Dog breed suggestions please!

[S1969]

[QUOTE=Preposterous Ponies!;8848650]
My Spinger lets the rabbits eat treats off her paws. As long as you don’t own birds you would probably be okay.

Cockers and Brittnays are lovely too. Cavaliers are wonderful little dogs as well, but a bit small for my tastes.[/QUOTE]

LOL my Brittanys eat rabbits right out of their own paws. But, I have found that most Brittanys tolerate and live with cats very well.

I’m confused as well about the dry coat. In NAVHDA (versatile hunting) they judge coats on “density” (open, medium dense, dense) and “harshness” (soft, medium harsh, harsh.) So maybe the dry coat is a “harsh” coat? Maybe wiry, or terrier like? Not silky or oily?

[Preposterous_Ponies]

[QUOTE=S1969;8848940]
LOL my Brittanys eat rabbits right out of their own paws. But, I have found that most Brittanys tolerate and live with cats very well.

I’m confused as well about the dry coat. In NAVHDA (versatile hunting) they judge coats on “density” (open, medium dense, dense) and “harshness” (soft, medium harsh, harsh.) So maybe the dry coat is a “harsh” coat? Maybe wiry, or terrier like? Not silky or oily?[/QUOTE]

Admittedly she is only good with our rabbits. Outside rabbits are for eating. Feral cats are for eating. Inside cats and barn cats are to be respected - I couldn’t find her the other day at the farm, until I heard her crying. 3 month old kitten had trapped her in a stall and was hissing at her, so she wouldn’t go out the open door. Silly dog.

[Foxtrot_s]

StG - the book “Siddhartha” - a great philosophical read with guidance to live the right life. Something to live by.

[Foxtrot_s]

Amongst our many dogs, we had two Bull Terriers. These two were pretty special, and I don’t know if it is because we lucked out or if it is how we kept them. We have acreage that is fenced and they could terrier around all day.

I’ve seen two in the off-leach park - they stay with their owner and take no notice of the other dogs. Very biddable, Overall, tho I’d not call them particularly trainable, but Rufus won Westminster Kennel Club one year.

Our female had a true affinity for babies, children and older people - gentle as a lamb with babies, loved to play with 10 year old boys. Had a true fan club.

The male, was a bit of a doofus and sort of plodded along, with bursts of
spinning around on his forehand if he felt foolish. But one day a disabled woman came to our business - that dog stayed nose to heel the entire time she was here, guarding her when she stood by the pond. I’d never seen him take to anyone like that - his affinity was for the disabled. He saw her to the gate and pined there for quite a while after she left.

So, while I’m not recommending BT’s for everyone, they are a special dog, with terrier tendencies. They are popular in England with the tweedy set, going to horse shows and country walks. A far cry from what is often thought of them here and mixing their characters up with other bully breeds - in a not so good way.

Then there was Princess Anne’s BT that got her in trouble with the law - the first Royal Family member to have to go to court! Friend’s daughter had her event horses at her place - when she came to the barn, all other dogs were put away!

[Foxtrot_s]

and PP - I was raised by a lemon cocker spaniel from when I was 4 years old to 18. Best dog ever!

[Anonymoose]

Poodle.

I don’t know how individuals are with cats, but I think they fit the rest of your criteria, esp. since you mentioned non-shedding. Not that I would bring any dog into a home that has four cats – how many sides and laps do you and your DH have, anyway?

Go to a legitimate breeder, not someone who breeds because Poodles are so popular. If you’re gonna buy, get your money’s worth.

I second rescue dogs if you go to a good rescue.

And there was no reason for you to take offense at Romany’s post. If you take that attitude with the people you go to buy a dog from they will likely take offense at you.

[Foxtrot_s]

Thought of another dog that would fit the bill - Airdale.

They are rare around here, so we don’t see many, but one of our Pony Club moms has one and it is a gorgeous dog - very well mannered, even tempered, not quirky…but you need a budget for the salon every so often or learn to do it yourself. Wiry coated, relatively non shedding.

Standard Poodles, too, make good, not wimpy, dogs, for probably the same reasons.

[sprite]

You might look at English Pointers. A lot of them are on the more petite side, around 40lbs, and very sweet natured. The ones I’ve known are less hi energy than German Shorthairs, Weims, etc.

[Gestalt]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8827061]
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]

I wasn’t going to post after reading the op’s rather bitchy reply to someone that was kindly suggesting the rescue angle. But I wanted to thank you for the tip. I love greyhounds! And since the local track closed years ago I don’t see them in this area anymore. I will definitely keep the CO group in mind when I’m ready to adopt.

[JackandMo]

[QUOTE=cnm161;8825711]
So I know this is usually when everyone chimes in with their favorite breed and ignores some of your criteria.

Which is why I’m going to recommend a Sheltie. Super trainable, enough energy to be out and about with their people but great couch potatoes indoors, manageable coat (mine gets a quick brush once a week and a deeper pin brushing every 2 weeks to a month). Mine leaves cats alone. Also is very cute.[/QUOTE]

haha I was going to say a heeler, but clearly that doesn’t meet the requirements!!

I think the Sheltie is a perfect choice. I have never owned one, but I see them often in the horse community and are a very nice breed.

I also like the standard poodles.

[Foxtrot_s]

the smartest, quickest, most willing, most connected dog in our class is a poodle cross - but he’s got a curly coat that would attract twigs and dirt.

[Houndhill]

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;8854082]
the smartest, quickest, most willing, most connected dog in our class is a poodle cross - but he’s got a curly coat that would attract twigs and dirt.[/QUOTE]

But is it a “dry” coat? LOL!