German Shepherd owners

[Crazymummyto3]

We are thinking of getting a German Shepherd puppy in the future. Does anyone have one, and do they make a good family pet around young children?

[Borderstotheleftofme]

I don’t have one, but I did spend a lot of time around them when young.

Tbh, I think they are a very, very poorly bred dog generally speaking, nothing like the ‘original’ confident do it all dog and I would be very hesitant about buying one.

I have met only a couple that have struck me as ‘stable’ dogs.
The vast majority I have met have been very high strung/nervous and overly reactive lunging and barking and snarling at perfectly non threatening things like people daring to walk several feet away..

That’s not even mentioning the shocking state of their health.
The backs 😱, the dysplasia, the epilepsy, the cancer, the list just goes on and on and on and on..

[justilou1]

I grew up with German shepherds and they are lovely, lovely dogs. Because they are so beautiful, I second what the previous poster said. I would never I good conscience get one again. What current breeders are doing is obscene.

[Aquamarine1029]

I would not get a GS for all of the reasons listed above. I haven't had one myself but have known many. They can be very dangerous dogs.

[moosemama]

We had a beautiful GSD in the late 80’s/early 90’s. She was a rescue we found dumped under a hedge in a terrible state and despite her bad start was absolutely awesome. Really solidly built, with a fantastic temperament. I wouldn’t have another now for the same reasons others have given. The ones I see these days seem to be really highly strung and nervous with poor hips and backs.

There was a gorgeous looking youngster at the vets when I was there the other day and The the vet nurses couldn’t get anywhere near him. They needed to taken him in without his owner for his appointment and he was so aggressive it was awful to watch.

I’m sure there must be some decent breeders who do breed healthy dogs with good temperaments out there, but if there are they are probably thin on the ground with huge waiting lists.

[MyBabyIsAFurBaby]

I have a Belgian Shepherd cross. She absolutely adores children and gets so excited if they walk passed our house. She is great with my step-children, however, they have to be confident as she does use her teeth a lot when she is playing (she is only a puppy).

The vet told me that her breed will likely always use their teeth to an extent, so you need to teach your children what to do to counteract any play biting. Our youngest is 8 and has been fine with her.

[RunningFromInsanity]

I’ve got one.
Wouldn’t recommend for a family with young children.
They are large, clumsy, fast, noisy, shed hair constantly and as a op said, they play with their teeth.
To be happy, healthy and safe they need more exercise than the average family with young children can give them.
Definitely not a first time dog.

[vanillandhoney]

I would not recommend one if you have small children, for all sorts of reasons.

• they're big, strong dogs and if they're not properly trained they could easily send a small child flying. Also, unless you train them, walking them alongside a pushchair or on a slow walk with children could be very difficult.
  

• they are, sadly, very poorly bred at the moment and this can lead to all sorts of problems, both with their physical health and their temperament.
  

• they need solid training and a confident, experienced owner. They're not a good choice for a first time owner, especially one with young children who will also need to be taught how to behave around the dog.

[Bodgedboxdye]

My sister has one, she’s had her since she was a puppy.

She’s lovely, she’s one of a kind. She’s just very obedient, can listen to commands and is great with her children. She’s been there since they were all babies. She’s affectionate with them as they are her.

However, when my sister got her, she had an adult husky. The husky was quite rough with the puppy German shepherd, which we think is why she’s so behaved. She was basically put in her place. (Could be wrong)

We love my sister’s GS, she’s one of the nicest dogs I’ve come across.

But my sister read that they do need to be trained and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.

They’re also protective (:

[Bergerdog]

I have a GSD who is a lovely dog. She is gentle and calm with our children and other pets, wouldn’t hurt a fly. However, she is high drive, reactive with strange people and dogs. Protective of the home and needs kept on top of at all times training wise. Also requires a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. I don’t take her on family days out as she gets very stressed by a busy environment.

She is the 4th GSD we have had any they have all been similar in temperament, some more neurotic than others depending on line. One of mine was very very nervous. They need extensive socialisation from day 1.

She will be my last GSD until my children are grown up and I have more time to spend on training/walking as a young family and such a high drive dog is difficult.

[Elizabethlovejoy]

I have a lovely 3 year old male.
His temperament is superb, he is gentle with my grandchildren aged 3 years and a baby of 9 months.He is steady out walking and non reactive to joggers,cyclists,horses etc.All in all a fantastic family dog.
I was brought up with some lovely German shepherds and researched to find a breeder who breeds an old fashioned type with a sound temperament. She is still active and is careful to research the homes her puppies go to, because at the end of the day they are a large dog that does need training and regular exercise, as most large breeds do.[actually i find it is more likely to be the small breeds that are a pain out walking and untrained but thats another thread]
Those breeders are out there -pm me if you want her name.

[GreenPlum]

My exh had one as a puppy just before I met him in the early 90s. We had her for 10 years. She was gorgeous. Couldn't fault her except her hips went at the end and she had nerve and bladder problems.

He got another last year and couldn't cope with it at all. Totally different experience. He got in touch with the breeder after about a year and it was re-homed with a sibling. I thought it was just him, but as PPs have said, perhaps it was to do with breeding changes. How sad.