Keen to compete Obedience

I have just read an old thread on advice on a dog for WT.and there were some great suggestions,I am looking to get another dog at some point,having lost my Dobe and JR this year. I am keen to do competition obedience and I would be greatful for any advice. I train at a.schutzund club with my GSD but there are so few competitions and so much politics that I would like another discipline to try.
I want a dog friendly breed,not to hairy, drivey, and fun. Love my GSD but just not for me again,would love another Dobe but too many health issues and bit fed up with other peoples perceptions. I want to walk in the woods and not worry. Does such a breed exist. I like gundogs,don't like bull breeds (sorry).
Thanks for any suggestions,I hope I don't sound too picky, but,as the other person said,I hope to live with it for many years.
Thanks Alys

Malinois ?

SB on here has a weimaraner she competes to a high level with ...

O and the last event i went too there were a few Duck Tolling Retrievers with all the collies and gsds ..lol

Australian Shepherd would get my vote.

Define hairy......................

Like the Duck tollers ,know nothing about Australian shepherds,are they as manic as collies? like Malis but keep hearing they don't like other dogs,is that true or an urban myth? I am prepared to socialise as much as necessary.
Thanks for the great replies. Alys

Smokeybear, a anything that needs a parlour every 6 weeks. Prefer wipe clean,but not an absolute if it the right breed.
thanks Alys

ASD are generally lazy, but that does not mean of course that they cannot perform at the highest leve.

Suzanne Jaffa made up the first Obedience Champion, the first Working Trials Champion and the first Dual Champion (WT and Obedience) with three different ASDs and won Crufts Dog Obedience Last year.

There are lots of social Malis, again it would depend what lines you went for. Dave Howell has won a ticket in Obedience with his Mali (Jotunheim Just the One) and there are others competing eg Kamal Fernandez and more

Not sure what level any NSDTR have reached in obedience.

Noooooooooooooo! Dont say that! I have my heart set on an Aussie to compete with, whether that be WT or agility

The thing with wipe down dogs is the less hair you have, the more precise your work has to be.

Hairy dogs disguise a multitude of sins.

Remember, it is all relative............. there are plenty that do very well in both disciplines

What about Australian kelpie, I have heard these are very good?
A lot of people I compete with have Collies, do they not float your boat?

Thanks,I know so little about collies ,apart from anacedotal. Are they as neurotic as I assume,are they mainly social? Are there particular lines to look at or avoid.
Don't mind hair if the right breed,I quite like look of some hairies. How about poodle or poodle crosses or are they not drivey enough? I know they are smart but very high maintenance. I want a dog who wants to work,I have been spoilt by my GSD but just don't want another. How about Vizlas or pointers,I.assume more difficult.
Alys

There are neurotic individuals in all breeds, I do not find the BC or WSD with whom I come into contact (and there are a lot) particularly so. There are lots of lines which are well known in obedienc/WT/Agility eg Waggerland, Glenalpine, Stardell to name but 3.

And yes they are social.

Poodles are VERY intelligent but, like HV etc, will not ask "how high" whan you say jump (like a GSD/BC or other "handler dependent" dog). There have been several working ticket in WT, not sure about Obedience.

If, by pointers, you mean English ones (as opposed to HPRs), then you may find that a challenging experience.

There have been some very successful GWPs in Obedience.

Like GWP ,are they easier than GSP .Is it just setting up for failure to use a gundog? Are collies easy to train for someone not used to them? Which other breeds are 'handler dependant ?How about labs? Thanks for any replies. Alys

GWPs are "harder" than GSPs. Labradors are great, there are some superb ones in Obedience and WT.

BC are very much like GSD in outlook and easy to train as long as you remember that they pick up mistakes very quickly!

Thanks SB, you are very helpful.

I have also seen a rise in golden retrievers they do some nice heelwork.
Wish I hadn’t mentioned the Kelpie all I have done is go through You Tube looking at vids.
Small and nimble for agility, and seems capable of the precision work in obedience.

Good idea obbie, you tube thanks

My Labrador certainly wants to work, is highly intelligent and very easy to motivate with food and toys. I imagine with more structured training and a more competent trainer he'd learn even faster than he is doing with me and my rather laid back approach to teaching him anything but the necessities.

Spen may be wipe clean but I usually take out a yellow Labrador and come home with a black one