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So, long story short, me and the G/F had to have her mixed-breed Beagle euthanized about a year and a half ago. The poor thing was old, had some form of cancer and was really starting to struggle. It sucked, but it was the right thing to do. It took several months before even thinking about a new pup made sense, but we've been talking about it for nearly a year. We're both ready.

To head the discussion off at the pass, I get that "rescuing" an animal is a great thing, but I have some very specific breeds in mind. They rarely need rescued. I've actually looked for the last several months while researching breeders and haven't found any available. If I could find one going that route, it would be the first choice. Having said that, the breeds in questions (in order of preference) are:
Belgian Malinois
Neapolitan Mastiff
Doberman Pinscher
German Shepard Dog

I've been doing a lot of research, so I know a lot of the pluses and minuses for each (health, SIZE, temperament, SALIVA, etc.) but was wondering if any of you pet lovers have first-hand experience with any of those breeds. I've had a Doberman in the past and have spent time around GSD's, so I'm really interested if anyone has experience with or advice about a Belgian or Neapolitan. Trying to learn as much as possible before making a final decision...

Labs are one of the best should consider but best of luck with your soon to be new baby .

Irish Wolfhound

I don't like any of those breeds except for the German Shepard. I like the idea of rescuing animals too but when it comes to dogs I also like specific breeds, or being able to get a specific breed. I hope you get a good pup!

But this is a sensitive subject for me.

Everyone in my family wants a dog, except me. We have 5 kids. That's plenty of animals. For a while I was lucky because our landlords don't allow pets. But then my wife and kids had the great idea of asking them if they'd let us. I've been really resistant to this whole idea but I thought, "Ok. Strong chance landlord holds their ground and the enthusiasm for this "family dream" dies a definitive death and I can go on with my life dogless in this house of animals." Jokes on me. The landlord said yes. To cap off my demise my wife's years long friend and ex-coworker has well bred poodle-collie (Colliepoo... even the name I hate) mix puppies that are hypo allergenic which we would need because of my son and I, and she's offered to literally give us one for free. All of the hills from which I could amount a strong defense from the advancement of the enemy are gone.

My white flag... is flying. Dog incoming in October.

I have very specific breeds in mind



Not sure how "soon" it will be - I over-analyze everything... (True Story)

Ostinato Rubato wrote:I don't like any of those breeds except for the German Shepard. I like the idea of rescuing animals too but when it comes to dogs I also like specific breeds, or being able to get a specific breed. I hope you get a good pup!

But this is a sensitive subject for me.

Everyone in my family wants a dog, except me. We have 5 kids. That's plenty of animals. For a while I was lucky because our landlords don't allow pets. But then my wife and kids had the great idea of asking them if they'd let us. I've been really resistant to this whole idea but I thought, "Ok. Strong chance landlord holds their ground and the enthusiasm for this "family dream" dies a definitive death and I can go on with my life dogless in this house of animals." Jokes on me. The landlord said yes. To cap off my demise my wife's years long friend and ex-coworker has well bred poodle-collie (Colliepoo... even the name I hate) mix puppies that are hypo allergenic which we would need because of my son and I, and she's offered to literally give us one for free. All of the hills from which I could amount a strong defense from the advancement of the enemy are gone.

My white flag... is flying. Dog incoming in October.

very high energy , need to run , run and more run

German Sheppards are great dogs, but the pure breds tend to have hip issues as they age. Ton of German Sheppard mixes available in our humane society on a really regular basis, and the mixes tend to not have the hip issues as they age out. In all honesty, I think most pure breds are prone to health issues, while the mutts tend to be stronger for the genetic diversity. Having a pure bred as one parent and a mutt as the other gives you a nice healthy dog with a lot of the traits of the pure parent.

We're currently puppy hunting as well, since our older pup left us this spring and our younger pup is coming out of her funk and we can tell she's hunting for playmates when we're out among other dogs. Good luck! It's tough to pick out someone you know you'll have for their entire life, but always so rewarding. Hope you find what you're looking for.

nightflameauto wrote:German Sheppards are great dogs, but the pure breds tend to have hip issues as they age. Ton of German Sheppard mixes available in our humane society on a really regular basis, and the mixes tend to not have the hip issues as they age out. In all honesty, I think most pure breds are prone to health issues, while the mutts tend to be stronger for the genetic diversity. Having a pure bred as one parent and a mutt as the other gives you a nice healthy dog with a lot of the traits of the pure parent.

We're currently puppy hunting as well, since our older pup left us this spring and our younger pup is coming out of her funk and we can tell she's hunting for playmates when we're out among other dogs. Good luck! It's tough to pick out someone you know you'll have for their entire life, but always so rewarding. Hope you find what you're looking for.

There's a local GSD breeder that has a decades-long history of healthy, championship caliber animals that display the typical health issues with far less frequency. They are beautiful animals - and stupidly expensive. I want a pure-bred, but I don't want/need a "show" dog. Just a healthy, obedient, loving pet...

