German Shepherd Ownership

I suppose as with all things it depends on the dog. Behaviour wise she’s generally amazing. Doesn’t soil in the house, is very calm / quiet and only requires 1 shortish walk a day (although we walk her a lot more), doesn’t bark at all (although whines a bit), is generally clean. Most cannot ever be let off the lead (unless an exceptional amount of training is done) as they will bolt after something and have never been taught recall. She can be a bit frisky and I wouldn’t trust her not to kill a cat if she caught one. She’s not aggressive at all, but they have a pretty drive & instinct to chase and bite fast moving. They almost always travel well in cars as are used to it from racing.

Greyhounds often struggle with being left alone as in kennels they are always around other dogs. We have had to work ours up to being left slowly. Most are ok with 4 hours but it may require some time and patience.

She is incredibly affectionate, goofy and I think whenever we next get a dog it’ll be a greyhound again. There are thousands who need homes.

Watched through the window as a greyhound killed the local pub cat, as the cat was sat waiting to be let in. It was Christmas. Ho Ho Ho.

Dont blame the dog at all, the bellend owner had it off its lead (was a main road as well), and then told the pitchfork wielding, angry locals it had killed cats before.
 


If the history of the dog is known then I’d agree, but so many are dropped into rescue without any background and always rehomed due to “no fault of their own” and more often than not at the adolescent stage.
Fair point. I was just flying the flag for rescue dogs but of course they aren't for everyone and if someone wants a puppy from scratch then good luck to them.
 
Fair point. I was just flying the flag for rescue dogs but of course they aren't for everyone and if someone wants a puppy from scratch then good luck to them.

Which is why I mentioned breed rescues, if it’s a specific breed you’re after. They don’t get anywhere near the funding of places like the dogs trust or RSPCA.
 
Old man has had GSD for over 50 years , last three or four have been ex Northumbria Police rehomed dogs.

Cracking dogs , the current one he’s had for about three years is a beautiful thing and soft natured with it.
 
The wife and kids have finally worn me down and I'm prepared to considering thinking about getting a dog

Never owned one before so will be starting from zero on this one. My only stipulation is that we get a German Shepherd (my favourite breed) and that we get a puppy and start from scratch with training/obedience etc

So, am hoping there is some expertise out in the mighty SMB that can give me some pointers on:

Where to source and the expected cost? Dog or Bitch?
Equipment and apparatus needed (beds, cages, leads, toys)
On-going and hidden costs (inoculations, spaying/castration, supplements & boosters)
What to feed it (special food stuffs, hints and tips)?
Any recommended books?
Any hidden Easter eggs that the dog manuals don't tell you about?
Am I mad to be doing this when I live in a brand new house?
General advice and tales from personal experience....

Ta
From the day I was born till the day I left home we always had German Shepherds.Really class dogs with superb temperaments but I would never have one as an adult as they are not suitable for inside the home for one flaw alone which is the shedding of hairs.
Really ,really ,really bad.No matter how much you groom them the hairs are terrible.

Shame as I think they are class dogs.
Possibly look at a malinois as an alternative. Shorter hair usually which is better for molting and a good looking dog. Are unbelievably adorable as a puppy
These are only suitable for really experienced dog people who are prepared to walk/train them 3 times a day etc.
Sister got one when I warned her not to as she thought it would be like a German Shepherd.It’s like a f***ing wolf with its behaviour and wanting to kill anyone if doesn’t know and other dogs.
Possibly look at a malinois as an alternative. Shorter hair usually which is better for molting and a good looking dog. Are unbelievably adorable as a puppy
Stupid dog to recommend tbh for a 1st time owner .
 
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The wife and kids have finally worn me down and I'm prepared to considering thinking about getting a dog

Never owned one before so will be starting from zero on this one. My only stipulation is that we get a German Shepherd (my favourite breed) and that we get a puppy and start from scratch with training/obedience etc

So, am hoping there is some expertise out in the mighty SMB that can give me some pointers on:

Where to source and the expected cost? Dog or Bitch?
Equipment and apparatus needed (beds, cages, leads, toys)
On-going and hidden costs (inoculations, spaying/castration, supplements & boosters)
What to feed it (special food stuffs, hints and tips)?
Any recommended books?
Any hidden Easter eggs that the dog manuals don't tell you about?
Am I mad to be doing this when I live in a brand new house?
General advice and tales from personal experience....

