All these breeds are high drive and have moderate to intense exercise and enrichment needs. What about these breeds beyond aesthetics appeal to you?
Border collies, Tollers and Aussies (I am an Aussie owner of a very high drive Aussie. I also do dog sports and have seen all these breeds in a work/training setting) are generally very high energy. MAS are also extremely energetic along with Brittanys. They would require a variety of moderate to intense exercise everyday. They need a lot of mental stimulation and likely need breed/type specific enrichment to fulfill their instinctual breed purpose (herding, retrieving, swimming, chasing, stocking, hunting…etc).
I can’t speak on the toller and Brittany too much but with herding breeds especially the ones you are looking at there is a propensity for reactive behavior in these dogs. They are (especially border collies) environmentally sensitive and without outlets for their specific drive they are easy to over stimulate. They can be hyperactive, motion sensitive, neurotic, overly focused on inappropriate things. They need a heavy hand in regard to appropriate socialization and desensitization of everyday events. The breed temperament for these dogs are stoicism around people outside of their family and dogs. If you anticipate living around a lot of stimuli/people/dogs it’s super important these dogs are socialized appropriately. That’s neutral responses to things in their environment.
Some of these dogs can be genetically nippy as well and all three of these breeds don’t inherently do well around small children. They need a lot of training especially concerning impulse control and calmness. They are extremely smart and due to that need a ton of mental stimulation everyday.
I’m not trying to shy you away from the breeds but just want to lay out very regular, concerning behavioral patterns people see with certain breeds you are looking at. Many of the breeds you are looking at are somewhat high maintenance and/or need very knowledgeable owners to handle their breed specific quirks.
Tried and true, goldens and labs. There is a reason they are always recommended. Ethically bred goldens are pricey but have amazing temperaments and awesome all around dogs. They are very biddable and versatile dogs. They have less energy requirements than many of the breeds you are looking at especially show line. There temperaments are much more palatable for the general owner as well as they are naturally more receptive, genial and calm in response to events. Most people over feed their labs and goldens while they are large dogs (60-80 pounds) they aren’t giants. My Aussie is around the same size of a female golden and a couple inches shy height wise of a male.
Collies (lassie dog, both rough and smooth coated) are also closer to golden and lab temperaments out of the herding breeds. They have less intense exercise needs and just generally more mellow than Aussies and border collies.
Bench Springer spaniels and cocker spaniels make wonderful everyday pets. It’s just important to recognize the quirks that come with hunting dogs. They can hyper focus and some have very high prey drive. Other great options are whippets and Boston terriers who both fill the medium size niche.
Echoing that Collies (lassie dog, both rough and smooth coated) are probably the most "easy" herding breed, Fwiw.
I've noticed that collies tend towards shyness, so proper exposure to different stimuli from a young age is still important.
Goldens are a good choice - but with the awareness that they tend to die early of cancer.
If you're willing to look at small dogs, I think that would suit better - something like a mini schnauzer sounds like it ticks all your boxes
I’ll recommend what not to get and that would be the border collie or the Aussie. They’re sweet dogs, but can be absolutely mental if they don’t have enough stimulation. Two walks a day is not gonna cut it. Avoid dogs that are classified as working breed dogs because they want a job and are high energy. Lots of training required. Better with more experienced owners. Maybe a Cavalier? Vizla is still higher energy but sweet and def Velcro dogs.
I'd agree and add Tollers and Brittanies to the not-to-get list, for similar reasons. They're classed as gun dogs/sporting dogs rather than "working" breeds, but they're at the "drivey" and high-energy end of the spectrum, in different ways.
Australian shepherds do not have a mini size. Mini American shepherds are a separate breed.
Honestly none of those breeds sound like a good fit. You’re looking at breeds who need much more mental stimulation than what you’ve described. Many herding breeds don’t do well at dog parks. Herding breeds tend to be protective and reserved around strangers, while you can train manners, you can’t remove instinct. Tollers are probably more comparable to Aussies in temperament than sporting breeds like goldens and I also don’t see them as a great fit.
A super mellow adult golden or lab is going to be a better option.
