Slug

Hey guys,

First let me say this won't be an instant or fast decision, just exploring right now really. I've been tossing around the idea lately of getting a puppy when i get home sometime. I've been really interested in German Shepherds. Anyone else have one?

I've owned mostly all labs my whole life, but have had one German Shepherd mix at my parent's house. He's quite possibly the best dog of all of them so i'd like to look into another shepherd.

Anyone have thoughts/comments on the breed itself? Any problems? What do you like about your German shepherd? Basically what i'm looking for in the dog is a good loyal family type/companion type, thats mild mannered but could deter people from running up on the property/person just by its presence.

I'll always check the humane society first, but i'd really like to get it as a puppy so i can train it right from the start and would prefer it be a full bred, so a breeder is a viable option. Anyone know of any good breeders? Like I said, nothing right now, still not even sure if i'll get a puppy, but just exploring.

aquarist48

Hello Slug. Nice to hear from you. I had a German Shepard years ago. Wonderful creature and a great breed of dog. Over the past 12 years all of our animals have been pound puppies or strays or freebies from friends and I've never been happier than having just a plain ole mutt
Hope you're doing well.
Ken

Slug

Hey Ken, thanks. I've picked up all of my former dogs from the pound as well, been very happy. My parents had a cocker spaniel when i was younger that was a full bred AKC registered dog....smartest dog i've known. Like i said I'll visit the pound first to see, nothing against them at all, but I really would like to have a full blooded dog.

whisper

Hi Slug. Well in all my years I have had 3 German Shepherds among other breeds. The Shepherd is my all time favorite dog. In my opinion they are the smartest dog walking the earth. Very easy to train, loyal to a fault, and great guard dogs. When I had one we lived on 60 acres of wooded land The front of the property where the house was had two acres of mowed lawn on either side of the house. When we got him as a pup I would take him every day on a leash (this was just for training) and walk him around the front acreage and trained him not to go out by the road or over to the neighbors on either side but he had the run of the back 60 acres. Well as an adult that dog wouldn't go out in the street or bother the neighbors even if you dangled a steak in front of him. I might also add that this training was done with just tugging on the leash and saying "NO" if he tried to go in the wrong direction. I never used any violence in the training. But if you crossed what he considered his properly line well that was a different story. LOL. So you can see my vote is for a Shepherd. I know that everyone thinks there dog is the smartest but this breed is truly amazing and in a class all it's own.

bolivianbaby

German shepherds are most definitely awesome dogs!

They are prone to hip displasia, so if you decide to go to a breeder, make sure both had their hips tested. If you go to the pound for a full-blooded shepherd, make sure you know their entire history. These are dogs that in the hands of an inexperienced dog person, can become dangerous and these guys are so intelligent, it can take A LOT of training to undo negative behavior implemented by a prior owner.

If you go to a breeder, I would recommend AKC show lines, not CKC or any others.

AKC dogs must be bred for disposition and health. If either or both parents have been in the show ring, you've got a mentally stable and healthy puppy. AKC german shepherd breeders can be found on akc.org.

If you're looking to adopt, I would strongly recommend a german shepherd rescue. They're great for checking personalities of dogs before they adopt them out.

Hope this helps Glad you're still "alive and kicking" in Iraq

Slug

Thanks thats why i want to go to a breeder, they usually check and guarantee hips. Also for the fact that both parents have usually been in the ring. A puppy seems to be my best choice right now, i'd like to handle the training so I know whats going on with the puppy not what someone else has taught an older dog.

Thanks all, feel free to keep opinions and responses coming!

bolivianbaby

Let me know if you would like any training tips. I've got a good bit of experience in that department.

Come home safe, amigo

gremlin

German Shepherds are beautiful dogs. My neighbor has one. She listens to me better than the neighbor! Most of our dogs have been shelter dogs. The two experiences my parents had with breeders has turned me off them. The first "full-blood" dog we had was a Sheltie - she had not been out of the kennel except to go to the vet and a couple of shows in all 4 years of her life. The second "full-blood" dog we got was supposed to be a Keeshond. Turned out his daddy was a black Standard Poodle. Both dogs were AKC registered and had all their papers and everything. Both dogs ended up being very sweet loving dogs, but no more or less than any of the shelter dogs we have had.

Alasse

I have a GSD. She is purebred though not papered (long story). Nika is from working lines GSD, now show lines. Personally i do not like the show lines, too hunch backed for my liking. Both her parents were hip scored, and Nika herself will get hip xrayed before deciding to be bred from.

Nika is highly intelligent and is doing obedience work with the hopes of trialling in the future. She has extremely high drive so i may even go into lure coursing, undecided at this time. Also due to high drive, she does require work, if left to her own devices too much she finds 'fun' for herself *L*

Naturally protective of her yard, so an excellent guard dog, on lead she is cautious but well behaved with strangers. VERY family orientated, loves to be right in with her 'pack'

Personally, i wouldn't go past a GSD. They are one of the best allrounder. Love to sloth with family, but quick to get into work mode when required

This is my girl

AlyeskaGirl

My family had a Black German Shepard who was only 9 years old and had to be put down because one day he couldn't get up and was layin in his own urine. He was a wonderful dog, very smart, loyal, loved to play, very protective of his home, would bite strangers that would come near his home, thankfully it never went too far from him bein takin away when he did that once in awhile but other then that they are an awesome dog. You have company coming over he doesn't know, you must introduce him to them first and things will be OK.

Diggly

Alasse that dog is stunning!

I would love a GSD puppy but our girl is old now (11) and I think a new dog might upset her too much!

iloveengl

I want to suggest checking out: http://www.petfinder.com/index.html

You can specify breed, age, etc. and it will list all the dogs in your area that fit your description. It's more efficient than searching pounds and it takes a homeless animal off the streets.

We found our pure schnauzer puppy with that site many years ago. It's a wonderful service.

Gouramiguy17

Oh I love german shepards, they are very good dogs. My friend had one and she was protective of her owner. We would be playing football and she would come and try to attack me if I tried to tackle my friend. They are good guard dogs because my friends house got broken into but the dog attacked the guy and the neighbors heard the commotion and called 911. Their dog was a very good dog. Just make sure to teach them not to jump up on people or to try to be a lap dog, they are a bit big for that.