Help!!!

I'm getting laid off (again) so what does this mean?
Being that I'm all moved into my new house.... perfect time to train a puppy!

The clutch is what to get... I like big dogs.

I'm between...

German Shepherd, Dutch Shepherd and a Bulldog.

Weigh in here. Thanks.

I vote for german shepard. Every dog I've had has been a mutt - but always part german shepard, I adore them.

So loyal and smart!

If I were going to get a dog it would have to be a German Shepherd or some kind of German Shepherd mix. They are super intelligent and very loyal dogs.

Uhm. Please don't get upset when I ask this...

If you're getting laid off, are you sure it's a wise idea to purchase another animal? Shouldn't you wait until you have another job to cushion the cost of care rather than just going out and buying?

Just concerned is all.

What Melanie said. If you don't have a job, are you the only one in the house with a income?
After addressing that, I think German Shepards are awesome dogs that are underrated! A properly trained, social GSD is a gorgeous animal!

I've always had shepherds but my lack of a large yard would be a problem I feel which is why I was thinking maybe a bulldog as they don't run and gun as much.

Also thanks for the concern about the layoff status but I will still be making 90% of my pay so money isn't going to be the issue. Plus I will be doing some under the table work on the side to offset cost and I will probably be renting out a room. I do honestly appreciate the concern.

You can walk a shepard beside you, or beside a bike, and get plenty of interaction AND exercise. A bulldog needs exercise too, they are powerful dogs that if bored and not exercised enough can destroy your house in SECONDS. Okay.. a little exageration.. it has to be at least five entire minutes...
Glad to hear you'll be okay finaincially, AND that you understood we were concerned for the new pet's welfare!
So when you get whichever you end up deciding on.. we get pictures.. right?
Now?
Now?

C'mon... I always offer up pictures. I shouldn't say that because I said I'd post pictures of my new house and haven't yet but I just unpacked the digital camera! Give me a break. House pictures and puppy pictures coming soon?

I think you can probably guess what my vote is.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...8/IMG_0878.jpg

You might think about going for a shelter dog rather than a pup. Ginger came from a shelter and she is hands down the sweetest, most well behaved dog I've ever had.

I do love my shepherds, we had to put Shadow my boo dog down last November and it was by far the worst day of my life. By the way Spix that's a beauty you got there!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by spix14

I think you can probably guess what my vote is.

http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/j...8/IMG_0878.jpg

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Gorgeous dog!! I love shepherds and grew up with one. Very near to my heart.
So, do you want a dog that sheds? Do you want a guard dog? Do you want a smart dog? Do you want a dog with energy? Do you have the time to train and socialize an intelligent animal? Do you have the inclination to take the dog with you when you go places? If you have answered YES to all of this, then a shepherd is a great dog for you ;)

If not, perhaps some researching of various breeds would be in order so that you can choose a breed that fits in with your lifestyle :)

I love shepherds! When I was looking into dogs last year, they were near the top of the list of animals I'd love to own (and my hubby's #1 choice)...but the thought of all that hair! :weirdface My other top choice was a doberman and I don't regret that choice one bit. Our dobie is awesome! Bit of a handful at this young stage, but I'm sure she'll mature into a a model citizen.

Maybe someday when all the kids are grown and out of the house, I'll have time for a dog who sheds more than a dobie does. LOL (She still sheds, but not in handfuls like dogs with longer fur and undercoats.)

Oh yes, the amount of shed hair is rather mind boggling...I suggest going and buying yourself one of those vaccuums made especially for picking up dog hair.

She's also my "shadow dog"...she wants to follow me everywhere, and actually gets upset when all her family members aren't in the same room where she can watch us all at the same time.

I like the German shepard mix. Here a pic of my German Shepard/Pyrenees Mix

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g2...N/IMG00030.jpg

I need to take a more recent pic of her. She's gotten bigger. :D

If you get a GSD, please research your breeder! There are still a lot of bad dogs being pushed out by back yard breeders. Make sure the breeder health tests and has certifiable hip and elbow evaluations done. Don't get an American line dog if you want something that has any kind of protective ability, as that has been bred out of them in the effort to make a pretty dog that looks nice trotting around the show ring. GSD's are extremely smart dogs and are easy to train, but at the same time, you need to give a well bred dog outlets for it's energy. A smart dog will come up with his own outlets if you don't give him something to do, and that usually means destruction of property. An hour long walk isn't enough, his mind needs to be worked along with his body.

Here's my GSD doing personal protection training. He's from German working lines.
Eyeing up the bad guy.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j.../dogs/3yr2.jpg
Coming over the fence to protect me after the bad guy attacked me.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...on/aohjump.jpg
Trying to get at the bad guy after being given a watch command.
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j...n/DSC00186.jpg
On the bite sleeve
http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/j.../gunnar/43.jpg

I actually went to the humane society today and have decided on adopting this little lab mix quite similar to the one at my parents house. Little guy picked me!

I bring him home next Tuesday so pics will be on the way!!:banana::banana::banana:

I see ya made up your mind, and went to a shelter, good for you! So many shelter dogs need homes, you wont regret it! labs & lab mixes are awesome dogs, my once in a lifetime dog came from a shelter, lived to be almost 16 yrs old, GSDxLab mix, he always will be number 1 in my heart.

Cant wait to see pics of your new family member!

PS
I woulda voted for a GSD had you not found one at the shelter :)

http://i85.photobucket.com/albums/k4...y/PiePooch.jpg
Fiance and Apollo

Get a white German Shepherd. My dog:
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r...9/PA040676.jpg
http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r...er19/tyler.jpg

Good on ya for going to a shelter. Had you gone with a breeder, I would have said go with the GSD.

All that being said. Regardless of how much you know about dogs, check out the group of ebooks called sit-stay-fetch. Everyone can learn something from them.

Good you for gettin the lab mix..did you bring it home? pics?
I love my lab mix pups, both 4 months old (black lab/golden retrever mix)
black fluffy, and together they make the twister, able to level an entire home in minutes.
imagine 2 of these:taz::taz:

Yea shelter dogs!!! Out of my 4 dogs, 3 are from the shelter. They are great great dogs! Can't wait to see pictures.