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GO!

Starting to get discouraged.

If you are wondering what is the right dog for you, this is the place to be. In this introductory forum we talk about topics such as breed vs. mix, size, age, grooming, breeders, shelters, rescues as well as requirements for exercise, space and care. No question is too silly here. This particular forum is for getting and giving helpful, nice advice. It is definitely not a forum for criticizing someone else's opinion, knowledge or advice. This forum is all about tail wagging and learning.

  
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Elsa

mycooldog.wordpr- ess.com		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 16, '12 3:48pm PST 
I am looking for a second dog to add to my pack. I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who is the whole package (so sweet and incredibly athletic for a little dog) and I'm looking for something bigger this time around. I've taken several "breed selector" quizzes and have been less than enthused with the results. The breeds that really get my heart racing tend to be sleek and athletic (which is ideal for me as an avid hiker/biker) like Vizslas and GSPs- but everyone keeps telling me I'm underestimating my compatibility with these dogs and that I should be prepared to set aside 3-4 hours a day to run them. I'm a total "dog person" and understand completely the importance of exercising a dog- that being said, am I to believe that every Vizsla owner works from home or is a hunter?
And when do you throw the idea of the "ideal" dog to the wind and get the dog that you are head over heels for?
Also if anyone has better suggestions than these internet quizzes, I have a very open mind!
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Huck

GO!!!		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 16, '12 4:14pm PST 
Do you want a bigger dog? Or another smaller dog? I have to say I am so happy with Huck, a mini Aussie, fantastic dog. If you go to the MASCA website it can direct you to their breeder directory. http://mascaonline.com/
I do alot of hiking myself and Huck is the perfect hiking partner, he can go an easy 15 miles as well as my agility dog and a certified therapy dog. They do require a lot of socialzation and do require a lot of exercise. But if you are looking for a smaller dog that can keep up with your active lifestyle, a mini Aussie maybe one to look into.
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Zephyr

1213425		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 16, '12 4:25pm PST 
What results did you get for breeds on these quizzes?
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Elsa

mycooldog.wordpr- ess.com		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 16, '12 4:36pm PST 
The quizzes tell me mostly spaniels (am and english cockers or springers) or terriers. None of which do anything for me. I thought about a Brittany but again I just don't get the same goofy grin on my face when I see one as when I see a Vizsla or Weimeraner or GSD and like I remember getting around Cavaliers before I got one. The thing is whatever dog I get is going to get a ton of exercise but because I live in an apartment nobody seems to think it will be *enough* for one of these breeds.
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Trigger

*Blackdog*		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 16, '12 5:12pm PST 
It isn't about you being head over heels for a breed though.

It's much more so about a breed's ability to be head over heels with the lifestyle you have to offer it.



Yes the breeds you mention like to run, but that's only a very small part of who they are and what they need to be happy. I don't know of many (any?) individuals of those breeds that would be happy in an apartment.

If you are open minded and still very set on the breeds please, PLEASE seek out breed clubs and/or gun dog clubs to learn more about who they are and what it takes to keep them happy. There is so much more to them than their looks and their ability to run.


I am a runner AND a hunter and Weimaraners and the like push the limits of what I'm capable of owning.



If you're interested in quizzes this is the best one I've seen for the Weim breed:
http://www.weimrescue.org/ (Copy and paste into browser, click on the weim in the red box with the clown hat)

All of the pointer breeds are VERY similar in nature, most of the questions will apply to all of them in some capacity.
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Sonja

It's all about- me.
 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 16, '12 5:17pm PST 
I WAS thinking Brittany before I read your last post. laugh out loud I really like them...sweet and gentle dogs.

As far as what other people say...take it with a grain of salt. I was told that grooming poodles was "exhaustive" and that hasn't been my experience due to the type of clip I keep mine in. Poodle Show coat for Conformation is another story.

