I have read a couple dozen or so of the dog books from my local library, have read breed descriptions from many online sources, as well as taken several dog breed tests, and interacted with actual dogs of different breeds. Although I have learned a lot from these sources and experiences, I am still very confused about which dog breeds I would do best with. I am not looking for references to dog related sites (I have practically dissected dogbreedinfo.com in my search for information) or dog breed tests (I have taken about five or six of them), I am interested to hear from actual people who have worked with, owned, or had extensive interaction with many different dog breeds about which dog breeds they feel I am best suited for in regard to the criteria I have listed:
I am looking for a dog that enjoys exercising and is active and alert, but not to the point of being constantly on the move or hyperactive. For example, I’d like a dog that has the stamina and energy to go on hikes and swims, but I also want a dog that can chill out in the evening and lie around the house peacefully. I can take the dog on two mile-long walks each day, occasional swimming, and playing fetch once a day. I also have a large, secure fenced yard for the dog to romp around in when I am not home. The dogs will have access to water (only under supervision, of course), so dog breeds that like to and are capable of swimming are preferred.
I’d like a very low-maintenance dog in terms of grooming. I do not mind brushing once or twice a week, but I do not want a dog that requires clipping, trimming, hand-stripping, or anything fancy. Also, I do not want dogs that require frequent bathing; I would like a dog that requires bathing no more frequently than every two or three months. I like soft or curly coats that are either short or medium in length, but I do not want a dog with a very long, corded, or coarse coat. I’d like the dog to be an affectionate breed, wanting to be with their humans, not aloof or keeping solely to themselves.
The dog doesn’t have to be an obedience trial superstar, but I’d like them to be fairly bright and easy to train, although I can put up with a mildly stubborn dog or a dog who’s a slightly slower learner. I would not, however, feel comfortable with a very strong-willed, inattentive, or highly stubborn dog. I’d like a dog between 25 and 100 pounds ideally (very small dogs and very big dogs frighten me).
I am looking for a very loyal and protective dog who is both physically and mentally capable of defending me and will stop unwelcome intruders. However, I’d also like a dog who I am able to teach, through socialization and common sense, the difference between a friendly visitor and a bad guy who needs to be apprehended. Also, the dog must be tolerant of other dogs living in the same household.
Those are the main requirements, thank you for taking the time to read and for any information you can provide.
