We live on roughly 4 acres of a wooded lot that is fairly secluded from our neighbors. We currently have a wire haired pointing griffon (female and 5 years old) and also a 5 year old daughter. I have grown up with various labs, retrievers and brittanys over the years but we are thinking about getting a GSD.

We are looking for a good family dog that is smart, protective and active. I like the idea of having a dog with more presence in the house whenever I am traveling for work and the girls are home alone.

All that being said- everything I read or have been told about GSDs reflect a dog that is intelligent, requires putting daily training time in, sheds and is an awesome family dog for our daughter to grow up with.

Is there anything I am missing or misinformed on?  Anything I need to consider such as a female vs a male to fit in with our family or our other dog?  Any and  all advice is appreciated as this will be my first non-hunting dog. Thanks in advance

I have a female GSD and a male Mal.  She is very submissive and had to be trained but is an excellent family dog.  Very protective and on duty at all times.  The mal is a goof beast.  She is in heat so hopefully we will get some German Mals.  They 45 acres.  The GSDs need to be worked and have area to patrol.  Their DNA is so strong that they pretty much are what you want out of the box but you need and the GSD will need personal interaction regularly.

A good vacuum.

We've had a bunch of gsd over the years and now a dutch shepherd.  A German shepherd sounds perfect for your situation. Females are smaller and often softer disposition.  Not always but often.  If not spaying there's heet cycles twice a year to consider.  Very trainable and generally love kids and family.  As others noted the only downside is shedding is substantial.  Find a good breeder with dogs parents on site that perform like working dogs and spend early life taking dog into unusual situations to avoid environmental nervous problems later.  I think you need a checkoslovokian/ east german sable Male gsd.

The GSD needs a strong Alpha to lead. They will bond with you, sense your moods, and lay down their lives for you. When you go on the road the GSD will likely stop being the family pet and be on guard until you return. Their sense of pack, desire to please and protect make them a really good family dog.

They do require energy and effort, good training and an even hand at discipline. They will be ornery when young. They are chewers. They can be bent to your will but it takes work and time.

When they die, and they will, it is a terrible loss. It was as close as I ever want to come to burying my child.

One of the best dogs you could ever have, and well worth the work you put into to them and the female arent always smaller my girl is 101Lb and not fat at all.

That could be a great recommendation, but it probably isn't.

Czech dogs can be...nuts.

Everything posted so far is true. We have a 5 month old female and she is ornery and has tons of energy. We have a male greyhound she has no hopes of catching but she tries!  We sent her for some training (basic obedience) and it was well worth it. We just have to stay on top of it at home. She isn't afraid of anything but car rides and loneliness.

My brother has a sable shepherd and he is one of the best looking dogs I've ever seen.

My wife calls ours an Alsation Wolf Dog instead of GSD. She says it sounds cooler.

If you get one (actually anyone with a large breed puppy), read up on Juvenile pubic symphysiodesis (JPS). We had it done to our pup as she was diagnosed with hip dysplasia in her right hip at 16 weeks old. She had no symptoms; it was just something our vet recommended we do some research on so we took in her in for an evaluation. I am glad we did. The $1000 we spent on the surgery will be well worth it if it prevents/lessens future arthritis and gives her a better quality of life.

Our little girl, at 7 weeks and at 5 months. I never had a shepherd before who's color changed so much



Berrin, sable shepherd


Berrin and Kaiser. As a point of reference, Berrin is around 110#. Kaiser is pushing 140 I believe. Sasha (Kaiser's sister) is around 85# and is in the corner

My female puppy comes from predominantly working stock of Czech (Pohranicni Straze/border patrol and police), DDR/East German, Serbian, etc. ancestors.

She’s not totally nuts , but she’s a character. Our entire family adores her, and she’s become very attached to us. I’m her favorite person, so she’s a Velcro dog to me.

We haven’t done any advanced work with her. So far, she’s had puppy class and a few weeks of board/train for basic obedience and remote collar work. This is definitely the smartest dog I’ve ever had, which is a mixed blessing. She learns quickly, whether it’s a desired behavior or not.

Some of her instinctive behaviors as an 8 month old puppy are surprising. She alert barked on a muffled sound and came to get me, then she sniffed the air and led me to the laundry room. We found out a couple days later that the dryer outlet had arced and melted.

OP, some people might recommend a male dog for you since you already have a female. That’s outside my lane, as I’ve never had more than one dog at a time until this year.

Obligatory pics:

Really appreciate all the advice and also the beautiful pics of everyone's dogs.

Blake-B- that 140lb Shepherd is a beast. Who would have thought a 110lber could look small?  Awesome dogs.

Raven's mom is Czech working line and her dad is German show line. The 140# dog gave no indication as a pup he was going to get that big. His dad was around 110# and mom 85-90# if I recall.

You won't regret getting one. I promise.

They are vicious, dangerous dogs that should only be owned by concentration camp guards and SWAT teams.

Sleeping Shadow by FredMan, on Flickr

Shadow Chills by FredMan, on Flickr

They have no guile and are always up front with their intentions.

Shadow In the Tall Tall Grass by FredMan, on Flickr

Slow, lethargic, and generally uncoordinated.

Shadow Leap by FredMan, on Flickr

Shadow Air by FredMan, on Flickr

Are known to steal food off the counter.

Longing by FredMan, on Flickr

Some folks find them visually appealing, but I just don't see it myself.

Homing In by FredMan, on Flickr

Shadow On The Run by FredMan, on Flickr

Shadow Pose by FredMan, on Flickr

But hey, if you think you can deal with all that, then maybe one will be right for you!!

They are soulless dogs, incapable of bonding with humans or showing affection.

Best dogs ever.

We just lost our pup.......12YO.  She had a good life.  I miss her.

Sorry for your loss.....

Well- we have taken the next step. Found what appears to be a reputable breeder, went and met the owners and the dogs, and have put a deposit down on one. West German shorthairs and due in early April. Ultrasound confirmed 8 puppies and we are first in line for a Male of our choice. Our family is fired up.

The Furminator.
Buy it and use it.