What Breed To Get???

[Justicemom]

First, a big thanks to everyone who has helped out so far.

Got a few questions.
What do you think of a wheaten terrier? My boss asked since neither of us know much about them.

He was kinda liking the schnauzer, but wondered if all of them are pretty yappy. Guess he's met a few that live near him and they bark at everything (hmmm...sounds familiar).

I told him to check out the English Cocker, not a lot of coat and kinda reminds me of a English springer spaniel.

He did say at one time they went to look at Shiba's, but his wife broke out in hives by just petting some. Do you think that was due to them liking to clean themselves like cats? Also, are dogs like that (Shiba, Jindo, etc) coats hard to take care of? He feels like cuz it's a longer hair coat (vs labs), it'll be work. I'm thinking not. Maybe give them a good brush 2x a year.

No to the whippet and the chinese. I told him powder puffs are VERY cute and sweet. But, I can understand. They may not be, but I always see those types of dogs as being "fragile".

I also suggested schnoodles. My friend has one, she's sweet, but can be feisty. And a bit more hypoallergenic. But she's on the smaller end.

No to the Cavalier due to their health issues (and yes, the bug eyes). Bummer, cuz I know someone who's fostering one.

at least he's trying. He said he'd look at the english cocker and jindo. he likes the schnauzer size, but not the barking.

Wheatens -grooming, brushing and trimming, kidney issues be careful, more laid back terrier. Seem quite trainable.For more low maintaince terrier how about a rat terrier(one of my favorites) not as intense in general as a JRT and studry little guys. Can be up to 17".

Schnauzers grooming, tough little guys on the stubborn side, like them ok but shelties are quieter IMHO, my parents neighbors have 3, known alot all barkers. Standard schnauzers like them all better(still can be tough characters)

Shiba-#1 on my no way in hell list, I am convinced they guard the gates of hell, I met 1 nice one(and I have known alot in practice-one person dogs if youre not it forget it) and his owner said he was extremely unusally for the breed. Met one Jindo-evil beast but my sample size is low.

Love english cockers, my boss had one years ago every member of the breed I have met is a doll, much healthier than amer. cockers, first dog I learn to groom(need professional grooming and inbetween brushing)

I also like Border Terrier, pack terrier , more tolerate of other dogs as a rule than other terriers. They do needs some grooming.

 

[k9kreationz]

Wheatens -grooming, brushing and trimming, kidney issues be careful, more laid back terrier. Seem quite trainable.For more low maintaince terrier how about a rat terrier(one of my favorites) not as intense in general as a JRT and studry little guys. Can be up to 17".

Schnauzers grooming, tough little guys on the stubborn side, like them ok but shelties are quieter IMHO, my parents neighbors have 3, known alot all barkers. Standard schnauzers like them all better(still can be tough characters)

Shiba-#1 on my no way in hell list, I am convinced they guard the gates of hell, I met 1 nice one(and I have known alot in practice-one person dogs if youre not it forget it) and his owner said he was extremely unusally for the breed. Met one Jindo-evil beast but my sample size is low.

Love english cockers, my boss had one years ago every member of the breed I have met is a doll, much healthier than amer. cockers, first dog I learn to groom(need professional grooming and inbetween brushing)

I also like Border Terrier, pack terrier , more tolerate of other dogs as a rule than other terriers. They do needs some grooming.

Yikes on the Schnauzers. Sorry, but if they're known to be worse barkers than Shelties. Forget it.

No worries, Shiba's are out. I've only met 4 Jindo's. 2 in a shelter, even though they were in a shelter, they were actually pretty good. I saw them out and about in the yard (someone was checking them out). The other 2 I saw at my house, they were laid back, no aggression or anything like that, etc. But I rarely see them, so know clue.

Never thought about rat terriers. My friend has a small one, but I've seen the full-sized ones too. I'll throw it at him. I know my friend's dog isn't so terrier like. Um, this is the one that's afraid of the clicker, lol.

How much grooming, would you say, does an english cocker require?

