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'.

I'd totally go if not for my bloody kids. Always spoling my fun

I don't think you can bring animals in to Aus or NZ - wasn't Johnny Depp's comedy apology about this.

How are you planning to get your van over to Aus/NZ and then to Asia, let alone a dog?

@Guyliner I'm hoping to meet other travellers in vans too whilst I'm away and travel around with them too. There's a big 'vanlife' movement going on at the moment. However, I am aware that this won't always be possible and so a dog would also be great company for those times when I'm alone.

Shame about the kids, swap them for a dog?;)

Remember when Johnny Depp smuggled his dogs into Australia and he had to make that excruciating public apology video?

So aside from needing to know all the laws do look into the costs. My large dog had to fly to the states and back due to relocating and it’s expensive and stressful. A small dog can be fierce and might be easier to travel with. Something like a Jack Russell. Depending on what you’re planning to do you’d hope that a good barker will be enough of a deterrent. I agree with people suggesting you get self defence classes too.

I'm not entirely sure which countries I'll be travelling to, those were just a vague idea and totally open to going other places. And a ferry is my plan I'm thinking for across water

We have a staffy ie nanny dog she's an absolute lunatic and loves everybody , but if someone comes in my space or too my door she will bark and looks aggressive people generally stay away when we're out and about which helps , we also have a caravan and she loves it !

How will you be travelling between SE Asia, Australia and NZ? Plane? Boat? Pet airfare is not cheap either. I wouldn't put an animal through multiple flights and quarantines, can you imagine how stressful that would be for them?
It would be fine if there was no Brexit uncertainty and you were backpacking / campervanning around Europe, where you could be with your dog and use the pet passport scheme.
What you are suggesting is not in the best interests of the animal.

You sound incredibly naive. It’s not like touring the world with a child. Listen to people when they talk about the problems about travel restrictions - it’s not a brush off. It’s also very very expensive to travel with them. (Think thousands to fly to Asia- worth it with a family pet, less so when you’re getting a dog for the purpose. ) what happens if you want to do a trip that’s not dog-friendly? No scuba diving trips because you can’t leave the dog in the van. How are you planning to get the van to Australia anyway?
Don’t listen to breed suggestions - the whole plan is stupid.

I love German Shepard dogs, well I love all dogs. I used to have two. One was soft as butter and the other was very protective. All I will say is they shed lots of hair and in a camper that may drive you bonkers. I also have two small dogs now who are super protective but gentle as well.

What happens if the dog you get doesn't like travelling? Gets car sick etc?

The whole plan is a terrible idea for the multitude of reasons pp have posted.

I've always had gsd's, they are amazing dogs, you'll never find a more loyal and protective dog hence why the police use them.

I've taken mine up mountains and out for whole days and never had a problem with their joints, they were all from a reputable breeder though.
They're bred for working and happy to be out and about all day.

As for them putting people off I regularly had people crossing the road to avoid us even though none of them ever showed aggression, they just look the part and I never felt vulnerable out on my own with them.

We also used to take them in our caravan and they were perfectly happy, yes they take up a lot of space but they're just content to be with their owner.

Having said all that you need to look into they practicalities, dogs are very restrictive, you won't be allowed into a lot of places with them so unless you want to just hike and not visit any buildings etc then you'll find the bad bits outweigh the good.

Firstly, you're a brave woman wanting to do this. I'm jealous. But no rescue will allow you to adopt a dog for this purpose. What are you going to do in a foreign country if your dog gets sick or breaks a leg? You're not an experienced dog owner. Will you know how to read your big "fierce" dog enough to know what he's thinking? A protective dog will be a protective dog at all times, not just when you want him to be. And honestly if someone wanted to attack you a big dog isn't going to stop them.

Then there is actually getting your dog in to Australia. I'm assuming you are in the UK? As far as I remember you'll have to fly him in to Melbourne. He will then have to go in to quarantine. That costs around £2k I think. That's after all the vacinations and test which you have to have completed at least 7 months prior to going. That's only Australia. I dont know about the other countries you're thinking about going to. It's going to take a long time and a lot of money to sort.

If you are venturing outside of Europe you may find it hard to bring your dog back inside of the pet passport area. Do your research, also consider the heat, dogs can't be left in vehicles and they aren't allowed in many places eg supermarkets. As for breed, a pastoral breed is a good idea as they protect their flock, if you are walking a lot a collie may be a good option but they (and gsd) aren't great in warmer climes. Australian cattle dogs are better if you are heading south

It all sounds like pie in the sky to me, I have masses of respect for everyone who does similar to what you’re describing but you don’t seem to have done any research at all. Even just logically most of this makes no sense.

I honestly think it's a very silly plan. There is SOOO much to think about and you've not even thought about where you're actually going yet. The time it takes to get animals into certain countries, the costs etc. Also, what are you going to do if it gets sick? Will you be able to afford emergency vets bills? What happens if it's not an 'attack dog'? What are you going to do with it if you want to venture into an exhibit or area that doesn't allow dogs? I think it's massively irresponsible if I'm honest.

I would look at ways of making yourself safer than having an animal. Take self defence classes, get a few rape alarms, make sure your van is properly locked etc while sleeping. Don't park in the wild (this might even be illegal in some areas anyway) and use reputable campsites. I think you have a LOT of research to do.

Sounds like Australia is unlikely to be feasible. Is New Zealand likely to be any better?

I already take krav maga lessons and will continue with them too. I'm just worried this may not be enough?

A ferry to Australia. With a van and a dog. Okay.

And I am in the very early stages of my research, I agree! This is why I have posted on Mumsnet, I just wanted to get a feel about whether this is even a remotely feasible idea before I spend lots of time researching

Am a bit concerned that you are going travelling whilst in the back of your mind worried about safety? Maybe join up with somebody else? I don't think taking a dog is the best idea tbh. What if you adopt a dog that seems just the ticket and then you find out he has all sorts of other issues?

I don't know anything about breed so could be well off here, but my family always had lurchers.
I think you are very wise and I'll not be doing it without, but you may find problems travelling abroad, i'll be in the uk.

Just a thought but if you are stopping overnight won't it be on legal sites not in the wild?

I really think you should forget the idea of getting a dog until you return home. If you're that concerned about your safety your best bet is to join some travelling forums and see about meeting up with group of other travellers out there.

How were you even thinking about getting your van to australia??

You are in so early stages that you are not aware of restrictions on incoming pets, but already chose the breed?
You need to switch it around.
I don't think it's feasible to travel like that with a dog tbh. It will be really expensive, lots of paperwork and I suspect some quarantine.

Look at Chesapeake retrievers op.

They’re like a solemn Labrador - lots of the same traits but VERY standoffish to strangers and protective of their owners and property - although not aggressive.

I don't want to pee on your plans, op. International travel with a dog may just not be feasible due to possibility of restrictions on movement of animals at various borders. You don't want the heartbreak of having to leave your dog behind and it may come to that.
Unless you travelled in the UK . Or even the EU (obviously Brexit might make getting in with a dog a bit more difficult).