Researching Dog Breeds for the Right Fit.

[sbm513]

My b/f and I starting to look at dogs breeds, because we plan on adding a puppy to our life. Ari_RR replied to my introduction post and told me to start by elimination and create a list. I started to make the list right away, but need some help. Here are my points and the dog breeds that I like so far. Sorry if it's too much info so soon, I'm just a little excited, because I've been waiting so long and I want this to work out.

Size Doesn't Matter (just not a giant)
Low-Average Shedding, Minimal Grooming
Low-Average Barker (we live in a peaceful, quiet neighborhood)
Friendly with Strangers, Not a One-Man Type of Dog
Dog Friendly (will have a Siberian Husky/Alaskan Malamute friend and I also do dog walking)
Excels in Obedience and Agility (I'd like to participate in competitions)
Someone Will be Home Most of the Day (b/f, his parents, his brother, or me)
About 1 Hour Walk a Day, also Swimming, Fetch, Play, etc.
Will be Staying in Outside Office Room (most of our time is spent in office), No Dogs are Allowed in House

Dog Breeds:
Golden Retriever
Labrador Retriever
German Shepherd Dog
Vizsla
Brittany Spaniel
Papillon
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

[Ari_RR]

Will be Staying in Outside Office Room (most of our time is spent in office), No Dogs are Allowed in House

Hmm... And you want a puppy from a breeder, right? This could be a bit of a problem, unless you are willing to at least temporarily move into that outside office room. Is there a sofa there? Puppy will need to be taken out quite often, during the nights too, you need to sleep in close proximity so you can grab him and run outside when he needs to go..

and I think that golden retriever, GSD and spaniels don't pass low shedding/grooming requirements...

[sbm513]

Will be Staying in Outside Office Room (most of our time is spent in office), No Dogs are Allowed in House

Hmm... And you want a puppy from a breeder, right? This could be a bit of a problem, unless you are willing to at least temporarily move into that outside office room. Is there a sofa there? Puppy will need to be taken out quite often, during the nights too, you need to sleep in close proximity so you can grab him and run outside when he needs to go..

and I think that golden retriever, GSD and spaniels don't pass low shedding/grooming requirements...

I'd like a puppy from a breeder, but I was talking about it for a couple hours this morning with my b/f and he told me that while he'd like a purebred dog, most of all he wants a companion for me and that I can get what I would like. After all, I'm going to be spending most of the time with the dog. There is a pull out sofa in there, and I plan on sleeping in there until the pup gets settled, but I'm not allowing the pup up there with me. He will be sleeping in a crate. Also, the shedding isn't a big deal breaker, just wanted to throw it out there if anyone could suggest a breed I didn't have up that is low shedding.

[rachel540]

Labrador - can only go on my experience but.... they shed more than you think, especially heavy when there’s a change in season (I live in UK so weather is all over the place so mine sheds heavily quite a lot), very low maintenance though, I have never bathed her (she smells yummy like biscuits!). They tend to be very (sometimes overly) friendly with people and dogs if socialised well, and are keen to be involved in everything you do and be close to the family - so may not suit being left out of the main living area. Very eager to learn and be challenged, requiring a lot of physical and mental stimulation - this will help eradicate any of the bad things you've heard about Labs including chewing, destroying houses, etc. When Labs are puppies they will need lots of little walks before you can go an hour, which is usually from 12months onwards, this is to protect their joints which can be a weakness. I would recommend more than one walk a day anyway. Some additional things - they love routine! they love swimming! they love their owners!

[bendog]

Labs shed loads, goldens and spaniels need a lot of brushing.
also labs, german shepherds, vizlas, and the brittany spaniel will all need far more than an hour exercise a day. Even a papillon or cav would benefit from more than that

German shepherds tend to be a little bit more of a one man dog and also not always particularly friendly with strangers.

Cavs and the papillon can be barky and I suspect would prefer to be in the house.

It is hard to advise because you want an intelligent dog (for the obedience and agility) but the really intelligent dogs are also often the most difficult and need a lot of interaction and exercise.

[Ari_RR]

Don't get a ridgeback! Won't do well in the outside office room.. Need to be close to their family, follow their humans from one room to another, see what they are doing all the time, share sofas and chairs, that sort of thing. And not very friendly with strangers.

