Consolation, my sister will completely agree with you. If you decide to get a GSD… and if bringing a dog from Europe is too expensive, considere a white shepherd. White coat is a naturally occurring trait in GSDs - these dogs are not albinos, contrary to what some people believe. The AKC, I believe, still does not recognize them as GSDs for all purposes. Because WS have not been bred for showings, their bodies are boxier, more like those of herding European GSDs. They are really gorgeous dogs, and some are quite talented:
There is a beautiful G Shepherd that walks in our neighborhood. She is not pure while like the linked video but whitish gray with more traditional shepherd markings. She is very sweet and waggy and my dod likes her on sight which says a lot. I have never been a fan of the G Shepherds with the low back ends like hyenas. They make me nervous.
@BunsenBurner As it happens, in addition to several standard colors we had three white GSDs, and bred 2 litters, back in the days before people knew better. My parents saw the first one in a pet shop by chance, where she was crammed into a too-small cage. They bought her to rescue her. We eventually bred her to a better one owned by a vet, and kept the pick of the litter female, who had great conformation. We bred that puppy to a really gorgeous male who had won a lot in white GSD shows, and kept the pick of the litter female, a beautiful puppy. This was all when I was in HS and college. Unfortunately, my parents had to move to the UK, where it was basically impossible to take a dog, and they ended up giving the last girl away to a good home, some people we knew, rather than having her spend 6 mos in a quarantine kennel.
I haven’t seen any good-looking white GSDs in recent years, although I rarely see a regular colored one I like either! 
There’s a dog at the dog park that I adore, but he is German import who is being trained as a personal protection dog by his owner, a professional trainer who is the age of my S! She washed him out of search and rescue because he will “only” work for 3 or 4 hours before becoming discouraged. (She wants a dog that will work for 8 hours or until they drop.) He has a perfect GSD temperament. I wish I could afford to buy him, but he will go for $7-8K. Some trained dogs go for $30+K . A lot of working dogs would make lousy house pets, because their drives are just too high. This one has a distinct on/off switch.
I became the mom of a 12-week old male hound mix yesterday from a local shelter. We can’t quite figure out what he is, but I will make him my avatar soon. He has a beagle face and ears, the solid caramel color of a dachshund, with a long-ish body and long legs. He would look very beagley if he had spots, but no spots. I don’t know if beagles or other hounds are long of body. This guy is but not as exaggeratedly so as a dachshund. Imagine a solid caramel colored beagle. He is perky and snugly, which is great.
Zoosermom, congrats!
“He has a beagle face and ears, the solid caramel color of a dachshund, with a long-ish body and long legs.”
Cuuuuute!
Congrats, zoosermom.
Congratulations and best wishes on your new addition zoosermom
Are you naming him Uno? He sounds adorable.
Love those houndy ears. :). Congrats.
Consolation, I wanted his name to be Duo, but I was outvoted
Pics, pics - Can we see photos?
Here he is!!!
My friend inadvertently bought a golden from a puppy mill. She didn’t have the heart to return him.
He’s sweet and beautiful but not the brightest bulb in the pack. Been hard to train (he still doesn’t get it at times–in fact I think he failed obedience training), hyperactive (although he’s more settled now–been a couple years) and had several health problems (seeming ongoing, fortunately she can afford them). He’s lovable but takes a lot of care to make sure he doesn’t get into trouble.
Awwwwwww – the doggie picture is sooooo cute! What a little sweetie!! Congrats on your new family member!
What an adorable little guy! Enjoy!!!
That is one cure puppy! Enjoy!
My suggestion–look for a shelter dog that has a bit of background attached if possible. Dogs come in all the time–take your time to find one one you think really fits your life style. If a dog isn’t at your local shelter then look a county or two away and visit. They ALL need homes. Don’t adopt your new family member at first glance.
Son’s GF adopted a very smart pup (a mutt with personality–still not sure what exactly he is but cute) who is a joy to be around. He’s friendly and training has been easy (vs my friend’s experience). Pets turn into kids who never graduate and move away–pick a good one.
Puppy!
Welcome to the CC animal family, zooserpup!
So cute!!!
I had to break with tradition and put up a puppy picture in your pup’s honor, zoozermom