We are seriously considering buying a German Shepherd puppy and have spoken to a number of people who own and have owned them. We have received very difffering views on German Shepherds and I wondered if there was anyone out there who could give me an unbiased view. We have two children (aged 5 and 2) along with an old mongrel dog (12 years approx). We have been told that you need to be very careful when chosing a breeder etc. I would like a German Shepherd but am now extremely confused - any views would be extremely helpful. Thanks in advance.

Do you want a longhair or a shorthair? From English bloodlines or German? Work, show or pet?
Hee hee!
Seriously though, if you want a longcoat you have to be VERY careful who you go to, as a lot of breeders don't care and just want money. They are lovely and make the best pets, make sure you can see BOTH parents, and preferably pups from previous litters. The temperaments of both parents should be great, friendly, calm, don't buy a pup from anyone who claims the mum or dad is a guard dog so can't be seen, a GSD should be calm and approachable, and allow petting, they should have a natural suspicion of strangers but this does not mean showing aggression to someone who their owner has welcomed into the home.
Ideally both parents at least should be hip scored, or at least four or five years old. Show breeders who breed shortcoats from German lines always hip score and blood test.
Avoid any breeder who tries to see a 'rare' colour such as blue, black or white and wants a fortune, any more than £400 for a K.C registered pup is too much, regardless of the area.
Avoid any breeder who breeds lots of different types of dogs, and anyone who raises pups in kennels, puppies should be raised indoors with the family to be mentally sound.
If you want a longcoat, e mail me and I can give you some numbers, if you want a shortcoat, then there are plenty of excellent breeders registered on Champdogs breeders who can help you.
Best of luck!

What have you been told? Let us know the pro's and con's and we'll try to let you know what we can!

Have now decided to register with Champdogs - very impressed. We have had mixed views on German Shepherds - the are agressive, control freaks who like to "take over" the house. Then again we've had views that they are loveable, intelligent, family dogs who are fun to be around. Any further help would be much appreciated.

A GSD is what you make it, good socialisation and training will make it a super pet, they are an intelligent breed, mine is good with kids although not bought up with them, easy to train, and very loyal.
Be prepared for the prejudice against them tho, some people have a bad impression and will cross the street to avoid you because of the bad press they get. Also when they moult be prepared for hoovers full every day and dog hair with everything, good grooming will help but it's still horrendous.
If you like the breed and have the time then go for it,they make super family pets.

I'm getting a bitch shortly-I hope! One of the main attractions to this breed, apart from finding them georgeous dogs, for me is the fact that they are loyal,noble,easy to tain, obedient, the dogs are very protective of their territory and the bitches are very protective of their pack- which will obviously be myself and my two children- ages 4 and 6! Also to any would-be burgulars the fact that one of these is roaming the garden is enough to put them off-hopefully (even if they're soft as a brush-they look the part)!!!!!!!!

Personally I've never really liked any small breeds and out of the large breeds such as Rottweiler, Great Dane, Doberman etc I find these most attractive!!!!!!!!!!! (I do have a soft spot for Rottweilers though too- since I saw the nice side of the breed when my friend purchased one)

As with any breed it is important to check out 2 or 3 breeders, ask to see the rest of their stock, when you find the right one you will know. Then ask to go on their list and be prepared to wait for that breeder to have puppies. The breeder should also ask you a lot of questions about your home and garden, who is at home and how long the pup will be left and so on. If the breeder does not ask you questions choose someone else, the more interested they are in their pups future the more help they will be should you need it. Male or female? Well I have owned both and found the male calmer, but others will tell you the opposite, so chose the sex you prefer. All the best Jackie H

Once you have a pup from a reputable breeder, the next most important thing is really to socialise and so on....even a friendly and well socialised dog will have guarding instincts that will kick in when needed, and may even surprise you! Can't remember if anyone has adviced you, so hope I'm not repeating, but you will need to check out whether the parents were hip scored, what the score was, and other health things as well, as then at least you will start off witha nice healthy pup. After that, the world is pretty much your oyster :)

lindsay

Jackie H

Funny you should say that because I have actually heard that the female's calmer!! I think I would actually prefer a male but as I said I heard the female was calmer! You're right people do always say opposite to one another!

