Puppy Application Rejected by Two Kennels

[Bicoastal]

[QUOTE=cowboymom;7455472]
There ya go! Track down that breeder that 5chestnut’s sister found![/QUOTE]

Hey 5chestnuts…:winkgrin:

@tarheelmd07;7458887

I would also consider a border collie

:lol: the dark side! In a way, I feel like getting a BC is selling out. <zipping up flame suit> And probably THE most competitive breed in dog sports. A small blue merle would turn my head.

@D_BaldStockings;7459922

You might want to think about a Silken Windhound, not AKC but currently UKC and double registered with ISWS.

I’d consider this. Right size & height, right grooming. Temperament is the big challenge with sighthounds. See bottom of my post.

[QUOTE=threedogpack;7458793]
4. I know I harp on this but while exercise is important, too much can be a bad thing…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95hDARZhSac&feature=em-subs_digest[/QUOTE]
:eek: THAT IS A TRASH BAG over the handler’s torso so she can’t use her arms! :eek:

I’ve been thinking about all the “exercise!!” Doesn’t COTH also say if you lunge your OTTB for an hour before every ride to calm him down, you’ll have to increase that to 1.5hr, then 2hr, etc as his fitness increases? Straight up running the dog is good for fitness, not necessarily calmness. The dog will just get fitter.

[QUOTE=Foxtrot’s;7459333]
But I just have to put a word in for Greyhounds (since others have suggested them).[/QUOTE]

Greyhounds have been recommended several times. I like them for first-time dog owners, not sports, for all the wonderful traits that have been listed. I’ve never met any with much willingness to please or work. This is the only person I can think of trialing Greys. For the first time, she bought a puppy and is fighting the battle of too little drive. (She usually adopts adults with insane food & toy drive.)

There are a few whippets in my OB community. I love their size, their sweet soft temperaments, their love of snuggling. They look so unhappy training or trialing. Seems like a square peg…

[suz]

it’s really too dang bad you must have an akc breed to compete.
mutts are so plentiful and so many would shine at agility.

my little Sabrina would have been so great–biddable, eager and FAST>
she is a mutt----probably an aussie breed mixed with a northern breed.
think 35 lbs, blue merle, long hair and very smart and independent.

sadly she had an old hip injury which precluded us participating.
good luck, op, I trust the perfect dog is on her/his way to you as we speak.

[D_BaldStockings]

OP,
I am PMing you the site of a person who does obedience and agility w/her Silken windhounds.
She may be able to help with puppy evaluation or recommend another breeder.

Also may discuss with you the varying temperaments within the breed as to drive and how that may work with your preference of dog.

Silkens are generally not dog or people aggressive nor barky. They are often very long lived and health testing/disclosure has been a priority for all possible genetic problems in the breeding stock.
They are in several European countries and Japan as well.

[HorsePrerace]

[QUOTE=scruffy the cat;7455577]
Collie folks- just take a look at the cover of this month’s Clean Run magazine.
https://www.cleanrun.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=feature.display&feature_id=6[/QUOTE]

Thx for posting scruffy the cat

[threedogpack]

@Bicoastal;7462225

:eek: THAT IS A TRASH BAG over the handler’s torso so she can’t use her arms! :eek:

don’t know what the handler is wearing, but that’s some superb handling and training on that dog.

[Bluey]

[QUOTE=threedogpack;7463177]
don’t know what the handler is wearing, but that’s some superb handling and training on that dog.[/QUOTE]

Yes, that is the way we train in our dog club, because once the dogs are really up to speed, humans just can’t stay with them thru the whole course, you have to direct from certain spots only and that is best done with your body.

There is this one lady with just one leg that has a sheltie and they do wonderfully with the dog directed from far away, with her on crutches or in a wheelchair lately.

The dog in the video has some awesome weave poles entrance, even from a difficult position coming to them there, never misses a beat.

[WorkingDrive]

OP, I sent you a PM about a Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael) breeder here in Georgia who produces worldly dogs: conformation, agility, obedience, some service dogs, etc. I know you were looking at Tervuren originally, but trust me, these dogs and this breeder is worth looking at.

