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'.

Dogs need plenty of exercise. They need space, they need water, and you can't keep them harnessed up for hours on end as you drive. The whole idea is ludicrous.

Find a group who are travelling and hook up with them if you're worried about safety, don't subject a dog to this.

Ok, point taken. Seems like it's not a great idea.

Thanks all!

New Zealand is pretty much the same as Australia. It would probably be doable for both but very expensive and time consuming.

I think a GSD would be perfect. Ours loves being with her human/s. As long as they get enough exercise I can't see that a small space would be an issue. Ours tends to loll around the house, whereas my friend's terrier and spaniel both do 'wall of death' around the kitchen even after a long walk.
Easy to train and, despite being an absolute cuddly wuss really, I think her loud bark has possibly prevented our house being broken into when all around us have been hit. I also had an incident when walking along a long, isolated country lane, when an extremely dodgy looking man gurned "Nice guard dog" at me as we passed (I decided, for once, not to leash her and let her walk to heel beside me instead).
I know I'm biased, but I'd go with your original plan. Beautiful, intelligent, sensitive and scary enough looking dogs with the loud bark you're after!

YABU to consider this whole thing at all.

@ KeepOnKeepingOnAgainandAgain
My Rott in the same pose as your Doby
Op, I wouldn’t get a large breed dog to travel with, they do need space to spread out and stretch. If they get injured or become unwell it costs a fortune and I have no idea if any insurance would cover your dog abroad.

We have a Maremma. Because we live in a semi remote part of Australia, we had to get something and we wanted a pet anyway.

Maremmas are guardian dogs...beautiful and very fierce...they were bred to protect sheep from wolves in the Italian mountains.

Gorgeously affectionate but very wary of strangers and quite scary when they're showing their teeth.

bondivet.com/dogs/maremma-sheepdog

Humff! We all know the plan is full of holes but does no one think my dog is cute?!? The eyebrows? Come on !

What about a Staffy?

IF you can pull this off. I'm totally coming. I'll tell my chihuahua to get exercising in preparation

It sounds as it would be far more bother than its worth

A Staffordshire Bull terrier would probably work. They are gorgeous and sweet natured dogs, but have a bad enough rep to make people think twice.

Your biggest issue will be the travel requirements to different countries for your dog. It will be expensive and you'll need access to a vet in every country. There are different requirements for flea, worming and rabies vaccination in every country. It's very hard to travel with a dog.

Desperado - your dog looks a real cutie! (Might want less tongue to look really threatening). Mine is doing the thousand yard stare! Must count for something.

Some of those places are also not so easy to get a van across to?

I had a gsd x from the dogs trust. Best dog we ever had. Amazing gaurd, but soft with the kids. So maybe a cross gsd will suit

Staffy - can walk a half marathon, and sleep on a washing line. Sounds like too many restrictions as pp's pointed out though.

I'm still struggling with the idea of the ferry to Australia, tbh.

OP, I really hope that you plan the rest of the trip with more thought than you've put into the dog idea...

What about one of those collie-x types? Mainly black & tan, fairly tall, don't moult too much and very fit. They would be great for hiking - can go miles. I had one once, amazing intelligent protective dog. RIP Fred.

Humff! We all know the plan is full of holes but does no one think my dog is cute?!? The eyebrows? Come on !

He has amazing eyebrows

And a look that says "Yesss , I am Guardian of the Gate y'know"

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

Don't ask me that question two weeks into the Easter holidays....you might regret my answer.

OP, Ireallyhope that you plan the rest of the trip with more thought than you've put into the dog idea...

The Op hasn't gone out and got a dog though. She's asked here for thoughts and she's ages away from actually going. All quite sensible so far. If she has never had to travel internationally with a pet she isn't to know what a ball ache it is

Two paws up for desparados dog though.

Are you in the UK? You can't take your dog casually on long haul flights, that sounds traumatic for a dog. Europe maybe but not Oz, NZ and how does that work with a van?
I'd recommend a Staffy very fit and active for your European leg but again check restrictions on what countries allow your dog.

My suggestion would be a Rottweiler, although it's probably best to stay away from anything purebred for health issues.

Rottweilers are also fiercely loyal, but not as nervous as German shepherds. They are prone to weight gain, so need lots of excercise. They can be quite cuddly too.

@ KeepOnKeepingOnAgainandAgain
She is an absolute cutie and has the longest tongue! I couldn’t decide between a Rott or a beautiful Doby like yours, had a hell of a job trying to find a Doby breeder within a 200 mile radius so got a Rott. Best dog ever, I’ve previously had Jack Russells, a Rottie is a whole new experience, so quick to learn and very loyal, she’s also great with DS who has SN.