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The doghouse

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Original poster

experiences with german shepherds please

155 replies

ThatVikRinA22 · 27/08/2013 00:28

thinking of getting a german shepherd pup. This would be my first "big" dog , i work in the police and have already enlisted potential help in training from a bobby who is a dog handler and does dog training as a second job.

i have thought about getting one for a while - met quite a few through work, and love them. DD met one while staying with a relative last week and is smitten with them.
i would get a dog rather than a bitch and a long haired GSD. House is not huge but garden is of a good size and the park is just 2 mins walk away.

i do have an aging cavalier king charles. totally going for a change here....(and to soften the blow when my beloved girl goes....she is knocking on)
so. GSD owners.....what do i need to know before i get one.
i have the name and number of a reputable breeder and am prepared to go on a waiting list. not in a huge rush.

OP posts:
Original poster
ThatVikRinA22 · 01/10/2013 21:20

it was a long drive but worth it. He is mine. I left a deposit.

his mummas hip score is 4/3
elbows 0

daddys hips are 6/3
elbow 0

also got his aunties hips scores
his grans
his great gran
and his great great gran. all good.
nice pedigree. no dodgy lines in there. odds stacked in my favour hopefully! her adult dogs were beautiful. i think she is keeping the l/coat female and i got the l/coat male. We all trekked up in the end, me, Dh and DD.....

OP posts:
BoreOfWhabylon · 01/10/2013 21:23

I still think he looks like a Teddy Wink

Can you tell what colour he will be at this age?

BoreOfWhabylon · 01/10/2013 21:26

I mean what colour he will end up. He looks black/goldish at the moment.

Booboostoo · 01/10/2013 21:50

Gorgeous! Lucky you!

Original poster
ThatVikRinA22 · 01/10/2013 22:58

no idea what colour he will be - he is black and gold - his mum is very gold and black, his dad is black and gold, so i guess it will be somewhere in between!
i was never bothered about colour - just wanted a good breeder with no dodgy lines in there and had heart set on a long coat.....which he is.

cant wait to pick him up! gah!!! so excited! spent a good couple of hours with him today but its a 4 hour round trip so wont see him again until i collect him....

OP posts:
BoreOfWhabylon · 01/10/2013 23:01

So exciting for you! The time will soon pass.

Since he comes from Newcastle, how about 'Geordie' or 'Hadrian'?

Original poster
ThatVikRinA22 · 25/10/2013 00:35

well. time is nearly here to go and collect him! on saturday morning i leave work at 7am.....we will then drive up to newcastle and collect fluff pup.

he is a ball of gorgeous.

he is very spirited and bouncy according to dear breeder....she thinks he will need firm handling.

OP posts:
idirdog · 25/10/2013 08:09

How exciting Vicar let us see pictures Smile

(cringes at bit at breeders comments "he will need firm handling")

mignonnette · 25/10/2013 08:12

Vicar

Just wanted to say that you sound like the best kind of dog owner and I wish more were like you.

I had German Sheps as a child in the family and adored them. They were gentle (no rough and tumble was allowed so as to train self control into both dog and child), protective in a positive way and beautiful to look at and exercise.

Very Envy at you being able to have one.

DooneDave · 25/10/2013 08:34

Enjoy your puppy snuggles, my GSD fur baby Mishka has just turned a year old (pic on profile) and it seems like yesterday that i picked her up. Best breed ever, so loving, loyal and lots of fun to train.

BoreOfWhabylon · 26/10/2013 00:10

So excited for you, Vicar!

And DooneDave, your Mischka is gorgeous! What a beautiful face.

Oh, how I wish I could have a dog, but I work away too often. Sad

DooneDave · 26/10/2013 12:13

Thanks Bore she certainly has me smitten.

Original poster
ThatVikRinA22 · 26/10/2013 23:08

i am in LOVE.

i picked up my baby boy today.

he is 7 weeks old. he has asked to go out for every pee and poo since getting home. (bar 2 accidents!)
he is a fluff ball of cute proportions that are simply not definable! he is gorgeous.
a big fluff ball of gorgeous.
he is placid, compliant, and cuddlesome. he is stunning.

ive called him Barney. Barney Bear. ill post pics when i can.

OP posts:
BoreOfWhabylon · 27/10/2013 07:52
GhostOMash · 27/10/2013 13:56

Congratulations! You will never want another breed :)

Original poster
ThatVikRinA22 · 27/10/2013 22:24

are you ready for pics?

barney bear

he is my floof ball.....i am absolutely in love.

OP posts:
BoreOfWhabylon · 27/10/2013 22:29

I'm in love too! What a gorgeous little fluffkin!

MartyrStewart · 27/10/2013 22:47

Ooh - he has a spark of mischief in his eyes - good luck!

AdoraBell · 28/10/2013 02:48

I want one! oh wait, I have four already, damn!

That is one seriously cute puppy.

chrissiegsd · 28/10/2013 15:40

Ahh, he is just gorgeeeeous!! All the best with him Vic!

Original poster
ThatVikRinA22 · 30/10/2013 23:32

thanks chrissie

he is so clever. he has house trained himself already, he isnt yet 8 weeks! he chooses and asks to go out for wees and poops. he is good as gold over night in his crate. no messing. no whining.

but he found his feet today and my god he is like a toddler! he is into Everything!

he has ripped the wallpaper.
he has destroyed his cuddly toys.
he has discovered that his water bowl can be played in.
he has found the stones in the garden and thinks they are just dandy to eat and play with....
he has chewed the dining chairs
he has chewed the rug
he has found the belt of my dressing gown and thought it a great game to play tug o war
he has discovered shoes. even with the wearer still in them!

im exhausted. he is lovely, absoltuely gorgeous but omg! he is very well behaved but even so im knackered! its more like having a baby again than i remembered!

OP posts:
AdoraBell · 30/10/2013 23:56

Yep, a baby with teeth Halloween Grin. You didn't the dining chairs anyway, did you?

Original poster
ThatVikRinA22 · 31/10/2013 00:11

i didnt need the dining chairs....

now the wallpaper.....!! i did need! the little sod has ripped a huge piece on my feature wall!
well. i guess i could argue its a feature......

he is just scrummy but its a good job!! else he would be out on his arse by now! lol.....
such a naughty little pup!

OP posts:
chrissiegsd · 31/10/2013 12:00

Sooooo funny Vic!

Now THAT sounds much more like a proper GSD! Hold on to those now cosy thoughts/memories about how "placid & compliant" he is - it'll help when you're having your first nervous breakdown!!

He sounds just like my male with his housetraining, my female on the other hand was an absolute nightmare - so this is GOOD. You must hold onto the GOOD things when it gets worse - much worse as it will definitely help!

Oh & you think his little itty bitty teeth are doing a lot of damage now?! I've got news for you, wait until his adult teeth start coming in............

Dirtybadger · 31/10/2013 14:32

Just read a few comments from last couple of pages. Would just like to support the person saying risk taking him out before vacs. (obviously carry and be sensible). 16 week critical socialisation period is probably quite optimistic for a GSD. His "window" will probably begin to close soon.

I don't think I'll be brave enough for a 'proper puppy' for a few years. Value my skin (and feet especially!) and soft furnishings (er and hard furnishings?) too much heh.

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