Ta
I’ve had a few GSD’s, the best dog on the planet imo.

a few pointers...travel far and wide for a puppy. Do not got to some back door breeder in Peter Lee. A bad GSD is just that, bad.
They’re exceptionally intelligent, if they’ve got bad breeding and boredom sets in they’ll ruin your life.
mental stimulation is a massive part for them. Keep them active daily.
Physically, expect them to last about 10yrs. They love exercise but too much too young will literally cripple and kill them. Exercise slowly and progressively giving them the best chance to grow and develop properly. Hip displacia is very common.
They tend to be a one person dog and will protect their herd. Socialise them as much as possible and then socialise them again. They’ve got to know their place otherwise they’ll be boss of the house.
They are fantastic with kids, totally awesome.
Enjoy every second you have with it, the time goes too quickly.

lastly, if you and your lass split up don’t have shared access. It can go horribly wrong. @Wilfy is that the bit you were looking forward to?🤣
 
I’ve had a few GSD’s, the best dog on the planet imo.

a few pointers...travel far and wide for a puppy. Do not got to some back door breeder in Peter Lee. A bad GSD is just that, bad.
They’re exceptionally intelligent, if they’ve got bad breeding and boredom sets in they’ll ruin your life.
mental stimulation is a massive part for them. Keep them active daily.
Physically, expect them to last about 10yrs. They love exercise but too much too young will literally cripple and kill them. Exercise slowly and progressively giving them the best chance to grow and develop properly. Hip displacia is very common.
They tend to be a one person dog and will protect their herd. Socialise them as much as possible and then socialise them again. They’ve got to know their place otherwise they’ll be boss of the house.
They are fantastic with kids, totally awesome.
Enjoy every second you have with it, the time goes too quickly.

lastly, if you and your lass split up don’t have shared access. It can go horribly wrong. @Wilfy is that the bit you were looking forward to?🤣
Aye!
 
From the day I was born till the day I left home we always had German Shepherds.Really class dogs with superb temperaments but I would never have one as an adult as they are not suitable for inside the home for one flaw alone which is the shedding of hairs.
Really ,really ,really bad.No matter how much you groom them the hairs are terrible.

Shame as I think they are class dogs.

These are only suitable for really experienced dog people who are prepared to walk/train them 3 times a day etc.
Sister got one when I warned her not to as she thought it would be like a German Shepherd.It’s like a f***ing wolf with its behaviour and wanting to kill anyone if doesn’t know and other dogs.

Stupid dog to recommend tbh for a 1st time owner .

Alreet. Just going off that couple of friends that have them. One is about 2 years and other about 4 years. Think only one of them it was their first dog. Both been no trouble. Must have been lucky or good with them
 
The wife and kids have finally worn me down and I'm prepared to considering thinking about getting a dog

Never owned one before so will be starting from zero on this one. My only stipulation is that we get a German Shepherd (my favourite breed) and that we get a puppy and start from scratch with training/obedience etc

So, am hoping there is some expertise out in the mighty SMB that can give me some pointers on:

Where to source and the expected cost? Dog or Bitch?
Equipment and apparatus needed (beds, cages, leads, toys)
On-going and hidden costs (inoculations, spaying/castration, supplements & boosters)
What to feed it (special food stuffs, hints and tips)?
Any recommended books?
Any hidden Easter eggs that the dog manuals don't tell you about?
Am I mad to be doing this when I live in a brand new house?
General advice and tales from personal experience....

Ta

My cousin just received hers from its owner, 10 week old long haired type, my uncle reckoned she's paid £1000 for her.
 
The wife and kids have finally worn me down and I'm prepared to considering thinking about getting a dog

Never owned one before so will be starting from zero on this one. My only stipulation is that we get a German Shepherd (my favourite breed) and that we get a puppy and start from scratch with training/obedience etc

So, am hoping there is some expertise out in the mighty SMB that can give me some pointers on:

Where to source and the expected cost? Dog or Bitch?
Equipment and apparatus needed (beds, cages, leads, toys)
On-going and hidden costs (inoculations, spaying/castration, supplements & boosters)
What to feed it (special food stuffs, hints and tips)?
Any recommended books?
Any hidden Easter eggs that the dog manuals don't tell you about?
Am I mad to be doing this when I live in a brand new house?
General advice and tales from personal experience....

