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?

I think if you plan to go for a less intense breed than a GS, it may not be so much of an issue. There are training classes in the evening too, so if you can plan that around when DS isn't with you, it could work out quite nicely really.

I just know a lot of people who love the idea of long dog walks, but who very much get put off the idea when it's the 10th day in a row of wearing wellies and muddy waterproofs while the rain lashes your face, lol.

Thank you for this. I really appreciate it.
I am feeling a little disheartened now I think. But I don’t want to muck this up!

My friend has a gsd cross He is a lovely dog and he is well trained but I've lost count of the amount of times he has damaged something. Walls. Skirtings. Cushions and sofas

If he doesn't get his walk EVERY SINGLE DAY. They pay for it another way.

My x lab is fine if he misses a walk from time to time and hasn't damaged since teething

I have a friend on facebook who owns two GSDs. She does very well with them, and does agility and obedience, despite being in a wheelchair. I wouldn't get one with protection in mind - they're not garaunteed.

@VanGoSunflowers you're doing all the right things by asking questions, so even if you decide that you'll postpone getting a dog, or that you'll get a GSD as your 2nd rather than your 1st dog, it's a win 🙂

FWIW, I understand your desire to have a dog that you will feel safe walking alone, but what I would suggest is that a dog only needs to be a visual deterrent rather than actually aloof with strangers or of a guarding/protecting breed. So any large dog breed that isn’t famous for loving everyone would actually tick that box wouldn’t it? If you were to go for a breed that isn’t as well know as a Lab or Retriever, but has a lovely docile nature, people may assume that it’ll protect you. It’s the best of both worlds.

However, if you really have your heart set on a GSD then meet lots of GSD owners at shows and training events and ask for their experiences.

Other options are rescues, so how about contacting the breed rescue and seeing what they say? They may well have dogs that are with them through no fault of their own, eg relationship breakup and having to move to a rental that doesn’t allow dogs. If it’s a good rescue they should behaviour assess and match the dog to the person rather than let the person choose.

Also the Police sometimes have young GSDs that haven’t passed their assessments to be Police dogs but are suitable for pet homes. I suspect the criteria will be (rightly) strict and the waiting lists long though as they’re very popular so may not be an option.

My sister’s first dog was a pure bred black German Shepherd born to a mother and father who are police dogs. She got him at 8 weeks. He’s now almost 8 years old, and is just the most wonderful dog.
She was very clued-up before she got him and knew what an investment she’d have to make in training him etc, but hats off to her, she did it and he’s a beautifully behaved, obedient, loving and friendly dog. There were moments during puppyhood where I know she was questioning her choices, but she pushed through and it was worth the effort.
She’s just had her first baby (who turns one tomorrow!) and the dog is a dream around her.
If you’re truly invested, and understand that it won’t be plain sailing, I’d say go for it. He’s an irreplaceable part of the family now. Good luck.

Very true! A pure breed just makes it more likely that certain traits will be present but not guaranteed. I know that some GSDs can be quite goofy and loveable types with everyone so there is always that ‘risk’ with any breed between what’s predicted and what you will actually get!

I am feeling a little disheartened now I think.

Don't feel disheartened. It's much better to do all your research and accept that maybe a GSD isn't the right dog for your current situation, than to just get one anyway and find yourself really struggling in 18 months time because you've bitten off more than you can chew.

Smooth Nd rough collies are aloof and very bonded to their herd. As are beardies. You will find this with most herding dogs. They are always watching what is going on and consequently can be reactive at times. They are 'easier' and not as huge as a GSD. Pointers, setters and poss giant shnauzer may also fit. One thing to think about, which I didn't consider is the pickable up ness of a dog. Ours is 25kilo but I would struggle to pick her up for the back of the car, putting her in the bath, after an op. A GSd is massive and I don't think my husband could manage that size. Strapping son2 possibly. I know I would have struggled with my rough when she hurt her paw and needed lifting in and out of the car.

