...from dog owners??? I am not worried about grooming and I will give the dog as much exercise as it needs as I need to train a lot because I am a dedicated swimmer. I would like a sociable dog with high intelligence and preferably easily trained.

pure breed golden retreiver- they get BIG and they are beautiful and so friendly. I've met a few of them in my day and they are so loveable and they can grow to be very large. good luck!

A lab. THey are very smart, big dogs that like to swim. They are usually very sociable. Or, any kind of hunting/bird dog.

You need a Lab--he will swim along with you and play catch in the water--cool!

I have a boarder collie. Mine happens to be bigger then they usually are but they are highly intelligent dogs and they love to play and run. He's very sociable. This type of dog is used to herd animals on farms and such. Boarder collies are great dogs that would be my suggestion. Good Luck!

Great Dane. They are loyal and intelligent and good with kids.

Dalmations are active and so are Greyhounds. They don´t require a lot of grooming and are fabulous breeds. Please don´t buy them, whatever breed you decide. Your local animal shelter/animal humane society has many dogs in need of good homes. A rescue origanization is also another option. Good Luck

Weirmaraners.Very loyal, intelligent, hunters, guard dogs, social, and real characters. Loving too.These are great dogs but they do need space and love to run. These are not for apts or condos and they need lots of exercise.Many of my relatives own them and I have been around them alot and love what I see. They are the best large breed I have been around.Stay away from these:RottweildersGreat DanesThese are agressive dogs and not much fun. Dogs love me but these breeds are the exception. They are not the best pick.

I would get a water dog. Since you love to swim, then make that happen. A social animal is Socialized by you.Labs are wonderful and HYPER dogs. Go to breeder and talk to them.. Often they will help you train a puppy yet you may want a grown well mannered dog. good luck>I actually would "borrow" a dog and dog sit for a week to get the honest feel for the pet. I have always owned very large hunting/sport dogs 60#'s + and I have a small children and travel a lot, so we tried out several small breeds to see which was best for us. That is what we wanted this time.Well a mixed mutt is what I ended up with, (kept in contact with breeders-they called me, since I had no intent to breed or show) and ironically it was the two breeds I liked best in one dog. An oops at a dog show....and a Winner for me! So go figure. He is all ours, we look forward to years of joy with our little dog! Oh yes We are all going to "puppy traing boot camp" very soon. Ironically he is well trained and we "humans" need some help. LOL

I absolutely love the boxers! No long hair to groom and they just love people. Ours loves the water and you can't keep him out of the lake when we go!