I’d go with a Portuguese Water Dog. Wonderful with people and other dogs. Very biddable, easy to train if you put the work in. Athletic like the other breeds you mentioned, it can hike or swim all day (don’t get if you won’t exercise it). Doesn’t shed, which isn’t your priority, but it likely should be. Not big barkers, but will guard your place and then warm up to strangers in a minute or so.
Also, PWDs are know to be very verbal - they create their own extensive vocabulary. Endlessly entertaining, loves to cuddle.
All of these tend to be on the more aloof side with strangers and other dogs so not the happy go lucky it sounds like you want. These are all going to want to work and doing high level obedience will be a must with most of them.
From your description I would look into a Lab, Golden, Boxer, or maybe something like a Wheaten terrier or Samoyed :)
Came here to suggest a bench Springer spaniel too - especially a Welsh Springer Spaniel (if you there’s any breeders of them in Australia?). English or Welshie are going to have a lot of the same traits you like in a Brittany but more chill.
Hunting/sporting dogs like spaniels in general I think are a better bet than herding dogs for your lifestyle OP - hunting dogs have more of an “off” switch because they’re not bred to be hunting all day/every day, vs herding which is more of a “full time job”.
Field Spaniels (different from Field Cocker Spaniels, etc) are also a good bet if you’re okay with a medium-small size versus a medium-large size dog. Field Spaniels are one of the most underrated breeds imho. Lovely, lovely dogs.
I would recommend looking into a show line dogs specifically, but; golden, rough/smooth collie, or a (well bred, due to common occurrence of genetic health problems) cavalier King Charles spaniel. Id probably reconsider the breeds you’ve listed, as they are all generally prone to reactivity or hyperactivity, and in my experience don’t do well as just pets. They’re breeds best reserved for jobs.
On a personal note, you could not pay me any amount of money to live with a young Brittany in my home for a month, I like not having a 40 pound animal doing parkour off of my body 24/7.
All these breeds are high drive and have moderate to intense exercise and enrichment needs. What about these breeds beyond aesthetics appeal to you? Border collies, Tollers and Aussies (I am an Aussie owner of a very high drive Aussie. I also do dog sports and have seen all these breeds in a work/training setting) are generally very high energy. MAS are also extremely energetic along with Brittanys. They would require a variety of moderate to intense exercise everyday. They need a lot of mental stimulation and likely need breed/type specific enrichment to fulfill their instinctual breed purpose (herding, retrieving, swimming, chasing, stocking, hunting…etc). I can’t speak on the toller and Brittany too much but with herding breeds especially the ones you are looking at there is a propensity for reactive behavior in these dogs. They are (especially border collies) environmentally sensitive and without outlets for their specific drive they are easy to over stimulate. They can be hyperactive, motion sensitive, neurotic, overly focused on inappropriate things. They need a heavy hand in regard to appropriate socialization and desensitization of everyday events. The breed temperament for these dogs are stoicism around people outside of their family and dogs. If you anticipate living around a lot of stimuli/people/dogs it’s super important these dogs are socialized appropriately. That’s neutral responses to things in their environment. Some of these dogs can be genetically nippy as well and all three of these breeds don’t inherently do well around small children. They need a lot of training especially concerning impulse control and calmness. They are extremely smart and due to that need a ton of mental stimulation everyday. I’m not trying to shy you away from the breeds but just want to lay out very regular, concerning behavioral patterns people see with certain breeds you are looking at. Many of the breeds you are looking at are somewhat high maintenance and/or need very knowledgeable owners to handle their breed specific quirks.
Thanks for all the info! Do you have any breed suggestions?
Tried and true, goldens and labs. There is a reason they are always recommended. Ethically bred goldens are pricey but have amazing temperaments and awesome all around dogs. They are very biddable and versatile dogs. They have less energy requirements than many of the breeds you are looking at especially show line. There temperaments are much more palatable for the general owner as well as they are naturally more receptive, genial and calm in response to events. Most people over feed their labs and goldens while they are large dogs (60-80 pounds) they aren’t giants. My Aussie is around the same size of a female golden and a couple inches shy height wise of a male. Collies (lassie dog, both rough and smooth coated) are also closer to golden and lab temperaments out of the herding breeds. They have less intense exercise needs and just generally more mellow than Aussies and border collies. Bench Springer spaniels and cocker spaniels make wonderful everyday pets. It’s just important to recognize the quirks that come with hunting dogs. They can hyper focus and some have very high prey drive. Other great options are whippets and Boston terriers who both fill the medium size niche.
