LisaCC Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 (edited) I think an Aussie would work, but I'd suggest researching lines carefully and even then ask the breeder to pick you one of the calmer puppies. Some can be very energetic and highly driven, perhaps a bit boisterous for young children. Good luck with your search, you sound like you would be great dog owners! I agree with Cassie and think a Bernese could be lovely Goldies and labs would be on top of my list too. Edited June 5, 2014 by LisaCC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessicaM Posted June 5, 2014 Share Posted June 5, 2014 Was going to suggest a Papillon! I kid you not they are like a large dog in a small dogs body! I grew up on 1 and a half acres with my papillon, german shepherd, beagle and a groodle. Each dog has their pros and cons but overall the paps are very active but also great at being a calm lap dog when wanted, most are obedient and very clever. They are such a happy lively breed with personality plus, suited for any life style Sent from my GT-N7105T using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Squish Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Would you consider a rescue dog, mixed breed? We currently have 2 German Shorhaired pointer x puppies, they are wire haired and are gorgeous :) One looks just like a GWP! Adelaide All Breed Dog Rescue Inc. photos on fb :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Would you consider a rescue dog, mixed breed? We currently have 2 German Shorhaired pointer x puppies, they are wire haired and are gorgeous :) One looks just like a GWP! Adelaide All Breed Dog Rescue Inc. photos on fb :) Grimm the Gorgeous ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeimMe Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 A Weimaraner perhaps? Although they do have a certain reputation for being difficult to train, they love to be with you both inside the house and outside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steph M Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 My flat coated retriever would be super happy with that! He didn't walk at all last week, thanks to the flu, and was quite happy, but can walk for hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretel Posted June 7, 2014 Share Posted June 7, 2014 Finnish Lapphund :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nackers Posted June 9, 2014 Author Share Posted June 9, 2014 Thank you all very much for the replies and help. After more research/reading I have narrowed the list down- with the Bernese mountain dog at the top. Followed by golden retriever, flat coat retriever, Aussie shepherd, then Labrador. Cassie: (or anyone else with Bernese experience) how do they cope with hot weather? I live in country SA and it does get hot during summer. I am not a lover of the heat so most of the time I'm inside under the air con anyway! Would they be ok with being inside in air conditioning and then walks late at night or whenever it cools down? Would they get restless being cooped up inside? Also how much brushing do they need roughly? Daily? Few times a week? Weekly? And is shedding controlled with regular brushing or do they just shed a lot? Compared to a Labrador for example? Thank you all again. I will be starting to contact some breeders soon and pestering them :) for any breeders out there- are you happy to be contacted and questioned by potential puppy buyers? I mean just general questions about the breed, suitability, the breeders dogs, health tests etc? I have never bought a puppy from a 'proper' breeder before and I'm not really sure on the right way of going about it- I don't want to offend anyone with my questioning. It's more for my own curiosity, I wouldn't be questioning them personally or anything. the puppy search continues... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leah82 Posted June 9, 2014 Share Posted June 9, 2014 Bernese Mountain dogs are gorgeous :) I've met a few myself but wouldn't consider them to be a particular active breed, I've seen them tucker out pretty quickly. And you would need to be prepared for the shorter life span as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salukifan Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 After more research/reading I have narrowed the list down- with the Bernese mountain dog at the top. Followed by golden retriever, flat coat retriever, Aussie shepherd, then Labrador. Temperaments and activity levels vary a fair bit between those breeds. Time to meet some dogs. If longevity matters to you, that's another factor to consider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessicaM Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 When you are down in the suburbs come down to the dogs sa park at kilburn on a weekend, there is usually a show on and you could see some in person. Sent from my GT-N7105T using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaCC Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 (edited) Thank you all very much for the replies and help. After more research/reading I have narrowed the list down- with the Bernese mountain dog at the top. Followed by golden retriever, flat coat retriever, Aussie shepherd, then Labrador. Cassie: (or anyone else with Bernese experience) how do they cope with hot weather? I live in country SA and it does get hot during summer. I am not a lover of the heat so most of the time I'm inside under the air con anyway! Would they be ok with