[sbm513]

Labrador - can only go on my experience but.... they shed more than you think, especially heavy when there’s a change in season (I live in UK so weather is all over the place so mine sheds heavily quite a lot), very low maintenance though, I have never bathed her (she smells yummy like biscuits!). They tend to be very (sometimes overly) friendly with people and dogs if socialised well, and are keen to be involved in everything you do and be close to the family - so may not suit being left out of the main living area. Very eager to learn and be challenged, requiring a lot of physical and mental stimulation - this will help eradicate any of the bad things you've heard about Labs including chewing, destroying houses, etc. When Labs are puppies they will need lots of little walks before you can go an hour, which is usually from 12months onwards, this is to protect their joints which can be a weakness. I would recommend more than one walk a day anyway. Some additional things - they love routine! they love swimming! they love their owners!

I've dealt with a lot of shedding before, and it's fine, would of just been a plus if there was a breed that didn't shed as much. Actually the house isn't the living main area, it's kind of hard to explain to strangers, but the house is a sacred place. Most of my time is spent in the office, and I spend a lot of nights in there. The dog will have a busy life, and someone will always be home. His parents are retired and live at the house, and they'd love to give attention to a cute pup. Part of the reason why I don't want a one man dog. I love swimming too, and we have a dog friendly beach and river nearby.

[sbm513]

Labs shed loads, goldens and spaniels need a lot of brushing.
also labs, german shepherds, vizlas, and the brittany spaniel will all need far more than an hour exercise a day. Even a papillon or cav would benefit from more than that

German shepherds tend to be a little bit more of a one man dog and also not always particularly friendly with strangers.

Cavs and the papillon can be barky and I suspect would prefer to be in the house.

It is hard to advise because you want an intelligent dog (for the obedience and agility) but the really intelligent dogs are also often the most difficult and need a lot of interaction and exercise.

I should have been more clear in my op. The dog is going to have a really busy life, will pretty much never be alone during the day. I have a dog walking business, and I need a dog friendly dog that I can take with me on my rounds. I could also take him swimming everyday at a local dog friendly beach. While I'd like to participate in competitions, above all, I want a friend/companion that everyone loves.

[JudyN]

I'm not an expert, but I'm thinking a labrador or retriever could fit the bill if you can put up with the shedding. I think not being allowed in the house is a bit of a red herring, as it sounds like your dog will have more 'people-time' than many who are left at home all day when their owners go to work. (Though I'm curious - why don't you/your family want the dog in the house? That's not a criticism - I'm just nosy )

My friend has a black working lab and he has been completely easy and laid back since the day he arrived as a pup - crated in the porch area from the first night, slept through and never even whimpered to be let out, fantastic with her young children, and loves everyone. Happy to be left, loves long walks but also happy to potter about after her and play with the children. In my opinion he loves dogs a bit too much as he was insisted he wanted to be best buddies with my dog even when mine got quite grumpy with him... This is probably where the importance of selecting the breeder comes in as I'm sure not all black working labs are like that (and US versions may be quite different to UK versions).

[sbm513]

I'm not an expert, but I'm thinking a labrador or retriever could fit the bill if you can put up with the shedding. I think not being allowed in the house is a bit of a red herring, as it sounds like your dog will have more 'people-time' than many who are left at home all day when their owners go to work. (Though I'm curious - why don't you/your family want the dog in the house? That's not a criticism - I'm just nosy )

My friend has a black working lab and he has been completely easy and laid back since the day he arrived as a pup - crated in the porch area from the first night, slept through and never even whimpered to be let out, fantastic with her young children, and loves everyone. Happy to be left, loves long walks but also happy to potter about after her and play with the children. In my opinion he loves dogs a bit too much as he was insisted he wanted to be best buddies with my dog even when mine got quite grumpy with him... This is probably where the importance of selecting the breeder comes in as I'm sure not all black working labs are like that (and US versions may be quite different to UK versions).

Yes, my dog will have a lot more time with humans living in the office , than if we left for work each day. Haha it's fine if you are curious. The house is sacred, no pets are allowed and I'm not even allowed to do certain things in there that I can in the office (it's detached from the house). You can't smoke, drink alcohol, etc. Pretty much anything you couldn't do in a church, isn't allowed in the house.

I can def put up with the shedding, just got to get a lint roller. lol

[rachel540]

With the extra info youve given i think judy is right, a labrador seems to fit the bill. Judy pretty much described my labrador, theyre loving family members, very active and so much fun! We did a lot of research into the different breeders but from the other pups i know from the same litter as my Pepper they are all completely different so make sure you spend plenty of time choosing the one for you, observe their habbits - is one particularly boisterous, laid back, sleepy, greedy, yappy? They keep their puppy traits. Good luck and keep us posted - most of all post pics!

[ScarletSci]

I certainly wouldn't recommend an Akita or Husky as being dog friendly. Great dogs, but they are not easy to keep, and with their recent rise in popularity I'd be very careful about checking out whether the breeder is reputable. Experienced owners are better for these challenging breeds.