I want to get another dog. Breed suggestions? Have a few in mind. Already have 3 other dogs. Please help :)?

Question

I have currently got 3 other dogs: Leah a 3 year old Afghan Hound, Zoe a 1 year old Dalmatian and Mia a 5 year old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
I have had all my dogs sinse they were 8 weeks old and I am very committed to each of their needs.
I have not shaved Leah's long coat at all, I am very committed to keeping it long. I groom all of my dogs frequently and walk them for 40 minutes in the morning, an hour in the afternoon (45 mins of that walk is off the leash at a park) and sometimes 20-40 minutes at night before bed time.
I am VERY active, I take all of my dogs to the beach when I have a day off on a nice day, I enjoy long walks (sometimes I walk for maybe 2 hours in the morning etc.).
I have trained all of my dogs very well. I have had no trouble with either dog escaping my property.. etc.

I would like to get another pup but wouldn't over rule any possibilities of getting a rescue dog.

Breed suggestions are great.

I would prefer a medium - large dog (but wouldn't say no to a small breed), must be an active breed, NO HAIRLESS DOGS the breed must be able to get along with 3 other different breeds, must be able to get along with 2 cats aged 5 and 7, a breed that would live indoors only (but have free access to the backyard during the day).

***BREEDS I DON'T WANT***
- Chihuahua - HAIRLESS BREEDS

Like I said, I would like to rescue a dog but I would like to be able to know the dog from when they were young.
I have rescued dogs before (Beagle age 7, Pointer x age 4, Pomeranian age 10, Border Collie age 8 - all now passed away) so don't think that I am not into rescue dogs.

I have considered a Labrador and have decided not to get one as my brother recently lost his Lab due to cancer and I would feel really bad if I got one after his just died.

I have thought about the Border Collie, Collie and Golden Retriever and they are definetly in my top 10 list :D

For any more information:

- I have a large house - not double story.
- Large backyard
- Experience with a lot of breeds
- Can handle dominating dogs
- Would NOT like a cough potato (LOL)
- Don't want a breed that is aggressive
- Can handle stubborn breeds (My Beagle was a real trouble maker)

Answer 1

I would think a Golden Retriever might be the right dog for your lifestyle..
As the breeds that you already have are independent, and can be quite stubborn, a Golden would likely be a joy to have and raise, and they usually get along well with others...
Check out this video, at bottom of page> http://www.gottadance.landofpuregold.com/

Answer 2

Your whole living situation really has a big bearing as to what type of pooch you should consider. Terriers and collies and those sorts of larger breeds need lots of room to run. If you are an active person and enjoy walking you would do well with that type of dog. Apartment dwellers are probably better off with a smaller dog. Then if your a couch potato go for a Basset hound or maybe a Pug. They like to eat and watch T.V. Most all dog's for some reason like to get their noses and snouts "pleached." This merely consists of grabbing and either lightly pulling or pinching their noses. They enjoy the playfulness and the smell of your hands. Pleaching is a wonderful bonding tool for both dog and owner. And you might find it as irresistable as the dog surely will, so do this often. "Keep on Pleaching." And don't over feed.

Answer 3

Well, I think you do wonders with the dogs that you have and you have a good activity level going on for all of them! I gotta give you props for making sure their needs are met as way so many simply don't do it.

Considering you maintain an active lifestyle, I'd think a Border Collie might fit nicely into your home. Okay, I have a 5 month BC puppy, so I'm a little biased here, but I am totally in love with the intelligence, that crouching stance they take when something catches their eye, and that oh so lovable nature.

Whatever you choose, I would say to stick with a dog that is in the size range of what you have so that he/she can keep up okay. A more active breed is probably a good idea too.

Good luck on choosing a new pup!

Answer 4

Since you already have an afghan, you must enjoy sighthounds. Why not consider rescuing a greyhound - they'e very laid back and almost all of them love the company of other dogs. Also, since you walk your dogs, you'd provide a great home for a greyhound. When you adopt, the rescue group is very careful to match the right dog to the right person, so you'd know your dog would get alng with your 3.

(By the way, as a former afghan breeder and exhibitor, I'm always thrilled when people look after their dog's gorgeous coats!)

Answer 5

I have owned Great Danes, a Golden Retriever mix, and a Saluki, plus I have known several Pit Bulls, so I'll give you my personal experience on these breeds, the other ones I don't know about as much, so I won't mention them. My Great Danes have been great dogs, they are lovable and so much fun, and when they get to about 2 years of age, they are calm and quiet and sleep a lot. My current Great Dane is 8 months, 32 inches and the shoulders, and close to 100 pounds, and she is completely wild and full of energy, with more training she would be less exuberant, but I like her this way :) I don't like Great Danes for the fact that they are unhealthy and have short life expectancies, my first Dane lived only to 4. My first dog was a Golden Retriever mix, he loved everyone, was a great family dog and got into little trouble, these are usually traits of most Goldens. He was moderately active and was happy with as much or as little exercise he got, if he got too little, he wouldn't drive you crazy. My Saluki is my newest addition, he is very independent, smart, and mischievous. He steals things all the time when you're not looking, papers, slippers, leashes, etc. He needs a lot of exercise, but not in the form of walking, they need to run free in a safe area. As a general rule they do not come back when off leash (even if they are trained to come, they frequently ignore the command if there are more interesting things to look at than you.) So they need a safe area that is large for them to run free. A minimum fence height of 5 feet (any lower and they jump it with ease, plus invisible fences do not work with Saluki) and a large area. If you don't have this, you'll have to find a place that fits these requirements. All the pit bulls I have known (I've known around 10) have been overly enthusiastic and very excitable and incredibly silly. I like them very much, but they are a little too "in your face" for my taste.

Answer 6

You might want a Labrador retriever. Usually they love people and are very active and I have an indoor yellow lab with access to the backyard at night and we walk him in the daytime and he does fine. Plus I think labs are incredibly easy to train since they are very smart dogs. All the labs I ever had always got along very well with other dogs too.

Answer 7

I would get a boxer.. I have 2 and they are very active dogs. seems like you love to take them for walks and i think boxers could keep up with your lifestyle.Boxer are very smart and can be taugh very easliy. Mine are just great loyal dogs and would never think about escaping the yard. The only downfall with those dogs are they are very loveable and think that they are lap dogs.. lol... but not really a problem if you don't mind them sitting in your lap every once in awhile. Hope this helps.. and also they are great wiht other animals and also kids big or small.

Answer 8

Since you have an active lifestyle and a commitment to training, almost any breed would fit well into your situation. You could probably provide the stimulation needed by a German Pointer, Belgian Teruvan, Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, or other high-energy breed.

Answer 9

I have a strange one that you might like. We have an American Eskimo. While she is a smaller breed of dog in general, there are several categories. Ours is a regular or "full size" Eskimo. They have tons of energy, love people and other dogs, love to be inside and outside, need some room to run, are highly trainable and great with children also. Our dog stands just above my knee in height and weighs in at around 40 lbs (of solid muscle). She is actually a little larger than what a standard is supposed to get.

American Eskimos are beautiful dogs with long white (and some light tan) coats. They do shed in warm weather. Average life span tends to be between 12 and 15 years.

Answer 10

A spaniel would be a good suggestion to your "pack" lol. A springer spaniel or cocker spaniel come to my mind. They generally are outgoing and get along great with other animals. Their energy level would be similar to the others as they were bred for hunting as well. Whatever you choose, good luck and have fun with your new pup!