Thinking about a new puppy

[Frizzled]

I am thinking about getting a German Shepherd puppy that is 11 weeks old. I have Poodles, Labs, and pound puppies. I have never had any dealings with German Shepherds, what do you guys think of them? I am hoping to train it for search and rescue if I can find the funds to do it. Let me know what your opion of the breed is. The puppies and their Mom are great.

 

[lorieMN]

I love them,thats all my parents ever had when I was growing up..when my aussie is ready to go,I am thinking I would like a black GSD..

 

[gritsar]

We are raising Jax, a GSD and having a wonderful time. He's the first GSD I've had since I was a kid and the first one for my DH in about 20 years.
He's just awesome. Can't say enough good things about him - as anyone who follows my Jax threads knows.

IMO, it's important that you get a GSD from a good breeder; someone who takes their breeding seriously.

 

[chick4chix]

I have had three german shepherds- two were the best dogs in the world- loyal, smart, beautiful, regal- the works. One was all of the above but with a "cross-wire" that would short out and go on "attack mode" without provocation. Having never trained her to do that, and having had her since she was a puppy- it was disconcerting to say the least. If you decide to get one my advice is to do your homework and really, really look at the parents and the way they behave.

 

[gypsy2621]

Make sure there is no documented vetting for seizures in either parent. ask to see vet reports a good breeder will have them available for the asking.
short circuting dogs usually have an underlaying seizure disorder that wasnt diagnosed.

Other than that if the parents are sweet dogs, thats awesome let the puppy pick you , sit in the welp box or on the floor with them and see which one comes up and responds best to you.
That will be your new puppyy good luck !

 

[kycklingmamma]

I don't know German Shepards persay, but I do know to let you know about OFA.
Make sure you get your GS from a reputable breeder, ask questions, demand answers on health testing and the like, back it up with a check on OFA, if the parents aren't on there, then they did not get the testing said, like hips etc.

 

[Brindlebtch]

I second gypsy2621 about the seizure disorder and also make sure both parents and parent's littermates have good hips, elbows and hearts. That doesn't necessarily guarantee good hips but hopefully the odds will be on your side.

Check out the conformation on Jaime the Dog Trainer's GSD. She posted it here recently. THAT is good working conformation for a GSD. You want them up in the rear and not crawling on their hocks.

 

[Frizzled]

I know the Mom is a good dog, the lady that has them has a handicap daughter and the shepherd looks out for her. I have not seen the Dad, she had the female bred somewhere off, not sure where. The Dad is suppose to be some high dollar dog with a good pedigree.

 

[Brindlebtch]

Pictures of the b*tch? Does the male's owner have a website or kennel name?

I'm just curious. I'm sure your puppy will make a lovely and loving companion. I just always like to see what is out there.

 

[walkswithdog]

German Shepherd Dogs are a great breed. I've had 12 of them. They require much of YOU. Time for training, socialization - lots, and EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE.

An under trained, under-exercised GSD is a nightmare of destruction and mindless territorial and chase drives.

A well trained, well socialized, well bred, well exercised German Shepherd is a joy.

Jaime has a good dog. His dog his lines fairly similar to mine. I tend to prefer harder dogs, not fit for less experienced homes though. More training. But I'm a trainer.

But while OFA and no seizure background, a clear cardiac panel and good breeding are important... Temperament of the parents and proven capacity for work are important.

What you will actually DO, rather than what you intend is in general most important with the breed.

I've seen 10,000$ shepherds go bad simply due to lack of training, socialization and exercise and at some point the owner just gives up. Usually someone or something has been injured.

First you choose wisely, then you do what you have committed to doing and all will be well.

But get one and do not meet it's needs... I've seen them do thousands of dollars of damage to homes and yards, to other dogs, or people.

That's about 25 years of experience in the breed with working, pet and rescue dogs. If you want an SAR dog - get one from SAR parents. It increases the likelihood of the drives necessary FOR SAR. And they are very specific drives. Not every shepherd has the intensity to HUNT for something for HOURS without finding it. That's born not made. That drive cannot be created. It must be born.

Most shepherds will not do SAR, even of those bred from SAR parents, many will not have sufficient HUNT capacity.

In the random pet population the chances are far far less.

Could you get a good pet from your neighbors dog - probably. Working dogs from a pet population run an average of 20%. Working dogs from a working population can run 40-70 even 80%.

For SAR from SAR is the absolute best odds. It sucks to rear something for a job for three years and train like the dickens to find that it will NOT do the work well.

And dogs flunk out of SAR far far more often than succeed.

I have a friend who does evaluation of SAR dogs, has had several nationally recognized dogs and runs an SAR group who can refer you to good breeders.

Those dogs will cost and shipping while successful is a pain in the ass.

But three years of training a dog that will not do the job is exceedingly costly when you figure time, feed, training costs and ending up with a pet taking up SPACE and feed, and having to start again or give up.

I used to train service dogs. Working dogs I am familiar with.