anyone have an alsation?

[loopylou6]

am considering getting a pup but do they make good family pets?

thank you SF, i do have experiance lol with collies haowever its been my childhood dream to own an ali, thank you for your advice, its been taken onboard.

Oh yes, I have a german shepherd. They do make lovely pets, they need a firm hand but are so loyal and really good fun. My DD (2.5years) just adores him. You do need one from a good breeder though to avoid hip and back problems.

They are lovely dogs, my FIL has had 3, but as others have said I would hunt around to find a good breeder with decent hip scores and I'd insure it. Make sure its really well socialised as a puppy too, but they're gorgeous dogs! I love the way the pups ears flop down and gradully prick up more as they grow up!

yep lovely dogs, we had one as kids. i remember my mum and dad given food/bones and taking it away quite a big as a puppy, so it didn't become territorial (sp?) - also they were very strict with him as a puppy - and he was so well behaved. He hated us kids fighting though, and it really upset him, he'd jump up at us and bark to stop us!!!! funnily enough it always did. Need lots of exercise

Oh and they leave hair EVERYWHERE! I have an animal dyson and have to hoover 2 x a day when it is malting season. And they eat a small fortunes worth of food. And, they need exercise every day of the year.....but it's all worth it. They're gorgeous dogs.

thanks guys, RE the hair loss, i am planning on brushing once a day, will that help?

I have one too! She is gorgeous-agree about the hair though. Ours is long-haired and the moulting season is horrendous!
They are very protective of their family and ours is always at my side.

I have one who is 9 years old now, she is very sweet natured and good with children. My DS2 was only a toddler when we got her. The hair is dreadful, as they have a thick black undercoat which sticks to carpet, I have a golden retriever too and a Dyson only survives about 3 years in our house. They can be quite demanding and vocal, if you like a quiet house then they wouldn't be the breed for you. My current one is my second and I have experience of two more owned by MIL. They are eager to please, definitely agree with socialising they need to mix a lot with people and other dogs, I took mine to a training class and did a bit of agility with the club just for fun. They are very intelligent and they do like company, absolutely not the dog for you if you are out a lot as they can be destructive if bored and lonely. You have had collies I see and they are quite hard work I think, German Shepherds (Alsatians) are also a working breed so I am sure you are familiar with the "herding". I would definitely recommend a bitch rather than a dog with children That is all I can think of, but you are welcome to CAT me if you have any other questions.

Sorry definitely agree with those who say find a good breeder, and you need to be sure about the hips. Ours is from German stock, they are much stricter about everything there and we have found German dogs tend to be healthier and a more normal shape than the British stock which is larger and more show orientated.

thanks ES, i dont have CAT but i will hunt u down on here if i have any more questions i already have a breeder in mind hes a farmer and has lots of ali's, ive met them all and they are lovely good natured dogs so thats a good thing, the bitch is pregnant now and due around xmas, he last bred his 2 white ali's and the pups where sooo cute but i really want a black and tan one, hopefully one will come out that colour as the mum is black and tan but the dad is white
aslo can i ask if you brush your dog EVERY day, will that help alot with the hair round the house, coz i must admit this is my main concern

Yes, you should brush every day (although we are slack with this). Twice a year we go to the pet parlour (tee hee!) and he has a proper wash with powerful hose and dryer which helps remove lots of hair.

You need a really good hoover. Especially if you have carpet and little ones crawling around.

Also pet insurance, they cost a bomb if they get ill.

They are such cute puppies...enjoy!

thanks ris, i was thinking of taking it to the doggy parlour aswell lol, im lucky in the way that i have all laminate downstairs and no tiny ones crawling round lol and pet insurance is a mighty good idea, how much does that set u back?

we have a German Shepherd (same thing) and he is a lovely lovely family pet, much more docile than the rough collie we had when I was younger. He is quite boistrous (I ^know I have spelt that wrong ) though but he is still pretty much in his puppy stage. He is going back to the breeder tomorrow though because DH had to change jobs and is out 14 hours a day now and I cannot take him out enough with a toddler and a baby

aww no, how awfuk, how long have u had him?

Loopy - I was with Pet Plan who were a total rip off - £30 a month, I did one of those U Switch things on the web and found one offering similar cover for £10 a month. I think they're called E&L Insurance.

Sorry to hear about your pooch LadyO - I'd be distraught.

just over a year. He is looking at me all sad over the gate It's going to be awful tomorrow.

I'm sorry LadyO.

thanks for the tip ris, ladyo, surely there must be a way?

Tried everything, just not fair on the dog anymore. Long ol' trip to Cambridgeshire tomorrow! Sorry for the hijack!

Cambridge is where we got our boy. Is it Arodene breeders - Martin and David?

No, erm... Sally Gunner

have just been to see the breeder and it looks like it is the white female that is pregnant instead of the black and tan one, are pure white ali's the same temprement as black and tan ones?

Not sure loopy. I can't imagine they would be that different??