Which Dog Breed Will Suit Me/my Lifestyle??
Filed under Care & Training Q&As
ok so im at home pretty much all week * i work only on wednesday,friday and saturday) from 6am to 11am
i want a companion dog that will be very energetic,playfull and not too big
i have a one family/flat house with large backyard
i was a dog breeded so i know pretty much everythign about care,training and owning a dog
i bred giant dogs ( newfies and giant schnauzers)
i did my research yesterday and im thinking about one of those breeds :
mini aussie( australian shepherd)
sheltie
greyhound
or american eskimo dog
i no nothign about those dogs besides what i have read
i need more information before making any decision
what i need to know is:
exercise requirements
grooming ( i know that long hair dogs need lots of brushing from past experience with nefoundlands)
and im willing ot take the dog out like 3 tiems a day for 1 hour long walks
will that be enough???
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I own greyhounds and I can tell you that they are nowhere near as active as you may believe. Most greyhounds do well with around 30-45 minute walk everyday, though some will require less. It is possible to find quite active greyhounds that may like longer walks, but they are not the norm. Their grooming requirements are minimal, needing just a quick once over with a rubber curry brush every few days. Also bear in mind that greys should not be allowed to run off lead unless in an enclosed area, and for many of them, their recall skills go out the window if they see something worth chasing.
If you definitely want a dog that is high energy and playful, I would suggest looking into the working breeds. The shelties or aussie shepards may be better suited to you.
well, I have a maltese, but if you want a companion, then that kind probably wouldn’t be right. They are more just bing babies! I also have a german shepherd/bisengie (sorry dont know how to spell that breed) But you pronounce it like this : bi-sen-gie, they are barkless dogs.(have to learn to bark from hearing other dogs)…they and shepherds combined are the best dogs in the world! I love her and she loves me more than anything. I would get a dog of that breed! Also, they are not that big. Only between a shepherd and a beagle. they are great!
Poodles. They come in all sizes. Beagles are another good one.
Do you have a dog park in your area? If so, just take them there for an hour or two several times a week, and you won’t have to worry about 3 hours of walking.
Have you ever considered getting a pitbull? They make great companions and are energetic and all the things you mentioned. I would check out the breed before any final decisions. A loving pitbull breeder.
I would suggest a beagle. Great size, shorter coat, likes walks and big back yards….but also cuddly and loyal. If you go to a rescue group, they will suit you with a dog that fits your lifestyle. Not all beagles bark or run away…it depends on the dogs. Lots of the beagles we get would love your home because they like someone home a lot that will spend a lot of time with them. There are so many homeless beagles that need help. The breeds you mention are not as readily available in rescues/shelters. Also a mixed breed is great too.
The American eskimo dog is one I have no first-hand knowledge of. I’ve heard it sheds like crazy and I was also told that obedience is problematic. But all that is second-hand so take it for what it’s worth.
Aussie Shepherd. The big question here is: how active are you? Figure on 90 minutes of walking (or running) every day at a minimum. If you’re doing 3 walks a day, about 60 minutes each than this is the breed for you. Think of a more social, less yappy, bigger boned version of a BC (in terms of physical needs and ability). If you can give the Aussie what it needs in terms of a workout, I think it would be a great fit for you. If I personally could own a dog with a serious coat, this would be the breed that I’d own.
Sheltie. This is the yappiest of the 4 breeds you’re looking at. Very biddable and playful. Personally, I’d go with the miniature Aussie over a Sheltie but that’s just my preference–I think the Aussie gives you a healthier breed, more exotic looks and a better behaved dog plus in my experience, better endurance.
Greyhound. A superb choice–but only if you’re just looking for about 30 minutes of activity a day. In some ways the Greyhound is the anti-Aussie or Anti-Sheltie. Minimal shedding, easiest coat to care for, very docile breed, prefers to mostly lay around. While I think this is a great breed for apartment dwellers or folks that don’t want to spend a lot of time walking their dog, I don’t think it belongs in the same category as the Sheltie, Aussie and American Eskimo–they have significantly high activity requirements. A greyhound that is 3 or 4, I’m not sure if they could handle 3 walks a day of 30-45 minutes each.
You will find that a Greyhound will be a delightful companion for you!
Low shedding, most have little to no body odor (A big plus!) and they do not require more exercise than a few potty walks a day or a romp in the backyard. They are much less hyper than most breeds too, so make nice quiet house-guests.
They range in size from the smaller females at around 55 pounds or so up to an average of 75 pounds for the males.
They have great personalities, love to play with stuffies, and are kind souls.
If you go to http://www.Greytalk.com -there is a great message board there for owners of retired rescued racers. You can find out all about them.
Have you thought about a German Short-haired Pointer?
I have one and she is really sweet. She is hyper, but she is very intelligent. She is only about 6 months, and she already knows how to sit, stay, shake with both hands, up, and she almost knows how to roll over. And of course she knows how to give kisses. =)
She is easy to take care of because her short hair . It is minimal grooming which is great. And she loves to be with people, and she is a great watch dog.
Here are a few sites for you…
You should look them up.
From experience(I’ve owned/cared for tons of dogs) I would suggest a Border Collie. They are medium height, energetic, playful, loyal, and cuddly. They do require some hair care, but they can also be shaved and they still look gorgeous. They require at least one mental challenging play session (I normally would do a hide-and-find with a toy) as well as a long walk. The fact that you have a yard and can give lots of love and attention is another plus for this breed as they require some space.
Australian Cattle dogs are another great pick.
Being who I am I would also say “Welsh Corgi” but that’s just me.