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?

Your posts are always absolutely unhinged. Are you ok?

This.

Are you seeking a guard dog or a family pet?

I tend to agree. What exactly is your motivation for acquiring a dog?

First and foremost, a family pet/companion. But also as a hobby - it would be my absolute dream to be an experienced dog handler and to own a GSD one day that I can train to a high standard. Appreciate that now may not be the right time for me to do this and I need experience and no small child around me but I have to start somewhere, right?
Also as mentioned above, there is a protection element too

@VanGoSunflowers, your point around rescues is interesting and I think you actually know more about a dog when you get it from rescue rather than from a breeder (and I've done both). The team there will have spent time with the dog and will understand its personality traits - it's a much more known quantity than a puppy in my experience. It's worth getting yourself registered with some local rescues, you can add all your criteria to your application form but you will be under no obligation. It will at least give you and idea of other breeds you could look at

how about a working cocker
excellent training
or a spaniel

both respond well to training.

Oh and mine isn’t even a particularly good guard dog. I feel very safe with her out and about, she’s protective then but she doesn’t even get up if someone comes in, just lays on the sofa aloofing 😆

My last GSD was very training-resistant (she was, unfortunately very very stupid). So you can't say a blanket 'ALL GSDs are this or that' they are, like all dogs, very individual. And a bad one (or an untrainable one) can be a liability because of the size and strength. So I would advise that you start with something a bit smaller and more biddable, and work your way up to a GSD, maybe when your son is a bit older. A spaniel from a working line might be nearer the mark (although they can also be 'training resistant' if they're feeling that way out).

I was specially looking at show line GSD for temperament

No, don't do it. They are unhealthy and deformed.

As for temperament and training, it's great to have a hobby - I assume you are looking at K9 sports like obedience? Then have a look at what type of dogs/ breeds do well in the sports you have in mind that are NOT border collies.
Check out the Kennel Club website to see what type of training is available in your area. Maybe speak to the trainers & owners there...

One piece of advice, your DC will get very bored at doggy class once the novelty has worn off and could just be very disruptive. However there is something called the YKC that might be of interest for additional training.

Just be aware, the dog training at club & competition level can be very addictive!

https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/dog-training/

There are many larger breeds you can look at

Gun dogs pointers, lab cross,
Springer cross, setters retrievers. All lovely

Or other working breeds but not anything huskie related. Maybe a collie I'd avoid borders as they have as many issues as GsD

Corgis have a lovely nature and are active dogs.

Standard poodle. Ticks the rest of your boxes without the concern on guarding instincts. You don’t have to have them clipped like a fashion model if that puts you off.

Really not a good idea as a first time owner with a 7 year old....just don't.
A spaniel would be a better choice for your situation.

I would second looking for a rescue that help with a good match for you and your son. If you do go down the route of getting a puppy - find a breed specific trainer, and listen and take their advice, they will help with the mental stimulation that this breed needs as well as physical / obedience needs.

Aren’t they mental though? 😂

To an extent, any dog which isn’t tiny is a deterrent when out and about. If you’re walking with any large breed people are less likely to attack you. I have a spaniel, so he’s medium sized, and just having him with me gives me more confidence when walking. The problem with breeds which have been bred as guard dogs is that they are then hard-wired to be vigilant and reactive. Channelled appropriately in knowledgeable hands - great. Police dogs have an “off” switch, although most live in kennels in their handlers’ gardens rather than in the house with the family. Teaching a dog to be able to turn vigilance and reactivity on and off is not a beginner-level skill. And if you don’t do it, those instincts are there all the time, and that’s when you risk your dog lunging and biting at a pushchair coming towards you as it perceives it as a threat.

How about a border collie? They tick a lot of your boxes- bond closely with their owners, do well with lots of training, extremely obedient and well-mannered (in the right hands), but without some of the behavioural issues German shepherds can have. They are working dogs so you will need to dedicate a lot of time to walking and keeping your dog mentally engaged but that goes for German shepherds too.

I'm a dog handler and have had 6 GSDs throughout my life. They are fantastic dogs to have and if properly trained (and consistently) they will protect you to the max. I live in an area notorious for high crime and feel perfectly safe in and out the house with my current 2.

I have a 2 yo GSD and a 7yo daughter. We brought the 8 wk GSD home on daughters 5th birthday as shes my last child, had just startedschool and left a huge hole in my life. GSD is my '1st dog' as an adult. Had no probs the dog loves the child the most, we go training weekly with other GSDs. Look up your local BAGSD branch x

How are they with unknown children coming to the house out of interest? Would they cope with a bunch of kids coming round for a playdate? And would they have done as adolescents who were a work in progress?

Have to just pop back to mention the shedding too, it’s not for the faint hearted. I make an excellent sourdough but cannot share any with family and friends.

I would NOT risk a rescue with children, it HAD to be a puppy so we knew all the history and had chance to mold the temperament and character ourselves. Now, we have the most loving girl...

Come from family of dog breeders/champions. We've had every type of dog, including German Shepherds.
All big guarding dogs have to be thought of as a weapon. Potentially very dangerous. They can kill easily and very quickly. A strong guarding instinct means they are ready to go very quickly. Also what do you do if your kid brings a friend over?
When choosing a dog you need to research what they are bred for and understand these are their primary instincts.
A big dog is harder to become pack leader of, if they decide not to move and you can't physically make them, then they are in charge. If you are inexperienced, you run the risk of the dog deciding what they want to do.

I feel like a spaniel would be a better fit. They like to work and are smart. I have a small terrier currently and she is a working dog (kills vermin) and also guards the house, but she also loves guests once she knows we are happy. A dog that loves and is kind is the only dog a person who lives in a populated area or has kids should have.

Have you thought about being a puppy raiser for Guide Dogs? Then you will really learn how to train a puppy to be obedient and listen to commands.
They’re not all Labradors, they use GSDs, and Lab/golden retriever crosses.
obviously after a year they go on to further training, but you will learn a lot, and you get a lot of support. If they go on to qualify, the pride is immense.

They are guard dogs. No first time owner should be getting a guard dog, because in the wrong hands they can and do kill. And novice owners are the wrong hands.

The fact you want a dog capable of that, is exactly why you shouldn’t have a dog.

Well we bought our GSD from a Vet. It was a nightmare she was shy/aggressive - a problem with lots of GSDs. We had to have her sadly PTS as she was a danger to everyone. I would not recommend a GSD at all.

Also most women would not be able to handle a dog of this size, if the dog became aggressive. I think women should definitely walk big breed dogs muzzled.