ORIGINAL: gaRCfield
Thanks for so many awesome replies! I have been thinking about an Australian Shepherd - I've always wanted one. They are incredibly smart, and have a lot of energy. The plan would be to bring the dog with me to the flying field every time, and maybe play fetch between flights. They have those 'tennis ball thrower' things that let you launch a ball pretty far so the dog can run a lot. Aussies are typically easy to train and are not agressive if trained.
Obviously getting a dog is a huge decision and commitment, so I'm going to take my time on this one. But I temporarily moved into a place with an Aussie (and a blood hound) and absolutely love this guy. I am excited to see him in the mornings and evenings, and I've only known him for 2 days now.
So they are 'medium' size dogs, 50-70lb and 20-23in at the shoulder, supposedly. Not the smallest dog in the world, but not huge. The trailer idea sounds great since I drive a small truck, and really liked the trailer I saw at Site 4 at the Nats this past year, with the AC and stuff.
I am going to try to meet some other Aussies and talk to their owners to see if it is a good fit - not sure how 'demanding' the dog would be and how much it would impact flying/building/other hobbies, although I have really been in need of a good walking partner.
Joe, whatever breed you settle upon, I would encourage you to get a dog from a rescue shelter and not a breeder. There are so many good dogs in need of a home and mixed-breed dogs have a lot to offer.
I was going to wait until after I retire (at the end of this month!) to get a dog but we found just what we were looking for online at petfinder and, wouldn't you know it?, the shelter where he was housed was a few minutes from where we live. I wanted an Aussie mix and the photo was clearly an Aussie mix with some terrier of some sort, Jack Russell or wire-hair... whatever! And whatever he is we've grown to love this handsome rascal. I have taken him to the local fields a couple of times and the noise and hubbub don't bother him, though I am nowhere close to letting him off-leash anywhere, and especially not a flying field. Doing some training myself and also some training soon (Sunday) with the local dog park folks.
A dog does take up a lot of time, at least it has for me in these early stages, and some fields do not allow them. I had to crate Cyrus today for about 4 hours while I was out flying and although I took him for a good romp at the dog park this morning and fed, watered and let him do his business, I still felt a little bad about it. but he was so happy to see me when I got home!