Jack_E

alsatian shepalute? puleeze.......

That's why I put it as N/A as I realised it was basically a mutt. You can look it up though, there's plenty of info on it. It's often also called the American Alsatian and they are trying to breed it to recreate a domesticated version of the extinct dire wolf

Central Asian Shepherd, Volkodav as a breeder and price is more likely $2000 - 2500

Thanks!

Just a note - the breed is not called 'Great Pyrenees' in Australia (or anywhere except North America). It is Pyrenean Mountain Dog.

I recommend going to the website of the Pyrenean Mountain Dog Club if Victoria for info on breeders (more than you have listed in Vic).

Agree very much on comments regarding temperament as the breeds on your list are all very very different. A good basic guide to Pyr temperament: http://itsdogornothing.com/so-you-want-a-great-pyrenees/

The two issues health-wise you have mentioned are certainly the main ones to consider for the breed, but not the only ones. Here is a basic summary on the main ones (though I still need to add info on Neuronal Degeneration) http://espinay.com/health-issues

Thanks for all the info. I'll be sure to add he other health issues and change the name

For the dobie, health problems are DCM (Dilated Cardio Myopathy spelling sorry), Von Wilderbrands disease, Wobblers and history of cancer.

Testing is Von Wilderbrands, DCM (only 1 gene at the moment unfortunately) and DINGS.

Thanks for the info :)

I went about my dog search differently.

I noted what I wanted:

Stocky build

Square head

weight approx 10kg

Outgoing , confident personality

Preferably a terrier, but not limited to that.

So I looked at the breed standard for a lot of breeds, narrowed it down and decided on a westie. He is exactly what I wanted. I'm horrified to own a SWF, but he is utterly perfect.

You have a lot of different types (look, build, personality, drives) on your list. I'd suggest objectively listing the traits you want and then cross referencing them to the dogs on your list and further investigating the ones that fit your desirable traits.

Thank you for all the help. I think I've narrowed down the list of dogs that I want ideally to the cane Corso, Rottweiler, Scott type American Bulldog or German shepherd. I like a lot of the characteristics of the Anatolian shepherd and the boerboel, however I don't know if I'd be a suitable owner for those breeds. I understand that in terms of both looks and temperament these dogs are all different, however I'm not really using the table too much to choose a breed anymore, I'm more so just doing it as I enjoy making the table and learning about these dog breeds. I really appreciate all the feedback!

You missed a very important column though.... temperament and what lifestyle the breed suits. The dogs you have listed are so varied and nothing like each other breed. Not all will suit your lifestyle or circumstance. Health and price is important, but temperament is equally as important.

Thanks for the info Anne. On this table I am trying to keep it very factual and measurable. When I first started looking at all these breeds it was around December last year and my first criteria was size, however I have further researched these breeds into areas such as temperament. Whilst there are a lot of dogs on this list, I have no intention of owning many of them, however I still wanted to put them on my table due to similar shared physical characteristics, as I wish to make the table as extensive as I can with these breeds. Do you have any suggestions for reliable websites that have information that covers overall common breed temperament, rather than just some anecdotal evidence?

Your purebred puppy

Personally I'd be figuring out what temperament I want in a dog first. Dogs of similar physical characteristics can have quite varied temperaments dependent on the function they were developed for.

You're also going to have some trouble finding quite a few of those breeds. Starting with the ANKC recognised breeds would narrow the field.

I'd not restrict your search to Victoria, especially for some of the rarer breeds.

Thanks for that, I'll be sure to use that website. For our family dog, I am not necessarily following the same requirements as I am for this table. I created a thread a month or so ago asking for help on what breed would be right for us, Which helped me narrow down what breed is for us somewhat, but we most likely won't be getting the puppy until at least mid to late next year, I have been just sticking to similar physical characteristics for the table. Thanks for the help, looks like a temperament column is up next

For your Hovawart link they should be tested for HD, ED, eyes and OCD (shoulder issue), they also can suffer from Bloat

Ideally they should have also passed a bonitation as a Hovawart should not be nervous or overly aggressive.

--Lhok

Thanks!

You missed a very important column though.... temperament and what lifestyle the breed suits. The dogs you have listed are so varied and nothing like each other breed. Not all will suit your lifestyle or circumstance. Health and price is important, but temperament is equally as important.

Thanks for the info Anne. On this table I am trying to keep it very factual and measurable. When I first started looking at all these breeds it was around December last year and my first criteria was size, however I have further researched these breeds into areas such as temperament. Whilst there are a lot of dogs on this list, I have no intention of owning many of them, however I still wanted to put them on my table due to similar shared physical characteristics, as I wish to make the table as extensive as I can with these breeds. Do you have any suggestions for reliable websites that have information that covers overall common breed temperament, rather than just some anecdotal evidence?

