I'm not going to be helpful but it is refreshing to see a post like this - you are giving it plenty of thought. Too many people just want a dog because it has a pretty coat.
Help Picking a Breed
Im looking to add another dog to my home in the next few years. Im having an impossible time choosing a breed. Between family, friends, and myself, Ive had extensive experience with many dogs and multiple breeds. Ive always had a multi dog household, even as a child. I currently own three; Beagle/Chihuahua/Pomeranian, Beagle/Feist, and Beagle/Chihuahua. Im in my 30yrs and no children. I work 4-5hrs outside the home and a few hours at home. I live on acreage in the countryside, so a traditional daily walk really isnt practical. I have a large portion fenced, so we do go out there multiple times a day to play, free run, do training/tricks, I do a mini agility course too. I also take them kayaking and boating. I can handle a Walker Coonhound or Aussie Shepherd level of energy but definitely nothing more energetic than that. I have chronic migraines and they are sometimes triggered or made worse by shrill/ high pitch noises (most toy & terrier breeds, and NSDTR are out for this reason) I dont mind vocal dogs as long as their voices are deep, I do fine with Coonhounds and Beagles for instance. The migraines vary in intensity, so there are some days that I can only get my dogs out to potty, they do usually play with each other in the living room though.
My biggest requirement is being dog friendly and not known for dog aggression in the breed. I also need a breed that does not have a very shrill/high pitch voice. A dog that does not NEED a job and is able to relax on my sick days. Id prefer a velcro breed or even a one-person dog but Im open to others. Playful, happy, energetic, focused when working or training. I dont want a breed that has a lot of health or breathing problems (shih tzu, pug, CKCS, etc). Size isnt that much of an issue for me. I do tend to like dogs in the 20-40lb range because they arent too small/delicate and its not too hard to help them up/down when they are old. Im open to breeds outside that range if theyre a better fit for me though. My Beagle/Feist has the best personality and the perfect amount of energy and focus, but her voice is so shrill. The next dog will be a puppy from a reputable breeder. I wont be adopting this time and Im not interested in any hybrids, please do not suggest this. Im willing to consider rare breeds or travel abroad for the right puppy.
Breeds Im considering so far: Redbone, Black and Tan, and Walker Coonhounds, English Foxhound, field bred Lab, Vizsla, English and Irish Setters, Samoyed, Husky, Finnish Lapphund, Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dog, Border Terrier, Rat Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, and Schipperke. Im open to other suggestions too!
Thanks everyone!
My biggest requirement is being dog friendly and not known for dog aggression in the breed. I also need a breed that does not have a very shrill/high pitch voice. A dog that does not NEED a job and is able to relax on my sick days. Id prefer a velcro breed or even a one-person dog but Im open to others. Playful, happy, energetic, focused when working or training. I dont want a breed that has a lot of health or breathing problems (shih tzu, pug, CKCS, etc). Size isnt that much of an issue for me. I do tend to like dogs in the 20-40lb range because they arent too small/delicate and its not too hard to help them up/down when they are old. Im open to breeds outside that range if theyre a better fit for me though. My Beagle/Feist has the best personality and the perfect amount of energy and focus, but her voice is so shrill. The next dog will be a puppy from a reputable breeder. I wont be adopting this time and Im not interested in any hybrids, please do not suggest this. Im willing to consider rare breeds or travel abroad for the right puppy.
Breeds Im considering so far: Redbone, Black and Tan, and Walker Coonhounds, English Foxhound, field bred Lab, Vizsla, English and Irish Setters, Samoyed, Husky, Finnish Lapphund, Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dog, Border Terrier, Rat Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, and Schipperke. Im open to other suggestions too!
Thanks everyone!
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Maybe the Irish Setter? Typically friendly, playful, and you have the acreage and current companion dogs to help with the hard days.
While not necessarily shrill and often good with other dogs, huskies are very vocal and can be escape artists. While I am actually quite fond of them, I don't think they are quite the fit you want on average.
The Bernese are great dogs, but they trend towards dying young, increased cancer risks, and I hear the breeder lists at can be years long because of general low fertility/small litters. Hope that might help a bit.
While not necessarily shrill and often good with other dogs, huskies are very vocal and can be escape artists. While I am actually quite fond of them, I don't think they are quite the fit you want on average.
The Bernese are great dogs, but they trend towards dying young, increased cancer risks, and I hear the breeder lists at can be years long because of general low fertility/small litters. Hope that might help a bit.
Several of the dogs you listed here (husky, viszla, samoyed) are VERY high energy dogs and from what you are wanting do not sound like they'll be a good fit. Also huskies are literally the loudest most vocal dog there is in my opinion (literal screaming, high pitched howling, etc), your migraines will not thank you lol.Im looking to add another dog to my home in the next few years. Im having an impossible time choosing a breed. Between family, friends, and myself, Ive had extensive experience with many dogs and multiple breeds. Ive always had a multi dog household, even as a child. I currently own three; Beagle/Chihuahua/Pomeranian, Beagle/Feist, and Beagle/Chihuahua. Im in my 30yrs and no children. I work 4-5hrs outside the home and a few hours at home. I live on acreage in the countryside, so a traditional daily walk really isnt practical. I have a large portion fenced, so we do go out there multiple times a day to play, free run, do training/tricks, I do a mini agility course too. I also take them kayaking and boating. I can handle a Walker Coonhound or Aussie Shepherd level of energy but definitely nothing more energetic than that. I have chronic migraines and they are sometimes triggered or made worse by shrill/ high pitch noises (most toy & terrier breeds, and NSDTR are out for this reason) I dont mind vocal dogs as long as their voices are deep, I do fine with Coonhounds and Beagles for instance. The migraines vary in intensity, so there are some days that I can only get my dogs out to potty, they do usually play with each other in the living room though.
