Sorry! off topic <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

~Jamie

Everyone_

Much obliged for the info/opinions. While huge working capacities/drives etc is probably not a large concern, whatever drive translates to "ease of basic obedience training" is likely the largest concern.

While I do currently live in a fairly small apartment and have made that work in past circumstances, for any future dogs I rescue, we will have more space. Hopefully in a house with a yard.

Perhaps relevant to the discussion: I am strongly inclined to rescue any dog I get, vs purchase one. That has been the case three times prior where I had great luck with rescuing two GSD's, improving their training and behavior to some degree, and successfully placing one in a good home, and keeping the other untill his untimely death. My third rescue was a gsd/dobermann mix and didnt go so well, largely due to some profound errors on my part.

So, assume my commitment to rescue a dog(and consequently not always knowing it's background, and given my limited but improving talents as a dog trainer, does THAT factor into a decision as to what breed to choose?

In other words, if I can only rescue one dog, and am faced with an Akita or GSD, will I have more success with one or the other. It sounds like the generally consensus is that a GSD is "more trainable" or "easier to train" as they are more eager to please their owner/pack leader. Would that be a fair statement?

According to my Akita, anyway, the only good squirrel is a DEAD squirrel -- she'll run right up a tree to nail one (nope, not kidding, Akitas climb almost as well as Basenjis) !

http://www.akitarescuewny.com

They'll be very, Very, VERY discriminating with you about selecting the right Akita to place with only a really well-screened adoptive owner -- By the time you're done interacting with ARWNY, you'll know whether or not this breed is a good match for you <:-)