What Dog Breed Is Best For Me?
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
So I’ve decided to get another dog in the next one or two years, but I don’t know what breed to look into. The online dog breed selector tests aren’t any good, and my family is giving me mixed answers on to what dog breed I should get. My older sister wants me to get a GSD, my mom thinks that a Norbottenspetz or a Pyrenean Shepherd would be pretty cool, my teacher wants me to get a Wire-haired Pointing Griffon, my dad doesn’t care, and my friends think that I should just get another Cavalier. You guys will probably give me better answers than the internet or my family will (aside from my teacher, they don’t know much about dogs.)
I’m a fairly active person, and I’m looking to do agility and/or flyball with this dog. Currently I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. It isn’t that I don’t love him, but he isn’t really a dog that loves to race down a track to press a button to get a ball (he does like agility, but he isn’t the greatest at it). I want to compete in agility with this dog, and my Cav doesn’t really love it enough to be a top competitor.
I have a 3 year old sister, who will be four or five by the time I get the puppy, but I have even younger cousins, and this dog needs to be good with them.
I know I can handle a dog that is as big as a lab, but I would be hesitant of getting something bigger.
The dog would only be alone for 1-2 hours at a time, I take my dogs most every where I go, so I’m not really concerned with how long the dog will spend alone. Even so, I do have two other dogs that could keep it company.
I would like a dog that is smart, and easy to train.
I have suggested some breeds to my parents already that they have already vetoed. The first dog I brought up when I asked them about it was a Border Collie, and that idea was instantly thrown into the garbage. I love Borders, but my mother and my extended family has had some problems with snappy ones. The Papillon was another breed my mother didn’t want anything to do with, so something bigger than them is probably a good idea.
So I’m looking for a small(bigger than a pap that is) or medium sized dog. I would like one that is smart and easy to train. A dog that is known for it’s achievements would also be a plus too.
I currently have two ferrets, and my sister has a very old cat, so due to the ferrets, I don’t really want a dog that is going to have a strong enough prey-drive to kill them. It isn’t like they would be alone together, but I want to be careful.
I do really like the looks of the Pyr Shep, though I’ve heard that they love agility a little too much, missing contacts left and right. If anyone knows anything about them, please tell me. A GSD would be great too, but its the size thats stopping me. I’m a little person.
So, what breed do you think would fit me?
Related Papillon Training & Care posts:
I know someone who runs Pyr Sheps and they are great dogs. Blowing contacts left and right, any dog can do that. That really depends on training. I’ve seen BC’s have tons of problems with contacts and knocking bars. It really depends on the dog, and more importanlty, on the training. It sounds like you are doing your research. I would say get a sheltie.
i think that the best dogs for you…an active person…is a german shephard, a golden retriever, golden lab, or black lab.
they are all really reliable. they become your best friends really fast. they are very active and gentil. they wont harm anyone or anything. they might be a bit fussy when they are puppies. but when they get older, they are amazing!
my neighboor has a black lab, and it is soooooooo obedient! it doesnt go off the grass.it barely barks, and it is really fun to play with!
Good Luck!
If you are a little person (not midget but short) and you want a dog that is athletic, but is small enough to sleep on your bed and is easy to train, then get a golden retriever. They are loyal,live for a long time, when you say “No cat!”or”No ferret!” They are smart enough to know that they shouldn’t disturb them. If you dont believe me just go to http://www.akc.org/index.cfm and look at the breed and maybe find another breed you like better!
I would recommend a GSD. Its one of my favorite breeds. Females are usually smaller than males, if you are worried about the size. They are very intelligent and trainable. Agility and Flyball would probably be good for them.
Border Collies
Australian Shepherds
Shetland Sheepdogs
All are good choices for agility and flyball, and all are very intelligent and eager to learn. Most herding breeds will do nicely for active sports like flyball and agility, and some working/sporting dogs will as well. Heck, i’ve seen some terriers do good in those sports as well! Any breed can do them, you just have to find an individual with the drive and determination to obey you and learn.
I’m confused though – will you be living with all these people trying to tell you what breed to get? If not, then ignore them and focus on yourself and your own needs/preferences. If you will be living with them then take their considerations to heart – they have to put up with the dog no matter WHAT (yes, even if you do the majority of the caring… they live in the house with the dog, after all.)
Are you even old enough to own your own dog? Sign legally binding contracts? Enter yourself in competitions? Just wondering…. If you won’t be buying the dog yourself then you’re pretty limited to what the buyer wants.
I wanted a large breed dog after our last passed on but agreed on a schnauzer/poodle mix (15 lbs, still bigger than my 7 lb Maltese) when my own parents said “no.” I still live with them, their rules always apply.
I have had a handful of border collies easy to train. Very obedient I currently have a border black lab mix. Most well mannered dog ever. I highly recommend that mix best of both dogs. Energy level isn’t as high but will run all day if want it to. If I turn on our sprinkler system the crazy dog will run from sprinkler head to sprinkler head. I have had a few blue healers that personality wise not far from boarder collies. If cattle dogs are out of the question then i would look at labs and retrievers.
Do some research on Boxers. That would be a first choice I think, based on your criteria. They are very active, compete in agility frequently, & love being around kids. They are very good tempered dogs who get easily attached to their owners & like to go everywhere with them. They are fine with other animals also, given that you raise the dog from a puppy around them (I wouldn’t know if I’d trust any adult dog with other small animals until it has ‘proven itself’). Boxers are very trainable, especially in the ‘potty training’ arena. My 11 week old Boxer has been potty trained for a couple weeks now, & he knows several commands. (Sit, lay down, shake, come here, heel, ‘knock on the door’ – for when he has to go potty-, & ‘go in your house’ -his kennel-).
These dogs need a lot of exercise (which you seem to want to offer to it anyways) or the ‘destructive behavior’ that people say these dogs have will come out. The only reason they can tend to be ‘bad’ is because people don’t realize Boxers are ‘working dogs’ who need something to do with their minds AND physically. You can’t leave a Boxer in the backyard or in a kennel all day & expect it to behave! The same thing happens with Border Collies & other similar dogs that have lots of energy & smarts.
Here is a link to one site’s information on Boxer dogs:http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/boxer.htm