How to choose... Labrador, German Sheppard, Golden Retriever?

[Indadhanu]

We decided when i was pregnant that we'd get a puppy when Jazz was one. Well, 4 months to go, so want to start looking at some breeders and etc, except first we need to decide on a breed!

We've narrowed down to the three breeds we want to look at...

Labrador
German Sheppard
Golden Retriever

But we don't really know how to decide from here...??? Do you think we should just view a few different breeds and decide? Or decide on a breed beforehand?

I'm not really sure how to go about it now?

[christy]

I think deciding on a breed and then searching for the right breeder will help.

I would have a look at Canine Control Council's website and look at the breeds and breeders there. They have to undergo inspections etc to remain on the council.

I know a reputable breeder of golden's in Bulimba, but I'm not sure about the others. I only know she's reputable because I used to get her puppies in puppy preschool, and their temperments were fantastic. We also treated all her female dogs so we knew them all well.

I know some breeders of German Shepherds as well, but have been bitten by the mother's before and know them to be unreliable temperments, so I wouldn't suggest them as they needed heaps and heaps of work to get to be family dogs.

When you go to a breeder, you need to watch the interaction of the breeder with the dogs, see how the dogs react. How are they housed? Do they sleep in enclosures? Do they get to interact with family life? I don't think its bad to keep them in enclosures, but its vital that the pups interact in family life before you take them home, otherwise they won't know how to interact with your family.

[Indadhanu]

Thanks heaps Christy, I was hoping you'd come on with some breeder info off to check out that website! Thanks for the tips about what to look out for when we go to view

[HotI]

I love labs. We have 2.

Not sure about the other breeds, but be prepared with labs that they shed hair. Even if you brush every day, they still seem to drop hair everywhere. Still love em.

[Me+him+bub]

DO NOT get a german sheppard unless u are prepared for intense training and routine my partner and i bought a purebred for 800 bloody dollars! and he had terrible skin conditions, hip dysplasia and fluid build up in one elbow we spent hundreds on vet bills even though he was from a reputable breeder, apparently they are prone to many problems especially hip and skin, he was viscious to other dogs even though we took him to obedience, he was terrified of strangers so not a good guard dog and very very defiant, he was soooo smart, too smart if u get my meaning, we spent 500 dollars on "bark busters" to stop his barking, didnt work, after a year of constant trying we decided to give him away to a farmer on acreage, and we were only 20 with all the free time in the world to dedicate to him and he was just trouble! but we still loved him but will never buy one again! they are great for the police force and for people who are really really dedicated, either that or we got a one off! bad luck!

[LimeSlice]

I had shepherds my whole life growing up and they were all wonderful.
They require training, but so does any dog. We had both male and females, they are loyal, protective, friendly, and intelligent.
They do have some predisposition to problems with their hips in later life though.
I would recommend shepherds to any responsible and sensible family, and would have one again any day. (You can also get in touch with the K9 department of the police and they will often have dogs that have not passed all the tests to become police dogs. But are temprement tested and halfway trained)
Have also had labs and they are gorgeous dogs. I am still a GS girl all the way though

[Tinks]

I'd go a Golden Retriever, they are super smart and easily trained. Labs tend to be quite bouncy when they are younger but they are adoreable and train well too. German Shepherds are lovely and I've always wanted another one but got a Smithfield instead. We had Shepherds as kids but they do tend to be very possessive which could cause alot of hassles for you. If you do decide on a Shepherd make sure you see the parents and ask LOTS of questions about their (parents) temprement, any reputable breeder will (or should) answer honestly. Also watch how the mother responds to you with her litter. If she shows signs of aggression don't get one of her pups. We had Shepherds as family dogs when I was a kid, 1 of them was lovely and gentle but the other 2 had the possessive streak. The male we had wouldn't let anyone he didn't know near my mum or into our house and the female would sit next to us kids and guard us but wasn't so nasty to visitors. They were all fine with our family and they were very affectionate, as kids we could do anything to them and they would just let us lol. All in all they are highly intelligent and obedient dogs, I just love them. They do malt alot as well like Labs do. If you have the time and patience to train them properly you will have a wonderful doggy family member.

I'd seriously get a Golden Retreiver.

[Floweryfields]

Dr Harry said Labs are his pick for families with children.

[Lulu]

I had a beautiful Border Collie but gave her away to a farm. Its not fair to have a working dog in a backyard.