I love Wheaton Terriers. Also, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, although they are probably the polar opposite of sighthounds.
The downside of sighthounds for your household is probably the pret drive. Some are pretty mellow, and some are crazy. My friend has a female that is ok and a male that loses it and SCREAMS at the sight of a cat.
I hear you on the Spitz breeds, not my cup of tea either. My nightmare would be a Shiba.
Cocker spaniel. But warning, they’re like potato chips, it’s hard to have just one.
I don’t know where you are, but I might be able to hook you up with a non crazy cocker rescue. Send me a PM if you’re interested.
Definitely a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Most lovable, easily trained, lots of personality, will cuddle on command. Best dogs ever. I want one in every color!
Can’t believe I’m going to suggest this but our Beagle pup fits that description. I never would have thought so until we got him. Now, we are ON HIM constantly with training. He’s about 3 months now, knows Sit, halfway stays unless there’s a big distraction lol, 80% recall so far, crate trained, sleeps all night, hasn’t had an accident in the house in weeks…Now he was noisy and I mean NOISY in his crate the first month but now that he knows what No means, he’s responding to that while in his crate too. He’s impressed me and he’s super lovey and cute. I would recommend a pup to head off some of the issues they can have. Ours LOVES our cats- two full grown ones. Plays constantly with them.
Here I am plugging away again…
But I think you are in our region. There is a greyhound rescue called Royal Hounds and we got two from them.
They get their greyhounds from Colorado, they go to a wonderful vet who teaches at Colorado State University and she assesses them and gets them spayed. They are then selected - for you - according to your letter of application - and through a remarkable delivery system of volunteers they go to Seattle where BC volunteers go down, pick them up and you go and get your hound.
It is all kind of teary seeing them go to their new owners and embark on their new lives.
Our greyhounds did not know anything - it was sweet to see them come around to car rides, grocery bag noises, etc. Our place is fenced, of course. But I especially asked for a LOW prey drive dog and got one. She was perfectly good off leash and stuck to me like glue. But I’d put her back on less if another dog came by out of respect. Cats, with a dog like this, will be part of the family.
We treated them just like any other dog - they are just the kindest, sweetest, most loving dogs, but they don’t fetch your slippers. Mine did not leave my side.
[QUOTE=kasjordan;8827002]
Can’t believe I’m going to suggest this but our Beagle pup fits that description. I never would have thought so until we got him. Now, we are ON HIM constantly with training. He’s about 3 months now, knows Sit, halfway stays unless there’s a big distraction lol, 80% recall so far, crate trained, sleeps all night, hasn’t had an accident in the house in weeks…Now he was noisy and I mean NOISY in his crate the first month but now that he knows what No means, he’s responding to that while in his crate too. He’s impressed me and he’s super lovey and cute. I would recommend a pup to head off some of the issues they can have. Ours LOVES our cats- two full grown ones. Plays constantly with them.[/QUOTE]
LOVE my beagle mix. Wouldn’t trade her for a million dollars. Despite really intensive work her recall sucks (I have a thread about it elsewhere) but that is literally her only flaw. She got her CGC within three months of me adopting her and bringing her over from Puerto Rico and has visited preschools to teach kids about dog care and ownership. She tested into her advanced level therapy dog class and we haven’t done it yet just because I haven’t had time.
A lot of “satos” (Puerto Rican street dogs) seem to have her look and temperament and for whatever reason the rescues that pull from PR don’t seem to be as insane. I’d highly recommend a foster to adopt situation. The dogs can be a bit skittish at first and it’s highly recommended not to let them off leash in an unenclosed area because they’re fast when they spook but my dog isn’t very spooky, she just goes selectively deaf when she wants to chase a bird or go check out a good smell.
She leaves my cats alone unless they approach her, which is exactly what I want - I personally get nervous when cats and dogs roughhouse together, as it seems that a dog could go too far without realizing it. She’ll let them lay on/near her and give them a little lick if they try to groom her and everyone touches noses when she comes in from her walk but that’s about the extent of it.
