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Started By
Message
re: German Shepherds as Pets (with cats, small dogs, and kids)
Posted on 1/25/22 at 11:24 am to jlovel7
Posted on 1/25/22 at 11:24 am to jlovel7
Not apples to apples, but we have a lab/german shepherd that was a shelter dog. He's 9 and we got him at around 12 weeks. Did some training classes when he was a puppy and tons of socializing like parks and taking him into dog friendly stores.
Shedding: 11/10. Sheds like he's getting paid by volume.
With kids: 11/10. Adores our kids and is always following them around. Very gentle and careful. Constantly had his ear on my wife's belly when she was pregnant with our older son. No complaints here, that said he was 3 already before kids happened.
With Cats: 0/10, fricking hates them
Other dogs: 5/10. He likes other dogs, but he's rough and the smaller/medium dogs hate him.
Protection: Kids 10/10 Us 6/10. Would absolutely kill for and has bitten unknown people that pick up the kids. Super deep and loud growl and bark but chills out quickly when he picks up on us reacting positively to a visitor.
Shedding: Again, this motherfricker sheds. Has killed multiple vacuums.
Separation anxiety: 1/10. Hates riding in a vehicle and would rather stay home. At 9, he sleeps a lot anyways.
If you're going to get one, get it and get it acclimated before kids come along. You don't have the time and energy for a baby and a German Shepherd puppy. They take a ton of time and need to be kept busy.
Shedding: 11/10. Sheds like he's getting paid by volume.
With kids: 11/10. Adores our kids and is always following them around. Very gentle and careful. Constantly had his ear on my wife's belly when she was pregnant with our older son. No complaints here, that said he was 3 already before kids happened.
With Cats: 0/10, fricking hates them
Other dogs: 5/10. He likes other dogs, but he's rough and the smaller/medium dogs hate him.
Protection: Kids 10/10 Us 6/10. Would absolutely kill for and has bitten unknown people that pick up the kids. Super deep and loud growl and bark but chills out quickly when he picks up on us reacting positively to a visitor.
Shedding: Again, this motherfricker sheds. Has killed multiple vacuums.
Separation anxiety: 1/10. Hates riding in a vehicle and would rather stay home. At 9, he sleeps a lot anyways.
If you're going to get one, get it and get it acclimated before kids come along. You don't have the time and energy for a baby and a German Shepherd puppy. They take a ton of time and need to be kept busy.
0
Posted on 1/25/22 at 11:25 am to jlovel7
Brother got a white one while at LSU. Kept eating the chickens his landlord had so the dog had to go. He brought him (RIp) back home to my mother's shagrin, we had a wiener dog (Cleo) at that time. They were like peas and carrots together. Great dog but had hip problems later in life.
Posted on 1/25/22 at 11:55 am to Milesahead
quote:
I love GS but the shedding alone is a deal breaker for me. We have a golden doodle and a Pyrenees-poodle mix. The poodle side takes care of the shedding.
For those that can't deal with all the shedding but still want all the good qualities of a German Shepherd, I would suggest a Schollie (Shepherd/Collie mix).
They take the best qualities from both breeds and come out with some interesting colors, the two I know are both brindle and incredibly unique and pretty looking dogs. They end up with the longer coat of a collie that doesn't shed nearly as bad, bigger ears instead of very pointed like a shepherd, but typically get the size and smarts of a shepherd.
They make some beautiful adult dogs and I believe they're an AKC registered breed now.
This post was edited on 1/25/22 at 12:00 pm
Posted on 1/25/22 at 12:06 pm to jlovel7
If you will put in the time, they are great. Are you experienced with dogs and do you have the time to train them?
Also you need to be consistent with them in terms of discipline, it isn't train them for 6 months and they are set. Very smart dogs but can get out of hand quickly if you don't stay on top of them.
Your kids friends would be the biggest worry in terms of them snapping at someone - so you will need to socialize them with strangers, other dogs at a young age and consistently throughout their life.
Mine was fine by himself, shed a lot, had some dietary issues but was overall a great, smart dog.
He was not a big fan of other dogs he didn't know (was fine with all our family dogs and some of his cousins he only saw once a year but did not like dogs he didn't know getting in his face).
That said, I wouldn't have trusted him around kids unless I was there to supervise. The other issue is having someone to watch him - it is still your responsibility as the dog owner so if the person who watches him while you are away can't really handle him, it becomes a problem.
