@terrymoore Because of their answer to number 3- medium to large dog.
Help choosing a pup
- Thread starter louy51
- Start date
@boymom925 Is also far better than any of those Doodle mixes (which is what they all are).
I always tell people that Poodles are great. You can cut their hair however you want.
I always tell people that Poodles are great. You can cut their hair however you want.
@louy51 Not sure how available Eurasian dogs are in Australia, but you might want to look into that breed. Greyhounds or galgos are very easy going too.
I don't have personal experience with tollers, but I don't think they are such difficult dogs. If you really love that breed, try visiting a breeder?
I don't have personal experience with tollers, but I don't think they are such difficult dogs. If you really love that breed, try visiting a breeder?
@mk24363 I have a Eurasier/ Eurasian and they are not a good fit so someone who wants to be gone for a 6-8 hr stretch. Maybe a 4 hour stretch, tops. They do not like to be left alone, so the occasional 9-5 would be very hard on them. If OP is able to bring their dog to work though, they would have an angel of an office dog!
They also tend to be untrustworthy with recall. Not impossible, but they are spitz types so some can be more willful and harder to train. They won’t run away if that’s a concern, they love their owners too much, but you gotta convince them that it’s worth their time to listen to you.
They are absolutely AMAZING dogs overall they need more recognition so I’m happy to see them suggested!
They also tend to be untrustworthy with recall. Not impossible, but they are spitz types so some can be more willful and harder to train. They won’t run away if that’s a concern, they love their owners too much, but you gotta convince them that it’s worth their time to listen to you.
They are absolutely AMAZING dogs overall they need more recognition so I’m happy to see them suggested!
sassnnbide
New member
@parsalog Seconding that separation anxiety can be an issue in the breed and they can struggle with unreliable recall. Some have higher prey drives and may not recall off prey, even with a history of treat reinforcement and positive training for both recall and prey drive. Have dealt with both challenges with our dog. Managed to work through the SA, but it took a lot of time and work.
oneyoungman
New member
hugthelamb
New member
counselorwriterdad
New member
@counselorwriterdad That's a labdraderp in my house.
@louy51 Definitely avoid Tollers until you’ve gained some experience. I also have known about them for a long time, but haven’t been ready for one until now.
I’ve gone from police bred GSDs growing up, to a Lab, Golden Retriever and a Chihuahua who is essentially a mini Malinois. A Toller is my next dog after tonnes of research, talking to owners and meeting them, and I know for sure I’m only just there in terms of experience in regard to training and management! I knew I wanted something that was similar to my Golden, but more ‘portable’ (she’s not a big girl, small end of the standard, but is just slightly too much for me to easily lift / carry about when adventuring), more energetic, a bigger challenge to train, more aloof to strangers, more independent (my Golden *has* to be leaning on you and demanding pets if you’re in the same room as her) and with enough drive to happily try out, and potentially regularly participate in, a couple of sports, or go on runs / long hikes with me. I narrowed it down to MAS (just too small for my personal preference, I prefer medium dogs) and Tollers as my ’match essentially everything I am looking for’ final two. I’ll be hopefully getting a smaller female Toller if all works out, but may end up with a small male, or slightly bigger female
The breed isn’t typically one for cuddles, preferring to have personal space over being close to owners (with exceptions, but rare), and is described as more cat-like. They can be aloof and skittish, and typically experience a fear period that is stressful for an experienced owner, let alone a non-experienced owner. They are more Border / Aussie over Retriever so aren’t great for first-time owners or owners with little experience. Training them isn’t as easy as you would think - they are extremely smart, and you have to earn their respect in order to work best with them.
They like to scream (it is piercing and incessant - usually when they get excited, which isn’t hard to trigger), and are also just quite noisy in general. If a Roughie is too barky for you, do *not* get a Toller.
While only being a pet is possible in the breed, they still need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Most Toller owners are either extremely active, or have some sort of job / sport their dog participates in.
