help me find a dog breed that will be a good match. Also obedience or agility in OH

[dnv]

Kind of spin off. A couple of recent threads have gotten me thinking of the value of establishing contacts with a breed/activity. My next dog I would like to think about doing some shows with, or more likely obedience or agility. Starting to think about what breed I would like.

I am Mid 40’s, work full time. Walking 20-30 min 2x per day doable for the dog. One of those more likely to be 45 minutes. Often hike 6-8 miles on the weekend, but often these are with a no dogs hiking club.

My desires in dog - less than 20#, low grooming/shedding, quiet and laid back in the house. Trainable for obedience or agility. Easy to travel with.
Currently I am thinking of Min Pin or Boston Terrier.

Bonus if you have contacts in the Mid West (Ohio)
Currently horseless, so would love to get out and attend some dog activities and explore various breeds.
TIA!

[S1969]

I would think the Min Pin would be more athletic than the Boston if you want to do agility, but I will admit that I’ve never known anyone with a Boston so maybe I’m wrong.

I don’t know a lot about little dogs. But I would think maybe a couple of options would be to go to an agility match and see what is in the ring…or go to a competitive obedience class (e.g. not like PetSmart, but one that is designed to prepare dogs for competition titles.)

If you think you might like to show conformation, it’s worth looking at the point schedule to see whether it will be easy or hard to find competition in a particular breed…or look at dog show results to get a sense of how many are typically entered. You would have a lot more fun with a breed that tends to be owner-handled, and has medium numbers - meaning there is competition but not so much it will be impossible to win.

Example: This is Lima Kennel Club on a Saturday in Columbus, OH in November.
http://infodog.com/results/rslmap.htm?evno=2015093307&sdt=10/30/15&edt=11/28/15

You can look at each breed to see how many were entered.

[Knubbsy]

One of the agility trainers in Maryland has a MinPin, he could jump the moon. Not stellar in strict obedience but I don’t know if that’s the breed or the individual.

[Hannahsmom]

For obedience and agility, a Papillion is a great choice. I also know several powderpuff Chinese Cresteds that do well. Cavalier King Spaniels.

[Where_sMyWhite]

You looking, for either agility or obedience to Q or High In Trial?

If you want to qualify and move up levels, the breed might be different than if you are looking at a top notch performer.

I’d also let any prospective breeders know what you plan on using their puppy for so they can match the appropriate puppy to your lifestyle and plans

[cowboymom]

Bostons (and other short nosed dogs) can overheat. My parents have one and she’s extremely athletic but will sometimes overheat, sometimes b/c of weather/environment and sometimes b/c of her activity level. Might look into it-it’s the only thing that keeps me from having a fleet of them b/c the ones I’ve met have all been fabulous.

I’d consider a rat terrier, they’re wonderful bright active dogs. And along your lines of Min Pin.

I have a small little dog, probably a chi/dachshund cross but she acts like a MinPin and looks like one. Her mother looked like a rat terrier; mine was the “runt” of the (accidental) litter to the point that she may have had a different father. Mine’s about 9 lbs, slick as a beetle, lap napper or trailrunner and extremely athletic, she can jump from the ground to the saddle with me and has run along with us on many rides, including a week long 100 mile pack trip through the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Because of her, the Min Pin or rat terrier comes immediately to mind for you.

[cowboymom]

Bostons (and other short nosed dogs) can overheat. My parents have one and she’s extremely athletic but will sometimes overheat, sometimes b/c of weather/environment and sometimes b/c of her activity level. Might look into it-it’s the only thing that keeps me from having a fleet of them b/c the ones I’ve met have all been fabulous.

I’d consider a rat terrier, they’re wonderful bright active dogs. And along your lines of Min Pin.

I have a small little dog, probably a chi/dachshund cross but she acts like a MinPin and looks like one. Her mother looked like a rat terrier; mine was the “runt” of the (accidental) litter to the point that she may have had a different father. Mine’s about 9 lbs, slick as a beetle, lap napper or trailrunner and extremely athletic, she can jump from the ground to the saddle with me and has run along with us on many rides, including a week long 100 mile pack trip through the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Because of her, the Min Pin or rat terrier comes immediately to mind for you.

[gloriginger]

Bostons are tough for agility. Terriers in general are a little more challenging given their desire to sniff and “independent” thinking. I knew a trainer with her own facility who had a lot of challenges with her Bostons, they would be a really challenging first dog.

Papillion’s love agility. Mini poodles also do well. Also would look at a Corgi, or a small sheltie.

[S1969]

Maybe also useful to rank order the attributes you are looking at. E.g.

Most important - <20lbs
Important - Athletic
Important - Low grooming needs
Less important - Low shedding
Least important - conformation prospect

That would be really different than if your #1 need was low shedding, and the size was negotiable.

[Marshfield]

[QUOTE=gloriginger;8460274]
Bostons are tough for agility. Terriers in general are a little more challenging given their desire to sniff and “independent” thinking. I knew a trainer with her own facility who had a lot of challenges with her Bostons, they would be a really challenging first dog.

Papillion’s love agility. Mini poodles also do well. Also would look at a Corgi, or a small sheltie.[/QUOTE]

^^^This. Most Min Pin’s and many other terrier types often lack a bit of the people please factor needed for agility. A miniature poodle kept in a short clip is likely to fit the bill. Sheltie might be more grooming than you want. My Pembrokes range from 23 to 26 pounds at competition weight and while well within the breed standard are a bit smaller than what it is often seen on the East Coast.

[dnv]

Thank everyone for replying. You mirrored my thoughts on the Boston being less athletic. The ones I’ve known have been super pets though.
I should add I will be new to competition, but not new to dogs.

