Are German Shepherds...

[FourPawz]

German Shepherds can be wonderful. They require socialization (lots of it) as pups and training. They're like Labs in that they don't really grow up until they are 2 years or older. As many have said, there are many different "lines"so it will be well worth your time to research where you get your new family member. It's particularly important to find a breeder who does health testing on his or her breeding stock. GSD's are notorious for hip dysplasia, but they're also prone to elbow dysplasia and allergies. Some dogs suffer from horrendous skin problems.

My sweet girl:

 

[Marcymom3]

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I had a dog that looked just like yours. I adopted her, without papers of course, from the Animal Shelter at about 4 months old. She was a great dog but I could never get her to come if I said "come"... so I trained her to come to "pizza" ... it worked. I think the person who had her from birth mistreated her when she came to him. grr...

 

[dainerra]

a Czech Wolfdog is NOT a GSD. It is a wolf hybrid with GSD mixed in, Ceskoslovensky Vlcak is the name. They are actually illegal to own in some parts of the US due to bans on hybrids which often cover "anything that looks like a wolf"

Colour: Yellowish-grey to silver-grey with acharactistic pale mask. Light hair also on the underside of the neck and the forechest. Dark grey colour with mask. I don't think I've ever seen a bi-color one before, though I do know that wolves come in black. Joys of genetics! lol

 

[SueSteeves]

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Oh my gosh!!!! Odin is exactly the same.....he even stands behind me while I brush my teeth, put on my makeup and blow dry my hair.....just giving me loving looks. I have not gone to the bathroom or taken a bath alone since we got him. He is such a mama's boy. The looks he gives me when I am in the bath crack me up....like, "What are you doing silly human? There's water and soap in there!!!!!" then he likes to try and eat the bubbles.

 

[dainerra]

rofl Nothing like trying to use the restroom with a dog drooling on your lap

Both boys can open the bathroom door unless I lock it.

If I'm in the bath, Rayden will watch from the doorway because he HATES baths. Singe will try to climb in the tub with me or at least pounce on the soap bubbles.

And don't ever try to convince a GSD that he isn't a lap dog. Both of mine will try to get in my lap at the same time and then it turns into "King of the Mountain" if you're not careful.

 

[Jay262]

There is much debate on this but dogs such as german sheppards and huskys for example have a strong prey drive. Im not saying if you got one its gonna kill your poultry at some point but its been well documented about these animals prey drive and its not something that can be taken out of them. No matter how well trained these animals are you still run the risk of its prey drive kicking in and it making your chickens or whatever dinner.

 

[dainerra]

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this is true of ANY dog breed. terriers (yorkies/scotties/daschunds/etc) are bred to be hunters and kill rats and other vermin. Huskies are very "primitive" with a lot of prey drive. GSDs are herders, which is just a trained form of prey drive. It's never a good idea to leave ANY dog alone with poultry. I always supervise my dogs when they are around any livestock.

 

[Jay262]

Before anyone gets upset i just said for example german shepards and huskies. And i never said they would attack its just a possiblity and this possibility is greater in certain breeds of dogs.

 

[dainerra]

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true, but again, I would say that it is greater in certain INDIVIDUAL dogs rather than certain breeds. Every dog has some level of prey drive - that's what makes them chase the ball when you play fetch. It's what makes them herd sheep or retrieve birds. Some, like terriers, are bred to kill. 99.9% of dogs can be trained and maintained without any hardship; certain individuals just won't have the ability or desire to control that instinct.

 

[gritsar]

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Again, reading my mind. Jax is my DH's dog, Kane is mine. They are happiest when some part of their body is touching mine or DH's. I wasn't feeling well yesterday so I laid down for a bit. Jax was on the bed, pressed against me the whole time. Kane doesn't like to get on the bed (too hot), so he sleeps on the floor on my side. DH started the habit of letting them on the bed and I really don't mind. They aren't allowed in the bathroom, but when I take a shower they will get as close to the door as possible.