Give Me The Bad Points!

[pebbles]

Must admit it's about 15years since I lost my last Gordon. Back then they were the sedate one of the Setters, very easy going and I really didn't do much training, they were just like that. Over recent years I've only seen them at shows, most of the group who had them when I did have gone out of showing etc. Perhaps like a few other breeds their temperament has been changed (not for the better ) Maybe if you do consider a Gordon quite a bit more research is needed, don't want this old lady to lead you astray

[lilmisssascha83]

I owned a Rough Collie and she really was the sweetest dog ever. I still miss her but she died due to old age.

Gromming must be done everyday to keep their coats in good condition. And when it's shedding time, BOY do they shed fur. you could pull gently at her fur when she was losing her winter coat and clumps of fur would come out. The grooming I would do was constant and their still was fur every where. So if you are ok with Dog hair and constant grooming then go for it. If you want more of a low maintance dog in terms of grooming I'd get a short haired dog. However they still malt. My lab sheds alot even though she is brushed regularly but it's not like when I had my collie. We use to joke that we could make a jumper out of all the fur that would come out. I could fill 3 bags full.

What about a lab?

[Perry's Mum]

Koolies are well worth considering - although they like a walk they can also become very keen on ball games and if I am not in the mood for walking Perry and I play catch for half an house about 3 times a day. She prefers that to walks - she does not mind walking if we are going somewhere for a specific purpose - eg to the shop to buy the paper but does not like walking just for hye sake of it. They are very bright and you need to keep their minds exercised but you can do this with herding, flyball, agility, obedience training, or just teaching them a lot of tricks. They come in short or medium long coats, have very nice temperaments, love children, are good watch dogs. Perry has a medium long coat and she sheds all year but it is soft and silky fur and easy to vacuum - otherwise she is a wash and wear dog - she gets a hydrobath every 4 weeks, rarely gets brushed because she hates it but her coat does not matt. They are medium sized - about the same as a border collie or a kelpie.

Koolie Rescue have a lovely two year old girl who is looking for a home - a red merle - PM me if you are interested.

[jr_inoz]

Bernese Mountain Dog?

They are lovely family dogs, love a walk but dont go nuts if they dont get one every day.

Need socialisation and at least beginner training as they do grow large.

She once a year big time, but rest of the year not so bad.

My friends have one of these - they are gorgeous! So very good with kids. (especially if from the right breeder)

I still reckon you ought to convince your husband to get a sheltie..... (I am biased of course).

Would a Japanese Spitz work in this situation or a shiba inu?

[colliehound]

Will your dog live inside with the family? If not - cross off Collies

Can you up the walking to a 5km+ walk daily? If not - cross off Collies

Can you dedicate approx 15 mins per day per dog for grooming and an hour on weekends? If not - cross off Collies

Are your children gentle and respectful of the dog/s? If not - cross off Collies. I grew up with Collies and you will find they warn with a growl if the child is rough - but will nip if the child doesn't listen. They make great babysitters, but will "force" the child to do as they are told (eg come away from the road, stay where mum said to etc).

Do you have other pets? Some breeds are better with fowl, feline and rodents than others.

What is your fencing like? How tall? How secure? Some breeds are houdini - some prefer to stay home.

I would still consider Greyhounds if you can fence your yard and commit to always walking on lead. They are polite, past puppy stage, gentle with kids, cope with irregular and short walks, don't shed terribly much, don't smell, only require a quick once over groom weekly.

Good luck in your decision, but as someone else said - first narrow down the basics like fencing, indoors/out, grooming time, walking time, size, fur factor etc.

[gsdog2]

Will your dog live inside with the family? If not - cross off Collies

This also applies to Goldies ;)

[Dame Aussie]

A Springer would need much more exercise than a walk every second day, so would a Goldie and probably a Collie aswell.

The guiant breeds can be a bit more placid, ours is at the smaller end of the scale but he is very gentle with kids and smaller dogs and doesn't need as much exercise as our other dog. However, he is walked every day. I would maybe look at dogs that are less active if you can only take them out every second day.

