Future breed

[LadyGascoyne]

Our collie Rio is starting to slow down, at nearly 15. He’d be perfect for you @Moobli - zero prey drive, absolutely chilled, lovely to everyone he meets. He just didn’t want anything to do with sheep! The sort of dog you could take anywhere though, and do anything with. Including international flights.

I think our next dog will probably be something different just because I don’t think I’ll ever find a collie to top Rio, who is the best dog I have ever had. I don’t want to find myself comparing so I want to have different expectations from the start.

Retrievers are top of my list, my biggest concern is cancer. Tollers are also there.

I love Labradors but I think I’m put off a bit by how many people have badly trained ones these day. It is silly, and I know it is an owner problem, but I’ve been knocked over, jumped on and chased when riding too many times. I do get dog envy when I see Goldenstars dogs though.

My husband’s family have Great Danes. They are the most fantastic dogs, and they have the most lovely temperaments. The short lifespan and unsoundness just worries me so much.

Rio has been such a sound, healthy dog that I do wonder whether the thing to do is to get another collie. I wish we’d bred from him. We always intended to but life got in the way. He’s entire but ancient now.

 

[Moobli]

Our collie Rio is starting to slow down, at nearly 15. He’d be perfect for you @Moobli - zero prey drive, absolutely chilled, lovely to everyone he meets. He just didn’t want anything to do with sheep! The sort of dog you could take anywhere though, and do anything with. Including international flights.

I think our next dog will probably be something different just because I don’t think I’ll ever find a collie to top Rio, who is the best dog I have ever had. I don’t want to find myself comparing so I want to have different expectations from the start.

Retrievers are top of my list, my biggest concern is cancer. Tollers are also there.

I love Labradors but I think I’m put off a bit by how many people have badly trained ones these day. It is silly, and I know it is an owner problem, but I’ve been knocked over, jumped on and chased when riding too many times. I do get dog envy when I see Goldenstars dogs though.

My husband’s family have Great Danes. They are the most fantastic dogs, and they have the most lovely temperaments. The short lifespan and unsoundness just worries me so much.

Rio has been such a sound, healthy dog that I do wonder whether the thing to do is to get another collie. I wish we’d bred from him. We always intended to but life got in the way. He’s entire but ancient now.

Rio sounds amazing. I had one like him called Rip. He was the easiest dog I’ve ever had. Loved everyone, so loyal, never chased wildlife or livestock (unless given the command when working), totally unbothered by other dogs and wasn’t a fighter. He was almost too easy though and I do like a bit of a challenge . I’m my own worst enemy
I agree with you about Labs. I know some really lovely well trained ones but there also seem to be so many rude, bolshy, untrained ones around too. Definitely mostly an owner issue but they are also so overbred that it must be especially important to find litters bred for temperament, health and trainability.
Giant breeds wouldn’t suit me due to not only the short lifespan but also their activity levels. I do love wolfhounds but wouldn’t have one for those reasons.
If you did want another collie I would recommend the breeder our big boy Nap came from. He has a fantastic temperament and is an all round great dog. I might even steal him off my OH . He is very worky though so does need a job as well.

 

[Spotherisk]

Miniature American Shepherd. Smaller than a border, gorgeous colours, very clever. I see them at agility, smart little dogs.

 

[Moobli]

Miniature American Shepherd. Smaller than a border, gorgeous colours, very clever. I see them at agility, smart little dogs.View attachment 110243

Someone I know has a litter of these at the moment just due to go to their new homes. They are very cute looking but not sure they’re for me.

 

[blodwyn1]

I can't really compare my Goldie's to my lab as I had them from pups and they needed a lot of training. My lab is easier as I bought her as a fully trained therapy dog and she is wonderful. My Goldie's were headstrong as young dogs and would do a runner if given the opportunity the lab sticks to me like glue!

 

[Clodagh]

I can't really compare my Goldie's to my lab as I had them from pups and they needed a lot of training. My lab is easier as I bought her as a fully trained therapy dog and she is wonderful. My Goldie's were headstrong as young dogs and would do a runner if given the opportunity the lab sticks to me like glue!

I’ve been meaning to ask how you were getting on. She sounds perfect.

 

[Cortez]

Irish Wolfhounds don't really have "activity levels", unless you count getting on and off the sofa......Ours had to be persuaded to go on walks and had very reluctant prey drives (unless you count my chickens, which were a brief hobby of one puppy, quickly nipped in the bud).

 

[splashgirl45]

I had a collie/lab , mostly collie and she was the easiest dog I’ve ever owned , my others were lurchers and terriers so not too difficult to be easier than them I suppose. when she was a little puppy she went to follow my lurcher upstairs and I stood in front of her and said no and she never even tried to go up again. My lurcher liked to go upstairs to sleep and I wanted her to have her sleep without having puppy jumping all over her… she lived till 15 bless her..

