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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:
Isababel · 29/08/2007 18:43

You are going to be the one doing the walks??? Get the dog of your choice, he has no right to an opinion if you are going to be left to do the hard work!

Original poster
Quootiepie · 29/08/2007 18:45

we have found some great kennel club accredited breeders who state they are used to children, bred for temp. etc. (obviously the pups are always sold or thw wrong colour)

OP posts:
Original poster
Quootiepie · 29/08/2007 18:46

well, about 75% I guess.

OP posts:
pipsqueeke · 29/08/2007 18:47

they can be but i'll be honest as you're the one who will be doing everything.

they poo - (all dogs i'm talking of here) as puppys and pee everywhere until you train them not to (can be like having a child honestly) no fun there. the poop in the garden is to be collected every time as the LO's are out there.

as puppies my GSD was good - he only chewed his toys and bones, butt eh staff she chewed my cupboard doors my skirtings the walls - and it didn't matter what we did.

the gsd will want walking approx 1 mile p/d if you can. they must be trained as they're big dogs to try and walk with a buggy esp if they're pulling you all the way around.

if it was me now with DS at 18 months and no dogs (knowing what I do) I wouldn't get one and if we did it would be a pooch. (even then prob not) but the work that goes into having them - yes it's fun but it's v v hard work.

Fauve · 29/08/2007 18:48

Har, that's my reason for having the right to choose! Thanks for this thread, Q, has been v useful for me. Hope you get the right dog...

Original poster
Quootiepie · 29/08/2007 18:48

We have big fields just 50 yrds down the road and I have potty trained 2 dogs so I am not overly worried about thw work really... it's really DSs safety.

OP posts:
pipsqueeke · 29/08/2007 18:48

DH is saying all service dogs are destoyed even police ones - how sad. apparently only sniffer dogs are released.

Isababel · 29/08/2007 18:49

TBH if the dog is well trained, even a Dobermann can end up being a good family pet. However, I remember dog rescue organisations in the US crowded Golden Retrievers (the american family dog par excellence) because their owners realised they were more heavy work than they expected.

Original poster
Quootiepie · 29/08/2007 18:50

yeah, don't think you can get a police dog as they really are trained to be more aggressive.

OP posts:
Desiderata · 29/08/2007 18:53

Hmmm, with children so small, I wouldn't personally go for either breed. If a Shepherd decides to get snappy, it's going to do damage. Labradors, although generally 'better natured', (although all dogs are individual), are a bit of a handful, when you've got your hands full enough!

I guess your dh just wants a bigger dog, but with very small children (and you in charge all day), the only road I would go down at present is the spaniel road.

pipsqueeke · 29/08/2007 18:54

also don't forget the pups coulouring changes so your DH might start off with one being the right colours but it could change - our one was literally all tan apart form his nose when we got him, (hence the name simba as he was like a lion cub! lol) anyhow now he's the complete opposite. sable I think they call it.

EmsMum · 29/08/2007 19:01

If DH really loves GSDs then its probably better than getting a lab he's ambivalent about IF is committed to taking it to socialising/training sessions and being a responsible owner. And obviously you are on the right lines finding good breeder - it would be worth asking the one you already found if they know good black&tan breeder.

BTW, GSD is the main other breed than lab/retrievers used as guide dogs so maybe they are not that different inherently in temperament and trainability - wonder if we are biaised because they look so much more wolf-like than soft-chops labs?

Original poster
Quootiepie · 29/08/2007 19:09

I am very much going on appearences etc. with GSDs. And the fact most pictures I see they look like their back legs have given way!

OP posts:
pipsqueeke · 29/08/2007 19:12

that's another thing actually tbh make sure you ask for the parents hip scores - I don't understand them but GSD's are prone to hip probs and artritis (sp) iirc. DH understands more than I do about it. (which isn't much! lol) but the vet said ours was ok.

eleusis · 29/08/2007 19:12

My Grandmother had a German Shepherd when I was little. She was sooooooooo cool. When the house alarm would go off (which it did now and then) the police would come round and wouldn't go into the back garden because they were afraid of the dog. But I (about age 8) could tug on her ears and lie on top of her. She was super tame. And she only saw me a couple of times a year. She was cool. My vote is of course for the German Shepherd.

The dog I want is a Norwegian Elkhund. They are beautiful. But my Landlord has stomped on that idea.

eleusis · 29/08/2007 19:14

Oh yes, sorry forgot to say, German Shepherds are prone to hip displasia (sp?). Check the genetics for sure!

I think most big dogs are prone to this though. Not sure if a GS is worse than other dogs of similar size.

I'm so jealous. I want a dog!

EmsMum · 29/08/2007 19:14

labs have the hip dysplasia thing too, don't they, so either way you'll have to check that.

oxocube · 29/08/2007 19:18

love both but have a lab cross which I would choose over a GS, esp with young kids

pipsqueeke · 29/08/2007 19:20

do they? I know my neighbours have had probs with their dog - ands weren't sure if it would need a replacement (that's a lab).

this here is my two - hopefully you won't think they're all ugly! lol. althou I don't like long haired ones.

EmsMum · 29/08/2007 19:21

I used to think gsds looked scary till I realised that some of them are scared of being barked at by a dachshund. Honestly, I've seen more than one retreat behind owner! Never seen a lab look scared of anything.

pipsqueeke · 29/08/2007 19:22

I was doing my avon round with mine on mondya - at someones door they ahd a pig wire statue thing - the dog was so scared he wouldn't go near it - kept hiding behind my legs. weird animal!

oxocube · 29/08/2007 19:24

But should just mention that my lab cross has 4 or 5 walks every day, two of which are off the lead in local woods, a few minutes drive away. Its hard work. I get up at 6.30 to take my dog for his first woods walk at 7am before I go to work. Personally, I think its only fair to take on a big dog if you can give it LOADS of exercise

law3 · 30/08/2007 09:54

Labs are also very prone with their hips, my 2 year old lab has severe hip dysplacia and wont be around for much longer (but still great with my 3 year old)

My GS which i had before my lab lived to 13 years old before his legs gave way (so i had him with my 2 older kids and he was also great)

clerkKent · 30/08/2007 12:01

Thirty years ago a neighbour had a GSD, then a baby. About six months later the GSD went for (i.e attacked) the baby - but luckily the parents were there. The dog was put down.

Soon after we got 2 labs. They were both great with children - me and all the kids in the nighbourhood. If they ever got really upset, they would attack each other rather than any person. I (aged 13) was quite happy to go in and pull them apart.

cupcakes · 30/08/2007 12:17

tbh I think your dh is being very unreasonable. Unless he is the sole carer for the dog I don't believe he has the right to insist on the breed. This is too big a decision for you both not to be 100% happy about it.
I have an almost 2 year old lab and the past year and a half of owning him have been very tough - I got pg within months of getting him and I had no idea how difficult caring for an adolescent dog and a newborn (and 2 older children) would be. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now but I would never recommend getting a puppy to anyone unless they were completely committed to the breed and the lifestyle of owning a dog.

I would say that you should put your foot down and state that you either get a breed you both love and can live with or you don't get a dog at all.

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