my opinion is that a female is the best choice..
a lot less agro from other dogs..
the first 6 months will be a bit crazy, because no matter how hard you try, there's a definite *risk* that she won't pick up right away..
don't get frustrated..
after about 6 months stuff will start to fall into place..
& i really like the bone suggestion, because the fuckers *love* to chew..
if you don't have something for them, you could find *anything* victimized... glasses, boots, pack, water bottle, bicycle tires..
just *be kind* to her..
don't get frustrated..
i know you're a gentle man, but too many people accuse their dogs of not being human when they know they should be..
a dog is *always* a dog..
it is *never* human.
it is a separate, though often similar (& definitely admirable) creature, and only behaves as it understands..
i'm not saying they cannot be intentionally disobedient, but it takes a long time for them to understand constraints..
dogs tend to obey out of love, but if they learn to actually fear you, they may be more easily lead astray..
the intelligence of dogs develops quickly.. far more quickly than humans..
by the time a dog is 2, it knows about 90% or more of all it will *ever* know, in terms of referents which its mind is able to manage.
among the very the basics of its intelligence, however, are among some of the same, most valuable basics which humans also love..
-loyalty
-having fun
-curiosity
-sociability
-communication
-recognition
& plenty of others..
but those *basics* are all it has..
though they have some, they are limited in their ability to calculate (they would suck as politicians, for instance)
they are hardly dishonest
they do not see the grass on the other side.. (unless they are afraid..)
in any case, be gentle & be firm, but do *not* be angry, in anything other than countenance, the range of your voice & firm, but gentle, immobilization, when required..
also.. since you ask discipline of your dog, your dog should be able to expect it from you;
keep it clean.. bathe it at *least* once every two weeks..
comb & groom it, as often as required to keep the grooming from becoming painfull.. (BTW.. if you use a heavy file when nail-work is required, it beats the fuck out of clippers..)
*cook* for your dog, when you can.. stirred poached eggs (45 seconds, if the pan is already hot for you) for instance, is an ***excellent*** extender of base foods, & easily as cheap as canned..
there is a lot more to say for other cooking techniques that are so fucking easy that it's silly..
you don't have to cook a full meal for your dog..
just anytime you cook for you?
save a little, add some water & stir it into theirs..
these fucking animals will *die* for you..
without fucking question.
if yer cooking, spend some time on them.. give them the 1/2 minute..
if you teach her, *now*, to enjoy dry milk (& yes.. see how she tolerates it.. if her shit is runny, after 3 or 4 feeds, stop.. if it stays solid, good)..
mix it up with water, at recommended proportions, & add a 1/4 to dry food.. 30 seconds or less..
to canned, add (as far as eye says) 1 tablespoon powder, & 1 of extra water, if the canned stuff is not too wet..
preferably mix, 1:1, *then* add..
there's a lot more to say, but basically?
feeding a dog properly is *cheap*..
anyways..
good luck with her..
i bet she's a great one : )
C