Choosing a breed?

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Blackhawk

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OH and I are considering getting a second dog.

Thing is, how do you go about choosing a breed? I love pastoral and gun dogs and we currently have a Vizla. I would realy like a border collie. (have had them before)

OH wants a golden retriver and I don't. I'll be the one caring for it day to day and training it (he's moving in a couple of months) and all I can remember from his family's last one is the amount of hair everywhere and a distinct smell of dog in the house.

I also want an active dog as I enjoy the outdoors and need a dog I can do things with to keep me busy. I'll be able to take my dogs to work, but we have a large house and garden so plently of space and lots of countryside for long walks.

So how did you choose a breed?
 
My OH and I are getting a dog soon too and we narrowed it down by writing out a list of preferences e.g. we need a child friendly, small/medium size, non-moulting etc etc. I understand your concerns with golden retrievers moulting, that was one of my preferences on our list "a non-moulting dog". OH and I both wrote down our preferences and then searched within that criteria. I read lots of dog books and searched online/spoke to breeders.

Have you considered rescueing? There are so many lovely greyhounds and lurchers that make fantastic pets?
 
As you may have noticed I tend to be a little blinkered on the horse front!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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and I am the same on the dog front - get a Jack Russell, will provide you with years of entertainment!!!!!
 
Most rescue centres won't give us a look in as OH is forces and moves every few years and can also be based abroad.
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We've made a list each to which OHs was;

Golden
Hairy
Likes to retrieve

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Our list was medium-big dog, friendly, intelligent, loyal...and I had active on mine and he didn't. He likes the fact that his old retriever was like a big rug.
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I went to Discover Dogs at Earls Court which is fantastic for anyone who needs help deciding what breed to choose - they have pretty much every type of dog you can think of.

First we just went round and looked at everything, picking up the leaflets for any dog that we liked the general look - shape - size of. Over lunch we read through all the leaflets discarding anything that didn't suit our criteria. We then had a short list of about 6 breeds so we went and spoke to the owners and breeders of those breeds, asking lots of questions and taking a closer look. Once we'd done this we made a final decision.
 
If he is set on a Golden Retriever why don't you look at some working gundog lines, might be a good compromise. Most breeds moult to some extent, unless you are looking at poodles or similar.
 
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Our list was medium-big dog, friendly, intelligent, loyal...and I had active on mine and he didn't. He likes the fact that his old retriever was like a big rug.
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[/ QUOTE ] *ahem*

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I'M CUTE, LOYAL, VERY INTELLEGENT, I LURVE TO RUN, I ALSO LOVE CUDDLES.. I'M LAID BACK, I'M GORGEOUS, I WEIGH 9 STONE AND STAND 30" TALL AT THE MOMENT AND I CLASS MYSELF AS A MED-LGE BOY.

HOW CAN YOU RESIST ME??
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Why not "find" one you want while he is away?
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It's taken nearly 2 years for OH and I to agree on a few breeds we would both be happy with,men
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In the end, all I really needed to do was show him some pics of Finny,lol!

Maybe a yellow lab would be a good comprimise?
 
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I'M CUTE, LOYAL, VERY INTELLEGENT, I LURVE TO RUN, I ALSO LOVE CUDDLES.. I'M LAID BACK, I'M GORGEOUS, I WEIGH 9 STONE AND STAND 30" TALL AT THE MOMENT AND I CLASS MYSELF AS A MED-LGE BOY.

HOW CAN YOU RESIST ME??
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LOL!
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I did suggest a ridgeback to him as I used to have one. Can't remember what he said though, so I'll have to ask him again
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In the end, all I really needed to do was show him some pics of Finny,lol!

[/ QUOTE ]Hehe my gorgeous boy!! - DId you see the lavender pics I posted the other day?
 
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LOL!
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I did suggest a ridgeback to him as I used to have one. Can't remember what he said though, so I'll have to ask him again
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[/ QUOTE ]Well if it was negative tell him it was b*llox.. and they are the bes breed out there!!!
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Get a labrador!

How can you resist?
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I do think a lab would suit what you are looking for... They love active lifestyles - and if you get a working bred one (like mine) they are a little finer than the show bred dogs.

Alternatively:

http://www.petplanet.co.uk/select_a_breed.asp

Also you could ask on a dog forum - but everyone is quite likely to suggest the dog they own
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My parents have a collie - and she is lovely... but they can have their issues.

We chose a lab because we wanted:
1) something quite easy to train/ look after
2) an active dog that would enjoy lots of exercise
3) Not too huge but we didn't want a small dog
4) Something that generally has a nice temprament with other dogs and children (something my parent's collie doesn't...) and well bred labs do
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Why not "find" one you want while he is away?
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It's taken nearly 2 years for OH and I to agree on a few breeds we would both be happy with,men
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In the end, all I really needed to do was show him some pics of Finny,lol!

Maybe a yellow lab would be a good comprimise?

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hehe
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I'd never hear the end of it though, even if he liked the dog!

Did you get a Ridgeback then?
 
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In the end, all I really needed to do was show him some pics of Finny,lol!

[/ QUOTE ]Hehe my gorgeous boy!! - DId you see the lavender pics I posted the other day?

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Ohh yes, but the stupid proxy wouldnt let me post a reply
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He gets more handsome every time you post pics, slightly odd, dont think much of them as tiny pups but the older they get the more stunning they are!

We were 50/50 a few days ago, OH really wants a dane but a visit to my Aunts soon stoped that....love them to bits but cant stand the slobber!
 
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Why not "find" one you want while he is away?
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It's taken nearly 2 years for OH and I to agree on a few breeds we would both be happy with,men
smirk.gif

In the end, all I really needed to do was show him some pics of Finny,lol!

