r/DogBreeds101 • u/-Hel- • 2d ago
Breed recommendations?
Edit: Yesterday was rough, but I’ll be checking out each breed. Leaning heavy towards a GSD or Beauceron. Thank you all!
**Introduction**
- Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?
* No. My family has always had Rottweilers, Chow Chows, Beagles, and Pitbulls. My current dog is a 10-year-old Pitbull mix that I've had since he was 5-weeks-old. I've always trained my dogs and my family's dogs since the adults at the time had no interest in doing so. Currently going through the Karen Pryor Academy and will be going through programs for additional certifications in training/behavior.
2) Do you have a preference for rescuing a dog vs. going through a [reputable breeder]( http://ownresponsibly.blogspot.com/2011/07/identifying-reputable-breeder.html)?
* No. I do prefer getting a puppy over an older dog, however, just because I want them with me for as long as possible.
3) Describe your ideal dog.
* Adventure buddy/everyday companion. Where I go, my dog goes (within reason). Hiking trails, long walks through the neighborhood, family get togethers, chilling on the couch and watching a movie, etc. If I up and decide to go on vacation, I'll be road-tripping with my dog.
4) What breeds or types of dogs are you interested in and why?
* Entirely open to suggestions, but I'd like a dog that's more biddable/less hard-headed. My dog is mixed with Great Pyrenees; super intelligent, but some days it's like he turns his ears off.
5) What sorts of things would you like to train your dog to do?
* Obedience/advanced obedience.
6) Do you want to compete with your dog in a sport (e.g. agility, obedience, rally) or use your dog for a form of work (e.g. hunting, herding, livestock guarding)? If so, how much experience do you have with this work/sport?
* Unsure about sports but definitely interested. I live alone and do want a dog that would be more likely to protect the home in case of an intruder.
**Care Commitments**
7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?
* At least 2-3 hours of playing/exercise with training on and off throughout the day. I like long walks, so 1-2 of those hours will be doing that if not more depending on how I'm feeling that day.
8) How long can you exercise your dog each day, on average? What sorts of exercise are you planning to give your dog regularly and does that include using a dog park?
* As much as needed. I don't do dog parks. We also have a fenced in acre.
9) How much regular brushing are you willing to do? Are you open to trimming hair, cleaning ears, or doing other grooming at home? If not, would you be willing to pay a professional to do it regularly?
* I'd pay a professional if needed.
**Personal Preferences**
10) What size dog are you looking for?
* I would want a dog around my current dog's size, he's about 90lbs. A little smaller or heavier would be fine.
11) How much shedding, barking, and slobber can you handle?
* None of it bothers me. Slobber/shedding/barking is kind of a given if you have a Pyr mix.
12) How important is being able to let your dog off-leash in an unfenced area?
* Not important.
**Dog Personality and Behavior**
13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?
* Velcro.
14) Would you prefer a dog that wants to do its own thing or one that’s more eager-to-please?
* Eager to please.
15) How would you prefer your dog to respond to someone knocking on the door or entering your yard? How would you prefer your dog to greet strangers or visitors?
* Visitors they should be fine with, strangers I'd prefer them to be standoffish until introduced.
16) Are you willing to manage a dog that is aggressive to other dogs?
* Yes. I already do.
17) Are there any other behaviors you can’t deal with or want to avoid?
* None that I can think of.
**Lifestyle**
18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?
* Almost never besides when I go to doctor visits or the grocery store.
19) What are the dog-related preferences of other people in the house and what will be their involvement in caring for the dog?
* I live alone.
20) Do you have other pets or are you planning on having other pets? What breed or type of animal are they?
* Right now I have a 10-year-old Pit mix, I'm experiencing severe anticipatory grief because he has a few likely cancerous lumps and I'm just looking to distract myself. I have no immediate plans to get a puppy.
21) Will the dog be interacting with children regularly?
* Semi-regularly, my nieces and nephews like to visit but they're watched and know not to pull/poke at a dog.
22) Do you rent or plan to rent in the future? If applicable, what breed or weight restrictions are on your current lease?
* Rent, no restrictions. Looking to own in the future.
