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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:
Fauve · 29/08/2007 11:03

When IS the next season, btw? Can you only buy pups at certain times of the year? (Hope this info is relevant to you, too, Quootiepie - wouldn't want to hijack )

numptysmummy · 29/08/2007 11:03

No probs,happy to help

numptysmummy · 29/08/2007 11:05

Season as in when the bitch is in season (like a period cept they bleed when they can get pregnant,happens twice a year).

LittleB · 29/08/2007 12:16

I think GSD's can be lovely dogs if raised from a puppy with children but I wouldn't trust a rescue one, but I wouldn't trust any rescue dog with young children. I knew a lovely GSD when I was a child, gorgeous soppy dog and my FIL has a rescue GSD which is good with dd(2) and his partners grandsons (1&4) not great with strangers though so they keep a very close eye on him. But labs are great too. Why not persuade him to let you have a lab now, and perhaps get a GSD as your next dog in the future when your child/children are older. I don't think you should take on a dog you're unhappy about. (By the way if they're from good pedigrees with health checks GSD and Labs are likely to be about the same price) Or go to Discover Dogs and find something completely different.
Would definitely get a crate too, great for trining with young children about, our pup loves his now, its his sanctuary aswell as keeping him out of mischief when we're out.

Piggy · 29/08/2007 12:22

We have a 3 year old black lab and 2 toddlers. She is fab. Very very well behaved, easy to train, easygoing and a joy to have around.

ImBarryScott · 29/08/2007 12:22

agree with numptysmummy - it really depends on the dog, not the breed.
my sister's labrador, despite lots of training input and hard work from the family, has some sort of canine personality disorder. he is destructive, nips people, pushes people over etc. Wouldn't let my dd within 10 feet of him. also know a couple of lovely, soppy German Shephards.

law3 · 29/08/2007 12:42

i have had a GS and a lab (currently have a lab and a 3 year old, dog before was a GS) and both have been big softys!!

Only advice i can offer is to never leave the kids alone with any dog, no matter how soft they are.

Not so much the dog i wouldnt trust, but the kids!!!

beautifulgirls · 29/08/2007 16:32

Labradors are most definately a better option - as people here have rightly said there are good and bad in every breed, but you are more likely to come across a problem dog if you get a GSD than if you get a lab. Yes a lot of it is down to owner attitude, but there can be more to it than that for sure. Make sure you get a good training class to go to once the pup is fully vaccinated, and make sure the kids learn the rules with the dog too = no touching at food time, dogs bed is not a place for children to be touching it etc - just so the dog is aware he/she can escape from them and eat in peace etc.
Labradors are actually quite intelligent dogs and do train well - not your super intelligent collie admittedly - but they can certainly learn to behave. Most problems in Labradors come from boredom - they do need plenty of exercise and attention - then so do GSDs.

Original poster
Quootiepie · 29/08/2007 18:22

Thanks for all the replies - DH is used to GSDs and I have had 2 dogs before, both from puppies. I did try and compromise saying get a lab. now and GSd when DS is older but DH is not having it. We will 100% be getting a puppy from a reputable breeder, not an older or rescue because of DS. With regards to Labs, I did alot of research and chocolates are not rare at all, and the saying about chocolates, yellows and blacks - one being harder to train etc. are myths. People say chocolates are rare to get a premium price - all we could find was chocolates!

OP posts:
MamaG · 29/08/2007 18:25

QP did you decide? Do get a lab, I've never regretted getting mine. He's great with teh kids and isn't thick and untrainable - why do you think so many guide dogs are labs OO? (tsk)

I think I linked you to 3 valleys labs QP didn't I? On an earlier thread?

Original poster
Quootiepie · 29/08/2007 18:25

Oh, if anyone knows anything about castration aswell I would be very greatful! I read GSDs need to be done to prevent aggression and cancer but DH will leave me before he castrates a dog (I can see his point but...) Is it nessesary?

OP posts:
Original poster
Quootiepie · 29/08/2007 18:26

yep, got your link thanks but DH won't even come to the PC if I meantion Labs now!

OP posts:
MamaG · 29/08/2007 18:27

ta daaa

By GSD do you mean german shepherd?

