GSD's

[dainerra]

LauraJean, sorry to hear about your bad experiences. Yes, it can be the way they are raised, since they are a naturally "guard dog". That's why training and socialization are so important with this breed. Another big factor is over-breeding. GSDs are near the top of the AKC list every year and that equals a LOT of dogs. Too many people just say "oh, you have a boy, I have a girl, lets make babies!" and this has resulted in an over-abundance of dogs with weak nerves, bad heath, and just all around bad dogs.

germanshepherds.com can be a GREAT resource. They can also be a bit over-protective of their breed, so lurk around for a while. Depending on your area and the type you are looking at, be expected to pay $1000 at a min. Some areas you can find a great hobby breeder who does all the appropriate health testing etc for a bit less, but beware the ads for $500 in the paper. Sure, it is possible to end up with a good dog that way, but it's also supporting someone who is just out for the $$, not bettering the breed.

 

[Sjisty]

We have had German Shepherds all of my life. I have been told the story about our first one, Kris, saving my life when I was four years old and about to step into the street. She ran out and knocked me back and was hit by the car instead (she survived). Over all of my childhood we always had one or two. My parents trained and showed them in obedience. We had smart ones and not-so-smart ones. When I was grown with children, my father's GS, Blitz, adopted my 2-year-old daughter , Julie, as his. He would walk beside her on the leash and never pull. If anyone approached, he would growl as if to say "Stay away from my girl." By the way, if anybody else was walking him, he was always happy to be approached and petted, but he was very protective of Julie. She used him as a pillow at nap time - he wouldn't move until she did.

Now my children are grown and gone, my parents are in their 80s, and I have a GS puppy. I named him "Kris" after that first one. He's 12 weeks old now. I had forgotton how smart and easy to train they are.

How can you resist -

 

[dainerra]

he's a cutie!!! You wouldn't believe how much those sable pups can change color

day he came home

1/2 way in between! lol

last Saturday



here is my oldest boy Rayden

 

[drdoolittle]

Sjisty, Kris is beautiful! I was also raised with GSDs, and did have one bad experience as a child. Our friend's female GSD bit my older sister on the backside and she had to have stitches. I was so afraid to go to that girl's house to play after that. I think that was a situation where the dog hadn't been socialized-----just kept in the fenced backyard alone.

My parents got both of their GSDs from reputable breeders, the first was from show lines, and the second from Schutzund (sp?) lines. They were both huge males, and both very intelligent and loving. The only thing that bothered me was that my parents only ever took them outside on a leash-----I could see how they longed to run and play outside.

I got my own GSD about 5 years ago, and she's the best dog Hubby and I have ever had. She belonged to a neighbor in our old neighborhood-----in the suburbs----and he had kept her tied outside to a logging chain from 6 mos. on. At the time I decided to "go see if that dog is friendly", she was already around 3 years old. I couldn't believe that she was a she-----she is big even for a male GSD! She was also the most loveable dog ever, I don't know why after being tied her whole life. Well, I'd go see her about every day, and take her dog treats, scraps, and even toys and make sure her water was full-----I even returned her to the owner a couple of times when she got loose (even though I didn't think he deserved her).

After a cou[ple of years, we moved to the country on 5 acres and 2 of our dogs ended up have to be put down due to cancer within 2 months of moving. I saw my chance to have "my" dog come live with us! I left a note on the owner's door----I didn't have a number to call----and waited. (The note just said who I was , how we had moved to the country, lost our dogs to cancer, and would he be interested in letting me have Daisy). He called the next evening to say, "Well, I don't feel I can just give her to you. She's only 5, not spayed, and registered with the AKC. Plus, I've had to pay $100 to the city every year I've had her because she isn't spayed. I could let her go for $300." Well, Hubby said he wasn't paying $300 for a 5 year-old dog, and I thought that was that.

Around Feb., the owner calls me back to ask if I ever got a dog. I said, "Yes, we got one from the shelter up here." He says, "Oh, well I was just going to let you have Daisy." Apparently----I found out from a neighbor of his-----someone had called Animal Control about the dog. The area she was tied up in was dirt that would become a foot of mud when it rained or when the snow melted, and she would be covered in it. That day, the temp had gone above freezing and it was raining-----Daisy was in a mud pit and soaked with rain and mud. The forecast was calling for the temps to drop to below zero that night, and the neighbors had had enough.

Animal Control had come out and told the guy to remedy the situation, and they would be back that night. The guy got Daisy and took her to his girlfriend's, gave her a bath, and called me. Well, Hubby thought about it for about 5 sec., and said, "Yeah, go get her tomorrow." Daisy has been with us ever since! She's still an out side dog, but has never been tied at our place, and loves "helping" me do the chores. She has a big doghouse full of straw, and stays in our enclosed front porch in the winter with a soft bed and a space heater. The only time she's ever covered with mud is when she wants to be-----when it's 80-90 outside she likes to go lay in the water from where I've emptied the other animals water buckets. She's great with everyone who comes over, but doesn't like all other dogs----probably a result of being tied for so much of her life. Some friends of ours came over with a baby a few years ago, and Daisy stayed right next to the stroller the whole night-----even getting up to "check" on the baby when it cried!

Sorry this was so long, but I though you should hear an experience of aquiring an older GSD who turned out to be such an awesome dog! She sticks to me like glue when I'm outside, and I know she would give her life to save mine. Hope you end up with the same type of experience!

 

[gritsar]

Jamie is a wise woman and my go to person when I have a GSD question.

Our two GSDs are like night and day, though closely related. Jax is all business and energy, 24/7. He knows all the commands we have taught him and will follow them without question. However, I am the boys primary caregiver and when I am sick (have a chronic condition) Jax is perfectly content to just lay around. Jax loves our 5 year old GS like no other and heaven help the stranger that ever tried to hurt that child.

