Aussies, definitely Aussies. I lived with them for 10 years. Aussies are good folk. They have hearts bigger than themselves but they don't have quite the mental refinement of the sheltie which is why I converted. It's like comparing the pitcher to the rest of the team or the quarterback to those other guys . . . shelties just have a refinement and a mind a notch above.
Favorite other than Shelties?
- Thread starter shsd
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Jess041
Forums Enthusiast
I definitely want a border collie. Don't be surprised if once I get a house, I end up with a border collie puppy. My parents have one that I consider part of my family (I lived with her for 4 years and then off and on while I was in college). I know what I'll be in for 
. I love aussies, but I'm not sure if I'll ever own one. I find that most are a little to heavily boned for my liking. I would want to do flyball with one, and I just don't see those heavier ones doing as well. I think Shelties are as small as I can go, but I do love Papillons! You don't see them doing flyball very often, but I know you can certainly do agility with them! I would want to do more research on the breed before I ever commit to getting one though. I like collies, but I would want a smooth coat.
Then sometimes there are those mixes that steal your heart. I know several dogs that are just mutts from the local animal shelter that I would take in a heartbeat.
. I love aussies, but I'm not sure if I'll ever own one. I find that most are a little to heavily boned for my liking. I would want to do flyball with one, and I just don't see those heavier ones doing as well. I think Shelties are as small as I can go, but I do love Papillons! You don't see them doing flyball very often, but I know you can certainly do agility with them! I would want to do more research on the breed before I ever commit to getting one though. I like collies, but I would want a smooth coat.Then sometimes there are those mixes that steal your heart. I know several dogs that are just mutts from the local animal shelter that I would take in a heartbeat.
mimiretz
Forums Enthusiast
Before Oberon, we were owned by Mercutio, a Samoyed. Wonderful dog, wonderful breed. Very intelligent, once you understand that Northern dog intelligence is very different than other dog intelligence, and since Sammies are the most Northern of all, their intelligence is the most different of all. For example, you tell a dog to sit and the normal dog thinks, "My human says sit, okay I'll sit". A Northern dog thinks, "My human says sit. Is that really the right thing to do? Is it safe? Okay, seems okay, I'll sit."
Sammies specifically were not only breed to herd reindeer and pull sleds, but were counted on to know when there would be avalanches, or whether the glacier was safe to walk across. Their independent judgment was trusted, and valued.
Their loyalty and love for their family is unquestionable. They are truly a fantastic breed. Why didn't we get another Sammie? Well, they all look almost exactly alike, and it wouldn't have been fair to another dog to be constantly confused with our beloved Mercutio. So we got our Oberon, who we love dearly. He's different enough from Mercutio to never be confused, and is just as loved and just as precious in our hearts
Sammies specifically were not only breed to herd reindeer and pull sleds, but were counted on to know when there would be avalanches, or whether the glacier was safe to walk across. Their independent judgment was trusted, and valued.
Their loyalty and love for their family is unquestionable. They are truly a fantastic breed. Why didn't we get another Sammie? Well, they all look almost exactly alike, and it wouldn't have been fair to another dog to be constantly confused with our beloved Mercutio. So we got our Oberon, who we love dearly. He's different enough from Mercutio to never be confused, and is just as loved and just as precious in our hearts
Or--that Sammie humor enters in--like how can I make everyone laugh (and embarrass my person--like with Shelties, Sammies are not owned, they are the owners). --Remember one of my Samoyeds, who was rock-solid on his long sit with handler 25 feet away, having all the OTHER dogs in class break their long sits. I was mortified. Another jumped into a neighbors tree forcing my husband to ask our neighbor if he could collect our dog... from their tree. And yet another decided to sneak across a border by pretending to be a stuffed toy. Never a dull moment with a Samoyed.
corbinam
Moderator
A small BC, for sure. Like ~35 pounds.
My issues with BCs were always that they seemed like so much work! Now we have Enzo and I'm 100% convinced that he is as busy or busier than a BC would be!
My issues with BCs were always that they seemed like so much work! Now we have Enzo and I'm 100% convinced that he is as busy or busier than a BC would be!
Jess041
Forums Enthusiast
This is exactly the conclusion I've come to. Just replace Enzo with Missy.
Sharon7
Moderator
Oh boy, always fun to think about. For me in no particular order, Dobermans (love their sensitivity and lovingness), King Charles Spaniels, Poms, Papillions, the right Border Collie (had one as a foster that was AWESOME and with an "off switch") Dachshunds, Collies. And for my hubby, Irish Wolfhounds!!! 
Justicemom
Forums Celebrity
RikyR
Premium Member
Collie. Growing up our next door neighbor had a sable Collie. He was so much fun! At the time I did not know he was herding us as we ran around the yard! My wife had a Collie as a child, and we were seriously considering a Collie until my best friend inherited a sable Sheltie named Nikki. We became Sheltie converts! Just recently, Zulu and I met a gentleman with two Tri Collies. They were stunning! Still love a Collie, but Shelties are our breed!