Dog question...

[Ronin13]

Thanks for that MED- I have an old friend who I wish I was still in contact with, who's mom breeds GSDs that are of German blood line (I know exactly what you're talking about). 95% of the GSDs she breeds though go to either the DoD or LE agencies around the SW US... she's acredited and has quite the reputation. Those that she does give to private citizens have to go through rigorous background, personality, and character checks and they run anywhere from $6,500 to $12,000. I'd love to get a German-line GSD as I love those dogs, Bear is part GSD, but a good one from a reputable breeder is going to cost a lot... I just don't have the money to get such a top of the line dog like that (trying to keep it under $1,000 and I've seen GSDs go for as little as $3,000- still out of my range). Unless, of course, you know something I don't...

[hobowh]

Neopolitan mastiff is my vote.

[MED]

Thanks for that MED- I have an old friend who I wish I was still in contact with, who's mom breeds GSDs that are of German blood line (I know exactly what you're talking about). 95% of the GSDs she breeds though go to either the DoD or LE agencies around the SW US... she's acredited and has quite the reputation. Those that she does give to private citizens have to go through rigorous background, personality, and character checks and they run anywhere from $6,500 to $12,000. I'd love to get a German-line GSD as I love those dogs, Bear is part GSD, but a good one from a reputable breeder is going to cost a lot... I just don't have the money to get such a top of the line dog like that (trying to keep it under $1,000 and I've seen GSDs go for as little as $3,000- still out of my range). Unless, of course, you know something I don't...

These guys are my neighbors...they "seem" to have a pretty good thing going. I haven't bought anything through them so I haven't gone through it thoroughly, but you might want to check it out and ask questions. If nothing else, it is a pretty drive with a nice view of Pike's Peak through the meadow.

http://www.rockymountaingsd.com/

I got really lucky with my dog...right place at the right time. I'll post up a pic later.

[Ronin13]

These guys are my neighbors...they "seem" to have a pretty good thing going. I haven't bought anything through them so I haven't gone through it thoroughly, but you might want to check it out and ask questions. If nothing else, it is a pretty drive with a nice view of Pike's Peak through the meadow.

http://www.rockymountaingsd.com/

I got really lucky with my dog...right place at the right time. I'll post up a pic later.

Neighbors? Up in Conifer? You do know I work in Evergreen and looking for a house to move back up here soon... Conifer is easy peasy for me!

I'll check them out and maybe email them and find out about litters, but I saw their puppy price: $1600! That might be more than I can afford at that time...

[MED]

Neighbors? Up in Conifer? You do know I work in Evergreen and looking for a house to move back up here soon... Conifer is easy peasy for me!

I'll check them out and maybe email them and find out about litters, but I saw their puppy price: $1600! That might be more than I can afford at that time...

I say neighbors pretty loosely; as in within a couple of miles of me.

[MED]

Neighbors? Up in Conifer? You do know I work in Evergreen and looking for a house to move back up here soon... Conifer is easy peasy for me!

I'll check them out and maybe email them and find out about litters, but I saw their puppy price: $1600! That might be more than I can afford at that time...

One more final thought...the amount of money I spent buying my dogs is nothing compared to the money I spend on vet bills. My wife's dog goes to the vet pretty often for one thing or another...things like ACL sprains, claw issues, and bladder issues. My dog gets here shots.

[reno316]

No doubt. There's a cool story on the English Shepherd Rescue page about a dog named Abby that was basically a city dog that got put up for adoption and was taken in by a lady in the country that had goats and how it saved the goats one day Read it here

Our English Shepherds have never really required any training, they just follow you around, watch what you do and figure out how best they can help out.)

Casey did that once in SE Utah... we were heading on a hike, and came upon a couple free-range cows. Casey picked 'em off, one at a time, lined 'em up along the fence. Straight row, would have passed a Drill Inspection. Then she looked at me as if to ask "OK, where you want 'em?"

Never taught her that... she just knew.

Damnedest thing I ever did see.

[TS12000]

Timeout! Now just what exactly is that supposed to mean? I've taken the gentle ribbing in this thread but it appears to me that you're edging a line here, I need a little clarity to be sure though, I'm hoping my perception of what your meaning here is wrong.

No it's probably pretty close to what I mean, based off your life posts I'm assuming you aren't going to take care of a needy breed of dog for shit and your brother is going to end up with a new dog

[Ah Pook]

Going back to the OP. One of the last animals I would want is a wolf mix. I haven't met a wolf breeder that gave a shit about the animals. It was all about the money. Have a good friend up one of the gulches that has been stalked, more than once, by the neighbor's wolf dogs. More stories but don't feel like typing.

My last three dogs have been pound puppies and have all become excellent dogs. With CU out for the summer, the BVHS is probably overflowing with young dogs.

Maybe I missed it but what is the intended use for the animal? Sit at your feet and eat treats all day? Daily hikes/bike rides? Guard dog? How much time do you intend to spend with the dog? There are some good dog breed books out there.

Just because you have a backyard doesn't mean all the problems are solved. A bored dog can be a destructive dog.

Personally, herding dogs are my favorite. Not what I would want in a city apartment though.

[reno316]

Maybe I missed it but what is the intended use for the animal? Sit at your feet and eat treats all day? Daily hikes/bike rides? Guard dog? How much time do you intend to spend with the dog?

Best post yet. The breed you select should be based on the answers to these questions.

If you don't have time to spend with the dog training and walking and so forth, you don't want a herding dog, wolf-hybrid, Husky, etc. Get a Basset Hound. An old one.