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Chibi Bodge-Battle wrote:Think GSP's are generally fine
Friends of mine has a pair of them, and never mentioned any issues regarding their youngster.

But as mentioned they do need a LOT of exrcise!

Damn Internet and not conveying full meaning. What I really ment is with a family its hard to find time to exercise GSP's the way the need to be, which is pretty much every day. I've owned one when I was younger one of the best bird dogs I've ever owned but he had to be run a couple miles every night or he turned into a daemon spawn from the warp and destroyed things due to boredom.


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As far as the centers go most breeds have a organization dedicated to rescuing them.

For instance for Brittany's there is http://www.nbran.org for labs http://www.lab-rescue.com/

Just google the breed, alot of times a rescue from a foster home is easier to adopt because they've had more human interaction than a pound dog.

Yup
My freinds' GSP's get walked by someone they know and get a good work out.

This is pretty much the case for any dog especially if bred for working. They need to be worked out physically and mentally.

I would love a dog again but don't feel I could give the commitment required

Get a french bulldog. They are insane.

Go to a local shelter and adopt.

I strongly disagree with people buying from breeders, to the point where I hyperbolically wish harm upon them, despite that probably doing my argument more harm than good.

I was going to suggest an Akita but I don't know how it would fare with the weather you have.

Some breeders are in it just to exploit and make as much dollar as poss with little regard for the customer and especially the dogs and it is disgusting.
Some however are breeder because that is their love and they care for their dogs.

Albeit it is preferable imho that rescue centres are considered .

It is also worth checking the breed associations as they do get rehoming requests.

The breeder that I dealt with to get my puppy was excellent. My wife and I called up one day and asked if we could stop by and see the dogs. They were all well cared for and had plenty of space. The kennels were kept clean - and this is all dropping in with about 30 minutes notice.

I have nothing against rescue centers (I do have something against puppy mills and the pet stores that sell those dogs), but to say that anyone going to a breeder is wrong is extreme. I'm not all that comfortable around dogs in general, due to some childhood experiences, and I don't want someone else's problem dog. Raising a puppy is a lot of work, but is very rewarding when you get a well behaved and socialized animal as a result.

daedalus-templarius wrote:Go to a local shelter and adopt.

I strongly disagree with people buying from breeders, to the point where I hyperbolically wish harm upon them, despite that probably doing my argument more harm than good.

Isn' RED reserved for MOD voices?

I assumed it was some sort of unwritten law...

But your point is valid, so I guess we can allow it

Met a lovely lady who had acquired a Miniature* Schnauzeur (spelling?) having just lost her old dog.
The dog was extremely nervous. Turns out she had been used as a breeding factory and as soon as ome litter was weaned she was readied for the next batch.

Once the poor thing s "useful" life was over she was no longer economically viable. Thankfully she found a loving and caring home with the lady.

Not all breeders thankfully are as unscrupulous and are like Redbeard describes. It is worth checking out the breeder's background.

*nb nothing to do with 28mm figures

Yeah, puppy mills are rife here in Pennsylvannia and they are foul and barbaric places of dog misery.

If you get a dog from a shelter here they are always fully tested for any problems and they either tell you what they are, or, if to extreme they won't be giving it to people.

At the Moment I'm still decieding what dog I want.

I'm still moving in favour of the doberman as it looks like a good dog when its not docked and cropped as its illegal to do it here in Australia anyway.

I like it because its a purpose made mutt having the genetics of alot of dogs selected to make it what it is.

I don't know about alot of the hairy breeds as I imagine they are gonna shed alot and thats just not what I want.

as for buying from a breeder or a dog home/kennel I not sure as to which I should buy from.

I kind of want a puppy alot more as I said I have a cat as well as being able train it easier. Ialso want it while its still young so it wont die on me after about 3 years.

And I imagine alot of the dogs at the kennels are older dogs and not so much puppies.

But if their are pups in the kennel I will check them out.

You'd be surprised
Pups tend to go quickly. Sally was 6-8 months old when I got her.

Again might be worth checking any Dobe Associations in Aus for rehoming.
People's lives change and they may no longer be able to have a dog.

Melkhiordarkblade wrote:My aunt has a Female German Shepard.

Best dog ever,but maybe not if you have kids.

Misnomer. Me and my sister were practically raised by an Alsation. As babies we'd ride it, pull its tail and have a close look at its food whilst it was eating. It never ever bit us, and loved us unti the day it died. My dad had also trained it so well that it could be commanded with a specific type of look he gave it.
Fantastic dogs.

AvatarForm wrote:

daedalus-templarius wrote:Go to a local shelter and adopt.

I strongly disagree with people buying from breeders, to the point where I hyperbolically wish harm upon them, despite that probably doing my argument more harm than good.

Isn' RED reserved for MOD voices?

