Dismiss Notice
Hello Guest, Welcome to the new version of Sheltieforums.com. If you have any questions regarding the new software, please post in the following section: Forum Upgrade

Breed reccomendations for a friend

Discussion in 'General Dog Chat' started by JessicaR, Feb 27, 2014.

  1. JessicaR

    JessicaR Forums Enthusiast

    1,216
    1
    95
    Sep 8, 2008
    Tiffin Ohio
    I have a friend that is looking to get a puppy within the next couple years, she needs help deciding on a breed.

    She has had different breeds of dogs all her life, including shelties. She is looking to possibly start showing, as it is something she has been interested in doing for a while now, and maybe obedience/rally.

    She has an active and loud household, 2 teenagers and a preteen, plus all their friends that are over a lot! She currently has a couple of older shelties and small animals, and says while the shelties are great dogs, they don't like the rowdy teenage boys much. They are fine when the house is quiet, but when a bunch of kids are over they a little more reserved. These are dogs that fine 99% of the time with kids and noises, they just don't want to roughhouse with the boys.
    The kids are wanting something bigger to wrestle around with. Also her husband travels for work frequently so she is also looking for more of a intimidating looking breed, not necessarily a "guard dog" for the times she is home alone.

    Her kids want a Siberian husky, but she has no experiences with that type of dog so is unsure on whether it would be a good fit for them. She likes dogs from the working and herding group but is open to dos from the other groups. She doesn't want any bully type breeds, she says no offence but she doesn't like their looks, definitely no smashed in face breeds, or droolers! She also has a preference to longer haired breeds over short haired dogs.

    I told her I would ask around on the forums I am a part of and see what other peoples suggestions are so she can narrow down her search. She is wanting to get a perspective on the breeds, other than what she reads in books.
     
  2. Katagaria

    Katagaria Forums Enthusiast

    111
    0
    50
    Jun 23, 2012
    Ireland
    I work in a doggie daycare so I get to interact with a LOT of different breeds, and over time I have started to notice certain traits that seem to stand out in specific breeds.

    I'd say no to a Siberian husky, I know some husky owners and they have difficulty getting good obedience out of the breed. One girl in particular is studying towards becoming a dog trainer and her Sibe only does her commands when she wants to, not when her owner asks lol. Huskies are very independent.

    Also, I always try to deter people from getting a husky in general, mainly because of how they are looked at in my country. So many people buy them because of how beautiful they look, when they are clueless to the nature of the breed. They need a ton of exercise and they are a working breed, they're generally not happy toddling around doing nothing for a day.

    -

    Going on what you said... A dog breed I felt I would recommend is a German shepherd, very loyal, 'guard' type, herding breed but they can be quite sensitive if not socialized and exposed to a lot of situations, much like a sheltie really. They are very gentle and good at obedience from my experience, you can also get long haired GSDs. A thing I have noticed about them is they are the kind of dog who naturally avoid people they are not familiar with, but will interact with you if you 'introduce' yourself to it. Out of the maybe 8 GSDs I've met, I've only ever met one that invited itself into my space for pets, and as far as I'm aware it's a very well socialised GSD.

    Another one I would mention is a Black Russian Terrier (probably not as easy to find, but I'll mention it anyway). They are primarily used as guard dogs. Very intelligent, very big, quite playful and confident. They are basically a bear-like dog lol.
     
  3. JessicaR

    JessicaR Forums Enthusiast

    1,216
    1
    95
    Sep 8, 2008
    Tiffin Ohio
    I believe german shepherd is one of the breeds on her list she is thinking about, I think she is also considering an aussie.
    I will have to tell her about the black Russian terrier.
     
  4. EJHUNTL

    EJHUNTL Forums Enthusiast

    925
    3
    75
    Aug 11, 2013
    Ontario, Grand Bend
    Not sure about agility but my neighbours in Calgary had Bernese Mountain dogs -they are beautiful, easy to train with lovely personalities and big enough to be a deterrent.
     
  5. Mom2Melli

    Mom2Melli Forums Enthusiast

    2,184
    3
    85
    Oct 2, 2013
    Central California
    It's not long hair, but I fell in love with a Belgain Mallinois in my class. Bred on the lighter French lines, I was told. She was just amazing in personality and movement. Loved agility, loved obedience, stunning.

    Aussies tend to get revved up with the rowdy crowd too. Our female was send to breed rescue because she nipped at the kids' friends when they got to romping. My boy who was a therapy dog would run after you if you were running and get you from behind when he was a youth and more active. I actually wouldn't recommend one for a rowdy family even though they are dear to me as my first breed.

    How about a keeshond? I don't know much about them but I have heard they are great with families. I had a friend who had one and it was wonderful. Coats seem to be a bit of a job though.

    I like the Bernese too.
     
  6. melbell

    melbell Forums Enthusiast

    929
    0
    0
    Feb 4, 2013
    Erie, Pennyslvania
    Just to throw this one out there, what about a golden retriever? My one friend has about 6 goldens and young kids/preteens and hasn't ever had an issue. It is a very active house as well.
     
  7. Greenepony

    Greenepony Forums Enthusiast

    381
    4
    60
    Jul 2, 2012
    I agree Goldens can be great with teenage boys (my in-laws had one when DH and his brother were teenagers) but I'm not sure they're that intimidating- same with Bernies (I might be biased though, every Bernie I've know just liked to sit on your feet for attention.)
     
  8. Justicemom

    Justicemom Forums Celebrity

    6,225
    37
    175
    Oct 2, 2009
    Minnesota
    In my opinion, Malinois should only be owned by serious dog people who will give them a job. A friend of mine rescues them and they are born putting their mouths on something. They are not nicknamed Maligators for nothing.
    She calls them cats on crack. They are super active and mouthy. It makes them good police dogs, schutzhund dogs and performance dogs. Not great pets for the average household. I have 3 in my agility classes, great workers, tough dogs.
     
  9. HopeShelties

    HopeShelties Forums Enthusiast

    1,945
    1
    85
    Dec 2, 2008
    Kentucky
    I'd look at a Samoyed or Portuguese Water Dog, or as already mentioned, German Shepherd or Keeshond. The Sammies and Porties I know make great active family pets.
    While not as big, if they like Shelties, they might get along well with an Icelandic Sheepdog.
     
  10. Mom2Melli

    Mom2Melli Forums Enthusiast

    2,184
    3
    85
    Oct 2, 2013
    Central California
    A Beligian, however, would fit in MY household . . . hmmmm.
     

Share This Page