Thinking of getting a German Shepherd

Thinking of getting a German Shepherd

Author
Discussion

JimmyConwayNW

Original Poster:

3,056 posts

124 months

Friday 24th March 2023
quotequote all
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?

fttm

3,667 posts

134 months

Friday 24th March 2023
quotequote all
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 .

Edited by fttm on Friday 24th March 14:41

Jasandjules

69,825 posts

228 months

Friday 24th March 2023
quotequote all
Had one when I was a kid. She was very good, keen to learn and we would go running together - she would run near me then close the gap if there were people nearby and then womble off again... Good dogs.

Muzzer79

9,806 posts

186 months

Friday 24th March 2023
quotequote all
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.

fttm

3,667 posts

134 months

Friday 24th March 2023
quotequote all
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 bh as they are less prone to this .

renmure

4,213 posts

223 months

Friday 24th March 2023
quotequote all
This thread needs photos biggrin

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 biggrin



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.


Davel

8,982 posts

257 months

Friday 24th March 2023
quotequote all


Wonderful, loyal and very protective to their family.

They do need a lot of attention or they get bored.

Great characters

Oh and from this



to this



Edited by Davel on Friday 24th March 21:57

Random84

90 posts

12 months

Friday 24th March 2023
quotequote all
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.



Portofino

4,271 posts

190 months

Friday 24th March 2023
quotequote all
All been said above. An English line GSD is what you need.




RB Will

9,662 posts

239 months

Tuesday 28th March 2023
quotequote all
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


jmsgld

1,010 posts

175 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
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.

Fiestapop11

62 posts

12 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
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....

Edited by Fiestapop11 on Thursday 30th March 21:11

Baldyboy

44 posts

180 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
Got two shepherd/Pyrenean mountain cross bhes they joined us with our mastiff, beagle and 2 working cockers. Never wanted one or two. Now I wouldn’t be without them. Intelligent protective and fun. They do need to know their place, once they are settled they are great dogs.

rallye101

1,865 posts

196 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
I'd love one, my little boy keeps asking if we can get one when the cat dies...
Then asks when can we get rid of the cat!!!!

Edited by rallye101 on Thursday 30th March 22:06

renmure

4,213 posts

223 months

Thursday 30th March 2023
quotequote all
rallye101 said:
I'd love one, my little boy keeps asking if we can get one when the cat dies...
Then asks when can we get rid of the cat!!!!
biggrin

Prolex-UK

3,012 posts

207 months

Saturday 8th April 2023
quotequote all
We have one.

Amazing dog. French rescue dog. Got her when she was 5. She will be 10 im may.

Had been badly treated by previous owner took ages to get her to eat and drink properly.

Moved back to england late 2018 and she is now 100% fixed.


ChocolateFrog

24,852 posts

172 months

Saturday 8th April 2023
quotequote all
They're great, we've had atleast one continously for the last 30 years.

They tend to be vocal, that's the only real negative but then again that also comes in useful at times.

Prolex-UK

3,012 posts

207 months

Saturday 8th April 2023
quotequote all
Get a good hoover

They have 2 coats and shed hair all year