Posted: 7/13/2005 5:18:23 PM EDT
|
Since my lab died 2 years ago I've been anxious to get a new dog. As much as I liked my old dog I don't want to get another lab because my old lab could never be replaced. I think for my wants and needs I've narrowed it down to a German Shepherd. Here is what I require and what I have to offer a dog. 1/2 acre back yard, all fenced. Live home alone, 26 years old. Typical 9-5 job, but can come home during lunch to let the dog in/out. Dog will have to be either in or outside for 5-8 hours at a time summer or winter unless too hot/too cold. (old lab did fine) What I want from the dog: Loyalty Ease to train (sit, stay, stay in the yard without a leash and walk with me without a leash) Ability to walk/jog up to 3 miles a day Protection Ability to take the dog with me, camping, fishing, here and there. Ability to listen to commands on the first call. With the lab, there were things that would distract him, otherwise he was pretty good. Let me know if I'm in for the right dog? I've owned one before and know how to train and dicipline. Also my last dog was a male (neutered). What are the differences in behavior between a neutered and non-neutered male? I would prefer a male dog if they are larger in size and are easier to train, because bitches never listen to anything I say  )POST PICS!!! |
I don't own a Shepherd any more, still miss that old girl... Most of what you listed is fine (backyard could be larger but thats not the end of the world). As for being easy to train... Shepherds are very smart and eager to please but they are very willful and can be a handful. You have to be the Alpha without question, not just because you say you are and have a firm hand with them. Like a lot of large aggressive dogs you have to maintain control and make sure they are well trained because they could hurt someone easily as they are VERY protective & territorial. With that said, they are my favorite breed. I'm thinking about getting another now. |
| What you are looking for can be obtained from almost any dog especially a working breed. The most important factor is picking a good puppy from a QUALITY breeder. Also when you do decide to pick a up a pup try and take at least two weeks vacation when you bring him home. This will help you and him with the crate/kennel training and house breaking. Also look for a local Schutzhund club which is a lot of fun for the both of you. |
Good post! Look here... www.windlaufergsd.com/windlaufer_009.htm German line 'confirmation" ("show"...do NOT confuse with inferior AKC bred GSD pups!) bred pups...not true work breeding, but very nice for a pet. These guys DO have some work bred pups, but you will have to make sure you specify them...nothing with a "V" in front of the title is a real work-bred dog! Be SURE you have a job for such a pup...or you will NOT like the "job" he finds for himself! hah! vomdahaus.com/ |
I'm no expert but although I agree it can help with housebreaking it can also freak the pup out when after you've been around 24 hours a day for 14 days and then one day your gone for at least 7 hours every weekday thereafter. Good choice on the Shepherd. They can shed in buckets...you have been warned. 
|
|
Mine is a little over a year old. Shes a handful right now, but she really is a good dog. The protection gene has already kicked in. She is extremely athletic. Follows us everywhere on the farm, up to the point of exhaustion and then some. Rides in the truck, mule and tractor just fine too. I would highly recomend one |
|
My GSD is the most loyal dog I have ever had the pleasure of caring for. When we go out for walks, our Rat Terrier is a hunting machine, looking for anything that moves or anything that she can smell. The GSD will stay by our side the whole time. Be sure to get a good chew toy. You are going to need it.
|
All the ones I've had have been VERY protective of property, as long as they know it is part of their territory. Had one that crashed through a glass storm door when some kids he didn't know came into the yard. He stood on the porch, bleeding, but in a very defensive stand barking and growling at the kids until they quickly departed. |
| MY GSD has never been to a trainer or "trained" in the sense that you believe it should be(i.e. breaking his spirit, etc). He has been around plenty of children and never haqrmed any of them. In fact he's been quite the opposite. He would watch them like a hawk and ensure that no harm would come to them when they played outside. To say that a GSD is a dangerous dog is very inacurate unless that GSD was very poorly raised(i.e trained to terrorize people). |
 best damn dogs on the planet. They'll do the protection/loyalty thing without training as long as you treat them right. If you want some detailed info on the breed, IM Green_Ammo_223. She works exclusively with GSDs and can probably hook you up with a reputable breeder. (Kaja--closest to camera--is Shutzhund trained) |
|
One of the great breeds. I have owned two high end shepards, long family trees of German stock all Schutzhund & IPO records. I would say try and find a breeder with German stock, as the Germans don`t really care what the dog looks like, as long as they can do the work. Be careful of puppy mills, try and find a top notch breeder that is willing to have you come visit for you to see for yourself. One with plenty of records and a one year hip displaysia replacement. The true shepards aren`t "pets", they won`t be happy unless they have a job, or something to do. They have quite a personality as well, and can be a test for someone not familiar with them. They are eager to please with very high intelligence and are alot of fun. 1,500-2,000 is about average today for young puppies, it goes up from there. Ofcourse if this isn`t anything like you are looking for then disregard the above. |
|
Officer Lucas Buck, 4 years old, 132 lbs. Parents were imported to the US from Czechoslovakia. Their puppys' brains are usually on back-order until they are about 2 years old, then they seem to magically grow up from ages 3-4. Some of the smartest dogs in the world, I've heard it said that Shepherds aren't first at anything, but they are second at everything. A bloodhound still has a better nose but a Shepherd comes in a close second. They can't bite as hard as a Rott, but they come in second place. They're not THE smartest breed, but they come in a close second, etc... Get ready for it because the shed, period. And they chew when they are puppies so make sure that they have LOTS of toys and that your favorite albums (boots, remote controls, etc) are up off of the floor. 
|
Good Advice.. You want German blood lines.. They are much more stringent on their breeding. Germans have eliminated most of the personality flaws and hip problems you see in American blood lines.. I have a red and black Schutzhund III
|
|
Consider a Shiloh Shepherd. In short, a perfect GSD times two. Mine is 165 pounds at age three. VERY protective, VERY good with kids. They are bred to get rid of the hip problems and to be family dogs. They are hugely intelligent. Mine often picks up new behaviors with only one training session and will respond to single finger commands even when I am not looking at him. He pays attention like no dog you have ever seen. www.shilohshepherds.org - main Shiloh Shepherds web site www.druglibrary.org/chopper - info on my dog  |
Here's ours, she's very loving & playful.  ____________________________________ The only hope you have is to accept the fact that you are already dead. And the sooner you accept that, the sooner you will be able to function as a soldier is supposed to function, without mercy, without compassion, without remorse. |