To get a German shepherd for safety?

[Claeiai]

I'm currently converting a van into a portable home with a shower, bed, kitchen and toilet and am planning on travelling around lots of the world for about a year in a couple of years time. I want to do a lot of hiking and being out in nature generally.

As a single, female traveller in my 20s, I am concerned that I am quite vulnerable to attack both when out and about alone in nature and also when parked overnight at campsites or in the wild.

I have come up with the idea of adopting a German shepherd or another breed (open to suggestions) both as a companion, but one which looks 'fierce' enough to intimidate men from trying to attack me. I love dogs and grew up with one and would be adopting this dog to care for it it's whole life. After I return, I will work from home and so will still be able to give the dog the care it needs for the rest of its life.

I've thought that this way, I can adopt a dog that needs rescuing from a shelter and would also feel much safer when travelling. I would put a lot of work into training into before we left and would not be training it to attack or be agressive, rather to be well behaved and perhaps snarl or whatever if someone tries to attack me to scare them away.

Please don't flame me, I will take on any thoughts and really consider them so please don't feel like you have to phrase things in an agressive way to 'get through to me'.

Before you go you will have to look at how easy it is for a dog to travel to different countries and what quarantine rules there are. Some countries dont always see dogs as pets.

Have you thought about martial arts to protect yourself?
You don'y need excessive strength or bodysize and the training will give you the edge to look after yourself and pre-empt a situation where hopefully you wouldn't need to use the skills.

What if someone had a knife and stabbed your dog? It has been known.

Have you looked at pet importation requirements in the countries you want to travel to? Many have week long quarantines, stringent requirements and costly fees to import a pet.

Even if it wasn’t for that very few people will be deterred by a dog. People who know dogs can tell a friendly dog from an aggressive one so are unlikely to be impressed by a large breed as such. Anyone truly intent on doing you harm, would be violent to your dog as well. A very well trained protection dog would be of help in such a situation but they take years to train by an experienced trainer.

Yeah, that's not going to work. You can't even take a seed into Australia, let alone a dog.

This sounds so exciting, you lucky thing! I agree a dog sounds a great idea, I'm a big fan of German Shepherds but perhaps would consider something smaller - the terrier suggestion isn't a bad one, my parents live on a fairly big estate and just have a rescue jack russell cross, if any "naer-do-wells" come along his bark is more than enough to get rid of them. Best of luck with your adventure! x

Assuming you can get round the travel restrictions - which are by no means certain TBH - then Staffy, definitely. They look 'pit bully' enough to put off most non-doggy people but are usually soppy home-loving softies, and there are loads of them in rescue, so you'd have a good chance of finding one without too many issues.

Be aware that many rescues would not see a camper van as a suitable home for a dog, so you'd have to have any home check done as if you were living in your house and not mention your planned trip.

I have two German Shepards , they attract a lot more attention than they deflect

I agree with a pp that it will be a lot of trouble with regards to actually being allowed into various countries.

If you just want security you can get a baseball bat for your van and carry something with you depending on the country while hiking. Pepperspray or mace for example is legal and easily attainable in the states and Canada too I think. There are risks in carrying those devices too though!

But a rescue home here won't let you take a dog if you tell them what your plans are, plus, you'll have a nightmare getting permission to take it to Asia (and then actually getting it there). You'll be very hard pushed to find the kind of dog you're thinking of once you're in Asia, and an even harder time then getting it to Aus/NZ (don't forget 190 days quarantine - could be your whole trip?). You'll THEN have the nightmare of trying to get it back here once you return (long flight, paperwork, more quarantine).

Sorry, but this is pure fantasy. Not realistic at all, unless you plan to travel within the EU only.

I've looked into taking my dog to New Zealand, it's a 10 day quarantine on the way in, so depends if you'd be happy to hang around the same place for 10 days waiting for the dog! I'm thinking of moving permanently so obviously a 10day quarantine is fine, but if it was a short length of time may not be worth it! I love GSDs, but I think people are more likely to be intimidated by a Pitbull / staffy type of dog (all the ones I've met are soft as anything but the reputation puts people off!)

Have fun on your travels, whatever you decide to do!!

