How to Choose Your New Best Friend

Go australian shepherds!

Stop with the PETA mantra re: shelter dogs, and think for yourselves. Too many shelter dogs are dumped by backyard breeders who don't care to test for health sound minds or bodies. Serious real dog breeders would never place a dog based on this bit of litteral fluff. I have had aussies since 84. They are not a breed for anyone. First time dog people should not get an aussie they are often smarter than the people. (obvious by the replies on here anyway). Mixed breeds have more health problems as they inherit the garbage from both parents questionable parentage. Another PETA HSUS bs line. Get off your butts and do some real research. Go to herding trials, disc tournaments, agility trials. Open your minds and think for yourselves. Then maybe you can buy an Aussie.

stop it with, "my dog [insert bread here] is better than yours!" there's nothing untrue said in this article. australian shepherds are just another great bread of dog. sheeesh..

please keep in mind..........the very essence of a shelter all the noise and confusion can actually make a dog almost crazy. while I promote people adopting dogs that are in the shelter the fact of the matter is that wanting a particular personality in a dog is better found in a purebred dog. I have both. And health.......well actually I have a friend that has a mix and it's only a year old......it needs a liver shunt........several thousand dollars........there are no absolutes in life so saying that shelter dogs are healthier..........not true.

The only four breeds you need to know? Someone is incompetent and biased.

And if you have one nearby, PLEASE go to a NO KILL SHELTER!!!!!!!

Well, that is what makes our country such a wonderful place...Freedom to choose. I agree shelter dog's need to be saved, But Aussies do ROCK!

Go to your local animal shelter, Humane Society, or animal rescue group and find the dog (or cat) of your dreams. There are so many homeless animals out there that need a home and your love.

The statement "Rottweilers are great if you get your kicks frightening small children" Personally I have two Rotts and they are great dogs, They play with the kids in the neighborhood, they protect myself and my family and ALWAYS there for a good hug. For these mental abortions to make such a statement, shows how small minded these two "Pros" at GQ are. Learn your facts before you get on the net and make yourself look stupid

Who writes this crap? I guess Yahoo, like most of these internet joke sites is run by children. The articles all reek of inexperience and lack of education. Just more mindless drivel by a generation of misinformed know it alls. The "I think, therefore it is" generation.

Please do not buy a dog while millions of dogs are killed every year due to lack of space in shelters. Please be an angel to a homeless dog and adopt. If you want a pure breed look in to local breed specific rescue groups. Shame on these GQ authors for not promoting adopting. SHAME!

stupid story. no pit bulls eh?

Millions and millions of shelter dogs are killed each year - go rescue one !!

the perfect dog is one that eats his own poop, no mess

This ensures people will never get to know the "lesser"(-known) breeds such as Briards. From their attitude, that's better for us Briarders.

Go rescue a shelter pit bull, raise it with love and kindness and you'll have one of the best dogs!
After all the other dogs get homes, they are still there. Some have grown up their whole lives in a cage.

Oh yeah, about mutts. There are some great mutts. There are some awful mutts. Because of the unpredictablility of their genetics, their strengths are often difficult to predict. That's why there are purebreds. They are bred for specific predicatable traits and strengths. If mutts were really better than purebreds, they would sell mutts for high prices and give away pedigreed dogs, instead of visa versa. And the answer for the pounds full of unwanted mutts is nuetrering and animal law enforcement, not viliifying breeders and purebreds. If you want a mutt, go ahead and get one. Me, I buy and train and love the best quality dog of the breed I select and make them a member of the family. You will have a hard time finding and all around great mutt as good as a well bred pedigreed yellow lab.

This article is so wrong on so many different levels I don't know where to begin.

Uh... West Highland White Terriers all the way! We have two rescued Westies, and they are THE BEST kids EVER!

Stupid article. Says only 4 breeds are worth considering. That's crap. Depends on what you need and want. The common breeds are often the most fit because they have the broadest fit. If I'm a hunter, I may want a retriever or pointer (not one of the 4). Mastiffs are generally stupider than many other guard dog breeds. Few are smarter and more trainable than a German Shepard. And on it goes. Get to know the pros and cons of all the dogs that may fit your lifestyle, and make your own choice. Read, watch dogs at dog parks, talk to professional trainers.