Recommend a Dog Breed

In My Humble Opinion
61

I mentioned the Puppy Aptitude Test before. Here is a link to one they use for Shiloh Shepherds (this is a somewhat modified test from common puppy tests).

Puppy Aptitude Test (PDF file)

Note that the website this comes from is not the same Shiloh site I linked to earlier (shilohshepherd.org vs. shilohshepherds.org…tricky). The first site is the original and this site claims to have no affiliation with the original breed. However, cruising the web site it does seem that they are dedicated to the breed as well and do DNA testing (among other things) to keep the breed ‘pure’. If you’re interested in further info you may find a spin around the http://www.shilohshepherd.org site worthwhile.

Porcupine (if she’s still following this thread) might find this picture interesting as the shepherd in it looks a lot like her Norwegian Elkhound. Shiloh’s have a sable color (as in the photo) in addition to the black & tan that can be quite striking.

62

I read the title and thought “Standard Poodle or Brittany” before I read the OP. Then I read the OP and thought “Standard Poodle or Brittany”. But I still had to read through and see whose “hot buttons” got pushed.

63

Hmmmm…we used to have a Brittany, before the Corgis, and while I loved the old boy dearly, he was anything but low maintanence. Never have I known a dog to have so much energy, or be so neurotic. For a gun dog he sure didn’t like noise, a single loud clap of thunder would send him into fits. That’s just one example. Until just a few days before we had to put him down he had more energy than most puppies. Like I said, a sweet sweet dog, and I loved him to death, but I don’t think I will ever have another Brittany.

64

Say, by the way, Padmaraga, do you know about the breeders’ practice of “growing out” puppies? I’m thinking you might, but just in case you (or somebody following the thread) don’t:

Breeds that have a strict size standard, especially the more recently AKC’d breeds with more genetic diversity overall, often have perfectly wonderful puppies in an otherwise well-confirming litter that are just plain too small or too large. Sometimes there are puppies that the breeder thinks MIGHT be the right size, but isn’t sure; they might not follow the normal growth curve, so there’s hope (or doubt). The good breeders keep these puppies on to “grow out” so they can make sure one way or the other before they sell the puppy as conforming or nonconforming. Because nonconforming puppies are usually sold on a “must spay/neuter” contract, and conforming ones aren’t.

So this means that good breeders periodically may have teenaged puppies (4 to 8 months) with them that need good homes. They’ve eventually proved that they shouldn’t be breeding stock, but they’ve had the advantage of excellent socialization and raising from the breeder. And they need good non-show, non-breeding homes to go to. An extra bonus is that these puppies are usually already housebroken but still in that bumbly adorable puppy stage.

So if you don’t have your heart set on a tiny little puppy, a “grown out” puppy can be a wonderful thing. That’s what Ben was! He’s a freak, compared to his breed standard: 18" at the shoulder where the standard is between 13" and 16", and by weight ~150% the size of his own father at 30 pounds. The breeder said “He’s such a special little guy – we wanted so much for him to stop growing!”

65

As if you needed yet another opinion, I am a huge fan of the German Shepherd, but as other posters have mentioned, I’d have to go with the Doberman.

I noticed 2 of your concerns are minimal barking and minimal shedding. The Doberman fills the bill quite nicely. (As anyone who has owned a ‘shep’ can tell you they LOVE to bark. Oh they bark for a reason - someone 12 blocks away shuts a car door LOL. They are just being alert and protective but they go a little overboard).

So, (and this is from a German Shepherd lover), go with the Doberman.

66

I had a friend whose experience with dogs was almost ruined by a basenji. The dog literally ate holes through the drywall. She thought she’d never have another dog, but she fell in love with afghan hounds.

Still liking the dobes, though. :wink:

StG

67

I’m gettin’ heartbroken here. Doesn’t anyone have a positive Basenji story?

68

I’ve had four German Shepherd Dogs in my lifetime and not one of them was a barker. They were all quiet as a mouse and only barked when someone came to the door and occasionally at our resident possum if they spoted it (which was rare as the possum usually only came out at night but for some reason that possum really got the dog going). I’ve also known quite a few other German Shepherd Dogs and they weren’t barkers either (not one). Any dog can be a barker (except maybe for Malamutes/Huskies which are nearly silent) but I seriously do not consider GSDs to be very vocal. Maybe this is just a training thing I did unwittingly but if nothing else GSDs aim to please and they gathered from me when barking was ok and when it wasn’t.

