Breed Suggestions? GSD or something similar

Honestly, I think a black or yellow lab would be a great dog for him. They do bark for intruders. Some *will* happily lick intruders, too, but you can choose a pup that wouldn't be quite that silly, probably. They are hardy and wonderful with kids. In fact, the kids can help train the dog. And labs get along with most other dogs, too, so the poodle would be safe. []

I've lots of fond memories of my son and my lab mix in the wading pool in the backyard. [8D]

I think he should stick with a GSD, but my opinion is not a neutral one....[8D]

Definitely GSD, or maybe Dutch Shepherd if he wants something different...

Is he planning on leaving the dogs loose while outdoors? Pipe fencing won't keep a dog in...that might factor in. Any breed with wanderlust would be gone inside a week.

If he really wants a GSD, he should get a GSD especially since he's had them before.  The Belgians and Dutch Shep's tend to be more reactive and higher drive than the American GSD's (which is what he probably had).  I would not suggest either of those breeds unless that's what he wants.  (This is how we ended up with our Malinois.  Part of the problem was the first owner was expecting something more like their older GSD.)
 
I think a lab is a great idea, but they can take a while to mature.
 
Would he be interested in a Great Dane, mastiff, or Berner?

I don't know about a lab as a "guard dog"-- a big part of being a guard dog is looking scary. Don't most people consider labs to be super-friendly and wouldn't hesitate to approach? 
Well-bred, well-trained rottweilers look the part of the guard dog but are wonderfully calm, sweet and tolerant, an excellent child-friendly breed.
 
I don't think any of the shepherd breeds would thrive if they are expected to spend most of their time outside away from their people.

Well, the pipe fence he#%92s thinking of putting up will have a wire type fencing welded onto to it.  It would not be just an open pipe fence so the dogs would be safe from wondering out.  Similar to something like this:
[linkhttp://www.buzzfence.com/pipe/pipe01.jpg]http://www.buzzfence.com/pipe/pipe01.jpg[/link]
 
 
I thought about suggesting a lab or even a golden but I don#%92t think he would enjoy the puppy and teen stages they go through for 3 to 5 years.  He would probably want something that matures faster.  I suggested mastiff but since the dogs will live in the house a lot of the time those are a little too big for his taste.  They would be outdoors during the day but they would not be excluded from the family.  My uncles family does spend a lot of time outdoors and would include the dogs in the family as much as possible, he already does with his current dogs.  He came to ask me first because he does want to take his dogs to obedience training so he had some questions for me about that and then I offered to help him find his new dogs.  The only dog breed he#%92s familiar with that fits what he wants is a GSD but if there is anything else he would consider that as well.  I thought it would be good to give him other options.

I was also going to suggest rottweiler.  Or perhaps something of the mastiff persuasion, but I admit I could be waaaay off base there as I know little to zilch about them. 

It really is a big plus that he has had GSDs before, but make sure he bears in mind that due to indiscriminate breeding by unscrupulous people, the breed is not so uniform if you know what I mean... some are wonderful well bred dogs, others have poor breeding in their history and it shows....  Also, GSDs are used for such a wide variety of things (confirmation, assistance dogs, tracking, bite work, pets.....) its really important to research the lines as well as looking for a good breeder so you are more prepared for what you get and more likely to get the "type" of GSD you want - no doubt the same type he fondly remembers.

bears in mind that due to indiscriminate breeding by unscrupulous people, the breed is not so uniform if you know what I mean...

 
Yep, sure did tell him all about that[] 
I lived next to a byb of GSDs and after that I realized how money hungry people are when it comes to breeding the popular breeds and how little care they have for the animal.  My Uncle is allowing me to find the pups for him since I know more about it.  He will neuter/spay them so he does want them as companions more than anything else.
 

no doubt the same type he fondly remembers.  

 
You see that#%92s one of those thing that is in the back of my mind.  He wants a dog that reminds him of his old dog Angus and well, we all know that all dogs are not the same.  Angus was very well behaved and good with everyone, I even remember how much I liked Angus when I was a child and went to visit my Uncle.  I worry that his new dogs might not be the Angus that he's looking for.
 

I've read before (and I'm sorry I can't remember where but maybe some others have refs) that GSDs are particuarly prone to fence-frustration and territorial aggression and should not be left outside all day. Aren't they velcro dogs who prefer to stick with their humans?

Mine are not outside all day, but I have a neighbor who leaves his 2 out in the goat pen, by goat pen I mean 1 acre plus, and the dogs do fine.....

Aren't they velcro dogs who prefer to stick with their humans?

 
that's what I'd always thought. Most herding dogs would be miserable if left outside for even ten minutes while the humans all go inside.

Just to throw something different into the mix...how about a tibetan mastiff?  Though if your uncle is in NM, it might get a bit warm during the summer for one.

I've had a few herding dogs including a GSD and they love the outdoors but do like to keep close to the house. I also think that if they are not the only dog they create a bond with their pack. My Uncle has an ACD who would much rather be outside, it's almost a challenge to get her to come inside but if anyone is outside with her she's right next to their side. My parents ACD is the same way. In my search for a herder I came across many references for different herders that say "Prefers to be outdoors" Many are built to stay close the the flock but ender harsh outdoor conditions. their energy levels are so high it does become tricky keeping a herder inside, they do get stressed easily if not given that chance to run around. Didn't a few watch/guard the herds overnight for the farmers? I don't agree that a dog should be kept outside 24/7 but many do fine outdoors.

I would agree that GSDs can be very velcro type dogs but it really doesn't have much connection to being outside a whole lot. My Uncle will have 5 acers of land for the dogs to roam, IMO that is plenty to keep the dogs from feeling taped. I mean this is out in the country, houses are separated buy giant alfalfa fields and corn. It just seems like a herding dog would love living in the country. It's just a GSD is the only dog he is familiar with and was curious to what other choices he has.