My Ideal Dog Discussions

Just for fun I thought i'd make a list of the qualities my ideal dog would have! Then you can tell me what breed it is!

1. Friendly with other dogs (most important quality)
2. Intelligent and highly trainable
3. Versatile - would be capable of getting to a good level in a variety of dog sports - working trials, obedience, agility, flyball etc
4. Handler dependant and not self employed
5. Good with children
6. Not aggressive
7. Not timid
8. Medium size
9. Affectionate and loving with its family
10. Calm in house after sufficient exercise
11. Capable of being left alone for reasonable amount of time
12. Active 1.5-3 hrs exercise as adult
13. Playful
14. Can be let off lead with training
15. Not a dog other people would typically be afraid of
16. Good focus

I know a lot of this is about training, but as a baseline this is the temprement that I would want. So do you know what it is yet???

Pretty much has all the points of my boy , Vizsla?

Border Collie

If you hadn't written 'medium size', I'd say my Chis fit it perfectly!

I thought Collie!

To be honest, that description fits most working type gundogs. Working type Labs, Springers, Goldens, German Shorthaired Pointers, Vizslas, etc.

Fits my Nova Scotia Duck Toller retriever perfectly.

Border Collie.

I nearly said WL GSD until I saw point 15

I woud have said a gundog (maybe golden retriever or flatcoat) until I saw the size was medium

Cocker spaniel?

With the trainability and owner dependency, I can rule out both of my two breeds for a kick off. There are quite a few points that they do share though.

This was the one that was in my mind when writing the description. I think they sound amazing. Can you tell me more about your boy/girl?

Love WL GSD's especially sable, I think the bond you can have with a GSD is something unlike other dog breeds. Now if I could find one that I would trust absolutely to be completely bombproof, take anywhere kind of dog and be assured of its behaviour I could be convinced!

I think medium can mean very different things to different people to me medium would range from a springer to a GSD to a Golden retriever. But maybe im wrong and some of them would be classed as large, but im my head their medium.

Still on the list, but possibly been overtaken by the toller!

Hi, my Toller has just turned 1yr. I would say she is roughly about the same size as a female Springer.

They only come in one colour- red / ginger. Some have white tips others don,t.

Tollers are very quick to learn. We have just started agility an she loves it.

If you like Springers/working Cockers/ Collies then you will like a Toller.

She loves children ,people and others dogs, my Bella is very submissive, she doesn't run to other dogs she lets them come to her.

Tollers like to scream, when they get excited.If you look on You Tube there are plenty of examples of the scream.

They also like to chase.

If you want a puppy, go to the Tollerclub.org.uk. There are members on there who will point you in the right direction to a breeder.

This is my Toller next to my Goldie

The only thing which does n,t tick your box, is they don't like to be left on there own for too long.

Not so bad if you have company of another dog.

Well you can't have Zak, cos I love him too much ;-)

LOL - I was going to suggest Zak when Charley mentioned the dog had to be bombproof.

I've found with my dogs, the only one I have now who is completely bomb[proof is Zane. He's mellowed out as he's got older. Although as a youngster he was very skittish.

I think with many dogs you can't tell how they'll turn out unless you know how you're going to trainthem, speak with their breeder constantly, etc.

But Iagree, the bond with a GSD is like no other. I have 2 SL and 1 WL GSD. Zane is one of the SL dogs I have and the bond I have with him is far stronger than any I could wish for with the others. It's as though he knows what I'm thinking.

Absolutely - no other breed can compare with the GSD

Can be stubborn, head strong, timid and aloof around strangers.

I am pretty sure that a well bred Cocker Spaniel is meant to be none of those things. Perhaps your Millie is but the breed should not be.

How would being stubborn, head strong, timid and aloof be good qualities in a working dog?

i'd say bedlington x whippet would fit or at least mine does ;-)