Hi,
I am new to this site. I have read almost every post (several hours worth of research here) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> The reason I started looking was because I wanted to get a German Sheperd puppy. Before I started this research I didn't even know there were work lines and show lines..( I know, a definate beginner) obviously I have learned a great deal from reading everyone's posts. However, the problem now is whether or not I should even get a GS puppy. I have a 10 yr old male lab/border collie mix we rescued 8 years ago from the pound. He was already trained in basic commands etc. Fabulous pet. Gets along well with other dogs, especially females. loves kids, shows no aggression,etc. However, I know now that even though he listens 99% of the time no one on this site would consider him truly "trained".(like I said I am a beginner)he problem is, from what I have read, the working line is the preferred route, but I had no intention on "working" the puppy. I was looking for a house pet. I am not sure that a dog bred to work would be happy just being a pet. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> and what information I am picking up here seems to be telling me that a show line dog may have temperment problems. I wanted a GS because we had one when I was growing up.She was a fabulous pet. Now that I have read so much on this site I am pretty sure she was a show line. So alright, to my question... Should I not get a GS puppy if I am simply looking for a great companion/pet? Or would it be unfair to the dog in the long run? I hope you will let me know what you think. You guys seem to know a heck of a lot more about this than I do and I will take your advice seriously.
Thanks

Puppy no, adult maybe. Some dogs just aren't cut out for SchH and might make great pets, but it is hard to tell at such a young age (I thought I was getting a relatively calm pup, but it turns out Auster had a bad bladder infection and is now a hyper spaz). These dogs aren't flunkers, they just need a different purpose in life. A breed rescue is also a consideration. They end up with many pets that might have been bought from the wrong kind of breeder, but through some freak of nature turned out okay.

A lot depends on how much time you have to exercise the dog, and if you are willing to spend time training (mental exercise, needed just as much as physical). Even if you aren't the world's greatest trainer, as long as the dog has attention and gets the general idea they should enjoy it.

I would discourage you from getting one just because you grew up with one. Things have changed A LOT. If you are just looking for a healthy pet a GSD mix from the shelter might be better suited to your needs. They sure are a lot easier to find.

Lauren, why discourage a person from getting a breed of dog that they admire? Just becasue she admired the dog as a child?

IMO, there is nothing wrong with investigating a certain breed that you admire, regardless of when you first came to admire it!

Laura, other than that, I think that Lauren has some very good points about searching for a potential new companion, breed rescue gives you the opportunity to see the adult temperment AND to help a dog out that is not in an ideal situation...

My male showline W. German is the PERFECT housepet! HE is such an awesome boy, just with ZERO drive for work <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> !!As far as a companion for my children and elderly family menbers, I doubt I will ever again have such a sweet and stable and well mannered dog. And for a companion for my husband and myself, he is a joy to have, the perfect pet, really....

Now, my working line female pup is a little spitfire, very different for sure....But, I LOVE that spunk , and I hope she will be a nice competition dog for me, and still be great with that large family I have!

Certainly you are correct to do research, but even with research, you may not get what you want from a puppy. All show lines, for example, are not equal. My 1st showline bitch is a real hard-a&$ed police K9 now that will give the best working lines a run for the money!! My last working line male was very soft... so you just can't go by the lines, pups are a gamble. It is 1000 x's harder if you don't know the dogs personally as well.....SO, I agree with Lauren that perhaps an adult or older puppy( over 6 mos) is a better bet.

Best of luck in your search! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hello,
First off, Kudos to you for doing your research, alot of people do not. Good companion working dogs are out there. Koda our 6 month old GSD comes from some of the top imported working lines, but his drive is minimal. He's a great family dog and would rather be sitting in your lap (on the floor) being petted than anything else in the world. We have had him for 5 weeks. I wanted an older puppy, not 6 weeks old so we could tell more about his personality. Our trainer found him for us, we just told her what type of pup we were looking for and she found him. We started OB training from day 1. They are out there, the good companion GSD's that is. They are great dogs, I love Koda to pieces. I think if I were you I would go with an older dog too. Keep researching and maybe visit someone close to you who has GSD's or a good breeder and let them show you the difference between a high drive pup and a low drive pup. The first time I saw it, I was amazed! Good luck!

Christina

Laura I think the GSD is one of the best and most versitle breed out there, I think its also the most complexed choice because of the expectation and refinement that have been formed and made.

If you don't mind dog hair all over place and a pointed muzzle they are the best dog, out there IMO. Really no more hair then any medium haired dog.

But a lot of things that you read on a GSD trainer boards are not meant for the pet owner to heed. You want to know how to test temperment and maybe what a GSD should look like, in your mind. But genology and what different drives are, if a pet owner is not that important.

