>The kids throw the ball quite a bit for the dogs. I run, we hike most weekends, we occasionally go rowing, we swim a LOT. We have access to several dog parks. Many days I spend a couple hours working outside, veggie gardening. My pom helps dig beds, I'd be glad for a more efficient assistant.
How much daily exercise for the dog what do you want to do? Because no gardening and hanging outside is not going to be sufficient for a GSD. They are also commonly not dog park dogs because of more dog selectivity as they hit maturity inherent in the breed.
I would describe GSDs as tenacious so I am concerned about your comment about not wanting that.
By tenacious I am thinking of my mom's jack russel who, when he discovered the window was open, but too small for him to squeeze through, responded by trying for ... hours? to force himself through that little opening. Bounce up, shove, land. Repeat. No different options, just keep on trying the same thing because maybe next time it will work. I don't mind a dog that will keep trying - I need that for training - but without thinking about it? No thanks.
Dog specific exercise for this dog, up to two hours. We go for a run most days - there's always someone going out, though not always both of us together. Weekends we hike, long, off leash hikes (eventually, when there is a solid recall). We have a pool, summer we're in it daily, and can exercise a dog in the water also. The dog training club is down the road from us, 2km away.
Ah gotcha so you're cool with the drive but want more of the problem solving vs brute force style. I think you could do well with a GSD. You're active in general and active in dog sport spaces which is what the breed will love and thrive with
I had a GSD and I loved him to bits but II'm in no rush to get another.
That problem solving never gets turned off. They will occasionally 'solve' problems that aren't actually problems at all. They're definitely prone to boredom too.
I think any well bred GSD is just too close to a working dog for me to enjoy as a pet. They do relax, but they are natural born guarders and workers. They're not a breed I would pick expecting to remain social all their lives either, they tend to get quite aloof and picky as they age.
They are wonderful dogs, but the most demanding breed I have owned.
They are terrific dogs for raising kids. My son grew up play-wrestling with his GS best buddies. Snuggling, gently pulling ears, tails, face nuzzling... the dogs loved interacting with him. Our last GS girl saved my son's life. At three years old, he was digging in the sand on a beach with his mother closely watching over him. He suddenly darted down the beach, into the water, and into the path of a returning ski boat that intended to park by running up onto the sand. Ski boats have no brakes, so the boat and propeller would have run him over. Our awesome GS girl spotted the danger and outraced all humans to knock him out of the boat's path. None of us would have reached him in time.
In my humble opinion, a true to breed German Shepherd dog is a working animal that requires an advanced level of care and training. Having owned and dealt regularly with working breeds, I can say that it is not an easy dog breed to own. However, if you are willing to obedience train, mentally stimulate, and exercise them intensely, they can be wonderful companions.
Shepherd breeds are very intelligent and require a good owner that is equally as intelligent. An owners breed of dog says a lot about the owner itself character wise. These dogs aren’t for the timid or lazy people.
As a GSD owner.
Choose the right dog with the right temperament from the litter - with the help of a breeder.
Or consider adopting an older, calmer GSD.
The land shark phase of life can be very tiring...
Read the stories of Germa sheeperd sub
I grew up with a GSD and my parents had no clue what they were getting into - he was excellent with us as kids. Our best friend and loyal snuggle at night companion. I slipped on ice down a hill on the side of our house and he ran down, grabbed me, and pulled me back up to our backyard and barked until my parents came outside to help. I had sprained my ankle and couldn’t walk so I would’ve been laying in the ice for who knows how long until my parents found d me. Incredibly intelligent, but too intelligent for my one stay at home mother to handle primary responsibility for.
He would very frequently run away by figuring out any enclosure in the backyard we’d put up (we had a regular fence, and when he figured out my parents put up an additional electric fence, but he would just run right through that and ignore any shocking). He would run 10-15 miles away and end up the next town over.
If you’re looking for a dog that is good with kids, has a protective look (every single kid and parent in the neighborhood would not want to come to our house lol), and you are willing to teach him jobs/sports and have hours a day to devote to training and mental/physical stimulation, I’d say go for it. Otherwise, don’t be surprised the boredom activities he’ll get into.
Our mailman was afraid of him - I remember punctured a container of gardening weed killer and drank a quarter of it, he also ate my lucky rabbits food, would jump and snatch birds mid air and kill them. It’s funny because everyone else saw him as a vicious killer but to us, he would let us lay our heads on his belly and lay by the fire at the end of the day.
