JackC

If she thinks they are a bit big go for a bitch. They are usually a fair bit smaller. We may have that option as there is a blue bitch that just came back on availability, we will see :)

Well after much debate and back and forth we have settled on two names Koda (Ko-da)- Native America meaning "friend" or Loki - (Lo-Ki) - Norse God of Mischief We will probably pick the choice depending on his character :D Taking the miss's to see the pups and family tonight, praying she is happy with the size hehe, will let you all know.

love it, actually in the market for an SUV glad i know first hand how bad a jeep is :D I was expecting to see the dog flip off the trainer just after he barked at the end haha

Anyone find it hard to pick a name for your dog, I can see us taking a while to find one we both like. haha thanks luvsdogs :)

thanks persesphone, the advise is really appreciated :) I'm happy to switch it all around, nothing is set in stone and I'm sure the breeder will also help me out with bringing up the dog right. I see what you mean about new things being tiring, its kinda like us, if we just go to the gym and run on a treadmill we not only get bored quick but over time will only increase our endurance, but if we change it up every day at the gym, one day doing upper body, the next legs, the nest back, the next something else, we tire quicker as we are using new muscles (including our brain) every day and we progress faster and hold interest in what we are doing.

I'm planning to do something very similar, I have a decent size area outside my house to give the dog a good run early am before I set off for work and at 6am it should be nice and quiet, just need to get up 1/2hr earlier, will be good for me as well as I usually struggle to get up, also plan to take him out after work every day for his arvo exercise, if I can find an off lead park close will use that otherwise we can both go for a nice jog around our neighbourhood (30-60min), also 10-15min of mental exercises every couple of days to keep him stimulated The breeder is really nice and has helped me allot with understanding the dogs needs and I will most likely be attending her puppy training school each week as well. Hopefully all that on top of regular interaction with friends, pubic and other dogs will help. I'm sure we will find a nice balance in time to suit both dog and us

Thanks :) will let you know on Wednesday, that's when we are going to see the breeder with my OH to make sure she is comfortable around the dogs there, will take some pics as well of the pup

hehe she sounds like a blast, The breeder we met and spoke with was amazing so I have no worries if i ever need advise training or help :D

Looks like we may have found our dog. Was given a great opportunity to see some Aussie Sheps up close in a home environment today and I adore them all, such character, great temperament, nice balance of energy and rest and perfect size for us, Just waiting on the miss's to come back from overseas and have an hour with some full size ones to see if she is really happy with the breed as a whole. Its been a year in the making, finally we are getting closer to our dream of bringing up a dog.

AFAIK, there is NO such breed. ;) Whether a dog can relax at home , and not upset owners by property damage is almost entirely due to how the dog is trained and managed .. how the house/yard is designed/managed ,and how well its needs are being met :) 'training' a dog is not just sit & stay .... training is a lifelong process , and it can happen on a level which humans don't notice ... bad habits often 'train' easier than good ones ! Training is filling a dog's life with tasks, with new things, with a method of relaxing , with learning all about the world, and with practising behaviours with which humans are happy . Training is also humans learning what makes a dog do what it does ...it is learning to 'read' the dog's bodylanguage, learning what makes your dog earger to perform certain things ..and what stresses it ... then managing life accordingly. Thanks for the advice :), I was more worried about anxiety issues that some breeds have when being alone for extended periods, I will certainly be willing to put in the effort to ensure we accommodate for our dogs needs so that there is less risk of destructive behaviour when alone. Just finished at the show, was great, got to see every breed we were interested in and fell in love with the aussie shepherd, the lappy also came a very close second with the Shetland not far behind. Those are our top 3 so far.

That is extremely kind of you Alpha bet, thanks you

Cool thanks, I'm not an early bird so will aim to get there when it kicks off have a good look round and when its starting to quiet down a little seek out some of the owners that I would like to chat with :D

thanks Lappy, what time does it all kick off and if I want to have a chance to talk to a few owners what time should i get there? found the directions but can't see a time. Jack

Thanks Jumabaar, The lapphund has made the short list and is always one my miss's keeps looking at when I'm not on the computer :) Awesome thanks for the heads up LappieHappy, will see if I can make it there this weekend. As it happens, all three of those breeds are in the Working group, so if you can get there just ask directions to the Group Five ring. Most exhibitors will be happy to talk if they're not busy getting ready to go in the ring. Don't restrict yourself just to there though, have a good look around both inside and out, you might see a breed you hadn't considered :) Awesome thank Lappie, will certainly try and make it, is there an official site for this venue, need to find directions Yes I had been reading through and thinking that some of the gun dogs may be suitable and wondering when the Toller would be suggested. The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is not too big, not too much coat, biddable and friendly. wow, there are so many breeds its hard to keep up, those Tolling Retrievers looks beautiful, I hope there are some at this event in Bulla, would love to see some up close. --- Thanks again everyone, this community is awesome, its nice to have help with this. Jack and Jaycee

Awesome thanks for the heads up LappieHappy, will see if I can make it there this weekend.

