Still confused so asking again Which breed for me?

I have been soooooo busy recently so haven't been on here much, so I apologise.

Basically, ergh, I can't work out what I want to do, every time I make a decision something else comes up.

So I am making another one of these to see what happens!

I already have Alfie, he is a daft hairy beast who loves everyone and everything

For my second dog I want a larger dog..... I think.

I was always dead set on a GSD, and in a way I still am, and will own one in the future if it isn't my next dog as there are some traits in them I love.

I want a dog I can feel safe with when out walking on my own or living on my own.

I am 23 at the moment, my next dog will be when I move out, possibly then also having kids, so that will need to be taken into consideration.

I want a smart dog who is aware, and who wants to learn and can play proper outside games with, and one who likes to play, but also one that will chill out and if I can't get out that day, won't wreck the place and be bouncing off the walls.

I don't mind grooming, but nothing extreme lol.

I need a dog that loves other dogs as Alfie loves other dogs so I wouldn't want to avoid them if possible.

The reason I am slightly doubting a GSD just now, is that if I move out on my own, get a GSD and that's fine, but if I then decide to have kids, I don't want to not have time for the needs of a GSD.. does that make sense?

I then thought about golden retrievers but not sure...

Can you still feel safe walking something smaller?

Hope someone is able to make sense of all this!

ETA: I also have a big soft spot for HVs but don't know much about them really!

I am in a similar position to you

IMO though, most dogs will need time to have their needs met, not just GSDs. In what way is it you don't think you will have time for them? Walking, training etc?

I feel safe when walking Jake, and he isn't that big (the size of a border collie)... OH doesn't feel safe when I walk Jake though He wants me to have a GSD so he can feel safe when I am out with the dogs alone ... he REALLY wants me to have a PP dog

How come you feel safe with Jake?

I'm not sure, probably just the ongoing mental stimulation, I know all dogs need it, but know the GSD needs that bit extra, see what I mean?

I am not saying I will ignore the dogs at all but am just taking that into consideration!

At the moment I like..

GSD
HV
GSP
Flat coated retriever

(probably loads of others)

Why not cross that bridge when you come to it? you obviously have a fair idea of what breeds you like. Presumably it is going to take you a while to move out and have children? I would just wait until then, see which of the breeds I liked the most out of my favourites and go from there.

I have no intention of getting another dog for a very long time, but I know roughly which breeds I like. If and when the time comes I'll pick one of the breeds I like. I'm not the sort to umm and ahh over choices years and years before I have to make them.

So go with the flow is my answer. No need to be 'confused' - think about it nearer to the time.

That is also what my mum has said, but when I start thinking about something, my brain doesn't just switch off and it will eat away at me

I am not looking for a definite answer, more just maybe a new breed selection or pros and cons about some breeds

The interest in HV's made me chuckle as I own a "stranger danger" nervous HWV and as a result I can walk almost anywhere at any time of the day or night as he won't let anyone he doesn't know or like anywhere near me!

In reality what you really need is an Oscar!

Haha aww

The reason I like them is that there is a lady local round here who has two, and Alfie adooores them, such lovely dogs

Apart from playing with Alfie and chasing tennis balls, I don't know much else about them though

I don't know a massive amount about smooth HV's, I know of a couple in my old village and both have been riddled with health problems so if you do decide on one make sure they're from fully health tested parents!

Jackbox on here knows quite a lot about them so if you're really interested it might be worth a PM?

From the two smooths I know and from owning a Wire I'd say Vizsla's are generally quite sensitive, the smooths being a bit more "giddy" than the wires. They make great companions as they're relatively easy to train (for an HPR), but they do LOVE their humans so would either need very regular human company or canine company as a substitute when you're not there.

I'm totally smitten with the HWV and inspite of the HWV freak I have not a million miles from me now, I know I'll own another one in the future!

But the pros and cons are going to differ depending on your situation at the time. If you ended up moving to a flat and having a couple of kids for example, a demanding HPR breed might not being conductive to your lifestyle.