Original poster
Quootiepie · 29/08/2007 18:27

yup, German shepherd but I am too lazy to keep typing it

OP posts:
pipsqueeke · 29/08/2007 18:30

i'd pick a GSD any day over a lab - mine is laid back with DS - he is of course an animal none the less. wiht GSDs you must make sure they know you're boss and the baby is above them in the pecking order. as it were - and you really can't give an inch on that one. but i've had bad exp's with labs and tbh as a result don't trust them.

train the dog well and have v v firm boundries - but that goes for any dog really be it a lab gsd of yorkie. DS knows that the dogs have quiet time as well. he knows when they're in their feeding bowls he doens't go over etc.

the gsd will follow DS about and they really are a double act at times. but you do have to watch them like hawks. any dog you would.

it is how you bring the dog up as well. is he dead set on a gsd how about a differnt breed?

also agree with law - never leave the dog and child alone - and never leave the door unlocked without the catch over (as i'm finding now - DS opens the door and the dogs are out on a wander!)

pipsqueeke · 29/08/2007 18:32

tbh our dog hasn't been done - no resaon other than DH's insistance his dog won't be done - am waiting for him to go away for a long speel so I can get the dog in there to ahve it done! lol.

our vet told us that casteration won't stop a dogs aggression, if the dog is already aggressive. the key there I think is time patience and training lots of training and socialising.

Original poster
Quootiepie · 29/08/2007 18:32

He is 100% dead set on GSD because he has had about 3 since he was little. I just think of GSDs as snarling police dogs I guess.

OP posts:
numptysmummy · 29/08/2007 18:34

Castration can calm them down,stop aggression, stop them trying to shag everything,peeing on everything. Tbh,unless you are planning to use them as a stud dog i don't know why you wouldn't have them done - all my dogs are. What about a bitch instead then you can get her done without him wincing or whatever it is that bothers him.

Rantmum · 29/08/2007 18:34

There are lots of breeds of dogs that are good with children. Why not get a breed that neither of you have had before?

Next time I get a dog, I want one of
these

Whilst all dogs must be treated with respect, I do think that there are definitely some breeds that are more gentle by nature and therefore, better around children, but does it have to be a labrador or a German Sh.?

pipsqueeke · 29/08/2007 18:36

they're not all like that honstly but you really must train them well (i'm saying that a lot arn't i! lol)

put it this way with the army train gsd's and they're trained to be soft or attack iycwmi. the trtainer gives a signal (whatever it might be) and the dog will come back another and he'll go for a pee. but really you have to train them exceptionally well - and ours likes his walks as well - along with sticks! lol. it's not easy and tbh apparently they don't 'calm down' till about 5 or 6 - which mine is next year - 5 but now he runs about like a looney outside.

also bear in mind they're huge i'm 5'2 and if he wanted to mine would be able to reach my shoulders so they're big.

also they malt twice a year - we're currently just past the sheding of the winter coat - that is a hoover the hosue 3 times a day jobby.

Original poster
Quootiepie · 29/08/2007 18:40

He will really not budge on GSD, honestly he would leave me if I really really put my foot down. And he won't budge on castration (because his dad never castrated any of theirs). I am used to it with stallions vs. geldings - I am not looking forward to having to walk it when bitches are on heat with a baby in tow, because it will be me doing most the training/looking after etc. I think I need reasurrance that GSDs are wonderful natured family dogs

OP posts:
Isababel · 29/08/2007 18:41

I think the question is not this bred or another, but how are you going to handle the dog to make it "suitable" for children.

We have 2 dogs with lovely temperament. Same bred, same breeder. One lived in a house with children that I assume didn't handle her as she needed, just by hearing children playing outside she used to start shaking or would growl if one entered the room. Although after months of work in that subject she has became quite good at being handled by children.

The other dog, in the other hand, was LOVELY with children, very patient, very soft, and loved to interact with them. But through a series of incidents with misbehaving visiting children. He has became a bit wary, and TBH I don't blame him, he has been kicked, pocked and even had her penis pull on ocassion.

So... the point of all this babble is... there is more to a dog than its bred. If you want a dog that is good with children you have two choices: Raise it to be good towards children, or get one that has been already trained to be, by another person.

Although both had been thoroughly trained in obedience, they both are lovely and have good temperament. And are good around children now, THe moment we learned I was pregnant we loves children although have became a bit wary of strange ones (why? simple,

Isababel · 29/08/2007 18:41

NAd obviously, I should have erased the last paragraph before posting...

Original poster
Quootiepie · 29/08/2007 18:43

I do know it's mainly in the handling/training etc. but some breeds are just more likely to be a certain way, and I assuming GSDs are aggresive by nature.

OP posts:
peanutbear · 29/08/2007 18:43

why not get an ex police dog or a partly trained one
I dont know if they let you have them with children

or get one with a great pedigree take the children to meet the mother and the pups getthem used to each other and pick from the middle of the litter not one that is really bouncing forward or one that hides in the corner then you should get an evenly blanced dog