To ask you to select my dog breed?

[Pikaso]

I just can’t decide on what breed of dog I want! (Please don’t suggest cross breeds, I want to be involved in showing and breed specific activities as well as meets for social reasons).

Ok so I want a big dog, one that is not predisposed to aggressive or reactive behaviour. A friendly breed. An intelligent breed that could take part in obedience. Not a massively energetic breed (like a Dobermann) but one than I can enjoy a decent walk with (2 hours) and not have it still bouncing off the walls when I get home. A breed that is generally fine off lead with the correct training (so no high prey/hounds I’m assuming).

My ideal dog would be one I could walk off lead, take to the pub, engage in sports (water sports/agility etc) and generally enjoy. My dog is my only form of socialising.

My current ideas are:
Newfoundland
Great Dane
Irish Wolfhound (but not sure with it being a hound and short life span)
Golden Retriever
German Shepherd
Standard Poodle

Any other suggestions?! I love giant Schnauzers but I don’t want another high risk breed.

Border collie

@2bazookas

I want to be involved in showing and breed specific activities as well as meets for social reasons

Don't get a dog. Get a classic car or a model train or take up quilting.
They all have showing opportunities, and social meets and activities specific to the interest.

I mean this in all seriousness for your own sake.

Your notion of dog ownership is so far off beam, you and the dog would be sadly disappointed.

I suggest you contact a local dog rescue and offer yourself as a volunteer. More experience around dogs will help you at least get more clue about breeds matched to your needs.

Lol I’ve had dogs all my life and currently own two. This is very forward thinking so I can put the research in. I also worked for RSPCA.

I have lots of experience with dogs. I’m just getting older now so need to think about my own energy levels and choose my next breed with this is mind.

I’ve owned German Shepherds, labradors (both a long time ago), Rottweilers and Dobermanns. My next breed needs to reflect the fact that I’m not getting any younger.

I’ve had 5 boxers (from childhood to now) over the years. Misconception is they are madly energetic, but in my experience not really or at least not nervous energy. One good walk and they are happy to mooch around for the rest of the day. My vet praises me for excellent exercising my current boy but he literally gallops at top speed, one lap of a small paddock and then just mooches happily 😂. I mean he’s finished in minutes. The breed have fabulous muscle tone naturally. Great at jumping, seriously impressive but poor cornering, not as bright as a sheep dog but they are bright enough. All but one of mine rarely barked, my current one barks about twice a year!

Negatives, they are strong as an ox so need sensible training. I don’t advise a puppy when you have toddlers as they will jump up initially. Mine have all needed strict diets or they get tummy upsets. Lifespan is 10 or 11 years.

3 of mine were total softies, 1 had a prey drive (totally surprised me as all the others had low prey drive) and 1 was great in public but over protective if you came unto our property, didn’t growl or bite but barked and kept his eye on the stranger.

They are the sort of breed who would find agility competitions fun. I’ve never done it myself.

Hope that helps.

If you want to show, pick one of those breeds that you love but which is not over represented 😉 Goldens, while one of my favourites, are present in large numbers, for example

I have labs, they are more working type, and Field Trials are a great activity for them and for a Golden. Or Dock Diving, although I have not seen that near me.

Agility would possibly suit a poodle, but obviously a Border Collie is hard to beat. But it requires a level of fitness from the handler too.

You have experience of dogs, so you will know they are good ice breakers, I would probably research the activities themselves to see if it’s something you would enjoy - then go from there.

@girlmom21

OP are you in the UK? Crufts is only a few weeks away. Go along and have a look around - they have hundreds of breeds from around the world as well as breeders and judges who know everything about their breeds.

Crufts is all booked ☺️

I have 2 danes, one bull mastiff and one english mastiff. It really is down to you. You need to connect to a breed, and speak to lots of breeders. If you want to show then go to shows of the breed you like and speak to ppl. Any decent breeder will have waiting lists

If you really want a dog for agility classes, I would recommend a standard poodle.
We have one and also a retriever. Not a hope of our retriever doing this, as she won't even climb unknown stairs, go in the shed or go through a narrow gap lol. She's more sassy and vocal though and loves the good life. Both breeds are so so easy to train. No bad habits and affectionate. Hope this helps.

