WOW, I hardly know what to say, save I really love this Forum (actually of course, the people in it). What valuable comments have be let, your expertise, and apparent commitment to resolving several very important concerns (more than I realized) have given me a great deal to think about.
Doing multiple quotes here would be a nightmare, and I'm not sure if I know how to do that anyway
. So, I'll just do it by topic, and pardon me if I may miss referencing someone's reply directly.
The age of the newbie...
I have always had/supported seniority within the Pack (an Alpha/Pecking Order) and had never thought to bring in an older animal, specially a bigger one. However, you make a very good point about an older Dog being more settled and calm. Yorkie puppies are exuberant to the point of being obnoxious, and having a 20+lb terror in the pack, is something I'm not sure MY Male Sneakers could deal with. My Female Becca on the other hand, takes ALL problems with a grain of salt, giving Ichabod complete freedom to pull her ears and tail as much as he wants, and just squashes Ickey down and lays on top of him, when She's had enough. But, IF an older animal was selected, how does one keep it from thinking the smaller ones aren't "dinner"? Though I am retired, and very conscious of all of their whereabouts, I can't watch them 24HrD.
Demeanor and a sacrificial situation...
The demeanor part lends back to who's eating who, how does one select an animal which will step forward when danger presents it's self, and nurtures the Pack on other occasions. In reference to the age, wouldn't bring in a Puppy, and having him grow with/into the Pack, be more likely to separate those issues ? Would then an older Golden as you mentioned, be more likely to "fit in", yet "stand up" for the Pack ?
I totally CRINGED, when you mentioned the "big Dog" putting it's self in harms way for "us". I know myself, and love it that my Yorkies are PB's. But even if I got a total Hines57 out of the Pound, I'd love that Dog just as much as if he were a direct descendant of the Duke and Duchess of Yorkshire. And I know that ALL of you, know exactly what I mean.
I do take the Pack hunting along the Bayou almost daily, BUT, I'm right there with them. Out in the country, with a new set of creatures available (I've herd of Coyote Packs recently) makes me want to rethink this...almost. But, the desire for that 24/7 alertness and ability to protect comes down to would I sacrifice one, for the good of the rest ? I'd have to reluctantly say yes to that. I think of that like an Insurance Policy, with a heartbreaking almost unbearable premium.
Upkeep and attention.
HA, my Vet was ecstatic hearing of me getting Ichabod, and he'd probably throw a Party if I got another.
But yea, I'm sure I could financially fit in the maintenance and health care well enough. As far as training, that's pretty ongoing, and, I rely on my adult animals to help me with that. I have been totally impressed, as to how well Ichabod learns from Sneakers and Becca, and, we are (have been) together just about 24/7, throughout each one of their lives. However, with me getting older, and the area they would be permitted to run in (even with Fencing) makes me very aware of my limitations. I too had thought of a protected Dog Run, but, I won't/haven't even Crated my guys, wanting them to run and play freely, when they want to. I think my policy of "Let them be Dogs", is seriously conflicted under rural circumstances.
So, "some food for thought", definitely, and a very well thought out list of such important issues ! But other questions arise...
If the Lab and or Golden are an "ok" size, what's the limit ?
A Dane, or another breed that big ?
Would gender be an issue ?