When I became a fodder for Ella, you weren't allowed to choose a puppy. I came to the Working Dog Club in Örebro and got a puppy in my arms, and it was Ella. Done and done, as well as. And I understand that it is the easiest way for the Armed Forces to distribute the puppies. But it's a bit of a shame, because I'm sure I'm not the only one who has felt overwhelmed by my fodder puppy's energy and willingness to learn new things, discover and experience the world and so on.
Next time me get a dog, it becomes something completely different from a German Shepherd bred by the Armed Forces. It won't be a German shepherd at all – no purebred, in all cases. I'm generally quite picky about what type of dog I want, and mixed breeds I am generally very careful with because it can be so difficult to know how such a dog will turn out in both size and mentality (unless it's only pygmy races or giant races).
Of course I have spent probably fifteen years surfing porn dog breeds at SKK, which is hysterically fun if there is anyone who hasn't discovered that pleasure. My interest in which breeds I want has changed a bit over the years, but some things have remained stable – i want one Big dog. And by big dog, I mean that the German Shepherd is too small.
Overall can I can say that I am most interested in some form of Molosser dog. There's a bunch to drool over, and the ones I usually fall for are the most obscure, those with the least number of individuals in Sweden, the ones most adapted and bred to guard cattle on a huge farm. This is a given that I do, because I live in an apartment on the third floor. But that's how it is – and sooner or later I will want, and actually also get me, such a type of dog. Exactly what breed it will be, I can't say for sure, but I, for example, am very keen on one Estrela Mountain Dog – a Portuguese guard dog.
However, realize I my limitations when it comes to this very thing with how I live versus what makes sense to get. Therefore, I have started looking for a larger breed that is better suited for city life. I actually think I've found one, which I never expected from myself – Eurasier. But it may be an option as long as I live as I do.
I have some preferences that I am not willing to give way to when it comes to the next dog. One thing that may sound ridiculous but is very important to me is that it is as dark a dog as possible – preferably black. Why? Because I'm practical – I dress almost exclusively in black, I have black furniture and carpets.. a light dog would be completely insufferable at shedding.
But there is of course other things I don't want to budge on either. For example, I don't want a so-called “kind” breed of dog. I want a mental challenge from my dog – and I think I got that from living together with Ella. Having a dog is no sport to have, does not feel like I would experience as particularly rewarding. I want a dog that can look right at me and look like he's going to FORGET it, matte. I'm not going to move a thousandth of a millimeter. Or for that matter; I refuse to sit down because you say so – I'm busy standing.
I definitely do looking in my next dog is a low energy. I don't want another high energy dog. I also don't want a dog that needs to work to feel good (such as in working dogs, in other words). I'd rather have a dominant dog than one that is super energetic and wants to work.
I have no idea of what it will be. There are a few mixed breeds I can think of – for example Newfoundland or Leonberger mixed with German shepherd (!). I don't want a purebred German Shepherd again, but a mix with any of these breeds feels like it could be a good mix.
But on that overall I think I can say in a nutshell that I want a dog where I can focus on communication rather than suppressing extreme energy. I also want a dog that has some mental resistance and that gives me a challenge. Then I think that both me and the dog would have a fantastically good life together.
Other breeds I was interested in; Berner Sennen, Cane Corso, Canary Dogo, Irish Wolfhound, Scottish Deerhound, Tibetan Mastiff, Bullmastiff, Leonberger and others.
The only one the downside of fantasizing about a future dog is that it's a world where Ella doesn't exist. As long as I have her, I will not get another dog. For one thing, I think she is too old to take care of a puppy, partly, I think she prefers to be a single dog.