Narrowing down dog breeds (retriever, terrier, or Aussie)

[Farm life101]

i own a Labrador retriever and i LOVE him SO MUCH!! He's an overall great dog, loyal, loving, plays fetch lol, loves the water, and of course loves everyone! no matter what dog you get go to the shelter and get one, when i get my dogs i like to get the ones that are on death row so they can keep on livin

 

[MissChick@dee]

CHIWEENIE’S ROCK !!!!
(Just had to)

 

[ShrekDawg]

*****
What do you want in a dog????
The breeds you list have wildly different characteristics.
I have lived with and loved various retriever breeds and herding breeds>
There is a world of difference between a Lab and a Golden, between a Border Collie and an Aussie.
As for Spaniels, oh my! Springers are incredibly different from Cockers.

I have minimal experience with the Terriers but know that Jack Russels and Westies are like night and day.
My best advice: Figure out what you want and why, and go from there.
As another poster mentioned, there are a lot of dogs in shelters who would welcome being adopted!

Well, I mostly just want a companion/pet that I can take places and train, hike with, etc. I love training. Not just basic obedience but training games, tricks, possibly a dog sport eventually, etc. And plan on taking lots of classes. And it has to like other dogs because we have a lot of dog friends. Although I do plan to do extensive training and socialization so that will maybe help. And one that's loving and actually cares about my emotions or at least wants to be with me. So that's why I'm considering so many seemingly different breeds because my requirements are really pretty minimal and almost any dog could satisfy them. I know that terriers are little bit harder to train than some others but that's why I'm more leaning to those specific three because they're supposed to be more trainable but if it can't be trained to high levels that's okay too as long as it's well behaved. I do think Border Collies are a little too intense which is why I was leaning more towards an Aussie but idk.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Spaniels are another breed category I've considered, with a cocker or an English Springer, but then I never really did any research on them for some reason. Yours is adorable!! Are they pretty easy to train? And what is the energy level like?

Cocker spaniels are extremely friendly, great around kids.
Very affectionate,playful, quiet and extremely faithful dogs. The only con would be that they are prone to separation anxiety if left alone for long parts of the day. I leave mine with 2 Kong toys, to keep him happy and content when no ones there.

 

[lcwmt]

Well, I mostly just want a companion/pet that I can take places and train, hike with, etc. I love training. Not just basic obedience but training games, tricks, possibly a dog sport eventually, etc. And plan on taking lots of classes. And it has to like other dogs because we have a lot of dog friends. Although I do plan to do extensive training and socialization so that will maybe help. And one that's loving and actually cares about my emotions or at least wants to be with me. So that's why I'm considering so many seemingly different breeds because my requirements are really pretty minimal and almost any dog could satisfy them. I know that terriers are little bit harder to train than some others but that's why I'm more leaning to those specific three because they're supposed to be more trainable but if it can't be trained to high levels that's okay too as long as it's well behaved. I do think Border Collies are a little too intense which is why I was leaning more towards an Aussie but idk.

I strongly recommend you consider the energy level and requirements your eventual dog has - and if that will match your lifestyle, in say - 5 years.
Working dogs need to work! They can be cute and fun and involved but generally do not do well in apartments or yards 8-10 hours a day while their 2 legged peeps are elsewhere.
A busy dog is a happy dog. Dogs that need a lot of opportunities to work and are left alone can get destructive as they try to find something to do. (there is a reason so many potentially wonderful dogs end up in shelters right around a year old.) Since you love training, and you do sound passionate!, maybe looking at shelters for a dog you " click with" would be a great option.
You'd give a great pup a second chance, use your passion for training etc to good purpose and a potentially loving pup would get a chance.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Aussies range from 45 to 85 pounds. So not all are smaller. Breeding is all over the place as far as coats and sizes. There is no standard weight for Australian shepherds. My one is 50 pounds and my other is around 80 pounds, my last show bred Aussie also was around 80 pounds.

Most are smart but without enough exercise some can be a pain. I follow a few Facebook groups and lots of complaints about them barking, biting, and generally being trouble. They can be frustrating to housebreak too for some reason.

It pays to know the worse as well as the good. They are definitely a challenging breed sometimes, but they are also good dogs.

From your list of breeds the retrievers will be the most biddable, they are bred to work with humans. Aussies are the most clownish, they are bred to think for themselves which sometimes can be challenging, and terriers can be the most stubborn, and are more prey driven, but there are different degrees of terriers. All 3 choice can be big barkers, and destructive when young if not exercised well.

Either choice will keep you busy for a year or two as they mature and settle when gotten as puppies.

*****
What do you want in a dog????
The breeds you list have wildly different characteristics.
I have lived with and loved various retriever breeds and herding breeds>
There is a world of difference between a Lab and a Golden, between a Border Collie and an Aussie.
As for Spaniels, oh my! Springers are incredibly different from Cockers.