[Bicoastal]

[QUOTE=WorkingDrive;7466151]
OP, I sent you a PM about a Belgian Shepherd (Groenendael) breeder here in Georgia who produces worldly dogs: conformation, agility, obedience, some service dogs, etc. I know you were looking at Tervuren originally, but trust me, these dogs and this breeder is worth looking at.[/QUOTE]

Thank you! I checked out her website and loved many statements on her homepage. Doesn’t look like the site is updated. I am happy to reach out to her if you believe she is open to that.

[Hannahsmom]

So your club uses the one mind handling system? Haven’t seen much of that yet myself.

[Hannahsmom]

[QUOTE=Bluey;7463190]
Yes, that is the way we train in our dog club, because once the dogs are really up to speed, humans just can’t stay with them thru the whole course, you have to direct from certain spots only and that is best done with your body.

There is this one lady with just one leg that has a sheltie and they do wonderfully with the dog directed from far away, with her on crutches or in a wheelchair lately.

The dog in the video has some awesome weave poles entrance, even from a difficult position coming to them there, never misses a beat.[/QUOTE]

so your club uses the one mind handling system? I’m interested to hear more about this system.

[WorkingDrive]

[QUOTE=Bicoastal;7466560]
Thank you! I checked out her website and loved many statements on her homepage. Doesn’t look like the site is updated. I am happy to reach out to her if you believe she is open to that.[/QUOTE]

I don’t know her personally. I’ve only met her in town when visiting and was introduced to her beautiful (and smart!) dogs. She just had a litter in November of last year. (II litter) (Sans Branco Belgians)

[Donkaloosa]

I was thinking greyhound, too. They are couch potatoes of the first degree! They are a good size. They can do anything you want to teach them.

I have to second Halo’s comments about Himark shelties — they are wonderful dogs! I don’t have one but would love to get one in the future — but I know several people who do have them. Smart, trainable, cute as can be, and they aren’t barky.

I have a Rough Collie and 2 Aussies. The Collie is quiet, trainable, and sweet. One Aussie is a velcro dog, very trainable and quiet. The other Aussie is more rambunctious, but very sweet and trainable.

Hairy breeds, of course, mean you will have a hairy household!

[LauraKY]

[QUOTE=Donkaloosa;7508705]
I was thinking greyhound, too. They are couch potatoes of the first degree! They are a good size. They can do anything you want to teach them.

I have to second Halo’s comments about Himark shelties — they are wonderful dogs! I don’t have one but would love to get one in the future — but I know several people who do have them. Smart, trainable, cute as can be, and they aren’t barky.

I have a Rough Collie and 2 Aussies. The Collie is quiet, trainable, and sweet. One Aussie is a velcro dog, very trainable and quiet. The other Aussie is more rambunctious, but very sweet and trainable.

Hairy breeds, of course, mean you will have a hairy household![/QUOTE]

Ahh, but there is always the smooth coat collie.

[LauraKY]

[QUOTE=Donkaloosa;7508705]
I was thinking greyhound, too. They are couch potatoes of the first degree! They are a good size. They can do anything you want to teach them.

I have to second Halo’s comments about Himark shelties — they are wonderful dogs! I don’t have one but would love to get one in the future — but I know several people who do have them. Smart, trainable, cute as can be, and they aren’t barky.

I have a Rough Collie and 2 Aussies. The Collie is quiet, trainable, and sweet. One Aussie is a velcro dog, very trainable and quiet. The other Aussie is more rambunctious, but very sweet and trainable.

Hairy breeds, of course, mean you will have a hairy household![/QUOTE]

Ahh, but there is always the smooth coat collie.

[Bicoastal]

My thread got resurrected!

It sounds like I need to contact breeders one year out instead of two, so that means wait a year. I want a young adult not a puppy so I’m not really looking to get on the puppy waitlist.

I joined Belg-L and did searches for “exercise” but can’t find how much/what kind of exercise and enrichment the dogs require.

I just got back from AKC National Ob & Rally Invitational and Agility Champs.

I saw Border Collie, Border Collie, Border Collie, Border Collie, Sheltie, Sheltie, Sheltie, Pap, Pap, Pap, Golden, Golden, etc. Actually, I saw several Tervs in agility and a couple Belgian Sheepdogs! :yes:

I only know one Smooth Collie. He is larger/heavier than the Belgians. Shelties fit the bill in many areas though I would still be bending.

