Help! I'm looking for a dog breed that....

[black_cat]

Has anyone mentioned Shetland Sheepdog (sheltie) yet? My first dog as a child was a Sheltie and she was great. They look like minature collies. They can be barky, but the one I had wasn't too bad.

Yep! They look great aside from the barkiness, they’re definitely on my list.

 

[black_cat]

German shepherds are too big/too much energy, right?

 

[FunnyfarmMidwest]

Has anyone mentioned Shetland Sheepdog (sheltie) yet? My first dog as a child was a Sheltie and she was great. They look like minature collies. They can be barky, but the one I had wasn't too bad.

Great suggestion! I have a Sheltie currently. They are absolutely wonderful! He doesn’t bark much at all, he is very well behaved, he gets along with all my animals, and they aren’t prone to many health problems. He’s on the smaller side (26 pounds). He’s active and loves walks and runnning. He doesn’t drool and he loves to swim too!

 

[ShrekDawg]

German shepherds are too big/too much energy, right?

Probably but there’s also not really a one size fits all answer because there are soooooooo many different lines of GSD and some of them are completely different from each other. So there are calmer ones and more energetic ones. Size wise, you could get a small female that wouldn’t be much bigger than a Golden. But again, it all depends. You would have to research all the different lines and then breeders and find the right one. But there are smaller, calmer ones. But they also tend to be pretty anxious, clingy dogs and whiners as well as protective. But that depends too.

 

[black_cat]

He doesn’t bark much at all

:O
Did you have to train that for him or is he just not prone to barking?

 

[black_cat]

Probably but there’s also not really a one size fits all answer because there are soooooooo many different lines of GSD and some of them are completely different from each other. So there are calmer ones and more energetic ones. Size wise, you could get a small female that wouldn’t be much bigger than a Golden. But again, it all depends. You would have to research all the different lines and then breeders and find the right one. But there are smaller, calmer ones. But they also tend to be pretty anxious, clingy dogs and whiners as well as protective. But that depends too.

And I know that show lines often have those awful backs with the dropped hips and the sad legs, so it's best to get a working line one, right? But those would be too much energy? I think that we'll probably avoid them for now, as gorgeous as they are

 

[FunnyfarmMidwest]

:O
Did you have to train that for him or is he just not prone to barking?

Great question!
I got him as an adult so I didn’t train him. I am in contact with his old owner I have asked her specifically about this and she has said that it’s just something he’s always done. He is just well behaved. He only barks when he wants to go outside or wants to tell you something.


But It definitely could be different depending on the demeanor of the specific dog.

 

[ShrekDawg]

And I know that show lines often have those awful backs with the dropped hips and the sad legs, so it's best to get a working line one, right? But those would be too much energy? I think that we'll probably avoid them for now, as gorgeous as they are

That actually depends too hahah some of WL can have it too but also, the stack can make a difference too! The same dog that looks weird when stacked can look perfectly normal just standing regular!

 

[RiverOtter]

Aren't all the puppies already reserved?

Seeing as how the litter isn't conceived yet, I doubt it, but why ask me?? Get in touch with the breeder and get on the list.

German shepherds are too big/too much energy, right?

Even a small GSD is a LOT pf dog. I own one, I ADORE her, literally couldn't farm here without her but there is (as mentioned) a lot of variation within lines, but one thing all GSDs have in common is they are demanding - time, attention, training, exercise. Usually one person dogs. Like, Sunni works for me. Period. She does not work for my DD. I have to tell her specifically to work for DD. Like, if she says "Want to go outside?" (and do chores) Sunni will come to me and I have to say "Go out with DD. Go help." and then she'll do it. But that's it. And only until I go outside. Maybe this is fantastic for you and maybe it isn't. I think it's cute that no matter who calls the dog, she comes to me. But I fully understand it might have been really upsetting to my kids if we didn't have other dogs. In some families, other people don't want to be bothered by the dog, so it's great that they velcro to one person. Some households, everybody wants doggy snuggles.

Also, the shedding is not exaggerated. They really do shed that much. Yes, more than longer coated dogs. Twice a year, they shed an entire other dog. You brush them and it just keeps coming like a magicians handkerchief. Now, this bothers me not at all. It is a literal zero on my annoyance monitor. I think it's adorable when I find bird nests lined with Sunni-fluff. I think it's funny when I brush her and the pile just grows, and grows. Yay spring! But I've seen some folks driven to madness. Freaking out like "OMG how do you live like this?!?" hysteria. I don't get it, but it must be mentioned.

 

[black_cat]

Thoughts on Jack Russell Terriers?
There is one that is a year old (shockingly) that is available near us, well trained, and good with cats.
Edit: fixed typo