What would be the best 3rd dog?
Now, it will be at least 2 years (or more) before we add a third dog to our family, but it's never to early to start planning. I'm trying to figure out what breed would be best to add to our home. Our current animals (excluding reptiles and rodents) are a Shiba, a Shikoku/Laika and a cat.
Since both of our dogs are female, we know our third will definitely be a male, and I don't think we want another NK. I'm thinking along the lines of a Belgian Malinois but my boyfriend wants a Tamaskan (or similar type dog). I've read that Tamaskan's have very sweet temperaments, so that may also be a possibility.
Does anyone have experience with either of these breeds and NK together, or have any other breed suggestions?
Since both of our dogs are female, we know our third will definitely be a male, and I don't think we want another NK. I'm thinking along the lines of a Belgian Malinois but my boyfriend wants a Tamaskan (or similar type dog). I've read that Tamaskan's have very sweet temperaments, so that may also be a possibility.
Does anyone have experience with either of these breeds and NK together, or have any other breed suggestions?
Comments
Well, it depends on what you want the dog to do, and what you want the dog to be like, but the Kai Ken are wonderful! Sweet, and smart and active (but not crazy active like a Malinois). They get along with other dogs well, even quarrelsome Shibas!
We added a Kai to our household of two Shibas, and an American Akita, and he has fit in beautifully. He is such a little peacemaker, than even when the Shiba or Akita start acting up, he is able to calm everyone down.
And....he's whip smart, agile, and just a wonderfully fun dog to be with. Wants to hang out with us, but is not (thankfully) a velcro dog. I'm having a fabulous time with him in agility classes, too. He's the best!
However, I think we want a bigger, guard-dog-like dog. If not one with an actual guard dog mentality, at least one with looks that would make somebody think twice. I think in around 5 years or so we may decide to start a family and I would feel better with a little more than my adorable fluffs that are way too cute to be even slightly threatening.
American Akitas are pretty good for this--steady dogs, will work as a watch dog, and are intimidating in looks, and mine, at least, has an instinct to protect, in the sense that he is always aware of what is going on, and places himself between me and whatever he sees as a threat. That's all he does--and I hope he's never put to more of a test--but he's a big boy and so does make people think twice! They have a lot of the NK qualities, but I find them pretty biddable, and calm, and even, on occasion, cuddly!
(and if you get one from a puppy, they can even adapt to Shiba quarrelsomeness). And I know, you said not another NK, but I couldn't resist a bit of a plug for the AAs.....
I guess we don't need a guard dog per se, just that if we were to go the Malinois route, I would have him trained as one.
We'd prefer a bigger dog just for the fact that they seem more threatening, even if they don't have the attitude that goes with it. In the way that, the Tamaskan has a sweet temperament but if somebody sees you walking a dog that looks like a wolf, they'd probably think twice about messing with you.
We're not necessarily looking for huge dogs either (nor are we against them).
Just in the very beginning stages of deciding, tossing ideas around of breeds we like.
(Then again, I'd love to win the lottery just to quit my job, buy a ton of land, own as many dogs as possible and just take care of them all day...)
Tamasakans are cool but it's really hard to find a good breeder. If you are on the east coast, I would stay away from Tarheel. I did not like John Bannow (the breeder) when exchanging emails. Also, Right Puppy Kennels (goes without saying) should stay away.
edit: I was seriously considering a Tamaskan, but the more I look at them, the less they look like a wolf to me. People say my Kai looks like a Wolf or a Hyena and are afraid of her. Heck, people thought my Shiba was a fox and stayed away.
Here is a thread where a lot of forum members posted different dog breeds: http://www.nihonken.org/forum/index.php?p=/discussion/comment/151014#Comment_151014
The strength comment was meant towards walking them, my dogs know how to walk on a leash, but will sometimes pull if something catches their attention (because of their prey drive). It is easy for me to hold my ground and go into "tree-mode" when they don't want to listen to me asking them to leave-it. They tug for a little until they realize it doesn't work, then stop, and we continue our walk.
If I were walking a 100+lb dog and something like this were to occur, I'd be pulled along, or they'd get away. However, if it was a breed that is very responsive to voice commands, a leave-it type command would be enough and "tree-mode" wouldn't be necessary.
Edit: other breeds he has mentioned include the Northern Inuit Dog and the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog.
So that may also be a possibility.... How do you think one would do with 2 NK?
Btw my guard Kai is protecting me from a dog on tv and growling at it while climbing on my lap. Are you sure you don't want Mika? Lol.
A Rott would ignore this drama. Lol
Both of my dogs love to pester each other and the cat, so whichever breed we decide on will have to either play the same as them, or be able to ignore/put up with them.
I also don't know how my boyfriend feels about Rotts... I'll ask him in the morning.
But...I am biased.
Mika is still attacking the tv.
@tjbart17 - I think it depends on the lines. Wraith & Aggro aren't high anxiety at all. Crazy drivey / hyper...oh yeah. But anxiety? Nope.
[ tho...they do "settle" nicely, for the most part...LOL! ] ~
I guess no dogs are really "crossed-off". There hasn't actually been any real narrowing down at this point. We literally just started discussing it today. It will be at a very minimum 2 years before we get another dog, but seeing how some wait list can be quite long I figured we may as well start trying to figure this out.
I think for the most part if we consider only looks, we generally like dogs with spitz/shepherd/wolf type looks best.
Of course we have to consider personalities and train-ability as well.
So the dog must be able to live with 2 NK and a cat, and be good with children (I know socialization will affect all of this), just in case we do decide to eventually start a family.
Must also be relatively easily trained (I considered my dogs easily trained, so this shouldn't be to hard to find).... Activity level doesn't really matter since we are both pretty active people.
And preferably around the size of a GSD (or possibly bigger).
Mika does not get along with them at all. She hates their hyperactivity and snapping in her face. The Mali's are unfortunately no longer allowed in my home. :-(
That said, the mali at the club tend to be kind of...crazy...for a lack of a better word. lolThe dutchies are more serious, a little more like [ working-line ] GSD's. But, it strongly depends on the lines & what the breeders are breeding for. Asheley & Josh's dogs live in the house with them, & she's constantly working on her lines, not just breeding to whatever popular stud is out there every year like most breeders do.
I have been told however, there's a big difference between the dutch & mal in the east, vs west, vs midwest, vs northeast...etc. etc. lol
@Loni - Wraith & Aggro are from Asheley & Josh at Vrijheid Kennels if you ever want to take a peak.
Yea, in my house, the NK do the face-snapping...the dutchies like to chase / play tug / butt bump lol
Dragoon is especially bad with the face biting!!! ~
@Sangmort now I'm going to find a Dutchie breeder to check out their dogs. I'm always up for educating myself. I've only known two Dutchies and I'd say they both had that anxiety. Anxiety btw helps with schutzhund training and both of these dogs were amazing working dogs. They lived in the home with their trainers and were never kenneled. If Corina hops on the forum she can expand I'm sure @shikokuspirit
I'm as always bias for the breeds I love. I was also raised with a schitzhund trainer who won't work with Mali's at all because of their anxiety. He says they bite when they shouldn't and let go too quick. I'm sure that Corina has had a different experience.
We're definitely keeping a very open mind at this point, and all opinions/suggestions are welcome.