My biggest requirement is being dog friendly and not known for dog aggression in the breed. I also need a breed that does not have a very shrill/high pitch voice. A dog that does not NEED a job and is able to relax on my sick days. Id prefer a velcro breed or even a one-person dog but Im open to others. Playful, happy, energetic, focused when working or training. I dont want a breed that has a lot of health or breathing problems (shih tzu, pug, CKCS, etc). Size isnt that much of an issue for me. I do tend to like dogs in the 20-40lb range because they arent too small/delicate and its not too hard to help them up/down when they are old. Im open to breeds outside that range if theyre a better fit for me though. My Beagle/Feist has the best personality and the perfect amount of energy and focus, but her voice is so shrill. The next dog will be a puppy from a reputable breeder. I wont be adopting this time and Im not interested in any hybrids, please do not suggest this. Im willing to consider rare breeds or travel abroad for the right puppy.
Breeds Im considering so far: Redbone, Black and Tan, and Walker Coonhounds, English Foxhound, field bred Lab, Vizsla, English and Irish Setters, Samoyed, Husky, Finnish Lapphund, Newfoundland, Bernese Mountain Dog, Border Terrier, Rat Terrier, Smooth Fox Terrier, and Schipperke. Im open to other suggestions too!
Thanks everyone!
I am surprised you haven't considered the basset hound. They are quite vocal but have very low pitched voices. They have very manageable energy levels and are very friendly with both dogs and people. In the same vein as the beagle but I would say lower energy.
Thanks everyone. I'll take the Husky and Bernese off my list. I have family with Bassets, and while they are awesome dogs, they have a lot of back and leg issues.
To clarify, I'm not looking for a low energy dog. Just a dog that won't lose his mind if we can't go out for the day. My current dogs are high energy and we spend most of our time outside, but they have a good off switch and can handle the down time on my severe days. Also, I'm totally fine with vocal dogs. They can bark, yodel, and howl all day (my Pom mix sure does lol) as long as it isn't a shrill tone.
To clarify, I'm not looking for a low energy dog. Just a dog that won't lose his mind if we can't go out for the day. My current dogs are high energy and we spend most of our time outside, but they have a good off switch and can handle the down time on my severe days. Also, I'm totally fine with vocal dogs. They can bark, yodel, and howl all day (my Pom mix sure does lol) as long as it isn't a shrill tone.
I guessed as much, but shrill as an individual is more likely in some breeds than others, and you can't really tell when they're puppies who it will be.
Besides shrill, health, and losing it's mind from one day off, are there any other things that are a no-go for you?
Besides shrill, health, and losing it's mind from one day off, are there any other things that are a no-go for you?
The only other thing that's coming to mind is dog aggression. I realize it's variable to the individual, but a breed that is generally known for dog-dog aggression I want to avoid. For example, Jack Russells and Dobermans.
I wanted to bring up that unfortunately almost all purebred dogs come with the risk of some sort of significant health issues due to the limited breeding pool. (Golden retrievers and cancer, rotties and bloat, german shepherds and hip dysplasia, the list goes on and on and on) That is why the key is looking for a good breeder who performs the right genetic testing on their dogs to screen for such things.Thanks everyone. I'll take the Husky and Bernese off my list. I have family with Bassets, and while they are awesome dogs, they have a lot of back and leg issues.
To clarify, I'm not looking for a low energy dog. Just a dog that won't lose his mind if we can't go out for the day. My current dogs are high energy and we spend most of our time outside, but they have a good off switch and can handle the down time on my severe days. Also, I'm totally fine with vocal dogs. They can bark, yodel, and howl all day (my Pom mix sure does lol) as long as it isn't a shrill tone.
Most hounds, since those are many of the breeds you listed, are (supposed to be) good with other dogs assuming they were developed historically as pack hounds. Most dogs will be well behaved in the home generally so long as they are provided with ample exercise normally. Will they get antsy if they go a day without exercise? It's a possibility unless you have a couch potato dog but it really depends on the individual dog I have found not just the breed. For example we have a pug which are infamously known for being lazy bums but he as an individual is extremely active and is practically intolerable and very naughty if he has to spend a day without enough exercise. I have met plenty other pug owners who say the same for their dog. The best way to avoid this issue is to adopt an adult dog, as their temperaments are already established (as puppies as a fault tend to be much crazier so it's hard to tell how laid back they'll be as adults) and their rescue/foster/breeder, etc will be able to tell you if they are fine going a day or two chilling or not.
Thanks everyone. I've adjusted my list to the Treeing Walker Coonhound, English Foxhound, Bracco Italiano, Vizsla, and field bred Lab. If anyone has experience with these breeds specifically or a different breed suggestion, I would love to hear!
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