Any suggestions for my next dog? Which breed for me?

which Weim kennels have you been looking at

Seen a weimi pup the other day, so broody...lol

Might take a look at them then when I'm on the computer.

I'm really broody too but puppy is going to have to wait until next year I think. My favourite weim kennel is 'enryb' they have just had a litter and have another due in December ;-) Gorgeous gorgeous dogs.

going to have a look, be next year for me too

I like Weims and Dobes and common sense says you have a dobe so get a weim BUT I have to admit there is still something pulling me back to dobes......be five years till I decide at this rate!

Could always get both Seriously though it took me ages to decide because I like so many different breeds. But after looking at Weims so much I really do have my heart set on one. But if I read so much into dobes then maybe I won't know either

When it comes to a GD, how long you are away from the dog is going to matter a great deal.;-)

You probably don't want to go with a dane then. While some are more energetic than others, and some more enduring, in general they aren't a dog that's gonna go go go for long periods of time. They have their spurts and then they want to rest, preferably in your bed or on the couch. I know with Luke, he will darn near kill himself trying to keep up with Kayla, Mom's standard poodle, and after about fifteen minutes, twenty tops of running around and playing he's DONE. And done for HOURS.

The lifespan is something to think about for sure, but really, at the end of the day there are no guarantees in life with our dogs, no matter what breed you choose. Even going to a top of the line reputable breeder is not neccessarily going to guarantee that you won't lose your dog earlier than you wish. It only raises the odds of having a healthier dog. How they are raised, what they are fed, whether they received the proper type and amount of exercise, those things will have a huge impact on the life of your dane as well. As heart breaking as the breed can be, there is no doubt that once you have loved and received love from one, the pain we experience, is worth every second.

LOL well...it depends on what you consider focused. They CAN focus, when they want to, when it's worth their while, and generally for short periods of time. These aren't dogs who want to spend hours at a time learning tricks or doing obedience...That's not to say that they can't excel in obedience, they can and do, but it's a whole different ball game working with a dane than it is a GSD or herding breed. Or even a lab. They're just...different in a lot of ways, very human like, very stubborn when they want to be, and lazy at times. There are times when even the thing that motivates them the most, won't even keep their attention for a second. You have to really know your dane, what makes them tick and know when to back off.

Loyalty and extreme affection is definitely a dane trait. They are meant to be protective and watchful of their family and homes. A lot of people forget that about this breed and think that they all should be falling all over t hemselves wanting to meet and love on the entire planet. Some do, some are that way, but they are SUPPOSED to be leery of strangers and protective of their intimate family and home.

If you do choose a dane, you will have to wait until the age of two before doing any strenuous exercise at all. No jumping, no dock diving, agility, etc. There are some who do it, but the dog suffers for it later on usually and to me that's just flat out selfish and wrong given what we know about the issues with bones and joints in the breed.

Can't think of anything else to add at the minute. So guys hat do you think? I think, that for now at least, as much as I know you love the breed....it's not the right one for you at this time. You would have to get a very rare dane to meet all of the requirements that you are asking for, and even then there'd be some issues with lifestyle that don't match. Someday though, you might be in a better position, want a more laid back companion dog who's just happy being at your side.

Thanks for that reply. Firstly no dog I had would ever be left on there own for more than a couple of hours without himan interaction, and I think how a do copes on its own is to do with how it is raised not just certain breed traits. Exercise wise I know that nothin serious can be done until the fully matte but that's the same in any breed too, large ones anyway. I will have to think about exercise and things with a big dog (Weimaraner is what im thinking) but a dog that wouldn't walk that far doesn't bother me. I put those figures down because that's what I currently do, so put it at the max limit rather than the minimum. My two now would be fine with half and hour a day.

I agree about breeders and things. There are no garantees over any age in any breed. Finding a good breeder helps though. For the person I would go to a Dane for here has the majority of hers until they are around 11/12.

As for a Dane being focused when they want to, I have one of those here lol. Asbo had been a challenge to train but we have got there he just takes more time,patience and different techniques to other dogs I've trained.