I have minimal experience with the Terriers but know that Jack Russels and Westies are like night and day.
My best advice: Figure out what you want and why, and go from there.
As another poster mentioned, there are a lot of dogs in shelters who would welcome being adopted!

My husband was my boyfriend back then lol and pip got a long fine with his greyhound / Russian wolf hound cross. With proper introduction and care it should be fine. She was a bold little dog though.
I honestly found her to be my most e energetic dog I've had bit she was so little she could rip around the house without any issues or damage where the kelpies and colies could not.
I have know no other rat terriers other than her so she may not be the breed standard just my experince.

You could for sure hike with her, and she was small if you needed to back pack her up a steep part it would be like nothing LoL

My one kelpie has always been chill and half lazy the other, she's wired and very electric she's been a tough dog to get control on cattle, she likes to go full out the whole time, she is learning its ok to let the mama cows walk finally lol

She sounds perfect! Being able to exercise them in the house is definitely a plus! We have a fairly long hall too perfect for fetch and have kind of an indoor racetrack for dogs cause it goes hall, dining room, kitchen so it's like a big circle plus our kitchen has an island so they can lap around that too

And wow seems like kelpies vary a lot then?

i own a Labrador retriever and i LOVE him SO MUCH!! He's an overall great dog, loyal, loving, plays fetch lol, loves the water, and of course loves everyone! no matter what dog you get go to the shelter and get one, when i get my dogs i like to get the ones that are on death row so they can keep on livin

He sounds great! I do love Labs ans we've always had Labs or Lab mixes.

I do think rescuing is a great option though. Maybe I could find a small Lab mix.

View attachment 1497472 CHIWEENIE’S ROCK !!!!
(Just had to)

Lol adorable!!!

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Well, I mostly just want a companion/pet that I can take places and train, hike with, etc. I love training. Not just basic obedience but training games, tricks, possibly a dog sport eventually, etc. And plan on taking lots of classes. And it has to like other dogs because we have a lot of dog friends. Although I do plan to do extensive training and socialization so that will maybe help. And one that's loving and actually cares about my emotions or at least wants to be with me. So that's why I'm considering so many seemingly different breeds because my requirements are really pretty minimal and almost any dog could satisfy them. I know that terriers are little bit harder to train than some others but that's why I'm more leaning to those specific three because they're supposed to be more trainable but if it can't be trained to high levels that's okay too as long as it's well behaved. I do think Border Collies are a little too intense which is why I was leaning more towards an Aussie but idk.

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/englishcockerspaniels.html

The breed also fits with what you want

 

[ShrekDawg]

I strongly recommend you consider the energy level and requirements your eventual dog has - and if that will match your lifestyle, in say - 5 years.
Working dogs need to work! They can be cute and fun and involved but generally do not do well in apartments or yards 8-10 hours a day while their 2 legged peeps are elsewhere.
A busy dog is a happy dog. Dogs that need a lot of opportunities to work and are left alone can get destructive as they try to find something to do. (there is a reason so many potentially wonderful dogs end up in shelters right around a year old.) Since you love training, and you do sound passionate!, maybe looking at shelters for a dog you " click with" would be a great option.
You'd give a great pup a second chance, use your passion for training etc to good purpose and a potentially loving pup would get a chance.

Well atm I don't work so am home a lot to spend time with it but you do have a point that in a few years I might get full time or something and then it could be bored. Atm I walk my brother's puppy 3-4 times a week and play with/train her and do get paid so I could probably bring my own dog on the walks or at least to play. But yeah, energy level is definitely a concern which is why I wasn't entirely sold on an Aussie or herding breed so idk. Are they able to chill if given plenty of exercise/stimulation/a job?

But the shelter idea is definitely a great option! I think I will look around and see if I find one I like

 

[ShrekDawg]

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/englishcockerspaniels.html

The breed also fits with what you want

They seem like great dogs!!

 

[True Patriot]

Your dilemma is not uncommon. Ask yourself honestly "is getting a dog right for me?" First, it seems that you need to decide "if" you can keep a dog. They can be a 10+ year commitment. It would not be fair to the dog or your parents if you left it behind. It may be wiser to postpone. Second, you need to figure out what you want "in" a dog. Pet, guard, bird, the choices go on and on. I wouldn't recommen a high energy breed like a Jack Russell to someone who wants a lap dog. Figure out what class you want then narrow down breed. Before committing to a particular breed do your homework and research them. Health, temperament, social skills. I currently have a Sennenhund mix and a Cane Corso. Breeds like the Cane are large aggressive protectors, once they get to about 3 years. Before that they are cute little bundles of fur. You need to be aware of things like that before committing. As it ages things can change. As far as others recommending your breed, I don't think it should be a deciding factor. Letting you know what potential breeds/types are out there is fine, but YOU are the one that will be caring and living with the decision you make.(Not trying to offend anyone, this is a commitment that has to be taken by the individual)