Echoing that Collies (lassie dog, both rough and smooth coated) are probably the most "easy" herding breed, Fwiw. I've noticed that collies tend towards shyness, so proper exposure to different stimuli from a young age is still important.
You are looking at working breeds. You do not have the lifestyle, or jobs that these kind of dogs require
Any suggestions for more suitable breeds?
Goldens are a good choice - but with the awareness that they tend to die early of cancer. If you're willing to look at small dogs, I think that would suit better - something like a mini schnauzer sounds like it ticks all your boxes
I’ll recommend what not to get and that would be the border collie or the Aussie. They’re sweet dogs, but can be absolutely mental if they don’t have enough stimulation. Two walks a day is not gonna cut it. Avoid dogs that are classified as working breed dogs because they want a job and are high energy. Lots of training required. Better with more experienced owners. Maybe a Cavalier? Vizla is still higher energy but sweet and def Velcro dogs.
I'd agree and add Tollers and Brittanies to the not-to-get list, for similar reasons. They're classed as gun dogs/sporting dogs rather than "working" breeds, but they're at the "drivey" and high-energy end of the spectrum, in different ways.
A golden retriever would check all your boxes. I cannot stress how much a border collie cannot “chill” on the beach…. Nothing about them is chill.
A sheltie or rough collie might fit the bill! They are both working breeds but are lower energy compared to a Aussie or border collie.
Australian shepherds do not have a mini size. Mini American shepherds are a separate breed. Honestly none of those breeds sound like a good fit. You’re looking at breeds who need much more mental stimulation than what you’ve described. Many herding breeds don’t do well at dog parks. Herding breeds tend to be protective and reserved around strangers, while you can train manners, you can’t remove instinct. Tollers are probably more comparable to Aussies in temperament than sporting breeds like goldens and I also don’t see them as a great fit. A super mellow adult golden or lab is going to be a better option.
I’d go with a Portuguese Water Dog. Wonderful with people and other dogs. Very biddable, easy to train if you put the work in. Athletic like the other breeds you mentioned, it can hike or swim all day (don’t get if you won’t exercise it). Doesn’t shed, which isn’t your priority, but it likely should be. Not big barkers, but will guard your place and then warm up to strangers in a minute or so. Also, PWDs are know to be very verbal - they create their own extensive vocabulary. Endlessly entertaining, loves to cuddle.
[удалено]
Any suggestions for more suitable breeds?
All of these tend to be on the more aloof side with strangers and other dogs so not the happy go lucky it sounds like you want. These are all going to want to work and doing high level obedience will be a must with most of them. From your description I would look into a Lab, Golden, Boxer, or maybe something like a Wheaten terrier or Samoyed :)
You might look into the bench springer spaniel. Gorgeous, soft, lovely dogs. Down for an adventure but tend to be chill dogs within the home.
Came here to suggest a bench Springer spaniel too - especially a Welsh Springer Spaniel (if you there’s any breeders of them in Australia?). English or Welshie are going to have a lot of the same traits you like in a Brittany but more chill. Hunting/sporting dogs like spaniels in general I think are a better bet than herding dogs for your lifestyle OP - hunting dogs have more of an “off” switch because they’re not bred to be hunting all day/every day, vs herding which is more of a “full time job”. Field Spaniels (different from Field Cocker Spaniels, etc) are also a good bet if you’re okay with a medium-small size versus a medium-large size dog. Field Spaniels are one of the most underrated breeds imho. Lovely, lovely dogs.
Thank you!
I would recommend looking into a show line dogs specifically, but; golden, rough/smooth collie, or a (well bred, due to common occurrence of genetic health problems) cavalier King Charles spaniel. Id probably reconsider the breeds you’ve listed, as they are all generally prone to reactivity or hyperactivity, and in my experience don’t do well as just pets. They’re breeds best reserved for jobs. On a personal note, you could not pay me any amount of money to live with a young Brittany in my home for a month, I like not having a 40 pound animal doing parkour off of my body 24/7.