If we opted for a more smaller more biddible dog then we would let it live indoors, if we opted for a more independent hound then outdoors is probably best for both parties, I'm happy either way.

Strongly recommend you upgrade that to "definitely". If you cannot give the dog your undivided focus, the leash is the go. In with people that may or may not share your love of dogs, then the leash becomes protection for your dog. Thanks Haredown, I agree with you, taking this all on board, there is lots for us to learn as new pet owners :)

Thanks all, we know that we will have to put the hard yarns in with what ever breed we choose, and I agree that we would not risk our dog off leash unless it was a controlled situation. even up on the mount I would probably have here on a long leash. We are dedicated to caring as much for the dog as we are to getting the right soul mate, this isn't something we are going to rush. I guess all in all the only major requirement that matters is a breed of dog that will be happy and not destructive if left alone at home while we work during the day on weekdays, everything else is workable and manageable. No one gets the perfect dog and I guess that is why we all love them so much, the little quirks, challenges and strange things they do give us the most enjoyment and create bonds between pet and owner. Jack

A JS could have a ball yapping incessantly at the noise of the planes. They also don't do well left alone all day so I don't think a JS would fit the bill except for size. I totally agree, I wasn't recommending so much as asking why they decided against it. The main reason was being left alone, my sister in laws one has redesigned the back yard because they work allot as well and the JS needs to be entertained allot during the day or will find its own entertainment :) I'm not making it a requirement to be an "off the leash" dog, the only time she would be off the leash is up at the mount or in a large open area with no main roads. our park area is not suited to off the leash dogs unless I spend the time and dedication to train her well enough to behave when off (which I'm willing to do)

The off leash part did put me off a little, my sister in law has one and its so beautiful and so cute but she is so independent that its very hard to keep her in control when you need her to be, its not really off the list as per say just unsure it will adapt well to our lifestyle and requirments

Love the mimicking howl haha :) they look beautiful dogs and why it is so hard to choose between the breeds. I think the next step for us is to get out and meet some of these we have narrowed down to

Thanks raineth, Didn't think about going to an event to see them all up close, me and the miss's both really like the look of the Lappy, Shetland sheepdog and Schipperke and if they fit our life style then that's great, its kinda hard to choose between them so we should probably start talking to a few local breeders and maybe try to meet one face to face. Jack

Thanks Diva, Jed, Little worried if being home alone will affect the dog, we will love and give it attention when we do come home but I would hate for the dog to become frustrated or have anxiety when we are out of the house working

Thanks Bridgie, looks like two votes for the Lappy and Sheltie, will make those a high consideration.

Espinay, Thank you for the advise, will have a good look over the Shetland Sheepdog, it is one we haven’t considered yet. Trainability is not essential but I am looking for a dog that if I say “come” (and mean it), it will come and not ignore me, I understand that training takes time and will work with my dog for that but I’m sure independence is also a desirable trait specially as I am out of the house allot. Yes that is correct Sheridan, I fly both large scale gas planes (on flat land) and large scale gliders (on the mounts) I would love to be able to have my dog with me when I fly but if there is not a breed that will fit then I can bring her out only when I go alone or with a mate to the mount and fly my glider which is silent and generally less activity to excite a dog Hi Juice, Outside living, will be allowed inside when we are home. 10kg was just a guess on my part, I will take that off the post, we are happy to cater to a true medium size breed if it fits our lifestyle  Thanks Haredown, The Lapphund has been very high on our list but we were unsure about its excitability it I take her to the flying field, as above though I can live without that and only bring her with my to calmer (gliding) flying when I go out the mount with a few friends Thanks Kelpiecuddles, I will look into the dachshund Just wanted to say thanks for all the info everyone, this is a big choice for us and I really really appreciate all the advise you are giving us. Regards Jack