A Lab would suit you best. Genuinely the perfect first dog - adaptable, biddable / trainable, ‘easy’. They are food motivated (therefore very easy to train and correct behaviours) and fun. Generally friendly (become friendly-neutral when socialised correctly). Both down to sleep, or down to go out. Not too big, and not too small. They do shed, but not excessively. I regularly groomed mine to keep on top of it, and also took him to groomers every so often to help remove the tufts of shedding fur. The breed is goofy and will make you laugh.
A Spoo may also be an option, like others have said, but they are a challenge to keep up with grooming.
As others have also said, a Greyhound would be perfect other than recall. But you could always utilise a longline instead of fully taking them off the lead.
I’d also check out a shelter / rescue. You don’t have other pets or children, so can take home a majority of the dogs there (I would avoid the typical high energy breeds though - they are likely there because they’ve developed behavioural issues due to lack of correct management from previous owners and would be stressful for a newer owner to take on). The only concerns you would have is a level of unpredictability in regard to behaviour and health issues. Most of the dogs there already have the basics of training and should slot very easily into your life.
Ignore anyone who has suggested the high energy breeds they claim are perfect for you (Borders, Aussies, ACD…). If theirs is lazy, it’s a unicorn and more likely than not comes from poor diet, health issues, obesity, dodgy breeding, learned behaviours because there is nothing to do… Someone purposefully breeding these breeds against standard and to reduce their function to solely be a pet is highly questionable. Those 3 in particular thrive with a job and are prone to extreme reactivity and behavioural issues when not being correctly physically and mentally stimulated enough. The horror stories of Borders dangerously reactive to anything that moves, especially cars is crazy. Same with all the people buying ACD because it’s ‘Bluey’.
I’ve gone from police bred GSDs growing up, to a Lab, Golden Retriever and a Chihuahua who is essentially a mini Malinois. A Toller is my next dog after tonnes of research, talking to owners and meeting them, and I know for sure I’m only just there in terms of experience in regard to training and management! I knew I wanted something that was similar to my Golden, but more ‘portable’ (she’s not a big girl, small end of the standard, but is just slightly too much for me to easily lift / carry about when adventuring), more energetic, a bigger challenge to train, more aloof to strangers, more independent (my Golden *has* to be leaning on you and demanding pets if you’re in the same room as her) and with enough drive to happily try out, and potentially regularly participate in, a couple of sports, or go on runs / long hikes with me. I narrowed it down to MAS (just too small for my personal preference, I prefer medium dogs) and Tollers as my ’match essentially everything I am looking for’ final two. I’ll be hopefully getting a smaller female Toller if all works out, but may end up with a small male, or slightly bigger female
The breed isn’t typically one for cuddles, preferring to have personal space over being close to owners (with exceptions, but rare), and is described as more cat-like. They can be aloof and skittish, and typically experience a fear period that is stressful for an experienced owner, let alone a non-experienced owner. They are more Border / Aussie over Retriever so aren’t great for first-time owners or owners with little experience. Training them isn’t as easy as you would think - they are extremely smart, and you have to earn their respect in order to work best with them.
They like to scream (it is piercing and incessant - usually when they get excited, which isn’t hard to trigger), and are also just quite noisy in general. If a Roughie is too barky for you, do *not* get a Toller.
While only being a pet is possible in the breed, they still need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Most Toller owners are either extremely active, or have some sort of job / sport their dog participates in.
A Lab would suit you best. Genuinely the perfect first dog - adaptable, biddable / trainable, ‘easy’. They are food motivated (therefore very easy to train and correct behaviours) and fun. Generally friendly (become friendly-neutral when socialised correctly). Both down to sleep, or down to go out. Not too big, and not too small. They do shed, but not excessively. I regularly groomed mine to keep on top of it, and also took him to groomers every so often to help remove the tufts of shedding fur. The breed is goofy and will make you laugh.
A Spoo may also be an option, like others have said, but they are a challenge to keep up with grooming.