I’m liking the Setters - both Irish and English so I’ll add them to my list!

My friend has a samoyed and she’s into therapy dog work and has met loads of people through that

Rhodesian Ridgeback added to the list ☺️

@Pikaso have a good friend with a ridgeback he is very very high energy and quite difficult in their standard 3 bed semi. They have a lot of work to do with him

There are no tickets to crufts at all?? Know anyone who is showing? They can get an extra handler in for the cost of their entry.
I have wolfhounds. Fine off lead and slept all day after a good walk this morning. But as puppies they need very little exercise and couldn’t take part in sports etc. also all giant breeds tend to have short lifespans. Bloody love em tho!

I don’t think Newfoundlands can go on long walks because they are so heavy.

@Wolfiefan

There are no tickets to crufts at all?? Know anyone who is showing? They can get an extra handler in for the cost of their entry. I have wolfhounds. Fine off lead and slept all day after a good walk this morning. But as puppies they need very little exercise and couldn’t take part in sports etc. also all giant breeds tend to have short lifespans. Bloody love em tho!

Oh god I’m in love!! I’m very tempted with the wolfhounds - even though I’d have to give up on the agility idea 😂 have you always had wolfhounds?

Also I meant we have booked Crufts ☺️

What about Leonbergers? Lovely friendly dogs and easy going.

@SnowySnowSnow

I don’t think Newfoundlands can go on long walks because they are so heavy.

Yeah that is putting me off them slightly. I’m a member of the local water sports/water rescue group as a spectator and love seeing them work. But I do need a dog I can walk with

Yay to crufts tickets!
My eldest dog is 5 and she’s my first dog. It’s been a long held dream though. I’m on a list for number three now!! Eldest girl’s breeder did have a girl she did giant agility with.

15:36Blueeyedgirl21
@Pikaso have a good friend with a ridgeback he is very very high energy and quite difficult in their standard 3 bed semi. They have a lot of work to do with him

Yes, the dogs aren't generally as easy as the bitches. We live in a 2 bed semi and our bitch is either in bed or sprawled out in front of the fire. I know I'm biased but they are the best lol.

@Wolfiefan

Yay to crufts tickets! My eldest dog is 5 and she’s my first dog. It’s been a long held dream though. I’m on a list for number three now!! Eldest girl’s breeder did have a girl she did giant agility with.

Really? 😂 did they use horse jumps? 😂😂

Are they reactive at all?

Doberman '

Reactive? Well one was desperate to “play” with a tiny field mouse out on a walk. 🤦‍♀️
If any dogs kick off they use me as a human shield. Daft pair!

@Blueeyedgirl21

My friend has a samoyed and she’s into therapy dog work and has met loads of people through that

I have a Samoyed and she is the loveliest dog I’ve ever had; absolutely beautiful temperament. Would love all the activities mentioned, will walk as long as you like but also happy with 45 minutes off lead then sleeps the rest of the day BUT they are not known for their natural obedience.

We worked hard on ours and I swear sometimes we call her back and she glances at us and you can literally see her shrug and carry on. Also obsessive prey drive around squirrels which also appears to be a breed trait. We just call her back well in advance if we see other people/another dog; all she wants is to play and love everyone but not everyone wants that obviously. Wouldn’t have anything else now though.

I have a Vizsla and she is the loveliest dog. Naturally a high prey drive but with training this can be managed

I met an Italian Spinone yesterday which was gorgeous. www.vetstreet.com/dogs/spinone-italiano

Portuguese Water Dog?
We were once in Portugal and watched their National championships on the beach. They had to swim out to sea and round some buoys. Honestly it was one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. They were almost all terrible at it.