Ta
Just had to have our german sheppard put down. We had her from a pup she was 11
They typically live between 10 & 12 years
When we got her we were advised to get a bitch, they require less exercise (still a good 2 or 3 miles a day) and are less aggressive particularly if you have bairns.
She was great with the kids and a superb guard dog.
The biggest negative is they shread a lot of fur, so make sure you have a decent vacuum cleaner
As they are big and powerful dogs, don't over feed them if they get fat the back end is prone going
So jealous your getting one, good luck
Hate alsatians like, been chomped on by a couple over the years.
There's no bad dogs, only bad owners
 
Just had to have our german sheppard put down. We had her from a pup she was 11
They typically live between 10 & 12 years
When we got her we were advised to get a bitch, they require less exercise (still a good 2 or 3 miles a day) and are less aggressive particularly if you have bairns.
She was great with the kids and a superb guard dog.
The biggest negative is they shread a lot of fur, so make sure you have a decent vacuum cleaner
As they are big and powerful dogs, don't over feed them if they get fat the back end is prone going
So jealous your getting one, good luck

There's no bad dogs, only bad owners
Tbf they were mostly guard dogs.
 
Here's my take.
German shepherds are fantastic dogs and companions, as well as fearless guard dogs. The problem is you get far too little time with them in good health and then you have to toy with the inevitability of being kind to the animal with the needle.

Not to mention moulting and regular grooming.

I wish dogs lived much longer lives without issues.
I've always wanted a German shepherd dog but the longevity and problems they seem to have has always stopped me.

I don't just want a dog for 8 or 9 years of fit and then have to watch it deteriorate in a few more years.
I've toyed with getting another dog ever since my border collie/alsation cross was put to sleep.

If I ever got another dog it would be a rough and ready little terrier or something along those lines.

Oh and close to hypoallergenic.
On the one hand I want a big dog but it would have to be a long living dog that are not prone to bad issues and do not massively shed...but on the other hand I'd like a terrier. Either way I wouldn't want to pay big money.
I'd have a mixed breed type, like a mongrel type.

The type of person I am though, if someone came with a puppy and said it needed a home, I'd home it, no matter what. So although I'm fussy in one way, I'm a sucker in emotion for pets...especially dogs.
I've grown up with gsd, love them to bits but like you say you just don't get long enough with them. I will at some point get a dog for myself but the breeds health issues has put me off. After looking into breeds I'm looking at a rottweiler. My ex has one and she was the loveliest thing ever.
 
I’ve had a few GSD’s, the best dog on the planet imo.

a few pointers...travel far and wide for a puppy. Do not got to some back door breeder in Peter Lee. A bad GSD is just that, bad.
They’re exceptionally intelligent, if they’ve got bad breeding and boredom sets in they’ll ruin your life.
mental stimulation is a massive part for them. Keep them active daily.
Physically, expect them to last about 10yrs. They love exercise but too much too young will literally cripple and kill them. Exercise slowly and progressively giving them the best chance to grow and develop properly. Hip displacia is very common.
They tend to be a one person dog and will protect their herd. Socialise them as much as possible and then socialise them again. They’ve got to know their place otherwise they’ll be boss of the house.
They are fantastic with kids, totally awesome.
Enjoy every second you have with it, the time goes too quickly.

lastly, if you and your lass split up don’t have shared access. It can go horribly wrong. @Wilfy is that the bit you were looking forward to?🤣
Just showed my missus this post, she's in bits, 100% spot on
 
We applied to The Dogs Trust a couple of weeks ago for a 8 week old belgian malinois bitch. We didn’t hear back and so assumed we weren’t successful (we have applied for a few dogs over the past couple of years) and out of the blue my wife got a phone call yesterday to say our application has been successful and we can pick her up on Wednesday.

We were quite shocked and then delighted. Eight weeks old and she’s already hard a tough start, her mother died when she was three weeks old.

Cannot wait to bring her home and start working with her.
 
There’s an old bat who walks one in the park next to mine. The dog is near enough the height of her and she can’t control it at all. Several times I’ve seen it nearly take her off her feet going for other dogs. I’d imagine the dogs fine as most are it’s just her.
 

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