I am going to get a puppy this fall or winter. I’m pretty much set on getting a Dutchie, but recently on here I’ve been coming across some post that make me think they are not the best breed for me. Hopefully you guys can clear things up for me!

I’m looking for a dog that would be a pet and also be able to do a little bit of protection work and obedience for sure. But for the most part it would just be taught lots of tricks, be an exercise partner, and be my best friend Obedience and protection work would come after all of those. Do you think a dutchie would like this lifestyle?

Are a lot of these dogs handler aggressive? I do not want a dog that is going to turn and bite me every time I give it a correction. A breeder told me that she had never seen a handler aggressive dutchie, but on here I’ve heard of quite a few!

Also I have heard that they are extremely difficult to handle! What does this mean exactly? I’m pretty new to dogs, I have never owned one, but over the last year I have had a few rescues. The first one was a Malamute that was VERY dominant and had serious aggression issues towards me, he never bit me but he was in my face growling and snarling several times, sometimes over just reaching for his collar . Another was a 1 year old Doberman that I had no problems at all handling and training. So I’m not exactly a green handler but I’m pretty close to it, do you think this breed is more than I could handle?

The last thing I was wondering is if any of you have experience working with Belgian Sheepdogs? These are the one other breed I’m considering, but I’ve had a hard time finding much information on them, especially in regards to protection work and their capabilities with it.

I would really appreciate any input you guys have!

What have you got against GSDs?

Why have you had a few rescues over the last year? What happened to them?

I have a dutchie, and I previously had a GSD. Although I am not green, I do not consider myself an experienced handler either.

We chosed a dutch over a GSD this time because we were attracted to the smaller size. We read the breed descriptions, but we didn't think it would be much different than a hyper GSD. We were wrong. That being said, owning a dutch has maded us so much more aware of the canine world and we are much better handlers now, then we have ever been. Here are my observations after owning one GSD and one Dutch. Since I have only owned one of each, I'm not sure if these differences are breed typical or indivisual personalities of these particular dog.

But here goes.

The Dutch is smaller and much easier to travel with as a companion.

The GSD is more trusting of strangers. The dutch required much more socialization to be a "pet".

It was much easier to establish leadership with the GSD. The dutch has no problem taking matters into its own paws. However, once leadership is established, the dutch is extremely loyal and loves/needs to work.

We started out wanting an active pet/companion and ended up getting involved in both dog agility and tracking specifically because the dutch need the job. A GSD is content laying by your feet waiting for your next command. A dutch is in either high drive or sleeping. There is no in between ground. A bored Dutch is not a pretty site.

My dutch seems to be more affectionate (to the immediate familey) than the GSD.



All this being said, I have no regrets getting a Dutch, she has won us over. Although I do caution anyone to make sure they know what there getting into. Again, I have only had 1 dutch so I can't say for sure which is personality or breed traits.

Just playing Devil's advocate...For the first dog you've ever owned, and a self-described pretty-close-to-green handler of dogs...are you sure you're considering the best breeds?

All your goals of dog ownership (companion, tricks, best friend) could be filled by easier "first" breeds. The "protection" goal could be fulfilled by a home security system.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

 Quote: Alyssa Myracle

What have you got against GSDs?

I have nothing at all against them! I would probably get one if they weren't banned from every apartment I've ever found lol.

 Quote: Jennifer Mullen

Why have you had a few rescues over the last year? What happened to them?

The Malamute was in a kill shelter, my gf and I saw him and they said he was going to be put to sleep the next day! So we got him out of there and found him a new home. And the Dobermans owner only took him out of his crate to go pee, so we convinced him to sell the dog to us, then we found it a good home. I would have kept that one if he had been allowed to stay in my apartment!

Thanks for the reply Wes!

Tracy, I'm pretty sure I'm considering the best breeds. I know there is going to be a learning curve. But I really want to get involved with dog sports, and protection work, it looks like a lot of fun! I don't want to get a starter dog, then have to wait 12-15 years to get another one that I can actually do what I want with. And I'm not worried at all about protection from the dog, it's just a sport to me.

 Quote: tracy collins

Just playing Devil's advocate...For the The "protection" goal could be fulfilled by a home security system.

Tracy, do you know how easy it is to disable most home security systems?
It takes less than 30 seconds and most career criminals know how. People that rely on them are living in a Fool's Paradise.

Just an FYI.....

A barking dog, and a gun....

 Quote:

Tracy, do you know how easy it is to disable most home security systems?

Of course I do. I also know how easy it is to assume that a big, tough-looking dog is going to provide protection. If real protection work is way down on one's list of priorities for a dog, then there are lots of breeds that might meet the goals of best friend/exercise partner.

I have the utmost respect for people who actually take the time to properly train a dog for protection work (and have the right dog to begin with.) I just think a lot of people who want a "protection" dog, or think they have one, don't really. They just end up with more dog than they can handle.

No offense intended to the OP--As I said, just playing devil's advocate.

 Quote: tracy collins

 Quote:

Tracy, do you know how easy it is to disable most home security systems?

Of course I do. I also know how easy it is to assume that a big, tough-looking dog is going to provide protection. If real protection work is way down on one's list of priorities for a dog, then there are lots of breeds that might meet the goals of best friend/exercise partner.

I have the utmost respect for people who actually take the time to properly train a dog for protection work (and have the right dog to begin with.) I just think a lot of people who want a "protection" dog, or think they have one, don't really. They just end up with more dog than they can handle.

No offense intended to the OP--As I said, just playing devil's advocate.

I totally agree with you! But that's not at all my reason for wanting one. I study krav maga and could hurt people a lot worse than a dog that's trained to bite the arm. Honestly I think a barking dog is as good as a true protection dog in most cases that average people face. If someone sees a dog barking aggressivly at them and they still try to hurt you or break into your house it's going to take more than a dog to stop them in most cases.

My friends uncle is one of thoes people that knows NOTHING about dogs or training and wants to get a GSD to protect his family. He wont even listin when my friend trys to tell him that's too much dog for him lol.