[QUOTE=kasjordan;8827002]
Can’t believe I’m going to suggest this but our Beagle pup fits that description. I never would have thought so until we got him. Now, we are ON HIM constantly with training. He’s about 3 months now, knows Sit, halfway stays unless there’s a big distraction lol, 80% recall so far, crate trained, sleeps all night, hasn’t had an accident in the house in weeks…Now he was noisy and I mean NOISY in his crate the first month but now that he knows what No means, he’s responding to that while in his crate too. He’s impressed me and he’s super lovey and cute. I would recommend a pup to head off some of the issues they can have. Ours LOVES our cats- two full grown ones. Plays constantly with them.[/QUOTE]
LOL My male Beagle, Joey, was super smart. You had to show him a trick maybe twice and he was on it. He was also the kinda’ smart that could cause trouble, in that he could figure out how to get around something if given enough time.
His ‘replacement’ is not as smart, but she is a super sweetheart, and while not ‘trained’ she is not disobedient [doesn’t get in the garbage, not OCD].
Neither Beagle was noisy. Joey could bay, and did bark, but not ‘all the time’ and when I taught him that a finger to the lips meant ‘be quiet’ it became part of our trick repertoire that served us well. This Beagle, Haillee, sounds like a poodle. It’s pathetic.
Both love[d] to go and do… but once home were also really good at ‘couch potato’ing’.
Neither has good recall, so they need a fenced yard or to be on a leash.
And Joey was a friend to the cats [the cats slept on my left, Joey on my right], but Haillee is convinced they are going to kill her and is afraid of them. :lol:
Also note unlike Kasjordan, mine were both strays that I adopted when they were over the age of 2-ish. Someday I will get one as a pup and get to raise them ‘right’ from the start.
[QUOTE=Angela Freda;8827079]
LOL My male Beagle, Joey, was super smart. You had to show him a trick maybe twice and he was on it. He was also the kinda’ smart that could cause trouble, in that he could figure out how to get around something if given enough time.
His ‘replacement’ is not as smart, but she is a super sweetheart, and while not ‘trained’ she is not disobedient [doesn’t get in the garbage, not OCD].
Neither Beagle was noisy. Joey could bay, and did bark, but not ‘all the time’ and when I taught him that a finger to the lips meant ‘be quiet’ it became part of our trick repertoire that served us well. This Beagle, Haillee, sounds like a poodle. It’s pathetic.
Both love[d] to go and do… but once home were also really good at ‘couch potato’ing’.
Neither has good recall, so they need a fenced yard or to be on a leash.
And Joey was a friend to the cats [the cats slept on my left, Joey on my right], but Haillee is convinced they are going to kill her and is afraid of them. :lol:
Also note unlike Kasjordan, mine were both strays that I adopted when they were over the age of 2-ish. Someday I will get one as a pup and get to raise them ‘right’ from the start.[/QUOTE]
My friend adopted a research beagle and GAHHHHH he is the sweetest dog ever. Second only to my beagle mix, of course! 
I really like that my dog’s mix blessed her with long legs and shorter ears so will probably keep going for sato beagle mixes based on looks and prior experience, but I would totally adopt a lab beagle if given the opportunity.
My experience with beagles and beagle mixes is that they turn themselves inside out with joy when you jingle the keys but conk out on the couch before/after. If my dog misses a walk it’s not a big deal, but she’s always happy to go out whether it’s around the block or for a 5 mile hike. She’s a young dog but she sleeps about 98% of the time at home - sometimes we forget she’s even there!
I second a sheltie… but they do NEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEED things. I love them though.
That being said… and I sound like a broken record; BOTH of my pit bull rescues meet your every single need. Both could go for 10 mile hacks with me one day and then spend ALL DAY inside without an issue. They are just Happy To Be Near You dogs, total love bugs. They’re just smart enough where they are easy to train and teach new tricks, but not so clever that they invent ways to keep themselves busy…
Both are great with my cats, one cuddles with our cat and the other tolerates kitty licking but is not interested in them what-so-ever.
I imagine if you went the shelter route you’d not have a problem finding one just like mine; they were rescues and are not unique - my friends with PBs are all very similar.
If cats are important, I would steer clear of all hounds with the exception of greyhounds… most sight hound breeds I’ve dealt with are just so high prey drive. I’d also not get a herding type, as they tend to also be prey drive oriented as well.
