whats best breed or heinz 57 dogs wanting a dog but now not sure what breed or to look for heinze 57 any ideas any one got any advice

There are merits to both sides of the pedigree v mutt discussion and I'm afraid that there is no thing like a complete or right answer.

As for which breed is best, it's entirely down to what YOU want in a dog. The major reason for getting a pedigree (or close to pedigree cross) is that you have a fairly good bet at the characteristics, size and energy levels of the dog that you get if you have a breed and you're not likely to know that if you get a mutt.

I personally think that German Shepherds are fabulous dogs, but then since I've got a German Shepherd and work for German Shepherd Rescue that's not a great surprise, is it?

GSDs are also exasperating and take loads of hard work and training to be happy and comfortable dogs to live with- if you have the time to spend with them they're great, but they don't come out of the box like that and if you want a lovely floppy soft dog who is great to cuddle then a GSD isn't likely to fit that bill because they're bossy and on the ball 24 hours a day.

Molly's two best friends are shihtzus and they're very sweet, but they're not my kind of dog at all. Neither is her other friend who is a staffy. I also don't think that I'd be the sort of person who has a sighthound, as much as I think that they're elegant and beautiful, and I really can't see myself with a true terrier type either. I don't think that I've got the energy that I'd need for a springer or a border collie and I've not got the space for anything bigger than a GSD. That rules out about 90% of the doggy world for me.

Do your research on the different breeds and build this into your mental picture of what your relationship with your dog looks like in your mind's eye.

I think you need to think about what you want to do with the dog, how active you are, how much you want to spend on food, amount of space, do you want to be very social, do you want it to guard? (there is loads of things to consider)

Once you have thought of the answer to these questions it is then easier to match the type of dog you want as a lot of pedigree dogs have strong instincts to behave in certain ways. Heinz dogs are great (I have one) but it helps if you know what breeds you are dealing with as he is really hard wired not to do things like fetch, have anything in his mouth or like the company of other dogs which for my lifestyle is a pain, on the flip side he is pretty bomb proof, loves human contact, can walk all day and is quite intelligent.

My next dog I will think very carefully about the qualities I want and pick a breed that is more likely to display the type of behaviours.

PS. Medusa beat me to it :hihi:

Personally- i would write down what it is you are looking for in any dog - the time you have available and what that dog has to cope with on entering into your family.

Then decide on the amount of walking you want to give - how many hours you have available.

How much cleaning you want to do - and what type of coat?

Then start to look at what will fit into that lifestyle.

Personally I find the better the pedigree the more the health problems associated - even though personally i love pedigrees because I know what i am getting (or what i'm rejecting also).

If you look at a dog that has matured - that you can see the character as to what it is there - then see if that matches your lifestyle.
Go and visit a number of rescue centres with your list in your hand and see if they have something that fits the bill - then decide if you are right for it too.

Good luck - no rush - just get it right.

Just like everyones already said.
The only beneift to a pedigree is that most issues relating to that breed(although often exaggarated) are documented, it therefore allows you to assess potential issues and solutions.

We all have favourite breeds i'd recommend cockers to everyone 100% of the time and boxers to a select few.