trail dog suggestions

hey all im looking for a good trail dog. i want a dog that can run and be around a horse with no problem. the dog should also be an outside and or inside dog with little or no grooming. it also needs to get along with other dogs. the dog needs about a medium energy level because the dog would only go on the trail during the weekend

Well, if you want a dog that can be around horses or other dogs without a problem, that has to be trained--lots of socialization and exposure to new things while they're puppies.

As for medium level energy, any of your water dogs are a good choice, labs and retrievers are the most common. However, with proper exercise (twenty minutes of play a day or a nice long walk) any dog can be the right energy level. But keep in mind no matter what kind of dog you get, if you get a puppy, they're going to be all over the place.

I have two shelties, and they're classified as herding dogs, but they're not huge players unless you give them something to chase. But, what I like about them is that I haven't trained them to heel at all, and they don't walk more than a few feet in front of me without leashes on.

well some big points are i dont want a super hyper dog as we dont have time during the week to walk and we have 2 other dogs a maltese and a basset hound. the maltese takes alot of time to groom so I dont want a dog that i have to groom. im not worried about getting the dog used to the horses because i will put the horses and dogs together while the dog is a puppy i just dont want a dog with a high predatory or herding sense as I dont want them to run the horses around and seriously injure or kill the horses. the dog should also be able to run a good ways incase i want to run the horse a good distance.

I think what you're looking for is something like this: Sony AIBO Robot and Accessories - RoboToys

Seriously, do you think you could lay on the couch all week, then go out and run "a good distance" on a weekend? And enjoy it?

well i would like a REAL dog james im just asking other people if they have trail dogs and what a good dog would be im sorry i dont have as much time in the day as you do james i actually have a job where i work

any other suggestions on any good trail dogs anybody

I have to agree with James, any dog that ca go for a while will need to be taken out for a while during the week too. Any dog that has a lot of energy on the weekend will have it during the week, so lots of exercise is a must.
I also second that being good with horses stems from training. Our dog used to be terrified, but after putting a lot of good experiences in, we can take him trail riding and he is fine. You do need to train them to listen though.
Not saying that to annoy you, it's just how it is. They are animals after all.

I have an awesome trail dog. She also has been trained on how to behave around horses since she was a pup, as well as regular excercise during the week. Both essential if you ask me.

Try blue or red cattle dogs, they are designed solid more than fast for cattle driving/mustering.
Get an x-breed one from a cattle farming district half grown if its off a mother that works cattle and has seen her working regularly.

Wondering how you will manage this weekend warrior dog during the week---in a crate, tied up in the yard, running loose? It is an excellent point that a dog strong enough to follow the horses will need reasonable exercise Mon-Fri and if you are too busy to allow that in your schedule you should give up on the idea and just enjoy your Maltese and Basset.