Good for you on your decision to becoming a fur mom again!

I'm gonna put a different spin on this just for food for thought(as I've been thinking about my next dog/breed lately).

* If another breed, which one?  Why?  Do your homework on what that breed is bred to do.  Example:  Herding breeds - they tend to chase things.  Can you or will you train/maintain these behaviors appropriately?

* What type of genetic issues does each breed have that you are contemplating?  Example:  Is the breed prone to cancers?

* What size of a dog do you want?

* Does the breed shed alot or not at all?

* Is the dog very active and require alot of exercise/training or is it a couch potato?  What are you willing to deal with?

* Get a pup or rescue?  Each has things to deal with.  Pup - example:  housetraining.  Rescue - example: scared of people?

* If buy from a breeder, buy from a reputable breeder that does that breed's health clearances.  Example:  OFA hips, OFA elbows, CERF eyes.

Me, I've decided that I'll either stick with Australian Shepherds or someday maybe get a Siberian Husky.  And I would preferrably get from a breeder that is a Natural Rearing breeder as they vaccinate less, feed good foods and treat holistically as possible.  The more I read about vaccines, the more I'm scared of getting a dog that has a long family history of overvaccinating causing all sorts of health issues, cancer being one of them.

Tracy, Maggie's Mom

We have questioned this too! Bud is our second golden. We have had german shepherds, labs and mixes. Both of our goldens have just been the sweetest, great with kids, well behaved dogs but they also have been the sickest!

 Our first, a rescue, we lost to cancer at the young age of four and then poor Bud, the only pup I've ever picked out of a litter, with the hip dysplasia and all of the terribleness that has followed!,

 I loooove this breed but do not honestly know what we will do in the future. I have friends with 15 and 16 year old healthy as they can be goldens. One can hope I guess!

I will be curious to see what you decide!

I've always only gotten rescue dogs, and they've all been mixes but with a different dominant breed in them. They, of course, each came from different backgrounds, each had/have their own health/behavioral issues, and each had/has a very distinct personality. And, with each one, I've grown to love them so much I swear I'm going to stick with that breed.

But, every time I've started the search for a new one, there is always one that captures my heart with their personality, so the breed becomes a moot point.

Our most recent is a pit bull mix, and I really do think we will (try to) stick with this breed, for several reasons. While she has her bouts of crazy puppy energy, she is by far the most cuddly dog I've ever owned. She is cute as a button and really smart. But, mostly, I feel like this breed needs as many advocates as it can get - there is a lot of prejudice against them out there, and the rescues/shelters are overrun with them - all thanks to cruel, evil people who profit from their fighting. I hope there is a special place in hell for people like that, or anyone who abuses any animals for that matter.

Ok - here's me getting on my soapbox:
The pitties' affinity toward people is both a blessing and a curse - no matter how much they are starved or beaten, they rarely attack humans, which makes them 'perfect' for dog fighting rings where humans often intervene. Not to say they don't have issues with in-breeding or the occasional psycho (what family doesn't - ha!), but there are a lot of misconceptions perpetuated by the media/insurance companies/government bans that just make it harder for these puppies to find good homes.

I'll get off my soapbox now - sorry for venting, but it breaks my heart to know there are so many pit bulls out there who would make wonderful, loving companions, but they are passed over due to misinformation.

Anyway, good luck with your search!

What's worked for me twice now, if you think you can stand to be patient enough to give it a little more time and are already planning on a shelter dog, is to volunteer at a shelter so you are able to get to know individual dogs.  Knowing about the breeds can help, but I think being able to take that specific dog for a few walks tells you a lot more.  Just a thought - if it's feasible for ya.  Not everyone has a shelter close enough for the right hours available to volunteer.

I have always had a different breed of dog after losing a furkid.. I once had a pureblood Doberman and he was the most loyal loving dog you could ask for - I could climb on my own soapbox right now regarding Dobermans.. but you all get the idea from what others have already said, I always planned to get another Dobie, but it never happened, always a different breed afterwards with the exception of having adopted two brothers Kodiak And Gentle Ben from the same no kill shelter, Cooper appears to be predominantly Newfy and we love him and his personality so much , this is what prompted me to be put on a wating list for a pure newfy pup this fall.. I guess there are no hard and fast rules, it seems to me that when the cards are down your heart will tell you what to do.

Coopsdad