Ostinato Rubato wrote:I don't like any of those breeds except for the German Shepard. I like the idea of rescuing animals too but when it comes to dogs I also like specific breeds, or being able to get a specific breed. I hope you get a good pup!

But this is a sensitive subject for me.

Everyone in my family wants a dog, except me. We have 5 kids. That's plenty of animals. For a while I was lucky because our landlords don't allow pets. But then my wife and kids had the great idea of asking them if they'd let us. I've been really resistant to this whole idea but I thought, "Ok. Strong chance landlord holds their ground and the enthusiasm for this "family dream" dies a definitive death and I can go on with my life dogless in this house of animals." Jokes on me. The landlord said yes. To cap off my demise my wife's years long friend and ex-coworker has well bred poodle-collie (Colliepoo... even the name I hate) mix puppies that are hypo allergenic which we would need because of my son and I, and she's offered to literally give us one for free. All of the hills from which I could amount a strong defense from the advancement of the enemy are gone.

My white flag... is flying. Dog incoming in October.

Congrats

You will love it, and hug it, and hold it and call it George...

fretless wrote:

Ostinato Rubato wrote:I don't like any of those breeds except for the German Shepard. I like the idea of rescuing animals too but when it comes to dogs I also like specific breeds, or being able to get a specific breed. I hope you get a good pup!

But this is a sensitive subject for me.

Everyone in my family wants a dog, except me. We have 5 kids. That's plenty of animals. For a while I was lucky because our landlords don't allow pets. But then my wife and kids had the great idea of asking them if they'd let us. I've been really resistant to this whole idea but I thought, "Ok. Strong chance landlord holds their ground and the enthusiasm for this "family dream" dies a definitive death and I can go on with my life dogless in this house of animals." Jokes on me. The landlord said yes. To cap off my demise my wife's years long friend and ex-coworker has well bred poodle-collie (Colliepoo... even the name I hate) mix puppies that are hypo allergenic which we would need because of my son and I, and she's offered to literally give us one for free. All of the hills from which I could amount a strong defense from the advancement of the enemy are gone.

My white flag... is flying. Dog incoming in October.

very high energy , need to run , run and more run

The reports from the owner of the parent dogs on their temperament literally sounds perfect for our family, if those traits are passed to the pups.

I had no answer once the stars aligned against me. Defeated.

These two are available right now about 2 hours away. The Mastiff is a female and the GSD is male...

Ostinato Rubato wrote:

fretless wrote:

Ostinato Rubato wrote:I don't like any of those breeds except for the German Shepard. I like the idea of rescuing animals too but when it comes to dogs I also like specific breeds, or being able to get a specific breed. I hope you get a good pup!

But this is a sensitive subject for me.

Everyone in my family wants a dog, except me. We have 5 kids. That's plenty of animals. For a while I was lucky because our landlords don't allow pets. But then my wife and kids had the great idea of asking them if they'd let us. I've been really resistant to this whole idea but I thought, "Ok. Strong chance landlord holds their ground and the enthusiasm for this "family dream" dies a definitive death and I can go on with my life dogless in this house of animals." Jokes on me. The landlord said yes. To cap off my demise my wife's years long friend and ex-coworker has well bred poodle-collie (Colliepoo... even the name I hate) mix puppies that are hypo allergenic which we would need because of my son and I, and she's offered to literally give us one for free. All of the hills from which I could amount a strong defense from the advancement of the enemy are gone.

My white flag... is flying. Dog incoming in October.

very high energy , need to run , run and more run

The reports from the owner of the parent dogs on their temperament literally sounds perfect for our family, if those traits are passed to the pups.

I had no answer once the stars aligned against me. Defeated.

You rarely do when it's you against the family...

1 vote for the Neopolitan. Disclaimer: I'm a mastiff guy.

German Shepherds are the best dogs ever. But, the health has been bred right out of the breed. As much as I love them, I would steer way clear. Honestly, I would stay away from pure breeds altogether for that reason. Hybrid vigor is a real thing.

Check your local animal shelters and find the mutt that wins your heart. You'll have a dog that is forever grateful for being rescued.

Ry Manchu wrote:1 vote for the Neopolitan. Disclaimer: I'm a mastiff guy.

Very tempting - and very expensive...

mastiffs are great dogs

TurboPablo wrote:German Shepherds are the best dogs ever. But, the health has been bred right out of the breed. As much as I love them, I would steer way clear. Honestly, I would stay away from pure breeds altogether for that reason. Hybrid vigor is a real thing.

Check your local animal shelters and find the mutt that wins your heart. You'll have a dog that is forever grateful for being rescued.

That's a great choice for some, and a worthy cause, but I want a specific breed this time around

sleewell wrote:mastiffs are great dogs

Awesome

What about a border collie or border collie/husky mix?