Sounds an unrealistic and ridiculous idea

Please don’t get a German Shepherd and make him live in a van, that’s cruel. They’re amazing dogs, but inquisitive and territorial - my GSD’s is the happiest either laying down surveying “his” garden or walking up and down it patrolling it. He would absolutely hate being stuck in such a tiny space.

Doberman - intelligent and can walk for miles and soft as shit but most people won't chance it - they fix strangers with an intimidating glare until they are passed as safe

Anyone truly intent on doing you harm, would be violent to your dog as well

^ This, I'm afraid.

It would only be overnight @Clueless, would that still be a problem?

But regardless, sounds like a gsd wouldn't be ideal anyway. Thank you for all the other dog suggestions, have made a list.

I'll need to look into quarantine much more and see if it's still viable.

There are dog trainers in my city who will train dogs for protection, this I'm guessing would be a better idea than trying to train them myself?

On a practical note I would do some research into how you could cover your dog with insurance. You would not only have to find a company that was happy to cover you but would also be prepared to send money to vets in Asia /australia/NZ. And what would you do if your dog had a serious injury and required in patient care or a long period of recuperation.

Nice idea but very unrealistic. Very restrictive and the quarantine periods alone would take up weeks/months of your trip. You won't be able to go to most tourist attractions anyway unless you leave him behind, which is a) a theft risk and b)potentially cruel - time alone, space, weather, heat etc

On top of all the other issues already mentioned many countries have breed specific legislation which either bans or places restrictions on various breeds of dog.

Most breeds of dog you would consider to look "fierce" are probably either banned or restricted somewhere. GSDs are restricted in several south east Asian countries for example, others won't allow the importation of staffies.

You'd have to be very careful not to fall afoul of any laws relating to the specific breed you decided to get.

@viques I will have lots of money saved up by the time I start travelling in 2 years time so the cost of vet fees will not be a problem but will look more into insurance!

I think you will find a dog more of a hindrance than a help. Not only with you have to comply with all the veterinary requirements for each country, a dog will restrict you greatly when it comes to sightseeing. All those museums, historic sites, that you will want to see more than likely won't allow a dog in. So what are you going to do with it? You can't leave it in a hot vehicle for hours. And also, many camp sites (where you will be perfectly safe and secure) won't allow dogs. Of course, you could camp on the side of the road, but then you are asking to be broken in to. Also, another thought - what if you want or need to work for a bit? Again, what happens to the dog?
I think you would be better by making sure you have adequate personal security and security for your van.
We have had many holidays with our dogs, and there are many places we just couldn't go because we had them with us. They are very, very restricting.

@nesssie I'm much more interested in nature and hiking than tourist attractions so cant envisage I'll be going to very many.

But yes, countries with dog restrictions would be an issue. That's another thing I'll look into first thanks

Not sure how it would work practically, ie with travelling to different countries and isolation periods etc, if that is applicable? I know with flights animals need to be kept in segregation for a while?

I don't think the space is too small as presumably you'll be out and about exploring the majority of the time, with the dog.

I have a bullmastiff and he does the job with regards to scaring people! People cross over from him, avoid him etc (which is sad really, hes still a youngster and when he was a puppy every single person stopped and fussed him. He gets so excited when he sees people but people never approach him!) and he is extremely protective and territorial. He is the softest dog I know, he is lay on me as i type this, but i have no doubt that if someone approached me aggressively he would not be happy. He doesn't like it for example, I was practicing breakaway training on my dad and my dog was really uncomfortable about this.

However, the breeds you are looking at are big, strong dogs and they need more training than smaller ones! My bullmastiff is my first dog I own independently but I had them growing up and know the breed inside out. He has not been without his challenges and I take him training weekly to keep him well socialised.

It's a good idea and if the practicalities can work I dont see why you cant get a dog. But I would check and double check with the breed!

Good luck!

Australia and New Zealand won’t let the dog in for tourism, and the UK will have you jump through hoops to being the dog home again afterwards from Asia. I really don’t think a dog is suitable for what you have in mind.

Is this a bit about company as well OP? It will be a bit lonely. Have you considered trying to find a travel companion?

clariai that's good to know. When our cat spent two days overnight in the local vet hospital the cost was over £1200, mind you we did have a scan and a drain for that. I dread to think how much it would cost for a dog with a broken leg requiring surgery!