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Second Dog?


Tor
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Hello DOLers!

I currently have an 8 month old Boxer pup, and in 2 years or so, I'd like to get a second dog. The obvious choice is another Boxer as I adore my boy, but I also thought it might be good to consider smaller, compatible breeds. I want to get startled with my breeder research etc early.

So here are my pretences

-low maintenance coat

-energetic but with an off-switch

-medium size

- good with kids and new situations

- good with other dogs and cats, or can at least be trained to leave cats alone

- can run 8 or so km easily

- tough enough to enjoy Boxer play - my boy is not generally rough though and plays well with dogs of all sizes. He has a tendency to get bossy with very submissive dogs though, but I know that has a lot to do with the individual puppy temperament

We are a family with two kids who will be about 12 and 9. I do obedience with my boy once a week, train every day, he gets 45 - 90min walk/dog park/beach every day. Very much an inside dog and an important member of our family. He LOVES other dogs, but he is still a puppy and I'm not sure how he'll mature. His parents are both very social though. I'm hoping to do some agility later.

I love Bassett Hounds, but I'm not sure they'd enjoy all the running? I love little Griffons, but I think they're too fragile. Fox terrier? I also love dogs that are a bit uncommon, in my area there are lots of Labs, Goldies and BCs, and I love having something recognisable but less common.

Hit me with your suggestions!

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Hello DOLers!

I currently have an 8 month old Boxer pup, and in 2 years or so, I'd like to get a second dog. The obvious choice is another Boxer as I adore my boy, but I also thought it might be good to consider smaller, compatible breeds. I want to get startled with my breeder research etc early.

So here are my pretences

-low maintenance coat

-energetic but with an off-switch

-medium size

- good with kids and new situations

- good with other dogs and cats, or can at least be trained to leave cats alone

- can run 8 or so km easily

- tough enough to enjoy Boxer play - my boy is not generally rough though and plays well with dogs of all sizes. He has a tendency to get bossy with very submissive dogs though, but I know that has a lot to do with the individual puppy temperament

We are a family with two kids who will be about 12 and 9. I do obedience with my boy once a week, train every day, he gets 45 - 90min walk/dog park/beach every day. Very much an inside dog and an important member of our family. He LOVES other dogs, but he is still a puppy and I'm not sure how he'll mature. His parents are both very social though. I'm hoping to do some agility later.

I love Bassett Hounds, but I'm not sure they'd enjoy all the running? I love little Griffons, but I think they're too fragile. Fox terrier? I also love dogs that are a bit uncommon, in my area there are lots of Labs, Goldies and BCs, and I love having something recognisable but less common.

Hit me with your suggestions!

Ok first up I don't know near enough about them and they fit more in the small size as I don't think the bigger sizes are in Australia yet (they come in three sizes) but from what I know of them they fit the bits I've bolded above and the rest hopefully the two DOLers I know with them can come answer if they fit the rest or not! Podengo Pequeno

Edited by LisaCC
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Oh I have been wondering about a Beagle! I wasn't sure I'd be up to the training challenge. The Podengos look very interesting too, I haven't really heard of them before

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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.

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A beagle. My daughter has one that goes running with her. It is a beautiful dog and would play nicely with a boxer.

A friend has a lovely beagle x that gets along well with my boxer. Both males can play happily for hours. smile.gif

Given the chance, I'd get another boxer of the opposite sex. But if you want a smaller dog, a beagle could be a good match.

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First off i would say watch your not over exercising your pup ,45/90 mins a day is way to much for a large breed breed puppy .

If you want something to run that distance then you need to look for an athletic breed ,bassett & Griffon would not do that type of running .

Breeds there are plenty Kelpies,smooth Collie & many of the gundog breeds

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First off i would say watch your not over exercising your pup ,45/90 mins a day is way to much for a large breed breed puppy .

If you want something to run that distance then you need to look for an athletic breed ,bassett & Griffon would not do that type of running .

Breeds there are plenty Kelpies,smooth Collie & many of the gundog breeds

Thank you Showdog, I do try to be very careful. It's certainly not that much forced walking, but I do take him to run around freely, stopping, sniffing etc as he wants to at the dog park for an hour or so, sometimes longer. We don't go when there are lots of big dogs playing roughly, only when there are one or two dogs that we know well. Our breeder said the danger was mostly with repetitive movement, so walking for 45 minutes on leash is different to all the stopping, starting and changing direction of free play. For walking I have been following the '5 min per month of age' rule. I think it's contributed to how well he walks on a leash now too, and with a dog who is going to be a very strong adolescent/young adult, I felt it was extremely important to develop that as early as possible.

It is something I worry about though, so thanks for the reminder.

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A Brittany? I did see a gorgeous English Springer Spaniel at our training club, I don't know much about either breed tbh. Are they similar?

Edited by Tor
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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

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A Wrst Highland Tertier is a gorgeous dog, great character, and though smallish they are very hardy dogs and could keep up with you on a days hiking. Not sure about an 8km jig. But great wonderful dogs, Note that all terriers will have s chasing instinct to be aware of with cats.

I think a red cloud kelpie would be perfect for you and your boxer.

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Terriers are inclined to chase cats so be careful, and i'm not sure a beagle would run, don't they walk with their nose to the ground? I used to walk one, hated it most frustrating walks ever :laugh:

I think a gun dog might be a good fit too, lots to choose from. GSP?

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I think a GSP might be a bit big - I'd probably go for another Boxer if I went that size. I do love English Pointers though, and Dalmarians.

The Kelpies I know are very barky. Is that typical?

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Kelpies do like the sound of their own voice :laugh:

Also, not all of them appreciate the play style of a Boxer. My younger dog would be OK with a Boxer, but my older Kelpie does not like that sort of play style.

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Happy to help on the Dalmatian front (and happy to chat Gundogs - I have working Springers) - if you've survived a Boxer you'll be fine :laugh: Shed line nothing you've ever seen though :eek: Definitely get opposite sex. Very intelligent contrary to many opinions, and will expend as much energy as given the opportunity. Gorgeous dogs but choose your breeder wisely. Happy to give recommendations on that front too.

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Tor, going on your criteria, very worth taking a long look at Basenjis. They tick all your boxes of short easy-coat, neat small to medium size with great stamina and amazing speed. Cat-friendly with your own cats, need normal recall obedience training for cats at large.

Our own short list for next dog is either another Basenji or a Dalmatian. (Or should we take one or two of the many Greyhounds that will be needing re-homing?)

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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 :)

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