If you want a dog that makes noise get a hound (their distinctive bark is cute at first but gets old real fast as they all seem to like the sound of their own voice) or a froo-froo yappy lap dog.

The fur is definitely another matter as GSDs do shed. The short haired (what you most commonly see) version especially. I remember once trying to brush my dog (GSD…not Shiloh) till no more hair came. I filled two paper grocery bags with fur and it kept coming like I never started. The plush Shiloh isn’t nearly as bad but they do shed as well and the fur requires some attention from you to maintain.

Doberman’s can be great dogs. Unfortunately I think they have suffered some of the same over-breeding/in-breeding problems that GSDs have and can have spotty temperaments and health issues. A doberman that does conform to the breed standard are excellent…you just need to be particularly cautious about the breeder (same for GSDs…the nice thing about Shilohs is that at this point all the breeders on the approved list are fanatical in maintaining the quality of the breed and not being a puppy mill).

69

You might have a hard time with this.

70

I’m pretty sure everyone knew that I would pop into this thread to sing the praises of the Chinese Crested dog , but honestly, I cannot fault this breed in any way.

They love to play and they love their walks, but they are small enough for apartment living. They rarely bark. Our angels tend to “sing” when we come home or they get excited, which is like a low trill. They don’t shed their hair, so they are the perfect indoor dog. They can be trained to use a litter box, but we trained our little munchkins to go outside.

They are a small dog, but they have a big dog mentality. My Gizmo launched himself at my Border Collie/ German Shepard cross without so much as a flinch of fear! Even though they adore rough play, they also love their snuggles and are extremely loyal. They make great watch dogs.

I don’t know where you’re from, but here in Australia these dogs are extremely expensive, which is the one downside. A dog with papers and a good pedigree can cost upwards of $1500! (around $700 US).

Well, I have posted them before, but here are pictures of my 11 pound baby .

Good luck on finding your new baby!

71

Okay, I’m going to put in another good word for the Border Collie or Australian Shepherd.

I normally don’t recommend Border Collies, because they are a disaster if they are ignored. But you don’t sound like someone who will ignore the dog. If it’s going to be with you most of the time, a Border Collie is fantastic. Smart, alert to your cues, gentle, playful, etc.

For what you want, I wouldn’t recommend a huge breed like a Great Dane. It will intimidate too many people, be too hard on your vehicle, and you’ll have a hard time taking it some places. Border Collies are medium-sized, and cute.

I’ve owned Border Collies for 13 years. My lifestyle is much like yours - my dog goes with me wherever I go other than to work, and then usually the dog is with my wife and daughter. She is just fantastic. So were my other two Border Collies. They are just wonderful companions, with the caveat that they are absolutely NOT a ‘throw it in the backyard and feed it twice a day’ kind of dog.

None of my Border Collies shedded much, either. Ours even sleeps on our bed when she wants, and we don’t have any dog fur problems. She gets a quick brushing once a day, and a full treatment at the groomers once every couple of months (shampoo, cleaning, and nail clipping - not a poodle cut or anything).

Obligatory photo of Katie The Dog.

Another breed I’ll put a good word in for is the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, or ‘Toller’. I have never owned one, but from everything I’ve heard they are fantastic companion dogs. Same temperament as a Golden Retriever, more playful, and about 20% smaller.

AKC Toller page.
Here’s another breed that

72

HEAR HEAR!!! They’re only the best dogs on the planet! But the OP did say “moderately” active. Aussies “need a job”. Many of them are merely support for a closed amphetamine system :D.

Translation, they have a LOT of energy. They like to do something, ANYTHING, and if you so much as move, they’re off like a rocket wondering if “we’re going to do something fun now”!!!

73

Thanks for the kind words Whack, I was trying to control myself! We dog owners around here are always in the running for the One-Trick Pony Awards! :smiley:

I will say that any repitable breeder will grill you before they let you have a dog. They will ask detailed questions about your home, lifestyle, pet history, etc. You may actually get turned down by a breeder!

In the case of Newfoundlands, this rigorous screening is really important. With giant breeds, once they are abandoned, they are very hard to place. Also, Newfs tend to graft emotionally to one owner or family, and some may never “take” to another owner. My MIL’s current Newf bitch was a rescue at the age of 11 months, and she is a disaster. Emotionally, she is the neediest dog I have ever met and has significant behavioral problems. She is getting much better but the a**hole owners who shipped her back to the breeder because she was “inconvenient” deserve a bunch of bad kharma.

