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The doghouse

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Original poster

First time dog owner - thinking of a German Shepherd

268 replies

VanGoSunflowers · 02/03/2025 08:51

Hi all!
I’ve been researching the hell out of this and still undecided. I want to be absolutely certain before I take the plunge!

So, I want a dog that is loyal, doesn’t love absolutely everyone (like a lab) requires a lot of training (the training part interests me the most) I will be planning on going to training classes, as well as training each day. I work from home, so will be around most of the time. I love going for long walks but I want a dog that will be obedient when trained well and be able to walk off lead in the right places.

I prefer larger dogs. I have a garden but plan on doing long walks each day (I love walking)

I have a 7 year old son (the main reason why I deliberating) who lives with me for half of the time

I I keep reading that they do not make great first time dogs but I cannot find any other breed I would prefer. I don’t want to make a huge mistake!

Another point, not to sound crass but money isn’t really an issue either so regular visits to the groomers, dog walkers should I need them, insurance etc etc. I also have a few friends that have and love dogs and would be eager to house sit for e if I was to ever go away without them (although not sure I would)

Any thoughts please?

OP posts:
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Janedoe82 · 02/03/2025 08:52

Nope. Not with a seven year old. I personally wouldn’t have them around children. They are guard dogs.

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 02/03/2025 08:54

They are not a first time owners breed. Fabulous dogs but no.

Original poster
VanGoSunflowers · 02/03/2025 08:54

Janedoe82 · 02/03/2025 08:52

Nope. Not with a seven year old. I personally wouldn’t have them around children. They are guard dogs.

Can I ask why please? As everything I have read shows that once the dog has bonded with my son he will become ‘part of the pack’ so to speak

I I plan on bringing my son to the training classes as well

OP posts:
Original poster
VanGoSunflowers · 02/03/2025 08:55

boulevardofbrokendreamss · 02/03/2025 08:54

They are not a first time owners breed. Fabulous dogs but no.

Again, can I ask why please? Any suggestions for other breeds?

OP posts:
Janedoe82 · 02/03/2025 08:57

might be fine with your son but what about other peoples? Do you want that risk everytime your son has a friend over?

CharlotteLightandDark · 02/03/2025 08:59

I think they’ve changed a lot from what they used to be due to poor breeding and are now nervier and more neurotic but I’m sure there are still good breeders around.

i think plenty of first time owners would get on fine with them if they put the work in like it sounds like you’re planning to. I think they’re generally fine with kids and are not one of the breeds generally involved in dog attacks or anything

FrothyCothy · 02/03/2025 08:59

I think a big problem would be finding a healthy one. I’m still a bit haunted by the image of the deformed spine of a GSD at Crufts a few years ago, that has somehow become the breed standard.

DeffoNeedANameChange · 02/03/2025 09:01

Definitely not. It worries me that you specifically want a big, powerful dog that doesn't like many people. All dogs should be polite and friendly to all humans, regardless of breed. Large, potentially dangerous breeds, even more so.

I think what you're thinking of is a cat.

Stegochops · 02/03/2025 09:04

I wouldn’t as a first dog with a child in the house. You may be interested in training but you haven’t done it before. It’s a bit like children- some dogs are more interested in learning than others. It also takes time. Our neighbour has one and she is reactive and he always has to cross the road to avoid others.

Why do you not want the dog to like others? Are you after a guard dog?! I would advise a standard poodle for your situation for what it’s worth.

Sinkintotheswamp · 02/03/2025 09:04

Don't do this. They are better for owners who know what they are doing and as working dogs.

Stegochops · 02/03/2025 09:04

Also our neighbours dog is 9 and her back legs have basically collapsed now.

Original poster
VanGoSunflowers · 02/03/2025 09:05

DeffoNeedANameChange · 02/03/2025 09:01

Definitely not. It worries me that you specifically want a big, powerful dog that doesn't like many people. All dogs should be polite and friendly to all humans, regardless of breed. Large, potentially dangerous breeds, even more so.

I think what you're thinking of is a cat.

I didn’t actually say that. I read that the breed is more ‘aloof’ with people it doesn’t know, not that it is unfriendly to them. I agree all dogs should be polite to other humans, and as long as they’re thoroughly socialised and well trained then they should be. No need for you to be concerned and no, I do not want a cat

Labs and others of the ilk, whilst beautiful dogs, just aren’t what I am after

OP posts:
Velvian · 02/03/2025 09:06

Even a dog that doesn't require a lot oftraining still takes so much time out of your day.

Greyhounds make very good first dogs and are usually brilliant with children. Most aren't off the lead, but not impossible and they need a fair bit of training in how to become house pets, rather than living in kennels.

