Need some help please (about getting a GSD) Questions

As most of you know I have been considering getting another puppy. I have been thinking among the lines of a female Cavalier. Honey will be 15 month on the 27th June. Now I have always wanted a German Shephard. But I am wary about this on many factors. I am a first time dog owner, never had a "large" breed myself and due to the size of the dog I am worried as I have walking difficulties in case it may drag me. And I read that GSD don't do well with other digs which I found shocking as my sister had a GSD and two
other dogs at that time. I have read that you need a lot of experience with a GSD. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Would you be looking at rescue pup or from breeder?

If you have your GSD from a pup, there is no reason at all that it should drag you, or have problems with dogs.

Where did you read that GSDs don't do well with other dogs? This isn't the case if they are socialised properly, like with any dog. I have two GSDs who live in perfect harmony together. They mix well with other dogs. My girl, who is 4.5 years, and is a rescue who wasn't socialised properly is hard work with other dogs, but provided introductions are done properly, in the correct manner, she is absolutely fine with them. My lad, who is 8 months is great with other dogs, because I made the effort to socialise him and take him to training classes from when he was lovely and young (not that he is old now hehe). My family all have dogs, including a Westie, JRT, Rottie x, Lab and Staffie, and these two get on fine with them

With regards to experience for the GSD. Yes, they need experience, BUT so long as you know how to read a dog, and how to give a dog correct boundaries and rules, you should be fine. I went from an elderly Westie, to Jess who was a real handful when I got her. They just need rules set out like any dog to be happy and well behaved

I have 3 dogs 2 GSD's and a GSD X Newfoundland.
my oldest girl is Bailey's Mum and has a bit of a problem with other dogs but is fine with the other 2 at home
I have always had GSD's and found them all to be very loyal and respond well to training, as long as you are firm with them they are just big cuddle monsters

Wow thank you both of you for the great information. I am looking to get a pup from a breeder. When GSD are pups can they be picked up? Or is it recommended not too? I am just a bit worried about from little dog to big dog. As I have no experience with big dogs. I mean I have been for walks with my sister with hers but that's about it.

GSD's generally get on great with other dogs

however, they can be what's termed 'lead aggressive' as they have a natural defensive streak and lots of nervous energy, both of which are often mismanaged by owners whom slip into defensive handling (tight leashes), without realising.

socialisation is also the key

Ok thank you so much, krusewalker. Do you think it would be better to get a smaller dog? Honey is really well socialized I made sure of this when she was allowed to go out. I went to puppy training. My friends with dogs came to my house and I would do this with my next pup regardless if the breed.

I have had many GSD's over the past 25 years, and none of them or others I have known have ever been 'lead aggressive' :?

i mean that dogs feel naturally more restricted and have less options in times of tension when on the lead, as opposed to being off the lead.

'lead aggression' is just short hand
you could also say 'display aggression'

doesnt matter really.

for example, my dog will sometimes bark at other big dogs when he is on lead.

but will play with the same dogs when they are off lead in the park.

GSD's have a protective instinct, so can display this a bit
(i've dealt with many of these in rescue)

but this is often accidentally developed by defensive handling by owners, ie, tight leash.
which often starts at the point of lead getting shorter when new dog pulls.
GSD associates tight lead with owner being anxious of oncoming traffic, so follows thru.
owner tightens lead more often and much earlier at sight of approaching dog (or whatever)
situations gets worse.
ever decreasing circle.

thid is misdiagnosed as 'dog aggression'

many a time in the rescue we would watch an owner walk up the drive with a GSD flailing everywhere at all the animals it sees.

we coudl alwasy see a clearly anxious owner with gripped hands.

we knew straight off the GSD would be ok with other dogs, so I would meet them with my own off lead GSD.

the owner would be alarmed.

i would reassure them i wouldnt put my own dog at risk if i thought there was a danger.

then have trouble prising the lead form their hand

then both GSD's would just meet and all woudl be cool, aside form the occasional bark fest.

said owner would always look like they needed to lift their jaw from the pavement

we would explani all they need to do is walk their dog with a relaxed loose lead, and use treats as positive association.
(and other details)

sadly, by that stage, the owner had lost all their confidence and just wasnt in the right mental place to do the training, so we alwasy ended up taking the dog in anyway.

liverbird, you clearly know your breed and dont make these mistakes

Go with your gut instinct I say.

