Dog is OK

Best dog ever!! . Shes a pure bred mutt. Mc Nabb collie mix.

husky mutt, but I'm biased and miss my girl

My buddy has 3 dogs and they work together, and they are an interesting pack to watch.

The oldest is a heeler, she's the brains and unfortunately not afraid to mix it up (she is affectionately known as scarface). She's take on anything, no doubt. I'd say she's the best guard dog, but heelers require a ton of energy input and stimulation, otherwise they bark and chew everything out of boredom.

second is the big Catahoula, he's the muscle. Would not want him charging at me, 85# of serious looking dog. Very chill personality, but still carries himself with serious badass-ness.

Youngest is a pure border collie, smart as f**k, and learned the ropes quick but again he needs a large amount of space and lots of input to not get bored.

Look into the doodle crossbreeds.... haven't heard anyone say anything but good things about them....
  Don't get a beagle unless you can keep it with you at all times, then, get one....

OMG.  I remember chasing my friend's beagle up and down up and down the hills in Humboldt County when it got away. 

Those days, the sheep guys would shoot your dog if it traipsed onto their land.  Easy to follow though, should have named the breed "bugle."  Sounding off the whole time on the trail of a deer or rabbit or whatever.

Same shooter sheep guy later gave me a McNab puppy.  Yup.  Best dog I ever had.
(He was a good guy.  On horseback all the time with a classic Winchester.  He would bring your dog back to you, actually.  Once.)

Bushy

Hire a vet, mayb a cairo type SEAL pooch. Just look out for canine ptsd. 

http://www.save-a-vet.org/d7/adopt

There are lots of pits and pit mixes in shelters and rescues that need homes. They are amazing family dogs and very smart.

One good way to 'try before you buy' is to become a foster for a dog rescue. A good rescue will provide food, transportation to adoption events, and will find another foster if it's not working out in your house. And if you find one you love, you can adopt it! That is how we got our first dog and almost got our third.

PM me if you have any questions. I can put you in contact with a rescue in your area.

Hire a vet, mayb a cairo type SEAL pooch. Just look out for canine ptsd. 

http://www.save-a-vet.org/d7/adopt

OMG In a quick minute!  A trained Malinois would be my dream dog.  I checked pretty extensively, and you have to travel to Texas to advantage the offcial program.  and 12-18 month wait list.  I have one person checking rescue Malinois, my niece is looking at the rescue GSD's, and I always look at the rescue Bouviers.

It will happen.  thanks everyone for the advice and positive vibes.

Bushy


PS- I know that pit and pit mixes can make fine companions and pets.  But I don't trust them and I never will.

Good luck Bushy. A family pet is a god send from above.

A Malinois is a very good choice and the same with a GSD.  Be careful with hip dysplasia on GSDs, get a clean bill of health.  The Belgians are smart and high energy dogs and very quick, so it's probably a very good idea to account activities into their upkeeping.  A GSD is typically bigger by about 20-35 lbs compared to the Malinois. 

In my past experience, if a Belgian is in rescue system, typically they were poorly treated, so you may experience some aloofness (they are kind of aloof to begin with).  Most of them won't happily say hi to new people, so be aware of that.  However, they are very loyal. 

Also, most of them are pain tolerant, mine was bitten by a big dog in the nose with a 3 inches gash, not a peep/whimper.

I have the Tervuren variety for 16 years, best friend I've ever had. 

I'll get off my 2 cents, sounds like you absolutely know what you're doing.

Go to the pound. Get one that is moments from the needle. He will know it! That will be the most loyal mutt....ever! You won't have to spank it, use an e collar, just rattle a tin cup down the fence! #idontwhistle

No Yorky Mutts !! This is Chewy.  Balls up sleeping in front of the A.C .... No Respect!