What do you look for when choosing a new dog?

[RobertN]

Over the years, German Shepherds have been my favorite. The Aussie Shepherd I had for 17 years was awesome; got her from the pound at 9 months old.

We have a rescue GSD now; she is very shy. Also, a pound shepherd mix; good dog.

I like to duck hunt though... When the day comes for another dog(two is plenty for us...), then will probably consider a lab or other bird dog.

 

[JESSE1]

We've always had German Shepherds. Smart, scary smart, sweet loving dogs. They're family dogs though, you're part of their pack and usually don't take well to strangers which is a definate negative if you have a lot of visitors. We put our dogs in their kennels whenever we have visitors, not going to take a chance getting someone bit. Otherwise they're house dogs.

 

[Cliff_Johns]

You might try petfinder.com.

They list dogs from various pounds and rescue groups in a searchable list.

Cliff

 

[shortthrow50]

I usually just look to make sure dogs are 100 percent border collie because they are just so **** human like and cute.:thumbsup:

 

[beersngars]

We are on our third German Shorthaired Pointer. First one went 16 1/2 years before she had to put down, second is now almost 10 and still acting like a pup and we just got a pup. All 3 from good breeders. Zero health issues on any of them. I really don't hunt them anymore, no birds left around here, but we just love the breed.

Back to the question, how to pick a pup/dog. Real easy for me, just take the wife and she seems to latch on to one.

 

[Depmandog]

I usually just look to make sure dogs are 100 percent border collie because they are just so **** human like and cute.:thumbsup:

+1



Did someone mention "BALL"?

 

[forgeblast]

Real easy for me, just take the wife and she seems to latch on to one.
I have to agree with this, "our" first dog together (her first dog not mine) she saw her and it was Dog at first sight, she (my wife) got angry when I said I wanted to look at other dogs.
Then when we went to the shelter for our next dogs we both ended up grabbing a puppy and came home with two.

 

[bdeboer]

I think the amount a pup is handled as pup makes a difference in their disposition. In that they seem to be more gentle, comfortable around kids etc.

 

[Jstpssng]

I think the amount a pup is handled as pup makes a difference in their disposition. In that they seem to be more gentle, comfortable around kids etc.

That makes a lot of sense, and is one reason that I'm looking for a pup whose parents are both on premise, and raised in the home.

I wasn't looking for advise, I merely wanted to start a dialog to see how different people think.
To those of you who suggested a shelter or a rescue, good thoughts. However, I can buy a full blooded lab pup for about what it costs to adopt from one of the above. Also, there is a waiting list at most shelter. Most rescue dogs are brought in from high kill states, and finding a reputable rescue takes more research than finding a reputable breeder.

My dog will travel with me almost everywhere, and must be even tempered because I often carry passengers in my company truck. It also will spend a lot of time in public...
My last lab would sit in the truck drooling as she watched kids play. I would often come out of the woods when she was tied out beside the truck, to find someone playing with her.
Toward the end of her life she was lying on the floor minding her own business when my friend's 2yo grandson walked up and started poking her in the face; she just turned her head so he couldn't hit her.

I've considered fostering therapy dogs, but they really don't want pups raised in the lifestyle I live. (Picture poor RayCharles, when one of my students espies a rabbit...)

 

[westcliffe01]

The only thing I can add is that dogs need company of their own kind (unless you are around all day). Also, if you intend to have them inside the house, consider that larger dogs can do a lot more damage than smaller ones. I am looking for a larger dog to baby sit our Minipin, due to the coyote issue that is developing in our residential area.

It also needs suitable fur to be OK outside in Northerly winters, I'm tired of short haired animals that can freeze to death if I forget them outside for 20 minutes. I built our Minipin an insulated and heated doghouse with a picture window and the magnetic door, so that she doesn't have to be confined in the house all winter. Usually I won't leave her there if I'm at work all day, since she could still freeze to death if for some reason the power went out... But she will spend a couple of hours there after I get home from work, since she has a chance with interacting with the neighbors kids and dogs when they get home in the evening. Of course she has lain in front of the wood stove all day up to that point, so being let out is like blowing up a balloon and letting it go...