i'm planning on getting a puppy soon and i've narrowed it down to 3 breeds i think i would prefer...

brittany
english springer spaniel
australian shepherd

looking for an active and athletic dog that is medium sized. i live in a warm environment(socal). i live in an apartment. i run in the mornings and am pretty active on the weekends with surfing, hiking, and mountain biking among other things. during the weekdays i'll normally be gone for 5-6 hours. i would like the dog that i choose to be able to go along with me for most of the activities that i do. i've grown up with dogs throughout my life, (shelty, two labs, and a cockapoo and have experience obidience training one of those labs and the cockapoo) but, those were family dogs and this will be my first dog by myself. i understand these breeds are relatively more active than the breeds i have experience with.

right now i'm slightly leaning towards a brittany because i simply like the look of them a little more than the others. (short coat)

so looking for opinions on those 3 or if there's another breed similar to those 3 that you think would be better for me let me know. thanks

If you get a Brittany, be prepared to have the most hyper breed EVER. They're still awesome dogs, and mine was great and lived to be 16. (he ran with my mom every day until he was 15)

As a puppy they are easily trained and make excellent bird dogs

My uncle has an english springer and it's also a great hunting dog. More tame than a brittany usually. Aussies are pretty hyper too hahaha.

You really can't go wrong with either, but I suggest a brittany as I hardly ever see them as opposed to other breeds and my opinion is a little biased since I had one personally.

Pit bull
Boxer
Rot

In that order.

you intend to stay single for the life time of the dog or starting a family?

dogs from the gun dog group (includes bittany and english springer spaniel) are better family dogs (*)
the australian shepherd is more of a one person dog

personally favour gun dogs, but larger ones (all of the pointing ones are active, cannot be said of the pure retrievers though)

(*) quoting from http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=2031

The Gundog Breed Group
Dogs that were originally trained to find live game and/or to retrieve game that had been shot and wounded. This group is divided into four categories - Retrievers, Spaniels, Hunt/Point/Retrieve, Pointers and Setters - although many of the breeds are capable of doing the same work as the other sub-groups. They make good companions, their temperament making them ideal all-round family dogs.

none of these dogs you listed are suited for apartment life. However they can adopt as all of the dogs you listed want to please.

Be prepared to give them the exercise they require that is dog specific. Breed can help with that.. But I've met many dogs that were the opposite of their breed characteristics.

However I do not suggest an Aussie for an apartment ever. Due to the fact they have a high probability of developing separation anxiety. Which will lead to destructive behavior or problem barking that will cause your neighbors to hate you.
An Aussie is more of a pack dog than the other two you listed. They will bond to you and want to desperately be around you at all times. They are fiercely loyal to one person and will protect their pack. Not a good dog for a first time owner.

For all dogs I suggest finding someone who is knowledgeable and owns the breed(s) spend some time with them asking about the breed. What they like, what they dislike. Spend time with their dogs.
The two Gun dogs you mentioned are better family dogs and are less high maintenance. But I don't suggest any of these breeds you listed for an apartment. Can make it work though if you're dead set on one of them and you put the time in.

well i was going to go with a brittany but i met the breeder and they seemed a little sketchy.

so my buddy told me a friend of a friend has a mini retriever litter coming up and they just recently posted a video of the pups @ 6weeks. i'm going to see them soon but was wondering if anyone had any advice on which to pick? here's the video.



This post was edited by basebalplyr88 on Aug 5 2014 01:33pm

any dog can be an apartment dog if you provide enough exercise and mental stimulation while you're away.