wanted a show quality Boxer? =/ The best thing would be to get out to shows and meet breeders and their dogs one-on-one. Almost any dog can be taught to swim, and there are lots of dogs who don't shed much (Rotties not included!). Personality and your ability to handle them should be a much, much higher priority than looks, coat, swimming, etc. Even with 2 acres, you don't want to get a dog that is bred to work all day long (Weims) if you don't have hours per day to dedicate to spending time outside playing, jogging, biking, working, etc.

[zoomer]

Okay, well, according to my profile in my first post, what breed(s) would you suggest?

[bckrazy]

It's definitely up to you, as you know yourself better than any of us. I suggest going to shows as often as possible and meeting the breeders and asking questions about their dogs. =0)

[king2005]

I like the Rottie. They do enjoy water if you train them too (they do swim slow, but they will swim lol), & I found they will pick one owner over the other, like if you were the only one to give it the bestest attention, then he'll bond to you faster.. However its still an individual & it can make up its own mind & not choose you lol However Rotties still shed like mad.. its thinner shorter hairs, but they are still falling off like no tomorrow lol