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!

[Andrea]

You would probably enjoy a Cocker Spaniel, they're everything you mentioned and they are very smart and friendly

[Fearlessmoney122]

This site should help you;
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com /search.htm

The first four requirements can be met by any dog and any breed and are solely determined by the amount of training and time you will give your dog.
Caging(Crating) is not cruel as dogs are "den" animals and when used properly a crate can be a dogs best friend.
Most Sporting, Working and Herding dogs are great with children, but you will want to socialize any dog that you get with children to make sure that won't be a problem.
Both labs and Goldens shed heavily year round. Terriers are not shedders but have very independent minds so that may not be a good fit for you although a Miniature Schnauzer is a great family dog, originally from Germany and not at all stubborn.
All breeds can travel with you
If you dog is socialized properly with other dogs and animals that wouldn't be a problem for any breed
Go to http://www.akc.org and read up on the standard for a breed you are interested in. This will tell you the temperament, what the dog was originally bred for, shedding or grooming problems it might have as well as possible health problems inherent in that specific breed.
Good luck

[Fiona]

Different breeds of dog are prone to different personality traits however you cannot be sure that a puppy will grow into the dog you have in mind no matter how carefully you pick a breed.

I strongly encourage you to consider adopting an older dog from a rescue center. These dogs are already grown up and the carers at the center will of spent time with each dog and be able to advise you on their individual personalities and needs. Many places will also allow you to spent time alone with the dogs so you can get to know them before committing.

There are far too many dogs without a warm, comfy home and owners who can give them the care and affection they need and by adopting you can choose your pet on their own merits rather than those of their breed in general.

[MamaBas]

First of all if you are both working full time, please don't get a puppy. Puppies need to have somebody around most of the time at least through the first 6 months. And even then, no adult dog should be on their own for much longer than 4 hours on a regular basis, without the ability to empty. Puppies need to be taken outside every hour, after every sleep, feed and short periods of play (with their owners!!) Dogs are social animals, and do not do well living solitary lives - especially hounds!! And for this reason, I'd eliminate having a hound as even once through the puppy stages, adults can get very lonely and bored, and so noisy and destructive.

I'm wondering whether a terrier might fit. Active and not too big not to be able to go with you on your travels. The Schnauzers, Standard and Miniature (a German breed!) might fit and they don't shed lots although they do need regular grooming (going by what my Canadian friend who has two Min.Schnauzers tells me). Most common breeds are available in Germany btw. Find a good breeder via the Breed Club and go visit. They should be more than happy to take time to talk to you about their chosen breed.

It is very difficult to advise you what dog might suit, from the huge number of breeds available. What I would urge you not to do, is buy a mix-bred dog from a BYB. If you want to have one of these, adopt, from a Shelter only.

ps I would also suggest youi don't go 'big' if you are going to leave Germany at some point in the fugure. Flights go by weight as well as size.

[Morgan Lund]

Get a Golden Retriever

[Carol]

Hi, if you can get a free app called Perfect Dog. It lists all the breeds and made my choice easier

[Rooster]

Maybe a herding breed? They are supposed to be quite smart and active, but medium sized. Australian Shepherd, Australian Cattle Dog, Border Collie...Especially after your frisbee comment. They are supposed to be quite social and easy to train, since you have the time to really work with them and are getting it as a puppy I'm sure they would do just fine with children and in the house. Of course all puppies are crazy for a little while, but they mature

[Jimm]

German shorthair pointer

[There is no T]

Whippets are calm at home, but they will not want 2 x 30 min walks a day, they are a 4 walks a week kind of dog. Maybe a lurcher, eg collie x whippet would be a good comprimise?