Normally, I'd say think very carefully because:
(a) dogs need love and care
(b) it could be a 20 year commitment (if you're very lucky)
(c) they cost money and time
(d) rescue dogs need homes too

But, I know you know all that and are a great mum already.

I think you should follow your heart ... any doggie friend of yours will be very happy for the rest of its days.

xxx

Reincarnate said:

Did your card get there yet?

thats a cool bigger dog too !!! ...

i was kinda kiddin about gettin 2 --- maybe when i have my farm (another future project !!!

Teacher said:

... not yet, but I live in a village so post is sometimes slower here ... I'm looking out for it though

Teacher said:

Is that the same as German Shepherd?

GangstaFam said:

Tron j/k

Schützhund is a training/competition discipline, like most other disciplines it's sorted in degrees I, II and III with I being the easiest including tracking, obedience and bite work (protection), II and III only have tracking and protection. Unless the dog's obedient enough you never go through to the protection work on level I.

For more info visit for example http://www.leerburg.com/rulestbl.htm

Teacher said:

i believe that german shepherd in german = shaferhund ...

schutzhund = "protection dog " ... i think ... if i remember ... (i do know that hund in german = dog ... )

my GSD dog had parents that were both schutzhund rated ... i forget now how high they went ... but i think her mom had level one and her dad had level 3...

now that u got me interested ... i should look locally ... what type of schooling exists ... interesting ...

MisterMan38 said:

At the risk of sounding stupid again, what is a GSD dog?

-GSD ==== short for german shepherd dog

MisterMan38 said:

correct on all counts

And do check, even before you get a new dog you can visit trainings to get used to it and learn how to handle a dog in the training, you can get to know people and even maybe borrow an experienced dog to teach yourself so you're ready when your new dog's finally arriving. I find schützhund to be a very good allround training for the dog, you get an obedient dog which is also capable of protecting your family if needed. If I do get my puppy I will try very hard to go for the IPO, which essentially is the same as schützhund. Then we could compare notes

I'm not much for puppies myself as I can't take the reponsibility but they all look adorable and I doubt I'd be able to pass it up.

CarrieMpls said:

That's the trick, to be able to say "no" in the presence of the lovelies I will go see her Tuesday or Wednesday, so not much time to decide really.

Teacher said:

Don't even worry about making a decision. You're gonna get it.

Teacher said:

Every time I visit our local Pet Smart (US store chain of all things pet related) they have a kitty adoption area and I generally leave close to tears cause I wanna bring one home and my poor old cat just couldn't take another kitty around. But I get so sad for the kitties. It's really heart breaking.

CarrieMpls said:

The worst for me is going to the pound and knowing that they only adopt out less than 3% of the animals. I leave feeling good for rescuing one, but heartbroken for the ones I leave behind. How come your kittie wouldn't tolerate another?

GangstaFam said:

Cause she's just too old. She's 18, which is, like, 150 in kitty years or something. (I've had her since I was 11. She's grown up with me.) I just wouldn't want to add that kinda stress to her life. Cat's have such a hard tme adjusting to other animals, it would be too much for her.

CarrieMpls said:

That's true. Especially indoor ones. You're probably right. Best not to upset the balance.

GangstaFam said:

Yup. And my kitties had a hard life. What with the kidney disease and having her uterus removed so late in life and all.

As for the pound, I hear you. I worked with a woman who visited her local pound weekly, just to spend time with the animals and give them some love before their inevitable goodbye. I wish I could do something like that, but I honestly wouldn't be able to take it. I get too emotional where things like that are concerned.

---- she does know that she is !

MisterMan38 said:

Actually I don't think I will at this point, but Wednesday isn't here yet

CarrieMpls said:

I'd be an absolute basketcase. That's why I wish everywhere was like the Humane Society or Animal Rescue. Just be a holding facility until the right home is found for every animal.

Teacher said:

YES YES YES !!! ; i so want ONE... can i buy one ? are they for sale ?

Mach said:

If you want you can have Amber! They don't want to sell her cos she's got a minor eye defect that will NOT affect her eyesight in any way, but they would if I asked IF you're really serious, orgnote me so we can talk.

you know .... on a side note ... Teach (and all others on this conversation ... ) ... not to get off topic too much ... but i never realized ... about 10-12 yrs ago ... when i was researching the german shepherd purchase ---- I never realized how many people are opposed to buying 100% breed dogs !!! ... my sis in law gave me a speech about "i dont believe in buying dogs that are like that ... when there are humane society dogs , etc ... " ... i was like ... almost like i was being called a racist because i was buying a german shepherd full-bred dog ... and not a pound mixed bred dog ...

not that that aint noble or anything ... and i have had mixed bred dogs that are great ...

MisterMan38 said:

I hear that, really I do. My first dog was a mix, but I chose to go with a purebred because I want to be able to compete and take part in the kennel club's activities, which I cannot here if I have a mix. I appreciate the people who do take pound dogs in, I will do the same in the future but I will, then too, go for a purebred.

I say don't get the dobermann. I wanna be the only one doing the biting

Heavenly said:

It looks like I won't be taking it

well , i just think it is funny ...

different folks ... different strokes ... lol ...

like i said .. i have NOTHING against pound dogs .. or mixed breeds ...

it just makes me sad when some people get pound dogs like they are "noble" and all ... then do not TRAIN their dog ... and it shits all over the house ... or jumps up on people ... etc ... that was a big obligation in my opinion when i got the german shepherd ... i wanted her to be GOOD and to a point where i could take her to my office if i wanted to ... and socialize her (which i did ) ... some people just CRACK ME UP ... not that all dogs are perfect right out of the litter (and my dog isnt perfect or NEAR shutzhund level) ....

recently a friend of mine got a boston terrier ... and they were braggin how great they are supposed to get along with kids ... and be so trainable ,etc ... well .. this thing is now like almost a yr ... and is totally a RAT DOG ... lol .... doesnt listen worth anything ... and ... u just wanna kick it like a football !!!

I think that breeding is not good for the animals and that most breeders are not responsible, so we shouldn't support them with our dollars.

That said, if you can get a healthy Dobbie for free, take it (or give it to me)! They are nice dogs. And I'm afraid I can't say that about most breeds.