Sell me on German Shepard dogs

[stamper]

This will depend a lot on good breeding and socializing of your new puppy. Any well-bred dog that is socialized properly as a puppy should adapt to a changing environment. ALL puppies, no matter the breed should attend at least puppy kindergarten and a basic obedience class. Positive training is the way to go and reputable trainers can be found at APDT.com (I am active in dog sports and I do training as a hobby).
I can give you more training resources if you are interested!

Well said! To find a well bred and socialized GSD....research, research, research....Did I mention that you should research ? As a breeder, these are some things I like to suggest people find out.

Make sure that you know what health issues are big in the breed...hip dysplasia being one of them, but not the only one. Make sure the breeder does whatever health certification is considered necessary for the breed. (In my breed OFA for hips/elbows and CERF for eyes is the bare minimum).

Find out what they do for socializing the litter. For my pups we do the "Super dog Program" (developed for the military dogs to help them adjust to new things), "Rule of Sevens" (by 7 weeks pups will have walked on 7 surfaces, been in 7 locations/rooms, eaten off of 7 different surfaces, heard 7 new sounds, been handled by at least 7 people of different age groups, etc and we have theme days (ball day, box day, cylindar day, etc...all objects in the pen fit the theme and expose the pups to new and different situations). This helps them to be well adjusted members of their new familes.

What contracts/guarantees do they offer? Will they be there for you after the sale to offer advice and answer questions?

Don't be concerned if a breeder asks lots of questions...this is a good thing. They may want to visit your home and have you come meet their dogs...this is a wonderful thing! Ask for references and what clubs they are members of (most good breeders will belong to their breeds national club as well as a local one or two). Do they work their dogs? Don't be scared by a breeder that has show dogs...this is a good thing. It means they care enough about the breed to want their dogs evaluated to find out if they are good representatives of the breed and should be bred. It doesn't mean that they only breed for show people...every litter has wonderful companion (pet) pups as well.

A reputable breeder is worth every penny you pay for their dogs...you get so much more from them than you would from a pet store....both before the pup is even bred and well after it has gone to it's new home.

The GSD national club will probably have a breeder referral and a listing of local GSD clubs near you that also should have a contact person for referrals.

Good luck on whatever breed you decide on,

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I have had German Shepherd Dogs all my life, six in all. I love the breed tremendously and cannot imagine living without a GSD.

I wouldn't try to sell anyone on a dog they didn't particularly care for, just as I know I would not want anything but a GSD. But if your husband really wants one and you are not completely opposed then I think you could probably learn to love the dog as long as you get a "good", (i.e. stable) one. I meet people all the time who tell me they once had a Shepherd and it was the best dog they every had.

Owners need to be fully educated to the responsibilities that come with owning a GSD. They are not for everyone. Some communities consider them "dangerous dogs" - check with your homeowner's insurance to make sure you'll be covered before you get the dog. You open yourself up to things like lawsuits if God fobid any incidents occur.

You must train and socialize the dog to people and situations if they are to be friendly. Read the AKC breed standard. It is in their nature to be aloof to strangers yet they can tell the difference between friend and foe. They are completely devoted to their family, and not necessarily just one person in that family, it depends who spends time with the dog. They should never be left chained in a yard which is asking for trouble; they need to be part of the household, they thrive on it.

They are generally good with children, especially their own. Eight years ago when I brought my twins home from the hospital my two Shepherds, ages 5 and 6 at the time, had never lived with children. They were wonderful with my babies, and in fact it was the kids who we had to teach to respect the dogs.

Currently I have a 2 yo female Shepherd and two 8yo children. This dog completely loves those children. At night when they go to bed she makes rounds, checks on each child, licks them, then goes out to the hallway between their rooms and settles in for the night herself. If they are somewhere, she is there too, without fail. I have no doubt she would give her life for them if need be.

I would recommend checking into German Shepherd Rescue organizations. They are very particular about which dogs they place and who they place them to which is in the best interest of the dog. You can be assured you will be getting a stable dog which they have assessed and know the particulars of (i.e. no cats, good with children, doesn't like other dogs, etc). We came close to adopting a rescue but my children weren't 7 yet at the time and they wouldn't even bend the rules for someone like me (despite my pleas). Female Shepherds sometimes can be "dominant" dogs, so just be careful when you're picking out a dog, as that type can be difficult to live with.