I'd keep doing research and ask reputable breeders of the breeds you are drawn to if they think you'd be a good fit (lifestyle wise). They are the ones to determine whether you make a good fit for their breed....they can pick a pup from a litter to match you. It's pretty incredible....but worth it....cuz you get exactly what you wanted. Good luck!
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Ava

Super Friendly- Aviator		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 16, '12 5:29pm PST 
I don't take those breed selector quizzes very seriously.. Not one of them that I ever took EVER matched me with Border Collies. wink There's probably a reason for that (I don't own a farm, for one) or they're smart enough to not recommend extremely active, needy breeds to people even if they seem like a good fit from the answers they selected.

Don't let it get you down. smile If you really adore a breed, and more importantly: if you KNOW what you're getting in to, and you're WILLING and able to change your life if needed to suit the breed (within reason of course--I wouldn't quit your job or anything like that!) But if you're willing to put forth everything your dog will need to be happy with his life then it can work out beautifully.

I'll tell ya, I first fell in love with Border Collies when I was about 18, and always had people telling me--even my own family telling me--that there was no way I could handle such a dog. They'll say things like "oh, WHAT kind of dog do you want??? Oh, no! Think about that. You REALLY don't want that dog!" and yeah, it did make me stop and really think about whether it was a wise decision... But the more I started learning about dogs, I learned it's not necessarily how big your yard is, but how much time and effort you're willing to put in to giving your dog a good life and an outlet for his energy and intelligence. smile

I waited 8 years to get Nix. My first, Ava, is a great mixed breed girl but even after getting her I still kept wanting a BC. It was a long wait, but it was worth it because I was more or less totally prepared for the dog I got. We don't have a farm, and I don't work from home, but we all go on off-leash hikes every day, and Nix has his jobs that keep him happy, and both are happy, well-balanced doggies. smile

Edited by author Mon Apr 16, '12 5:43pm PST

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Zephyr

1213425		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 16, '12 5:57pm PST 
"It isn't about you being head over heels for a breed though.

It's much more so about a breed's ability to be head over heels with the lifestyle you have to offer it.


Yes the breeds you mention like to run, but that's only a very small part of who they are and what they need to be happy. I don't know of many (any?) individuals of those breeds that would be happy in an apartment."

Wordy McWord. I'm generally not a person who gets too hung up on living arrangements (I have an ACD and terriers and I don't have a fenced yard and one of the best dogs I've ever met was a Malinois in an inner city apartment with their dog-trainer owner (Dog went everywhere as her demo dog)) but for those particular breeds a house is, in my opinion, required. My aunt has two GSP, has had a Weim and a Viszla in the past. She has done SAR with three of those dogs but right now the two they have are housedogs and entirely miserable. Sweet as anything but very very bored. They go running. They go biking but frankly it does nothing for their minds.

Spaniels fit your requirements and are considerably more apartment appropriate.
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Happy

The Boy Wonder		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 16, '12 6:16pm PST 
Have you thought of an american show lined doberman? They can be very happy go lucky and have more of that sleek look you are wanting. They tend to have Slightly lower energy requirements and are very friendly dogs. You might check with rescues in your area, they tend to have better idea of what particular dog requires.

Vizlas and Weims are both very high energy requirements and I've never seen one Happy in a pet home. And I've seen a number. I have an uncle who hunts regularly, hikes, and so forth and doesn't feel he can handle either breed.
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Elsa

mycooldog.wordpr- ess.com		 
 
Barked: Mon Apr 16, '12 6:24pm PST 
I appreciate all the input and it's nice to hear some of you have gone through the same thing and it has worked out. Zephyr, I know it's about making the dog happy which is why I haven't yet gone out and just bought a Vizsla- we are all here because we love dogs. Like I said though nothing hits me about spaniels (except Cavs, of course). My goal in writing this post is to get some suggestions on other breeds or other activities that would stimulate the breed I want. And obviously there is something in these dogs that pulls me, so maybe owning one would get me out moving more than I already do. I will look more into Dobermans and Brittanies though, thanks guys!
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