Im going to buy a dog but need help deciding...

[Senna]

I'm so confused I'v been searching the internet for info on different dog breeds but
I cant decide.I have narrowed down the top ten but need help

1.German Shepherd
2.Border Collie
3.Australian Shepherd
4.Great Dane
5.Japanese Chin
6.Miniture Dashound
7.Doberman Pinscher
8.Siberian Huskie
9.Pembroke/Cardigan Welsh Corgi or
10.Rottweiler

please help

 

[sophie]

My advice?

Get in touch with a rescue and/or your local breed club, both would be more than happy to help you and figure out if the breed is right for you, as well as help locate a dog if it would be a good match. All of those breeds you mentioned are very different and don't fit into every lifestyle and home.

 

[Senna]

i know

 

[joce]

What hours are you home,what type of home do you live in,what do you want in a dog as far as maintenence,what do you want to do with the dog(long walks or agility or jsut lazy around)? And any other thing that can deal with it

 

[Red_ACD_for_me]

As Sophie said that not every breed you mentioned can fit into your life style you really need to think what you want. GSD's, BC's, and Aussie sheps are all working breeds and need lots of physical and mental stimulation. Excercise, excercise, excercise. Believe me I know, I own an ACD who gets about 5 miles worth of excercise a day as well as doing protection training work. I knew what I wanted and knew what I was getting into with an ACD because I educated myself for a year before I found a responsible breeder. I also have a GSD mix who is now 11 years old and lives with my parents who was very demanding for excercise when he was younger and drivey as ever. You can find lots of purebreds in shelters that are in need of homes. There are lots of GSD's, aussie, rotty, and BC crosses in shelters as well so search the shelters before you go out and buy one Good luck!

 

[bubbatd]

Agree.... you really have to narrow your list down ..... try to adopt !

 

[Senna]

i want a dog who a can job with,who will help outside if needed,cause i live on a farm with a big yard,i have sheep,cows, and a couple horses,i want to train the to be able to catch discs,frisbees,whatever you call them.I a a dog behaviorist,i have worked with vets,i have been in college for vet training as well and when i was younger i had a japanese chin and i was in love with brushing him,i would brush untill i couldnt get any fur out of him and still brush for around 5 min. just incase.I also want a family dog good for my neices and nephew when they come over and who is likely to listen to me even when distracted by dog,cats,small non-canine animals,etc and one that will tolerate being in cage when smaller kids that dont like dogs come cause one of my neices doesnt like dogs,i work only for around 4-6 hours depending on the day.

 

[GSDlover_4ever]

I would go for an ACD or BC. But they both need LOTS of exercise.

 

[stevinski]

i'd go with one of the herding breeds:

Australian cattle dog
Border Collie
Australian Shepherd

have you ever considered a sheltie?

 

[Red_ACD_for_me]

Cattle dogs aren't all that great with kids, especially high active kids. They will herd and nip children if not taught otherwise. Afterall, it is in them to do so. You can also run into herding problems with BC's and Aussie sheps but they are alot nicer of a breed "temperament wise" for children. I have an almost 5 year old daughter who was taught to respect dogs since she was a baby and she is very low key around my ACD. He loves her but I am always on guard when they interact together. Even in some of my ACD books it states that it is an on-going argument if they are really that good with children. They are also a breed that is naturally suspicious of strangers and make excellent watch/guard dogs which isn't bad if that is what you are looking for. I'm an avid hiker and being a female I like the protection when I walk alone in the woods. All in all I am a big believer in "it's all how they are raised" and if you are prepared to train and socialize, then a herding breed maybe right for you just do your research first I love my ACD and will never be without one but they are not for everybody

 

[Senna]

i have narrowed it down a little i picked german shepherd because those are my fav dogs,they are pretty good gaurd dogs most are good with children,the ones i know and heard about otherwise these are suggestions of dogs that i also like

1.German Shepherd
2.Border Collie
3.Australian Shepherd/ACD
4.Sheltie

 

[stevinski]

australian shepherds and australian cattle dogs are different things just so you know lol.

Most dogs can be good with kids if raised with them from a young age

 

[PWCorgi]

i picked german shepherd because those are my fav dogs,they are pretty good gaurd dogs most are good with children

From my experiences with GSD's (which may be very different from other peoples), they either love kids or they don't like them at all, there usually doesn't seem to be any middle ground.

Again, just from what I've experienced, I don't need any:

"OMG! All GSD's LOVE kids you IDIOT!" *stab* *stab* *stab* *dies*


There seem to be a lot of GSD owners on this forum, so they could probably help you more than me.

 

[Red_ACD_for_me]

I have grown up all my life with GSD's and recently fell for the ACD which is a little smaller package but twice the dog LOL! I must say that ALL my GSD's were excellent with children and if anything protected them from harm. Years ago when my mom was growing up they were never without a watchful GSD (my grandfather was a police officer, her dad) and my mom was one of seven children ( all girls) so where the kids were a big male GSD was. My mom grew up with them and then I did as well and we never had any problems The problem is today however with so many of them being BYB through irresponsible breeders health and temperament has deteriorated so as long as you go through a reputable breeder then you can still get an excellent quality dog!

 

[Jynx]

I have always had GSD's, and while mine have always been tolerant of kids, they aren't "in love" with kids. The aussies, mine could care less about kids, again tolerant.


You've narrowed your list to 4 herding dogs who all have differing levels of energy/type /drives and temperaments. Living on a farm, tho manageable, could also prove interesting as all these breeds can be heavy duty herders, it's keeping that prey drive in herding mode vs killing mode that can be done, but not without good training.

Your criteria for a dog is rather high, and rather unrealistic, you seem to be looking for the "perfect" dog, (ain't we all *vbg) which doesn't exist.

I think you mentioned you were an animal behaviorist? If so, you should be very aware of the differences in all these breeds/characteristics. Getting a puppy is going to be a crap shoot, with an older dog you may be better off as you will get what you see. Have you thought of Rescue? There are great GSD Rescue's as well as Aussie Rescue's out there, Border Collie too.
Good luck in your search
diane

 

[Senna]

iv had one bite my cousin because she doesnt like kids around her
i am an animal behaviorist and i know there are difference between them all but i mostly need a herder,so right now im looking up other statistics that i like in each dog and ill try adopting one of those and if all fails try againwith a different dog.I also know the ACD and the Aussie are different but i am eventually goingto get one of them in my life but only one most likely at a time

 

[Zoom]

I personally would look into getting a rescue Aussie, especially for my first one. That way you know ahead of time if the dog has issues with children, or kills chickens, chases the horses, etc. You also have a better idea of what their energy level and temperment will be. I got my Aussie from Aussie Rescue Placement & Helpline (www.aussierescue.org or aussierescue.leepfrog.com)

That being said, Sawyer is the best d*mn dog I have ever owned and I shake my head in wonder every day that someone could dump him and his sister off on the side of the road. You really can benefit from other's mistakes when it comes to dogs.

 

[cowgurl6254]

I think a sheltie would be a great choice. I've had them my whole life, and they are wonderful with kids. They also are amazing agility dogs and love to work. Plus, they have a long coat that is sooooo fun to brush

 

[springer spaniel]

German shepard are great gaurd dogs

Do you want a gaurd dog

some can have a nasty temper but some are lovely

 

[Zoom]

I think a sheltie would be a great choice. I've had them my whole life, and they are wonderful with kids. They also are amazing agility dogs and love to work. Plus, they have a long coat that is sooooo fun to brush

I wish I could meet one of your's or SummerRiot's shelties...every single one that I deal with at work is overly shy, timid, prone to snappiness and just not that much fun to deal with in general.