If I can be of any help, feel free to PM me anytime and good luck.

 

[mylilnikita]

Hi
I had a GS/Husky mix years ago when I was about 18. She was 6 weeks old, Sabrina. She was the best dog. She would bark if the phone rang. When I had my DD, 13 years later, I had my parents take a blanket the baby had been in so she could smell her sent and I had put up the crib early so she could get used to it. I brought DD home and she was crying and Brina was like I don't know what that is but wanted nothign to do with her the first night. Well she got used to DD fast and people would come over and hold her, but Brina would be close by. She would lie under her crib and by her bassinett and we didn't need a baby monitor because Brina would bark when DD was crying in the other room. Sadly, a couple months later, she was diagnosed with cancer and with her age, we had to put her down. A week later Dh-at the time- got Nikita a rott husky mix who was a month younger that DD-Isn't that crazy? They were both teething and tryng to house train him and she was in diapers. Well, we still have Nikita, but in January I finally broke down and got another GS, Sasha a white and tan german shepard. She is now 4 months old and she tried to keep up with Nikita. It had been a while since I had a puppy and the first couple weeks were rough. But one night, our heat went out-I hate oil heat-and I kept her in my room with me with a portable heater and she didn't have an accident during the 6 hours. Well, she stays my room now at night. She has also learned how to open the back screen/storm door that is hard to close so she can go to the bathroom and just leaves Nikita inside. When the big door is closed, she goes to it and sits, but I think I might try the idea that Sillyme did. She isn' t barky so far, not sure if it is because Nikita isn't barky or she just isn't like that, but she is so smart. She is getting fixed tomorrow and wont be able to play with her "big brother" for 10 days, help me, but she will be going to doggie day care to meet other dogs when she is healed and we will be doing official dog training course, because I need a refresher. I suggest with what ever dog is chosen, that since you will be having kids later, that you get the puppy used to being pulled on by the tail, paws and ears, that way if a toddler does it, the dog will be used to it. Good luck with whichever breed.

 

[puffkin]

Your husband sounds like mine.

I have a rule though, dogs cannot be tall enough to reach the table and they cannot shed more than my current dog, which is a beagle. That rules out the Shephards and what I like, Golden Retrievers. I would never be able to deal with their size, energy, or hair.

My in-laws just put down a shephard mix and he was a good dog. However, he was adopted and came from an abused home and had a lot of "issues". He was very protective and loyal of their family, however he always made me nervous around the nieces. I would do a lot of research on the breed and make sure you are willing to put in the time and energy for the proper training and socialization should you decide to get one.

Best wishes, our dog is like a child to us and I couldn't imagine life without him.

 

[Christine]

Linda,
Your dogs are so beautiful. That picture made me want to get one so bad!! Ohhh, and the kids are cute too.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Thanks, Christine. The two in the top photo are gone now, but I still miss them, they were the best dogs, brother and sister. Don't you wish they lived longer? I hope you can get another someday.

Just a word about hips. None of my dogs have had hip dypslasia, however, Cody, the male in the first picture, lived until age 13 and did lose the use of his rear legs. But the problem wasn't hip dypslasia, in fact when we had his hips XRayed they were reported to be "exquisite". He had severe arthritis of his spine, which caused nerve compression and eventual loss of the use of his rear legs. So sad for a dog who did agility and frisbee in his youth. But he was otherwise healthy and happy so we got him a wheeled cart and he continued to take daily walks until we eventually had to put him to sleep for other problems. So contrary to popular belief, it isn't always the hips, nor is it only a problem of Shepherds: most large dogs suffer some form of "rear leg weakness" as they become elderly.

 

[Chicago526]

What other breed of dog do you already have? Are you a herding breed person? I know I'm not. I have Labs (as you can see in my avatar!). I like friendly, goofy, outgoing dogs. GSD's are often aloof and one-person or one-family dogs. Many people love that about them. I also think they are very noisy dogs. They are bred to herd and protect therefore, a lot of barking. They can be great dogs, but they aren't a favorite of mine. You said you wanted the good and the bad, right?

