Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
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| 08/19/2009 8:29 AM |
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My parents are looking to get a dog. They currently have a French Bulldog who isnt doing very well.
They want a dog thats about 50lbs, somewhat higher energy, but not as high as a GSP. They've had Goldens, Labradors, and a Husky in the past. They would prefer short hair, (like a GSP). My mom hikes almost every day. So, she is looking for a dog that can come with her in all types of weather. I was thinking some sort of Spaniel? She doesnt like Brittanys or ESS's. She def wants a purebred.
Any suggestions? She is looking to adopt, not buy. |
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Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
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auwallace
Mobile, AL
MH
Posts:235
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| 08/19/2009 9:13 AM |
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| i really don't think lola is that high energy compared to some. but maybe i just keep her occupied. maybe a vizsla, or american foxhound? An english setter would be nice but their hair is kind of long. |
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Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
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| 08/19/2009 9:30 AM |
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Posted By auwallace on 08/19/2009 9:13 AM
i really don't think lola is that high energy compared to some. but maybe i just keep her occupied. maybe a vizsla, or american foxhound? An english setter would be nice but their hair is kind of long.
The energy isnt the issue with a Brittany, they just dont like the look of the dog 
A Vizsla would be the same, if not more, energy than Leena I think.
I didnt think about an ES! I'll have to see what they think of them.
I am trying to convince them to adopt an adult GSP.  I also came across a GWP rescue in Maryland that has quite a few dogs. |
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Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
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auwallace
Mobile, AL
MH
Posts:235
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| 08/19/2009 9:35 AM |
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| i was speaking for lola, not my brittany. actually i think brittany's are probably more high energy than shorthairs based on my experiences. I think setters are generally calmer than GSP's but all dogs are different so you never know. |
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Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
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| 08/19/2009 9:41 AM |
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Posted By auwallace on 08/19/2009 9:35 AM
i was speaking for lola, not my brittany. actually i think brittany's are probably more high energy than shorthairs based on my experiences. I think setters are generally calmer than GSP's but all dogs are different so you never know.
Yes, I know you were lol I would think Brittanys are less energy than a GSP? I've never owned one though.
I def think Setters are calmer than GSP's or Brittanys. Obviously, it depends on the individual dog. I think that one from show lines would be even calmer than a field bred one. |
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Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
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scmeg72
Currently Myrtle Beach SC, soon to be Annapolis, MD
Posts:40
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| 08/19/2009 10:51 AM |
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| Boykin Spaniels are soooo sooo super cute and a great size. They have energy, but aren't crazy hyper. Plus they have the most wonderful curly coat that doesnt shed. I WILL have a boykin one day, everyone I have ever met has been fabulous! |
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Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
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| 08/19/2009 10:53 AM |
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I read a book about a family that bred Boykins in SC. It made me want to go out and get one!
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?r=1&ISBN=9780060837013&ourl=Sweetwater%2DCreek%2FAnne%2DRivers%2DSiddons |
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Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:7926
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| 08/19/2009 11:09 AM |
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If you are looking for a shorthair dog I am not sure they would like an ES. ESs require grooming probably daily, but at least weekly to keep their coat in good shape. They are definitely calmer than many GSPs. If you are really interested in ESs I have a friend who has Llewelyn's (hunting lines with a coat that I thing would be allot easier to care for than the show lines) and I would be more than happy to put you in touch with her. She has both young dogs and some older dogs too. She just took in quite a few from another kennel that was shutting down and she is looking to place some of them. Just PM me if you are interested.
I would think you could find a shorthair from a calmer line that would fit the bill. All of mine are from field lines and show lines. My oldest girl comes from a long line of NAVDHA and NSTRA and field dogs and is very very calm and sweet. So I wouldn't necessarily rule out the field lines. You just have to ask the breeders when you talk to them.
The springers I have been around are pretty hyper so again ask the breeder. Brittany's are also high energy. I think you will find most hunting breeds are high energy dogs. Have you looked at the curly coated retrievers. I only know of one in Texas, but he is a beautiful dog and is very laid back. I don't know much about the breed other than that one dog though. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4476
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| 08/19/2009 11:27 AM |
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| You said they are looking to adopt. Will they want a dog about a year or older? If yes, they will have a good idea of the temperment of the dog. Just pick a breed you like and call a rescue. |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
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| 08/19/2009 11:32 AM |
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We have quite a few rescue's around here and have fostered for most of them. I have some contacts with ES and EP rescue. I just wanted some feedback about some other breeds that maybe I wasnt aware of.  |
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Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2387
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| 08/19/2009 11:32 AM |
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If they are looking to adopt, I'd check with the GSP rescue, they often get calmer ones (2-4 years old) and at any rate, the dogs are fostered prior to adoption so they can tell you what you will get.