I assumed it was some sort of unwritten law...

But your point is valid, so I guess we can allow it

It was edited by a mod, because my language before was much more colorful.

Please don't buy a dog from a breeder, shelters are overflowing with excellent pets.
http://www.petfinder.com

Have a rottweiler ignore what you here in the media about them, their great dogs really loyal and once trained will follow your every command plus they can be very affectionate.

Dobermans are excellent dogs, but only if your an experienced at training dogs.

If you are serious about getting one of them, you need to do your reading, it's not an easy thing to train them.

It takes a lot of discipline, and it's something you have to work at everyday. If you can't put that kind of time and effort into it, then I would not suggest a doberman.

The fact is, Dobermans are one of the smartest breeds of dog, coming in at #5 on Stanley Coren's List. If you train them very well, they can learn almost anything, and will be very obedient. This is a tough thing to do for a first time trainer. If this is the case, I would highly suggest a different breed.

If you are looking for a certain breed, I know here in the USA they have Breed Particular rescues, in which you can get dogs from, as well as shelters. You may consider looking into that down there in Aussie as well.

Either way, Good luck in your Dog Search!

Manchu wrote: I have had beagles all my life and only ever had problems with one. As I said, females are generally a better choice than males.

Knew you were a good man...this just confirmed it.

To the OP, I really recommend thinking about your living situation etc. as some others have said and picking your dog accordingly. It's really not about what's a great dog, it's about what's a great dog for your situation. Case in point, my brother bought a vizsla years ago when he was living in a city apartment. Yeeeeeah. They didn't know the dog can...wait, scratch that...MUST run miles every day or else they're up all night. Fortunately, he now has a 2-acre plot and everyone's doing fine. Do your research.

Sure, you won't get any points for originality, but there's a reason why Labs are pretty much the most popular dog in the world.

And as you can see...they don't need constant exercise.

daedalus-templarius wrote:Go to a local shelter and adopt.

I strongly disagree with people buying from breeders, to the point where I hyperbolically wish harm upon them, despite that probably doing my argument more harm than good.

Respect.

I'll always buy from a breeder, only because I want to see the parents, see if their noses are very good, how they hold a point, are they gun shy.

I buy my dogs with a specific purpose in mind though, killing pheasant and grouse.

There is nothing wrong with a legit breeder. Note: you do not find them in stores.

R3con wrote:
There is nothing wrong with a legit breeder. Note: you do not find them in stores.

+ eleventy-billion!

I love mutts, and I wish every animal sitting alone in a shelter could find a home, but a militant "breeders are evil" stance bugs the hell out of me. There's a world of difference between a breeder and a responsible breeder. Breed registries exist for a reason, and it's not just so pretentious d-bags can carry on about how special their dogs are.

I heart my American Eskimo, Ariel. They're also called a spitz or something like that. That's what they call her when I take her to the vet, but that's such an unladylike name.

Anyway Eskie's are medium sized, around 25-30 pounds or so, and very sweet and loving dogs. Or at least mine is. Only real drawback is the grooming, you must brush their hair at least once a week if not daily. If you do it every day you can just do it quick but once a week you'll have to spend more time. If you don't keep em groomed good, their hair gets tangles and matts real easy.

R3con wrote:I'll always buy from a breeder, only because I want to see the parents, see if their noses are very good, how they hold a point, are they gun shy.

I buy my dogs with a specific purpose in mind though, killing pheasant and grouse.

There is nothing wrong with a legit breeder. Note: you do not find them in stores.

Toatally agree with this! I only buy from breeders, I buy my dogs for a very specific purpose and I want to know what i'm getting. I want to see the dogs parents and their papers, this isn't possible when you get a dog from a shelter.

Now with that being said, I'm glad there are people willing to get a dog from a shelter, but its not for me.

Necros wrote:I heart my American Eskimo, Ariel. They're also called a spitz or something like that. That's what they call her when I take her to the vet, but that's such an unladylike name.

LOL. Kinda like saying retriever, spitz is a type of dog that encompasses a lot of breeds: thick-haired, curled tail, everything from pomeranians to huskies to elkhounds.

Dachshunds. Silly little dogs.

I'd also recommend a BIG FAT DOG. Fat pets are funny and full of character. Especially fat cats.

hungryp wrote:

R3con wrote:
There is nothing wrong with a legit breeder. Note: you do not find them in stores.

+ eleventy-billion!

I love mutts, and I wish every animal sitting alone in a shelter could find a home, but a militant "breeders are evil" stance bugs the hell out of me. There's a world of difference between a breeder and a responsible breeder. Breed registries exist for a reason, and it's not just so pretentious d-bags can carry on about how special their dogs are.

Wait its not? Which dogs outside of working dogs are not bred for such?

As hard as it is to believe, even the lamest of dogs was a working breed at some point.