S1969
great posts and much appreciated
priorities:
trainability/pet. ( I love manners) I do not enjoy barking or hyper in the house.
grooming (err lack for the need there of)
I’m thinking smaller but would consider breeds 20-30#
ability for either obedience or agility a plus.

Where my White,
as a newbie, my performance goals w/ be Q’s not high score.

[vxf111]

Poodle? Cocker?

[Houndhill]

I’ve known quite a few Bostons that are awesome athletes and stellar in Agility! A good friend who is a vet has had multiple MACH Bostons who are also breed champions. There are quite a few in this area who excell at Agility. In fact, there is an Agility Team of them called the “Flat Faced Flyers” who regularly win the best team award at agility trials.

I was surprised too at how athletic they can be. My friend used to bring them over and walk them with the wolfhounds, they were amazing! Hers were always in excellent condition, I’m sure that is a part of their success. So please don’t rule them out.

A Boston would tend to be easier to live with than a MinPin. MinPin would tend to be much more active and potentially barky.

Another breed to consider would be the Lowchen- the right size, a rare breed but some are absolutely stellar at obedience and agility. They have a nonshedding coat, have the hindquarters clipped for conformation but you could do whatever you wanted for obedience and agility.

The dog in “Hart to Hart” (dating myself here) was a Lowchen in a puppy clip, though never identified as such on the show.

If I were to get a small dog to do obedience and Agilty with, I would certainly consider a Lowchen. I have met a couple in person and am smitten. I even got to heel one once (who is an OTCH- extremely high level obedience), a MACH agility dog, and a TDX (tracking). He is 11 years old but acted like a puppy.

Google them, they are a very unappreciated breed IMO. I went as far as talking to some breeders, turns out they are not exorbitant in price as you might think from their rarity.

[Parrotnutz]

I love Lowchens but they are hard to find! I live with 2 Cavalier King Charles spaniels. They do shed, but they are wonderful agility dogs and are obedient. Cavaliers exist to please their “uprights”. Mine only bark when the doorbell rings, are not super high energy and love to just hang out with their humans.
I also have spent several years volunteering for Cavalier Rescue USA and believe it or not the last three years we have placed 600 nation wide each year, pure breds only, sigh. So if you don’t want a puppy you can even rescue an adult!

[Where_sMyWhite]

[QUOTE=gloriginger;8460274]
Terriers in general are a little more challenging given their desire to sniff and “independent” thinking.[/QUOTE]

FWIW, and not that I would recommend the breed as I think they may not be checkmarks for all you are looking for but my old trainer has the #1 Scottie in the country He has opinions but he also loves agility (and he has his MACH). So much of doing well is the individual as much as the breed…

[Houndhill]

[QUOTE=Parrotnutz;8460541]
I love Lowchens but they are hard to find! I live with 2 Cavalier King Charles spaniels. They do shed, but they are wonderful agility dogs and are obedient. Cavaliers exist to please their “uprights”. Mine only bark when the doorbell rings, are not super high energy and love to just hang out with their humans.
I also have spent several years volunteering for Cavalier Rescue USA and believe it or not the last three years we have placed 600 nation wide each year, pure breds only, sigh. So if you don’t want a puppy you can even rescue an adult![/QUOTE]

I love Cavaliers too, but the shedding…I also love terriers- the terrier I would pick for obedience and agility would be a Border Terrier, many excell at this and they are not quite as intense to live with as some other terriers.

With Lowchens, you would have to get on a list and might have to wait, but I actually do know of a couple of litters now, not sure whether they are all spoken for yet. I decided to wait awhile, current population is keeping me busy.

[Parrotnutz]

[QUOTE=Houndhill;8460611]
I love Cavaliers too, but the shedding…I also love terriers- the terrier I would pick for obedience and agility would be a Border Terrier, many excell at this and they are not quite as intense to live with as some other terriers.

With Lowchens, you would have to get on a list and might have to wait, but I actually do know of a couple of litters now, not sure whether they are all spoken for yet. I decided to wait awhile, current population is keeping me busy.[/QUOTE]

Are any of the litters within driving distance of NJ that may have an available dog? Curious minds want to know.
There is room at this inn!!

[hoopoe]

I think min poodle is a great choice. Many short faced breeds have respiratory problems and I would be concerned. That said Bostons are a very jolly bred for sure

a mutt from the pound might also be a happy find

[Casey09]

In my personal experience, most dogs either require a lot of grooming or they shed. Dogs with long hair (Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Maltese, Bichon, etc.) may not shed a lot, but their hair requires care to prevent matting. Short haired dogs often do not matt, but their hair sheds more so than dogs that grow a long coat. It is important to think about this and which quality is most important. If the lack of shedding is important, then it may be easiest to find a good groomer to help you as many breeds that don’t shed (or don’t shed as much) do need grooming. If minimal grooming is important, then it may be a trade off to have some shedding.

First of all, if you like Boston Terriers or Min Pins, then that may be a good fit for you. I think it is key to find a type of dog you enjoy first and foremost.
If you are still researching other breeds, then here are some breeds that jumped to my mind. Of course, I’d always recommend doing your own research and preferably meeting dogs of that breed or type before meeting an adorable puppy. It is also true that you may find a mixed breed.

Have you considered any of the following?
Affenpinscher, Italian Greyhound, Japanese Chin (they tend to have excellent manners), Manchester Terrier, Papillon, Rat Terrier, Schipperke.

[Donkaloosa]

Papillions are a big dog in a small body. Attainable, do well in obedience, rally and agility. I have a Collie and 2 Aussies. Hair, hair, hair. A few of the Aussie people were talking one night and I asked everyone what dog they would want if they couldn’t have their Aussies. Across the board, Papillion was the answer.