I want a happy-go-lucky dog. What kind of breed should I look for?

[frorider6]

My ideal dog:

30-50 lbs
sturdy (able to run with me and go for hikes)
GREAT with kids and other dogs
reasonable intelligence. (no dumbass dogs)
shortish hair preferably light in color

What kind of breeds should I look for. A lab fits most of these criteria but is too big and a bit too hyper (at least the ones I've seen).

 

[Mickey Knox]

Collie's are happy go lucky.

 

[frorider6]

Collie's are happy go lucky.

Too big. Too hairy. And in my opinion, too dumb.



No soup for you. NEXT!

Kidding, thanks for the input.

 

[bigschweeler]

Collie's are happy go lucky.

Great dogs too, but lots of hair and I would imagine shedding around the house.

A good site to reference is www.akc.org for information on all of the breeds. A lab fits most of your criteria except the weight one.

How about a Brittany?

http://www.akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/brittany.cfm

 

[Mickey Knox]

I didnt see the thing about the short hair.. oh well. Other than the hair thing the collie fits your critieria perfectly.

 

[amaritto]

Jack Russel Terrier

English Bulldog

Strafordshire Terrier (sp.)

 

[HappyScrappy]

female lab.

the afghan hound is the dumbest dog of all time - but as a result they are blissfully happy all the time.
but they also walk into walls and trip a lot.

 

[danielson]

female lab.

the afghan hound is the dumbest dog of all time - but as a result they are blissfully happy all the time.
but they also walk into walls and trip a lot.

yup, lab wins hands down. ive never seen a violent lab. ever. always peaceful, very down to earth dogs. i dont like the look of them as personally, a blonde dog scares me somewhat, but they are probably what you're looking for.

unlike the f-ing huge alsatian guard dog i had outside my house which is currently laying fecal shaped field mines in the garden and scaring the shit out of anything with a heartbeat within a 12 mile vacinity


a smaller dog good at this type of shit might be a collie

jack russels are fucking insane. i should know, my dog is a X-breed of one

 

[frorider6]

Whatever breed I get, it'll be a female and almost certainly adopted from the pound. A Lab will be a big priority in looking for a good mix. But I'm pretty adamant about the size thing. I don't want a big dog dropping shit mines all over the yard.

 

[decem]

boxer

females 45-60lb
males 50-75lbs

these dogs have the absolute best personality ever..

no "killer instinct" and no reason to ever worry about them with your kids..

not annoying at all.. i.e. jack russell

available in brindle, reverse brindle, fawn, white short hair

athletic as hell..

not the smartest dog.. but capable of learning enough tricks to keep them fun..