Oh, I’m sorry, was there a thread going on here? :wink: Whack’s right, though- do a search for dog threads and you will see how worked up we can get! :slight_smile:

74

Oops, that should be “reputable.”

75

I’ll admit to not reading this whole thread, and recommend a wirehaired pointing griffon. Sweet, larger dog, not much shedding, minimal grooming, more or less quiet. Easy to be around inside, but plenty of energy for going out for a run.

76

I thank my lucky stars every night that my dog’s original owners sent her back. I can’t for the life of me figure out why! She’s nearly perfect.

Apparently they got her when she was 8 weeks old, they brought her back within 3 weeks or so, I got her just after she was 3 months old.

The only thing wrong with her is that one ear sticks straight up (aussies’ ears are supposed to be “tipped” over). But I loved it the second I saw her.

The only other thing she ever did, behaviour wise, was that for about 2 weeks into her 5th or 6 month, she got into this foxtail eating, pebble eating thing, then she’d get sick all over the place!

She outgrew it, and the 2 weeks seemed like about 2 months, but she’s just gotten better, smarter and more fun over the years (she’s 4 now).

ooops sorry, end hijack!!

77

As someone has suggested the cross between the lab and the poodle, let me suggest the cockapoo–a cocker spaniel/poodle mix (I know you said pure breeds, but I think the cockapoo is close to being recognized as a breed).

I known three–all smart as can be, but mellow and sweet. My Mom’s cockapoo was very attentive to her, but didn’t demand attention–she was there if you needed her or if you wanted to play. They have a good energy–friendly, bouncy, and not that protective, although Mom’s barked when people came to the door, she calmed down as soon as Mom told her it was okay. One of the others lived with a family with children, and it was patient with little fingers, and would just leave the room if they got too rough (very much like a lab, although this dog usually gave the kids a dirty look when it finally got fed up with them, but it never snapped or growled at them). You can keep their hair in a puppy cut and it’s almost no maintenence. Anyway, just my two cents.

78

Whilst I was working in the kennel, there was a basenji that would come stay with us from time to time. He was a perfect kennel dog. Being a retired show dog he knew the drill. He’d hop in the crate with no problems and lay down on his mat to take a nap. When it was feeding time, he’d stand up and wait for me to put down his food and then he’s eat it like a gentleman-dog. No rushing through the meal for him. When it was time to “go”, he’d head straight for the runs and “do his business”. In the mornings he liked to run around in the “backyard” (on lead), but after that he was content to hang out in the cage. He didn’t bark and he was the tidiest dog I’ve ever met. He liked his scritchies, but wasn’t a pest about it.

The end.

79

Arrgh. Our Viszla, pretty as she was, was high, high maintenance.
Needed tons of exercise, and would bark if she felt she was not getting the attention she deserved. Very alpha female, she was.
FWIW, she was very good with children. Also she led a healthy, long life, to age 14, and her littermate lived to 16, pretty good for a large dog.
I don’t know if it is Colorado’s outdoorsy lifestyle or what, but Viszlas are more and more common here–usually in pairs.

80

Yes! My first dog of my own (that I got as an adult, I mean, not a dog my parents got when I was a kid) was a grown out cocker spaniel, and he was my favorite dog I’ve ever owned. He was a black and tan, and had probably too much tan for the standard, but he was HUGE! We called him Bubba. Great personality, loved his momma (me). We went through an extremely frustrating few days of housebreaking issues when we first got him, which were immediately resolved when we bought him a crate. Lost him at about age 7 when we took him to the in-laws house & left him in the yard - he was gone when we came back. We never found out if he just escaped or was taken, and had no success calling the local shelter or putting up missing posters all over town. It really broke my heart - I still have dreams about him, and this was over 12 years ago.

I’d get another grown out puppy in a heartbeat, if I have the chance. To tell the truth, I really sort of dread that young, young puppy phase and the housebreaking training.

Oh, and emilyforce: while it’s not my own personal experience, I used to work with a single woman (young and very active, independent type) who owned a basenji, and she would just rave about him. It’s because of her testimony that I first got interested in them. Obviously they’re not for everyone, but I’ve taken a few a “dog compatibility tests” that rated them as a very good choice for me.