Also you need to be consistent with them in terms of discipline, it isn't train them for 6 months and they are set. Very smart dogs but can get out of hand quickly if you don't stay on top of them.
Your kids friends would be the biggest worry in terms of them snapping at someone - so you will need to socialize them with strangers, other dogs at a young age and consistently throughout their life.
Mine was fine by himself, shed a lot, had some dietary issues but was overall a great, smart dog.
He was not a big fan of other dogs he didn't know (was fine with all our family dogs and some of his cousins he only saw once a year but did not like dogs he didn't know getting in his face).
That said, I wouldn't have trusted him around kids unless I was there to supervise. The other issue is having someone to watch him - it is still your responsibility as the dog owner so if the person who watches him while you are away can't really handle him, it becomes a problem.
This post was edited on 1/25/22 at 12:17 pm
Posted on 1/25/22 at 12:22 pm to Sneaky__Sally
Also, when looking at breeders, you should pay attention to what they breed the dogs for.
You probably don't want to buy a dog from a breeder who sends most of their dogs for police / guard training and other type of working dog breeders. They are all still German Shepherds but those types of breeders have selected for certain traits which can result in more aggression due to their lineage.
Other breeders who primarily place dogs in a family home as a pet may be easier for you to handle and require less work / attention. I would definitely be sure to ask those kind of questions when vetting breeders.
If you do get a GSD - you should buy a training book written by the Monks of New Skete and it will give you the tools necessary to handle smart working dogs appropriately.
You probably don't want to buy a dog from a breeder who sends most of their dogs for police / guard training and other type of working dog breeders. They are all still German Shepherds but those types of breeders have selected for certain traits which can result in more aggression due to their lineage.
Other breeders who primarily place dogs in a family home as a pet may be easier for you to handle and require less work / attention. I would definitely be sure to ask those kind of questions when vetting breeders.
If you do get a GSD - you should buy a training book written by the Monks of New Skete and it will give you the tools necessary to handle smart working dogs appropriately.
Posted on 1/25/22 at 12:33 pm to jlovel7
I was attacked by a GS as a child. Not a fan.
I do not trust any dog from any breed that can whip my arse. No exceptions to that rule.
I do not trust any dog from any breed that can whip my arse. No exceptions to that rule.
Posted on 1/25/22 at 1:54 pm to OTIS2
So you hate all dogs?
Posted on 1/25/22 at 3:42 pm to Sneaky__Sally
Sally, You sure are a salty little girl.
Posted on 1/25/22 at 3:44 pm to OTIS2
Sorry you just teed it up.
Also, I'm a dude - back off buster!
Also, I'm a dude - back off buster!
Posted on 1/25/22 at 3:45 pm to Sneaky__Sally
Sure you are
Posted on 1/25/22 at 3:46 pm to 777Tiger
I can identify however I choose to online
Posted on 1/25/22 at 3:48 pm to OTIS2
quote:
I do not trust any dog from any breed that can whip my arse. No exceptions to that rule.
Try not being a pussy.
Posted on 1/25/22 at 3:48 pm to Sneaky__Sally
You've been tearing it up in NCAA swimming this season. Keep it up, gurl!!Posted on 1/25/22 at 3:50 pm to Philzilla2k
quote:
Philzilla2k
I hope a Shepard takes a likin' to a body part of yours...for just a taste. You'll smarten up then...maybe.
Posted on 1/25/22 at 3:53 pm to OTIS2
quote:
I was attacked by a GS as a child. Not a fan.
I do not trust any dog from any breed that can whip my arse. No exceptions to that rule.
Have fun with all those yappy Chihuahuas and Shih Tzus. Not my cup of tea, but you do you man.
Some people prefer dogs that take shits the size of your dogs
Posted on 1/25/22 at 3:54 pm to OTIS2
quote:
I hope a Shepard takes a likin' to a body part of yours...for just a taste. You'll smarten up then...maybe.
I’m not scared of dogs, and I always carry. What else you got, pussy?
Posted on 1/25/22 at 3:59 pm to Sneaky__Sally
quote:
If you will put in the time, they are great
They require a lot of physical and mental stimulation. Lots of people that have issues with GSDs just haven't socialized with them enough.
They do become a constant companion and require a lot of attention. You also gotta show the GSD that you are the alpha when its a puppy.
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