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Original poster

Labrador vs. German Shepherd with children

147 replies

Quootiepie · 29/08/2007 09:42

DH has decided he wants a dog and origionally we were going to get a labrador, but, DH has always had German SHepherds and has put his foot down and says he IS getting one of those now. Apart from not liking them, will they be safe enough with kids? DS is 17 months old and I guess we might have another one within a year. I have been onto the kennel club site and found an accredited breeder who breeds for health and temperment and the puppies are used to kids (DH won't consider these though because he wants black and tan not black and gold ) but at least I know there are good breeders about... am I being too paranoid about having one or should I try and stick to my guns about getting a labrador?

OP posts:

MaloryTowersHasManners · 29/08/2007 09:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Trinityrhino · 29/08/2007 09:44

labrador without a doubt

thechickenlady · 29/08/2007 09:49

Another vote for a labrador here, think they're the perfect family dog.

witchandchips · 29/08/2007 09:51

does not matter what we all think if you are worried about it then you should put your foot down.

daisyandbabybootoo · 29/08/2007 09:55

labrador without a doubt. had a nasty experience with a german shepherd as a child so rather wary of them now.

saying that, my sis has a 13 mo old retriever who is a bit of a handful and keeps giving me a paw and a tatty cuddly toy in exchange for my 12 week old DD

Original poster

Quootiepie · 29/08/2007 09:55

well, I am very biased in a way because I think German shepherds are, ahem, abit ugly I have just read more though and they said they are great with kids, love being poked and prodded and make great nannies (not literally!). Anyone have a german shepherd and babies/kids?

OP posts:

peanutbear · 29/08/2007 09:56

I love both but choose to have labradors as I have 3 children

just make sure if you buy one that you go through the proper channels

numptysmummy · 29/08/2007 10:01

Have to say that there are good and bad in all breeds - my mum got very badly attacked by a retriver she was training,he just flipped. Research your breeders very carefully. We have a lab and although i trust them i have very strict rules concerning food as labs live for their food.The only thing i would say is that labs can get as protective as shepherds - ours is a bitch abd although she probally wouldn't bite she is very protective.

numptysmummy · 29/08/2007 10:03

They are animals,not nannies or for kids to poke and prod. Even the best natured dog can snap if taken by suprise or hurt.

daisyandbabybootoo · 29/08/2007 10:15

my other sis has just adopted a seven year old german shepherd who has a lovely temperament. she (my sis, not the dog) has two boys, 8 and 6 who climb all over her and she's happy to let them.

i can understand the nanny thing as they are sheepdogs after all.

i suppose if they come from a reliable breeder and have been exposed to young children you shoukd be ok. can you maybe go for an older dog rather than a puppy whose personality is unknown

numptysmummy · 29/08/2007 10:24

Puppies are better as you know what you are getting whereas an older dog can have all sorts of behavioural probs etc. I know you can get fab rescue dogs but i wouldn't risk one with lo's.

HenriettaHippo · 29/08/2007 10:28

labrador, labrador, labrador. But then I'm scared of German Shepherds.

I think witchandchips is right - if you're worried, put your foot down. If you don't like them anyway, then don't do it. Tell DH he can have a lab or nothing. Dogs can tell if you're afraid of them, or don't like them. With a tiny baby if you have another, I'd be really careful with ANY dog.

oliveoil · 29/08/2007 10:31

neither, get a goldfish

nell12 · 29/08/2007 10:35

Dogs are only as safe and friendly as their training and discipline allows.

I would suggest that if this is YOUR first dog (as I assume it will be you dealing with it most of the time ) that a labrador is the easier option.

Greman Shepherds are v intelligent and vv active so will need lots of exercise and stimulation to keep them out of trouble!!

oliveoil · 29/08/2007 10:36

aren't labradors as thick as the floor though and untrainable? [generalises]

boomie · 29/08/2007 10:38

We've got 2 DDs (6 & 3) and are due to get a labrador in October (pups are due to be born this weekend). TBH we have wanted a lab for ages but felt the DDs were too little. We've just got to the stage now where we all feel we can cope with introducing a puppy into the family. I don't think I could have devoted the time to walking and training until now.

My vote obviously would go for the lab - father in law has one and she is absolutely fantastic with the children and adores the busy family life. I am really scared of German Shepherds and can't offer any advice as I don't have experience of them with families. Good Luck!

peanutbear · 29/08/2007 10:39

god no OO they are highly intelligent so easy to trin because they like food that why they make great dogs for the blind and deaf

boomie · 29/08/2007 10:40

Oh no Oliveoil - father in law's dog is a dream. She walks beautifully on the lead, comes back to you when called, sits and waits for her dinner until you tell her to eat. However, a lot of time needs to be devoted to training when they are pups.

numptysmummy · 29/08/2007 10:41

Labs aren't thick! V intelligent but not as much as a collie for instance which needs alot of stimulation. Labs are particularly eager to please if you have food!

Fauve · 29/08/2007 10:42

Watching this with interest as dh, dd and ds are campaigning for a lab, a chocolate one. I have resisted as they are so big. Had no idea they were supposed to be thick and hard to train - is that right????????? How do the relative costs of lab vs german shepherd pups compare? I would go for the lab, like most people on here. Am wary of german shepherds.

numptysmummy · 29/08/2007 10:44

On a serious note,i would have strict rules regarding food if you do get one. Ours isn't allowed in at mealtimes and the children aren't allowed near her at her mealtimes etc. Mum had 1 that got it's head stuck in a milk jug while she was in the garden and suffocated.

peanutbear · 29/08/2007 10:45

chocolate ones are harder to train and more lively, not dificult just harder and much more expensive because they are rarer I want one to so my bitch is having puppies next season so we can have a family of labs

chocolatemummy · 29/08/2007 10:45

I grew up with a labrador, she was a good guard dog but a gentle giant with us, even used to put my hamster on her back and she'd just walk around with it
REally lovely, soft affectionate dogs.
ONe of the best breeds for family dogs are Greyhounds, thats what we are thinking of getting

numptysmummy · 29/08/2007 10:47

Choc labs tend to be harder to train than black or yellow ones and can be more expensive. Cost all depends on the pedigree - the parents should have had their hips and eyes checked and scored. German shepherds can have probs with their hips and back when they are older as a result of breeding to get their backs low and sloped.

Fauve · 29/08/2007 11:01

Thanks, peanutbear and numptysmummy. [sigh] re the cost of the choccy labs - they are lovely to look at, aren't they?

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