I have a white longcoat GSD (coming up to 4 years old) and I want to get her companion. I can't decide whether to play safe and get another GSD or to get something different. I love huskies and malamutes. Does anyone know if GSDs would be ok with one of these as a companion? I love all your pics, by the way
Does your girl show any preference when choosing her playmates ? I've got 2 white GSD's (the 2nd one was a mad impulse) My girl loves all Dogs & my boy prefers playing with giant breeds ...best friend is a Gt Dane. They do play together & have a really close bond though. We meet a Husky regularly & they all get on o.k.
I`ve had GSD`s plus a companion for years - it depends more on the temperament of the dogs rather than the breed - and you can`t foresee what that`ll be (even with a rescue) so just go for the dog you like and I`m sure they`ll be friends - dogs like being in a group. I have / have had: a lurcher (great - kept her on her toes no end!); a hound (liked to hunt with), another GSD (great fun but you need to be quite strong ) and shorthaired pointers - one she loves, one ignored her. My last GSD`s best friend was a giant schnauzer as he would play rough with her. On the other hand she was besotted with a yorkie pup we met on holiday, and my current GSD`s best mate is a westie. So - I don`t think size matters either!
As Claire has written it depends on your bitch rather than the breed. I've had GSDs since 1958 as well as Border Collies, Beardies, X Breed & Cavaliers. My GSDs without exception had correct temperament & characters & got on with all breeds & non breeds-size was absolutely no barrier. Our last GSD adored little dogs & had the Cavaliers as a troupe of admirers who followed her everywhere. One major draw back to having a Husky/Malamute is that you cannot let them free run unless they are in an enclosed "safe"environment. They do have a high prey drive & of course are bred to run. If you get another GSD you may want to get a male(even though there is a good age difference between any puppy you might get & your bitch). If you are thinking of a rescue then definitely a male is the best choice(there are 100s of lovely GSDs in rescue(our rescue kennels are always full with dogs waiting to come in) our last GSD was a rescue BTW & what a super girl she was.
Thank you all for your advice - I had heard that about huskies and mals and was a bit worried about it. To be honest Tess has only really played with other GSDs as I tend to run her with my mums where there aren't going to be other dogs about and I guess I should make more effort to let her mix more with other breeds - she might make my choice for me. Thank you everyone for your input.
When I took my 11 year old rescue GSD to training classes he totally ignored the other breeds but wanted to make friends with all the other GSDs my bitch isn't fussy about the breed but preferes males to females to play with or small dogs who she treats as puppies. Had a friend with 11 GSDs & a Jack Russell & she was top dog over them all so it really does depend on the dog. not breed I think.
My Malamutes LOVE German Shepherds and play with them often - they just think they are funny coloured Mals with extra long tails!
dont know if youve settled on a chosen companion yet - but my GSD girl and my staffy boy are partners in crime