I remember long ago......I was looking at either a Norwich or Norfolk terrier because I had read they were one of the least like a terrier. Any truth to that still?

 

[Justicemom]

Yikes on the Schnauzers. Sorry, but if they're known to be worse barkers than Shelties. Forget it.

No worries, Shiba's are out. I've only met 4 Jindo's. 2 in a shelter, even though they were in a shelter, they were actually pretty good. I saw them out and about in the yard (someone was checking them out). The other 2 I saw at my house, they were laid back, no aggression or anything like that, etc. But I rarely see them, so know clue.

Never thought about rat terriers. My friend has a small one, but I've seen the full-sized ones too. I'll throw it at him. I know my friend's dog isn't so terrier like. Um, this is the one that's afraid of the clicker, lol.

How much grooming, would you say, does an english cocker require?

I remember long ago......I was looking at either a Norwich or Norfolk terrier because I had read they were one of the least like a terrier. Any truth to that still?

Eniglish cockers take alot of grooming. Clipper ears, neck part of the legs and body(they can also be stripped-tons of work), scissoring feet, ears feathers and shirt. regular ear cleaning-weekly to help prevent ear infections not a low maintance breed. Oh and they need brushing in between groomings or they mat horriblely.

Rachel used to work for a Norwich breeder I would consider them quite terrierish. Rat terriers are considered better with other dogs and are not sparring terriers. Truely we see quite a few ratties and their mixes at work(fiest type) and I love them if I could tolerate anoter breed right now that would be it.

 

[Tagg]

Soft Coated Wheatons have more than plenty of energy. It's the only breed I have known that jumps all over their babies and being a terrier person I know a number of breeders well. They have high grooming requirements as they will mat like a poodle. We call them the "more bounce to the ounce" breed.
I'm surprised at the EC grooming. I'll have to talk to Yvonne and Carrie and get their take. If that's the norm, that's too bad as I love the breed.
Borders are high on my list of what other breed I would have. I can't stand the look of a clipped one as they have shaded coats but I'm told that they are really easy to strip - unlike Westies.
Miniature Schnauzers do tend to be barky and they do the "wooo" noise. They also require a lot of grooming and the coat mats easily, especially in the beard. Standards have the same coat requirements and are generally much more independant than a herding dog. Pleasing you in not necessarily in their makeup - much like the terriers they hail from. They are very high on the trainability charts but will attempt to outthink you on a regular basis. I think Dr. Shelli is right on the money. They should start going to shelters until they find the perfect fit. They may find a dog that looks a lot like a lab but lighter and shorter - they are out there.

 

[Fergus]

Did Tollers get crossed off the list? I've forgotten. If he's a lab guy then maybe another hunting breed would work..? Size would be about right. My friend's toller is a bit bigger than Clancy but not by much.

Here's a pic of Clancy and Finn.

Clancy's 16" and about 28 lbs (maybe a little more right now but we haven't been walking <blush>). I'd put them pretty equal on an energy level. Actually Finn is younger (2?) and probably more laid back than Clancy when just hanging around.

 

[k9kreationz]

Did Tollers get crossed off the list? I've forgotten. If he's a lab guy then maybe another hunting breed would work..? Size would be about right. My friend's toller is a bit bigger than Clancy but not by much.

Here's a pic of Clancy and Finn.

Clancy's 16" and about 28 lbs (maybe a little more right now but we haven't been walking <blush>). I'd put them pretty equal on an energy level. Actually Finn is younger (2?) and probably more laid back than Clancy when just hanging around.

OMG. I just read this "why not to get a Toller" and they talked about them screaming. Is that true!!! Crazy!

Okay, so, my boss said he wasn't sure about a Toller because the photos he saw, they look like Goldens (bigger structure, heavier boned). I thought that was weird, because all the tollers I see have a body like BC's, more lanky, but solid still. Maybe it's because all the Tollers I see are doing agility and most agility people keep their dogs lean. And the photos I saw online, like this one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Tollers.jpg
They do look like golden's. so weird.

Seems like if they're that much heavier in structure, they'd be heavy dogs even at 18-20".