Hi all,

I have recently been making a table in order to decide what dog breed is right for my family, but also just as a bit of a hobby. I figured I'd share it on this forum in order to hopefully get some info as to what websites are reliable to collect information from to complete the table, or any information that may go well with the table that I have not already put on there, or any dog breeds that are similar to the ones displayed. Any help would be greatly appreciated. :D

If you are unsure what all the slashes and N/A's mean, the slashes are for dogs that I have been unable to find any breeders in Victoria, and for some of the breeds I have even looked in NSW, and the N/A is for dog breeds that are illegal in Australia.

Thanks, Jack

Dog breed chart.pdf

An Airedale would fit a lot, however not all of your wants. They can be very property protective, however as it is with every breed it varies between individual dogs. The show coat for the Airedale is high maintenance, however if you shave them seasonally and brush them occasionally you will find little to no hair in your house. i have had an aussie bulldog that sheds far more than my current Airedale. If introduced to chickens when they are smaller then the chickens, they seem to get along fine with them and leave them alone, however i would not recommend getting chickens with an Airedale if not introduced at a very young age. Airedales are relatively healthy dogs, provided they receive enough stimulation, however they do bark a lot if there are people they don't know near your property. my current dog also freaks out and barks excessively around possums. Whilst i am not as experienced with dogs as many of these other people, i have owned this breed so i hope this helps. Good luck on the hunt for another dog!

Thank you all for the information regarding the horses. I never really considered horses as a problem as I intended to socialise my dog at a young age with a friends horses to get him used to them, however after hearing about all the terrible things that have happened to all of your dogs/horses we may need to think about getting some better fencing

If you tell me a bit more about yoru lifestyle, family and what do you plan to do with the dog I will be able to tell you if a dobermann is suitable for you.

Kids, size of yard, height of fencing, typical day for you and the dog, Inside or out or both? Sports? Competitions?

What do you know about dog training.

He will be living on a three acre property, however predominantly within the acre and a bit that is fenced. The fenced are pretty typical farm fences, only about 1.2 metres high. There will be someone home pretty much all day, and in terms of young kids there is a 5 yo and a 3 yo that although young have quite a lot of dog experience. In terms of dog training I have never ventured far away from simple commands, eg. Sit, lye down, on your mat, crawl, out and a few more. He would spend most of the day outside with our other dog, however would come inside to sit I front of the fire after dinner until we go to bed, and on a cold day he will spend most of the day inside in front of the fire. In terms of walks/training we will strive to give him the amount he needs. As our current dog is an older bulldog, he only needs a walk every now and then, however he needs lots of attention, so that's what he gets. I am still unsure as to what dog sport I like the sound of the most, but I would most likely just be doing it for a bit of fun for me and the dog, rather than in a competitive circle. Thanks for the help. It'll definitely be useful in the process of deciding on a dog breed

Based on what you have written I wouldn't recommend a dobermann to you. Mainly due to the fencing issue.

Whilst it might be ok when you are home, where would the dog be when you are not at home?

As a breeder (and I breed dogs with a lot of drive) I also wouldn't recommend a dobe with small kids. Its not that they are agresive, but they are very active and need an outlet (training) Play often ends up in kids tears as the dog steals their toys, knocks them to the ground running by etc. Most people cant cope with couple of small kids and adolescent dobermann.

If you were to get a dobe, you would need to build some fencing and perhaps get an adult (opposite sex to your bulldog) that has got a bit of training done already.

Happy to expand if you wish.

Thank you for that. Even though it isn't the outcome I'd neccesarily want to hear I'd rather hear the truth than get the wrong dog breed for my situation.

I'm not worried about livestock as although we have a couple of acres and farm like fencing, we live relatively close to suburbia and the only farm animals are a couple of horses, however I do understand what you mean about how I should never trust a dog alone to stay inside your fencing, especially with farm fencing

Once a dog does escape, it becomes very difficult to keep him in. I have areas with rural fencing, a verandah with 1.5 metre pool fencing, and runs with 2 metre mesh fencing - and a border collie who has scaled or jumped every fence. Most of the time, he doesn't bother to do so, being quite happy to watch the livestock through even the rural fencing, but we need to crate or tether him, on the few occasions when we are unable to have him inside or supervise him outside.

I spent one Christmas raising a relative's 2 metre plus fence by another 40 cm because her German Shepherd had learned to scale it.