Does anyone else out there have any advise whether male or female? And why?

I've wanted a dog for about 6 years now then in November I went to work part time and felt the time was right with the children being slightly older and began my search for my own dog, only now have I found a breeder whose dogs I like, we're just waiting now to find out if the bitch is in whelp or not! It started off with wanting the dog then looking at prospective litters then, after an awful lot of homework, I'm now looking at dogs which aren't even mated yet in order to get a dog I want, then I'll have to wait for the bitch to give birth (which I think's 63 days) then another eight weeks before I can bring my puppy home, so I'm looking at quite some time yet! So shop around and be prepared to wait. I'm making my choice based on the Sire and Dam- it's these who the little cute fluffy puppies are going to turn out like!

Fingers crossed that bitch is pregnant!

A big thank you to everyone who has replied, you are all obviously big fans of the German Shepherd!!! One more question, as both my huband and I are at work most of the day would it be unsuitable. My Mum lives very close by (next door!) and has agreed to let the dog out/take it to her house/let it stay in the garden etc. Would this be suitable? I would obviously take a few weeks off when we first get the puppy.

Thanks again.

Donna

If you look under the 'behaviour' section on this site- under the heading 'I want some advise' I think it's been posted by 'sammi'. She's also debating this subject and a lot of very experienced breeders and owners have replied giving their views and opinions. Personally I'm currently working part time and therefore my dog will be on it's own all day Thursday and Friday 8am til 6pm, but I think if I get the dog in this routine straight away and make sure that he has a walk in the morning and when I get in then this shouldn't be an issue. I don't have a very large garden but I would certainly say it's big enough for a dog to run in easy. My only problem is I have a 6ft fence all around my back but due to the agility of this dog I'm unsure what to do because I've heard he/she may clear it! If I was to go back to work full time I would probably consider another dog for company.

I don't think leaving the dog will be a problem for the dog, I think the problem would be for you and if you're prepared to go into it then everything should be o.k. They have the coats on them anyway to withstand being outside for the day!

Are you saying that your Mum would have the puppy with her most of the day while you are at work or just for a short period ? If she is going to have it most of the time I can't see a problem.
In my opinion a puppy should not be shut away for long hours on its own. If you want a well trained, social dog then you need to spend time with it and a Shepherd needs this otherwise in a years time you will have a large untrained, anti-social dog on your hands.
Good Luck. Ingrid

We do have a long term plan of action. I would take a couple of weeks of work initially to be with the puppy. Mum would have the dog most of the day but then very very slowly we would start to leave the puppy for short periods of time say 10 minutes and then increase the time period slowly. I realise that this will probably be for over a year but my mum is prepared to help and is also as committed as I am. The reason I would particularly like a puppy is so that it grows up with the children, if we got an older dog we don't know how it will fit in and how it would behave with the kids. We are also prepard and committed to enrole in obedience classes which I feel is a must when you're considering buying a large dog like a German Shepherd.

Thanks so much for all your comments.

Donna

Donna

That sounds a well thought out and realistic plan. My dog trainer and friend breeds GSD's one of his boys is just twelve months old and is a delight. He is so well behaved and that's all to dedicated time being spent with him. You have a clear idea of how long it will take. It's surprising how many people think a puppy will be ok to leave after only a couple of weeks.

Good luck

Pam n the boys

Hi DB, Do remember that whatever the breed of dog, understandably you want the puppy/dog to be good with the children, buy EQUALLY they must learn to be good with the puppy/dog. i.e. no teasing, or disturbing while sleeping etc. I am sure you are already aware of this. When it comes to joining a Dog Club, try to visit two or three, in order to compare. You will be amazed how much they vary. This way you can choose the Club and methods that you feel most comfortable with.

All the very best,
Denise.