First time dog owner - thinking of a German Shepherd

[VanGoSunflowers]

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?

Any guarding breed is a no for a first time owner. You’ve not a clue and if you get it wrong the consequences especially for your 7 year old could be awful. It’s great that you’re interested in training but you’re entirely inexperienced. You need to start with a forgiving softer breed. GSDs are absolutely not it.

I know you like bigger dogs but what about a border terrier? They have bags of personality, like to learn and are aloof. You need something manageable OP.

Read OP’s update Pices

You won't get real protection from a guard breed unless it's a bloodsport dog or a 20k pre trained specially selected guard breed (professionals select the right natured puppies, train them, flunk alot, then sell them, you rarely get a trusty guard dog by fluke. Most will jack if someone isn't scared of their barking, and the rest will from a nasty kick. Anyone a guard breed would work on would be deterred from a spaniel barking and kicking up a fuss too, get something like a rough collie or a sheltie - very fun to train, good alert dogs, good recall and biddable.

I support the comments about checking out show vs working line. They difference isn't as extreme in labs as it is in some breeds but it's there all the same.

I have HPRs from working/trialling stock and they need constant input. HPRs in general are notoriously bonkers though, probably because the show/work split isn't as pronounced, and barely there at all in some breeds.

Coming back to update this thread
I will be collecting my black Labrador puppy in a couple of weeks! Very excited!

My first dog was a gsd and I'll admit that I struggled. I think they are a breed for a more experienced dog owner.

They are very clever and need a lot of mental stimulation as well as plenty of exercise (no long walks when they are puppies though).

Maybe try being a dog sitter for a friend's gsd over the course of 6 to 12 months or, as a pp said, volunteering at a local rescue centre to get a feel for what they are about.

My absolute favourite breed though, hands down.

Yay! I love black labs. Have fun OP.

I am very relieved and pleased that Mumsnet offered excellent advice and it’s been taken. Bit of a miricle really.

GSDs are so far from a first dog I’m so glad you took that on board. I foster for a rescue and have had 2 GSDs that ended up surrendered as they were too much dog, not properly breed specifically trained , and big ones at that. I love them but I know what I’m doing.

Even I wouldn’t get one and I’ve been fostering all sorts of dogs, most not straightforward or first time dog material, for years.

I have a black working lines lab bitch and she’s dead easy. Very food motivated and easy to train.

Labs - you get back what you put in. They are not “easy” and you will need to train it to be polite, well mannered etc.

my neighbours brought a lab because mine is so well behaved and easy. Nope, she well trained and it’s a life’s work. They got a show lines dog and he was a LOT of dog and a total loon. And not trained so…

yoh sound very sensible so I’m sure you’ll be fine.

Put the work in and you will she the great pet.

understand you want an aloof big dog that is safe with kids and an excellent candidate for top notch training.

standard poodle enters the chat

Thank you for your post.
I must admit, I did feel a little disheartened at first at the advice but once I thought about it, I knew that getting a GSD wasn’t the right thing to do. And here I am, so excited to get my black lab!

I really really want to put the work in and have a well mannered dog. It’s daunting, I’m not taking it lightly and I’m sure I will get puppy blues at some point but I believe I can push through it

I'd love a GSD but know I wouldn't be able to handle it.
I had lifestyle envy recently. On a walk with DH - middle of nowhere in Gloucestershire, no sign of others at all on our walk and then a lone woman came along - slim, lovely clothes and a nifty hat. I'm slim and could buy all that stuff but she had 2 GSD's. It's ridiculous but I really thought she was living the best life

Black labs are the best 😄

Oooooh!!!! They are so beautiful!!

If I had the money and space I would have taken two!

Just followed this whole thread and as a fellow black lab owner so pleased with your decision. Super rewarding to train. Couldn’t see if show line or working but it working worth having gun dog puppy if there is a local trainer. Ours can stop and sit to whistle at distance, but also really enjoyed balancing on things and weaving between poles etc.. nice place to meet people with similar puppies who are motivated to take training seriously.

One thing I do- knowing that people can find black dogs intimidating is to have her return to my side if she clocks someone without a dog. Stops people feeling worried they will approach but also do think it flags that you have a well trained dog. Good luck.

This may not help to OP but is is a great story.
im a cavalier owner, and they run rings round me. My friend and her partner, D, have two German Shepherd, both dogs like me but they don’t respect me. The older dog doesn’t want to take a chance on me leaving so she barks long and loud if she thinks I want to leave the kitchen. I’m reluctant to push past her. The younger male likes to jump up at me, he jumps, turns round and jumps again. I talked to D about this and agreed that to stop the jumping I should say No B in a confident tone.
Come the next morning I was the first one up and had cause to try my training out. I said it with the first jump and almost immediately needed to say it again for the second jump. D heard all this and decided that I needed help and shouted a very clear B No!
The results were dramatic, B backed away from me and avoided me totally, he knew he’d done wrong and it was several minutes before he’d let me stroke him. I think it was as if he’d heard the voice of God and God was not pleased.
I love both those dogs but I’m not the owner for a German Shepherd

A dog can be an absolute pleasure to walk or conversely give you anxiety so you do your best to avoid people/situations which can be very limiting.

Personally I would not choose a dog that people (wrongly or rightly) feel intimidated by or one which I would physically find hard to control if needed.

A dog should enhance your life, not
make it potentially more difficult, especially with a child in the picture.

One of my own dogs was attacked by a terrier as a puppy and it changed her demeanour overnight. It’s taken away the pleasure of dog ownership when out and about as she can be reactive. Luckily she is very sweet to look at and 15 kg so it’s easier to work with.

Sorry just saw update after posting.

Huge congrats and FWIW I think you’ve made a fab decision!