dog type

[colorfan]

Thank you, great responses, just what I was looking for.
Chall, you are right, I do prefer a dog focused on her human.

1969, yes the breeds are all over, I am sight oriented myself, I like the look of the dogs I mentioned. Knowing I am sight oriented I decided to do research which involved real people and their experience.
guess Afhgans are out…my area loaded with deer…
My area gets -30 in winter, or more. All the dogs I mentioned live outside 100% of the time here, (with the exception of the Afgan-I don’t know about her)

What I did with my Collie and would do with the next dog is they are out when I am out and in when I am in, unless they ask to stay out, which my collie often did.(not at night)
She was never left outside unsupervised until her third summer. ( we live on a large acrage)

I can handle a vacuum so don’t mind shedding so much but shedding is a pretty big deal to my SO, he would prefer a 100% outside dog.

I have never seen a live foxhound, cute in the pictures, how trainable are they? We have no shortage of foxes!

There are some local dog rescues, probably would have to go the big city to find a purebred rescue.

I have been checking with local rescues, but sometimes with the mixed breed you don’t know what you are getting…

I am open to getting a young adult, doesn’t have to be a puppy.

[colorfan]

4leafclover, what is the difference between american and english labs?

[saddleup]

I’ve had several Springers and I adore the breed. Mine were all field bred, which are a very different type from the bench bred Springers. Smaller, less hair for example. So smart. I didn’t find them to be super high energy, either, although they could all go all day if the opportunity arose, but definitely had “off” buttons and were great house dogs.

After my last one died almost 9 years ago my heart was broken and I decided to switch breeds rather than just keep comparing any new dog to my beloved Springer. I now have an adorable, quirky, energetic Aussie. She’s incredibly smart, but there is a lot more hair to deal with. I live where there are four seasons, and winter tends to linger (like this year!) but my dogs have always lived in my house but with full access outside, their choice via a doggie door.

I’ll be honest. I still melt when I see a Springer. They are great dogs.

[jherold]

How about a smooth collie?

[Bluey]

@jherold

How about a smooth collie?

They shed like a lab, lots of short guard hairs and huge amounts of undercoat, all year long.

A local breeder of rough collies had a couple of smooths and said they absolutely shed double the hair that the roughs did and were more aloof dogs of stronger temperament, not as sweet and mild as the roughs.
Of course, the individual dog of any breed may be different than the norm for that breed.

Just more to consider.

[Where_sMyWhite]

@colorfan

There are some local dog rescues, probably would have to go the big city to find a purebred rescue.
…
I am open to getting a young adult, doesn’t have to be a puppy.

If you land on a breed or a few breeds, check each’s national breed club web site. Many will have breed-specific organizations that you could contact to see if they have a dog that would match. No need to go to a big city. Maybe also look for local “quality” breeders. They may have an adult that needs rehoming; didn’t work out in the show ring or show ring career is over, dog that was placed in a home and didn’t work out, etc

Many options to look for a purebred dog

Also, check out AKC’s Dog Breed Selector

https://www.akc.org/dog-breed-selector/

Just another tool in your toolbox for selecting a breed.

[Casey09]

Most breeders that I have know will not consider a home where the dog will be outside 100 percent of the time.
The issue is shedding vs. grooming. Most breeds that shed a lot do not need a lot of grooming. Most breeds that do not shed a lot need a lot of grooming.
Poodles are really nice dogs, but be aware of bloat. A friend just got out them even though she loves them because she had so many issues with bloat, which is costly and heartbreaking.

[mithril]

I’ve been fortunate to have lived with and met many breeds over the years and currently am loved by a Standard Poodle, a Standard Poodle/German Shorthaired Pointer, and an Irish Red and White Setter (she is my second).

My Poodle (from a reputable breeder) is 2 now and I am head over heels in love with the breed. By far the best breed that I’ve ever owned. Bloat is very much a concern, but it seems like there are plenty of people who haven’t experienced it as often as other people, so I try not to worry about it. Seems like it’s a crapshoot and not always a sure thing that your dog will be affected by it, but good to be aware and try to minimize the potential (e.g. no exercise before/after eating). That being said, I have not encountered it personally, and I can understand how one would want to avoid it entirely by not being involved with the breed. Regarding her hair; I keep her in a close cut and do it myself at home. It is done infrequently enough that I don’t feel as though it’s an inconvenience (and I lead an insanely busy life lol).

The Setter has slowed down with age, but she is still extremely high energy. Although the parents were health-tested, some of her siblings developed crippling hip dysplasia at an early age. She’s smart in her own way, but not “traditionally” so like a Border Collie or Poodle.