Has anyone suggested a springer spaniel yet? I'm on my fourth, DH grew up with them. They are just big enough, not too big they're difficult to handle and not so small you'd trip over them. They are very smart and easy to train because they want to please you, adore long walks, and are brilliant family dogs who are great with children. Mine is great off lead and is well trained enough that he can be a field away and one whistle has him back at my side. Yes, they can be mad as a box of frogs but they are great fun. They bond to their family members but are more aloof with people they don't know. A springer from a show line will be slightly less bonkers than a working one - mine have all been from working lines. As a breed, as long as you can commit to keeping them exercised physically and mentally they are pretty much perfect.

You have absolutely hit the nail on the head there.

I am alone a lot also. So companionship was my very first reason to look in to getting a dog. I refined it based on other things I wanted and tried to think hard about the things I could compromise on. I do feel like there is a huge hole in my life at the moment!

I agree. I don’t even necessarily feel disheartened that a GSD isn’t the right choice for me now, it’s more of even having a dog full stop is the right choice. I think since I have been reading up and watching endless training videos and vividly imagine walking my little friend when I have been out walking and yes, romanticising about it (because a dog is an emotional choice as well as a practical one) it’s the first time in a very, very long time that I have been thinking about my future and feeling happy and excited about it. That’s probably why I feel disheartened- nobody’s fault and I have really appreciated most of the advice I have had but it’s quite the thud back down to earth 😂

I have spoken to my son about it. He is excited about it, he is a very sensible and calm kid. I think it would be good for him to have a companion too, as well as teaching him about responsibility etc. I literally just asked him actually about walking the dog with me every time he is here and especially on a Sunday and he is on board but then, kids can’t comprehend what it will actually be like 😂

Don't forget to mention the wet stinking dog afterwards. The mud, shaking, towelling and the general mess in the house such delightful weather brings
You'll spend half as much time again trying to clean the mess up.

An ex of mine had a dog. She was a rescue from Romania, I think she was a Carolina cross so a medium breed (although on the small size) I didn’t know her when he got her but I know he put a lot of work in to training her as she was VERY reactive when he got her. Nervous, wary of strangers.

Anyway, she used to go everywhere with him. He would stay at mine for half of the week when my son wasn’t here (I never introduced him to my son) we used to walk her for hours in all sorts of weathers and she shed like fuck so I know how messy they can be 😂

But she really was the sweetest little thing. Once she got to know me, she absolutely accepted me as family and loved me to bits (and I her!) she was still protective of me when we took her to the pub etc - barking like mad at anyone who came near me with her paws on my lap! But obviously being a smaller dog, she was no trouble to handle

I didn’t usually enjoy vacuuming the sofa all that much but with anything worthwhile, you have to make sacrifices and plenty of them. Similar in some ways to having a child 😂

@LandSharksAnonymous
Although, tbh, no one does. Why? Because protection dogs can still be shot, or stabbed, or choked to death. The only people who want protection dogs, want them for the intimidation factor - not because the dog is actually going to save them against someone properly motivated.
This is not true. Protection-trained dogs do save human lives. Sometimes it is just the intimidation factor: the thug with the knife sees the dog and gives up, rather than escalating and perhaps either killing the cop or security guy or getting himself killed. And sometimes the dog does its stuff, and brings down the assailant, saving the handler in the process. I listen to a podcast where one of the hosts used to work in security and says of one incident, 'Harley saved my life that night. That dog saved my life.' The other host got involved with protection sports because, on ops in Afghanistan, he saw a military working dog in action. The level of training and control amazed him, and he went from there.

And there is intimidation and there is intimidation. There is having a muscle dog which you amp up and threaten to let loose on your competitor drug-dealer. And there is having a hefty-looking dog who probably wouldn't hurt a fly, but which is reassuring to have around if you're a lone female jogging through the woods at dusk.

