Are German Shepherds...

[gritsar]

Just cuz. One of my favorite pics of Kane that the breeder sent me. Kane was 6 weeks old:

 

[SueSteeves]

I would not have any dog but GSD. Both of mine are rescues and they are GREAT around the chickens, rabbits, horses etc. Everyone here has made all the points that I would have discussed....training, training, training! They are working dogs and will get into trouble if they do not have a job to do. Lot's of exercise and get ready to vacuum like you never have before! But, they are the best "all around" breed in my opinion and I have turned all of my friends and family members into GSD devotees. A reputable rescue will be able to match you with a dog that had a low prey drive. We had both of ours off leash with the free ranging chickens within a week of getting them. Good luck!!!!!!

Here are pictures of mine. The smaller & lighter female is Eva. She is 3.5 years old and we got her from the ASPCA two years ago January. The darker one is Odin, we got him 10/01/2011 from the local GSD rescue and he is 1.5 years old.

 

[Funky Feathers]

Here is our lovely Sable GSD female "Holly":

She is truly the smartest animal I have ever known.

 

[dainerra]

grit, absolutely on the "German Shedder" I don't think I own anything that doesn't have dog hair in it, on it, or around it!
Really, I can't stress it enough - research research research.

Check local breed restrictions and your homeowners insurance. Some companies won't cover you if there is a GSD on the property. Find a good vet that is used to working with GSDs - many people are afraid of them and that includes vets. Find a trainer used to working with GSDs. Make friends with people who own GSDs because a lot of owners are going to be intimidated by the way GSDs like to play.

Meet dogs of all the different lines. Color isn't the most important factor, but there is nothing wrong with having a preference. If you like black dogs or sable and that is what you want, then you want to focus on breeders of working line dogs because that is where you will find those colors. Or if you like the black & red, then German Show is going to be what you look for. It's a good criteria for narrowing down your search. Of course, then you have to interview breeders. Hips are a must for any shepherd. You'll also want to know that the generations before your dog have strong nerves.

They are a lot of work, but well worth it. I have no doubt that my boys would give their lives to protect the family. They are obedient, super intelligent and my babies

If you don't stay 2 steps ahead, though, they will definitely out-think you! They will invent new and exciting ways of getting in trouble, so give them a job.

Also, they require exercise. My youngest gets at least a couple hours a day of full-out run and play time. Plus obedience and conformation practice. Then Tuesdays we have obedience/rally practice and weekends we go hiking. That BARELY keeps him contained and I'm sure that he could do more. Any less than this and he would be chewing holes in the wall and rearranging the furniture.

 

[carolinagirl58]

Quote:
And that is REALLY sad. That's one reason I wouldn't get another pit bull. I am kind of stuck with my current homeowners insurance because most of them won't insure me because of her.

 

[dainerra]

One thing that I should mention, GSDs are verlco dogs. They will be attached to their favorite person like a 3rd arm.
They do NOT do good left outside alone. Now, if you are outside 22 hours a day and the dog can be with you working constantly and getting the human attention and training he needs is one thing. Putting the dog outside in the yard or on a chain, however, is a big no-no. He will bark, dig, and destroy your entire yard and everything he can reach. No dog does well locked away, but GSDs are bred since the beginning to work 1 on 1; it's part of their genetic makeup.

Gawd, I haven't gone to the bathroom alone in the 8 years we've have Rayden. When I shower, there is a GSD in the hallway on either side of the door. I can hear them snuffling on occasion, just to be sure I didn't sneak out the window or down the drain. lol

 

[dainerra]

Quote:
And that is REALLY sad. That's one reason I wouldn't get another pit bull. I am kind of stuck with my current homeowners insurance because most of them won't insure me because of her.

some companies will let you sign an exemption that you are not covered for dog bites, provided you carry separate liability insurance. I don't know what companies, but I know that it is a way around some landlord restrictions as well.

 

[carolinagirl58]

Quote:
And that is REALLY sad. That's one reason I wouldn't get another pit bull. I am kind of stuck with my current homeowners insurance because most of them won't insure me because of her.

some companies will let you sign an exemption that you are not covered for dog bites, provided you carry separate liability insurance. I don't know what companies, but I know that it is a way around some landlord restrictions as well.

My State Farm agent told me that they don't cover dog bites anyway, so I can have whatever dogs I want. I'd like to switch to a different company but have had other companies tell me that as long as I had one of the breeds on "the list", they would not cover me. So I'll just keep State Farm for now.

 

[dainerra]

Quote:
some companies will let you sign an exemption that you are not covered for dog bites, provided you carry separate liability insurance. I don't know what companies, but I know that it is a way around some landlord restrictions as well.

My State Farm agent told me that they don't cover dog bites anyway, so I can have whatever dogs I want. I'd like to switch to a different company but have had other companies tell me that as long as I had one of the breeds on "the list", they would not cover me. So I'll just keep State Farm for now.

I've heard great things about State Farm. It's actually pretty highly recommended on my other forums because they don't restrict breeds.

 

[Beth G.]

Here is my disability boy Luger. He is a Czec Wolfdog AKA: GSD. He is from pre-hitler bloodlines as they say. He was an import and we brough him home from the airport X-mas Eve last year he was 4 months old. They wait until they can test them to see if they fit the part needed. My husband trained him with me. The most important thing with this pup was he had a very big prey drive and for herding that is a good thing. However they told us NEVER to play tug of war with him so we could teach him to retrieve items including birds and not think of them as toys or play things.

Well to date, he is my disability dog and pretty much goes to work with me everyday, goes to grocery store, pharmacy, eats out with me, goes to the hospital with me, goes on trains, planes, and in automobiles. He's only 15 months old and the love of my life. Without him I would not be able to have my birds. He goes and circles the breeding pens every night and in my main coop run if I have any that do not want to go in before sunset he gentle retrieves them and brings them to my hands. He watches over our duck flock during the day and if he hears coyotes at night he alarms my DH to go take care of it.

All and All I will never own another breed. I am partial the the Czec bloodlines but, all GSD's are great dogs!!

Here he is:

These two boys are our rescues and have part GSD in them. They are Lugers Brothers