[Chall]

I had a Samoyed growing up. Friendly, not prone to biting strangers. She once chose to sleep outside in the snow, wouldn’t come in. Routinely spread out on ice.
Tjat said, warm weather is tough for them, they shed in sheared sheep proportions once a year and they are runners and need long jogging sessions.
Great family dog, not very trainable compared to other breeds, have a prey drive and you must love yodeling and put up with barking when bored.

[Calvincrowe]

I have a Goldendoodle who is 3/4 standard/1/4 golden and love, love, love him! Great farm dog, super trainability, athletic, medium energy. We keep him closely trimmed, especially his feet, to reduce mud/wet (we live in western Washington…land of mud and wet). AS long as he gets out to the dog park or plays ball every day or two, he’s perfectly content to hang on the couch at night. He’s kenneled during the work day. He’s great with the horses, too. Learned immediately to stay away.

We will definitely be adding to our standard poodle pack-- we have our big boy and a now, we got a miniature poodle/golden retriever puppy 3 months ago and she’s been just as much fun…just smaller!

[OverandOnward]

@4LeafCloverFarm

Well, our American lab was a well bred “Field Trial” dog from a multiple champion pair. That was 1969. Duchess, as we called her (she had a long frou frou registered name I can’t remember now), was smaller boned, a little taller, leaner torso, longer narrower snout, smaller eyes, and less heavily feathered tailed compared to our first English lab. In 1979 my parents bought our first English lab - and yes, the dogs parents were imported from England. The English lab is heaver set, larger paws, squarer head, thicker tail, bigger boned, and in my experience a little shorter at the withers than the American lab. But the distinctions are (or were) fairly small. But I grew up with both breeds, so the difference to me was easy to see.

Here is my parents’ third English lab “Belle”.

Thank you for the photo! At last, a lab whose head looks like my lab (mine is solid black). I don’t know much about the breed other than what I researched when my dog came along (long story how I ended up with this dog). I do not have his papers or pedigree and have no idea how he’s bred (don’t care).

I’ve had a few “lab people” wonder about his broad flat head. Their labs have long-ish rounded heads and are also somewhat rounded over the top of their long-ish muzzles. That’s what it looks like to me. But this explains that probably these people are used to a certain type of lab, and my dog is much more like your photo.

Another day to learn something on COTH!

[4LeafCloverFarm]

Well, I probably shouldn’t call them different “breeds”, because that’s really technically wrong. After all, the “American” labrador retriever was started from Labradors from England. However, over time, with breeding and use as working field dogs, they took on different appearance over the years. So, its probably correct to refer to them as “types” of Labrador retrievers. But if you have a pure “English” lab and a pure “American” lab of the same color side by side, you can really see the difference. Back in 1979, they were really new and unique (the English lab that is). Now, 40 years later, the lines between the two two may be more blurred.

[firefoot]

I will chime in, as you seem to like the herding types and want something focused on their human. I have a Catahoula/Australian Shepherd mix and I have to say she’s one of the best barn dogs I’ve met (I’m biased, but lots of people say the same about her!). She came from a sketch past and I got her when she was about a year old. After working through some intense separation anxiety, she has blossomed into the best farm dog – always ready to go to work and never asks to be done but happy to lay on the couch when we get home. Goes for rides, LOVES the snow, is extremely trainable, very protective, loyal and focused on her people (mostly me but she definitely respects my husband, too). Very in tune to her people and emotionally responsive – she knows when you’re upset and will cuddle/comfort you, while my other dog looks across the room like “get over it.” Catahoulas have short coats and my dog’s coat is more Aussie-like but not a full-on Aussie coat. She sheds much less than my lab/basenji/pit.

I think my dog is very typical of the Catahoula/herding breeds in her drive to work and hunt. Over the years (she’s 9 now) she has certainly gone on excursions without me (she ALWAYS came back – I never had to pick her up or get her from someone who found her) but that changed when I trained her on a shock collar. She is still very motivated to hunt (and goaded by the other dog) but they stay around. She has a prey drive but I trained her on my chickens pretty easy. Chicks, on the other hand, look like a snack and I am still careful about that.

She has less energy and seriousness than a BC but still likes a job. I would never own a full-bred Aussie – I have met many and they don’t really do it for me. I adore BCs but they are too intense for my lifestyle. Catahoula mixes seem somewhat common and I would get another one in a minute. Something to consider!

[xeroxchick]

The best dog I ever had was a Springer. He was a true gentleman and would ride with me, stay with me, was perfect at the heel or in the truck, he was wonderful and protective. He lived with me in my apartment but I left him at my father’s every day where I kept my horses. Perfect dog. Had him from a puppy and did a lot of obedience training with him. I really took him for granted.

[IdahoRider]

@colorfan

4leafclover, what is the difference between american and english labs?

