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 know a couple of people locally who (separately) got GSDs in lockdown and they are both very nervous and very reactive.

It has been a nightmare for both owners. They can only walk the dogs out of hours or away from other people/dogs (which is very tricky where we are). They can’t easily socialise with them around.

I know they can be clever, loyal and beautiful dogs but I would never choose one, especially with kids around. It’s just too much of a risk.

The amount of grit and dust and stuff I sweep up in the kitchen is incredible....

I haven't read the whole thread but echo what many posters have said. I see a lot as I have a pet supplies business. Lovely dogs, but so many health issues. I don't think one of my GSD customers has got a healthy one. Sensitivities, pancreas issues, joint issues, skin problems etc. Such as shame for the dogs and the owners. One lovely elderly couple, very experienced with the breed, got one that had to be put to sleep at three years old. They had spent thousands on trying to sort out his medical issues. Heartbreaking. Interestingly, the GSD owners are some of our most loyal customers.

That's not true, sadly.

I think in the US it's something like 66% of dog attacks were done in the family home and most of them by 'guarding' breeds (bulldogs, XL bullies, Rotties, GSDs)? If you look at attacks in the UK, quite a few have been done to people who own the dogs that attack them (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-66775985) - although admittedly, they are all XL Bullies. But a quick google will show a similar story with other breeds.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/webContent/staticImages/Downloads/DogAggression.pdf (Page 13 for some details of why dogs bite children and why they are more likely to bite someone they know than a stranger).

This is the danger with dogs. All dogs are bred to do specific things - spaniels were bred to flush, terriers to hunt, Shih Tzus to be companions etc.

The problem is that with dogs that have particular instincts, is you need to 100% know what you are doing because if you do the wrong thing, or reinforce negative behaviours, you can end up with serious issues. It's fine if you have Shih Tzu and you fuck up, because though a bite will hurt, you'll live, not so fine if you have a Goldie or a GSD or a Mali, for example. I've seen some pretty nasty Goldie bites tbh and I'm fairly sure their bite force is far lower than a GSD.

My Labrador does not love everyone. She is very picky who she gives herself to. If I were under attack, she'd certainly look scary.

That’s interesting - is she pure lab? I must admit, labs are beautiful dogs. I just don’t think it’s the breed for me… controversially, I did look in to getting a silver lab

There's no such thing.

I haven't read all the other posts. I grew up with German Shepherds. They were the most loyal loving dogs I could have known. Never had any trouble with them, and always felt very safe. They would do anything for the family.
I now have a rescue German Shepherd. Due to her background she was very nervous and reactive at first....mainly to other dogs , but she's come a long way. If a stranger knocks on my front door, she goes mad barking at it, but if I want to bring them in, I introduce them and she's fine. I've had parties and loads of people in the house, and she'll get pets and rubs from them, but still will watch over me. She's amazing.

I have a GSD, lovely , lovely dog, friendly to everyone. Lots of people are wary of them though, but honestly mine is the soppiest thing ever 😂 pathetic actually 😂 I had a family member who was scared of them and dreading come round when I said we were getting one - well they have been 100% converted 😃
very loyal and protective - I did read females are more protective of family members and males of territory.
I have 3 small children, never been a worry (obviously never trust any dog 100%)
Reactive when on the lead around over dogs, working on this but most other GSD I've encountered whilst out seem similar. Also can have tendencies to be anxious, can be quite vocal too.
Eager to please and learn I've found.

That’s why I said ‘controversially’ but ok

Why would you go for a "controversial" cross breed rather than a properly bred Labrador or Weimaraner, though?

"Silver labs" only exist because the dilute (MLPH) gene from the Weimaraner has been mixed with the gene that creates chocolate labradors. They're not labradors and come with a lot of potential health issues.

@CatamaranViper Fellow beardie owner here! I was also going to suggest this wonderful but sadly declining breed.

Op if you want a dog that is trainable but where you really need to put in the work, a great companion, and a dog you could walk for hours with, maybe consider this breed. They aren’t intense like a border collie, but they do need careful training and IMO thrive when learning things, and are bouncy but generally happy dogs, and the well trained ones are amazing so this would give you that challenge!

This is true. However GSD are not really guard dogs in that it wasn’t the original purpose. They were created for herding and general ‘service’ to the owner. They are part of the pastoral group as they worked livestock. It’s sad to see them lumped in with the likes of bullies and other breeds bred for bloodsport. The guarding thing came about because they are so loyal to the owner but in later years it seems nervous reactive ones have been bred over the nice ones to create a ‘guard’ type dog. Usually find them being sold on gumtree and the like 🙄

The original creator insisted temperament was of upmost importance. The first GSD were created to be stable, loyal and love children. In fairness this has generally been my experience of the breed of bred correctly, either that or they are massive wimps. It’s a shame I’ve seen so many underworked, bored and nervous ones recently.

