[Gaz198023]

Okay, I'm 33 and plan to buy my first dog so have been doing a lot of research and such, but wanted to also ask some questions or just get general feedback.I have always been an animal lover and was raised in a home where we have always had a dog (in virtually all instances a German Sheppard). My Dad (who I still live with) has always had a Dog, my uncle was in the K9 police force and had multiple dogs at a time (usually ex-police).

Firstly what kind of a dog do I want? I want a medium to large size dog, one that is loyal and isn't going to be very difficult to train (I know this will be down to persistence and patience to some extent, but have read some dogs are more difficult than others to train).

When I picture myself with a dog, I want it to have a relationship with me where it is my best friend, he gets excited when he sees me come home from work, who is content to just lie down by me when tired or I'm watching TV.

A part of me doesn't really want a puppy, but a dog (which I think is sort of a good thing, as many people want the puppy and lose interest when it becomes a dog). But I do plan on getting a puppy as being with him from that age is where you start to build that relationship with him.

So after some research the breeds I have considered...

Sib Husky - OK that dog is beautiful, and those ice blue eyes are to die for. However I have ruled this dog out as aside from their gorgeous appearance they don't fit any of the traits I'm looking for, plus I read they shed A lot. I could handle the shedding part, but loyalty is the most important thing I'm looking for.

Here are the choices I'm now looking at...

Rough Collie - beautiful dog, and yes I guess its fair to say Lassie is part of the reason for that :P but when I was a very young child my parents did own a cross breed collie (the only dog I remember that wasn't a German Shepard) and it was such a lovely dog which amazing temperament. I see a Rouch Collie has a lot of fur, but I read somewhere that coat requires less maintenance than the Smooth (which surprised me). I would be happy to brush his coat every few days, and would want to keep him well groomed. After having a look around though, there doesn't seem to be many of these dogs available within a reasonable distance to where I live. One question I haven't had answered yet, how big does this dog get? I believe its of a medium size fully grown?

Golden Retriever - again similar to the above, though probably an easier to manage coat.

Dobermann - Easy to manage coat, loyal and makes a good guard dog. I didn't know until I researched that naturally their ears aren't erect and pointy, I coudltn believe when I read that the owners actually get them cropped for pure cosmetic reasons! I blame hollywood for my lack of knowledge on that, either way that's not really an issue to me. I admit they look stunning with those pointy ears, but I would contemplate having a dog surgically modified JUST FOR LOOKS! Disgusting

German Shepard - obviously I already know a lot about these as been around one all my life. One we had 10 years ago was the perfect dog, though he received a lot of training. But amazing in every rergard, loyal, protective, follow command, didn't even need a lead to walk - would NEVER disobey you. So I already know how good a dog they "can" be with training.

Things about me. I do work 8 hours a day, but I live at home with Dad and brother (my Dad's health isn't the best these days so we are also part time carers) his health and a dog wouldn't be an issue, and he would probably enjoy the company when no one else is around.

We live in a semi-detached house with a decent size garden, though (as we always have done) our dogs are house dogs, if they want to go in the garden they can, but if they want to stay in the house they are just as welcome.

We do currently have a dog, a German Shepard () about 10 years old who we got from a shelter. She was skin and bones and so timid when we took her, but very healthy now with a unique personnality, doesn't have a viscious bone in her. But she isn't very obedient (seems to have selective hearing!) we have tried to train her some of the simpler things, and I'm sure she knows them, she just chooses when to hear them.

Anyway, I was originally planning on getting another as thought they would get along better, but having read up it's the opposite so plan to get a dog.

Any dog I get I would walk once or twice a day (a long and short one) though that would depend on my shifts at work - but would definitely get at least one long walk a day (again part of the reason I ruled out a husky!).

So some question, though feel free to offer any advice you may! :)

Will getting a different breed dog to the one we have have any effect on how they interact together? Would 2 German Shepards get on better in liklihood?

Where should I go to look for a puppy? I have browsed websites but I'm unsure what I should definitely be looking for in an advert? Such as do they need KC papers? Should I ignore them if they don't have them?

Out of the dogs I mentioned a Rough Collie is my first choice, is there a good place to look for this breed of dog? I haven't been able to find any that aren't hours+ drive each way.

Though I am leaning towards a puppy so that the bond can be established and built from a young age, I haven't ruled out getting an adult dog probably from a shelter. But what are the downsides to this? I know from the dog we have they may already be trained to some extent, and that the bond can still be formed from adult dogs we have had in the past (and now). The one thing mainly putting me off is bad habits they may be adept to, and trying to break them out of it - can it be done? In favour of the adult dog though, it breaks my heart to think of the suffering some of these animals have endured, and they deserved a second chance in a loving home which I (we) could give them, a chance to enjoy the short life they have. Would appreciate a lot of experienced opinions on this subject.

A lot of the things I probably don't know now, I can get from those around me. Such as my Dad who has always had a dog, my Uncle has unfortunately since passed, but his daughter is a Vet now so anything medical wise I could get advice from her.

If I got a puppy are there any essential items I should get? My list...

Plan to build a dog house in the garden (they won't be forced to use it though)
Chew toys
Harness lead
Food

Seen a lot of posts saying get a crate (assume they mean like a cage?) and put them in that when you leave them alone. Is that really necessary? I have never put a dog in a cage and it seems a bit cruel, though it would very rarely ever be left alone anyway.

That post got really long, and I may have more questions I forgot! Thanks to any replies I get :)

[Oliver2011]

I vote German Shepherd. That's the dog I've always had. So loyal and loving.

[Wondergirl]

I'd adopt a shelter dog. The shelter often knows the dog's background and has figured out any bad habits while he's lived at the shelter. And definitely don't buy a puppy from a store or backyard breeder!

[mogrann]

Just popping in still on vacation. If you approach a kennel as a safe haven and not a punishment your dog will look at it as a safe spot to relax, a den.

Just popping in still on vacation. If you approach a kennel as a safe haven and not a punishment your dog will look at it as a safe spot to relax, a den.

[joypulv]

If you get a puppy, plan on taking time off from work. They need a LOT of attention and patience and training and energetic fun, or they get neurotic and needy.

I hope you just go to a shelter. Although there are sometimes purebreeds, mostly they are mutts, very adorable loving mutts.