German Shepherd Ownership

I have never had a German shepherd but I think they are beautiful elegant dogs.

Do some research on rear hip issues please and the very best of luck in your search
 


We've had two Shepherds - both rescue dogs. The second one is pictured on the left.

Both were bitches and were the most gentle, loving creatures you could imagine. They were superb with our kids and are super-loyal to their family (their 'pack').

Our first one lasted for around thirteen years (the kennels weren't sure of her age when we got her as she'd been picked up as a stray), the one in the picture lasted only nine years before an inoperable growth that blocked her airways when she was lying down, stopping her from breathing, meant we had to lose her.

It almost broke me, but I would have another one in a heartbeat - best dogs I've ever owned.
 
Jap Stammer said:
We've had two Shepherds - both rescue dogs. The second one is pictured on the left.

Both were bitches and were the most gentle, loving creatures you could imagine. They were superb with our kids and are super-loyal to their family (their 'pack').

Our first one lasted for around thirteen years (the kennels weren't sure of her age when we got her as she'd been picked up as a stray), the one in the picture lasted only nine years before an inoperable growth that blocked her airways when she was lying down, stopping her from breathing, meant we had to lose her.

It almost broke me, but I would have another one in a heartbeat - best dogs I've ever owned.
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The dog (bitch) in your avatar looks fabulous - really alert and on point - do you think you will get another?
 
Big Jeff said:
The dog (bitch) in your avatar looks fabulous - really alert and on point - do you think you will get another?
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She was a beautiful animal - we got her from a local organisation who specialised in rescuing German breeds. In that photo she'd just spotted our youngest lad on the cricket field where we were watching one Saturday morning.

She'd originally been bought as a pup by a family as company for their wheelchair-bound mother. Obviously, the bigger she got, the less able the poor woman was able to take care of her so she ended up at the rescue kennels, then with us.

I honestly think that rescue dogs know they're getting a second chance and do their utmost to fit in - like I say, she was our second and both were identical in nature.

I would have another one tomorrow (my parents had them while I was growing up, so I love them to bits), but my missus, while loving the dogs and their nature, hated the amount of hair they used to shed. We now have a Cockerpoo - another rescue dog (he'd been a stud dog who'd outlived his usefulness by the age of one and had been locked in a shed) - so it'll be a good few years before we're looking again.

I live in hope.
 
Jap Stammer said:
We've had two Shepherds - both rescue dogs. The second one is pictured on the left.

Both were bitches and were the most gentle, loving creatures you could imagine. They were superb with our kids and are super-loyal to their family (their 'pack').

Our first one lasted for around thirteen years (the kennels weren't sure of her age when we got her as she'd been picked up as a stray), the one in the picture lasted only nine years before an inoperable growth that blocked her airways when she was lying down, stopping her from breathing, meant we had to lose her.

It almost broke me, but I would have another one in a heartbeat - best dogs I've ever owned.
Click to expand...
I have a soft spot for that breed like. I grew up with a German Shepherd mongrel as a bairn and when she was gone in the early 2000's think she's a big factor in why I'm not really interested in having a dog now. that and all the shite you need to clean up ;)

Funny how our attitudes are different about having another dog :lol:
 
Unfortunately it didn’t work out as planned for us. Something didn’t feel right with her, we didn’t feel we had a bond with her. So we made the difficult choice to take her back to The Dogs Trust the next day, rather than letting her stay with us too long. Fair play to them they were brilliant with us and very understanding.

If it had been in normal circumstances they would have let us spend an hour with her at The Dogs Trust to see if we suited one another, but because of COVID it’s basically pass the dog onto you and best wishes.

She was a lovely sweet girl, but just not the breed for us. The good thing is they already had somebody else lined up.

We had a good laugh though, my wife slept downstairs with her that night and only whined once. I got up at around 5.30am to check on them I popped my head through the door without putting the light on and she (the dog) started growling at me, trying to protect my wife :lol:
 
Albay3037 said:
Unfortunately it didn’t work out as planned for us. Something didn’t feel right with her, we didn’t feel we had a bond with her. So we made the difficult choice to take her back to The Dogs Trust the next day, rather than letting her stay with us too long. Fair play to them they were brilliant with us and very understanding.

If it had been in normal circumstances they would have let us spend an hour with her at The Dogs Trust to see if we suited one another, but because of COVID it’s basically pass the dog onto you and best wishes.

She was a lovely sweet girl, but just not the breed for us. The good thing is they already had somebody else lined up.

We had a good laugh though, my wife slept downstairs with her that night and only whined once. I got up at around 5.30am to check on them I popped my head through the door without putting the light on and she (the dog) started growling at me, trying to protect my wife :lol:
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your first dog?
 

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