That being said, I’d check with your HO insurance if you went that route as some states do have breed specific clauses in insurance.
If you like a small sighthound, you need to take an in depth look at the Silken Windhound.
You will need to buy from a breeder, either a pup or an adult being re-homed; and most breeders will require you fill out a questionnaire and they have some email and phone contact with you: they are protective of their dogs and working hard to ensure none end up in rescues.
They are generally less prey driven than Greys or Whippets, somewhat more tolerant of colder weather than the shortcoats, more biddable due to the ‘herding dog most likely sheltie genetics’ that went into one of the ancestral types (long haired Whippet) pre 1984. They have been selected for cuddly temperament and are supreme couch potatoes.
Most are very good with cats when watched and corrected for a week or so (adults, anyway; puppies are playful and forget- or step on them…).
That said, you should make clear your need for a more quiet, laid back dog; there are those that have nearly an agility dog energy level, and there is the rare individual that is too shy or hypersensitive. Most however, retain the happy-go lucky, loving temperament throughout their lives, which can be rather long 16+ is not unheard of.
Coats can vary from minimalist Saluki-like feathering to unrestrained Borzoi, though that heavy coat is rare. They come in any sighthound color. In general, sighthounds do not do well on cheap non-meat based dogfoods, and can be subject to skin problems, digestion issues, allergy and marginal health if not well-fed.
Like any dog there are possible heath issues and you should ask the breeder about history and things that have been seen. Silken Windhounds in the USA are double registered with the parent club ISWS and the UKC - any dog should have both registrations (they are separate) and can compete in their venues and LGRA, NOTRA, ASFA for points and titles.
http://www.summersspirithounds.com/uploads/7/0/8/5/7085556/2735890.jpg?409
They are highly addictive and it is unlikely you will be able to not add a second hound to your family if you get the first one…
[QUOTE=D_BaldStockings;8827600]
If you like a small sighthound, you need to take an in depth look at the Silken Windhound.
You will need to buy from a breeder, either a pup or an adult being re-homed; and most breeders will require you fill out a questionnaire and they have some email and phone contact with you: they are protective of their dogs and working hard to ensure none end up in rescues.
They are generally less prey driven than Greys or Whippets, somewhat more tolerant of colder weather than the shortcoats, more biddable due to the ‘herding dog most likely sheltie genetics’ that went into one of the ancestral types (long haired Whippet) pre 1984. They have been selected for cuddly temperament and are supreme couch potatoes.
Most are very good with cats when watched and corrected for a week or so (adults, anyway; puppies are playful and forget- or step on them…).
That said, you should make clear your need for a more quiet, laid back dog; there are those that have nearly an agility dog energy level, and there is the rare individual that is too shy or hypersensitive. Most however, retain the happy-go lucky, loving temperament throughout their lives, which can be rather long 16+ is not unheard of.
Coats can vary from minimalist Saluki-like feathering to unrestrained Borzoi, though that heavy coat is rare. They come in any sighthound color. In general, sighthounds do not do well on cheap non-meat based dogfoods, and can be subject to skin problems, digestion issues, allergy and marginal health if not well-fed.
Like any dog there are possible heath issues and you should ask the breeder about history and things that have been seen. Silken Windhounds in the USA are double registered with the parent club ISWS and the UKC - any dog should have both registrations (they are separate) and can compete in their venues and LGRA, NOTRA, ASFA for points and titles.
http://www.summersspirithounds.com/uploads/7/0/8/5/7085556/2735890.jpg?409
They are highly addictive and it is unlikely you will be able to not add a second hound to your family if you get the first one…[/QUOTE]
Ditto all of this!! They really do seem to check all your boxes, as I’ve mentioned…
Is there a particular concern you have about them why think they might not work for you?
Just wondering since you mentioned them initially…
What about a lurcher?
Along with someone earlier, I had a coonhound mix who was a fabulous nearly perfect soul. In my case the other half was shepherd and he had the undercoat thing going on. And he topped out close to 70 lbs. But the shep. smarts combined with the hound goofiness was an awesome package.
