allygat0r07 said in
rec.pets.dogs.breeds:

The thing is, I'm having trouble because I like so many
different breeds of dog and I am so passionate about dogs
that I'm not sure what breed would be best. I feel like I
could accomodate a lot of breeds because I am prepared to
spend a LOT of time (the majority of my time) with my dog.

I think that it's pretty cool that you've considered many of the
downsides of owning a dog in your situation. But what's going
to happen when you finish college?

Retrievers appeal to me a lot. I would probably go with a
lab over a golden because the tumbleweeds of golden hair
rolling across my house were a little much.

Heh, tumbleweed hair I find *way* easier to clean up than other
types.

However, I find
them a bit big for my liking. I love big dogs but since I
want a dog that I can take with me whenever I travel or go
anywhere, I might want something smaller. I really like
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers, but I hear they're a
lot more hyper than labs and goldens. Is this true?

Yes, though some are less hyper than others. I know quite a few
Tollers, and some I'd place on the mellow end of the scale,
though most are not.

This might seem like I'm going in an entirely different
direction, but I am also interested in Boston Terriers.

You seem to like active dogs, and the Boston Terriers I know are
certainly that.

I
have a few questions about them. I love their size and the
fact that they act like a big dog in a small package, but
can I exercise with them as I would a retriever? I'm not
EXTREMELY athletic, but I would like a dog that I could go
jogging/hiking/swimming with occasionally. Can I do that?

Maybe, though probably not. The Bostons that I know would sink
rather than swim. And, while not as brachycephalic as other
similar breeds, probably aren't the breed of choice for more
than moderate levels of the activities you mention.

I
also hear that they're difficult to potty train. Is this
true?

I've had good success housetraining many breeds and sizes of
dog.

ALSO...are any of these breeds untrustworthy off leash? I
know that you can't generalize but I know that most
terriers and beagles, for instance, will run away at the
sight of any moving object. I want a dog that I can train
to be fairly reliable offleash. My golden would run out of
the house at any opportunity.

There's your proof. Working breeds *should* be the most
reactive to your recall, but real life doesn't work that way. I
have two herding breed dogs and I sometimes joke that I like
their built-in recall but, in fact, a good deal of training has
gone into it.

No matter what dog you get, training is a must, though breed
will make somewhat of a difference. Don't be dismayed if
genetics rears its head.

I also have not ruled out adopting from a shelter...that's
what I hope to do, actually. I love mixed breeds, and just
want to know what dominant breeds I should be looking for
in a mix.

That's my preference, especially when looking for a dog of a
specific temperament, like you seem to be. In your situation,
assuming that you've considered your living situation after you
graduate, I'd adopt an older dog (3 years and up) from a shelter
or breed-specific rescue.

I know it depends on the individual dog, but
there still is something to be said about the breeds that
the dog comes from.

I've both and still can't decide.

--
--Matt. Rocky's a Dog.