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?

You should only consider one if you’re willing to make the dog your life rather than expect it to fit into yours

This is what I want. I know most want an easy going family pet, and I can completely see the appeal in this for many but my life is not a busy one at all and I don’t envisage that changing! I do want to be kept occupied and put the time in.

May I ask which breed you switched to please?

What about something like a deerhound. Big dog, but big softies.

In that case I wouldn’t discount a GSD as long as you’re invested in making sure you get the right line and temperament and also you research what you’ll do with it and actually do it. Classes, scentwork, competitive obedience, agility…really doesn’t matter as long as you do it. You’ll also have to be sure that you are happy that owning a GSD is something most people will frown upon. People will cross the road and grab little dogs into the air. I always have mine on a lead and under control for this reason but you’ll need to protect your dog from any possible reason for someone to hate it. A GSD will always be at fault no matter how an incident started!

I now have leonberger. Bigger but easier to own.

You sound a bit possessive op. My dog absolutely loved everyone and would be all over them, licking their ears if he got the chance. But he was still attached to me and wouldn't have acted like that if I hadn't been there.

You didn't say aloof though, you said 'protection.'

Someone who wants a dog for protection is not a good owner. The fact you are getting so irate with someone pointing that out, shows exactly what sort of owner you would be.

Fine. You want a larger dog that isn't super friendly? Get a St Bernard, or a Bernese or a Great Dane. You want a GSD because of the 'intimidation' - which you have readily admitted to.

I don't need to be goady. I know 100% how this will end. You'll get a dog you're ill-equipped to own, you'll fail to train it properly, it'll hurt you or others and then you'll abandon it or get it PTS. Because that is what people who want intimidating dogs 'protection' (as you called it) do.

You'll be just like that woman the other week with the Rottie that she got, guess what, 'for protection,' that chased joggers, barked at people and was completely out of control.

I love GSDs - in the right hands. But your hands are so far from the right hands it would be laughable if I wasn't so convinced how badly this will end.

Like most things it depends on the individual dog and the way he is treated.
I have had several GSD’s, one in particular from the age of 6 weeks to 14 years.
They all seem to go through a hard to deal with stage from around 6 months to 18 months or so.
From around 2 years my boy was just perfect. He did actually love to make a fuss of everyone to the extent I that I wondered what would happen if we had an intruder.
I lived alone in an isolated location and a really creepy of a man came to buy something. He was very keen for me to shut my dog away, but I wouldn’t. My dog must have been about 10, and he growled for the first ( and only) time in his life. It made my hair stand up. He was sitting down, not physically threatening the man, but there was no doubt in either of our minds that he was going to protect me. The man left very swiftly.
The main issue is that they are big strong dogs and if you get a wrong one they can be uncontrollable and dangerous.
When my old boy died I couldn’t bring myself to get another dog for many years, and when I did it was a smaller one as I didn’t think I would have been strong enough for another GSD.
I miss the GSD intelligence and steadiness. My GSD was house trained in a week, and my Spaniel not reliably so in 4 months.

I’m sorry, do you believe that you actually know me? Have you read ANY of my other posts - including where I have said I am now leaning towards not getting one because of some of the helpful advice I have had here? Or do you just enjoy trying to insult people that you don’t know?

Do you have a dog? If so, what kind? How much experience with dogs do you have?

I am going to do some more, extensive research in to medium sized breeds I think. I completely appreciate what people are saying about being able to physically control your dog if the training doesn’t go to plan so this seems like a more sensible approach

DH had an Alsatian, beautiful, easy going dog exactly like our gorgeous Lab was.

I’ve walked a GSD, been around a friends house who has one. They are guard dogs, they can bark a lot, need a lot of stimulation. They’re hairy. Friends dog had to ‘accept us’. Loving once this happened, but barks at everything, suspicious, aloof, takes awhile to love you. Is alert to noises, screaming kids, etc. It feels the need to investigate this, always working… always alert, slightly unnerving imo. Watching always.
Extremely strong and determined.

I don’t think it’s a great first choice tbh. Especially these days, they’re not bred so well.

Why no Lab OP? Edit to say read your update.

How about a staff?

Rough collie or golden retriever bitch?

Large doesn’t necessarily mean harder to handle. Something like a Bernese would be a better bet handling wise than something smaller but with more power and drive.

I am a huge fan of German Shepherds. My boy died in December at just 11 and it broke my heart. Although that is a good age for this breed. Both of mine are white GSDs and have been around children from the start. Neither have ever shown any aggression to other people or dogs. My boy was so much easier than my girl but that was purely down to temperament.
Socialising from the very start in a variety of settings is key.

Is your son 100% up for the long walks you plan on taking the dog on when DS is at your house? Because you sure as hell can't leave a 7yo at home for hours every day while you take the dog out.

Also no to a GSD with small dc. For all the reasons above.