Please don't
I love gsd s , had the most gorgeous lovable boy and would have another if the situation was right but ...
They are not for novice dog owners.
They fall in to the sports car category of breeds that need the right environment and experienced owner to thrive.
It's not just the training , it's being experienced enough in the training to know how to train them , if that makes sense. Mine was super smart, outshone all the other dogs in his obedience classes but I had to be super careful about every little inflection in my tone etc as he was so sensitive he would just shut down if he thought he had done anything wrong.
I would trust him implicitly with the family but would be careful if the kids had friends around as he could misconstrue boisterous play for someone attacking one of his family and round the offender up in to a corner ( never biting ) .
Some of the worst behaved dogs I see ( I work with dogs ) are sports car dogs with novice owners, however well intentioned . Collies and springers would fall into this category.
Get a less smart, smaller dog, refine your skills, enjoy it while your son is young then get the gsd next.
You sound like you will be a fab owner , and you can train any breed. My next puppy is a toy breed and I'm already researching training classes and planning my training regime and what fun stuff we can do like agility .

Very much this.
If an opportunistic attacker is waiting in the shadows, they would be surely less likely to approach a woman walking a decent sized dog than a woman who has no dog. Same with people wanting to break in to your house, why would they risk it when they can pick a house that has no dog?

You also get intimidation by having a Goldie or a St Bernard or a Great Dane though.

People will always say their dog saved their life. Maybe it did. But, those are properly trained dogs. Not Jan down the roads GSD that's just been taught to bark at strangers...

Id be worried about what you've been reading and what you think you know about dog training if you're quoting pack theory.

Pack theory is a load of old shite.

Very good advice. Thank you. And thank you for the encouragement 🙂

Yep, the reality of dog-ownership is often very, very different from the ideals people build up in their heads unfortunately

While I think it's really sweet that your DS wants to join you on lots of lovely dog walks, do make sure you think about what you'll do if he's sick, or the weather is truly horrendous, or he's just flat out exhausted and doesn't want to come. It could be that by the time you get a dog, he's fine to be left for an hour or so anyway, so it won't be an issue, but always worth having back-ups in place.

We have a beagle as a first-time dog and if I'd listened to MN, I'd never have taken the plunge. And while he is fantastic and I love him to absolute pieces, he has changed our life massively and we've had to make a lot of sacrifices in order to keep him happy. He's seven now so it's just become our "normal" but for the first couple of years it was really hard to realise that life would never quite be the same again.

Unless we plan in advance, it means no more days out to cities to shop or see the cinema, no days out the zoo, no trips out to anywhere we can't take the dog, and even if we can take him, one of us often needs to wait outside as the shops aren't dog-friendly, or we have to sit outside in the cold as the cafe isn't dog-friendly either. And while that's relatively easy with two adults, it could be quite difficult with a child.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't swap him for the world but it is very much a lifestyle choice.

I grew up with German Shepherds and found them to be amazing.
I have one now, he was 12 weeks old when we got him and my son was 2. He's now 10 and our Shep will be 8 in the summer. Obviously I educated my son from the word go on how to treat the dog. No pulling of ears etc, leave him when he's eating, don't bother him when he's sleeping etc etc. They have a wonderful bond. But the Shepherd's take a LOT of training. They are incredibly intelligent and as well as physical exercise they need their brains kept busy too. Mine can be reactive to dogs so I've spent a lot on behaviourists. He loves people but is also a wonderful guard dog.
Be prepared for the hair! They moult 365 days a year. And they follow you a lot. You will not go to the bathroom on your own ever again 🤣 Personally I love them. But they are not the easiest breed. Also do tons of research for a breeder as hips can be a big problem.

Ah ok, to be honest I hadn’t actually heard it mentioned in any of my research. My ex used to say this a lot about his dog (posted about her a few posts ago)
I was speaking more figuratively I think. That dogs are less likely to turn on those they know and are bonded with?

Also, OP, re weekend exercise when your son is around...

DH gave the dogs about an hour's walk this morning. But this afternoon I took them out and we went about, ooh, 700m. We were out for half an hour, and we spent the time playing about retrieving, doing some sit stays, playing daft games and doing a spot of heelwork. You don't have to go far to give even an active dog enough to chill it out for the evening.

Oh God yes, the mud and the sand and the hair...

My car is like a bombsite 24/7 due to the dogs.