What Breed to Choose?

J

JenHunt

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OH and I are looking into getting a dog. I grew up with Labs and OH grew up with a japanese spitz (although he was more like a samoyed).

Neither of us is overly concerned what breed to choose, but it must fit the following conditions...
Must be short haired
Must be capable of doing 10+ mile walks and 4+ mile runs.
Must be a working or utility type breed
Must not be a "bedroom slipper on a string".

I've trained labs so have some experience, but wouldn't say that I'm the best in the world! BUT, i do get the prinicples of being consistent, and the values of diet and exercise in keeping a dog's mind and body healthy.

So, breed suggestions please with reasons!

:D - big cup of tea and a piece of cake for those who reply!
 
German Shorthaired Pointer...


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Active, great with horses, children and most importantly... Short haired!!!
 
I've met quite a few, and they're not bonkers....

Mine's not as lazy as my sister in laws lab.... But still sleeps a lot! He's 8 months now. He loves cuddles! When I take him for walks, he's very active (my friends retriever tires after 10mins!), but has been quite easy to train and has excellent recall etc. He is always up to play!

You sound commited to exercise. Maybe if they're not exercised they may become difficult, but that's the case with most dogs. He's not even nearly as bonkers as people I know spaniels or a Toller....
 
galaxy23 said:
I've met quite a few, and they're not bonkers....

Mine's not as lazy as my sister in laws lab.... But still sleeps a lot! He's 8 months now. He loves cuddles! When I take him for walks, he's very active (my friends retriever tires after 10mins!), but has been quite easy to train and has excellent recall etc. He is always up to play!
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hehe!! sounding better all the time!

My parents lab, now 10, was doing 12-14mile walks once a week, and then just a couple of miles twice a day the rest of the week. However, she's developed a bit of arthritis in her shoulder so finds more than a few miles too tough. So exercise isn't a problem, and we both would like to do more....
 
what about a hungarian viszla or a dobie don't if you can get them over there but as long as your not looking for a highly intellligent dog bluetick or redbone coonhounds:p
 
they are like a slimmer version of a bloodhound will walk for miles then curl up and sleep just not very clever en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonhound dont know if that link will show if not just google :D
 
yes i know that there aren't racoons in the uk born and raised there but they were descended from english foxhounds (treeing walker hounds) english coonhounds etc just wasn't sure if the kennel club recognises them.
LOL just thinking for something different.
 
I love your GSP! Very handsome!

I looked at Vizlas when I was researching. Love them, but was advised that they can be quite stressy, live on their nerves and not good at being left alone?
 
galaxy23 said:
I love your GSP! Very handsome!

I looked at Vizlas when I was researching. Love them, but was advised that they can be quite stressy, live on their nerves and not good at being left alone?
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that's what I understood too. Would like to hear what viszla owners actually think though, as sometimes I think that the version that breed societies etc feed you can be offputting.
 
jenhunt said:
coonhounds? not come across those before![/QUOTE

Very common in the American South. You see the odd one in NYC. The Treeing Walker Coonhound basically looks like a foxhound, while the redbone and the black and tan coonhounds resmble bloodhounds.

I would go for a Viszla. In my observations of people who run with their dog in NYC, Viszlas, skinny Labs and Pit Bulls are the most common. I like the Viszla personality; they seem sweet and adaptable. Then again, my wee Boston terrier can run four miles, though she is more of a six-mile walker than a ten-miler.
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jenhunt said:
that's what I understood too. Would like to hear what viszla owners actually think though, as sometimes I think that the version that breed societies etc feed you can be offputting.
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I got told that by some vizla owners. There is a Working GSP Club around here that Vizlas join in with and went along and chatted to them about them. They are beautiful dogs.
 
galaxy23 said:
I love your GSP! Very handsome!

I looked at Vizlas when I was researching. Love them, but was advised that they can be quite stressy, live on their nerves and not good at being left alone?
Click to expand...

I know a couple like this, though I'm sure they aren't all the same
 
PM Viszlak for info on Viszlas.
Personally I wouldn't have a Dalmatian if you paid me, I've known too many that are stressy, nervy and stubborn as hell. I was bitten in the face by one I'd known for years, after stroking it for ages with no issues, I stood up to walk away and it went for me.

You could do worse than to stick with a Lab!
 
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