German Shepherd?

Sonsie

Sonsie

The mighty Al-Sonsie!
We are moving soon to a house with a great big fenced yard perfect for a dog. I’m not a dog person myself but hubby wants a German shepherd pup. We’ve got two very small kids who are good with our two cats and would delight in a dog. Currently my son sadly trails the cats all over the house wanting to play with them only to get snubbed. I know these dogs can be dangerous if raised wrong but if purchased as a puppy and raised gently as part of the family do you feel there is much risk? I wanted a more family friendly breed like a lab or retriever, dogs I don’t have to worry about mauling the neighbor’s kids either. However, hubby was raised with shepherds though and claims they are great family dogs and good with children. If we use a reputable breeder and take care to socialize this pup properly the risk to the kids should be very low right? I hate to sound like a paranoid mom but I’ve been bit badly before and I find myself a little paranoid about large breed dogs ever since. Any input would be appreciated.
 
kom526

kom526

They call me ... Sarcasmo
Applejack K-9 Academy :yay::yay:

We got our GSD from there and he was absolutely excellent with our son. I have pics of my boy using Riley as a pillow looking up at the clouds. They also offer a wide range of obedience classes to help BOTH (dog and human) of you learn proper behaviors. When we got our dog we were required (by Applejack) to take the basic group obedience class, this really helps with socializing with other dogs.
 
forever jewel

forever jewel

Green Eyed Lady
As long as they are socialized, exercised and structured (just like ANY dog), you shouldn't have any problems. I grew up with a German Shepherd Dog and she is a sweet heart; couldn't hurt a fly! :huggy:
 
Homer J

Homer J

Power Chord
I had a German Shepherd when I was a kid. He was basically an outside dog since I grew up on a farm but he was the best. He never had any training of any kind, couldn't do any tricks, but he would come when called and was always playful and loving and never strayed from the property once he was nuetered. Damn, now you got me missing him. :bawl:
 
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forever jewel

forever jewel

Green Eyed Lady
Homer J said:
I had a German Sheperd when I was a kid. He was basically an outside dog since I grew up on a farm but he was the best. He never had any training of any kind, couldn't do any tricks, but he would come when called and was always playful and loving and never strayed from the property once he was nuetered. Damn, now you got me missing him. :bawl:
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:poorbaby: :huggy:
 
nobody really

nobody really

I need a nap
Sonsie said:
We are moving soon to a house with a great big fenced yard perfect for a dog. I’m not a dog person myself but hubby wants a German shepherd pup. We’ve got two very small kids who are good with our two cats and would delight in a dog. Currently my son sadly trails the cats all over the house wanting to play with them only to get snubbed. I know these dogs can be dangerous if raised wrong but if purchased as a puppy and raised gently as part of the family do you feel there is much risk? I wanted a more family friendly breed like a lab or retriever, dogs I don’t have to worry about mauling the neighbor’s kids either. However, hubby was raised with shepherds though and claims they are great family dogs and good with children. If we use a reputable breeder and take care to socialize this pup properly the risk to the kids should be very low right? I hate to sound like a paranoid mom but I’ve been bit badly before and I find myself a little paranoid about large breed dogs ever since. Any input would be appreciated.
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I've had a German Shepard that I trained for Search and Rescue. Excellent, smart loyal dog. When I left my husband and went back to the townhouse, I couldn't work with him any longer (I worked with him daily). You sound like you would have the perfect environment for a GSD. I currently have a "shiloh shepard", which is just a long haired GSD pretty much, but very laid back.
 
nobody really

nobody really

I need a nap
beachcat said:
I've had a German Shepard that I trained for Search and Rescue. Excellent, smart loyal dog. When I left my husband and went back to the townhouse, I couldn't work with him any longer (I worked with him daily). You sound like you would have the perfect environment for a GSD. I currently have a "shiloh shepard", which is just a long haired GSD pretty much, but very laid back.
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forgot to mention my SAR GSD is now with Capital Hill Police K-9 unit as a SAR and Bomb dog. Happily doing what he loves
 
M

Mousebaby

Guest
I had a German Shepherd from when I was 7 til I was 17. She was a great dog! She stayed with me all the time and was really my best friend. We explored together and even took naps together under the big oak tree on my farm we lived on. She got shot when I was 13, man said she was after his chickens. I know better then that, we all did. Sheba never bothered the chickens, why would she start then. We think the man did it cause he had it in for my dad. Anyway, I came out the front door one morning and saw tons of blood, and I followed it because I knew it was her. The trail led to the shed behind the house and there was a yellow bean bag chair in there that was literally soaked in blood and had a puddle in the middle. At this point I expected to find her dead. I called her, sobbing the whole time, and way out in the field I saw her ears sticking up! I ran to her and it was BAD! She had been shot in the chest, neck and one leg. I talked to her gently and got her to get up and she followed me all the way to the house and I got my mother and she ran and opened the back of the station wagon and I don't know how that dog did it, but she jumped up into the wagon and we hauled azz to the vet. It took over a month and more money than I care to mention, but they saved her! God I loved that dog! :bawl:


Sorry for the long storry. But just shows you what good dogs are all about.
 
cattitude

cattitude

My Sweetest Boy
From my childhood continuing through to about 10 years ago, I always had German Shepherds. Absolutely wonderful dogs...very loyal, smart, easy to train and NEVER had a problem with any of them with any of my children.

