Dog Community

Thinking of My Next Dog

erl

Posted : 10/26/2006 8:29:24 AM

Although it's quite some time before I'll get another dog, I'm curious as to what breed or mix I should get. I will adopt from a shelter for sure though, and I don't want a puppy. I don't want to go the breeder route this time because I'm not planning to compete in conformation or hunting. May do some agility though.

Since I'll be in college (planning to be a service dog trainer, or maybe another type of trainer) I don't want a dog with a bunch of energy. So I'll take one with low-moderate energy level.
The dog has to be under 20 lbs, since that's a lot of apartments size limit.
It needs to be a sturdy dog, I don't want to feel like I'm going to break it.
It needs to be good with kids as well as dogs.
Preferably easy to train, but I don't mind a dog with some training challenges.
I don't mind grooming much, but don't want to be grooming it over an hour a week.
I also don't really like the pushed in nose dogs (can't come up with the word, starts with a b) I want a dog that can breathe. As I said before I'll probably do some agility with them and want a dog that can gain some speed and not have trouble breathing.

I think that's all. I'll be living in an apartment (no way am I living on campus if they don't let me bring my dogs) so I don't know if I'll have a backyard or not. I'm thinking of getting another beagle. I just love them, but if I went the shelter route there's a good chance I'll get one from a byb who has giant ones and the dog will be over 20 lbs. This will probably be a male, since I have a female and females tend to get along better with males. But, it won't matter too much, since my girl (beagle) loves all dogs (and cats, guinea pigs, and especially kids, lol)

So anyone have an idea on what breed or mix I should get?

rwbeagles

Posted : 10/26/2006 8:43:57 AM

Sounds like you do need a Beagle. If you go throught a rescue you can get what you want I'm almost sure of it. Or tho you said you did not want to go the breeder route...a retired Ch could be a perfect fit. It's not totally uncommon to find in size Beagles thru a rescue...not from what i've seen. The earlier you get interviewed and approved then you can sit back and wait for JUST the right Beagle to come thru....it would I'd wager! []

Alternatively you could consider a Dachs (they can be stubborn)? Or a Cocker...kept trimmed the grrooming isnt all that awful.

rwbeagles

Posted : 10/26/2006 8:54:24 AM

Oh....be hard to find one in rescue I'd suspect but Schipperke's are nice little dogs. Shiba's tend to be independant and a bit difficult to train but they're the right size and sturdy. Bichon would fit nicely aside from the grooming aspect. PBGV's are VERY cute and could pass for under 20lbs. Whippet might serve your purpose as well, quiet...weight's right, low grooming, energy is there but not obnoxiously so, I've heard they are trainable and agile but I dunno about off leash agility, maybe? But you could lure course and BOY does that look fun!

Tibetan Spaniel would be hard to find thru rescue and they are borderline brachiocephalic but they're also a sturdy small dog. Minature Schnauzer would need grooming as well...most Terriers would be too active even as adults and possibly cause a barking issue.

Bummer you don't like the brachiocephalic breeds as they all tend to be sturdily built, quiet, and take to training well...Pugs, Bostons, Frenchies, etc.

Firestorm

Posted : 10/26/2006 9:46:44 AM

The word you were looking for is brachycephalic--the skull of dog breeds with short faces and noses such as Pug and Shih Tzu.

agilebasenji

Posted : 10/26/2006 12:34:46 PM

But you could lure course and BOY does that look fun!

LC is the BESTBESTBEST thing in the world, so sayeth the basenjis.

Actually, I'd look at terriers (Border terrier came to mind, but they are hard to come by in rescue) and the nonsporting group. Out of all the sighthounds, I think the whippets are the easiest to train. Neat little dogs.

erl

Posted : 11/1/2006 6:35:04 PM

I had someone on another forum recommend a Whippet as well, but that was the only breed that was really recommended (that and someone's own little mutt, but wasn't willing to part with, lol)
PBGVs are absolutely ADORABLE! But then again they'd be hard to find in a rescue or shelter.
My main list of breeds I'm looking into are: another beagle (I don't know if I'll ever not have one now, darn potato chips!), Bichon, Cocker, Whippets, and Border Terriers (they've always been a favorite) I may go for a brachiocephalic breed though, just depends on how small of a nose. I like a nose though, why do you think I have a beagle? lol. I may look into Bostons though, they always seem to score high on those dog breed quizes.

I don't mind a tough breed to train, because I love training challenges. Just not to the point that they take forever to learn a trick.