What breed?

poiuytrewq

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We are *possibly* thinking about another dog after loosing our old lab back in Jan.
My partner has always been a real Labrador person and we all loved the bones of old boy but I wondered about something different, just unsure what!
I would like a dog who won't moult too much (house is surprisingly clean since January, I'd not realised the mess he made!)
Temperament is important too us, our daughter is 14 so we aren't worried about little people but a nice personality is a definite must.
A medium size would be ideal O/H dislikes little dogs and I prefer them ;)
We have an older JR and a 10 mth lab that didn't grow so he's little and any newbie would need to fit in with them.
They would have a fairly active life running round my horses fields etc.
any suggestions?
 
How about a miniature poodle? Okay, stop laughing!

Poodles are clever, energetic and active. They love people - and form very strong bonds with their owners. Mine just would love nothing more than to melt in to your lap. I have a tall-ish one - 16+ inches tall. Most minis at breed standard are over 11inches and up to 15. They don't moult- but do require frequent grooming. This can be reduced by putting them in to what's known as a kennel clip (ie shaved off with some styling on the head or tail). The nails and ears still need attention in between.
 
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Just to show you how much fun I have with mine :D

And he sometimes earns his keep by being the receptionist at work
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I can recommend a Rottweiler!

They are fabulous family dogs, easily trainable, are happy to be as active or sedentary as you want, and they double up as a protector :D
 
Aha now this is the sort of suggestion I need! Something I'd never have thought of, but yes have heard great things about poodles.
In fact I vaguely recall my partner once commenting what a cool looking dog one was once. He was a bit horrified when he was told it was a poodle as they are not very manly sounding are they?! But yes great suggestion!
Yours is gorgeous!
 
Rotties are Just too big for us I think- o/h would be in his element, in fact we had all but bought a puppy when I found out I was pregnant years back and just decided then it wasn't the right time.
 
Poodles don't sound manly but they can be fierce. They are sociable with other dogs but woe betide anyone who dares push them the wrong way - my border terrier has been the subject of many a beating by the poodle - but it's usually the border that started it.

I have two now and they are a nonstop source of entertainment - they have such a sense of humor. My hubby was reluctant to get the first one. After four years of having Merlin, when we discussed getting another dog I had thought of maybe another terrier (ie something like a sealy or a Norfolk or even a Dandie). However, the only thing we could agree on was another poodle. He adores them.
 
I am a very recent convert to the Hungarian Vizsla. We lost our old Lurcher in December and brought an 8 week old Vizsal pup home in January. He is now almost 6 months and I can't imagine having any other breed again. Hugely intelligent, brilliantly trainable, fun, very energetic, happy and really really loving. Brilliant with my small children and Also stunning to look at (yes I am very biased but he is admired wherever we go!). He was quite demanding as a young puppy and is quite clingy to 'his' humans, but was house trained pretty much in a week! We are lucky that we never have to leave him for any length of time as I am aware that they can have separation issues.
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A whippet type lurcher! Mine are 21inches and about 17kgs, so small enough to pick up but big enough not to trip over :D They dont shed at all, or not so I notice, I'm sure they do but we dont notice dog hair lying about or on furniture etc. They are both the most absolutely lovely sunny natured dogs, they love everyone and everything without fail. Everything is fun and done with a smile on their face. They are incredibly loving and affectionate. My dog in particular worships me and the feeling is mutual!

They sleep a LOT! and are equally happy to do 5 hours fell walking or half an hour in the park with a ball. They are also absolute comedians and make me laugh out loud every single day. And nothing on earth will make your heart sing like a lurcher running for the joy of running! They are also pretty manly dogs!
I do a lot of fun stuff with mine. Long walks, swimming, lure racing, endless games of fetch and flirt poling etc.

I've always had gun dogs but I wont ever be without a whippety type lurcher in my life again. My dog got me through an illness that had had me bed ridden for 6 months before I got him, and he also got me through rehab for a fractured spine. They are amazing dogs and everyone should have one :D
 
I would second the poodle suggestion - they are a working breed so fairly smart and def good for the whole shedding thing. Personally I'm a border collie person however they are most definately not for everyone as they need their brains worked and are not the easiest breed, they can be brilliant family pets/personalities but they are trickier and tned to need slightly more careful training and definatley need more work than a lab type (having said that, it's one of the things I love about them, how smart they are :-) )
 
Poodles, great dogs. We had them when I was small. Lurchers of any size, wonderful. Whippets are the very best though. Do as much or as little as you want, affectionate and wonderful company. We have 2 and they are just fab.
 
I vote poodle too, but I like the medium sized ones, if there is such a one! Our neighbour has one about the same height as my 23" lurcher and she is gorgeous. She is bright, intelligent,a ctive, amusing and trainable.
I like labrador x poodles as well, I know they are a gamble being a cross but neither parent type is unlikeable. you may still get a hairy house though, although I think the curly puppies are less likely to shed.
 

I LOVE this picture! such a softie!

A whippet type lurcher! My dog in particular worships me and the feeling is mutual!
They sleep a LOT! and are equally happy to do 5 hours fell walking or half an hour in the park with a ball. They are also absolute comedians and make me laugh out loud every single day. And nothing on earth will make your heart sing like a lurcher running for the joy of running! They are also pretty manly dogs!
I do a lot of fun stuff with mine. Long walks, swimming, lure racing, endless games of fetch and flirt poling etc.

I'd agree! Would never be without a sighthound. My ibizans sleep alot, make me laugh all the time, its breathtaking to watch them off running, one is really quick to train and loves obedience, tricks, agility etc., and the bond I have with 'my' dog is amazing, he has just clicked with me and i adore him! (not to say I don't have fab relationships with the others - i do different things with all of them!)
 
I vote poodle too, but I like the medium sized ones, if there is such a one! Our neighbour has one about the same height as my 23" lurcher and she is gorgeous. She is bright, intelligent,a ctive, amusing and trainable.
I like labrador x poodles as well, I know they are a gamble being a cross but neither parent type is unlikeable. you may still get a hairy house though, although I think the curly puppies are less likely to shed.

There is toy, miniature and standard. Of course there are those, like mine, which fall outside the breed standard sizes - ie mine is 16 and a bit inches tall. Over in Europe he *would* infact be a "medium" or "moyen" Or there are also small standards (which are supposed to be over 15 inches tall - but 17 inches is still on the small side.
 
We are a labrador family .
But I love poodles and would have one myself .
But will also put a word for the border terrier a ' big ' little dog .
Springers are fun but often not for the faint hearted when they are young and I love lurchers of all sizes .
 
I'm a lab girl and we would love another one. It's my first dog and I couldn't have asked for a better introduction
 
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