Our current dog, Missy, is a black lab/border collie mix. She doesn't seem to have the herding instinct, though. She's a wonderful dog, doesn't bark much. A bit too smart for her own good at times, she's an expert food theif and knows how to open fence gates, they have to be tied shut. Definatly a one person dog, she follows me EVERYWHERE. She loves DH, but I'm her "human".

And I agree on doing research, it's one of the reasons I posted here, I wanted info and personal experiances from owners. Don't worry, we won't jump into this un-prepared!

I'm trying to talk DH into a rescue adoption (don't think I'll need to push too hard) because of all the unwanted dogs out in the world. The good news is that there is always someone home, DH works nights and is at home during the day, and I'm home all night. In fact it's one of the reasons why I wouldn't mind a GS, I'm home alone all night and having a big dog with big teeth and a big bark would make me feel better. Missy is 50 pounds, but a total wus, she hides behind ME when she's scared!

 

[mickeysgal]

My grandparents had a GS. He was loyal, intelligent, and a watch dog. He was not trained to accept everyone, so in that respect he had to be locked up if there were strangers entering the house. I truly believe that this was a result of improper training or proper training (depending on what function you want the dog to perform). My DH and I have had collie/shephard mixes and they have been fantastic. My current mix is by far the best dog we've ever had...gentle and kind...although the collie in him tends to be barky (we're working on him though!). Lots of fur, though. I wouldn't hesitate to get a pure bred GS - as long as you get proper training. I love the breed...its my favorite by far. The only reason we don't have one is that we're believers in adopting from a shelter and the times we were in the process of adopting, they didn't have any pure breds. Go for it!!

 

[Dodie]

Thought I would chime back in to reinforce the messages you've read about shedding. It's true. With the three dogs, we have to vacuum frequently. There are cycles. Now happens to be a bad one.

If you're really particular about dog hair, a GSD may not be for you.

Our girls (added to my earlier post too):
Ruby:

Maya:

Opal:

 

[Chicago526]

Missy is a walking fluff ball, I know ALL about shedding!

 

[TCPluto]

We've had two German Shepherds, both pure bred, the breeder was a state police dog handler.

They have both been excellent dogs. Friendly, warm and protective. Our current shepherd will "herd" us if we're out playing in the yard, I guess that's what they're for, huh?

Socializing is everything. You definetly have to be the alpha. When kids come over they do get attacked, with licks and demands for attention/petting. That only last for a couple of minutes though, then she calms down.

You couldn't ask for a better family companion or watch dog.

 

[LindaR]

Any dog, regardless of size, needs proper training! Never in all her years did our GSD show her teeth or attempt to bite anyone. This was not allowed by us. Her size and reputation (the breed) is enough to deter most people.

One time my daughter was home alone (I was on my way home from work) when the pest control guy came to do the monthly spraying. He always "creeped" her out and she would not "chat" with him. Our GSD stood between her and him with her hackles up. She never barked, never growled, never showed her teeth.....she didn't have to. It was quite apparent that she would defend my daughter if needed.

I do not like dogs that act vicious. A properly trained dog will bark to alert you and when you give the command will retreat (go sit or lie down) but still watch the situation and be ready to respond to your next command. A dog that acts crazy and acts like he's ready to tear you apart and does not cease when commanded IS a hazard. This can be my toy poodle who weighs 8 pounds or my german shepherd who weighs 96 pounds. A bite is a bite.

Granted, my homeowners policy says nothing about extra coverage because I have a poodle but "killer poodles" don't make the headlines as often as the larger breeds do. Any dog will/can bite. A responsible pet owner trains their pet, regardless of size.

Sorry, this is a hot topic for me! I'm leaving the soapbox now. I hope the OP finds a dog that will fit into her lifestyle and home.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

One time my daughter was home alone (I was on my way home from work) when the pest control guy came to do the monthly spraying. He always "creeped" her out and she would not "chat" with him. Our GSD stood between her and him with her hackles up. She never barked, never growled, never showed her teeth.....she didn't have to. It was quite apparent that she would defend my daughter if needed.