Greyhounds rarely have the right temperament. I kinda like Whippets but 95% of them look they are beaten.

[Marshfield]

In some ways, getting a young adult from a breeder may actually be even tougher than getting a puppy. I know one breeder who places some of the boys she finishes, the girls stay. And you’re focusing on a performance prospect, so adult wise you need something whose original placement failed but is still suitable for performance or a conformation titled male that the breeder doesn’t want to use for breeding that has the right mind for performance–but who may very well have missed out on foundation work.

If you really want to look towards agility, I would suggest a puppy. Torri is 18 weeks old and while she doesn’t jump, she has been learning foundation skills since 5 weeks of age when we started with clicker and tug. Her mom and grandmom go to class, Torri watches and my instructor keeps giving me homework for her.

[scruffy_the_cat]

Both the Terv standard and the collie standard says males should be 24" - 26" at the withers. In general the breeds are of comparable size with bitches being a fair bit smaller and lighter. Of course there are outliers. My herding instructor’s Terv boy is 80 lbs and my 2 smooth collies are 65 and a fair bit smaller. I am familiar with the some of the Tervs at Waldenmark Belgians and her boys are bigger than my collies.

That being said, I’m not encouraging you to look at smooth collies. It’s clear you want a Terv. But I don’t want misconceptions about the breed either.

[BabyGreen]

[QUOTE=Bicoastal;7449049]
Thank you for saying I have many positives. I’m crying re-reading this thread, feeling my hopes dashed by circumstances. Dog sports has replaced horses. Horses were my identity, career, social life, etc.

This past weekend:
Friday after work
7 - 11:30 din (dog in car),volunteer at ag class (dog in crate), private ag lesson

Saturday
8 - 10am hike on & off leash
10 - 12:30 shop with dog friend for another dog friend’s shower
3:30 - 11pm carpool with dog friends to run thru

Sunday
9 - 9:30am walk
10:30 - 4 drive to then participate in OB seminar
7:30 - 11pm din with dog friend then carpool to ag class

Monday
9hr work day + dr appt after work. Happens once a month.
11am dogwalker
2pm I drive home to walk and sniff around backyard
6:40pm return home and walk
9:30 - 10:30pm OB class

This coming weekend:
Fri
11am dr appt (not back. Melanoma post-op)
2 - 5pm drive to 200 acre farm in Charlottesville
5pm - Dinner frolic

Saturday
8am - compete in ag trial

Sunday - Mon
leashes will never be used: alternate frolic & rest

Tues
12 - 3pm drive home
7:20 - 8:30pm private ag lesson[/QUOTE]

I think your dog would be 99% happier than with anybody else. You would be a great mom. Go for it.

[Sswor]

[QUOTE=Arrows Endure;7453933]
ACD’s are heavy for their size usually. Mine is working bred, not show bred, and he’s 36 pounds and kind of tall an leggy. He can jump onto the counter from a standstill. Yes his is possessive and protective, and he taken a lot of training and management, but he is a rescue, no clue about his parents.

If I were looking to buy one, I’d be checking out parents and breeders looking friendly, open, and not possessive. I’ve met those kinds of ACD’s too.[/QUOTE]

Cross the ACD with a JRT and you have the perfect dog for the OP. I have one that never takes his eyes off me, would walk over hot coals for me, and does all sorts of light service dog duties–picking things up is a favorite (and most helpful), but he also closes doors. He’s 25lbs and 18" and he’s like a cat, jumps up on everything to be at eye level. He was a great agility dog until I ran out of time and the most obedient dog I have ever owned, a breeze and a joy to work with.

[Bicoastal]

[QUOTE=scruffy the cat;7510477]
But I don’t want misconceptions about the breed either.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the info, scruffy. Like I said, I only know one Smooth Collie.

To use a horse term, I like catty dogs. My long-bodied old man drives me bonkers with his lack of either awareness/control or sensitivity of his hind end (and he does disc work weekly)!

As for getting a young adult, my current competition partner was obtained around 7yo. Frankly, I’m too scared of the expectations put on performance puppies. I’d probably be terrified into paralysis.