Read my post. I said I ‘looked in to it’
Then learned what you had just pointed out
Then decided against it

Thank you both for the suggestion, I shall add them on to the list for further research 😎

This is really fascinating. I do find learning about history of breed and temperament etc really interesting so thank you for posting this

A lot of people have mentioned the leash reactivity, myself included. I would estimate around 60% of other dogs I encounter are also leash reactive. It’s very common,

Having grown up around dogs (both little and large) and after quite a bit of research, I took home a long-haired ‘old German shepherd’ pup at 9weeks old. We went with the ‘old German Shepherd’ line because they are supposed to be more mellow and calmer. We also got our boy from a breeder where we could meet three generations of the line and get to know their temperament etc. Like you, I was very aware of the need for training & socialisation from an early age. I had researched this to death & had many plans in place to ensure we had a confident, well trained boy who we could spend time with outdoors & travel across the country with. Let me tell you, I had absolutely no business getting a GSD as a first dog 😅

I enrolled him in puppy school - he got expelled because he kept trying to open the door & the staff were worried he was organising the great escape. Our dog-friendly holidays never took off - he was so car sick we couldn’t take him further than 5mins from the house for the next year.
We also haven’t been abroad because it’s not easy to leave a 43kg dog with anyone. Thankfully he can now travel ‘better’ in the car and we’ve managed a few trips…but it’s like organising a military expedition lol.

My big concern was making sure he was dog & people friendly. Up until he was 18months old he was able to walk off lead in the park & play/interact with no problems. However, all our training/hard work went completely out the window when he was chased, pinned & attacked by a large Doberman. Our big softie became reactive. We’ve spent a fortune on training to resolve this, and while he’s improved loads, he’s not the same as before. We can no longer take him to the park or have him off lead, he’s more wary, and frights easily. He does go out with a dog walker/pack in an enclosed field & loves it and we can now walk past other dogs without him doing cartwheels - but those big wins have taken us years.

I don’t share all this to put you off, but to show that you can have all the best intentions and plans in the world & still have an outside force derail them. This can happen with any dog, but a large/powerful breed such as the GSD brings an extra layer of responsibility as an owner. The risks are higher.

Our boy is now four years old and the love of my life. He’s loyal, protective, funny, very calm in the house, loves to nap with me (I didn’t train that one lol) and just has the best personality. He’s taught me so much about myself & I’ve grown as a person.

Could life be easier? 100%. Would I go back and stop myself from getting him? Absolutely not. I often say he’s taken 5 years off my life, but I’m sure he’s added 10 more.

I definitely think you should volunteer somewhere & get to know different breeds or even offer to foster dogs from shelters.

Whatever you decide I wish you all the best ❤️

Yey!

I've had 4 in my life, all with different but wonderful personalities. Current one is a stubborn beast, bigger than the others were and very strong. Took ages to train him up but he is absolutely wonderful

I’m still open mouthed at the fact someone suggested an ovcharka and someone else suggested a foxhound - these are NOT family pets!

maybe consider keeping your eye out for a lurcher OP or go for something else entirely like a Eurasier

The OP seems to want so much from a dog but wanting and it actually happening are completely different things.
Some folk are simply useless at training dogs. It doesn't matter how many classes they go to or ways they try they simply arent good at it (look at all the problem dogs on tv shows, nothing wrong with the dogs its always the owners fault).
My dear aunt had over 15 dogs of all different breeds over the course of her life, she couldn't train any of them to do as asked and they all had problematic behaviours of one kind or another!
A long hair golden retriever or gun dog cross will be athletic and biddable with less risk of ripping your child to bits. Avoid GSD, Huskies, Malamutes, Wiemeraners, dalmation, border collies or akitas unless you are experienced and capable.

Also if you’ve not had your own dog and you’ve been researching training methods for GSDs I’m guessing that almost all of it would have been along the lines of “be the pack leader or your dog will kill you in your sleep to become alpha” sort of nonsense. Unfortunately that sort of thinking is still very prevalent especially among more “macho” breeds like GSDs. They might need firmer handling and boundaries like any dog but they seem to attract “trainers” who advocate for things like prong collars and other harsh methods and aversives.

Have a look at clicker training - it’s so effective especially for dog sports. Also get yourself onto the Facebook group dog training advice and support and read through the guides they have to give yourself an understanding of a good, modern, kind way to raise a puppy.

I actually haven’t come across any of that advice at all to be fair. The alpha dog thing does seem very outdated doesn’t it? My ex believed that about his sweet little dog (that I posted about up thread) I since learned (after I started looking in to getting a dog) that he ‘adopted’ a Belgian mallinois - actually got given a full grown intact male by someone he doesn’t know (red flag!!)
Apparently; he has to keep him locked in a crate when anyone comes to the house as he goes absolutely mental. I’m worried the next thing I hear is that he will try the alpha dog ‘pinning him down’ move and will get seriously injured as a result

Thank you for the tips

I wouldn't,

I grew up with one - she was amazing and my best friend but they are protective and hard to train and yhd breed has gone downhill since then. We lost our girl to a fucked back and that was 30 years ago

Flat coat retriever
gordon setter
greyhound
standard schnauzer
italian spinone
english pointer

all nice largish dogs and less neurotic tendencies to gsds (in general)