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Excellent advice!I'm going to preface my comments with the fact that I work at a dog boarding place and see all kinds of dogs on a regular basis. In most cases, I would suggest small dogs only if you are going to be home a lot. If you're gone 8 or 9 hours each day and you can't take them with, most small breed dogs will not take it well.
I would never recommend a GSD for any new owner as these dogs will walk all over you. Most new dog owners just don't have the confidence to handle one of these dogs and adding cats to the equation would become a disaster quickly.
I would also not recommend a puppy to anyone who hasn't had a dog before. They are incredibly challenging no matter the breed and exhausting. I have a Cardigan Corgi puppy right now and he takes up most of my time right now.
I personally would suggest a dog that was at least 3 or 4. Either a calm mixed breed or some type of Lab or Golden retriever. These are perfect dogs for someone who hasn't had one before and tend to be incredibly calm, forgiving, and easy to train. We had one that helped us raise two foster kittens, keeping them warm and clean. If you adopt one, look for one with a lot of good temperament testing. Right now there are a lot of really crappy Lab/Retriever breeders out there pumping out Labs and goldens that are long legged, hyper, and just a hint neurotic. Not what you're looking for.
Especially on the retriever breeds. They're SO popular and most people love them (why wouldn't they?) and crappy breeders are pumping out crappy examples that will turn people off forever. And what a shame for these wonderful dogs that have no dog in this fight (pardon the pun.)
In retrievers, a field bred dog will be WAY more energy than you'd want. Show bred dogs are not my cup of tea. I love these field bred dogs for their speed, athletic ability, and smarts, but I also do love show bred Goldens. They're gorgeous, sweet, intelligent, etc.
I LOVE field bred Labs. I could take or leave show bred Labs. They're sweet and really nice dogs that make excellent pets, but aren't my "thing" for various reasons I won't get into.
Don't get me started on the strains of German Shepherds.
Goldenretrieverforums.com is a site I lurk on a lot. There are a lot of smart people there that know the breed and, if a Golden is a dog you're considering, can help you locate a breeder that breeds for what you're after. They seem extremely supportive and kind, as well, which is very helpful.
Location totally matters here, and I'm not sure where the OP is located.
But if there's ANY kind of guide dog group in your area, talk to them. They sometimes have 2-3 year old dogs that are wash outs for guide work for whatever reason that have been socialized half to death and trained since day one and have EXCELLENT manners that make the BEST pets you'd ever want.