I'm trying to decide on the dog I want in a couple of months (I have to wait til December -pace-). I have a binder I made of dog breeds, and I've narrowed it down using breed profiles and standards, so now I have to narrow it down to my top choices based on what the owners of those breeds have to say. ^^

So this is what I'd like to know:

I weigh roughly 85lbs and am 5'0" tall. I will be on medication, and I plan to train this dog to brace me should I get dizzy - so I need a dog large enough to support my weight without injuring itself.

I live in an apartment. I don't have a fence. I intend to take the dog for at least twice daily walks of 2+ miles, every day, so a breed with a need for exercise should be fine but a breed that tends to get really anxious about separation (which would happen for several hours a day until it's determined whether or not my ESD can do tasks that make it an SD so I can take it to class with me) despite exercise would probably not be for me, and a breed that tends to get huge or need a ton of space inside probably wouldn't work either.

Along the lines of the size of the apartment - how tall is your dog at the withers? Is it purebred or a mix? Do you live in an apartment or a house with your dog?

Was your dog quick to take to training? Did you purchase as a puppy or adult? If you purchased an adult, do you regret that and wish you'd gotten a puppy?

I think that's all I'm wondering about lol. So the breeds I'd love the answers to these questions for:

American Eskimo Dog (standard)
American Indian Dog
Australian Shepherd
Belgian Groenendal
Belgian Malinois
German Shepherd Dog
Golden Retriever
Irish Setter
Labrador Retriever
Samoyed

Anything you have to say about your dog, among those breeds, would be totally awesome! Thanks!

--Mandie

[lil mutt]

My brother's ex girlfriend gave me a puppy and Im very happy to have him as well as my other pets. I want a siberian husky next time but no one can take care of such a big dog here in our home if I am away.


anyway, I think a Labrador Retriever is suitable for your situation.

I've been pining for a Husky but I just don't have the room. If I had a yard for a husky to play in while I was gone, maybe.

I'll bump labrador retriever up on my list, thank you for your input!

[reeskujo]

I disagree about a Lab....They require a lot of room to run and they have boundless amounts of energy...Also being they're a working breed they need to be kept busy because they get bored very easily.

I would be training the dog as a service dog. It would be coming to work with me, and if I ask nicely enough may even be coming to school with me. So if it doesn't come to class it would be alone perhaps 3 hours a day, if I'm adding correctly lol. Since there would be a lot of training involved, would the dog still get bored?

What would you suggest as an alternative?

Is it possible to keep a lab in an apartment? I can't fence in property that isn't mine, and of course when I was away there would be a plethora of toys to play with and TV to watch (seems to work for my mom's border collie XD)... coupled with miles of exercise a day would the dog be sufficiently entertained or would the fact that I don't have a backyard simply be too much?

What sort of breeds are apartment-friendly, but still big enough to do the work I'd need?

In my opinion, from what I have read in your post, I would choose the German Shepherd. The other breeds seem too energetic or too small. The German Shepherd can hold its own weight if you get dizzy, it does require long walks (which you said you will do), but can be left at home after (the 3 hours should be fine). But most of all, they LOVE and are very good at jobs! If your looking for a service dog, you found one in a German Shepherd. They love to do their job and to be around their owners. If you were to take him everywhere he/she would be content, but as I said, they wouldn't mind taking a nap for that 3 hours or so when you are gone. Of course you would have to look at each individual dog for the right personalities, but I believe the German Shepherd would suit you well. Just keep in mind that the German Shepherd will have some shedding and might need to be brushed 2 or so times a week. Just make sure you get a lower energy German Shepherd because they will be easier to train, and safer as a service dog, not to mention better when you leave them home alone. Good luck, and I wish you luck and happiness with any dog that you choose! =)

I'd narrow it down to either the Lab or German Shepherd, and let your personal preferences take it from there. Both breeds are used extensively as service dogs, and both do equally well. Just keep in mind that not every individual in any particular breed may be a suitable candidate for working as a service dog. It takes a special dog to handle that kind of work.

Some organization that train service dogs boast a success rate of 30%, while others only claim a rate of 5%. A lot of it depends on how well they screen the animals first...and they don't start with puppies. They start with young adult dogs that have been raised in foster homes, with the specific job they're to be trained for kept in mind, so they have a head start when the real training begins.

Labrador Retriever is the best dog for you i guess..

I also must add, no matter what breed you decide on, for the work you would require it to do, it's essential that the dog have good hips and elbows. That means getting a dog that's 2-3 years old, and has had hip and elbow x-rays submitted to OFA for evaluation. The dog should also be examined by a veterinarian to determine that it doesn't have luxating patellas (slipping knee caps).

What about the dog you are trying to make friends with at the shelter? If you actually do make a friend out of him and he trusts you then you will have a VERY loyal companion that I'm sure you can train.

Originally Posted by xmandiex

American Eskimo Dog (standard)
American Indian Dog
Australian Shepherd
Belgian Groenendal
Belgian Malinois
German Shepherd Dog
Golden Retriever
Irish Setter
Labrador Retriever
Samoyed
--Mandie

I vote for American Eskimo Dog (standard).

I would definitely suggest the German shepherd - strong, beautiful, intelligent, and always eager to please, they've always been one of the top choices as service dogs (okay, yeah, I'm a little biased).

I'd suggest show lines for you, because the working line GSD has TONS of energy and drive, while working lines tend to be more mellow, or so I've been told. And yes, make sure to buy from a reputable breeder to avoid hip or elbow displaysia in the future.

Out of that list I would choose the GDS too. But have you considered an Australian Service Dog, otherwise known as a 'proper' Labradoodle, that's been bred for such purposes?

They are gorgeous, highly intuitive, not as manic as Labradors and not as tetchy as GSDs. Plus when they brace you won't get hair everywhere . There's introductory information at the top of this list: Dog Breed Information - Labradoodle - Pyrenean Sheepdog

F.

[lil mutt]

I also suggest you get a Labrador Retriever...