Maybe a yellow lab would be a good comprimise?

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hehe
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I'd never hear the end of it though, even if he liked the dog!

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Well, no...but it WOULD give you your dog of choice
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Did you get a Ridgeback then?

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Not yet, still looking for a house
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but OH has given in and is counting a RR pup as part of the moving budget
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Aside from the fact that Boston Terriers are the best breed in the universe
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I will acknowledge the fact that you want a larger dog, and will chime in.

If you'll be doing all the walking, I think you need to have final say. Pointers are such stunning dogs, and certainly fit into the active category, as well as having sweet natures.

Australian Shepherds are very popular over this way, too, and seem to have lovely personalities, without quite the intensity (in my experience) of Border Collies.

Still...if you change your mind, and want something smaller, devoted, super intelligent, dog-friendly, kid-friendly, watchdog supremo, go Boston! Is this active enough for you?
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Ohh yes, but the stupid proxy wouldnt let me post a reply
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[/ QUOTE ]Ah OK.
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He gets more handsome every time you post pics, slightly odd, dont think much of them as tiny pups but the older they get the more stunning they are!

[/ QUOTE ]Bless ya.. when they are tiny tiny they are ugly - but from 2months on they are GORGEOUS!!
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They aren't everyone's sort of thing - i guess because there are so many of them around - and I was never a big fan until we tried to find a breed of dog we both liked
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Basically I had seen too many fat ones... but am determined mine will never be fat - and he is gorgeous - but I am biased
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Do you know a woman came up to us in the park the other day and said 'I don't like labs'... quite rude don't you think?! I was tempted to say something childish back - but didn't...
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Do you know a woman came up to us in the park the other day and said 'I don't like labs'... quite rude don't you think?! I was tempted to say something childish back - but didn't...
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Ooooh. I think my middle finger would have made an appearance
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We live in the thick of it all here, and Stella has posed for photos with tourists all over the world. She's even met a couple of slebs
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99% of people adore her, but there's always one bozo who will approach you and say something inane and rude, to which I usually roll my eyes.
 
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If you'll be doing all the walking, I think you need to have final say. Pointers are such stunning dogs, and certainly fit into the active category, as well as having sweet natures.

Australian Shepherds are very popular over this way, too, and seem to have lovely personalities, without quite the intensity (in my experience) of Border Collies.

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Very cute pictures, I love hearing about your dog, seems such a character!

I have actually thought of german pointers and Australian Sheepdogs, but OH rubbished them
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I think he really wants a retriever, but I think you're right. I'm going to be the one looking after it so I get the final say lol!
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Problem is I really want a border collie so I'm trying to compromise.
 
I am the same as you - I like pastoral and gun dogs - I wouldn't consider having any other kind to be perfectly honest, although I have had my moments of wondering whether I should try something else. The thing is; I know these dogs, my family have always had collies and shepherds and to me it seemed natural to have the same.

I have 1 collie, 1 collieXspringer and 1 shepherd - each have their own job and each are (or were in the case of my very old collie) very good at these jobs. I understand these dogs, I know where they are coming from and what to expect from them so it is familiarity to me and I'm comfortable with this.

Once or twice I have considered getting a huge dog; malamute, Bernese Mountain, Akbash ..... but on reading all the literature about them, I quickly realised that they were definitely not for me.

Labs and Retreivers are lovely dogs - but again they are not for me.
 
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Very cute pictures, I love hearing about your dog, seems such a character!

I have actually thought of german pointers and Australian Sheepdogs, but OH rubbished them
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I think he really wants a retriever, but I think you're right. I'm going to be the one looking after it so I get the final say lol!
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My little BT is off the scale where personality is concerned. Makes me laugh all the time.

If he's so dead set on a retriever, is there any compromise? I actually prefer Tollers and Flat-coats to Goldens, anyway, perhaps because they're less common. Or are you pretty much turned off by Retrievers altogether?

You could go completely leftfield and suggest a Standard Poodle, also renowned for its retrieving abilities...
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There are loads and loads and loads of Australian Shepherd Dogs over here - cute little critters, but oh my! are they lively!! Do be aware of that before going down the buying route. They are the most bouncy dogs I've ever met I think, particularly in a medium-sized dog, and they shed loads. I'd be wary myself.

We also have tonnes of Vizslas over here - I like them as they seem calmish dogs and are very elegant.

Personally, I'd stick to your guns and go for the collie - they are such wonderful dogs and it takes a lot to beat them for temperament, trainability, loyalty etc. in my opinion.
 
Yep I think we're on the same page Tia. OH dislikes collies because he's only known one, his brothers. I admit she is a bit mental but they didn't look into her breeding before they got her, they didn't walk her and they used to keep her in a small 2 bed flat everyday
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So when my OH went and saw her she understandably could never still sit which totally put him off.

However I know gundogs and pastoral dogs and I'm used to having them, training them and caring for them and I love them. My last border collie was just so intelligent and friendly. Super easy to train too and very obedient. yes as a puppy he was excitable but correctly exercised he was fine.
 
Rotties are good!!! Mine are both verrry active. Sage in particular doesn't stop from the minute she wakes up. Extremely affectionate too. Mind you I have the best of both worlds because I have a RR as well.
 
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Do you know a woman came up to us in the park the other day and said 'I don't like labs'... quite rude don't you think?! I was tempted to say something childish back - but didn't...
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Ooooh. I think my middle finger would have made an appearance
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LOL - have thought of so many things to say (obviously hugely witty and cutting) but is too late now
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What about a flat coated retriever? I have one in the kennels (on holiday) at the moment and its fab! Lovely nature and really active. Seems very sociable with other dogs as well.
 
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