Introduction
1) Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?
7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?
10) What size dog are you looking for?
13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?
18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?
25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.
Thanks!!
Edit: we’ve decided to go with a Welsh Springer spaniel! Now to just learn about the breed and maybe hang out by the breed ring to talk to people.
1) Will this be your first dog? If not, what experience do you have owning/training dogs?
- Had dogs my whole life. I’m in my 5th year of 4-H in the dog project. I’ve been getting into Junior showmanship more. I did train IGP obedience on and off, and am hoping to get back into it again. I have experience with da/reactivity.
- breeder
- Smart, biddable but somewhat independent, Velcro but would rather be by me than in my skin, attentive, Something that is neutral but happy to meet their people. Eager to please, Off-switch preferred, No SSA, Personality is a must, likes to work, stable enough to go out and compete/work, stable
- (Both of us) GSD- just something our whole family has liked. Biddable, smart breed that’s versatile. So many different lines though.
- (Me) Bouvier- I just really like them. I love their energy and work ethic, and their coat. But I’ve come to realize they’re not the breed for us right now. They just wouldn’t be a good fit in our household.
- (Both) Australian Shepherd- We know lots and do some ASCA shows so we’ve been around them a lot. They’re energetic, lively, outgoing dogs that are very biddable, versatile, eager to please.
- (Both?) Dutch Shepherd- We’ve both grown fond of them, but pretty sure that they’re too much for us.
- (Me) Welsh Springer Spaniel- I’ve grown very fond of welshes after showing a few. They’re a little smaller, but I just love them. Only thing I don’t like is that they don’t seem to have much personality.
- (Both) Labs- honestly would probably fit us pretty well, but I just don’t know if I can see us with one right now
- (Both) Australian Cattle Dog- just a dog that wants to work and can do most things, but a lot of energy
- (My mom) GSPs- She likes their coat, energy, drive, athleticism, she just really likes them.
- (My mom) Weimaraner + Vizslas- She likes both, but not as much as the GSPs.
- I tend to really like herding breeds
- compete, show, tricks, work, herd(?)
- Me- Right now, one of the biggest priorities is 4-H. My dogs are nervous, so I’ve never been able to take a dog to the state fair, and barely even the county fair. I’d also like to do AKC conformation/Junior showmanship. I’d like to do Obedience/rally + agility too (both in 4-H and outside of 4-H). Possibly herding if it’sa herding breed. The big thing is that I really like IGP and want to do it, but I'm 100% sure that we’d do it (but I can drive soon so it would be easier to go). I’d really just like to do any and all sports that we like and have time for (like barn hunt and fast cat and herding).
- My mom- just wants something that i can take to the state fair, show, and a running partner for her (nothing too long distance, but maybe 1-8miles?).
7) How long do you want to devote to training, playing with, or otherwise interacting with your dog each day?
- depends on the day. At least 1 long training session per day, maybe one or two short training sessions per day. Play whenever they want, interacting whenever I’m home.
- hour? Depends on the day. We have a big backyard they can go in to play with the other dogs. We can do training. No Dog Parks at all.
- I like grooming and would be open to it, but my mom prefers a short coat with no grooming. Hoping for maybe a median we can reach? So maybe a medium coat? I will do all grooming before a show. Willing to learn how to trim.
10) What size dog are you looking for?
- medium-large. (40lbs-120lbs ish). Willing to break from this for the right dog.
- Any
- Kind of important. This will be something we will be training, so I don’t think it really matters. We will need to be off-leash for agility, obedience, anything we compete in really.
13) Do you want a snuggly dog or one that prefers some personal space?
- Velcro, but just wanting to be near you, not in your skin type of dog
- eager-to-please
- any reaction is fine. I would prefer indifference or friendly interest.
- I mean, Yes I would, but I wouldn’t want it. I’m really tired of reactivity/aggression holding us back from competing.
- Not really?
18) How often and how long will the dog be left alone?
- Someone is usually always at home, unless we’re all at an event. So most of the day, some weekends may be left home.
- My other family has no care, they wouldn’t do anything besides feeding every so often and loving the dog. They would help to keep up with a crate and rotate if needed.
- 3 dogs- all mutts (GSD x, Rottweiler X, and GSP X).
- Young cousins and friends come over for holidays and camping, but not a whole lot.
- N/A
- PNW, no restrictions
- PNW- so hot summers and cold winters
25) Please provide any additional information you feel may be relevant.
- Off-switch preferred, No SSA preferred, personality is a must.
Thanks!!
Edit: we’ve decided to go with a Welsh Springer spaniel! Now to just learn about the breed and maybe hang out by the breed ring to talk to people.