There are none listed for SC at this moment but they will pop up...I find this site very clear in the description of the individual dogs and their needs.
www.segsprescue.org/GA/index.html |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
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| 08/19/2009 12:11 PM |
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Years and years before I got Leena, we had looked at getting a GSP for a family pet. It seemed that all the ones we looked out were very aloof with us. Leena is the same way-she could really care less about strangers/people she doesnt know. It made it more difficult to find one that we liked, and thats really why we never got one back than.
We have fostered a few EP's and really like them. That may be what they end up going with. We have two GSP, one EP, two ES, and a GWP rescue all near us. So, once they decide they do have a bit to pick from considering that they dont have cats or young kids. |
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Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
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MelB
MH
Posts:1217
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| 08/19/2009 7:18 PM |
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cocker spaniels would be out, wayyyyyy lots of grooming plus they only go about 25 lbs. Springers can be hyper yes, but I've only had one, Sniper, who was! My others were all very mellow, laid back and a dream to train. Brittany's, every one I've ever met was hyper LOL.
What about a hound type dog? Some of the larger hounds, harriers, etc. are good dogs, although they can be quite stubborn on the training end. But does have the short hair, and the size they are seeking.
There are welsh spaniels, but I am not sure of hyperness, they do look very much like a springer though. There are Tibetan spaniels, but they have long hair, very good training temperament though.
There are Rhodesian Ridgebacks, but they are a bit larger than 50 lbs! Plott hounds,,again about the size of a Rhodesian though and not sure on dispositions.
what about a clumber spaniel, or a field spaniel? Less hair, clumbers aren't known for being hyper, not sure about the field though on that.
What about a boxer or a dobe? |
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TMerkler
Murfreesboro, TN
MH
Posts:217
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| 08/19/2009 7:25 PM |
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| OMG! Boxers are HYPER HYPER dogs.... I think they have springs in their legs. They jump and jump and jump. My daughter has boxers and even the oldest @ 7 y/o is still HYPER. Every boxer I have ever met were HYPER. |
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Terri (Dude's Mom 4ever)
Dude - GSP (RIP 2005)
Tyler - GSP
Charlie - GSP
Zeus - Pit-ador |
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MelB
MH
Posts:1217
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| 08/19/2009 8:26 PM |
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| LOL I haven't been around many young boxers, only older ones that were more settled. OK so cross a boxer off that list!!! |
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FrancisMcGee
Ann Arbor, MI
MH
Posts:114
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| 08/19/2009 9:31 PM |
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Elizabeth,
My first vote would be for an adopted, older GSP. I'm sure your folks associate the high activity level from their experience with Leena, who is just a puppy...kind of an unfair representation of the normal temperament of the breed (if adequately exercised, etc).
My second vote...drumroll please...would be a Basenji. Overall, they are pretty rare, but my best friend owns one. He's probably one of the coolest dogs I have ever been around. Short hair, cleans himself like a cat...always smells amazing. A lot of the info on them says they are difficult to train, but my friends dog completely contradicts that theory...and he actually rescued him from Africa when he was in the Peace Corp. They are not nearly as good-looking as our GSPs, but if you can get past the huge ears, I think they are kinda cute. |
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Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
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| 08/20/2009 5:26 AM |
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| Funny that you mention a Basenji. A friend of ours used to breed them! They are neat little dogs. There personality isnt quite what they are looking for though. |
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Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
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bruns333
Central Ohio
MH
Posts:383
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| 08/20/2009 5:57 AM |
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| What about sight hounds? Standard Schnauzer's (if you keep them cut short) Bull Terriers, Redbone Coonhound, or just a nice clam gsp. |
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Where temperament means performance
http://silverbulletshorthairs.com/
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=721 R.I.P Trego 6-1-03 to 10-13-10
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=941
http://www.perfectpedigrees.com/4genview.php?id=3626 |
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Kerplunk105
Bucks County, PA
MH
Posts:713
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| 08/20/2009 6:07 AM |
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I know they want a dog that can go off lead. Thats why Sighthounds are out. My mom had a BT when she was younger. They are a little too strong willed for them.
I sent them links to GSP and EP rescue. They were also looking at Blue Heeler/Brittany mixes that Brittany rescue has. |
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Elizabeth
Leena RIP 11/08-9/17/09
Bliss, the Labrador
Tegan, the Weim/Labrador
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TessaGA
Georgia
MH
Posts:2387
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| 08/20/2009 6:50 AM |
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I would think that Blue Heeler/Brittany can be pretty lively!
Since they want to adopt, I would just look at dogs available for the breeds they have it narrowed down to, there are always individual dogs out there that are calmer than others. |
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To live without dogs would mean accepting a form of blindness. [Thomas McGuane]
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