[bossyboo]

Hi

Thanks for all replys. Yes would be an inside/outside dog. My kids are extremely good with animals. Fencing is good. Grooming wouldn't be a problem. But I only do 2 6 k walks a week, plus playing in back yard and shorts walks every other day.

[Purdie]

If you like larger dogs,what about an Irish wolfhound or Deerhound.?We had a Wolfhound x for 10 years and her exercise requirements were moderate;short periods of active then she was happy to lay about near me for much of the day.She had a kennel under the verander but would sleep inside if there was a thunder storm or cracker night.She was inside with me for most of the day and could go in and out when she wanted.She shed minimal hair;mosly a small amount twice a year .She was very good around children and small dogs .She did not bark unless there was someone at the gate.Her size was a good deterent for prowlers,and one night when my husband was out a man climbed the fence and was at the back door untll she saw him off over the fence;so she was protective in that situation.However she did let the plumber in and didn't bark just followed him to the front door and kept an eye on him.

Edited November 9, 2011 by Purdie

[aussielover]

Hi

Thanks for all replys. Yes would be an inside/outside dog. My kids are extremely good with animals. Fencing is good. Grooming wouldn't be a problem. But I only do 2 6 k walks a week, plus playing in back yard and shorts walks every other day.

I guess it depends what you mean by "playing in the backyard"

If you absolutely commit yourself to at least 2 x 30 min active playing (like ball throwing or other activity that involves the dog running) then I think a Goldie, Springer or Collie could do just fine.

I know lots of Goldies that inly get 2 x 30 min walks/runs a day and do just fine and make nice house pets (non destructive).

Depending on lines a springer might need more than this.

But the reality is that many people who say they will play with the dog in the backyard for exercie, slacken off over time (especially if they rely on the kids to do the playing with the dog).

Frankly I would not commmit to such a medium/high energy breed like Goldies, Springers and Collies if I, myself was not prepared to exercise the dog for at least 1 hour per day, every day, rain, hail or shine.

If you have a large yard enough, this could include ball throwing in the yard, so in that respect it might be easier to achieve this as you could train the dog to fetch so you don't have to exert yourself too much if you didn't feel like it.

[Angeluca]

I think Goldies are fine outside, Mine as puppies until 4-6 mths were inside but then outside dogs as my house is not large and dogs laying on the floor or couch would take up heaps of room. I did consider keeping my boy as an inside Dog just cause his manners were impeccable. But once I stopped forcing him inside he stopped wanting to come inside, (maybe to crowded and noisy for him) He'd prefer to lay in the door way on the carport with the older girl.

Since then I have build a dog pen that has a garden shed for a kennel both him and the younger girl love it the older one still prefers the carport.

I don't get outside everyday and sometimes due to studdy, homework and soccer with the kids so they don't either, but having almost an acre just as a house fenced yard all of mine are happy doing zoomies, rough doggie play and a good general trot around the border my are very healthy size.

Edited November 9, 2011 by Angeluca

[SmoothieGirl]

As Colliehound said if the dog isn't going to live inside I'd scratch Collies too, they are working dogs of the softer kind and like to live with their 'working' partner - you.

Also, they will need daily exercise, every second day will likely result in you having a frustrated dog on your hands and really they are brilliant relaxed house dogs, if given a blow out every day. This is even more so with Smooths as they are generally more active than their Rough relos. My two get 15-20mins in the morning and then a minimum of 45 mins in the evening. Sometimes though it will extend to an hour and a half if we get a good rhythm going and I'm on a mission.

That being said, I can't recommend them highly enough, they are a surprise packet.

Btw, nope there aren't many Smooths listed on Dogsonline, because they are still a relatively uncommon breed. In the UK, they are listed as a vulnerable breed. But pups are generally available from good breeders most of the year round. PM me if you have any questions.

Edited November 9, 2011 by SmoothieGirl

[RiverStar-Aura]

What about a standard poodle? I've seen a few at my local god park and seem to be fantastic dogs.

I love that you have an Aussie -- they're fantastic dogs!! You also won't have a problem introducing a new pup coz in my experience Aussies love big dogs. :D