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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:

AbRoller · 30/08/2007 12:31

[http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=2340&threadid=357733#7308948 this] is a thread I started a while back. You might find some answers there.

I havn't read the whole thread so if it's already been said, apologies. FWIW I think your DH is being unreasonable to insist on getting one against your wishes. It should be a joint decision and if you are going to be alone with the dog and dc's you must be confident that you can control the dog. It would very quickly pick up on your apprehension and think it was boss!! Not good.

On the other hand I have done a lot of research about the breed and training requirements since that thread and I am definately getting one. Far more good stories than bad and realistically some smaller dogs can be more territorial and aggressive than a bigger one. It has to do with training, integration with the family, ground rules for all family members not specifically the breed.
HTH

take care
Abs

AbRoller · 30/08/2007 12:33

sorry, this one

fedupwasherwoman · 30/08/2007 12:42

Labrador, definately

Original poster

Quootiepie · 30/08/2007 14:08

hmm, did my post work?

OP posts:

Original poster

Quootiepie · 30/08/2007 14:10

bugger, it's dissapeared. errr... am viewing one on Saturday (a GSD) and was saying DHs dad died last year and him and DH always had GSDs and DH feels all his links with his dad are going, hence the desire for a GSD. His dad died Aug. 16th, so he changed his mind about a Lab. a few days after. Sorry, trying to remember what I posted!

OP posts:

AbRoller · 30/08/2007 17:10

this is the newsletter I subscribe to and as far as I can make out this is a 'friend' invitation. Hope it works if you're interested in it.

LittleB · 30/08/2007 20:05

GSD pups are gorgeous. They aren't naturally aggressive, they were bred as herding dogs so can be protective if not well socialised. I think that some people have that opinion because they are big trainable dogs which is why the police etc use them. Have fun seeing the pup on Saturday, if its not right for you you could find a breeder who is planning to breed soon or has a pregnant bitch, you'll need to wait longer for a pup but you might get to see it grow up more. We first saw our pup when he was 2 1/2 weeks old and visited every week until we brought him home, it was lovely to see him grow and worth the wait. I would recommend pet insurance for either breed as both can suffer from hip displaysia (even if parents have good hip scores its not guaranteed that the puppies will) and hip replacements and arthritus treatment can costs 1000's.

LittleB · 30/08/2007 20:05

You'll have to post a pick of whatever you get, puppies are gorgeous !

Ripeberry · 31/08/2007 17:00

Why not look up Northern Inuit Wolfdog, if your partner wants a bit dog. At least they are not as territorial as Alsatians and are quite easy to train.

Rhubarb · 31/08/2007 17:04

Yup they sure are safe!

What is it with dogs and Mumsnet atm? Get a bloody rabbit if you want a pet.

This is what dogs do;
they shit everywhere and you have to pick it up even when it's like liquid or someone like me will come after you and your dog with a cattleprod;
they fart;
your house will stink forever more of dogs, you won't smell it because you'll be used to it but other people will smell it and they'll be too polite to tell you;
your clothes and furniture will be full of dog hair and saliva;
their breath stinks;
you'll have to pay to have someone look after them whilst you're away adding to all the cost of a holiday;
your kitchen will stink of dogfood.

I could think of other reasons but surely they're enough? And yes, I've had dogs. Forced on me as a kid, houseful of bloody dogs. You don't appreciate that when you're a kid and it doesn't endear them to you.

saralou · 31/08/2007 17:14

i haven' read the whole thread, but i have gsd and 2 boys, 2.6yrs and 9 months... woo was my 1st baby

he's a big softy with the boys, when he's got the hump with being prodded and poked and pulled he goes and hides in his bit of the garden... he's a fab dog!

he is quite protective of the boys, usually happy to run of and chase rabbits, but when we take the boys he stays nice and close

i wish we'd had him from a pupp though, so we could have trained him our way... he'sa bit too old and wise now! (he's only 5 but was 18 months when we got him, and he came from a bit of an unruly home before!!)

Ripeberry · 31/08/2007 17:31

I think Rhubarb hates dogs! When i was a child we NEVER had a dog because my dad hated them.
Then, the neighbour gives my mum a puppy and my dad took over and now he's always cuddling the dog and taking it for walks.
Wish i could have done that when i was younger!
AB

shanks313 · 31/08/2007 17:49

We got 2 GSD cross puppies from a rescue 2 years ago when they were puppies and was worried about when DD was born.

Both dogs have been great with her,our GSD X Lurcher is always checknig to see if DD is okay and loves her to bits.

