German Shepard?

[Thalassa9]

I am looking for some advice on beginning a dog search. We have tentatively decided to go with German Shepard as our dog of choice - we live in the countryside, I’m at home so would be able to walk the dog regularly and we have 2 DC (3 and 5) who would love a new family addition. DH and I were thinking that a puppy would be a good option as it would become socialised to the kids and chickens from the beginning. I’m struggling to figure out how to navigate the dog breeder world so any tips people have would be much appreciated. We would be open to a dog who was maybe not quite suited to be a guide dog or similar but again I’m not sure how to go about searching. We have done quite a lot of research on the breed and I understand they vary massively in temperament and health problems. What is the best way to ensure we end up with a healthy dog which will be suited to family life? Are there any GS owners out there with any training advice (or just general advice!) about the suitability to our current set up?

Many thanks for all your help!

It’s funny you should say that as we are looking into a Vizsla as an alternative. I think having read all the responses (which have been super useful!) it wouldn’t be the responsible thing to do at the moment. Maybe when the kids are older and we have more time (and I have more experience with bigger dogs!) we can think again.

Does anyone have any great wisdom on Vizslas?

I probably wouldn’t get one with young children and that’s not because it’s a GSD, it’s because it’s a large breed. We have a Goldie, which are allegedly all great with children, (not true) and I waited until my youngest was 7. I know people cope with small dc and big dogs but I personally don’t think it’s a great idea and there were plenty of times when our dog was a pup that I was very glad my dc were older.
Most charities won’t rehome where there are young children, they must have their reasons

Hmm, I've read the whole thread. I've never owned a GSD, I regularly fuss them in the street (after checking with the owner) and have let my previous dog play with one regularly, including having my dogs head in the GSDs mouth at several points, but it was all in play and gentle. I am aware they are powerful dogs, but I had no idea of the stigma and of the temperament problems with some.

So, having read all the comments and read your posts OP, I would strongly suggest the GSD would not be a good choice for you at this point.

As you've said you'd like suggestions, I would suggest big dogs which are lower maintenance could be:

• Romanian Mioritic Shepherd Dog
• Dogue de Bordeaux
• Spanish Mastin
• English mastiff

There are many other breeds which might suit, but I'm going with the desire for a large dog, lower exercise needs, less needy for constant mental stimulation. I'm not so sure on the DDB for this, but the others are known to be stubborn and wilful at times. They are highly intelligent and pick and choose their moments to listen, but so long as you view this as comical as opposed to anger inducing then it's no major issue.

Many are lead trained with a choke chain or slip due to their strength and can then move to lesser restrictions once they reliably walk well. This would help you with your vulnerability due to your surgery

None of the above would permit a stranger to enter your home if you didn't want them there. They are Livestock Guardian Dogs and are protective of their family and home. The mastins in particular have a style of growl, woof, defend. (Straight to woofing if outside and hear people about). Their woof is so deep and booming they don't tend to need to go beyond this!

With regard a Vizsla, I looked into the breed recently for our family. I wrote them off as I wouldn't be able to meet their needs and they can become destructive as a result so it didn't seem fair on them or us.
They have high energy demands, need lots of mental stimulation and are velcro dogs so follow you everywhere and don't cope well with separation.
If you can meet their needs they are wonderful dogs. For me, having small children who follow me everywhere as it is, the thought of a dog doing it too sent shivers down my spine

If you’ve got young kids and have moved to a new area, then you want a dog that isn’t going to put off the dcs friends and parents from coming to the house. You might have had dogs before, but you haven’t had dogs with children before, so get a dog that you will be able to take out for walks with other people, and that people wing be nervous of if they come to your house for a play.

I know I'm biased but if you like the look of a GSD but want a 'safer' temperament look at Eurasiers.. they are smaller (medium-large dogs) . Utterly bonded to their families (disinterested in strangers) but don't have the issues GSDs are prone to.
Plus they are so beautiful and no one knows what they are !
Ours has been very easy..toilet trained reliably in a few weeks, never chewed anything, adores us all. She IS clingy... leaving her all day would never be an option, but she is easy natured. Loves a big off lead walk then happy to flop. I'd say her only downside is she does have a high prey drive and will chase furries (but is ok with OUR cat because it's in her household)
She can just about clear a 4 ft fence however! This is mine, just turned 1, running free :) She often gets mistaken for a GSD because of her colouring but she has a black tongue and a curly chow style tail!

Bernese Mountain Dog. Barky enough to scare someone but generally really laid back and gentle personalities, great with children. And not as drooly as the other giant breeds.

To add to my post above, I selected the 4 breeds as they're also generally great with kids, cats and people. Also very loving (despite what you see written on their official breed pages which tend to say theyre not overly affectionate)

Not always great with strangers or pets outside the home but if they have an identified 'pack' they tend to accept them ... obviously this is dependent on individual temperament so not always a given

DDB is very drooly

Scoring the breeze-the last thing you want with young kids, is a dog that may not accept strangers. The kids will want to be social too.

Twooter - I agree. The breeds I posted tend to be either friendly once a guest is introduced, or they are indifferent/uninterested. Few are actually hostile to a visitor, but you always get the odd one in any breed. I have met pugs, cavaliers, springers and labs who are awful to visitors/passers by yet they're often held up as great family dogs.

If I was rescuing an adult dog I'd want to know the temperament. With young kids I wouldn't risk a puppy if I hadn't checked out at least the mum (thinking of a rescue hence not saying dad too).

Thanks for all the responses. It’s been really useful for us. Lots to think about!!

This may sound like a stupid question but once we have firmed up what our plan to move forwArd is how do we actually find a reputable breeder? Both DH and I are getting a bit lost! Thank you all again for all the help :)

There was a thread on here a couple of days ago about someones German shepherd that bit their four year old son on the face. I'm not saying they are all unpredictable, or that a similar thing would happen to you, but it's worth baring in mind if a bigger breed did bite, it would cause alot more damage to a child.

Saying that I used to have a rottweiler when my kids were little, and he was absolutely fantastic with them, never showed an ounce of aggression or unpredictability towards people or dogs. I currently have a border collie and he is so much more hard work than my Rottie ever was!