 

[Moobli]

Irish Wolfhounds don't really have "activity levels", unless you count getting on and off the sofa......Ours had to be persuaded to go on walks and had very reluctant prey drives (unless you count my chickens, which were a brief hobby of one puppy, quickly nipped in the bud).

They look very majestic just lying around though

 

[blackcob]

Bear with me on this as the suggestion is not to your brief (they are small and naturally suspicious of strangers) but I had a super interesting discussion with a person at Discover Dogs. They'd had GSDs all their life but were looking to downsize, due to not wanting to be physically wrangling such a large dog as they got older and they also had a hobby/living arrangement that would be much more suited to a small dog. They were looking for similar attributes to a GSD but in a package that could be picked up and handbagged under the arm if necessary. Schips made the shortlist and they came to the stand with a loooong list of questions.

As you know I am also a big dog person really but have found there is a lot to be said for being able to simply shove a dog under your arm and walk away if anything kicks off.

Alternatively my OH described the pup as ‘big dog on easy mode’ the other day and once I’d stopped laughing, as it’s very early days yet and I was tearing my hair out over her just yesterday, I do sort of get what he means after the sibes. First dog we’ve ever had that actively wants to work with you to do the right thing. There are worse large dogs to be had!

 

[blodwyn1]

My wonderful Makayla who will give everyone a cuddle.

 

[Moobli]

And after saying I’d never have another longcoat GSD I’m totally in love with a local-ish bitch so I’m going to meet her and keep everything crossed her health results come back as excellent and then I might have a pup from her in future. She’s 3/4 working line 1/4 show so if she’s out to a working line male in future I’d be hard-pressed not to get a pup

 

[Moobli]

Bear with me on this as the suggestion is not to your brief (they are small and naturally suspicious of strangers) but I had a super interesting discussion with a person at Discover Dogs. They'd had GSDs all their life but were looking to downsize, due to not wanting to be physically wrangling such a large dog as they got older and they also had a hobby/living arrangement that would be much more suited to a small dog. They were looking for similar attributes to a GSD but in a package that could be picked up and handbagged under the arm if necessary. Schips made the shortlist and they came to the stand with a loooong list of questions.

As you know I am also a big dog person really but have found there is a lot to be said for being able to simply shove a dog under your arm and walk away if anything kicks off.

Alternatively my OH described the pup as ‘big dog on easy mode’ the other day and once I’d stopped laughing, as it’s very early days yet and I was tearing my hair out over her just yesterday, I do sort of get what he means after the sibes. First dog we’ve ever had that actively wants to work with you to do the right thing. There are worse large dogs to be had!

I love your Schipp. I’d have to also have a big dog if I had such a wee one too though
Your pup’s breeder is my top choice for another GSD in future if I get one (and let’s face it, I probably will ), but a pup from the longcoat bitch I’ve spoken about in my last post is also a promising contender.

 

[TheOldTrout]

My wonderful Makayla who will give everyone a cuddle.

Gorgeous dog

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I agree with you about Labs. I know some really lovely well trained ones but there also seem to be so many rude, bolshy, untrained ones around too. Definitely mostly an owner issue but they are also so overbred that it must be especially important to find litters bred for temperament, health and trainability.

It truly is an owner problem. We used to see a brown Lab pup out walking while we were walking our Labs, we commented on the fact that the female owner didn't seem to have any understanding of the fact that she needed to train the pup to behave well, rather than letting him pull her all over the place, including across the 40mph road, to get to other dogs, who weren't interested in him anyway.

Within the last few months we met the female owner and dog again, by now he is at least 2, possibly more. He is still pulling her all over and on this occasion pulled towards our rehomed brown bitch pup, he was extremely intimidating towards her (we are still dealing with the fallout from that episode) and the owner struggled to move him away. We have since realised that the woman's male partner has taken over walking the dog, presumably because she can't cope. I have had numerous Labs over my lifetime and known many more and have never known one to be untrainable, although there are many owners who don’t try.

 

[MurphysMinder]

I honestly think if shepherds are in your blood it will be hard to go for another breed. I love my Lancashire Heelers (would have suggested them to you apart from their size) but you can't beat a shepherd. Zenya is just 11 months and while she is full on , and a bit vocal, she is very trainable and so far great out and about with both people and dogs. She is French and Italian show lines. I have realistically to accept that when she goes , hopefully not for a very long time, I will be too old to take on another GSD pup but depending on how decrepit I am will probably look at an older rescue.

 

[Moobli]

It truly is an owner problem. We used to see a brown Lab pup out walking while we were walking our Labs, we commented on the fact that the female owner didn't seem to have any understanding of the fact that she needed to train the pup to behave well, rather than letting him pull her all over the place, including across the 40mph road, to get to other dogs, who weren't interested in him anyway.