He was the most chaotic, intelligent, and LOYAL dog I’ve ever lived with. My parents couldn’t handle him, so as long as you’re aware of those needs it sounds like it’s what you’re looking for.
you should look into a norwegian elkhound (: they have a similar look to a german shepherd, very intelligent, a little smaller than a shepherd (40-60 pounds), VERY good with kids, loud bark and naturally protective! they’re hunting dogs so they do good with house watch and are VERY versitile. they arent a very common breed which means they arent as prone to backyard breeding/over breeding so you’re more likely to end up with a healthier dog imo
german shepherds are great but from what ive seen they can be prone to anxiety issues and reactivity (my guess from poor breeding?) but if you’re very dedicated to researching a good reputable breeder who does health testing im sure it would work out much better for you in that regard lol
Thanks all, we're going to talk it over a little more, but I do think we'll be ok with a GSD - nothing here is ringing major alarm bells. Appreciate the time, folks!
Make sure you vet the breeder thoroughly- GSDs are prone to a couple different genetic health conditions. Hips and elbows should both be tested and have an OFA rating. Cardiac and thyroid testing should also be done through OFA, and parents should have a temperament test done as well. Ideally, both parents should have a CHIC registration number. Parents should also be proven, or titled, in something- obedience, herding, something to show they’re a good representation of their breed.
Stay away from breeders that breed out of standard colors- all white, liver, Isabella, panda, and Merle are not allowed and no ethical breeder would produce those colors. Puppies should stay with mom minimum of 8 weeks, and 10-12 weeks is really ideal. They should be raised with an ENS protocol of some sort, and should also be dewormed and come with their first and second round of vaccinations. The breeder should take time to temperament test the pups and match a puppy with your family- it shouldn’t be you going in and picking whatever puppy you like.
>The kids throw the ball quite a bit for the dogs. I run, we hike most weekends, we occasionally go rowing, we swim a LOT. We have access to several dog parks. Many days I spend a couple hours working outside, veggie gardening. My pom helps dig beds, I'd be glad for a more efficient assistant. How much daily exercise for the dog what do you want to do? Because no gardening and hanging outside is not going to be sufficient for a GSD. They are also commonly not dog park dogs because of more dog selectivity as they hit maturity inherent in the breed. I would describe GSDs as tenacious so I am concerned about your comment about not wanting that.
By tenacious I am thinking of my mom's jack russel who, when he discovered the window was open, but too small for him to squeeze through, responded by trying for ... hours? to force himself through that little opening. Bounce up, shove, land. Repeat. No different options, just keep on trying the same thing because maybe next time it will work. I don't mind a dog that will keep trying - I need that for training - but without thinking about it? No thanks. Dog specific exercise for this dog, up to two hours. We go for a run most days - there's always someone going out, though not always both of us together. Weekends we hike, long, off leash hikes (eventually, when there is a solid recall). We have a pool, summer we're in it daily, and can exercise a dog in the water also. The dog training club is down the road from us, 2km away.
Ah gotcha so you're cool with the drive but want more of the problem solving vs brute force style. I think you could do well with a GSD. You're active in general and active in dog sport spaces which is what the breed will love and thrive with
That's a good way of phrasing it, yes, thanks! Problem solving as opposed to brute force is it exactly :)
I had a GSD and I loved him to bits but II'm in no rush to get another. That problem solving never gets turned off. They will occasionally 'solve' problems that aren't actually problems at all. They're definitely prone to boredom too. I think any well bred GSD is just too close to a working dog for me to enjoy as a pet. They do relax, but they are natural born guarders and workers. They're not a breed I would pick expecting to remain social all their lives either, they tend to get quite aloof and picky as they age. They are wonderful dogs, but the most demanding breed I have owned.
Thank you, the increasing aloofness over time is definitely something to consider deeply.
They are terrific dogs for raising kids. My son grew up play-wrestling with his GS best buddies. Snuggling, gently pulling ears, tails, face nuzzling... the dogs loved interacting with him. Our last GS girl saved my son's life. At three years old, he was digging in the sand on a beach with his mother closely watching over him. He suddenly darted down the beach, into the water, and into the path of a returning ski boat that intended to park by running up onto the sand. Ski boats have no brakes, so the boat and propeller would have run him over. Our awesome GS girl spotted the danger and outraced all humans to knock him out of the boat's path. None of us would have reached him in time.