As others have also said, a Greyhound would be perfect other than recall. But you could always utilise a longline instead of fully taking them off the lead.
I’d also check out a shelter / rescue. You don’t have other pets or children, so can take home a majority of the dogs there (I would avoid the typical high energy breeds though - they are likely there because they’ve developed behavioural issues due to lack of correct management from previous owners and would be stressful for a newer owner to take on). The only concerns you would have is a level of unpredictability in regard to behaviour and health issues. Most of the dogs there already have the basics of training and should slot very easily into your life.
Ignore anyone who has suggested the high energy breeds they claim are perfect for you (Borders, Aussies, ACD…). If theirs is lazy, it’s a unicorn and more likely than not comes from poor diet, health issues, obesity, dodgy breeding, learned behaviours because there is nothing to do… Someone purposefully breeding these breeds against standard and to reduce their function to solely be a pet is highly questionable. Those 3 in particular thrive with a job and are prone to extreme reactivity and behavioural issues when not being correctly physically and mentally stimulated enough. The horror stories of Borders dangerously reactive to anything that moves, especially cars is crazy. Same with all the people buying ACD because it’s ‘Bluey’.
@louy51 I have a smooth collie, she does shed but is very wash and wear. She is vocal with the grumbles, but not a barker. She will bark when she plays with other dogs, complete with the play bows and bunny hops, but she doesn’t go through life nuisance barking. Nuisance barking was a big deal for us and the collie seemed almost perfect except for their barky stereotype, but our breeder paired us up with the pup she thought would be the best fit for us and she was totally right. She is a couch potato at home and is ready to go when we are. She was trusted at home for a few hours roaming the living area by 5-6 months and the worst thing she ever did was nibble on some sandals. She knows what is hers and what belongs to her people.
littlemiracle7
New member
@louy51 Make sure you expose the pup to being alone for short periods fairly early. It's important it learns to self regulate. Not for super long periods, but work your way up slowly. Having a camera is great to track the pup's tolerance. If you stay home all the time the first few months, the pup might have trouble learning to adapt.
Labs are awesome dogs. They can be intense, though, so make sure you look into the temperament of the bloodlines you look at.
Labs are awesome dogs. They can be intense, though, so make sure you look into the temperament of the bloodlines you look at.
zantetsuken
New member
@louy51 Labs and poodles sound like a great fit! I would also really consider a rescue mixed breed since you don’t have any particular breed needs. Poodles are quieter but need more grooming (with a professional if possible) but labs are a bit louder. Both are biddable and can relax into a full time working schedule and be your weekend warrior dog. When it comes to mixed breeds you’ll probably want to look for one at least 6mo old so you can get a real sense of their temperament but I think one on the more laid back side would be an excellent fit for you. Good luck op!
romanmediterranean
New member
greengrace
New member
@louy51 I have a collie/Aussie mix and he very seldom barks. He does sometimes to tell me it’s walkies time.
Very loyal shadow and has almost perfect recall with no training just day to day commands which he learned quickly.
Very social especially with humans but has a dislike for a random dog here and there when on leash but no problem off leash.
3-5 miles a day (2hrs), 3 mile for me and 5 for him off leash most of the time. Doesn’t stray keeps an eye on me.
Not a rescue got him from a farmer as a pup very cheap.
Very loyal shadow and has almost perfect recall with no training just day to day commands which he learned quickly.
Very social especially with humans but has a dislike for a random dog here and there when on leash but no problem off leash.
3-5 miles a day (2hrs), 3 mile for me and 5 for him off leash most of the time. Doesn’t stray keeps an eye on me.
Not a rescue got him from a farmer as a pup very cheap.
@greengrace Just gotta tune in that you can't rely on a coly/aussie not barking. I have known loads of them that won't shut up. They aren't barking to warn ya of anything but are barking at you or people around to stimulate them or throw a stick or something. They are GREAT off leash though.