 Barked: Sat Jan 19, '13 2:45pm PST |
 | |  | | I'm considering a smaller breed for my next dog (under or around 30 lbs), but I still want an active, outgoing dog I could do sports with.
I'm happiest with a biddable dog that's in-tuned to me and not too stubborn when it comes to obedience. I enjoy training, I'd like to do sports like agility with the dog, but I'm no master trainer so a dog that's eager to work with me and isn't a notoriously difficult to train breed would be a big plus.
Off lead reliability. This one is pretty make or break for me, as I do most of my dogs' exercise off lead. I like a dog that will naturally stick pretty close and keeps an eye on where I am.
I'm fine with lots of shedding, but I don't like grooming beyond brushing. I prefer shorter coats to long and flowing.
High energy is good. I want a dog that can keep up with my active German Shepherd. I do like an off switch though.
I prefer a dog with moderate prey drive. I want him to be eager to work for a ball, but not lose his mind at the sight of a rabbit on the trail, or be at risk to kill any cats he lives with. This is something I would address when choosing a breeder/pedigree as well of course.
I like a dog that tends to bond strongly to one person, and is fairly velcro with that person. I don't need a dog that's always trying to be in my lap, but I do like that follow you from room to room type. And along those same lines, I'm not a fan of the dog that's never met a stranger. Aloof with neutral strangers is my ideal.
I want a dog I can take everywhere. Part of the reason I'm looking into a smaller dog is for ease of travel, since I already have one large dog I take everywhere. So a dog that can easily adapt to any new situation and takes everything in stride is important. Socialization, of course, will be a big emphasis, just as it was and is with Onyx.
Really want to avoid breeds known for dog aggression and/or same sex aggression. I will most likely be getting a male, so it needs to be a breed in which two intact males can live together peacefully. They will be separated when I'm not home just to be safe, but obviously I don't want to have to constantly keep them apart.
I'm a big fan of herding breeds, and so far the breed I'm leaning most strongly toward is the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, so any information on them and how well they fit my criteria would be appreciated as well. I was also looking at the Schipperke, but I'm thinking they might be a bit on the stubborn side for me? Also not sure how they are off lead.
Not planning to get another dog anytime soon. I'll probably wait until Onyx is at least three, so at minimum it'd be a year and a half from now before I start seriously looking to add another. |  |  | |  |
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