I just feel safe knowing he is there... that and the fact he barks at groups of teenagers, and people he doesn't like the look of (I am sure he gets vibes of them that he just doesn't like). He rarely does it when he is off lead, usually it's when he is on lead... but I do think Jake would react if someone came at us in a threatening/aggressive manner (although that has never happened)... although, in saying that, when people have shouted at me, he just stands there but they have always been a distance from us... Anyway, I just feel safe

Thanks! The ones I know are mad and full of energy, but they are such lovely dogs! Does your HWV drool much? How much exercise does he need? And mental stimulation? What about training?

That's what I want!
Not a dog that will attack people, but one I can feel safe with.
He sounds fab

One thing Vizlsa's definitely are is loving!

Oscar doesn't drool at all, but one of the smooths I knew used to drool profusely, but I do think this was more in connection with the polymyositis which sadly eventually killed her.

Oscar gets about 2 hours of exercise a day roughly, however he's a retrieving demon so if I'm feeling lazy or ill taking him out for a 30 minute walk and another 15 minute fetching game is enough to keep him happy. When my parents have him all he gets is a couple of runs a day with the ball, but the house is so busy it's enough to physically wear him out. I certainly wouldn't say he's demanding in that way, but he does settle better on an evening if he's had plenty of exercise. He's a very good hunter and that's the best way to wear out his brain, tracking a pheasant scent takes a lot of concentration dontcha know!

Training wise he's been a dream, it's almost like he's come pre trained, but then I own a Springer so anything that remotely listens to me is seen as a bonus! Seriously though he's the easiest dog I've ever had to train, very, very intelligent (he learnt to open doors by 9 months of age) and due to his sensitive nature all you need is a firm voice command to stop him in his tracks!

my 19 inch high, 40lb terrier(ish) dog makes me feel totally safe! I am never worried when I have Ollie with me! Course, that being said, he is fear aggressive and would attack if cornered... but he's protective too (tried to get through my truck window at someone pretending to hit me)

Take a look at the Irish Terrier. A good family dog, very smart and versatile, and protective. Downside is they can be destructive if not kept busy, and can be a bit DA with strange dogs.

I always felt safe with my boy Sam (Retriever x). He was 22 inches but would bark if anyone came near when he knew he needed to.

I actually feel safer with Harry my Springer when out walking than I do with Cooper my Dally. Harry would actually bark and protect me where as Cooper is a right wuss

I think it depends on the dog really, not the breed. I read on the forum once someone teaches their dog to bark on command so it can look more intimidating, I'm trying with Cooper he's very hard to get a bark out of!

Not all GSDs are going to demand more than any other breed. Casper is pretty easy going, he has his reactivity but that's not something I can't cope with (and it's improving). He can cope with days off if needs be (if he's had a particularly bad reaction he gets a couple of days of no walks to calm down), he's pretty calm in the house and happy to entertain himself if needs be, he's not a hugely active dog that needs to be doing agility or any particular "job". You could adopt a slightly older GSD and by the time you have children, the dog will be older and calmer. It's a good idea to teach a breed like that an "off switch" anyway.
My old neighbour has two GSDs and is due to have her second baby, she just had the one GSD when she had her first daughter and the dog went everywhere, walking perfectly to heel next to the pram. I would say the dogs always seem happy enough and get plenty of walks.

Thanks, not too keen in fairness, but made me remember the Airedale, and that could be an option too!

Yeah I know how you mean, I remember as a child feeling safe walking with a friend and her black lab who would sometimes bark.

Teaching them to bark on command for that is a fab idea - though Alfie sounds like Cooper in that trying to get him to bark in the first place is the hard bit!

if you want a dog that is a great family dog for if you have children i would definitely recommend a flatcoated retriever.

they are such great dogs with such a happy disposition. they are very family orientated and love to be around people. the ammount of families that had puppies, the kids absolutely loved the dogs, and the dogs are so gentle around the children.

exercise wise they need a fair bit, but it would be stuff you could do with children. they tend to be as long as they are with you they are happy

There arent many breeds imo that can equal the bond and loyalty a GSD shows towards his/her family.
My girl absolutely dotes on my son, on days when i cant take them out (not very often but does happen) she is happy to lounge on the sofa with her head in my sons lap- they are best friends