Do German Shepherds make good family pets?

[Sillyspuddy]

Thinking of getting a German Shepherd puppy. We have 4 cats and a Cavapoo aged 10. My 16 year old daughter would look after it most days. Is this safe? Do they get along well with other animals? If anyone has experience with this breed, would they make a good family pet?

Thanks in advance

[Sillyspuddy]

@Doggydoggydoggy If you had seen one of my earlier comments, you would know that I have done my research and only asked the question to see people's opinions.

[Doggydoggydoggy]

Your comments on this do not give that impression.

[Wolfiefan]

You clearly haven’t done any real research at all. This is an awful idea.
An online search or a chat to some owners would have revealed that this breed isn’t what you think it is and isn’t suited to you.

[Sillyspuddy]

Thankyou for all comments, but it will be me that makes the decision.

[Wolfiefan]

And the dog that suffers if you get the wrong one for the wrong reason.

[Sillyspuddy]

@Wolfiefan Okay that's your opinion.

[Wolfiefan]

You want a guard dog and a family pet and an agility dog but only at the weekends.
This is completely the wrong set up for such a sensitive dog. Don’t be selfish.

[Sillyspuddy]

@Wolfiefan I'm not selfish. You have no idea how much time, care, training etc I can give to the dog. Don't start jumping to conclusions thinking you know, because you don't.

[Wolfiefan]

You have made it crystal clear on this thread that you really know very very little about this breed of dog
You are unclear what you want. Agility, pet or guard dog. And you claim a child will be exercising it.
This is not a breed to mess about with. If you were honest I suspect you would just say you like the look of it as a status dog.

[yearinyearout]

adaline that article is ridiculous and misleading. It says the highest number of claims for attacks involves labradors...that's because they're such a popular breed and there's so many of them!

[FissionChip5]

Some people are not suited to certain pets/breeds, it’s nothing to get upset or defensive about.

We could help you find a breed that would suit, if you like?

[Sillyspuddy]

@Wolfiefan I could say the same about you. Do you actually own one?

[Sillyspuddy]

@FissionChip5 Of course, I am open to suggestions. However, preferably I would like a larger breed. Or, at least one a bit larger than my current dog.

[Doggydoggydoggy]

‘@Wolfiefan I could say the same about you. Do you actually own one?’

I don’t know about Wolfie, but I have spent a great deal of time with this breed and seen them at their very worst (I knew a lady who fostered abused GSDs) and i have a working collie which in many respects are very similar to GSDs and I categorically agree with everything Wolfie and everyone else has said.

They are not the breed for you.

You get very defensive but actually, with the exception of one comment with some personal insults in I don’t think anyone has been particularly harsh, I just think you take offence to basically being told they aren’t suitable.

[Sillyspuddy]

@Doggydoggydoggy And like I said it's my decision to make. I have asked some friends who have had or have GSD and they give a completely different opinion to you.

[peoplearepeople]

I'd say if you're looking for a guard dog then a gsd probably isn't the best answer.
My gsd is lovely and loyal. Doesn't give a crap about other dogs and loves pretty much all other people he meets. He's very much a "people dog."
I suffered from a home invasion a couple of years ago (whilst I was home) and it was horrific. My gsd though did nothing but run about like an idiot wondering what was going on though. Even the police kindly told him off for not helping me when they arrived!
I'd also second that they really do need so much work and attention. I am at home all day every day and so am able to give him the time and energy he really needs. It is just like having a toddler again though in some ways!

[Doggydoggydoggy]

Indeed.
I have no doubt at all you’ll get one regardless and I sincerely, genuinely hope it all works out fine for you.

I’m just giving my opinion as someone who has spent time with the breed and seen how badly it can go wrong.

You have had lots of advice here from others also with GSD experience which has almost exclusively backed up what I said - that they are not a suitable fit for you.

But hey, you and your friends know best, right?
I wish you luck.

[Wolfiefan]

Not entirely sure what “I could say the same about you” means?!
I don’t own one. I spent years considering every breed before I got my dog. I show and meet lots of people with lots of different breeds. The only lovely stable and sane one I know belongs to a single woman who pretty much dedicates her life to the dog. And he has a heart condition that means he’s quite likely to just drop down dead one day.
For me it’s not about what you like the look of but what you can realistically provide the best home for. There are breeds I live by wouldn’t consider because of grooming or health issues or exercise requirements. I have to be honest and say I can’t do what they need. It’s the same reason I don’t have rabbits. Or goats. Or a horse.

[Sillyspuddy]

@Doggydoggydoggy Thnakyou for your advice.

[Sillyspuddy]

@Wolfiefan What dog do you own?

[Namechangeforthiscancershit]

I have asked some friends who have had or have GSD and they give a completely different opinion to you

The problem I had when choosing my dog is that virtually everyone thinks their breed is the absolute best and you get a bit of a hard sell!

I know two lovely GSD owned by a professional trainer and they are absolutely lovely. Unfortunately I also know 4 people who had puppies and had to get the rehomed which was heart breaking for them

[Hoppinggreen]

Wolfie does own a dog - how about you take a wild guess what breed?
She’s very knowledgeable and offers excellent advice on here.
Do what you want OP, you asked, people answered but feel free to ignore us all and do what your friends say

[tabulahrasa]

“The problem I had when choosing my dog is that virtually everyone thinks their breed is the absolute best and you get a bit of a hard sell!”

Yep, people do it on here as well, someone says they’re thinking they want x y and a traits and people reccomend the breed they own even though it’s the exact opposite... because they’re great.

But suiting one person doesn’t mean they’ll suit everyone.

My last dog was a Rottweiler, he suited me very well... but I rarely if ever recommend them to people because they rarely say, I’d like a dog that I need to walk or work with for 3-4 hrs a day and will knock me over with sheer enthusiasm just following me into another room...and while they’re very trainable, they’re not biddable and really that’s what most people mean by trainable.

And conversely I do reccomend greyhounds for first time owners who want a companion who is easy to keep exercised and doesn’t need or want a huge amount of training input (as dogs go, obviously there’s still some) even though, lovely as they are I’m not likely to consider one... because they’d not do what I want a dog to do.

If someone knows a breed they should be giving you cons as well as pros, otherwise it’s just someone basically telling you they love their dog...

[Sillyspuddy]

@Hoppinggreen I haven't ignored people's advice, but if @Wolfiefan is going to comment on a GSD dog when she doesn't even own one, is just wrong. She can't say to me 'You haven't done research' when she doesn't even own the breed herself. And yes, she may give good advice but it doesn't mean it's always right.

[Wolfiefan]

You don’t need to own a breed of dog to know enough to know it doesn’t suit you as an owner.
Too much time spent in rescues and with behaviourists and trainers to know that I can manage a wolfhound (or two) but not some other breeds.
Stick to the hamster OP.