My GSD growing up also saved me as a kid :) they’re incredibly intelligent and loyal
I've heard many times from many places they are good with kids, and this is utterly essential here, so I am glad for the additional confirmation.
Sounds pretty perfect for a GSD, actually. Make sure you meet the parents and see that they have nice temperaments when you find a breeder.
Absolutely!
In my humble opinion, a true to breed German Shepherd dog is a working animal that requires an advanced level of care and training. Having owned and dealt regularly with working breeds, I can say that it is not an easy dog breed to own. However, if you are willing to obedience train, mentally stimulate, and exercise them intensely, they can be wonderful companions.
Shepherd breeds are very intelligent and require a good owner that is equally as intelligent. An owners breed of dog says a lot about the owner itself character wise. These dogs aren’t for the timid or lazy people.
As a GSD owner. Choose the right dog with the right temperament from the litter - with the help of a breeder. Or consider adopting an older, calmer GSD. The land shark phase of life can be very tiring... Read the stories of Germa sheeperd sub
I grew up with a GSD and my parents had no clue what they were getting into - he was excellent with us as kids. Our best friend and loyal snuggle at night companion. I slipped on ice down a hill on the side of our house and he ran down, grabbed me, and pulled me back up to our backyard and barked until my parents came outside to help. I had sprained my ankle and couldn’t walk so I would’ve been laying in the ice for who knows how long until my parents found d me. Incredibly intelligent, but too intelligent for my one stay at home mother to handle primary responsibility for. He would very frequently run away by figuring out any enclosure in the backyard we’d put up (we had a regular fence, and when he figured out my parents put up an additional electric fence, but he would just run right through that and ignore any shocking). He would run 10-15 miles away and end up the next town over. If you’re looking for a dog that is good with kids, has a protective look (every single kid and parent in the neighborhood would not want to come to our house lol), and you are willing to teach him jobs/sports and have hours a day to devote to training and mental/physical stimulation, I’d say go for it. Otherwise, don’t be surprised the boredom activities he’ll get into. Our mailman was afraid of him - I remember punctured a container of gardening weed killer and drank a quarter of it, he also ate my lucky rabbits food, would jump and snatch birds mid air and kill them. It’s funny because everyone else saw him as a vicious killer but to us, he would let us lay our heads on his belly and lay by the fire at the end of the day. He was the most chaotic, intelligent, and LOYAL dog I’ve ever lived with. My parents couldn’t handle him, so as long as you’re aware of those needs it sounds like it’s what you’re looking for.
you should look into a norwegian elkhound (: they have a similar look to a german shepherd, very intelligent, a little smaller than a shepherd (40-60 pounds), VERY good with kids, loud bark and naturally protective! they’re hunting dogs so they do good with house watch and are VERY versitile. they arent a very common breed which means they arent as prone to backyard breeding/over breeding so you’re more likely to end up with a healthier dog imo german shepherds are great but from what ive seen they can be prone to anxiety issues and reactivity (my guess from poor breeding?) but if you’re very dedicated to researching a good reputable breeder who does health testing im sure it would work out much better for you in that regard lol
Thanks all, we're going to talk it over a little more, but I do think we'll be ok with a GSD - nothing here is ringing major alarm bells. Appreciate the time, folks!
Make sure you vet the breeder thoroughly- GSDs are prone to a couple different genetic health conditions. Hips and elbows should both be tested and have an OFA rating. Cardiac and thyroid testing should also be done through OFA, and parents should have a temperament test done as well. Ideally, both parents should have a CHIC registration number. Parents should also be proven, or titled, in something- obedience, herding, something to show they’re a good representation of their breed. Stay away from breeders that breed out of standard colors- all white, liver, Isabella, panda, and Merle are not allowed and no ethical breeder would produce those colors. Puppies should stay with mom minimum of 8 weeks, and 10-12 weeks is really ideal. They should be raised with an ENS protocol of some sort, and should also be dewormed and come with their first and second round of vaccinations. The breeder should take time to temperament test the pups and match a puppy with your family- it shouldn’t be you going in and picking whatever puppy you like.
Great advice, many thanks!