anyone have German Shepherd dog/s?

AbRoller · 2007-07-17T17:01:20+00:00

Thinking about buying pups next summer so am researching as much as possible before committing to it. Anyone?

JoMa · 17/07/2007 18:10

MIL has one and he has had both hips replaced, he's only 4 years old , he also has epilepsy and is on daily drugs for it. apparently both are common problems with pedigree German Shepherds

Original poster

AbRoller · 17/07/2007 18:23

Hi JoMa, had read about those problems alright, particularly the hip problems, called hip dysplasia iirc. 4yo is very young though. I thought it was later in their lives they had bother with it.

Other than the medical end of it, would you have any problem with him being around your sons? What's his temperament like?

OP posts:

JoMa · 17/07/2007 18:47

He is the most lovely dog ever!
this is ds1 and Max
I don't go to the house often, I'm not with ds1's dad anymore, but Max is a real softie, barks at me because he doesn't know me but is always pleased to see Matthew! The only problem his dad ever had was that he didn't like matthew to be there alone with him incase Max had a fit, but now Matthew is old enough to jump out the way he doesn't worry so much.

AmeliePoulain · 17/07/2007 18:50

We have a GS cross and he is brilliant with the kids - really friendly and tolerant dog! They are generally supposed to be very good with children.

AmeliePoulain · 17/07/2007 18:54

useful info here www.dogbreedinfo.com/germanshepherd.htm

pipsqueeke · 17/07/2007 18:57

yes me he's a fantasic dog. the only bad thing I will say about him is he malts everywhere - and I mean quite literally it feels like 24/7, so you'll need a damn good hoover. at the mo we're hoovering twice a day and grooming. I don't know how he has so much fur i'm sure! lol.

Tiggiwinkle · 17/07/2007 19:01

We have one-a 5 year old long haired. She is gorgeous and spends her time "looking after" the DSs! Agree about the moulting though-she has been losing hair for weeks now!

pipsqueeke · 17/07/2007 19:02

glad that's not just mine twig - and i'm sure he's late this year doing it??

Original poster

AbRoller · 17/07/2007 19:25

JoMa that is the most beautiful picture. Your son is so cute. Lovely dog too.

Amelie, I believe so too. I grew up with them and loved them. I think it's just that I'm the parent now and a little more worried that I would make the wrong decision. Thanks for the link

OP posts:

Original poster

AbRoller · 17/07/2007 19:34

hi pip and tigg, lovely to hear about them looking after dc's. Not sure about all the hair lol but I reckon it's a small price to pay for such a beautiful and loving animal.

Thanks for the posts

OP posts:

pipsqueeke · 18/07/2007 12:06

also DS/GSD are like a double act at the mintue, dog follows DS round like a puppy and between them get into mischeif - ie today DS opening the fronmt door and the dog running out, or DS flapping the latterbox and the dog standing by to grab the post.

LittleB · 18/07/2007 12:15

Just a word of caution with GSD, they do need alot of socialising and training as youngsters, there are a couple in my puppy training class at the moment and one is already quite wary of strangers and other dogs as he isn't being socialised well enough.
My FIL is on his 3rd GSD in about 6 years, the first one died at 4 from very aggressive cancer, the 2nd was a rescue, supposedly from a family home, but was very difficult and could be aggressive, he's now training to be a police dog, the 3rd they still have, he's also a rescue but they have to watch him around the grandchildren, I don't trust him, he's a little unpredictable and often snaps at visitors feet!
Make sure the parents have good hip scores and socialise them well and you'll be fine, a friend of mine had one as a child and we used to roll around the garden with her, she was a real softy. I would avoid rescue GSD with children though.

Original poster

AbRoller · 18/07/2007 20:41

lol pip, that's lovely

LittleB, thanks for that advice. I have already been searching for nearby puppy training classes, enthusiastic me

Though we would love to re-home rescue dogs we feel that with the GSD, the potential to be agressive having maybe been abused or simply never socialised is too high. Also we would not have the opportunity to see the parents hip scores and have been advised that it is essential to see them as they are a good indicator of whether pup would be likely to develop hip dysplasia.

Hopefully, all will go well and I'll be posting some nice fotos in the near future.

Thanks ladies, take care

OP posts:

pipsqueeke · 19/07/2007 07:55

tbh ab we had ours from a pup 3 years before DS came along. he needed a lot of work and training, but on the other hand he was very quick with picking things up so that's a plus. now with DS as well when walking the dog we have a 15ft lead - menas I have control then over him iycwim but he can still roam off.

Original poster

AbRoller · 19/07/2007 13:38

That's interesting Pip. We were worried about having another baby when the dog has already established his presence in the home. We were thinking about having the baby then getting pup so that he would not be jealous of the baby.

How did you introduce your dog and ds? Were you nervous of him becoming jealous of ds being your first priority?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to find out as much as I can before we make our minds up. We've done loads of reading but it helps a lot to hear of real experiences from parents.