That is a great example of the protective, yet intelligent abilities of a good GSD.

It happened twice to me - once when I was on a beach by myself in the spring and was approached by someone who we later learned was living in the dunes. My dog never moved until he came a wee bit too close. Then he just stood and barked in no uncertain terms, hackles up, until the man turned and walked away. I was glad he was with me that day.

The other time was when I had a repair person over to fix my stove. My female watched his every move from the deck. When he came over to me with papers to sign, she stood on her hind legs on the glass door, never making a sound, just staring. I never saw her do anything like that ever again, just that once.

 

[DVCJEN]

I was attacked as a toddler by my grandparents German Shepherd. I was bitten on my face and neck with multiple stitches and a hospital stay. So needless to say I am not a fan.

 

[Chicago526]

Thank you, everyone, for your help! GS's sound like wonderful dogs in general (DVCJEN's terible experiance not withstanding). I'll be sure to do more research, both of the breed and to find a good breeder, before doing anything. I'd already told DH that I want the dog to go to obediance class, last thing I need is an 80 pound dog that won't listen to me!

I'll also check with my homeowners and make sure they are okay with the breed. Never would have thought of that, thanks so much for the tip!

My biggest "thing" against getting a GS is the fact that they are BIG, and that I don't like their coats. To me it's like huging a bristle brush! I've always liked dogs that have softer coats. I know that's an odd way to pick a dog! But if that's the only thing that can be said against them, I can live with that!

 

[RC Fan]

I absolutely adore German Shepherd dogs! We got our first Shepherd when I was in grade 6, and shortly after that, our whole family fell in love with the breed. They are very intelligent, and they rarely miss a trick. We have never had a problem with any of our dogs being barky. They love water, and they love to play. I find they like to do whatever you are doing. If you are relaxing, they will relax with you. If you want some exercise, they are game for that too. We have never had any problem with our dogs around children. We have had a few health issues, but I think you will find most purebreds have some health issues.

If I was properly set up for a dog, I would have a German Shepherd!

 

[doxdogy]

GS are a wonderful loyal and loving breed. Our Katie that we lost in October was a shepherd/lab mix. She was the most patient and loving dog. The doxies would crawl on top of her in the winter and sleep. She never once growled at them or nipped them. We have pictures of her eating at her dish and a 12 week old puppy standing under her and eating. They are also very good at reading people. For some reason she did not like DH's brother. She never tried to bite him she would just watch him. I remember one time when DH's brother and family were living with us along with his dad. BIL and FIL were arguing at the table. DH went to see what they were arguing about, Katie got up and walked with DH over to the table. She then stood between hubby and his brother. We also had purebred named Scooter. He was a clown and a delight. Very good with kids.

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I am walking proof that every shepherd is different. When I was born my folks had a 120 pound gorgeous shepherd named Duke--in fact "Dukie" was my first word. He was well trained. When I was 5 he died (he was 11) and we got a gs puppy. K.C. was a very good dog for us as well. My parents took him to the kennel club and he was the star of his obedience class. I loved taking him places and watching boys my age or older cringe in fear of this dog I had doing my bidding at just a gesture or a word. He lived to be almost 10 but his hips gave out and he had a bad time at the end.
When I first got married I got a gs pup. Knowing what I know now, I got him from a puppy mill out in the country. But at 23 I had no idea. I took him to the kennel club as soon as he was old enough, but he was already getting snappish with kids. He loved me and DH, but it wasn't enough. First, at age 2, he bit our friend's 4 year old. Then a couple of months later he went through a window screen to take a chunk out of the paper boy--I was sitting there and he suddenly jumped up, growled, and out the window he went for no apparent reason. I had to have him put down.
The moral of my story is the breeder is very, very important, not just for health but temperment issues. (I suspect my last gs had hip issues too, but I'll never know). If you don't go with a rescue, make sure you don't scimp on the breeder! I sure loved that dog, but they have to function in society too.
BTW at another point I had a gs/lab mix and he was an awesome dog; died at 3 1/2 due to epilepsy.
Robin M.