Thinking of getting a German Shepherd
Discussion
I a thinking of getting a dog for the family.
I've always had labradors at home with parents when younger.
Like the idea of a German Shepherd as they seem intelligent and trainable, good for walking and probably keep burglars at bay if I am unable to dominate the staircase.
Anyone with experience in terms of how they are for training?
I've always had labradors at home with parents when younger.
Like the idea of a German Shepherd as they seem intelligent and trainable, good for walking and probably keep burglars at bay if I am unable to dominate the staircase.
Anyone with experience in terms of how they are for training?
Can't rate them highly enough , very intelligent and naturally protective . If you're willing to put in the hard work with them between 6-18 months old you'll be rewarded well .
Be very choosy where you get it from , pure breads with a long bloodline aren't always the best choice ,the Kennel Club and their stupid sloping back policy with the resulting hip problems for example . Try to see both parents and you'll have a clue what you're getting .Our last one came from a farm , an accidental litter , the dad was a bull of a dog but very friendly , the mum just wanted us to play with her tennis ball .
Be very choosy where you get it from , pure breads with a long bloodline aren't always the best choice ,the Kennel Club and their stupid sloping back policy with the resulting hip problems for example . Try to see both parents and you'll have a clue what you're getting .Our last one came from a farm , an accidental litter , the dad was a bull of a dog but very friendly , the mum just wanted us to play with her tennis ball .
Edited by fttm on Friday 24th March 14:41
We had one as kids.
Lovely dog - intelligent, protective, trainable.
As stated above, careful about breeding - ours was a 'pure breed' and had problems with back legs at various points in his life.
One thing we were told is that it's a big, powerful dog. You therefore need to let it know who is the boss in the house, especially if there are kids around. That doesn't mean being cruel, by any stretch, but don't let a dog like that think he/she is calling the shots.
Lovely dog - intelligent, protective, trainable.
As stated above, careful about breeding - ours was a 'pure breed' and had problems with back legs at various points in his life.
One thing we were told is that it's a big, powerful dog. You therefore need to let it know who is the boss in the house, especially if there are kids around. That doesn't mean being cruel, by any stretch, but don't let a dog like that think he/she is calling the shots.
Muzzer79 said:
We had one as kids.
Lovely dog - intelligent, protective, trainable.
As stated above, careful about breeding - ours was a 'pure breed' and had problems with back legs at various points in his life.
One thing we were told is that it's a big, powerful dog. You therefore need to let it know who is the boss in the house, especially if there are kids around. That doesn't mean being cruel, by any stretch, but don't let a dog like that think he/she is calling the shots.
Last paragraph is correct , they're pack animals and as such there is a pecking order , if this worries the OP then opt for a bLovely dog - intelligent, protective, trainable.
As stated above, careful about breeding - ours was a 'pure breed' and had problems with back legs at various points in his life.
One thing we were told is that it's a big, powerful dog. You therefore need to let it know who is the boss in the house, especially if there are kids around. That doesn't mean being cruel, by any stretch, but don't let a dog like that think he/she is calling the shots.
h as they are less prone to this .This thread needs photos 
I've had German Shepherds continuously over the last 25 years. Usually in combination with Great Danes.
Currently I've got Nzo, who is 10, and Jasper who is 3.
Jasper is my first long haired GSD and was quite cute at 8 weeks
They do grow quickly tho
They are a really intelligent breed. The main word I'd use to describe them, when they are trained, is "willing" in that they really want to do whatever it is you want them to do which is why the training aspect needs to be very consistent.
They also need to know where they stand in the pack in terms of obedience. I think that probably sounds more dramatic than intended but I just mean that they are quite comfortable being told what to do by folk who they know tell them what to do. Strangers, visitors, friends and family less so. That just reinforces the need for consistency in how they are trained in the early stages with the reward being a truly loyal, athletic and powerful companion.
I've had German Shepherds continuously over the last 25 years. Usually in combination with Great Danes.
Currently I've got Nzo, who is 10, and Jasper who is 3.
