I'm thinking of adopting a dog...

[TherapyGolden]

I have been thinking about adopting a dog for a while now...but now I have been looking more seriously at available dogs. I've been wanting a young dog for a while because I like to do a lot of dog activities (agility, other sports, hiking, biking, animal-assisted therapy) and Ginger can't do much now because of her age and bone issues... Plus, Ginger has been acting very lonely now with Pooch gone.
My problem is I can't seem to decide on a dog or source... Has anyone else had this much trouble choosing a dog? I have wanted a German Shepherd for a long time so I am looking a Shepherd rescue and at breeders with older puppies. I also found two mixed breed dogs I liked a lot who are up for adoption. I just can't seem to decide though!
There is a breeder with a very nice 12-week-old German Shepherd available...he was supposed to be a show dog but he has an undescended testicle so she's selling him to a pet home. The only problem is with a dog that young I would have to wait a long time before doing much with him (like agility or long walks) until he's done growing. Plus the price is very high as this is a purebred puppy...
Then there is Shepherd rescue. I saw a few really nice dogs available but one I liked the most they said already has several applications for adoption. The main issue with rescue is that there is no genetic information and Shepherds are very prone to hip problems...
The third option is a mixed breed rescue. I saw a dog on Craigslist I really liked but I am having trouble coordinating with the owner to visit him. I also went to an adoption event recently and saw a very nice, young mixed breed who was very friendly who I liked. He is smaller than what I had been thinking of getting (a little smaller than Ginger) though...
Most of my dogs were strays and sort of found me, so that might be why I am having so much trouble choosing a dog... I'm worried I might make the wrong choice or adopt one and then find another "perfect" dog is now available somewhere...
 

[dort]

I think if you go "meet" a dog, you will get a much better feel for the connection.  I am willing to bet that you will be fine with any dog you feel the connection with.  All breeds have some sort of issues so look for what you think you might like.  And you can't do agility with a young dog, but you can certainly do the prep for it, like 2 inch jumps, dog walks barely off the ground, wide weaves, etc., and especially the footwork and communication between you.  Good luck....let us know what you decide.

[Louisa]

Well I think, as a dog lover, you'll probably struggle with this because there are so darn many " perfect" dogs out there in need of love. I still do every single time I visit the pound or go on craigslist, there is about a dozen beautiful unique dogs I want to take home,and give a good life forever. The crappy part is there will always always be a dog out there that deserves so much more than life dealt them, but all you can do is find a boy or girl and spend time with them and I think you'll just know.

[JoeF]

I'm checking with a Friend in Schaumburg (Long hair GSD owner) to she if she knows of any.

[Carol]

I know you are probably expecting this from me, but have you tried going to a Greyhound meet n greet.  They are great companions with other dogs and are very quiet in the house yet participate in outdoor activities as readily as their owners.  That way you wouldn't have to worry about too much activity on your Ginger.  Just a thought

[TherapyGolden]

I went to see a young German Shepherd today... He was sweet and VERY playful, 5-6 months old but we just didn't "click" so I don't know... I am going to the shelter tomorrow with Ginger to meet the dog I saw at the adoption event.

Joe let me know if your friend knows of any available!

[Marge]

I went to see a young German Shepherd today... He was sweet and VERY playful, 5-6 months old but we just didn't "click" so I don't know... I am going to the shelter tomorrow with Ginger to meet the dog I saw at the adoption event.

Joe let me know if your friend knows of any available!

I wouldn't necessarily knock the 5-6 month old out.  GSD's are going to be more aloof/less sociable with strangers than would say a golden it's part of their nature.   But once they bond with you it is a lifelong bond.

The following is a quote from the breed standard:
"The breed has a distinct personality marked by direct and fearless, but not hostile, expression, self-confidence and a certain aloofness that does not lend itself to immediate and indiscriminate friendships. The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them."

Goldens on the other hand Looove everyone, and make those immediate and indiscriminate friendships the GSD wouldn't. 

