Is a German shepherd puppy a bad idea?

[Dannexe]

Dh is desperate for a dog. Our wonderful rough collie died unexpectedly last year and we’ve all taken a long time to get over it but I think we might be ready now to have another dog. I’m actually a little nervous around dogs that I don’t know very well so we would have another puppy.

Locally there is a litter of german shepherds. Dh doesn’t want a small dog. Are German shepherds very difficult dogs. We have two cats and also chickens (although they are in a large walk in coop).

I’m afraid that’s incorrect, they can be KC registered. I’m not sure what you mean that the colour can’t be ‘overbred’, it’s more likely outside of the KC registration system as at least the KC limits the number of registered litters a bitch can have, if nothing else.

I agree that designation as non breed standard/undesirable based on colour alone is a fairly arbitrary one, I think it more important that the dog can work and/or be a good pet (as appropriate) than what colour it is. However, given that it is the breed standard, it’s a red flag to me when a breeder elects to breed outside of the standard or capitalises on them being ‘rare’.

I have a GSD we have had from a pup. She is the most loving, loyal and sweet dog. I couldn't be without her, we are her absolute world. She is an absolute softie and she is fabulous with kids and visitors. I do have gsd experience and went in with my eyes open...

Downsides. She does have some separation anxiety. Thankfully this doesn't come out at home much, she might give a couple of howls when we leave but then settles down really well within a minute. But if we are out on a walk one of us can't just pop into a shop - the pack needs to stay together or she goes beserk crying and gets really distressed. She is also not a pushover with other dogs and has to be the dominant one in a meeting. Because of this we have to be careful on meeting new dogs. I think I was a bit naive on how much my kids could help - now they are young teens I thought they would be old enough to walk her at this point (she's now 6) but I still don't feel comfortable as she is soooo strong. She usually walks really well 99% of the time BUT if she sees a cat I worry she would drag the kids into the road. She also costs a lot - with food, insurance and vet bills it's a big commitment. Plus our dog has allergies so it's £50pm for ongoing meds, plus £140 a year for check ups and prescriptions. And the hair gets everywhere.

all that said she is a wonderful dog! She is perfect in so many ways.

A Tofty could be good for you. As mentioned previously they are a cross between rough collies and Welsh Sheepdogs.

We actually got a Welsh Sheepdog puppy from Wicani a few months a go. They had a litter to increase the lines for the Tofty. I was very impressed with the testing she did on our pup.

Yes, a Tofty an interesting thought actually.

Unlike most crossbreeds with a cute name, the Tofties are genetically about as sound as it comes, although again the Welsh Sheepdog element shouldn’t be overlooked - they are going to have much more drive than the average Rough.

As someone else suggested above, the Smooth Collie is something else that often goes under the radar - again, a bit more drive than the average Rough, but a great house dog and a breed that needs its supporters. Don’t be fooled that the shorter coat will make for less hair than the Rough, though, although grooming is obviously easier.

A tofty sounds interesting (although I can’t get onto their web page to see whether any are available/planned

Search for Yorkshire Tofty and friends on Facebook. That's her group and how I found out about our Welsh Sheepdog pup.

I grew up with police dogs. The GSDs I see now almost look a different breed . The temperament seems to have gone downhill too. I know two young ones, under four, and though one is OK, the other has turned into an aggressive bundle of nerves, despite lots of research and a very experienced owner.

@muddyford I agree. The last 3 I had as rescues/fosters have all been disasters. Interestingly all 3 of them were massive (way over standard which btw is a maximum 40kg for males and 32kg for females) and none standard colours. Those 3 all died young, aged 2,3 and 3 of preventable and horrible genetic disease. One was horrifically nervous aggressive despite being raised brilliantly hence why I ended up with her but none were of what I would have called a standard GSD temperament. It makes me sad to see the state of what’s churned out now- blue, panda, Isabella, horrible confirmation extreme sloping backs and dropped pasterns. Then the temperaments, nervous, barky, weak and reactive passed off as ‘good at guarding’ when in reality it’s shit scared of its own shadow and can’t be moulded into anything useful. Finally the working line which despite the odd diamond is also troubled with high drive and strong minded dogs way too much for your average pet owner.

I searched for months to find a good one and gave up, moved onto something easier. I have my lovely girl and probably won’t replace her when she’s gone as wading through the disasters is too hard.

OP there are so many breeds out there, is there anything in particular you are looking for? If you really do want to go down the GSD road I would be looking at KC to try and filter out some of the breeders that aren’t breeding true to what the breed should be. I tend to find the non KC aren’t registered because there’s something wrong with the way the breeder is doing things (breeding too many litters, litters too close, breeding bitches of inappropriate age, aren’t health testing etc etc) The KC isn’t perfect and there are many flaws to the system but it does help to rule out some of the bad!

