Re: the AKC breed comparisons - I used it extensively during my dog search. It was very useful to help me narrow my choices and ultimately led me to decide on the Welsh Terrier.
OP, you can search by breed name or group, or by characteristic such as smallest breeds, largest breeds, smartest breeds, best guard dogs, best dogs for apartment living, etc.
What is a shorty jack?
Some form of Jack Russell. I believe it should be the Russell Terrier but I doubt most Russell Terrier breeders use the term Shorty Jack.
Or charge $2,500 for them?!
Following this with great interest. Weāre going to be looking for something similar although the off-leash part isnāt as important for our needs (but would be appreciated).
OP - our short list so far is including the Rat Terrier and the Miniature Bull Terrier. Although Iāve had a āshortyā Jack in the past and these posts are bringing back fond memories.
And without health testing. LOL.
Back to the āthrowbackā question - Iāve seen two white or cream golden retrievers with a black patch on their face. Both were show-bred dogs that were given away to obedience folks. Is it that from a past breed characteristic or a mutation/trait that is being passed downā¦ I find it curious.
I also have the āodd duckā puppy in a litter of ācolliesā - not AKC registered - from a rescue. Her two siblings could pass off as purebred smooth collies. Mine - she has a more curved, high set tail, eye liner markings, and a black and tan coat color. She also had double dew claws behind. I just expect that a couple of generations back there was an oopsieā¦
No question or comment - just an interesting discussion.
No offer on dog breeds - have two mid-size dogs who wouldnāt fit the OPs bill.
I feel like Iāve been suggesting these critters left and right to folksā¦ but how about a Danish Swedish Farmdog? They look like Jack Russells but arenāt even actually terriers - theyāre Pinschers. Theyāre mild mannered little dogs, known for being peaceful with people and other pets. Theyāre trainable/like working and are always up for an adventure, but are also perfectly content to be a couch potato on days you want to lay low.
Here are the best descriptions Iāve found of the breed in English:
https://www.paradoxfamilydogs.com/whats-a-farmdog.html
http://www.lonestarfarmdogs.com/daniā¦-farmdogs.html
Theyāre a fairly rare breed in the US, but in spite of that thereās an impressive distribution of responsible breeders across the country: http://www.farmdogs.org/Puppies.htm
Edited to add that theyāre not a full AKC breed yet, but they are FSS and working their way up to full recognition.
Goldens with a black spot is a known genetic mutation (a somatic mutation). So not sure Iād call it a throwback. Itās an error in cell division.
As for dewclaws, I would agree that double dewclaws in a collie might be some kind of throwback, but it might also be a two sire litter. I think in areas where wandering, unaltered dogs are not uncommon, this probably happens more often than people realize. In purebred breeding sometimes it is done on purpose (especially, for example, if frozen semen is being used - it might be backed up with live cover of a different dogā¦figuring either sire would be desireable and/or some of each.) Breeders have to DNA test all the puppies to register them. My breeder friend had a āWhose Your Daddy Partyā for a reveal after friends laid bets on the dad of each pup. Was pretty fun. 
LazyPalaminoHunter: earlier in the thread someone else suggested the Danish Swedish Farm dog, which I had never heard of. They are very attractive, right size and more laid back than the terriers they resemble. But their energy level is still rated as high vs moderate. Website says "not good off leash as they chase rabbit, squirrel or even a cat they see from a distance. We regularly encounter these and coyotes, doves, deer at my barn, soā¦
apparently you didnāt read the whole website. They are health tested. And, only the breeding puppies are that expensive. However, Iāll agree they are expensive but if you read through the info you get a lot for your money. The two in our barn are fabulous little dogs (a shorty jack is a short jack Russell-these ones in particular are bred in Ireland).
I didnāt actually see a linkā¦just going off what pops up if you Google Shorty Jackā¦lots of overpriced and poorly bred dogs. Iāll take a look at the linkā¦$2500 is still a high price for a breeding quality puppy. Well really because you cant identify breeding quality at 8 weeks.
Ah, thanks. I wonder if a short-legged dog would work for the OP. She mentioned that she has stairs, so a longer-legged version such as the Parson Russell Terrier might be better suited. They do tend to be pretty high energy dogs though and can be barkers, plus are not particularly reliable off leash because they can get feisty and aggressive with other dogs. We thought about one for ourselves and for my relative who is currently searching for an appropriate dog but after talking to some professional handlers about them, we opted for something ācalmer.ā (As for my relative, she has decided on a small Golden Doodle.)
Boston? Cocker? Poodle (itās just hair! cut it anyway you like)
Not sure why the stairs need to rule out Corgis. Well bred and kept trim, they should be capable of stairs. The herding group tend to keep a closer eye on their people than terriers or hounds, as far as off leash goes. Starting young will help.
How soon are you wanting to add a dog? The more obscure the suggestion, the harder and longer it will take to find a pup.
***UPDATE: Top Aussie breeder has a young adult, smaller/milder than standard that might be a good match for me and needs rehoming. I will visit in a few weeks. I do appreciate all the suggestions and hope I havenāt come across as too negative on some breeds. I LOVE all dogs, but if anything Iām fearful of not providing a good enough situation for some that are considered high drive. I donāt want to follow an impulse and have the dog or myself be miserable. Iām also trying to avoid breeds with known behavioral or health issues (Cockers, Shelties, Cav Spaniels, Frenchies, Bostons). I know there are lots of healthy subjects in these breeds too, but Iām trying to mitigate risk. However, re-homing an adult might be an opportunityā¦
Squeee! Hope it goes well. One of my PWDās besties is a little Aussie and heās delightful. Hope heās the right guy!
And for what itās worth, I donāt think you came across as negative at all. Seemed like you enjoyed the variety of opinions (like I do) and surely everyone gets that not every dog is right for every person.
Donāt forget to update us.
I agree; I donāt think you came off as negative.
I think to mitigate risk - a young adult is a great option. All puppies are adorable but then they grow into their adult self and not everyone likes what it is (and usually through no fault of the dog but just lack of understanding of breed traits.) So a young adult will be much easier to really know what you would be getting and make your decisions based on the known instead of the unknown.
Canāt wait to hear how it goes!
I definitely donāt think you came off as negative and I was super happy that you asked your question. Looking for specific traits is understandable.
Iāve decided what I would really, really like is a miniature Chinook - except they donāt come in miniatures. Sounds like exactly what I want but 30 lbs bigger.
Best of luck with your new pup!! Pictures are mandatory
I will circle back and post what happens with the Aussie. I provided the breeder full disclosure of my day-to-day routine and past dog experience (Poodle, Bull Terrier, Shiba). At very least, I will learn a lot about the breed from a pro, and my search might continue. At best, I will come home with a new best friend and vice versaā¦and include pix
Sounds like a real opportunity ā¦ for all involved !
Perhaps a try-out with the Aussie ā¦for a weekend to see if your life activities match with the dogās energy level.
Good Luck !!
Aussies are wonderful !!! IMHO
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