being inside in air conditioning and then walks late at night or whenever it cools down? Would they get restless being cooped up inside? Also how much brushing do they need roughly? Daily? Few times a week? Weekly? And is shedding controlled with regular brushing or do they just shed a lot? Compared to a Labrador for example? Thank you all again. I will be starting to contact some breeders soon and pestering them :) for any breeders out there- are you happy to be contacted and questioned by potential puppy buyers? I mean just general questions about the breed, suitability, the breeders dogs, health tests etc? I have never bought a puppy from a 'proper' breeder before and I'm not really sure on the right way of going about it- I don't want to offend anyone with my questioning. It's more for my own curiosity, I wouldn't be questioning them personally or anything. the puppy search continues... Just in regards to an Aussie in this situation having had a few weeks of 40+ this past summer with a 8-10 month old pup. He would find the air-conditioning stream and sleep under it all day. BUT, to keep him from going absolutely nuts at night when it cooled down or destructive in the house when I wasn't home, each and every day, I did: A training session in the early morning followed by a big swim after that. Another training session in the evening and a walk but even then a few nights it didn't drop below 30s so I could not take him for a walk with his fur or he would overheat. So it would be a second swim before dark, and/or making up games like hide and go seek in the house, teaching to find articles and other fun games. All food not used in training was fed in puzzle feeders too. Much more work than my lab was at the same age. My Aussie is just over 1 now, and I'm currently quite sick, I only managed a training session today and a bit of agility practice. "Normally" he would be asleep by now, but now he's wide awake and chewing on an antler instead. Tomorrow I'll be taking him for a run either way. He's crate trained and will go straight to sleep if I put him in it, but if I'm going to be ill for quite a while which I suspect and I did that each day, he would have way too munch pent up energy. I can't yet say what they are like as adults, and obviously some individuals have more or less energy, but if my boy is anything to go off, be prepared to give a lot of mental and physical stimulation, even when it's too hot or you are sick. Edited June 10, 2014 by LisaCC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassie Posted June 11, 2014 Share Posted June 11, 2014 Thank you all very much for the replies and help. After more research/reading I have narrowed the list down- with the Bernese mountain dog at the top. Followed by golden retriever, flat coat retriever, Aussie shepherd, then Labrador. Cassie: (or anyone else with Bernese experience) how do they cope with hot weather? I live in country SA and it does get hot during summer. I am not a lover of the heat so most of the time I'm inside under the air con anyway! Would they be ok with being inside in air conditioning and then walks late at night or whenever it cools down? Would they get restless being cooped up inside? Also how much brushing do they need roughly? Daily? Few times a week? Weekly? And is shedding controlled with regular brushing or do they just shed a lot? Compared to a Labrador for example? Thank you all again. I will be starting to contact some breeders soon and pestering them :) for any breeders out there- are you happy to be contacted and questioned by potential puppy buyers? I mean just general questions about the breed, suitability, the breeders dogs, health tests etc? I have never bought a puppy from a 'proper' breeder before and I'm not really sure on the right way of going about it- I don't want to offend anyone with my questioning. It's more for my own curiosity, I wouldn't be questioning them personally or anything. the puppy search continues... Hi again, I live in SA too. As a general rule BMDs don't love the heat, they'd definitely prefer to be indoors in the aircon with you. Having said that my current boy doesn't suffer too much in the heat, and a friend's Berner actually prefers laying in the direct sun (as opposed to shade or indoors) on scorching days! Strange! But if you can provide aircon inside you'll have no problems. Shedding is average-high compared to other breeds, and yes regular brushing keeps it under control. I brush my boy about once a week to once a fortnight, but he doesn't have a big coat. I would recommend a brush once or twice a week for most. I'd be happy to recommend a breeder or two when you are ready :) and also answer any other questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessicaM Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Just wanted to let you know there is a show coming up in Monarto 5th Saturday and 6th July... Saturday has 2 shows starting at 8.30am and the next one at 12noon. sunday starts at 9am I'm sure there will be a few different breeds there for you to have a look at Sent from my GT-N7105T using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HUNTINHOUND_ISBACK Posted June 12, 2014 Share Posted June 12, 2014 Perhaps a Hamiltonstovare if you're not in a super hurry ... A little birdy tells me that in not too distant future another little bitch will be hitting Australian shores ............ Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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