Tiggiwinkle · 31/08/2007 17:57

We have a lovely 5 year old long-haired GSD. They are no more aggressive than other breeds-in fact they are naturally protective of you and your family. They make lovely company-they are never far from your side, whatever you are doing.
As others have said, NO dog should be left alone with a young child, whatever the breed!
I am sure you will fall in love with the puppy-GSD pups are really gorgeous!

Original poster

Quootiepie · 31/08/2007 22:26

Well, we have a lovely GSD puppy! (who has just shat on the long pile rug )

OP posts:

peanutbear · 31/08/2007 22:27

what have you called it is it male or female

Original poster

Quootiepie · 31/08/2007 22:33

male - I like Marley or Jacob but DH doesn't. He is mostly black with some tan

OP posts:

Tiggiwinkle · 31/08/2007 23:01

How old is he? Have you got a crate to put him in when you are busy, or popping out out a while etc? They are a great help with toilet training and stop them getting into mischief when you are not there!

AbRoller · 01/09/2007 09:07

oh congratulations, that's wonderful (about the puppy itself and not the crap!!)

Tell us all about him? Have you decided on a name? I think Marley is lovely.

What does your ds make of him?

pipsqueeke · 01/09/2007 09:10

ooh good luck! lol. I like marley as well. post a piccy let us see! i'd love another (madness I know) but we can't where we live.

Tiggiwinkle · 01/09/2007 09:21

How is he this morning? Yes, please post a picture so we can see him!

lucyellensmum · 01/09/2007 09:59

quootie, i would have advised the lab, but you have the GSD now. I feel a bit about your DH "putting his foot down" but whats done is done. IME GSDs are lovely dogs, BUT they are intelligent, highly strung and can be a bit nervy. It sounds like your DH has had experience training dogs so that is good as these are not for the inexperienced owners. Make sure pup gets lots of exposure to everyone in the household, they can be very much one man (woman) dogs and can be a little over protective. I'm a rottie person myself, although have just got a little terrier cross as we have a small child and having gone through the worry of baby with rescue rotweiller with issues decided on a little dog. Saying that, i had a wonderful rottie when DD1 was about 2 and he was a star, i personally would find a GSD too much of a challenge but i do rather like them so quite I cannot stress enough about TRAINING TRAINING TRAINING that way you should have a lovely family pet, very loyal too. Very responsible of you to check out the breeders too, temprement is very important with such big dogs. AND the same goes to be said for labradors, they are BIG dogs too and require training, yes they are more "level headed" than GSDs but people fall into the trap of thinking they are going to be delivered a problem free dog with a lab, sometimes temprement is taken for granted - i was bitten in the face by a golden retriever (nasty bastard thing!)

lucyellensmum · 01/09/2007 10:07

PMSL at all the things Rhubarb said, THEY ARE ALL TRUE But if, like me, you love dogs then you forgive all that for the love and fun they bring to your family. I remember my dog got stuck in the bathroom once when we were out (9 stone rotweiller) and he got very stressed and had a BIG accident, huge!! there was shit everywhere, smeared all on the tiles, all over the floor IN the bath, ive never seen so much shit, i had to strip to bra and pants to clean it so i could have a bath straight after. Gross, horrible. For the reasons rhubarb outlined whenever we lost a dog (and the heart break ) we vowed never again. Well ive never lasted more than a month in a dog free house, there is something very lonely and sad about not having a wet nose to greet you the minute you step through the door. My new little dog is a DEMON he chews everything, he shits in the house occasionally, in fact, he eats his own shit (ewwwww) but when i see him playing so well and patiently with DD and the big smile on her face, i'll forgive him all of it.

AbRoller · 01/09/2007 11:03

Sorry for the hijack just a quick question(or 2) for Lucy.....Before deciding on a GSD, my dp and I discussed a rottie. I would absolutely love one as would he but as there would be young children and our two existing dogs we decided against as they are just so big and having bloodlines that go back to ancesters that hunted wild boar and a bite force of 343psi we just didn't think we could handle the unpredicability and potential for disaster....as a rottie owner what are their good points and how do you feel about him around your dc's?

Hope you don't mind me asking and TIA for any reply.

Still want to know how the puppy is Quootiepie.

littledev · 01/09/2007 12:12

HI, have only just looked at this thread, and congrats on the GSD puppy, I would go for a GSD every time. My own is 9yrs old, black, long haired, and is fantastic with my two kids, aged 5 and 3.5,. Considering that he was nearly 5 when Ds came along, and hadn't had much contact with little ones, he was great, and would lay down by his crib and let me know if he woke up.Now that he is getting on a bit, when we have lots of little friends around, he just goes and lays in the dining room, and has some peace and quiet. I know that my next dog will be another GSD(or perhaps a Husky!). Good luck with the pup.

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