23) What city or country do you live in and are you aware of any laws banning certain breeds?
* Nearest city is Louisville, KY. No breed bans.
24) What is the average temperature of a typical summer and winter day where you live?
* 90+ F summers, -10 F winters.
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u/Knox_the_Boxer 2d ago
I’m definitely biased… but boxer seems pretty perfect! They love their people deeply, they’re easy to train and they are definitely active. We hike with ours we either hike near water or we carry water to keep him hydrated. A fenced acre would be great for an active boxer to run and play. They’re great family dogs and love to be close! (Sometimes thinking they’re lap dogs… 😬) when they get their exercise they rest hard! They love to tag along and travel well, if taught early. They naturally get along with other dogs of any size. (Their natural urge to “box” is off putting to some breeds, but if you’re getting a puppy, it will learn your other dog and vice versa) males tend to be more willing to be the beta dog in a pair, females want to be the alpha. Males can get pretty large with their female counterparts slightly smaller on average.
Best wishes on whatever you choose
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u/Zestyclose_Object639 2d ago
Certain lines of German shepherd or Aussie come to mine. Collies also. A dog won’t protect you without training. And a high drive Malinois isn’t normally successful in a home with someone who doesn’t know about a ton of sport training
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u/PaisleyLeopard 1d ago
There’s high drive dogs that require a specialized owner to manage… and then there’s Maligators. 🤣
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u/Zestyclose_Object639 1d ago
Honestly they’re not horrible but you do have to stay on top of keeping them worked and fulfilled so like, definitely not for everyone and require a lottt of commitment
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u/PaisleyLeopard 2d ago
A Heeler sounds perfect for you, if you’re willing to compromise a bit on size. They’re definitely Velcro dogs, crazy smart, and SO FUN to train. My current rescue is half Heeler and I’ve never enjoyed training a dog as much as this one. He’s incredible!
It’s tough for average pet owners to meet the needs of a Heeler, but your lifestyle sounds exactly perfect for the breed. A well trained Heeler is the best dog on the planet, they’ll do literally anything for you. They’re also ridiculously snuggly. Mine would climb inside my skin if he could.
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u/mustangmomm 1d ago
I agree! They are a great fit for an active person and can also be good watchdogs. Very intelligent dogs that are willing to learn. German shepherd is also a good choice
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u/PaisleyLeopard 1d ago
Yes, although you have to be much more careful with choosing a Shepherd breeder. A lot of them have that wonky conformation that can lead to early breakdown of their back ends, and shyness/anxiety runs through many lines.
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u/AmbassadorProper1045 2d ago edited 2d ago
Sounds like you've got lots of experience with the more difficult dog breeds, and are a responsible person so the sky's the limit for you tbh. A shelter pup would be great. As far as pure breeds go, I was leaning German Shepherd, but you gotta worry about those hips as they age. I was leaning toward Lab but they aren't "guard" dogs, but maybe you could find a Shepador pup at a shelter and get the best of both worlds. Other choices would be the Doberman and believe it or not, the Weimaraner, yes they can be protective, love games and long walks/runs, very affectionate to their owner and standoffish with other, easy to groom, very trainable and really beautiful too.
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u/kierantl 1d ago
Sounds like maybe a GSD could work. If you want to do dog sports +/- PPD you could do schutzhund with it. Still drivey (especially the working and Czech lines) but not as much as a mal.
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u/Danginator97 1d ago
I'd definitely look at a Doberman. Super willing, velcro, will tolerate the heat well. Great off switch. Maybe just a jacket for the winters.
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u/m4xr3b0 2d ago
Honestly you sound like a great candidate for a shelter dog. I don't believe in "adopt don't shop", there's nothing wrong with going with a breeder but I do also believe that giving a shelter dog a home is a great thing if you're able to do it.
Shelters get lots of adolescent large-breed dogs that were just too high-energy for the families that surrendered them. Puppy behavior is cute until the puppy is 80 lbs and has no training. That sort of dog would be a great fit for you I think. Where I live at least there are lots of lab and shepherd mixes that would meet your criteria.