Super smart, loyal, and if you get one with blue eyes, it'll freak people out lol.

Former dog trainer and many dog owner.

Your list:

Belgian: this dog needs a job dude. It’s really never going to be happy being a house pet, and it’ll make it known. You’ll suffer if it gets bored. See the GSD review below; not as bad, but along those lines.

Mastiffs: not really health issues per se, but they’re bigger dogs that have their own set of issues. They’re slower to train and don’t live as long, naturally. Take a normal dog’s lifespan and cut it in half, pretty much. There are specimens that live longer but the average is pretty short for a dog.

Doberman: our of your list, this is the one I’d choose. The temperament is well suited for a family dog, they’re not (NA bred anyway) really all that aggressive, especially if they’re socialized well when they’re young.

GSD: great dogs, I’m not gonna lie I love em to death and have had 4. They’re insane without work. My 2nd ate my couch one day when I couldn’t get home in time. I never recommend these dogs to really anyone if I can help it, because people rarely have the time to devote to them that they need. If you can take this dog to work with you, or your wife can, and it’s a controlled environment where they can get to know everyone, right on. If you have to leave it home the majority of the day, you’ll regret it, I promise.

My main pet peeve when training dogs (training people really) is that people never do enough research on what the dog they want needs, and then I get a call saying it’s tearing up their shit.

No fuckin way, the dog you leave alone for upwards of 10 hours a day is acting out about it? I’m shocked.

English Coonhounds are my favorite. The have the best personality for me. Playful but super chill too. They are also FIERCE guard dogs. And they howl almost exclusively. Mine rarely ever barks - she only howls

If you hate your neighbors, get a Beagle.

TurboPablo wrote:If you hate your neighbors, get a Beagle.

Hard dogs to look after for new owners, having said that my dog is a bastard and he is a small dog.
It does depend on the dog.

Steinmetzify wrote:Former dog trainer and many dog owner.

Your list:

Belgian: this dog needs a job dude. It’s really never going to be happy being a house pet, and it’ll make it known. You’ll suffer if it gets bored. See the GSD review below; not as bad, but along those lines.

Mastiffs: not really health issues per se, but they’re bigger dogs that have their own set of issues. They’re slower to train and don’t live as long, naturally. Take a normal dog’s lifespan and cut it in half, pretty much. There are specimens that live longer but the average is pretty short for a dog.

Doberman: our of your list, this is the one I’d choose. The temperament is well suited for a family dog, they’re not (NA bred anyway) really all that aggressive, especially if they’re socialized well when they’re young.

GSD: great dogs, I’m not gonna lie I love em to death and have had 4. They’re insane without work. My 2nd ate my couch one day when I couldn’t get home in time. I never recommend these dogs to really anyone if I can help it, because people rarely have the time to devote to them that they need. If you can take this dog to work with you, or your wife can, and it’s a controlled environment where they can get to know everyone, right on. If you have to leave it home the majority of the day, you’ll regret it, I promise.

My main pet peeve when training dogs (training people really) is that people never do enough research on what the dog they want needs, and then I get a call saying it’s tearing up their shit.

No fuckin way, the dog you leave alone for upwards of 10 hours a day is acting out about it? I’m shocked.

Thanks for input

As far as research, I absolutely agree with you. I've been doing just that for more than a year. And I'm still learning things. There are people that get animals with the thought that they can get rid of it if they don't like it or it doesn't suit them (for whatever reason). I'm not like that. You go into it with the complete understanding that it is a lifelong commitment (theirs or yours). So, I want to make sure it's a breed I really want and me and my girlfriend (not wife, slow your roll, Scooter ) can deal with long term. Hell, I've had cats my entire life. One lived to 21, another to 17. Long haul...

The Belgian is still my first choice, but the need to "work" is certainly a consideration. The reality is that we both work. The way the schedules align, the pup would be at home, alone, for about 6 hours a day. It will take some effort to ensure that there is enough exercise, play time and "work". That would be true for all of them, but obviously more so for the breeds where it's a natural instinct.

The Mastiff is second on my list based on girlfriend input. I'd prefer a Doberman over a Mastiff but we're 180° on that choice. I love them both, so swapping the order doesn't bother me. I had a Doberman a looong time ago when I was in college. I "rescued" her from a group of stoner dickheads that thought it would be cool to have an "attack" dog. They chased her around the yard with a lawn mower. I couldn't take it, so I took her. Black/tan, 110 lb sweetie named "Gracie". She was massive. And awesome

I appreciate the input - it helps me make a better decision. There's a preference order, but the reality is that I would be happy with any one of them and we will lock-in on whichever one checks all the boxes when we see it. Who knows, we could even take a 90° turn if another breed seems right for us while we're looking.

Looking at puppies is fun

I’m glad you’re doing the research and I feel the same way about the commitment part of it.

I don’t understand people that throw animals away, ever. Assholes.

Good luck on your search man, can’t wait to see the puppy!