Original poster
VanGoSunflowers · 02/03/2025 09:06

CharlotteLightandDark · 02/03/2025 08:59

I think they’ve changed a lot from what they used to be due to poor breeding and are now nervier and more neurotic but I’m sure there are still good breeders around.

i think plenty of first time owners would get on fine with them if they put the work in like it sounds like you’re planning to. I think they’re generally fine with kids and are not one of the breeds generally involved in dog attacks or anything

Researching a breeder is obviously a must, I agree

OP posts:
Gastheif · 02/03/2025 09:06

I’ve always had GSDs. I think they’re not an ideal first dog because they do require A LOT of training which you say you’re willing to do but they also need a good understanding of dog behaviour to enable you to put them in their place. Contrary to belief, they’re not aggressive of treat right but they have a very long nightmarish puppy phase. They nip bite and scratch constantly and they’re pretty much full grown as this continues. I wouldn’t have one around a child for this reason alone.

Original poster
VanGoSunflowers · 02/03/2025 09:07

Velvian · 02/03/2025 09:06

Even a dog that doesn't require a lot oftraining still takes so much time out of your day.

Greyhounds make very good first dogs and are usually brilliant with children. Most aren't off the lead, but not impossible and they need a fair bit of training in how to become house pets, rather than living in kennels.

I have friends who have a rescue greyhound and she is terrified of children. Might just be that she had a bad experience

Again, whilst she is a beautiful dog she doesn’t have much character

OP posts:
AnnaQuayInTheUk · 02/03/2025 09:08

I love GSDs but have never had one. I'd be very wary of getting one when you have a child. He might bond with your son, but what about when your son has friends over?

One of my friends had the soppiest Labrador you could imagine. When her daughter was i4 she had friends over, they were all running and shrieking in the garden. The dog got over excited, and tried to join in but bit the flapping dress of one of the children. No harm done to the child, but the dress had a hole in it.

A. GSD might well have bitten the child in a similar situation, especially if he perceived that there was a threat to your son.

EdithStourton · 02/03/2025 09:08

@DeffoNeedANameChange a dog can be aloof without being aggressive. There used to be a couple of GSDs where I walk fairly regularly. Neither ever showed an ounce of aggression, but they weren't all that interested in anyone except their owner. I might get a passing sniff, but their eyes were on him.

OP, in your shoes I'd find a training club that includes some GSDs and talk to the owners and handlers. Also, what sort of training are you considering? Because that would have an impact on what line of GSD to go for (show line vs working).

As PP have said, quite a lot are now nervy or are badly put together, which is another reason to talk to a cross-section of people with experience of them. Any FB or online groups you could join?

dudsville · 02/03/2025 09:08

I would either take the widely accepted, sage advice that this is not a breed for a first dog, or get myself to a German Shepherd shelter and put some hours in volunteering.

Bigfellabamboo · 02/03/2025 09:09

Every GSD I know are bloody nightmares,too much energy, too badly behaved, have to be shut away when you come round as they act like a guard dog of the house. No way would I have one as a first dog, especially not with a child.

Original poster
VanGoSunflowers · 02/03/2025 09:09

Gastheif · 02/03/2025 09:06

I’ve always had GSDs. I think they’re not an ideal first dog because they do require A LOT of training which you say you’re willing to do but they also need a good understanding of dog behaviour to enable you to put them in their place. Contrary to belief, they’re not aggressive of treat right but they have a very long nightmarish puppy phase. They nip bite and scratch constantly and they’re pretty much full grown as this continues. I wouldn’t have one around a child for this reason alone.

Thank you for the constructive advice

So, couple of questions - would you advice starting off with a different breed to gain more skill and confidence and then perhaps look in to getting a GSD once my son is older? And if so, what type of breed and should I wait until my son is a teenager, for example?

OP posts:
Original poster
VanGoSunflowers · 02/03/2025 09:09

dudsville · 02/03/2025 09:08

I would either take the widely accepted, sage advice that this is not a breed for a first dog, or get myself to a German Shepherd shelter and put some hours in volunteering.

That’s a bloody great idea! Thank you

OP posts:
Hereweka · 02/03/2025 09:11

How about a collie? Super trainable, love working with you, loyal, friendly but not really interested in other people.

ThreeB · 02/03/2025 09:11

Definitely not a dog for a first time owner I'm afraid. They're a wonderful breed but they can have significant behavioural problems and can be incredibly anxious. Given their size, this anxiety can be easily misread and can lead to real problems. Our last one was a wonderful boy but he was so anxious that life became very difficult, and I say that as an experienced large dog owner.

Not2identifying · 02/03/2025 09:12

I know and love some GSD and I also knew one when I was a small child and once I got over my fear of meeting a dog the same height as me, I felt, and was, completely safe with him.

However, the owners are really, really experienced dog handlers. I'd suggest a GSD for your 2nd dog. Find something more biddable for your 1st dog. Gun dogs tend to be very trainable.