Would you consider a Labrador? We have a 9 month old and she is the sweetest dog, not that I'm biased lol. She's been a dream to train and is utterly devoted to me. Massively bitey as a puppy but then they all are really. I can now see why they're so popular. Our previous dog was a Dalmatian and I couldn't get another one because it would have just been too painful so we went for a totally different breed. Ours is a working type so she is much smaller and slimmer than the show type but it does mean she needs more mental stimulation... left to her own devices she'll find her own entertainment and it's never anything appropriate 😂

I have a 3yo GSD, I absolutely adore her, but if I could go back I'd probably go for a different and easier to manage breed. Various reasons, lockdowns screwed us over in training/socialisation and our child's needs changing affected the way we managed our dogs needs as well, so maybe this is a very personal thought, but as much as I love GSDs I'd not get another.

Don't get me wrong, she's a wonderful girl at home, so patient with the kids, enjoys an appropriate amount of snuggles before settling and she's wonderful, I love her. However, she's a hothead and strong-willed, a proper pain in the arse when out, pulls like a steam train and we're only just starting to see the light with her behaviour when out and about.

Completely agree! One of our GSDs was seen as the 'intelligent one'. He would open gates, pull up pond pumps, etc. My parents realised that his brother was the truly intelligent one and he was just waiting for the action to happen before he moved in for the fun.

Our current GSD x GR would sneak upstairs to snack on cat food when we left the house. I only realised because I popped back to get something I'd forgotten.

We have a long haired flat backed goof ball. He is bomb proof BUT - he is out and about all the time.

Because the way our lives are set up he is with us 24/7, 3rd in command.

He gets loads of fresh air, mental stimulation, and he has lots of jobs. One of his jobs is to wake everyone up in the morning! He goes into every room, pulls the covers back and gives a big slurp!
He is truly amazing, we love him to bits.
His coat is demanding, his food was really expensive until I switched him to a real food diet.

Ok I think we’ve decided not a German shepherd. Now considering other breeds. Suggestions welcome.

Golden retriever. A boy. If you want something sparky and fun, go working lines or show x working lines.

Do not be fooled into thinking goldens are daft as a brush and like Labradors. They can be arseholes if you get one with a bit of attitude. Show lines will be the most docile.

My first was working x show and he was an ask me don't tell me dog, but my god he was my best friend for nearly 14 years. I lived for that boy. He's been gone almost two years and I'm not over him.

My second is also show x working but more working. She's fast, over eager about everything, loves to run and very slim built. The girls are definitely 'easier' and more obedient I find. She is also a therapy dog and visits elderly people in their own homes who are socially isolated and or dog lovers who can't have their own anymore.

My third is heavily show lines and so chilled out he's practically horizontal. But I got him when I had an 18 month old, and he's just the ticket. He's a big cuddly bear, very smart, has done very well at gun dog training despite being mainly show lines. He is a bit of a worrier, he's quite literally a big baby and he is now 18 months. He will settle more as he matures.

Wonderful personalities, generally very reliable. You can make mistakes with their training and usually right them, as they are very forgiving. That's the main reason I wouldn't have GSD, too worried I'd inadvertently put a problem into one that I couldn't train back out. Give me a golden retriever any day of the week.

What about a Labrador? They tend to be very chilled once adult and are excellent around children. A happy disposition is typical for a Lab.

They can have health issues like any breed so again, it’s important to find a good breeder that has hip scored the parents.

Your golden retrievers look & sound gorgeous @findingmeeee

We went for a Lab over a Goldie thinking they would shred less as short haired. Big mistake! Labs shred loads.

They do!! But the hair is thicker and it weaves into everything doesn't it with goldens it collects in little tumbleweeds and is more fluff like. It is much easier to clean up (I have also had a lab).

I love golden retrievers but read that the cancer rate was very high (around 60%) which worried me. I think we were also hoping to avoid the daily brushing routine too..

The problem is all pedigree dogs seem to have health issues @Dannexe

Mixed breeds are generally healthier. But I had my heart set on a Lab and never regretted it, though he did get the arthritis the breed is prone to at the age of about 7 or 8. It didn’t stop him doing much though and he lived to a good old age

Re brushing, I don’t know about Goldies but we only brushed our Labs coat occasionally. Possibly would have helped with the shredding if we brushed more but we didn’t.

I grew up with GSDs, a collie, Doberman X. As an adult is I've had a Westie, Staffy X, and GSDxGR.

We got our Labrador puppy 4 weeks ago and I've been blown away by her temperament and trainability. Maybe worth a look?

German Sheps are wonderful but need a strong owner mentally and physically. As lively as a collie but the prey instinct is not to heard but to chase. The chickens and Cat may not do well without intensive training. Grew up with them, but now with Kids would not get one as I am not boss enough to stop them running after a squirrel or the sheep next door.

How gorgeous is she @Lougle

I agree they are easy to train and I was a novice dog owner when we got ours. They have a temperament that means they genuinely want to please you. Plus they are very food oriented so will do anything for a treat.

Hi OP what's your home set up? DC? What ages?
Sounds like you have space which is great
What are the temperament traits you're looking for?
How much time a day do you have for walks etc?

We went through the above a few years ago and arrived at a very different breed to what I was imagining.

Sounds like you like rough collies - is it just the size that is making you look at other breeds?