Within the last few months we met the female owner and dog again, by now he is at least 2, possibly more. He is still pulling her all over and on this occasion pulled towards our rehomed brown bitch pup, he was extremely intimidating towards her (we are still dealing with the fallout from that episode) and the owner struggled to move him away. We have since realised that the woman's male partner has taken over walking the dog, presumably because she can't cope. I have had numerous Labs over my lifetime and known many more and have never known one to be untrainable, although there are many owners who don’t try.

I’m sure it’s true and unfortunately Labs are a victim of their own popularity. I also wonder if some people get Labs thinking they are so easy they don’t need socialising and training.

 

[Moobli]

I honestly think if shepherds are in your blood it will be hard to go for another breed. I love my Lancashire Heelers (would have suggested them to you apart from their size) but you can't beat a shepherd. Zenya is just 11 months and while she is full on , and a bit vocal, she is very trainable and so far great out and about with both people and dogs. She is French and Italian show lines. I have realistically to accept that when she goes , hopefully not for a very long time, I will be too old to take on another GSD pup but depending on how decrepit I am will probably look at an older rescue.

My hubby says the same thing. I’ve had border collies as well as GSDs but despite really loving that breed too, shepherds just have that special something for me that other breeds just don’t have. Zenya sounds really lovely, I hope you have her for a very long time too

 

[splashgirl45]

I see someone out quite frequently who bought a collie as he says he was told they were easy to train. He is a first time dog owner and hasn’t got a clue. It never gets let off lead and if he sees another dog in the distance he stops and waits and the dog lays down and the owner doesn’t interact with him at all , just let’s him lunge at my dogs (who I have leashed) and never speaks , I make a point of saying d good morning so he has to acknowledge me. Poor dog is so frustrated , I am almost tempted to tell him I would take it… but with my sensible head on I won’t as I have my 2 terriers and a young lurcher who need my input..

 

[BBP]

I see someone out quite frequently who bought a collie as he says he was told they were easy to train. He is a first time dog owner and hasn’t got a clue. It never gets let off lead and if he sees another dog in the distance he stops and waits and the dog lays down and the owner doesn’t interact with him at all , just let’s him lunge at my dogs (who I have leashed) and never speaks , I make a point of saying d good morning so he has to acknowledge me. Poor dog is so frustrated , I am almost tempted to tell him I would take it… but with my sensible head on I won’t as I have my 2 terriers and a young lurcher who need my input..

To be fair, some of them are very challenging. I’m not a dog expert but not a total numpty. My current collie is a 100% different dog to my previous collie. He also wants to go full sniper mode and is hard to distract as so few things are of value of him. I don’t acknowledge people near me sometimes as my focus is my dog. Me trying to prevent him from feeling he has to react to someone else’s dog means I’m not in a position to exchange niceties with other dog walkers. He also doesn’t go off lead on walks because I don’t want him having a pop at someone else’s dog. He does go off lead in dog fields, or have a long line or go running with me. People may call me a sh** owner, I certainly feel failure at times. it’s easy to criticise but that chap may be doing the absolute best he can with the knowledge that he has. Perhaps rather than offering to take his probably much loved dog off him, next time you see him if you happen to not have dogs with you, you could ask him if he needs any help? (assuming you have the degree of experience to work with a very strong eyed prey driven collie). I have done that before when I parked my car and saw a collie fixing on it, just smiled and said, I know how that feels, it’s taken me ‘x’ amount of time to get mine through that stage, and he asked me what I had been doing. So I was able to share a bit of what helped me out.

 

[paddy555]

Miniature American Shepherd. Smaller than a border, gorgeous colours, very clever. I see them at agility, smart little dogs.View attachment 110243

thanks for posting. Love them. Very suitable for my old age.

 

[paddy555]

They look very majestic just lying around though

I adore Irish wolfhounds but I suspect it would be a short life and I would get to know my vet rather too well.

 

[paddy555]

I honestly think if shepherds are in your blood it will be hard to go for another breed. I love my Lancashire Heelers (would have suggested them to you apart from their size) but you can't beat a shepherd. Zenya is just 11 months and while she is full on , and a bit vocal, she is very trainable and so far great out and about with both people and dogs. She is French and Italian show lines. I have realistically to accept that when she goes , hopefully not for a very long time, I will be too old to take on another GSD pup but depending on how decrepit I am will probably look at an older rescue.

Your final sentence will be my problem when I lose this one. Not so much can I cope with one but what happens if I am ill etc. Someone is going to cope a lot better with a smaller friendly dog that anyone can handle.
My GSDs have always been very bonded to me and very protective. My current one isn't going to let anyone in in an emergency and they certainly won't be coming anywhere near me.

