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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 · 01/09/2007 20:20

Well I certainly can't argue with that and FWIW I would do the same in that situation. Those people are the bain of my existance when it comes to owning a dog because they give the rest of us a bad name. I hope your dd is spared such a horrible occurance again.

Right I'm off before QT really gives out to me for an extended hijack.

alipiggie · 01/09/2007 20:26

I've had both dogs, lab and GS. Both were beautiful soft dogs. My friend here has had GS's all her life and they were great with her small DS.

I know both kinds of dogs that will bit. Labs can also turn if not handled by the right kind of owner. To be honest, you should never trust any dog 100% around children.

Just make sure that you get a puppy from a reputable breeder and socialise it from day one, both with children and other animals.

lucyellensmum · 02/09/2007 08:29

AB we crossed posts actually when i said, oh dear i do go on great minds think alike hey.

pipsqueeke · 02/09/2007 08:55

ab not at all. I have a GSD and yes a staffy. and I was pinned to the wall by a lab for trying to get him out of my garden. was v scared at the time - as not only were my dogs inside the door watching but also my 6 month son was as well in the front room in his chair. ime labs are far worse than GSD's for jumping- truely they are. v bouncy.

I get fed up with the idea of some 'they're nasty vicious etc' esp my staffy. tbh she is the one who my DS plays with the most. she's a really soppy mare tbh. v v good with DS - althou to be fair I thought it would be her we'd have any issues with but touch wood we've had none.

I keep my dogs on leads when out - ESP when they're children/buggys/otehr dogs. - tbh I don't like the stress and also from the other side of the fence we went out last week when there was a pup off his lead running about and I told DH to pick DS up as he was running about - mainly as I think DS might have liked to chase him and I didn't want any misshaps. so yes that made me predijuice (sp) in that instance but i'd do it again - (that was a lab btw). I don't expect other dog owneers to have trained their dogs so tbh feel it's best to take my son out of the equation iycwim.

also I don't like people stroking my dogs - where possible I do tend to say no when they ask. again I feel it's safer when out and about. esp with young children.

re the rottie - erm DH wanted one and I refuse to have them around my son - yes that's v predijuce isn't it of me but I do. DH is trying to convince me they're really lovely safe animals and i'm sure they are it's just I know that's not the dog for us. (me)

also totally agree with the size oif the dogs - my mIL has two yorkies - yes the lovely dogs no bigger than a loaf of bread - one attacked my staff and busted her nose (she was trying to sniff it) the other bites everything in sight - i'm v v reluctant to take DS there incase anything happens.

pipsqueeke · 02/09/2007 08:57

rhubarb - I don't think I know better than every one else with having a big dog - it jsut annoys me that all owners of large dogs get tarred witht eh same brush, we're all bad owners who let our dogs run riot and do as they wish when in truth it's not so. (least not in my house!) - and I hope my postings have reflected that.

SSSandy2 · 03/09/2007 09:12

Suppose this has nothing to do with the thread really, but since coming to Germany I have really gone off big dogs. People here really do like big dogs, they're all over the place.

The worst is little old ladies (who are also all over the place of course) hanging on to these bl great Dobermans and Alsations. I remember standing at a crossing with dd while I saw across the street two little old ladies, one had a Doberman (off the leash in the middle of town) and the other an Alsation straining at the leash. Can you imagine it? They didn't have a hope in hell of keeping the dogs off each other. I wondered whether I should go over and grab the bl Doberman and stick the leash back on it but I thought, nah, just cross elsewhere and leave them to it!

PippiLangstrump · 03/09/2007 09:35

I am glad you got a GSD Quootiepie. So jelous. We grew up with them. we had 4, three all togethre at one time. They were the best dogs.
One was an ex police dog who could not became one because he refused to jump. he was so well trained, with zero aggressivness in him. It was brilliant with kids, we could buuts our hands in his mouth and he would just look at s with a resigned face. we were very very young.

Make sure you train him well for the beginning, making sure he knows the rules and who is the boss. They are intelligent and they need this. You'll be surprised how obedient they can be and how caring with children.

we are waiting to get one as well.

post a pics please! I like the early stages when they are all ears and paws!!

Original poster

Quootiepie · 03/09/2007 21:34

Sorry I haven't replied yet - been so busy! The GSD is the most lovely dog, I am so glad we got him. He isn't smelly, has only had the one accident on the rug and is so friendly (without being overfriendly!). He loves DS, he doesn't jump on him after just a few firms 'No's' when he put his paw on him, they follow eachother around, DS was splashing in his water bowl while the puppy was eating dinner and everything was totally ok It seems almost to good to be true at the moment, but he really is a great dog! We have a new taller safety gate up in the kitchen/dining area archway be he is so good it is left open all the time except DSs meal times and nighttime. Ill try and post pictures real soon!

OP posts:

PippiLangstrump · 03/09/2007 22:00

see !!

I am glad. How old is he? keep his mind occupied and teach him a lot of stuff.

He'll be very protective of all of you and LO.

Tiggiwinkle · 04/09/2007 00:37

He sounds lovely!

Original poster

Quootiepie · 04/09/2007 12:22

he is 12 weeks

OP posts:

AbRoller · 04/09/2007 12:43

lovely

So what name did you decide on?

NomDePlumeIsOffWorkToday · 04/09/2007 12:45

Am I being thick here ? What does the D stand for at the end of GSD (tell me it isn't 'dog') ?

AbRoller · 04/09/2007 12:49

PMSL

Yes it is dog and for the first time ever I've realised how totally unnecessary it is. Very funny

NomDePlumeIsOffWorkToday · 04/09/2007 12:52

dog owners are weird

AbRoller · 04/09/2007 12:53

True

PippiLangstrump · 04/09/2007 15:08

'tis weird. being a foreigner I just copied it and assumed it was something far more fancy

Original poster

Quootiepie · 05/09/2007 15:38

Marley - took us 2 days and a ton of rejected ones before we just said 'F**K it, Marley will do' lol

OP posts:

PippiLangstrump · 05/09/2007 21:10

lovely name qp!

iliketosleep · 09/09/2007 13:39

ooooooooh im so glad you chose a GSD i have been brought up with GSDs also and i think they are fun and bouncy, where as a lab imo just mopes along and basically does nothing but thats just my opinion if you can look on my profile i have a pic of my mums GSD now if he looks scary there are some very timid people out there lol

familypet · 30/12/2019 10:02

Hi guy's. I'm thinking about buying a German Shepherd puppy for my boy's. Ages 11 and 18, plus younger grandchildren too. not sure if to get a female or Male. I want a dog who will be gentle and loving with the children. About a year and a half ago we bought a 8 month Doberman puppy who had anger issues and bit my 11 year old all on his arm. He was very upset that we had to get rid of him however, I couldn't take that chance on keeping him. So this time I want to buy around 9 to 10 weeks old puppy. Any advice would be great. Thank you!

Ellmau · 05/01/2020 17:19

Probably better to start a brand new thread, @familypet. Virtually all your replies will be to the 12 year old OP.

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