Thinking of finding another dog - Page 1

Hello everyone! I 've read there for a few years but never posted before and thought I should ask for opinions and advice from more knowledgeable people. All help is appreciated. This is going to be kind of an introduction also.

On New Years Day, my 6 year old working line female GSD (PPD) died from bloat/torsion. It was less than 2 hours from the onset of symptoms until she hit the OR. In spite of rushing her straight into the vet and surgery, she didn't make it. End of last month, I lost my 8 year old male showline GSD to a splenic tumor that the vet believes was hemangiosarcoma. There were no signs until the tumor ruptured. Xrays showed a possible tumor near the heart as well. I made the hard decision to have him euthanized. Needless to say, it's been a bad few months. 

I have a very active lifestyle and working lines dogs have fit right in. I'm thinking about getting an adult dog with some training. Male or female makes no difference. I don't care about titles (BH would be nice), popular bloodlines, show ratings, competing in sport or breeding candidates. Good nerves, joints, health and suitability for my lifestyle and needs are what I'm looking for. I'm not going to breed. I'd have an adult female spayed but I don't castrate my male dogs. I have no cats, no small dogs or children around. I don't do dog parks and I've never had a problem with neighbor's dogs. The dog will primarily be an active companion, travel with me, go to work with me and live in the house. I don't need a super protection dog but I do need a dog that would be willing to engage a kick in my door or jump out the bushes type scumbag if necessary. I know a good trainer and will train the right dog for my needs. Since I don't want a puppy, a friend suggested getting another rescue dog and normally for just a companion dog, I would. While I'd do it again that's not what I want to do right now.

I'm 51 years old, live alone and put in late hours at my office in a sketchy area. There are a lot of transient homeless and a few regulars. Drug and prostitution traffic is the norm during the day along with office break-ins, muggings and vehicle vandalism at night. I have a CW permit and have always had at least one of my dogs with me as a deterrant. Usually, they both came along. I am thinking of getting another dog sometime in the next 6 months to year. I'll have to get my funds built back up and be ready first but I've always had a GSD and can't imagine not having one for too long. I do NOT want a puppy. I'm not up for housebreaking again and leaving one home alone while I'm at work wouldn't be right. If I brought a puppy to work, which I could do, the only available grassy walking area is behind the building. There's a known cut through escape route from the drug dealer hangout on the other end of the building from my office. Not exactly a place to take a puppy after office hours when they have to go. So, I'm thinking of a retired breeding dog or maybe even a club level dog that just wasn't working out for the current owner for some reason. I don't want a V rated IPO3 dog or a top sport prospect and absolutely I dfo not need a nationals caliber dog nor do I want one. Why waste a dog like that!   

I do know to get references, check out dogs in person and research before I buy. But, I need suggestions on where to look for a decent dog, age range to think about, what to watch out for besides scammers and would really, really appreciate thoughts on what a dog like that might cost. Suggestions on temperament, drives, etc. would be most appreciated too. I've never bought an adult dog before. My adult dogs were all rescues and I've only bought puppies. The last one was 6 years ago and I didn't know about this board then. A lot of ads in the classifieds here don't have prices and some of the ones that do are for titled dogs way over and above my needs and might have too much potential for someone else. I'm afraid to call up and ask about a dog and insult someone! Really anything you all can think of to help me. Oh and if I'm barking up the wrong tree, please, please tell me!

Thank you all so much! 

Move to a better area before getting a dog.

Where do you live, Kaylee? Just the general area. Would you consider another rescue?

Sorry that you lost your dogs. I know how you feel.

 

 

LOL @ vk4gsd! Believe me, if I could, I WOULD!

I don't own this business though and the lease on the space isn't up until August 2018. No choice in the matter unless I want to find a new job. At 51, almost 52 with 9 years on the job here and a very generous stock option and retirement plan I'm vested in, that's not going to happen. I keep the door locked after hours and an eye out for wandering dealers before I leave. I've gotten to know who all the regulars are, both the ladies and the men. They're all either homeless or prostitutes, don't bother anything and don't worry me at all. Sometimes it's even quite entertaining. It's the transients that cause problems. A few weeks ago, the police were out because someone broke into the back of an empty office and was living in there for who knows how long. A week before that, the helicopter was circling over an hour in the early afternoon looking for a suspected bank robber that was seen running through that cut through behind the building. The business behind mine on the other side of the cut through has been robbed at least twice that I'm aware of in the last year. We've also had a run on car breakins since the first of the year. One week, every single vehicle that was parked here over night had the inside electronics stripped, the catalytic converters cut out, or both. TWICE! No real violent crime and no hard drug traffic. Still pays to be careful.

I don't have problems at home. On the contrary, it's very quiet there with mostly middle aged long term residents and my neighbors are great. I bought the house several years ago specifically for the neighborhood and was extremely lucky to find it. 

First off welcome to the forum.... Sorry to hear about the loss of both your dogs in such a short time. It is hard on us when we loose a family member, and especially 2 in such a short time..

Great intro of your self..  I too feel that an adult dog or young adult would fit your needs to best.  I would guess that you will be spending around $2000- $5000 range. Does it matter to you if the dog is Czech... DDR or West German? Any color preferance (sable, black, bi-color, blk/tan)? What state are you in?

There are alot of very knowledgable people on this forum that will give you some great advice..

I would contact, (not sure how close these people are to you, but they have a GREAT reputation) I personally have talked to all 3 of these people and they are very trustworthy and very helpful.

Nate Harves

Mike Diehl

Can CzechDogs

@ Blitzen,

I'm on the mid-eastern coast of the USA. I would absolutely consider another rescue if it's the right dog and I will eventually have another in any case. I've had ten so far and with my soft spot for the seniors I know a few more are in my future.

Thank you for the condolences. Sometimes life just sucks and this sure has. I've never lost a dog to either of these things before and it was shocking to say the least. Two healthy, vibrant dogs gone in the blink of an eye. We do what we must for them and I am at least glad that neither suffered, not for long anyway. Ben's was a gentle death but I will always blame myself for Suzana.

I sent you a PM.  Nan

Jyl, thank you so much for the reply. It was excellent! Nans gsd and everyone else that has so kindly sent me a PM, thank you so much as well. It is very late now and I will respond to everyone tomorrow. Such great people here!