There are people that will critque your dog just because it is a GSD, at pet shops, dog shows and dog competitions. He too long, too tall, to short muzzle to board or pointed almost like the dogs a fashion model. Its hard to meet the scale. You just have to decide what you want and how your dog should look.

I would pay attention on how to raise, train and the puppy threads.

A pet level working line, show line dog that doesn't have server angluarlation (maybe you don't want an American show dog)would work. I think a pet level herding dog would work, the breeder can help in making this decision but I'd also bring some researched or someone in the know.

There is no other dog so critqued as the GSD, some down it because there is not enough drive in the breed anymore. Others smack it because they think it is too much drive in these dogs. Very few dog breds are expected to wear a "S" on its chest like the GSD.

I had a assoicate tell me that the GSD is just not what it use to be, they are now unstable and crazy in the head.

This guy owned a Pit bull, so consider the source.
Not meant in slight. But talk about bad reputation. :rolleyes:

Consider a GSD if you want a strong beautiful dog, in your eyes only. I get critqued and compliments all the time on my GSD. Grain of salt.

Laura,

My advice would be to go for a breed that fits YOU, your personality and lifestyle, whether it's a GS or another breed. Otherwise, it's unfair to the dog. Although German Shepherds do make excellent companions, if that's all you're looking for, I would go for a lower maintenance breed. Because, generally, they're very high drive and want something to do, all the time. They're definately not lap dogs. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> Dominance issues are also not uncommon. Just a few things to expect.

There's a lot of handlers out there whom others call "bad handlers" when in fact they may not be bad at all. They may just need to work with a breed that fits them. But if you ever decide to get involved in Schutzhund, you'll be hooked! And the GS is an ideal choice to complete your team.

Laura Mikes makes a good point, most GSD are not couch potatoes though they can be made to be.

The most papered and niceLY conformed dog I've owned was given to me by an old couple that raised it around their minature poddles. Get this of the 3 dogs the adult male MP was alpha. The couple wanted to get rid of the GSD because he had gotten too big. He now took up half the couch and could lay across both the man and woman.

I was working security for an apt. complex at the time, it took only a month to change dogs disposition toward strangers. Thats another story.

Back to the ownership of a GSD, we walk and or jog 2.5 miles daily (weather permitting), we train Ob, agility, track and Prot drills 3-4 times a daily. We play fetch and they swim, hike, camp every chance we get, I try to keep them busy, and that is IMO the key to a happy GSD. It doesn't need to be competitive but the dog does need to think it has a purpose, besides eating breakfast in bed.

These dogs learn very quickly, I have a Rottiex, it took longer to teach her the basic OB commands then my male GSD. And now that I'm helping with another GSD female pup (she smart as a whip also). The puppy took less then a minute to connect the word sit with the action and she responds to come and working on down. Will do it but not if you don't have her attention.

If you are a couch potato you may want another dog. But if not then let a GSD once again warm your heart. A pet with a sense of purpose, there are others, but I thought you were talking about "Shaft".

Thanks for all the considerate replys! Even more to think about... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I originally thought of getting a young adult so that the dog's personality and drives could be better determined. I also believe in giving homes to the wayward dogs that have to go to the kennel.( obviously since my current dog is a pound puppy) But GSD or Mixes are not that available through the shelters around here..

The reason I was leaning toward a puppy is that my youngest, who is 12, was really wanting a puppy and I know that once the cuteness of the puppy wears off I would end up being the main caregiver/trainer etc. so I wanted to choose the breed I held the highest regard for which is a GSD...

I think that I will investigate what type of training I could get involved in around here, before I make my decision about a working dog. I live in Southern Maine..(do any of you have any advice on how to locate/investigate training options? What should I look for/ ask about/ avoid etc? I am sure that getting involved with the wrong trainer is worse than not working the dog...

I think I certainly would enjoy the experience of engaging in serious training. Maybe for search and rescue dog training? I just don't know what is available within driving distance of southern Maine..so I guess I will continue my research..I will have to decide how much energy/time and money I can devote to training before I start looking for a dog or a puppy.

Once again thanks for giving me some advice and some ideas..I will check back to see if anyone knows about what type of training is available and if you have any suggestions on what to look for in a training facility (and what to avoid)

Hey Laura, I am located in Central Maine. The SAR group here is a statewide group- so if you get called out it is very likely that it will NOT be in southern Maine. People tend to get lost in the netherworlds here. Search and Rescue is really not something to do with a dog for fun, it is a severe time and energy commitment.

GSRNE is a good group, and Chris and Tomas Harriman are in the Portland area and very active in the rescue. I will PM you their email address.

The SchH club here is somewhat on it's last legs. They have no helper- and the out of state helper that they had contracted just sold his house.... There are a couple of clubs that are active in NH though- if you are willing to drive a couple of hours to train. So far as just basic OB, Chris would probably be able to better guide you as to what is available in the area.