|
|
  Sock eating dog owner
Posts: 4557
  
Location: Where the pavement ends and the West begins Utah | If your wanting similar qualities of the GSD try the Belgian Malinois they are loyal and they need a running partner and they are bred square. I currently have English Pointers my oldest is 7 years and shows no signs of slowing down. This breed is well bred and I don't think you'll come across hip dysplasia or artheritis they are bred to be athletes. Their batteries don't stop till you turn the lights out and are extremely smart and will protect you if need be. |
|
| |
|
 A Big Ditto!
Posts: 3600
 
Location: Jasper, Tx | If you like the GSD then go with them but like everybody has said find a reputable breeder (and I know some in Texas) and get a working line not a show line.
I don't recommend the Belgian Malinois to most people as they have an extremely high drive! They are a GSD on crack!!! x2  with that being said most people have not heard of a Dutch shepherd, now they can have a high drive also but they are not as high strung as the Mal. I know I have a female. Very nice dogs very protective and loyal! They are in between the GSD and the Mal. They don't have the health issues that the GSD and mal have. They don't shed as bad a s a GSD also. :) Heeler are a lot like the Dutchies just in smaller bodies but can be more hard headed than a Dutchie! Good luck with your decision hopefully I have helped some.
Forgot to ad My Dutchie is in my avatar. I do search and rescue and she is also my personal protection dog.
<------------
Edited by Deedoe 2014-02-15 10:22 PM
|
|
| |
|
 Heeler Hoarder
Posts: 2067
| I have not had any real health issues with my heelers or French Brittany Spaniels, my pitt has a ton of skin issues though. We have also had ALOT of mutts over the years and seems like they never have health problems. We just recently purchased a Border Collie that is finished on cattle and although we love her it would not be my choice for a "pet" dog especially owning horses. |
|
| |
|
 I'm Here!!
Posts: 4583
Location: Is it Summer Yet? | Fun2Run - 2014-02-14 11:25 AM Get a nice mutt. The shelters are FULL of them. And the larger dogs are harder for them to place. I will NEVER ever have another dog that is not from a shelter.
Nothing beats a mutt!! |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1543
Location: MI | Generally, the lesser known breeds and mutts will be 'healthier', although there are exceptions to the rule. I would vote for Catahoula. I think a Aussie or Border Collie are way different, temperament and drive wise, from GSDs - you'd really want to switch temperaments (we have an Aussie as well). We have a Catahoula, he's 10, will be 11 this year, and hasn't slowed down or had any health problems. He's super tough (accidentally ran him over with my F250 once, oops), and I got the 'chunk' of the litter, he looks pretty pit bull/bull dog stature and no one messes with me when he is around. The Aussie, well, isn't very intimidating, lol, even though he may be more prone to bite than the Catahoula.
I agree with Belgian Malignois - smart dogs, but man, high high drive. The one I knew had a very strong prey drive (no chickens lived around this guy) and he was pretty psychotic, but didn't have a job to do. I'm sure thats what makes them such awesome police dogs.
|
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 372
Location: Missouri | There are multiple websites that list basic information on numerous large breeds.
I personally love my Akitas! My mom has bred and showed them for over 20 years, I grew up with them and will always have one. They can be prone to bloat and hip dysplasia, as are almost every large dog, but are over all a pretty healthy and tough breed. |
|
| |
|
 Pork Fat is my Favorite
Posts: 3791
Location: The Oklahoma plains. | KatieMac88 - 2014-02-15 8:05 PM KDS - 2014-02-14 1:50 PM I have also heard that mutts tend to be healthier than pure bred dogs (no idea how valid this is). Personally, I know our mutt (Bassett/beagle) who is almost 10 has been super healthy her whole life (knock on wood).. The reasoning I believe is that they have a lower risk of inherting genetic diseases, but again, this may be a myth.
What about Australian Shepherds? What kind of health issues are they prone to? I know quite a few people who love this breed..
Good luck and have fun in your search! I agree! Mutts are the healthiest breed! They have Hybrid Vigor like you'd get from cross breeding cattle. My mixed breed dogs (mutts and rescue pups ) have always been healthier and hardier than my purebred dogs. Don't get me wrong I love purebred dogs too but if health is your concern I think mutts are generally going to be less likely to have health problems.
I agree.  |
|
| |
|
 That's White "Man" to You
Posts: 5515
| Get a mutt and name him lucky. He will last forever! |
|
| |
|
I Really Love Jeans
Posts: 3173
Location: North Dakota | You need to purchase a quality dog from a breeder that actually shows dogs and wins. You will pay BUT a true breeder will NOT breed a dog with problems. Life happens sometimes but they will usually have a contract to cover any inherited issues! If you purchase something from a backyard breeder who doesn't show and live and breath showing you will end up with issues . If you don't want to pay a premium adopt a mutt from the animal shelter, they make the best pets and usually don't have health issues because they have not been reproduced for profit!! |
|
| |
Folks on-line