As long as he was playful and accepting of your overtures with him I wouldn't knock him out of the running.  If he avoided you or was aggressive then I would reconsider but with a GSD I wouldn't be overly concerned if the pup wasn't making overt contact.  How did the pup act with the current owner (breeder?)  Where did the pup come from originally if this isn't the breeder?  Is it a store bought pup?

Marge

[TherapyGolden]

He was a rescue dog from a shelter downstate apparently. He was friendly with me and not aloof really at all, I just didn't really connect with him I guess...

[TherapyGolden]

I finally heard back from the German Shepherd rescue group!  They left a message, I need to call them back tomorrow...
I am having second thoughts though about looking for another dog so soon after Pooch passed away...although I was actually looking to adopt a dog for a while now, I'm wondering if maybe I should wait a little longer?

[Carol]

Lizzi, keep looking and when one pulls your heart string, you will know it is the right dog and the right time.  If you don't have that way down deep "I've gotta have thisdog feeling' then don't do it.  You will know; Pooch will send you one.  At least that's the way I like to think of it.  I have never replaced a dog.  I've just been blessed with dogs that bring me new love, new idiosyncrisies, new fun, and new bonds.....I like to think that has been Goldie, Muppet and Tater's way of keeping my world fun and new and not sad and depressed.

[TherapyGolden]

The thing is I am not sure I am going to get that feeling... I think I am still depressed over Pooch and I might have trouble connecting with any new dog... I think maybe that will come after getting to know a dog maybe? I know with Pooch I didn't actually connect with him either, he was a foster dog for several months and only when he was about to be adopted by someone and the adoption fell through, only then did I realize I did not want him to be adopted! Then he ended up becoming a permanent family member...

I am going to look at a young GSD on Friday. Here's his profile:
http://www.gsdrescue1.org/fultons_shiloh.htm

[Louisa]

He's very cute, I like his dark coloring.  There is quite a few cuties on that rescue site.  Are you dead set on a puppy?

Lance is so beautiful... and black bandit looks like a cute little guy.  Hope you find a nice one! 

[TherapyGolden]

No actually I was thinking about it and thinking a 1.5-3 year old might be better (I told the rescue person that when I talked to her today)... In fact I really liked Lance too! But she said she wasn't sure if he is still available.
However the rescue coordinator thinks this puppy "Fultons Shiloh" would be a good match for me...they want me to try fostering him. I'm not sure because he is a bit younger and going on looks I hadn't had him as one of my 'picks' from the website-- but we'll see. The rescue group has people foster a dog first and then you decide if they are a good match or not..

[TherapyGolden]

Well so far I have not felt a real connection with any of the adoptable dogs I have met... I don't if it is going to happen, if I will feel that type of connection at "first sight"? I am not sure if it might be because maybe it's too soon after losing Pooch, but I don't know. Maybe I should just wait a while before I adopt another dog?
I know with Pooch I did not have an instant connection, although I did with Ginger... Pooch was supposed to be a foster dog, he was a stray I rescued and I was keeping him as a foster for a long time (months) and looking for a home for him. Then I took an obedience class with him and I think maybe that was when I really connected. I didn't realize it though until he was about to be adopted! I had found him a home and talked extensively with them, and then when I was getting him ready to go to his new home I realized how attached I was. The adopters did not show up when they were supposed to come pick him up, and I did not hear back from them. That was when he stopped being a foster dog. Ginger was also a stray but I knew right away she would be staying if an owner did not turn up looking for her...


I recently found out about a German Shepherd puppy available from a breeder. I'm not really sure whether or not a younger pup is a good idea or not.  I am going to go take a look at him tomorrow but I am unsure.
The puppy is about 12 weeks old and has been through puppy classes, is mostly housetrained and knows some basic commands. His parents are champions and the mother has quite a few performance titles (including several in agility and CDX) and also TDI (therapy dog).  Both parents are OFA'd hips/elbows and other health testing is done. The pup has allergies so he is being sold at a lower cost. This is from the German Shepherd breeder I mentioned in my first post.

[TherapyGolden]

I went to see the puppy at the breeder... She seems like a really good breeder. I am still undecided though on adopting!

Here are his photos:
http://www.chicagocanine.com/green/