Having just lost my GSD after 11 wonderful years I would like to get a new puppy, but not the same breed. Any ideas about a breed with the same characteristics, size, etc.Need one that's really people/dog friendly and loves to go on walks, but not jumpy and bitey.

Hi,

I've got no suggestions but sorry to hear you've lost your dog.

KAREN

How about a labrador or golden retriever, they are large friendly dogs.

hmmmmm I was going to suggest a Boxer :D But then they are bouncy
and like to greet people....
What about an Australian Shepherd dog?
They look wonderful dogs, not sure on characters if they are the same
as the GSD?
Or of course there are the 4 varieties of Belgian Shepherd dogs.

How about a Dane ;)

Sorry for your loss. What about a Rhodesian Ridgeback - or a pointer? Retired Greyhounds also need loving homes after racing - not pups though.

RR's aren't necessarily people friendly. They can be very standoffish. They can also be extemely bouncy.

However retired grey hounds can make good pets, and have the benefit of not needing too much excercise.

You'd be surprised, greyhound pups do come into rescues sometimes - although pretty rarely.
Lurcher pups do all the time though - depending on the cross, they can be very like greys. :)

How about an Italian Spinone? - most people who meet them fall in love. This is what I'd decided I was going to have instead of Rough Collies when I lost my old girls, but when it came to the crunch ......... I just couldn't be without a Rough .......... and one turned into two.

Will have a Spinone one day, though!!

M.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. Did consider a Spinone, but I'm too worried about the Cerebella Ataxia that seems to be a problem. Interesting about the suggestion of pointers - I've just had someone recommend them as a possibility. Anyone had any experience with pointers?

With Spinones as far as I am aware they think in the UK that they have managed to breed away from Cerebella Ataxia :-) although I think there has just been a new case in Italy :-(

Why anyone would want to love that wet beard though ;-)

Hi,

As Sarah says, think they have fairly well identified the carrier lines within the UK, so believe that with research the CA is avoidable.

M.

Yes, I admit I'm biased towards pointers as I have one! I've also chatted to Helen who has several pointers in champdogs. I find my little pointer great fun to be with, intelligent, graceful in motion, eager to please, gentle with kids and affectionate to everybody. The grown one I know has a certain dignity about him. If you like long walks pointers are great. We have people charging up to us saying " What a beautiful dog - is it a pointer?"

A lot of my GSD friends like my Elkhounds, and say they would like something like that when GSDs get too much for them :D

Just off to have a natter at the GSD training club held accross the road from me!

Have to say they wouldn't appeal to anyone who want an instantly obedient dog :D Their idea of Obedience is to look up check where you are, and come over in their own good time, and they can occasionally throw a deaf one when they got their noses and brains on an interesting smell. They are agreable with people and dogs which I like, as I don't worry about them fighting when I walk them off lead, though if attacked they can certainly hold their own and defend themselves.

we went from GSD's to Elkhounds, and I must say it came as a bit of a shock, GSD's live to please you, Elkhounds live to please themselves, but have to say I would not change back. Guess that says more about me than the breeds.

Must remember that one Jackie, said what I was trying to get across so well :D :D :D

I came from BSDs, so found the less highly strung (but more independant and less needy) attitude a real tonic.

I went from gsd to elkhound aswell!! Wouldn't change back though.
I also was approached by a lady at hound show who had shown Gsd in Australia and was looking to show a different breed over here.She was interested in Elkies so I told her what little I know then passed her on to Gill so sounds like GSD to elkies is a common move!
Archer

Can really recommend a greyhound or a lurcher - having had both, currently two lurchers, they are friendly, love their walks (although are big couch potatoes too!), great with people (especially greys who are trained from a young age to walk well and be handled). And the biggest plus point for rescuing one, is that there are thousands needing homes - not a plus point for them of course :(
Grey and lurcher pups are notoriously lively though, so maybe a young adult would be more suitable.
Gorgeous gorgeous dogs, in desperate need of homes.
If you would like more info I can pass on links to greyhound and lurcher rescue sites?
Lisa
xx
Ps. Have added a link to my lurchers own webpages which show photos of the lovely pair :)

http://sky.mydogpages.net/
http://badger.mydogpages.net/

I've been told by a couple of trainers that Spanish Water Dogs are very much like GSD's in their working character, that they don't just rush in, that they have a brain and deal with things properly!!! Though I do have to tell you that with a Spanish, you have to socialise, socialise, socialise!!! If you don't you'll have problems but if they are socialised from an early age then life is a lot easier.

Only problem is that Spanish aren't easy to get hold of.