Jasper is my first long haired GSD and was quite cute at 8 weeks
They do grow quickly tho
They are a really intelligent breed. The main word I'd use to describe them, when they are trained, is "willing" in that they really want to do whatever it is you want them to do which is why the training aspect needs to be very consistent.
They also need to know where they stand in the pack in terms of obedience. I think that probably sounds more dramatic than intended but I just mean that they are quite comfortable being told what to do by folk who they know tell them what to do. Strangers, visitors, friends and family less so. That just reinforces the need for consistency in how they are trained in the early stages with the reward being a truly loyal, athletic and powerful companion.
As a kid we had an all black German shepherd from a local breeder who had excellent credentials, award winning dogs, perfect bloodline and strong hips (The dogs not the breeder)etc..
Everything was going great until he had a seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy. I may be wrong but to get a perfect black German Shepherd there may have been a bit of inbreeding at some point. I believe the breeder was aware as she never returned our calls or emails and find it hard to believe ours was the only one in that litter.
Despite the epilepsy he was a lovely dog and I echo all the comments above regarding their loyalty and character. He reminded me of a grizzly bear but in reality he was a big softie!
As an adult I've only had a Jack Russell who needs very little food wise in comparison to the German Shepherd, the German Shepherd was like feeding another fully growm adult in the household! When you start adding the epilepsy meds to the monthly costs I'm sure my Dad could've purchased a very nice car but the German Shepherd was worth more than that several times over.
Everything was going great until he had a seizure and was diagnosed with epilepsy. I may be wrong but to get a perfect black German Shepherd there may have been a bit of inbreeding at some point. I believe the breeder was aware as she never returned our calls or emails and find it hard to believe ours was the only one in that litter.
Despite the epilepsy he was a lovely dog and I echo all the comments above regarding their loyalty and character. He reminded me of a grizzly bear but in reality he was a big softie!
As an adult I've only had a Jack Russell who needs very little food wise in comparison to the German Shepherd, the German Shepherd was like feeding another fully growm adult in the household! When you start adding the epilepsy meds to the monthly costs I'm sure my Dad could've purchased a very nice car but the German Shepherd was worth more than that several times over.
One of my 2 go to breeds. My aunt used to breed them so I grew up around them. They are great. The dogs she bred were built for working, they generally went off to be police/ military dogs or guide dogs, so very trainable.
I took on her eldest one when she passed away unexpectedly and had a few years with her.
They are one of the breeds that you swear are more than just dogs. They appear to watch and think and take in so much compared to others that just bumble through life.
This was my old girl Mia
I took on her eldest one when she passed away unexpectedly and had a few years with her.
They are one of the breeds that you swear are more than just dogs. They appear to watch and think and take in so much compared to others that just bumble through life.
This was my old girl Mia
From a vet point of view we do see an awful lot of problems in GSDs. Everything from pancreatitis and EPI to hip dysplasia, anal furunculosis, skin disease and everything in between. Make sure you have good insurance (it will be costly).
I would say that the biggest problem with the breed is that there are a lot of lines with nervousness. This is exactly what you want to avoid with a dog around children. Unfortunately quite a few GSDs that are taken on as family dogs are euthanased after biting children. I would never recommend one as a first dog.
I would say that the biggest problem with the breed is that there are a lot of lines with nervousness. This is exactly what you want to avoid with a dog around children. Unfortunately quite a few GSDs that are taken on as family dogs are euthanased after biting children. I would never recommend one as a first dog.
From meeting them on dog walks they have the most occasions of the owner getting worried and a less than positive outcome.
Both owner and dog stressed which is a loop
If you do get one pay a dog walker to take it out at least once a week from young so it socialises as just one of the pack and not getting more and more socialised as a two person team.
Personally I'd avoid them unless you can be strict from the start.
You will be better off with a happy go lucky mongrel and a burglar alarm .. semi joking....
Both owner and dog stressed which is a loop
If you do get one pay a dog walker to take it out at least once a week from young so it socialises as just one of the pack and not getting more and more socialised as a two person team.
Personally I'd avoid them unless you can be strict from the start.
You will be better off with a happy go lucky mongrel and a burglar alarm .. semi joking....
Edited by Fiestapop11 on Thursday 30th March 21:11
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff