The right Dog for us.?

[TylerDurden718]

My wife and I are want to get dog. However, we want to find a dog that fits our lifestyle. We feel that we can provide a good home for a dog, and we want to find a dog that we can attend to its needs in the right manner as well.

Info:
We currently live in Germany, so I am not sure what breeds are available here. The weather is cold during the winter, and warm duing the summer with maybe a few hot days (but not as many as we had in NYC).

What we are looking for:
* A breed with a good disposition.
* We want to go for walks at least twice a day for 30 minutes to an hour.
* We want a dog that we can train, do tricks with, and play with.
* A dog that is active when out but a little calmer when at home. I have heard Whippets macth this, but my wife is not sold on that breed.
* A dog that can be left at home while we work. Not locked in a cage or pen.... we find that wrong to do an animal.
* One that is good with a family and children. We do not have children yet, but eventually we want to.
* I want a dog that is a little more unique. But one that we can provide for properly.
* A dog breed that does not shed heavily. (My wife thinks a lab or golden would be good, but I have a feeling that they shed quite a lot.).
* A breed we can travel with. This way we can go for hikes or take with us when we go out to explore new things.
* A social dog that gets along well with other dogs and animals.
* A Medium to a big dog is ok. Extra large and too small are probably not what my wife wants.

Any suggestions on breeds I should look at would be greatly appreciated? Any advice on specific websites that have more information would help us out as well. Feel free to share your knowledge. I think this will not only benefit us, but others who are looking for the right dog to adopt.
Thanks for answering... please keep more answers coming in. Again, I think this would be good for anyone to read and gain info from.

Cocker Spaniels are a no go for us....... They would not be able to catch frisbees or jump in the air. And I am not sure if I have seen one swim ever. But thanks for the advice on that one. We really want one we can play fetch with when we are out and have fun with.

We will probably have a crate that will be kept open. We just want a dog that we don't have to lock up every time we leave the apartment. I know that dogs are den animals, but I think giving the dog the choice going in and out of a crate is much nicer than pinning them in one. Wild den animals are locked up, and have a the option to go in and out of their dwelling. We want to allow our dog to do the same. If he/she wants to go in and relax then ok, if he/she wants to lay in the middle of the living room that is ok too. LOL... just not on the bed!
Anyone have any other specific ideas. My wife and I really want this! Or if anyone knows online quizzes that are worth taking. I know not all breeds are put into these quizes and the answers may be skewed by the creator of the quiz.... but there has to be a really good one out there.
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Fiona - You would love the shelters here in Germany. Oh my god, I was really amazed at how nice they can be and how much space they can have. One even had a little garden where you could sit with the dogs and get to know them. Really amazing.

I also know that people in Germany are adopting dogs from Greece. I know that it is a sad state of affairs, but I think it is great that the animals are finding good homes and hope the best for Greece.
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Right now we have the time for a puppy. I am in my fifth German course, and have one more to go before any German company will take me seriously. Also, it seems that you can have an amazing CV, but if you have not studied in Germany then you are not worth their time or at least the HR people's time. But that is neither here nor there. Once I get my classes finished I will be able to start working. Which will not be until June.... Crazy course schedule.... 6 week break right in the middle. Needless to say I have the free time and so does my wife.

But we have the money saved to take care of a dog and provide a nice home.
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I too have heard about the bigger they are the more expensive it is to take them on a flight. I have a friend that has two giant dogs that he brought to Germany. Wow... I think we are planing to stay here for as long as we can. It really is a beautiful country.

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I have heard Goldens get slower after a year or two. I do not know how true that is. But I have heard after awhile they prefer to simply lay around. Plus the shedding.... Oh that is one thing I do not want. I do most of the dusting, and my wife does other things... but I know whose hands that will end up on.
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I am not saying I am against crates. I just feel if you work with your dog enough that you do not have to lock them in a crate for the whole day while you are at work. Luckily we will have time to work with the dog or puppy. I think if you train a dog over a period of time, then you do not have to lock them away in a crate. Also, I think they are not to big on that idea in Europe. For instance I know in Germany you can no longer snip a dogs tail. You may come across rescued dogs from other countries that have snipped tails, but from my understanding one can not just do that.

I stand corrected on the fact that I thought cocker spaniels can not catch frisbees. They just do not come off as being as athletic as other dogs. But I did see videos of them playing with frisbees and jumping in the air, but not like some other dogs. I do apologize for thinking that they could not.

But this question has really been helpful and I seen that others are reading it too!