There isn’t a difference. What some people refer to as an “English” Lab is just one from show lines. The field bred dogs are often not as “blocky” in their builds. Instead of calling one “American” and the other “English”, we should probably talk more about type: show/conformation type and field type.
Sheilah

[Tyrus_Mom]

@4LeafCloverFarm

But I wouldn’t forgo a visit to your local shelter. So many puppies/dogs without a pedigree need a new family. Muts can make the best of dogs. Our dog Bailey showed up at our farm on a late Jan day in 6 inches of snow with two other puppies 9 years ago. Best dog ever. No clue what her parentage is.

Oh, that’s so sweet… and the name, Bailey, Bailey, Bailey (if you’ve seen the movie A Dog’s Purpose it will resonate!)

I have no recommendation. We have always had Rotties and usually adopt. Some (a few) were fabulous around the horse and very obedient and loving, most were not great with horses and a bit too headstrong for the average owner. (Our current two I would never bring to the ranch on leash even.)

When you adopt full growns like we have, you end up getting a dice roll on all of that. No designer dogs or puppies for us though when we need to add to the pack. There are not enough good Rottie homes or other full grown dog homes.

I have to add that I have always wished I had a dog or two that could come with me when trail riding, and slightly envy friends of mine who have great dogs who can go on the trail without issue. And yet… with all the rattlers I’ve seen and heard about in our area, I’m thinking maybe it’s good I don’t bring a dog with me anyway.

[S1969]

@Toblersmom

And you should be prepared to wait a long time, and pay a quite large sum of money to get that potential. Truly good breeders of most dog breeds, particularly uncommon ones, often have waiting lists years long. They also may have strings attached/requirements that are different from what a rescue would have (a good rescue often does have strings/requirements). Retaining co-ownership, requiring the dog be competed, requiring the dog be kept intact and bred if it meets certain criteria, are all strings I’ve seen.

For uncommon breeds, you may be correct. None of the breeds mentioned are uncommon, though.

A breeder might have a long wait list or require co-ownership, but many do not. This is not a universal truth. Most good breeders also sell pets to good homes - even the best breeding programs do not result in only “champion” quality puppies, regardless of whether that is show, field, performance, etc.

Anyway…OP, if the shedding is really a big deal I would eliminate most of the dogs on your list. Goldens and Setters are made of hair. Springers must shed like my Brittanys, which is a lot.

I would say a Standard Poodle is a good option for you. Also possibly a schnauzer, either standard or miniature, depending on your preference for size. Both require grooming, though. So I agree with the post that said “grooming” or “shedding” - both require work, but it’s a personal preference.

[BigMama1]

Personally there are very few breeds I think are appropriate for living outside if you live in a northern climate. Even with an insulated dog house it’s really not sufficient, other than for Newfoundlands, Great Pyrenees, Huskies, Malamutes, etc. Your shedding g requirement would rule those breeds out.

My favourite non-shedding (low shedding, really) breeds would be a Goldensoodle, Labradoodle, or Portuguese Water Dog, but your living out requirement would rule those breeds out.

[jherold]

I didn’t read that the OP wanted an outside exclusively dog. Just one that can tolerate being outside for extended periods of time, like a couple hours when doing farm chores without shivering. If she wanted an outside dog, shedding wouldn’t be an issue. My collie and shepherd are house dogs, but sturdy enough to be comfortable for several hours outside in the dead of winter. (I had to call the collie in during the polar vortex this year).

[TheJenners]

I also love labs, but they shed more than my Aussies do.

I’m babysitting my Dad’s Golden and while she might not shed “as much” as my Aussies, her hair is finer and floats around a helluva lot more, and is just EVERYWHERE. Aussie hair balls up into tumbleweeds… I mean, not that I ever let that happen :lol: Seriously babysitting this girl for two weeks and my housecleaner QUITS. I’m dying. I need her when it’s just my two.

As for saying you need dogs who will chill inside, this honestly has to do entirely with how they are raised. Entirely. Even high energy stock dogs. My purebred Aussie I got a 10 weeks (bought and boarded for a couple weeks before I got him), and he was a regular puppy. He got crate trained (the drama…) and he would live in the crate when the house was void of people for mmmm 18ish months. But when I was home, if I wasn’t interested in interacting with him, he got ignored. So he is now 3.5 and he is chill. He crashes on the couch and will snooze for hours. My Dad’s dog on the other hand… He never lets her be bored. She brings him a toy and he sits on the couch and throws it throws it throws it. So she can’t handle being left alone or ignored. I work 12 hour shifts, and I do have a friend come play auntie to my dogs. In the few hours between me living and her coming, the dog ate a couple bills, a sheet of stamps, dragged shoes everywhere… I have to keep all the doors locked so she can’t get into anything, she once dragged all my clean clothes out of the dryer all over the house. She is 18 months old. She has been at my house now for a week and has started being able to handle laying on the deck without pestering me or the other dogs or running off to get into shenanigans.