Someone else mentioned standard poodle - That would be worth consideration - they get tall, but aren’t heavy dogs. Another interesting thought might be a bearded collie. A friend had two over the years, really nice, fun dogs.
Good luck in your thought process! I’m a mixed breed fan mostly because there’s no one breed I love enough to try. But I get that not everyone likes or wants the mystery…
…but, but, she said a dry coated dog!
I have had borzoi’s raised with cats and fine with the cats in or out of the house. Ground hogs were a different matter. But I jogged and hiked many miles with one and she was good off leash and on.
I currently have 4 dogs but am very interested in the silken windhound.
I would ADORE a Silken Windhound for all the reasons mentioned. I’ve tried contacting breeders in the area, but I don’t think they’re active, or possibly only make dogs available within their circle?
I hadn’t thought of a Wheaton at all, but ran it past a dog knowledgable friend - she was all over that as an option. And it quite frankly has the adorably fluffiness Mr Ibex loves. (Seriously, big tough dude, 20 years in the infantry including two tours in Afghanistan, tough civilian job, total sucker for anything small and fluffy :lol: ).
(And the other thing I asked my friend about… the “dry coat”. She knew exactly what I meant, so clearly it’s not something I somehow invented 
)
[QUOTE=Ibex;8831307]
I would ADORE a Silken Windhound for all the reasons mentioned. I’ve tried contacting breeders in the area, but I don’t think they’re active, or possibly only make dogs available within their circle?
I hadn’t thought of a Wheaton at all, but ran it past a dog knowledgable friend - she was all over that as an option. And it quite frankly has the adorably fluffiness Mr Ibex loves. (Seriously, big tough dude, 20 years in the infantry including two tours in Afghanistan, tough civilian job, total sucker for anything small and fluffy :lol: ).
(And the other thing I asked my friend about… the “dry coat”. She knew exactly what I meant, so clearly it’s not something I somehow invented )[/QUOTE]
There is a great deal of difference in type and temperament between a Silken Windhound and a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier.
I am still baffled by the “dry coated” reference, can you please describe this?
If you like Silken Windhounds, I would start with their national breed organization and go from there. Go to national specialties, talk to breeders, meet them, go visit as many as you can, get to know the “culture”, read as much as you can.
If you do this with both breeds, differences will emerge and become apparent, and you will not believe how different they are!
What about a Whippet?
[QUOTE=Ibex;8831307]
I would ADORE a Silken Windhound for all the reasons mentioned. I’ve tried contacting breeders in the area, but I don’t think they’re active, or possibly only make dogs available within their circle?
I hadn’t thought of a Wheaton at all, but ran it past a dog knowledgable friend - she was all over that as an option. And it quite frankly has the adorably fluffiness Mr Ibex loves. (Seriously, big tough dude, 20 years in the infantry including two tours in Afghanistan, tough civilian job, total sucker for anything small and fluffy :lol: ).
(And the other thing I asked my friend about… the “dry coat”. She knew exactly what I meant, so clearly it’s not something I somehow invented )[/QUOTE]
“In the area”
There are Silken Windhound groups on Facebook that may steer you to breeders currently planning litters.
Breeding, even for dog lovers is a PIA now and not the most socially acceptable hobby/activity: many breeders last for a few years or litters and quit.
Are you West coast, Mountain, Central, East coast?
You would probably have to go to the US for a dog, I’m not sure if that would be something you would entertain.
There is a UKC show in Rockton, Ontario 10/29.
No guarantees but there May be Silkens showing there.
http://www.ukcdogs.com/Upcoming.nsf/635dc317900ef4cb8525739400699759/db46c78eeb08cbd185257fdc0061ecad?OpenDocument&Highlight=0,canada
At this time Silkens are not inexpensive to acquire.
You may also find them at lure coursing meets:
A link to some in Canada to get you started.
http://www.csfa.info/basic/web/index.php?r=resultreport
Wheaton Terrier? My nephew and his family have one who is adorable and meets your wish list items.
Springer Spaniel? They are lovely dogs, but can be a bit overzealous at times.
I’d suggest a weimaraner, but they’re often bigger and some have a strong prey drive still. Our current weim, however, is terrified of our 8 pound cat.
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