Whatever the breed, it is worth buying a puppy from breeders that have had the parents OFA certified for soundness, elbows X-rayed, perhaps even DNA tested for genetic problems like heart or eye issues. Some breeds are well known for health issues, you want to avoid buying problems. I find buying dogs that match the breed standards, not too big or too small, seem to do better than dogs bred “following current breed extremes” of the show ring.
Corgi dogs weighing 30+ pounds are not the best choice for running mates, too much weight on bones going distances. But a 20 pound Corgi can go and go, still bring in the cows. Can’t pant off the heat of all that big body.and work too. 100 pound German Shepherds are NOT going to hold up over the long miles, when breed standards want much less weight. They are not as agile as a working dog. Just using these breeds as examples, every breed has issues, ask folks who own them for details if you have never had that breed.
We have been “picky” in choosing our puppies, which is repaid with healthy animals, that stay sound into their later years of 12 to 14. OFA testing is done when dog is older, bones are mature. So good boned, properly built parents are more likely to produce sound puppies. Puppies inherit what the parents give them. Of course testing costs money so breeders have to charge more for puppies to break even on costs. A winning show record tells you the dog meets breed standards when inspected by breed experts. Doesn’t always mean smart, just that dog has a good body! Ha ha You want a dog that will last more than a few years, some breeds are quite short lived. Danes, Wolfhounds, big breeds, some lines of Golden Retrievers, especially the beefier dogs. Early neutering of these big breeds will affect size and bone development, making them weedy, less bone, overly tall without proper substance because they lacked hormones during longer body growth. Seen that in action.
Of course I am generalizing, there are ALWAYS exceptions to every example. But it pays off to take your time selecting breeds and individuals. Check out parent dogs, health histories, before settling for your new friend. You will be living together for a LONG TIME, so choosE carefully.
Working and Herding breeds were made to travel, stay sound in work. They are made to work WITH their people, follow direction, get praise rewards from their people. They SHOULD want to please you, be obedient, not be diverted by other things around them if you train them. They are usually VERY smart, can be creative if not well exercised and directed. I prefer them over Hunting breeds made to search for game/prey with excellent noses or sight. Good hunting dogs focus on hunting when out and about. Hounds may like you but they like hunting better, easily ignore directions and you.
So you need to look at what the breed was created to do best, decide if you can manage such a dog. Many breeds are “stubborn, bull-headed, no quit” because a quitter was disposed of. Whether it was jumping in cold water ALL day to fetch ducks, geese or going head-to-head with angry cattle, resistant sheep that needed moving, dog could not give up. Does make it harder training them out of that setting.
Hope your daughter finds a nice new friend!
He was my friend, my protector and my horse riding buddy my college years thru my 20’s.