Best dog breed for the 'outdoors'? (For new dog owner too)

Sorry for double posting, but I just met two dogs while walking earlier today and they were just the best haha. One was an English Setter and the other was an Irish Red & White Setter.

I was wondering if these dogs would make good apartment dogs (Along with Brittany's)? If taken out on walks, or hikes, regularly? Could they be relatively trained and housebroken easily? Do they deal with separation anxiety fairly well?

I've met a few english setters and irish setters but I haven't really worked with them. I'm leary of some gun dogs because they can be prone to being high strung and have anxiety issues. But in my experience that's more along the lines of weimaraner and pointers.

I have worked with some britanys and the ones I have met have been bouncing off the walls full of energy and a bit neurotic.

I don't know if these have been mentioned but australian shepherds might have what you are looking for. These are very smart dogs that will follow you to the ends of the earth. Lots of stamina, sturdy and willing to please.

If you want something with a shorter coat you could try cattle dogs. They are really tough smart dogs. I find them to not be quite as willing to please and aussies but still great dogs.

I know someone mentioned a standard poodle but I have to bring them up again. Don't let the silly hair cuts fool you, these are intelligent, willing to please and overall pleasant dogs that don't shed. They were originally bred as gun dogs and water retrievers.

Lastly if you are looking into setters, I would suggest a springer spaniel. They are great dogs IF you can find one from a good breeder. Popularity has taken it's toll on this breed. Allergies seem to be the most common ailment so beware. Otherwise they are hard working dogs that love to be outdoors and with their people.

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Originally Posted by HVani

I've met a few english setters and irish setters but I haven't really worked with them. I'm leary of some gun dogs because they can be prone to being high strung and have anxiety issues. But in my experience that's more along the lines of weimaraner and pointers.

I have worked with some britanys and the ones I have met have been bouncing off the walls full of energy and a bit neurotic.

I don't know if these have been mentioned but australian shepherds might have what you are looking for. These are very smart dogs that will follow you to the ends of the earth. Lots of stamina, sturdy and willing to please.

If you want something with a shorter coat you could try cattle dogs. They are really tough smart dogs. I find them to not be quite as willing to please and aussies but still great dogs.

I know someone mentioned a standard poodle but I have to bring them up again. Don't let the silly hair cuts fool you, these are intelligent, willing to please and overall pleasant dogs that don't shed. They were originally bred as gun dogs and water retrievers.

Lastly if you are looking into setters, I would suggest a springer spaniel. They are great dogs IF you can find one from a good breeder. Popularity has taken it's toll on this breed. Allergies seem to be the most common ailment so beware. Otherwise they are hard working dogs that love to be outdoors and with their people.

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Gotcha, guess it was just wishful thinking haha

I actually went to a shelter and saw an Aussie and an ACD. They were wonderful and I told some of the people my plan, and they said I'd pretty much regret getting one as they need a LOT of exercise and the two in the shelter got there because the owner had to go to work everyday and came home to a ripped up couch on multiple occasions since they didn't get their share of exercise that day.

For poodles, I don't mind getting a Standard poodle, however, just the ever growing hair is what'll get me haha. I'd rather not have to deal with a haircut (which was quoted to be around $80 around where I live) and the constant brushing. But I really am considering them an option, just have to meet more.

I was looking into Welsh Spring Spaniels, however, I'd like a bit bigger dog if possible haha. But still another viable option@

Thank you so much for your reply!

Haha yeah you'll see them in shelters for similar reasons. Personally I don't think they need much more exercise than most dogs. What they need (and people often fail to give them) is mental stimulation. These dogs are smart and love to learn. Looks like you are interested in obedience classes and an aussie would thrive in that environment.

For poodles I don't mind paying for grooming considering there is no hair in my house. If you keep them trimmed they don't need any brushing.

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Originally Posted by Pampho85

Gotcha, guess it was just wishful thinking haha

I actually went to a shelter and saw an Aussie and an ACD. They were wonderful and I told some of the people my plan, and they said I'd pretty much regret getting one as they need a LOT of exercise and the two in the shelter got there because the owner had to go to work everyday and came home to a ripped up couch on multiple occasions since they didn't get their share of exercise that day.

For poodles, I don't mind getting a Standard poodle, however, just the ever growing hair is what'll get me haha. I'd rather not have to deal with a haircut (which was quoted to be around $80 around where I live) and the constant brushing. But I really am considering them an option, just have to meet more.

I was looking into Welsh Spring Spaniels, however, I'd like a bit bigger dog if possible haha. But still another viable option@

Thank you so much for your reply!

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I think that it's important to take all of this advice with a grain of salt and a bit of perspective. Minus maybe teacup poodles and some other small "for show" dogs, all breeds were originally bred for some kind of work, whether in the field, farm or otherwise. With proper guidance and training, almost any dog can be trained to function in almost any capacity. Yes dog breeds are predisposed to certain traits, but that doesn't fully dictate their abilities, personality, or how they will act as adults. I've seen pit bulls that are great retrievers, and labs that are fully uninterested in retrieving anything.