When we lived in suburbia, we were forced to put cement footings beneath our fence after our Siberian Husky shifted boulders as big as her torso to get under the fence.

I have owned dogs that are curious of what's outside of their homes, however I have never owned one with such a drive to get out. That husky sure sounds like it was an explorer!

For a bulldog , the fences sound ok . For a dog other than a bulldog , they seem very inadequate , unfortunately . that height can be jumped easily, if is farm type fencing, can possibly be squeezed thru or dug under., esp by a young and active-minded dog of the working breeds .

So the dog/s sleep outside? In a secure room/run , or just in the yard ?

The problem with younger dogs and sleeping outside at night is that they hear/smell/see all that goes on , and many tend to want to bark/explore . This is when neighbours start to get a bit edgy , and it can also be a time when dogs get into trouble .

The neighbours wouldn't be a problem, as they live on the opposite corner of their block, and are friendly and love dogs. The thing that I'd be most worried about would be that the road we are on is a main road, and they could potentially get hit by a car????. The dogs would sleep in a kennel just out in the yard, however if you think that this would be inadequate for many of these breeds I'm sure we could make other arrangements like building a room/run for them. Also, whilst the puppy is really little, it will sleep in the laundry, however this will just be for the first few months

Why can't a new dog sleep indoors with you ? have you ever had a dog sleep indoors ? :) it is SO much less stressful for everyone. YOU aren't worried dog will bark/chase/get thru fences ..and the DOG is happy with its pack, and is comfortable .

My house dogs have always slept indoors - either in my room, or in a sleepout or laundry , tho I prefer them in with me - for security . Our working dogs are outside , and yes, they bark and bark at night - but as our nearest neighbour is kilometres away , it's ok that they 'guard' us from owls/foxes etc ;)

I wouldn't be opposed to them sleeping in the laundry, however we try to keep the bedrooms as a dog free place simply so we don't get hair in there. They are allowed in the lounge in the day, but if you think it would make a big difference to the dogs life, we may be able to make a change :)

For a bulldog , the fences sound ok . For a dog other than a bulldog , they seem very inadequate , unfortunately . that height can be jumped easily, if is farm type fencing, can possibly be squeezed thru or dug under., esp by a young and active-minded dog of the working breeds .

So the dog/s sleep outside? In a secure room/run , or just in the yard ?

The problem with younger dogs and sleeping outside at night is that they hear/smell/see all that goes on , and many tend to want to bark/explore . This is when neighbours start to get a bit edgy , and it can also be a time when dogs get into trouble .

The neighbours wouldn't be a problem, as they live on the opposite corner of their block, and are friendly and love dogs. The thing that I'd be most worried about would be that the road we are on is a main road, and they could potentially get hit by a car????. The dogs would sleep in a kennel just out in the yard, however if you think that this would be inadequate for many of these breeds I'm sure we could make other arrangements like building a room/run for them. Also, whilst the puppy is really little, it will sleep in the laundry, however this will just be for the first few months

If you tell me a bit more about yoru lifestyle, family and what do you plan to do with the dog I will be able to tell you if a dobermann is suitable for you.

Kids, size of yard, height of fencing, typical day for you and the dog, Inside or out or both? Sports? Competitions?

What do you know about dog training.

He will be living on a three acre property, however predominantly within the acre and a bit that is fenced. The fenced are pretty typical farm fences, only about 1.2 metres high. There will be someone home pretty much all day, and in terms of young kids there is a 5 yo and a 3 yo that although young have quite a lot of dog experience. In terms of dog training I have never ventured far away from simple commands, eg. Sit, lye down, on your mat, crawl, out and a few more. He would spend most of the day outside with our other dog, however would come inside to sit I front of the fire after dinner until we go to bed, and on a cold day he will spend most of the day inside in front of the fire. In terms of walks/training we will strive to give him the amount he needs. As our current dog is an older bulldog, he only needs a walk every now and then, however he needs lots of attention, so that's what he gets. I am still unsure as to what dog sport I like the sound of the most, but I would most likely just be doing it for a bit of fun for me and the dog, rather than in a competitive circle. Thanks for the help. It'll definitely be useful in the process of deciding on a dog breed

Hi there, I have been looking at a second dog for our family for a while now and we are thinking that a rotty may be right for us. Whilst we are still trying to ensure we make the right decision before rushing into things I was just wondering how long have you owned the breed for, and approximately how long your dogs live for? One of the main reasons I am worried about getting a rotty is the relatively low lifespan. Many friends have had rotties in the past, however of the ones that I still keep in contact with many of their dogs died at a young age.

