hi all,
I have been looking to get a puppy in about 6 months however i am having a bit of a problem choosing the breed. i have a collie x gsd she is currently 20 months and gets along with all dogs, i also have a cat. i was orignally considering getting a gsd, i adore the breed and have wanted one for quite some time and i have done quite a bit of research on this breed to. however.. the want for a smaller breed has been gnawing at me, i'm not sure what breed or size to choose. i have plenty of room for either a large dog or small dog, i just dont know what to choose! i cant even choose one end of the spectrum over another! any suggestions/advice would be massively appreciated!!

Elise.
Moogi & Satine.

lol - I know how you feel! I've finally decided on a staffi but was torn for ages between them and a great dane! I will still get the dane but not just yet!

Good luck with making the decision - maybe looking around at dog shows would help you?

lol a great dane and a staffy! hehe what a difference! i love gsd's and bulldogs (alot) they're so completely different in energy levels and size!. i would love to have either but am leaning a little towards the bulldog more, however, my collie x gsd is very active and will play with a dog until it has to basically beg for mercy..so i dont believe a bulldog would be able to last long with Satine around! *grumble* hehe thanks for the reply! what made you decide on a staffy??

Why not try eliminating breeds you don't like and narrowing down the choice that way.

We once considered not getting a Staff and looked through dog books/shows/on the street and narrowed down the choices that way.

Got it down to;
Poodle (min or Std)
GSD
Cocker Spaniel
Stafford
Choose the Stafford in the end because we knew all the downfalls/pitfalls
and the choice was a good one.

Karen

yeah, thats what i'm doing this minute..its taking quite awhile and alot of research but the elimintaion method is a good one and an informed one! i'm writing down each breed that interests me at all, then i write down all the pro's and cons i can find and then write down a score out of 10. it's working well so far ^.^ thanks for the reply!!

That's it. works well until you see a puppy of a breed you scored 91/2 instead of 10 :D

Karen

lol karen, i know evil puppies! it's all well and good when its planned out on paper but can never be fully prepared for the cuteness of puppies!

visit discover dogs---all breeds will be there!! youll be spoilt for choice :D

We started with do we want hairy or smooth,(smooth)lot of work or no work(no work),manic or laid back(laid back),stubborn and strongwilled or totally obedient(totally obedient),big,medium or small(small) and we still ended up with Akitas!!!!!!!!

If it helps any I went down from GSD's to Schipperkes a small strong intelligent little dog with loads of personality .......... ok stubborn lol.

Hi Elise, how long have you had Satine now? It seems like yesterday you were anticipating picking her up from rescue. :) Good luck with your choice, just dont go to any rescues or see any litters meantime or YOULL be chosen. :D

Myparents had Rough Collies and Pomeranian's which they still have and have had for over 20 years and I've ended up with Spanish Water Dogs!! I must admit that although I wd. never own one I love a really well conditioned Staffie, they're just all dog.