looking for other breeds?

I want to get a German Shepherd, but I am having a very hard time finding a breeder that I can trust, that will also trust me. Unfortunately, the two breeders that I have found are afraid that I am too young, I understand their being careful, but that fact is, that is the ONLY thing they are basing their fears on, but I digress.
I am still conversing with the breeders, and it looks as though they are ready to agree to add me to their list, however, on the off chance that they do not, I am looking for other dogs that fit into what it is that I want. first, I want to point out what I am capable of offering the dog
I have an average sized yard, its not fenced, but he will spend the majority of his time with me, outside. it is legal here to walk off leash, and we live in a rural community. I have trained dogs before, so almost any temperament is okay (except one that does not like kids, we have some very young kids next door, and I have a ten year old brother) also, I have plenty of time to exercise my dog (like I said, he will spend most of his time with me) when I am working, he will be with my mother, and other family members.
now, what I am looking for
I would like a big dog, I love big dogs, I like any size dog, but I would prefer a big one. I also like medium, to long fer, I don’t care if its fluffy feathery or an other kind of ‘re’ but it HAS to be medium to long, I like the fur that I can run my fingers through! I don’t care about grooming either, I spend hours with the little pooch I have now (short hair) as it is, she loves it as I worked with her as a pup, and it is a good exercise to build bonds with young dogs (which is what caused me to start in the first place). I would like a dog that has the same long snout as the GSD, that is a must, something that fallows the same look as the husky and GSD in facial features. I want a dog that loves water, and I would like a dog that can pull a sled, although that is not a MUST HAVE. the dog has to be a good breed that I can have indoors, as I don’t want an outdoor dog.
any ideas are appreciated, if you want to give a description of your suggestions, that good too, but if not, I can do the research myself, I just need some breed names.
also, if the dog can hunt, I would like those too, although the sledding comes first on my list before hunting, thank you so very much.

Belgian Shepherds (Malinois, Laekenois, Tervuren, and Groenendal) have many of the characteristics you are looking for.

I had a hard time finding a breeder to work with when I got my first Belgian, so I ended up with one from purebred rescue. I’m hooked on rescued Malinois now! High-drive working dogs of these types often end up in rescue at about a year old when the "cute" wears off and people get tired of their go-go-go nature. I imagine it’s the same with GSD in rescue, although there is a higher proportion of GSD with health issues in the US then with Belgians, and a rescue dog may have hip/elbow/other health problems.

WARNING: The reason many of these dogs are in rescue is because they have high needs for mental and physical exercise, are you willing to take up a dog sport or running like you’re training for a marathon to keep them happy? I always tell people that Belgians are the best dogs in the world – if you can live with them!

Check out local rescue groups with mutts, too, puppies can be hard to find but 1-3 year old dogs abound, past the teething stage, you know what size/temperament you are getting and most are already house trained!

It sounds as though you are still living at home, so I would ensure that your family is willing to take care of this dog when you eventually move out, in case taking the dog is not a good option (college dorm, small apartment, etc). My little brother took over my dog’s training when I left for school, they do obedience and agility through 4-H and a little skijoring and tracking on the side.