Jax, 7 months old and GS:

Undoubtably the happiest day in Jax's life was when we brought his baby brother home from the breeders:

Despite lots of advice to the contrary, Jax and Kane get along so well, we joke that they are joined at the hips:

Both Jax and Kane get along with our cats - KiKi the siamese is for loving, Kitty instigates trouble but the boys don't hurt her:

They had to be taught to leave the chickens alone, well Jax did anyhow, but they knew what we wanted and learned quickly.

Kane is a goof ball (has been since the day we brought him home):

We tried to keep the two apart when they were young, but finally gave up. Kane knows the same commands/tricks and obedience Jax does, but prefers to go through life as the happy-go-lucky younger brother.



Excellent diet, lots of exercise, even more training, good vet care and lots of love. That's all our boys have ever needed. I couldn't imagine life without them.

 

[FourPawz]

Quote:
There's a reason they're affectionately called German Shedders.

GSD are really amazing dogs. Bright beyond the average dog, willingness and love of working and devotion to their people.

Just remember they're very popular and there are a lot of poorly bred ones. In this breed the saying "buyer beware" needs to be taken very seriously.

 

[Duckchick2011]

Double thanks to everyone who has posted, you have given me great information

I think I am more into the thicker coated GSD's, they just look so stunning

So big and georgeous and lovely, I really want one, have been dying to have one since I was old enough to know what a dog was, and now my family is finally considering a new dog...hopefully I will be able to pull everyone towards the GSD side of the force

Even though they all seem to be leaning toward another beagle

I say tooo mannny beeaggleeess me want big dog now

 

[Going Quackers]

I've only had one. That was enough to have a lifelong impact. sadly i lost her many years ago now. Yes they are loyal, smart and quite adaptable with cats and even other dogs.. my 'willow' came into a house with both already in place. I still recall her laying beside my bed at the end of each of my pregnancies almost like being 'on guard' ...

I couldn't stomach replacing her and never have. Took me 5yrs after i lost her to get another 'big dog' i just went for a floppy, active lab instead. Don't get me wrong a lab is a nice breed but it's no shepherd. Maybe some day i'll own another but my heart has to be in the right place.

Good luck in your search.

 

[gocrow77]

I currently have 2 GSDs and will not be likely to ever have anything else. The breed has pros and cons like any other. My male is from a service and working line and my female is from a show and schutzhund line (mostly German). They are two VERY different dogs. Of the two I prefer my boy, but don't tell Scarlett. He is much calmer, awesome with the kids, other dogs, people, and has a lower energy level. He also ONLY barks if there is something to bark about - I definitely take notice when he alerts. She is high energy (still a pup though so that could change), demands more exercise (she can be destructive if she does not get it), she is an alpha personality also, and she is VERY vocal about pretty much everything - she could easily be one of those nuisance dogs without proper training to keep her in check. Part of the differences is just what you would find between individuals, part is to the fact that I have worked more extensively with my male, since he is a working service dog for my son who is disabled. Training is a must for this breed (really for any breed imo). I work very hard on "manners" with both of mine - Scarlett is the one who needs constant reinforcement and will do things she knows she is not supposed to the second I leave the room, lol. Again, she is still a pup, I can't expect her to react the same way my male does since he is older. Neither will obey my husband as they would for me - he can't even call them in from outside; although they do mind the kids, lol. They do tend to bond with one person in the family a bit more than the others. I correct any "alpha" behavior very quickly.
Here is why I believe they are BOTH worth the time and effort spent on training despite their obvious differences: this breed forms intense bond with their people or person. Loyalty is freely given and will always be the standard. They are the most intelligent breed I have ever had the privilege of working with - Rhett (my male) can problem solve pretty darn well, and Scarlett is not far behind him. Rhett will get between my boys when they argue, he doesn't like it when they wrestle either. But, if told to "stay out of it" he will obey. I don't doubt that he would certainly interfere if any of us were actually in danger from another person, but he is smart enough to be discerning . They are also very empathetic - expect to be followed and "comforted" if you are upset or feeling down (sometimes this can be a tad bit much if you are the type of person who likes some space when you are upset). They are athletic dogs. If you participate in a sport, jogging, Frisbee, hiking, ect. expect that your GSD will want to do it too, and will love it when you let them. They are very friendly dogs when they are well socialized and taught proper etiquette in public - Most of the staff and many of the other parents at my son's school recognize and know Rhett (some carry treats for him, lol). We recently had a tornado scare at the school here in mid mo and he stayed with Caleb (providing a needed distraction for the kids in his class) during the alarm. He is loved and appreciated in our community, not feared by those who are familiar with him. However, strangers also respect him when he has his service gear on and will ask before approaching us. Our GSD's give us many things that no other breed ever has. They are not perfect dogs, but they are pretty darn close.

 

[debilorrah]

As everyone knows, with rescues, you never really know what you will get because someone abandoned them for a reason, and we never know what that reason is.

In October we adopted a 6 month old emaciated GSD, again not knowing what we may get. Ken had a treasured GSD that he sorely missed and we just son't have the money to buy one. I saw this guy at PetSmart adoption and called Ken to come down. He was lethargic, but friendly.

We brought him home and started fattening him up, spending time with him, letting him get to know our other GSD mix. We named him Khan, a nice strong male name. He is now 14 months old, great friends with the other dog, treats my little maltese with such gentleness and care. He is in our hearts, he is a great perimeter dog, never bothers the chickens, doesn't dig. He is a barker though!! LOL! He is just a big goofy loveball. I wouldn't change a thing and I am sooooo glad I found him.