A breed / mix that is active all through life?

[wolfie]

For my next dog, I'd love one that loves to play and is active even when they're older.

Daph is a wonderful dog, but as she is getting older (she's 6) she doesn't like to play outside as much as she used to. (or do agility either) I would love to go for hikes every day, and play in the backyard with her... but she wouldn't.

I was suggested terriers... but of course they were bred to hunt critters... and I have pet critters! Any other breeds or mixes that are active and playful all through life?

[Glacier]

I think even within a breed, it will vary by dog. I have dogs in the 6-8 age range who starting to slow down. Some who show no signs of aging at all and....

And then there's Hobo. Hobo is 8 now and he is insanely active. His last musher said he was slowing down and that was part of why he gave me Hobo. I am grateful I didn't know Hobo as a puppy. I think he must have been unbearable! There are days even now when he drives the other dogs nuts with his constant movement, barking and energy.

[lv4dogs]

I agree w/ glacier... as usual

But a small to medium size dog would probably be best, as they live tend to live longer than a large breed.

A border collie, Aussie, husky etc would be great choices, if you are experienced enough for those breeds. I probably wouldn't pick a dog larger than those.

[cali]

Border collie lol they are active till the day they die, and calm when you need them to be(assuming the dog is well bred, because they need to be calm and not upset the sheep when the sheperd is vaccinating the sheep for example) there are 14-16 year old BCs who while they are retired they dont want to be. Happys mom is 10 years old and running flyball as if she were 2. BUT you also have to be prepared to exersize there brain as much or more then their bodys.

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers are just about as active and intelligent as a Border Collie but they can be a bit more stubborn at times. They can live upto 16 years if cared for very well. Thy are usually 17-21 inches tall and weigh between 35-55 pounds. The females are smaller than the males.

[lovingisliving76]

I have an Australian/German Shep. mix...prodominantly Australian Shep. I've had him since he was seperated from his litter. He is now 9 yrs old and as friskie as if he were 3yr old. In the house he likes to sleep and cuddle a lot. But when you take him outside, he forgets his age! I've had very little problems with him from puppy to adult with behavior problems. He is super intelligent and full of affection. The biggest problem I can remember that we had with him was seperation anxiety. That was due to him being use to when I was at work my husband was at home and vise versa. When I finally got a job with the same hours as my husband thats when he started showing seperation problems. But we worked with him and it didnt take long for him to realize we were coming right back.

[cloverfdx]

I know you said no JRTs . But what about a Borderjack (Border Collie/ Jack Russell Terror mix). Just a thought.

[GiantSchnauzer]

I've owned 2 Giant Schnauzers and I have to say they are VERY active. My first was active up till her HD got the better of her. My current is off the wall active. I have to make sure she gets a good run everyday otherwise the house would be destroyed. Some times I'm the one that gets worn out first. I get her involved in a variety of different activities. Giants are definitly a breed that will keep you on your toes. They will try to out think you at every turn. Oh yeah and they can be big babies. I love this breed!

[ChrisH]

Oh, wolfie, it's a Springer for sure! From what I read, from other owners and with my Bob, Springers stay active and want to play all their lives. My Bobby is 6 and he would play all day if he could.

Chris

[wolfie]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions.

I'm glad to hear Aussies are like that - I LOVE Aussies and Aussie mixes! ^_^ Ooh, and I've always thought it'd be cool for me to have a Springer - then I'd have a dog that looks like me (same hair!)

I don't know if I'm active enough for a BC though, but I'll keep them in mind. And I've never seen a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever around here... but I'll keep them in mind too.

And Giant Schnauzers are a little too big for me But very cute and smart - my cousin has one. And cloverfdx, do borderjacks have a strong prey drive too? I don't want my critters to be in any harm.

Thank you again everyone.

[lv4dogs]

An Aussie is very similar to a BC as far as their energy level goes, Aussies are just an itty bit less active, but not by much thats for sure.
I don't mean to be rude, but if you don't think you're active enough for a BC, you're probably not active enough for an Aussie.

A Springer is an excellent choice, I don't know why I didn't think of that.

[mrskquinn]

I have a bull mastiff and lab (we think, not too sure of his sire) mix breed who is 5 years old. He is a wonderful dog and I would recommend this mix to anyone. He is calm while in the house, well mannered, easy to train, gets along great with other critters (we have a Chihuahua, parakeets, a large iguana, and a Chinchilla, plus he has been around cats and many other critters), but is protective when we are not home and is a great outdoor dog. At the lake he will spend hours playing in the water, hiking, or playing with us. If a squirrel or groundhog runs from him, he will chase it, but on the rare occassions that he has actually caught something, he didn't kill it, just sat there staring at it until it got up to run again. If it didn't run, he didn't mess with it other than to smell it. He is also wonderful with children. Little ones can wallow all over him and all he does is look at me with a "help me" look. He doesn't require a lot of attention, but is ready to play when you are. He is about 85 lbs. though, and that may be a little larger than you are looking for.

[cloverfdx]

I dont why i did not think of this breed before , i totally forgot the Chihuahua, depending on breeding of course. My Mums Chihuahua can go ALL day, he had more than an hour at the park running, playing and swimming tonight then came home and went strait for his ball to play even more.
With early training (Positive training for sensitive little dogs ) they are VERY obedient, Theo is the most well behaved dog i know.
And they are cute .

[wolfie]

Thanks again everyone for your suggestions!

[BCBlondie]

Originally posted by lv4dogs
An Aussie is very similar to a BC as far as their energy level goes, Aussies are just an itty bit less active, but not by much thats for sure.
I don't mean to be rude, but if you don't think you're active enough for a BC, you're probably not active enough for an Aussie.

Well, BC's are usually more intense than Aussies... They seem to have more of a drive. It also depends on the dog itself. I've met some Aussies that are just as active as BC's, but other Aussies I've met are more mellow and playful, rather than the "I need to work, work, work" type.

A good place to look for a dog is a rescue. Maybe you can contact and talk to people from BC and Aussie rescues, and Springer rescues, to see if they have any dog that is like what you're looking for and fits your lifestyle.