 

[splashgirl45]

To be fair, some of them are very challenging. I’m not a dog expert but not a total numpty. My current collie is a 100% different dog to my previous collie. He also wants to go full sniper mode and is hard to distract as so few things are of value of him. I don’t acknowledge people near me sometimes as my focus is my dog. Me trying to prevent him from feeling he has to react to someone else’s dog means I’m not in a position to exchange niceties with other dog walkers. He also doesn’t go off lead on walks because I don’t want him having a pop at someone else’s dog. He does go off lead in dog fields, or have a long line or go running with me. People may call me a sh** owner, I certainly feel failure at times. it’s easy to criticise but that chap may be doing the absolute best he can with the knowledge that he has. Perhaps rather than offering to take his probably much loved dog off him, next time you see him if you happen to not have dogs with you, you could ask him if he needs any help? (assuming you have the degree of experience to work with a very strong eyed prey driven collie). I have done that before when I parked my car and saw a collie fixing on it, just smiled and said, I know how that feels, it’s taken me ‘x’ amount of time to get mine through that stage, and he asked me what I had been doing. So I was able to share a bit of what helped me out.

I only see him when I am walking my dogs, any suggestion of help is turned down, one of the people I see regularly with a collie has offered to come and help and he is not interested, he says the dog isn’t trainable , he won’t even take it to dog training classes so it’s never going to improve.. I wouldn’t describe the dog as strong eyed, prey driven , he is a friendly normal bouncy collie who doesn’t get enough exercise for his body or his mind.

 

[druid]

White Swiss Shepards seem like GSDs but on valium. At least the one's Ive encountered. Not many about

 

[MurphysMinder]

Your final sentence will be my problem when I lose this one. Not so much can I cope with one but what happens if I am ill etc. Someone is going to cope a lot better with a smaller friendly dog that anyone can handle.
My GSDs have always been very bonded to me and very protective. My current one isn't going to let anyone in in an emergency and they certainly won't be coming anywhere near me.

Interesting thing about your last paragraph. My mum still had a shepherd in her 80s who was quite protective of her . Mum sadly developed dementia and had to have carers , her dog was fine with all of them ,it was strange but a relief .

 

[paddy555]

Interesting thing about your last paragraph. My mum still had a shepherd in her 80s who was quite protective of her . Mum sadly developed dementia and had to have carers , her dog was fine with all of them ,it was strange but a relief .

how interesting. My worry would be either a GSD would potentially bite a medic/carer in which case no doubt it would be PTS.

When you are younger you can make sure the dog is never put into a situation where it could cause a serious problem, not so sure about when you get to be a lot older. Good to hear your mum's dog was fine. Sorry about the dementia and your mum. Been there, horrible and sad.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Thank you . It was several years ago, such a horrible disease . Mum went into a care home and passed away in 2008 . The dog came to live with me .

 

[BBP]

I only see him when I am walking my dogs, any suggestion of help is turned down, one of the people I see regularly with a collie has offered to come and help and he is not interested, he says the dog isn’t trainable , he won’t even take it to dog training classes so it’s never going to improve.. I wouldn’t describe the dog as strong eyed, prey driven , he is a friendly normal bouncy collie who doesn’t get enough exercise for his body or his mind.

That does sound like a shame. Sometimes I think people make snap judgements when they only see a very small part of the picture (for example people might only see me take my dog for short on lead walks in the day, but they don’t see me up at 4am to take him for a 20k run, or all the training and playing we do in a secure field). But it sounds like your chap has a different attitude.

 

[J&T]

Ok I wanted to wait til I'd spoken with my brother before I replied to your original post.

I have had Goldens for a very long time and had multiple Goldens and just re-homed one recently.

My brother is the same but always had labs.

I think a Golden is a perfect choice and definitely fits everything your looking for they are easy to train very affectionate and loyal to their people. You have to be prepared for mud and a wet dog 80% of the time as they love getting wet and dirty. Obviously I'm biased though as their my heart breed and I think their just perfect. Funny enough before I got my first golden many years ago now I originally wanted a GSD as that's what I was brought up around but after looking into them myself as much as they suited me I really wasn't the person for them so made the hard decision to not get one but a few owners I knew at the time had Goldens as well as GSD's and I started looking into Goldens after and found I was perfect for them. Both breeds do seem to compliment each other well.

My brother said labs are also easy to train and great dogs but the difference to Goldens is labs can get distracted quicker than Goldens when training and they are complete dorks he said they tend to be a bit more boisterous than Goldens but you can get Goldens who can be a little higher energy too but on the whole Goldens are calmer than labs.

I think a Golden would fit really well but like I said I am biased