Best of luck with all your dogs, Jack

Hi Jack.

I've owned and been heavily involved in the breed for 23 years. During this period longevity has ranged, mostly around 9-10 (with average being dragged down significantly owing to sadly having to euthanase a 4 year old dog through health and temperament issues, bred by someone else and totally unrelated to my dogs) but I will say that not one of my Rottweilers has succumbed to cancer of any sort. The most recent girl who passed away in November was 12 and a half and I chose to euthanase her because of the pain in her elbow, which was a long term injury.

The dam of these puppies is not related to any of the other Rottweilers I own now (except for her puppies of course) nor any of my previous Rottis. It took me many years to find a bitch I felt worthy of breeding on with. She has solid longevity behind her.

I believe careful and thoroughly researched breeder selection goes a long way to assisting with the health and longevity of any puppy, however of course husbandry, environment and luck will always play a roll. Have you asked all your friends what breeders they purchased their dog's from? That might be a good place to start. and if in fact some or all of them turn out to be byb dogs, this might lift your confidence a bit :)

All the very best with your breed/puppy search :)

Thank you for that information. The lifespan and cancer issues were the main factors making me worried about considering a Rottweiler, however this definitely lifts my confidence in the breed. I really appreciate the reply :)

All the Airedales I know need clipping more than twice a year. Not as often as my schnauzer (6 weeks) but more often that twice yearly

My Airedale only gets shaved about twice a year. However, we don't give him the show coat we just shave him. We will need to trim under his chin more often that that so he doesn't get for stuck in it.

Although they're in the bigger side, an Airedale will play well with a boxer, will be able to run those distances, is trainable, rarely sheds, not everybody has them. They are also great with kids provided they get enough exercise and have been socialised with them. I think apart from the size they fit the bill quite nicely. Schnauzers are a bit smaller and have many of the similar characteristics, however I have not had much experience with them.

I hadn't considered these at all; I think I assumed the coat would take work? They are lovely dogs. Hmm, I think I'll put them on the list, although they are a little bigger. I'd be looking for a female in any case

Although you need to shave them approximately once to twice a year their coat is relatively easy. If I were you I'd look into them :)

Hi there, I have been looking at a second dog for our family for a while now and we are thinking that a rotty may be right for us. Whilst we are still trying to ensure we make the right decision before rushing into things I was just wondering how long have you owned the breed for, and approximately how long your dogs live for? One of the main reasons I am worried about getting a rotty is the relatively low lifespan. Many friends have had rotties in the past, however of the ones that I still keep in contact with many of their dogs died at a young age.

Best of luck with all your dogs, Jack

Although they're in the bigger side, an Airedale will play well with a boxer, will be able to run those distances, is trainable, rarely sheds, not everybody has them. They are also great with kids provided they get enough exercise and have been socialised with them. I think apart from the size they fit the bill quite nicely. Schnauzers are a bit smaller and have many of the similar characteristics, however I have not had much experience with them.

I wouldn't consider a Shilo for competitive agility and they come in all shapes and sizes ,I was in the US last year and the Shiloh national was being held in the rain Ng next door ,they did nothing for me as a breed as there was no consistency,

That's a shame. Doubt I'd consider getting one though as I have no interest in importing a dog and there are currently no Australian breeders that I know of.

Well that sucks . Thank you though for informing me. I understood that they almost always needed to be registered as a dangerous dog, however I was unaware of needing to be a body guard in order to take part in this training. Guess I'll have to stick to tracking and agility then.

Lots of other sports too.

Weight pull / drag training

http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/263593-weight-pulling-discussion/page__p__6717247__hl__%2Bweight+%2Bpulling__fromsearch__1#entry6717247

(there's a member here who does it with her Rotty too)

Scentwork / nose work - which is different to tracking and zero impact - great for ANY DOG! Young growing pups and old, crotchey dogs (like mine) and all in between

These guys are in NSW https://www.facebook.com/K9NoseTime/ but there is a presence in Vic too

Mushing/urban sledding/ bikejoring

https://www.facebook.com/huskyjournals/

obedience

(love this video)

They're just a few I can think of off the top of my head ....

The more I look, the more options there are and much harder decisions. Thanks heaps for all the info though

The Bergamasco Shepherd may be another Shepherd dog worth looking into ????

They are very intelligent, are versatile & agile for dog sports and have an off switch. There is not much my boy can't do!

Their coat does put a lot of people off, but unless showing them, they don't need to be in full flocked / dreadlocked coat.

I'll give them a look. Thanks