Please help me make sure I'm not making a mistake...

[Kim]

As some of you may know, I've always wanted a German Shepherd dog, but ex didn't want one. He's gone now, and there is a GS rescue in my area, with a beautiful older male looking for a good home. Just for the heck of it, I inquired about him, and I have an appointment to meet him this weekend. I worry I am being hasty. Has anyone had any experience with these dogs? The rescue agent claims Symba is great with kids, totally housebroken, and very gentle. Ack, someone help me decide...

[whitak24]

i would love to have a Shepherd, as long as it was well trained (the fact that i live in a 300-square-foot apartment is a slight limiting factor right now).

they're beautiful, extremely intelligent dogs, and as long as they have not been mistreated or mistrained, i think they're a great companion.

[Jenny]

I have heard that they are some of the best to have with kids, as long as like whitak said, they haven't been mistreated or mistrained. Definitely inquire about that first.

[topane]

They shed a lot ;)

[Lolita]

Also, take into consideration if you have the time to walk him and play with him...

I'd love to get a GS, one of my favorite dogs out there. Hope you get to rescue one :)

[Cubsfan]

Make sure they tell you the dog's history. Also, I'd find out if they do any sort of tempermant testing on the dog (i.e. does the dog get defensive when you try to take it's food from it, etc...)

I'm looking for a Portugese Water Dog, and I've had the same types of questions.

Any reason you wouldn't want a puppy?

[Kim]

I don't want a puppy because I don't think I have the time nor the patience right now to get through the "puppy stage" and make sure he gets the training he needs. Plus, I feel bad that these older dogs are not with someone who will love them.


They shed a lot ;)

hehe, that's ok, I have a Dyson! ;)

[brainsmile]

they as a breed tend to have hip problems as they age. Just to let you know.

[dsuds]

I'm not saying to ignore the advice of the animal rescue, but you can't take their experience as gospel. Remember that these dogs are in a new environment, and possibly coming from a bad one. They may not be showing their best side, I know I wouldn't in the same scenario.

Even if a dog is mistreated by its previous owners is no reason to automatically discount it. A very good friend got a severely abused Doberman that was already 5-7 years old when he got it. That dog was absolutely one of the best dogs I've ever been around, but only when he lived with my friend. Everyone else who owned the dog had major problems with him. My friend was even warned that the dog was a basket case and should be put down. That dog died last year of old age, I think he was 15.

Spent a little time with the dog to see if it takes to you. If he does, then he may still be trainable to eliminate bad tendencies.

[bbrian]

My brother had a Shepard.. it was a good dog to him, but was very protective. It attacked me once just walking into his house. Of course not all of them are going to be this way, but it has been bred into the line to be attack and/or guard dogs. Overall they tend to be protective. It can be a good thing, but also a not so good thing when friends/family come over. I would especially be leary of kids coming over. Many dogs are uncomfortable around unfmiliar children. I would suggest reading a book on the breed.

I'm sure I will get some people that disagree with me, I am just going with my experiences. btw- I love dogs.

[brainsmile]

how bout a taco bell dog? :P

[cheapchinese]

GS are great
my friend had one..
smart too.... loves to eat :)

[Bires]

The cons:

German Shepards get pretty mangey early, so you will need to stay on top of the smell/oily coat. Also, when German Shepards bark, it tends to be pretty shrill, and loud. Finally, even a housebroken dog will mark when he gets nervous, which could happen early.

The pros:
Aside from that, German shepards are very loyal, and make great protectors. They are also good lap/wrestling dogs, if you are into that.

[look_ma]

One hting about a GS is that most apartment complexes adn rental properties will not let you have a GS. If you have a house then carry on. How old are your kids? I would not recommend a GS if you have young kids 6 or under because most kids do not know how to act around dogs, alot of rescue dogs that I have seen hate kids. Another breed to consider is a Dane, they have rescue clubs all over the country. They are huge, very intimidating to the public, but very gentle with kids, and over all just a big freindly non agressive lap dog.

Lastly:
Are you sure you want a dog, they are like a minumum of 50 bucks a month.

[whitak24]

how bout a taco bell dog? :P
those are the worst dogs known to mankind. my friend got one a few months ago.....she is SO annoying.

[nickel]

get the dog! he'll be one of your best friends. :)

[Memo]

I heard they eat babies!

[Jeffbx]

how bout a taco bell dog? :P


Nah, you need 3 or 4 of them to make one decent burrito...

[dbax791]

First, it's great that you are going thru rescue. That is one of the best places to get a dog. Puppyhood is overrated.

GSD's are very intelligent and active dogs. So you need to be committed to daily walks and exercise, especially in the am when dogs are most active. They also benefit from training - they were bred as herding/working dogs and companions to humans and they need games and play to keep them from getting bored and destructive.

Also, it sounds like you are planning to keep him in the house. That is good, b/c dogs need to be part of the family "pack", not relegated to outside.

Bring your kid(s?) to meet them. One thing about some herding breeds is that some think of kids as sheep and want to nudge and nip and herd them. I don't think this is as common in GSDs as borders, but something to watch for when you make your choice.

Good luck!

http://www.akc.org/breeds/featured_breed/german_shepherd/fb_gsd.cfm

[bachviet]

Nah, you need 3 or 4 of them to make one decent burrito...
:laugh:

Yo quiero Taco Bell!

[eSDee]

My girlfriend rescued a German Shephard from a pound about a year ago that was scheduled to be put to sleep the next day. Her name was Chelsea, and she was about 6 years old. She had been abused and was in pretty bad shape because she also had arthritis. When my girlfriend first had her at her apartment, Chelsea didn't like me very much and would bark whenever I came by. I love dogs though so I spent some time showing her that I was not to be feared and was ok to be trusted. After about a month, she had done a complete 180. She was an extremely happy dog and she loved my girlfriend and me as well. My girlfriend found a home for her with a person who had another German Shephard, and the last we heard they were like 2 peas in a pod. Out of all the dogs that my girlfriend has fostered the last couple of years, I would have to say Chelsea was my favorite.

[welfareloser]

your kids are old enough that you don't have to worry too much. and german shepards that are good with kids are REALLY good with kids. if you're ready for the responsibility, i'd say go for it!

[ufcrusher]

As has already been mentioned, you need to watch out for their hips. If you go the American Kennel Clubs website, you can probably find out the key points to look for/look out for when getting a sheperd.

Although my mother is heavily into Poodles, as are her friends, through all the breeding/training/other non-species specific situations, we have met one of the pre-eminent breeders of German Sheperds in the country. He loves the dogs and is extremely picky about who gets his dogs. As GS are my personal favorite, he went through a bunch of things with me regarding the fit of the dog.

From my memory, he said that they are great with kids, need plenty of exercise, need to be mentally stimulated (in otherwords are smart dogs and will want to use their brain), warned me that like poodles can become highly protective of family, and in general that they are active dogs which need an active lifestyle.

[Kim]

I got him! He's a bunch bigger than I thought, and stronger than I am when he walks me, but I love him already. He's such a gentleman.

[ufcrusher]

Let me be the first (here) to say Congrats!

[Jenny]

awww, now pics! :D

[whitak24]

awesome kim! i'm so jealous :)

what's his name?

[Kim]

His name is Symba, and here is his picture. (hopefully) Symba (http://cc.usu.edu/~nancyr/gsd/shaqtn.jpg)

He is as tall as my dining room table, and as thick as a cow.

[Jenny]

He's gorgeous. :)

[eSDee]

Yay!!! :cheers:

[oblongmelon]

:)