Twenty years breeding. 😀Twenty years before that helping my mum breed (she bred for thirty years).

I have four - soon to be five - Goldies. The largest is 45KG which is larger than a GSD. None of mine run up to strangers or random dogs etc. It’s about the training you do that can stop a dog being super friendly or running up to random dogs - and even with a GSD, the training needs to be consistent, frequent and positive. I train mine every day - I have to with so many dogs.

A well trained Golden Retriever would more than cover you for what you need. You don’t need an ‘aloof’ dog (and if you did, Bernese are very good for first time owners and aloof) or an intimidating/protection dog. You just need a dog that is well trained

I'd also think about walking the dog with your son - he's soon going to get very fed up of going out for long walks in all weathers.

See? You are capable of posting something useful and constructive without resorting to being spiteful… I cannot understand why you didn’t just say this in the first place

To respond to this and the other question about getting my son out on the walks -
I have my son half of the time, he is with his dad the other half of the week
So easy enough for half of the week - the other half would be exercising them whilst my son is at school and/or after school club

But it is a good point

What about weekends? If you're planning an activity or day out that's not dog-friendly, you'll need plans in place (especially in the early years). Think zoos, beaches in summer, indoor activities etc.

Have you looked at foxhounds?

@VanGoSunflowers I understand what you mean by the protection thing. I just feel safe with mine she's never gone for anyone outside but I just feel safe.

She did go for someone once when a stranger as in i did not know them walked into my house. I think I forgot to lock the door she went for him.

I don't know why so many are against them if you have small children. My youngest was 2 years old . My grandson was 1 years old . She's aways been fantastic with kids

I haven’t read all the responses but just wanted to say that we have a 10 year old white German shepherd and she’s incredible with my children aged 6 & 3, she adores them and chooses to go flop down next to them while they play.

she’s never shown any sign of aggression at all and is the worst guard dog ever as she bloody loves people & fuss & attention 😂

however I will say that the first 3 years of her life she was an absolute arsehole, a very lovable noisy arsehole 😂 but if you take the time to get one into training and long walks to use up energy then they’re wonderful. Pick up a frisbee and our girl turn into a bouncy pup again even at 10 x

OP, what about a bearded collie?
I've had them my whole life. Trainable, loyal, big (and fluffy), family orientated but also like a degree of independence. Plus they are on the endangered breed list which would be a massive shame to lose such a fantastic breed.

So I am child free all day every Saturday
Sunday my son would obviously have to come with me for walks 😂

I have found myself, while I have been researching and thinking about getting a dog, “would I have been able to do this today if I had a dog”

Vast majority of the time it’s a yes. In all honesty, my son has such a busy week and Saturday with his dad that Sunday’s do tend to be a chill day. Although having said that, getting out of the house is usually for a few hours and local. Of course, the odd time I have gone out for the whole day (Harry Potter studio tour, Lego land etc!) I would need a contingency in place. I have several friends who have all offered (actually, jumped at the chance) who are all experienced dog owners themselves but I would look at finding a dog walker if needs be

@VanGoSunflowers it's just something worth thinking about, especially in winter when it's pissing down and your waterproofs are still damp from the day before

Also worth remembering that lots of professional walkers don't work Sundays or will charge extra, so you'll need to book well in advance. I'm not meaning to put you off, just as a dog walker myself, I get a lot of last-minute requests from people who get rather annoyed that I won't change my plans to walk their dog on a Sunday morning while they go out, lol.

No, I appreciate the advice. Thank you. Definitely something else to take in to consideration.

I had in mind that I would do training classes on a Sunday and bring DS with me. Would he get bored? Perhaps. Maybe waiting a couple of years would be wise

As a childfree single woman, wfh part of the week with own home and large garden, I found your post to be very relatable. Similar to yourself I’ve procrastinated several years it feels now lol about the type of dog I’d like. I’ve flitted between a chihuahua to a GSD! I totally get what you’re saying about wanting your dog to hit as many ticks as possible which makes complete sense especially the guardian aspect as I live alone and it would certainly be reassuring to have them snuggled up beside me every night! However, I realised that to really do right by a GSD they need more exercise than I’d first thought. They are essentially a working breed and as such ideally need lots of mental and physical stimulation. Also being a first time dog owner would mean not only lots of doggy classes but a conscious need to continually always be aware of my interactions to ensure I give off the right signals and behaviours to show I’m the alpha etc and that is also potentially a little tiring especially alone all day everyday. Hence, despite being financially secure with the ‘right’ set up I’ve not yet found the breed that I feel I could accommodate correctly and I’m not they type to take shortcuts as it’s not fair to the dog. I applaud you for doing your due diligence on this matter and despite a lot of the comments, you are exactly the type of person who would make a good GSD owner (when you feel the time is right 🙂) because of your considered approach to this. Anyway good luck and please post an update when you’ve made a choice as I’m always interested in peoples choices and how it worked out for them!