OP posts:

pipsqueeke · 19/07/2007 13:52

yes I in particaular was very worried as the dog is in effect my dog. he got rather protective when I was pg - esp towards the end never harmed anyone but it was always there iycwim, he would do the whole 'scouting etc' when walking. as for introducing dog and baby - it helped that I was in hospital for 5 days DH was bringing DS's clothes etc home with him everyday for the dogs to have a good old sniff of. DH was cuddaling DS etc as much as poss for the dogs to smell - and this is going to sound really gross but after DS was born instead of the nurses using their towels to clean him with I gave them some of ours which DH also took home for the dogs to sniff (I might add those were binned! lol) when we came home I went into the garden with the dogs whilst DH settled DS indoors, (dogs obv excited to see me wanting to jump etc) we introduced them one at a time, GSD was the one I was most weary of, he was on a lead and was allowed to sniff DS's head and feet, obv thou they were never left alone even for a quick loo trip. the dogs settled down quite quickly. we'd been strict with them from that start thou - no going in baby's room once I found out I was pg - no sleeping up etc. they were used to me being at work for most of the day so from that point of view they liked my company. both dogs hated it when DS cried - one ran off and hid in her bed (don't know why) but the gsd would come over by DS and sit next to his rocker, give a little sniff and that was that pretty much. once DS could sit we'd start doing the nice strokes with the dogs. so he knows you don't hit dogs you don't pull them etc - as they are animals and can bite. he did go thru a phase of hitting them hard - the dogs walked away DS was told off but touch wood all is ok again.

once DS was more mobile things became a bit fun! lol. the dogs we're used to his presence but not to him being able to come and cuddle/stroke him etc so that also took a lot of work teaching everyone to be nice etc. now DS has started to throw things (ie balls) gsd again things it's fab as he has a play mate - but that said, i'd never - and don't leave them alone together, or let DS hit them etc.

any questions feel free to ask. the hair seems to be 1000% worse thou since having DS - if only I knew! lol.

Original poster

AbRoller · 19/07/2007 14:57

Well at least I now know I'm not the only one who would be apprehensive. They're fabulous tips and I'm certainly not grossed out by the hospital towels, in fact I think it's a fantastic idea as does dp.

I suppose it's got a lot to do with common sense then? Not leaving them alone together
and a few rules.

Maybe it might actually be better to get the dog first so that we can do some basic obedience training and socialising. It might prove very difficult to manage a baby/toddler and an unruly, playful puppy lol.

Your experience and advice has been great, something we would not have found in a book. We really appreciate it. Thank you so much. Also a big thank you from dp whose here with me

OP posts:

pipsqueeke · 19/07/2007 15:41

np, glad to have helped. also a friend of mine for a toy dolly for her dogs to get used to things - I didn't do that intended to but never got around to it.

to be totally honest i'd either get the pup and wait for a good 2 years or so as even at 18 months puppy (esp gsd) are v erm well the vet said to me at 18 months' he's like a terrible two's but with an 18 years olds attitude if that makes any sence? so it was good the dog was 3 and a bit older - as I understand it's around 5 that gsd's calm down and stop being as much of a pup as ours still does now at 4.5! lol. or have the child and get a pup once the child is about 3/4.

it is yes a lot of common sence, and also the dog will learn very quickly the order of things for example DS was held close and tight and the dog was allowed to sniff iycwim.

thee main point is as much as teaching the dog not only with children but other dogs is to teach the child that these are animals you ahve to respec thtem as heven forbid mine ever did but potentially as they're animals they can bite and can potentially be very harmful - so whilst we're encouraging DS to not fear the dogs likewise we don't encourage him to play fight/rough play etc - in fact play fighting is something we've never encouraged. also everything we brought new of the babys we had up and out and around the house long before DS arrived so the dogs would become used to it over the time.

wish me luck thou as no 2 is due in march time so we'll have 2 dogs (5 years by then) a 2 year old and a NB - oh happy days! lol.

Original poster

AbRoller · 19/07/2007 16:06

Aw congratulations

From all you've said in your posts I'm sure you'll handle it all brilliantly. You sound like a wonderful Mum and dog lover.

The very best of luck to you and your family

OP posts:

pipsqueeke · 19/07/2007 16:42

lol.

ooh top tip for changing a NB's bum if dog comes over and is a bit intrested with the whole bum sniffing of baby thing. throw a baby wipe on the floor in another area keeps em entertained for ages (dog that is - well gsd's i've found not staffs lol)

Stroo · 19/07/2007 22:24

My Mum has a GAD (two replaced hips by 8 yrs old - get Insurance) - and she is Wonderful with my two sons (4 & 6) - lovely laid back dog.

Awwwwwwwwwww - she's great really!

Get one!

Original poster

AbRoller · 19/07/2007 22:35

Hi Stroo, that's wonderful. The more people I talk to, the more convinced I am. Dp and I are pretty sure now it's going to be a GSD. I'm so excited even though it'll be a while (waiting to move house)

Thanks Pip, I'll keep that in mind

OP posts:

Stroo · 21/07/2007 22:04

GSDs are very clever dogs and (imo) if you bring them up as one of the family they will be a buddy for life. My mum's dog even sits on the chair in the vets because she thinks she's an ooman!

I have a collie who is totally insane but also has been bought up as one of the family (i.e. i have three children). Treat dogs like this and they will act like it iyswim.