I am going to be biased and say shiba inu.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/shiba_inu/

Or you can go bigger.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akita_Inu

|D

Also, I really do like border collies.

Shibas ARE beautiful! They seem to have the husky/shepherd traits, but in a manageable size ;)

After some cursory research they actually seem like a very rounded dog. Healthy breed, keep themselves clean/grooming would be minimal, but on the downside they are independent and need to be leashed. Which is too bag because I liked the idea of hiking with my pup unleashed. Who knows, maybe with the right training, it'd be alright?

Great recommendation, THANK YOU!


I loooove the idea of the bigger Akita, a tougher breed that could keep up on long hikes but it looks like they've got quite thick fur and would get hot and shed like crazy :P This video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuHZbzvnX7g lead me to kind of discount them. But not fully. I'll have to hear what people who actually own them say.

AW! You grew up with border collies? You probably didn't even need parents then haha! Seriously, those things seem more like children/companions than actual pets :o

I had a co-worker that had 2 giant Pyrenees. She brought them into work I would tumble with them - hence where my love originated. I just find it so ridiculous and awesome to have a dog that, when it flops down on you, you literally can't get up! But that physicality is kind of lessened when all their health problems could prevent such rough housing.

That Irish Terrier is totally a scruffy rapscallion! I gotta say I'm not the biggest fan of terriers or that wiry hair. But there is a uniqueness to them that is kinda charming and I identify with :) From wikipedia: The Irish Terrier will commonly be attracted to species of the same-sex. Ooh, Hellooooo, lover! But wow, they don't need like any grooming or washing and live long. Only other downside is they're not as receptive to training and authority...

Those Collies are actually rising in my consideration. The rough, smooth, and sheepdogs all seem to share the same demeanor; peppy, nice, easily trainable - but they all cal be loud and bark a lot. Oh well, I'll take that as a trade off. Long life and attractive look, too. I might even shy away from the rough coated ones because of all the fur and potential shedding(?) Being a herding breed I wonder if they have the same need to be given jobs as border collies?

The Australian Shepherd is a good 2nd choice to the Border Collie. Which is awesome because I REALLY love Border Collies :D They're less intense, which is a necessity, but they still have high energy and need to do tasks regularly. That makes me a bit nervous since it'd be a house dog, but maybe the miniature variety's less demanding? I particularly love the red coated ones!

http://puppyfarts.files.wordpress.c....._tricolour.jpg
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped.....n_Shepherd.jpg

Huskies/malamutes!!!

Just have to move to Alaska...or Canada! Why, of why, won't Vancouver take me in? :(

I will drive to your house and punch you in the face if you get a Husky or Malamute they don't belong in Southern California. It sucks (because they are so damn cute) but accept it.

I grew up with a Bouvier des Flandres http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_3a3SvFhFb.....de+Dasilva.jpg they like big bears are are really smart and friendly but have paper towels ready because after they drink they will slobber you to death.

I say go with the Collie or just go to adoption center and pick which ever one strikes your fancy.

Also if you get a big dog get pet insurance because you are definitely going to have some VERY expensive bills when they are older. Trupanion is like $25 a month and they pay for all shots and vet visits and if they have surgery you only pay 10% and the price never changes.

Haha, a friend of a friend just got a husky and I drilled him on how possibly can take care of it well enough. He said rather than walks, he takes it out on BIKE rides! That way it can go the speed it wants and thoroughly exhausts itself :) And as long as you have an air conditioned place, it'll be fine.

Despite the fact I fucking love that picture of the Bouvier, I gotta say slobber is a big turn off. I really like snuggling with them and don't want to have to worry about that grossness :P

No way, pet insurance?! That's so weird I'm just now learning about this. THANKS! It totally seems like a worthwhile thing to get.

Hey you going to califur?

Wasn't planning on it...think I should?

ugh, got put on call at work so I'm missing out. I would have hit it up with you guys if I had planned better :P

I'm debating if I'm gonna go. Most of the people I usually hang out with moved in the past year so I don't know if I will. But its right down the street so I probably will.

It's an OK con. I'm probably going to end up laying a blanket down, drinking liquor and listening to vinyl on my Seasame Street phonograph in some shady spot with whoever wants to join me.

That sounds delightful! I would absolutely have been right there next to you sipping juice and chilling, but I got stuck being on call at work. Lemme know when you do cool stuff like this in the future =)

huskies/malamutes are way high energy so unless you can take one on a good long walk every day or get a house with a yard you might want to stick with other options. they are awesome though!

i'm a big supporter of adopting shelter pets personally, as soon as i have a more stable situation i plan to head over to the burbank or big shelter near downtown. you can even look at the dogs they have before you get there http://www.laanimalservices.com/adoptapet_eval.htm ...there are other website that have all the smaller shelters listed as well. definitely think about adopting, there are some really good dogs there :3

Yeahhh...check out my story one above about my friend w/ a husky.