I don't think any breed dog of dog is "too much" for a first time dog owner (although would that be second time dog owner in your case?) provided they know EXACTLY what they are getting themselves into. Obviously, going from a Bichon cross to a German Shepherd is going from one end of the spectrum to another.

Maybe try speaking to some breeders? I'm not desperately familiar with the breed, but understand that there is quite a bit of variation in the lines -- show, working, etc., etc.

Thank you labradork . Yep my second dog it would be . Yes I am going to ask sone breeders (I did not think of that, thank you) I am just worried about I have heard so many times that you to be firm with GSDs. As with Honey though can be a little monkey I don't need to be overly strict with her. And lol yeh going from a bichon cross to a GSD completly different spectrum!

oh right I get what you mean now. I thought you meant GSD's are prone to not likeing being on a lead sorry
I do make mistakes tho, I still have a problem with my GSD bitch
http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?t=126096

So so true.

If you want an "easier" (by that I mean calmer, less highly strung) GSD, then go for more English show lines IMO.

Jess is Germanic and pretty highly strung, but has a great work ethos. Harley on the other hand I think (don't know as don't know his ped) is more English lines and he is really mellow and relaxed, but doesn't have much of a working drive.

It all depends what you want out of your dog. If you want to compete in dog sports with your shep, go for a working line. If you just want a steady companion which still needs mental stimulation, but doesn't require tonnes of it, go for the show lines

Yes you do have to be firm with GSDs, but IMO you should be firm but fair with any dog of any breed to get the best out of them.

Maybe go to a rescue centre with a few GSDs and see the variation between them

My first dog was a GSD and I`ve never been without one since. However every one I`ve had has been totally different in temperament, although all have shared the GSD characteristics of loyalty, intelligence, energy and occasional bl**dy-mindedness.
They`re not the sort of dog you can happily let someone else walk or look after. They are a big commitment, but also very rewarding. You will need to train intensively, socialise extensively and be aware that your baby will be viewed with fear and suspicion by most of the General Public. But you will have a friend for life.

Oo go for it! GSD's are beautiful and I hope I'm lucky enough to own one in my lifetime! Don't worry about rumours you have heard about the breed, treat your dog as an individual based on his/her character, with consistent training and effort he/she will be the perfect dog. I know PLENTY of perfectly behaved GSD's. The kennels we board our akitas are GSD breeders and all her dogs are just perfect!

See, because they're 'GSD breeders' I trust them with my own, because to me a GSD is a dog that needs a good owner, good training and lots of respect, I know they look after and handle mine beautifully when they are left in their care.

x

no worries

Thank you everyone for your great comments! It's really helpful. Which are generally easier to handle in a GSD a bitch or a dog? Will a GSD get along with Honey with her being small and very skitty. (I would be getting it from a pup, so there should not be a problem should they?) lastly how much excerise would you recommend, three to fours a day?

Sorry Krusewalker this might sound stupid what do you mean by "English Showline?". I am just looking for a companion dog. I have athritis so could not do the sports thing. And what do people generally see the difference betweeen small and big breeds? Apart from their size lol my sister swears that bigger dogs are easier and generally listen more.

I have found my male GSD easier to handle, HOWEVER, he was much younger when we got him and is of different lines. Jess would be easier to handle if she had been taught correctly from as early as Harley

I would say there should be no problem with a GSD and your littl'un. My Mum has a Westie and a JRT and they are fine together. However, bear in mind that some dogs don't get on with other dogs, just like humans don't get on with all humans. I would say there shouldn't be a problem though

How much would you be able to walk per day?

Difference between size. I personally prefer big dogs, but I don't think small or big breeds are easier than each other in all fairness. It all depends on the individual dog and the owner behind the dog

Thank you for the great infor jesterjenn I generally take Honey for one to two hour walk but have a feeling that would not be enough? Obvisouly boys are bigger breeds. Lastly do GSD need a big back garden? I have a medium sized yard and wondered if that would be ok?

Size of garden doesn`t matter IMO because a GSD will want to be where you are. My dogs get a minimum of 2 hours off-lead exercise a day. More in summer, occasionally slightly less if weather is foul or I`m ill. They also have constant company. A young dog of any breed will need a lot of work.
Maybe you might consider an older dog?