When looking for a pup (if you plan to buy) make sure the breeder is reputable and does the necessary genetic testing prior to breeding. GSDs have a lot of genetic health issues.

Hey Beach, where'd you get your Shiloh? Curious, because they really aren't just a longhaired Shepherd.
 
HSCC

HSCC

GSDlover
You should also consider looking on petfinder.com. We have a few German Shepherd rescue organizations in our area, one is Mid-Atlantic GSD rescue, and the other is Virginia GSD Rescue, I know there are many out there looking for a home.

I have had GSD's all of my life, they are great companions, protectors, and family oriented dogs. One mistake I have made with my current GSD is that we did not socialize him well enough around people and other animals when he was young. He is now 10 years old and we have to keep him away from visitors in our home, and hates other animals. But when I take him out of our territory he does not really care about other animals, he just whines b/c he does not know what to do, and he is just fearful of people. So, def. socialize you dog young whatever breed you may choose.

I must also say that GSD mixes are also great dogs and you can find them at almost any rescue!!

Good luck in your journey.
 
M

Mousebaby

Guest
I would like to also add. My bio dad was where I got my pup from when I got her. His female shepherd, Gypsy, she protected her home and family well. She had imaginary boundary lines around my bio dad's home. The neighbor was mowing his lawn one day and accidently stepped into her boundary line. She ran for him and bit straight through his wallet to his butt!!! :lmao: He had to have stitches! That was beyond hilarious! But not good too, so make sure your dog is well trained not to be to aggressive to strangers. They are fierce protectors! :howdy:
 
S

SoftballCrazy

New Member
HSCC said:
You should also consider looking on petfinder.com. We have a few German Shepherd rescue organizations in our area, one is Mid-Atlantic GSD rescue, and the other is Virginia GSD Rescue, I know there are many out there looking for a home.
I must also say that GSD mixes are also great dogs and you can find them at almost any rescue!!
QUOTE]

:yeahthat: GSD rescues oftentimes have puppies too. I love my GSD, he is the best dog ever. He was socialized well w/ kids/cats/dogs, and he is an awesome boy. He is definitely the smartest and best dog I have ever had. I don't think you'd be disappointed w/ a GSD. They do shed alot, so you might see some GSD hair 'tumbleweeds' in the house...
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nobody really

nobody really

I need a nap
Mousebaby said:
I had a German Shepherd from when I was 7 til I was 17. She was a great dog! She stayed with me all the time and was really my best friend. We explored together and even took naps together under the big oak tree on my farm we lived on. She got shot when I was 13, man said she was after his chickens. I know better then that, we all did. Sheba never bothered the chickens, why would she start then. We think the man did it cause he had it in for my dad. Anyway, I came out the front door one morning and saw tons of blood, and I followed it because I knew it was her. The trail led to the shed behind the house and there was a yellow bean bag chair in there that was literally soaked in blood and had a puddle in the middle. At this point I expected to find her dead. I called her, sobbing the whole time, and way out in the field I saw her ears sticking up! I ran to her and it was BAD! She had been shot in the chest, neck and one leg. I talked to her gently and got her to get up and she followed me all the way to the house and I got my mother and she ran and opened the back of the station wagon and I don't know how that dog did it, but she jumped up into the wagon and we hauled azz to the vet. It took over a month and more money than I care to mention, but they saved her! God I loved that dog! :bawl:


Sorry for the long storry. But just shows you what good dogs are all about.
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glad to hear it ended well. almost stopped reading it after the first few sentences
 
T

toppick08

Guest
Mousebaby said:
I would like to also add. My bio dad was where I got my pup from when I got her. His female shepherd, Gypsy, she protected her home and family well. She had imaginary boundary lines around my bio dad's home. The neighbor was mowing his lawn one day and accidently stepped into her boundary line. She ran for him and bit straight through his wallet to his butt!!! :lmao: He had to have stitches! That was beyond hilarious! But not good too, so make sure your dog is well trained not to be to aggressive to strangers. They are fierce protectors! :howdy:
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Reminds me of Heidi. That was ex-St. Mary's Sherriff George Sanger's GSD. She was the terror of our street and used to run everybody back home.:lmao: Anyway, she really was a sweetie, once you got on her good side. GSD are great canines.............:howdy:
 
Sonsie

Sonsie

The mighty Al-Sonsie!
Thanks for the feedback guys. I feel a better now. I was raised with German Shorthair Pointers that didn't have an aggressive bone in their bodies. In truth the protective trait is part of the reason hubby wants a GSD, the place we are moving to is very rural with no neighbors anywhere near and with me and the kids home alone he worries. A dog like this is a good deterrent to your casual bad guy who is just looking for an opportunity. A fenced and gated house with a GSD eyeballing you from the other side will make you look for an easier mark quickly.

I also wanted a big rough and tumble dog for the kids to have fun with so health is important to me. I've been looking online at breeders in that area, there are a few to pick from and as we're in no big rush I'll have time to drop by and see their operations. I don't want to support any of the puppy mills you hear such awful stories about. I'd really want to see the parents too, at the price they are asking I don't think that would be too much to ask for!

Mousebaby - That was me that sent you the incomplete unsigned green karma, I fumblefingered it. I'm so glad your dog lived, that was such a sad tale.
 
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