I have put serious thought into a standard poodle as a next dog. As long as they don't have those stupid show cuts they are pretty IMO and the ones I have know are SO smart!

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

I have put serious thought into a standard poodle as a next dog. As long as they don't have those stupid show cuts they are pretty IMO and the ones I have know are SO smart!

Me too. They're fantastic dogs and the hair is so workable. I can do anything with it. I have several poodle deniers that own poodles but have me clip the dog into another breed. I think I have about a half dozen that sport a schnauzer clip and a few you'd have to look cross eyed at to see that they weren't actually a portie.

I'm not sure I agree with doggy intelligence tests. When wolves are tested for intelligence using dog-centric tests (eg, interpreting human gestures for pointing to mean that the object pointed at contains the food), they usually fail miserably. Wolves are essentially the same species as the domestic dog, so I would imagine these types of differences exist between the breeds.
There are many problems with human IQ type tests because they are often skewed to favor a certain race/gender/social background, and there is no blanket IQ test for everyone.
What is intelligence anyway? Coyotes are pretty savvy, but I doubt even a domestically raised one would excel at a doggy IQ test.
I have misgivings about any listing of breed by intelligence. No IQ test for dogs can be super accurate.
Also, one person's idea of smart could be another person's idea of stupid. Observations of the problem solving capabilities of wild gray wolves would be enough to convince most people that they are highly intelligent and able to think somewhat abstractly, and yet, even domestic raised wolves fail at basic doggy IQ tests.
I read a few papers on this topic (wolf intelligence testing compared to dog intelligence testing) in an animal behavior class. I can try to dig them up if any one is really interested.

My first 'bought with my own money ' dog was an oversized (29#, athletic )mini poodle from an oops litter. The sire was totally NOT right....but he could climb a ten foot chain link and eek under the ceiling cover. Kili, my dog, was one of the best trained dogs I owned cause I was a teen, bad family life and so spent every waking hour with him. Lived to help me start my own family and raise a couple other dogs....17yrs. I learned to groom because of him. I used to carve a K in his side.

I personally love an even cut 'kennel' with a smooth face and feet. People always notice and say how "cute" your dog is.
Wart has that cut now. Self defense for me. Both my poodles are filthy nasty, roll in all sorts of stuff, sort of dogs. Smart as a whip in a bit of a high strung way and not kiss ups. Though both really attached to me and preferred me over anyone. Kili was sharp to watch do obedience....perfect sits, jump to heels. I loved that dog.

Who is it with the sig about getting old is realizing you can never own all the dogs you want? I have that but with animals in general. Though I have some breeds of dog I will NEVER own again....beagles for instance. I have some I would own another....poodles are a definite 'more please'

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

I have put serious thought into a standard poodle as a next dog. As long as they don't have those stupid show cuts they are pretty IMO and the ones I have know are SO smart!

Far and above the most intelligent dog I've ever owned - a black standard poodle we named Boston. You could show/tell that dog something once or twice and he HAD it and never forgot it. Wonderful temperment and a lot of fun. The ONLY horrible grooming moment was when he was a pup and I took him to groomed. Picked him up that afternoon after work and he had two little red bows on his ears and I happened to be wearing a red polka dot dress. I was horrified! LOL! I am NOT the type of person to dress their dog up and certainly not to MATCH my clothes!! He did look cute as a button, I admit.

 Quote: Mary McKeever

Spencer has anyone ask why you dont just get both? Not at the same time I know, but a few years apart. You will have the perfect pack in my mind. You have your little boy now, your PPD, and the agility fun loving BC all in your home. So the hard part is which to get first.

jmo

I actually have considered it but I think it would be too much with three dogs. If I hadn't of acquired this little guy I'm raising I would have for sure bought Mali and BC. My wife and I are in the middle of planning when we want to start having kids and I really only will have time for two dogs. Thanks for the thought though!

This is why this is so critical to me. I don't want to regret which one I get because it will easily be 10 years before I can get my next dog.

I personally, think you should be with and around dogs for a while Spenser.
Maybe use some of that excess time at a shelter, working with some different dogs. Learn something about the different breeds.
Despite your original premise, the BC and the Malinois are two entirely different mind sets between the two animals. Even if (and I think it's a big if) their exercise requirements are similar.
Heck if you just want a high energy dog to keep up with you, why not a Jack Russell? Why not a Dutchie? Why not a Vizsla? Why not an Australian Cattle Dog?
For that matter I've watched Papillons have a grand time at agility, and I've met a couple that would run all day long.

Spenser, there's a lot of dogs that fit what you 'think' you want so far.
Chill, go someplace you can meet and get to know what dogs are before you just go out and get 'a dog'.

Oh I am going to wait Randy, I don't think I will be getting my next dog for about 3 years. So I am going to chill a bit and hang around different dogs. My wife and I are looking into a Border Collie rescue where we can be foster parents while the dog gets adopted. So in about six months I will have at least been around BC's, even if they aren't exactly bred how I want my own.

This is why I'm talking this out now because I want to be very sure what I want when the time comes. Also, I'm pretty much dead set on a dog that is of the same caliber as a BC, Mali, GSD...I don't just want a dog with high energy I want a major sport dog that could potentially win something now and again.

Also, herding dogs may be different and have specific strengths/weaknesses but their drive and insatiable ability to please what I'm looking for.

All the dogs I mentioned (and many that I didn't) compete in major sports of one sort or another Spenser.

And depending on the individual dog, they all are very handler oriented.

I'm sure this video has been posted on this forum before, but I think it is the perfect example of what Randy is talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTN5kTkdvME

This little guy is awesome!