It it more depends on the dogs own unique personality, you're training methods, and how you relate to the dog. All dogs have their champion traits, as well as heir shortcomings, and a lot of the time these are unpredictable. One of the best dogs I've ever owned was a mutt from a local shelter. She was the most intelligent, trainable, loving and healthy dog I have ever had. Point is, simply pinning down the "correct" breed doesn't guarantee you anything.

I would worry more about spending time with individual dogs in person and see who you bond with.

I totally agree with the above. Some of the best dogs I have ever had have been mutts. Dogs are not machines and even getting a puppy and raising it does not guarantee it will do everything you want it to.

I somehow ended up with a pure bred through a rescue. My cairn terrier is such an amazing dog. She's smart, loyal and active. And she's freaking bullet proof. Just a tough little dog. She's the kind of dog I know I could take hiking and camping if I wanted to. But I also know that not all cairns are like her. It's all in the individual.

I also want to add if you do decide on a certain breed, consider a rescue. Rescuing an adult dog is awesome. Most times they are out of their chewing stage, fully house broken and already use to the coming and going of living in a home. Dogs are not always given up due to bad behavior. Sometimes people move or have babies and the dog is given up then. I have been rescuing for years and it's very rewarding.

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Originally Posted by HVani

Haha yeah you'll see them in shelters for similar reasons. Personally I don't think they need much more exercise than most dogs. What they need (and people often fail to give them) is mental stimulation. These dogs are smart and love to learn. Looks like you are interested in obedience classes and an aussie would thrive in that environment.

For poodles I don't mind paying for grooming considering there is no hair in my house. If you keep them trimmed they don't need any brushing.

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Gotcha! What other kind of mental stimulation would be good for them?


How often do you trim them?

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Originally Posted by JoshSloane

I think that it's important to take all of this advice with a grain of salt and a bit of perspective. Minus maybe teacup poodles and some other small "for show" dogs, all breeds were originally bred for some kind of work, whether in the field, farm or otherwise. With proper guidance and training, almost any dog can be trained to function in almost any capacity. Yes dog breeds are predisposed to certain traits, but that doesn't fully dictate their abilities, personality, or how they will act as adults. I've seen pit bulls that are great retrievers, and labs that are fully uninterested in retrieving anything.

It it more depends on the dogs own unique personality, you're training methods, and how you relate to the dog. All dogs have their champion traits, as well as heir shortcomings, and a lot of the time these are unpredictable. One of the best dogs I've ever owned was a mutt from a local shelter. She was the most intelligent, trainable, loving and healthy dog I have ever had. Point is, simply pinning down the "correct" breed doesn't guarantee you anything.

I would worry more about spending time with individual dogs in person and see who you bond with.

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Gotcha! That's what I was trying to get at before on another forum, however they shut me off saying that dogs are the 'slaves' to their traits so to speak. And right now I've been visiting friends and the shelter to look for a dog that would better suite me as a person and that I would enjoy having.

Thanks for the post!

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Originally Posted by HVani

I totally agree with the above. Some of the best dogs I have ever had have been mutts. Dogs are not machines and even getting a puppy and raising it does not guarantee it will do everything you want it to.

I somehow ended up with a pure bred through a rescue. My cairn terrier is such an amazing dog. She's smart, loyal and active. And she's freaking bullet proof. Just a tough little dog. She's the kind of dog I know I could take hiking and camping if I wanted to. But I also know that not all cairns are like her. It's all in the individual.

I also want to add if you do decide on a certain breed, consider a rescue. Rescuing an adult dog is awesome. Most times they are out of their chewing stage, fully house broken and already use to the coming and going of living in a home. Dogs are not always given up due to bad behavior. Sometimes people move or have babies and the dog is given up then. I have been rescuing for years and it's very rewarding.

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Oh I didn't mean it to sound like they would be machines, sorry. I do understand they're living animals, and they're not slaves. And when you teach a dog something, it's more like you having to 'ask' them, not command them so to speak.

My only point with rescuing is that I'd love to do it in the future. However, in the beginning, I want myself and my family to be exposed to a smaller dog that grows up. We've never owned a dog before and my mom is getting over her fear of them so I don't want to jump into getting a big one right away.

But I'll definitely rescue some when I get older! That's what I plan on doing in retirement haha

I'm not saying you think of them as machines ♥

The best trained dog in the world will still make mistakes or do something he shouldn't. They are animals after all.

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Originally Posted by HVani

I'm not saying you think of them as machines ♥

The best trained dog in the world will still make mistakes or do something he shouldn't. They are animals after all.

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Haha sorry, I tend to apologize a bit too much

Yup, I wouldn't believe anyone if they say never made a mistake, so I def. don't hold that over dogs.

Would you say getting a puppy (of any breed) for a first dog is a bad choice when compared to getting a little bit older dog?

The reason I'm asking is because people have been telling me to get from a rescue, which I wouldn't mind doing at all, however some others are saying that I could end up with more vet bills than I bargained for because of this. They say that it's better to go to a reputable breeder since the parents are certified, health checked and well mannered, so there isn't a too high of a likelihood, compared with a rescue, for things to go sour.