I just moved from an apartment to a house and would like to get a puppy. I have had Border Collies, regular Collies, an Irish Setter, and a Rottweiler in the past and would like to get something different this time. A friend of mine had an awesome White German Shepherd Dog and I would love to get one.

Any other suggestions?

 

my husband and i have a white german shepherd, shasta. she is 7yrs old and we love her! she is awesome. at 100 lbs, she towers over most males. i will say she is very overprotective, and always on patrol. doesn't take well to strangers at all. i don't know if it's just her or if it's a trait common to the breed. also, she has been very susceptible to skin rashes for some reason, but still we wouldn't trade her for anything.

 

You might consider a Corgi. Our horseback riding instructor has one; they're quite intelligent, small, and good watchdogs. I'm partial to Collies (we've owned three: two rough and one smooth), Border Collies are very smart, Jack Russell Terriers are smart (but ours is a princess who whines all the time: it's too cold, it's too windy, I haven't been fed in the last 15 minutes, . . . .), Irish Setters and Afghan Hounds are beautiful but dumb (sorry), and Rottweilers are great but the neighbors will be terrified of them (our neighbor had one and whenever he got loose we had to catch him and put him back because the rest of the neighborhood was scared to death; he was actually a sweetheart).

I have no experience with them, but a Miniature Doberman might be a good choice, too.

You might check the local pound as well. You could get a great mutt (or a great pure-bred!) cheap.

Good luck! Post a picture of the new family member when you get it.

 

I have 2 Boxers. They are always happy, and they were so eager to please, like most Boxers, that training went REALLY quickly (at 3 months old, the male was housetrained in 2 weeks). They are big puppies until at least 2 1/2 years old, so crate training is wonderful for them (not to mention, they love the crate) to keep them out of trouble until they are ready for free reign.

Boxers also will not give you a minute's peace: they want to be with you ALL the time, so be prepared to have a shadow and to look before you step so you don't trip on them.

I had never had a dog before I got my first Boxer puppy (got my second one through a rescue program and have NEVER been sorry), and by sheer luck, I think I ended up with the perfect breed for me. They are sweet, incredibly even tempered, and they shed so little that it's not worth talking about. They both love my cat (the adopted one had never been around cats when I got her at 3, but she learned quick that the cat was a friend, not lunch), and when there are kids around, adults cease to exist. We never have accidents in the house, and they are so smart that I have never had a shoe or anything else inappropriate chewed up other than a few rolls of toilet paper (the key is to have chew toys all over the place and to encourage them).

Unless you're in a frigid climate, check out a Boxer! They are my best pals!

 

Whatever you get, go and see what they have at your local pound or
shelter. Sadly they have a LOT of cats and dogs, all of whom would love
to have someone take them home.

 

I've always loved Boxers but never got one... However, I do have a Shih Tzu (Tabo) and Chow Chow (BerBer). Here's a pic of my 2 rascals!!



Chow's are stubborn by nature and have been known not to be 'sociable' dogs to people/animals outside their 'pack'. They also shed A LOT!

Shih Tzu's are very sociable and happy, but tend to get over-excited easily. They're perfect apartment dogs as they can keep themselves enterntained!

 

We have an eight year old German Shepherd. They are fantastic dogs, highly intelligent, sociable, protective and loving.
I can highly recommend them as a lifelong companion.
Ours has also had some skin problems and she is on steroids to control her itching. It is a common problem apparently.

 

I would get a boxer, if I could. My husband likes only small dogs He's afraid that the dog will upset the cats. My parents have a Dachshund, we love this little dog This dog temperament is great with families, they are very smart and loves to be with people. I am going to show my husband Sondra's post to try to persuade him to get a boxer

 

Do you want a big dog, or small? Inside or out? We have a golden retriever that is the best dog I've ever owned. Intelligent, well behaved, gets along with other animals(dogs/cats/birds/etc), & he loves to play.

 

I really don't think anyone can answer this for you, it's way too personal. There are so many breeds. You should get a breed that suits your lifestyle as far as activities you enjoy doing and the amount of time you spend outdoors.

I have a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (say that 5 times fast) and he's great!