I'm Considering A New Puppy

    • Silver

    I'm Considering A New Puppy

    Any tips or advice on what breed would be best for me?

    I like to go camping all the time and go for walks everyday. I live on a lake and there are lots of rivers and creeks around within walking distance.

    During the summer I'm in and out of the water just about everyday.

    I've had so many pets in the past and think the next one should match my life activities and life style.

    The one big issue is that I live in a pet friendly apartment.

    Thanks for any input and ideas.

    Dean
    • Gold Top Dog
    I am by no means an expert, but when I saw that you live on a lake and that there are lots of rivers and creeks around, I immediately thought of a lab.  They are great water dogs, love to excercise, and if trained properly, will stick to you like glue. Living in an apartment might seem like a drawback but if you excercise the dog enough, that shouldn't be a problem.  Do you have a weight limit at your apartment complex?
    • Silver
    That's what I've been thinking. A Lab because they like the water so much.
     
    There is no weight limit, but I do live in a small apartment.
     
    Dean
    • Gold Top Dog
    why not look for a smaller breed that likes water?

    i found this on dogbreedinfo.com [linkhttp://dogbreedinfo.com/sussex.htm]http://dogbreedinfo.com/sussex.htm[/link]
    the sussex spaniel.

    maxes out at about 44 lbs. likes swimming and being outdoors, but is also described as being calm around the house and only barking when in the field. i know only what i have just read about this breed but it sounds like a cool dog!
    • Gold Top Dog
    Boy do I have a pup for you!!  Provided of course you could pass my screening! [:D]
     
    I foster german shepherds and I find them to be wonderful dogs, even in smallish spaces.  Mine love to walk, run, swim, etc but are content to be couch potatoes when I want to be one.
     
    Check out the shelters or rescues near you for either purebred or gsd mixes.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Glenda, I had no idea GSD's liked water.  That's so cool.  I have always been interested in them, they are such appealing dogs to look at and each one that I've been around has exuded this quiet confidence that makes them so appealing to me.  Perhaps if we ever get brave enough for a second dog...LOL. Here's a picture of Ruby with a friends GSD, Vegas.  He has really long hair - isn't that called a rough coat?  Ruby is the little black thing...  



    • Gold Top Dog
    As far as I know, it's called a long haired gsd, but I've been wrong before!
     
    All of mine, except Sheba LOVE the water.  Molly, who went to MaryNH, is a little wuss about it, yet her brother Solo who went to Lori hops in the tub if she forgets to shut the bathroom door!  We start them pretty young taking them for swims and keep a wading pool in the back yard as well.  Sheba will ONLY go in the water if Mom is already in it.......
    • Gold Top Dog
    By the way, if you ever have questions you dont want to ask on the forum (as I noticed on another thread) feel free to shoot me a PM.  I get a lot of them and am always happy to help in any way that I can.  Just be forewarned....I'm not an expert on ANYthing....just an old broad with a LOT of dog experience under my belt.
    • Silver
    That is an interesting breed. Very pretty.

    I'm going to read up more about the temperment and such.

    Thanks everyone for the tips and ideas so far.

    He or she would have to really love the water I'm thinking with my life style.

    Dean
    • Gold Top Dog
    You could try a border collie.  One of my best friends has two of them.  They're super intelligent--she goes everywhere with them, including horseback riding, and canoeing.  She loves them to death, and they're very active and obedient.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Go for a Papillon.....they are small, and if you get a well-bred one, they are like mini-border collies! lol (at least mine is) [;)]

    Also, my husband and I have a lakehouse (he was worried that a papillon wouldn't like the water), but turns out my pap loves the water more than life itself! lol
    • Gold Top Dog
    Or you could get a Chesapeake Bay Retriever.  They're definitely water dogs, so active--and so gorgeous!
    • Gold Top Dog
    i'm happy that you are doing your research...
    ...i saw chesapeake bay retrievers at the last dog show i went to and
    found them to be wonderful...the breeder was great...
    ...super water dogs...Talus is jealous of your lake....
    • Gold Top Dog
    Border collies need more exercise than the average apartment owner can give.  They are very, very smart--which can be a problem if they are smarter than their owner! LOL They also need a job to do or they will find one--like dismantling the couch, peeling the linoleum off the floor...well, you get the idea.

    How about a mid-sized spaniel like a Brittany or an English?  These would be a better size for a small apartment, but still have the evergy to hike and they (as a rule) love water!

    Go to the local shelters and check out some of the dogs there.
    • Gold Top Dog
    My personal favorites of the sporting group are Vizlas and Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers.  More coat care on the Toller.
     
    BTW  a number of border collies really dont like water