HEY! If you're ever free during the day lets go to these shelters together and familiarize ourselves with what it's like, ok?

i'm down... but i warn you... i have a hard time walking away from these animals SO YOU MUST STOP ME FROM ADOPTING ONE AT ANY COST!

It's ok, I'll make you leave your purse and wallet in the car ;)

So seriously, what day this week? I'm free before 5pm any weekday!

Just got back it was a fun con (they had the KROQ weenie roast at the same hotel) so we had terrified rock stars on top of all the regular pandemonium.

Hey have you heard of this animation studio? I seriously can't stop watching this reel http://vimeo.com/11364673

Oh yeahhh, I saw that video posted on someone's journal. Impressive stuff - and the one with the girl and big monster/animal thing, I think was a full length movie.

KROQ and furries?! HAHA, I can't think of clearer opposites! Did you observe any quality encounters?

Stone Temple Pilots got kicked out of the furry dance.

STFU. Funniest shit I've ever heard! God, I wish I had been there and seen or heard all the details :D

They said they wanted to plan it so they stay at the same Hotel as Califur next year.

http://kroq.radio.com/2010/06/05/ph.....hotel/#photo-1

Respect!

tuesday! ok, pm time.

corgi! :]

on huskies and moots: be prepared to run and jog and run a lot every day. an un-exercised husky is a crazy, pent up animal! If they get out, they like to roam and run which is a potential nightmare in a big city. I wouldn't recommend it...
on akitas- these are guard dogs so they can be very protective of your household, and I've met some that are pretty awful with other dogs. always take into consideration the breed personality traits and what they were used for, because that is most likely what you will end up with if you go for a dog based on looks alone.
I've met some awesome american eskimo dogs!
my friend summer has a collie, lots and lots of brushing..

my next dog will most likely be an aussie shepherd or a border collie; I like their smarts. my dog right now has some border collie in him, and he needs his tennis ball thrown about 50-100 times a day, it's his day job ;) My other dog is a malamute mix and he's currently refining his squirrel-stalking technique.

biking with a dog too much or too suddenly can destroy its pads on asphalt... some dogs will spook around cars and pull you off your bike. I like roller blading with mine, they love running.

just be sure to crate train, go on lots of walks, and communicate lots with your pup when you get one! doggy education is also a -must- for a saner, easier life...
I'd say check out your local rescues and shelters, or if you want to take the risk you can always find one on craigslist, but be ware of owners sugar coating the good qualities of the dog and not mentioning bad habits.

Husky/malamutes = totally agreed. I couldn't handle the energy demands and this environment wouldn't be fair to them.

Akitas - yeah, I didn't know they were so beefy until I started researching. They say socialize it with other dogs when it's really young to reduce some of its territorial nature. Still, it doesn't seem like a perfect match.

American eskimo dogs? That's new! Bred to be house/family dogs, which is great! A little hyper and sheds a ton. Woa, you can shave them, but they may get sunburned! I'm keeping this one as a plan b option. They are adorable though <3

That's what scared me about collies. That massive coat seems intimidating to keep up with. But the "smooth collie" is the same breed, minus the fluffiness!
http://www.synergeticsurge.com/phoebe.htm
Not sure if I'm sold on it's looks though...

Oh see, but you have the place and time to give those pups what they need! You're so good to them :D If I lived up in Maine on a hefty lot of land, then I would totally get them, too!

Oh shit! Good tips about asphalt running. I think he lets it off the leash as they go, though. Either way, I'll pass it along next time I see him.

Thanks for the tips on buying. I think Cesar Millan actually makes a lot of good points. I'd owning and training one very seriously.

sounds like for all of them you can't get out and exercise them or anything man :\ I've never had a dog, so I can't really help out a ton. Hope you find one that you love :D

I mean, I can get out an exercise dogs, sure. But these are special WORKING breeds that a walk around the block is not sufficient! They're more like companions and children, then simple minded pets. I don't think I'm ready for that kind of commitment lol!

well man, it's gonna be a commitment no matter what kind of pet you get. I guess it's really just what kind suits your personality the best

no dog

How's bout you be my dog.

...you'll pay for food, right?

I like where this is going.

i didnt read the entire thread but I hope someone talked you out of getting a border collie unless you want to go insane along with your dog...

my suggestion is always to goto the shelter and get the perfect companion. You'll be surprised at what you can find and how many sweet dogs there are that need homes.

WORD.

btw - furries @ play: Six Flags late July, early August

game night in NoHo w/ friends: ASAP

You, I even discounted border collies in my actual post :P I'm going to meet up with Beezle tomorrow and were going to scope out what's at a shelter nearby. Not actually adopting, but seeing what it's like...

*you = yeah

i fucking want a border collie so bad

i hope theres one lazy border collie out there JUST FOR ME

Just went to 4 animal shelters today! There were actually a fair amount of border collie mixes. You may be able to find one that looks like one, but isn't as frenetic!