German Shepherds?

What cute puppies. But as a GSD owner, I must warn you that it's not a breed for everyone. I love my GSD, who is a rescue... and I've owned several other GSD's in the past. They're a great breed but like other breeds, they have thier quirks. They're very intelligent, strong and loyal but NEED TRAINING and a job to do. They don't do well with being ignored and can develope behavior problems if they have a chance to get bored. GSD's, like most other breeds are difficult during the puppy stages (which may be why my last two have been acquired during adulthood). They bond well with the family and can become protective. They can be voacl and like to "talk" and some are rather "mouthy" in my experience. If they're left alone with nothing to keep them occupied, they will find something to do... and often it's something you wouldn't want them to do... like practice climbing your fence or destroying your furniture. They are a working breed... and that's what they need to do. Just keep that in mind.
Good luck... but don't let yourself fall in love with the "looks" of a dog, and it not really be best breed for you. Do lots of research and talk to lots of GSD owners before you make a decision. You may want to visit [linkhttp://www.germanshepherds.com]www.germanshepherds.com[/link] and visit the discussion forum for more info and advice.

I actually had fallen in love with the breed not because of their "looks" but because I purchased one for my mom about 2 years ago. Greta was the best dog I have met. She was extremely intelligent, loyal and loving. I know all dogs need training, I have one of the most difficult breeds, Dalmatians. I was comming on here so I could talk to GSD owners. I have discussed it with my mom & have talked about the problems she has had with her GSD in the past and if I could handle those. I dont know any other shepherd owners but here online. I may try to email some breeders and ask them also. I only brought up how cute they were because they are (as are all of the other dogs in the shelter.) I know GSDs arent for everyone & am trying to figure if they are for ME. No breed is "for everyone", just like Dals. I have met few people who I would reccomend getting a dalmatian too, they are also lots of work.
 
I am not an irresponsible person and AM doing my research by comming on here & reading various webpages and asking other owners. Thanks for your advice, I just dont know if I made in clear in my last message or not but I am not picking the dog for their "looks", I just think they ARE cute puppies & they are. I want one because of their intelligance, playfulness, and loyalty. As I said, I fell in love with the breed after I got my mom hers. Thanks
 
 

Although cute,  their condition does not look great.  Check out health and temperment in multiple situations.  A GSD with health and temperment issues is not easy to live with.  Been there, doing that for 12 years now.  He has never hurt anyone, but only because we knew what we had to keep him and other safe.

Mm... I think you took my comments the wrong way. I didn't mean to insinuate that you want the puppy JUST because it's "cute". I was just giving you my opinion and advice. Sorry if I offended you.

They seemed healthy when I saw them last week. You never know though, that is one of the reasons I am hesitant to adopt one I know distemper, parvo, and any other disease imaginable is usually in the kennel. How do you temperment test? The male (that i wanted) was shy at first but warmed up quickly. I know they are really scared being at the shelter. I would guess they had gotten lost somehow and someone is looking for them.
 
Can you please give me some advice as to what to look for in a pup that is about 3 months old? Thank you.
 
 
Sorry, I didnt mean to sound rude but you can't tell someone's tone of voice, sarcasm, exc. over the internet. I did take it the wrong way. I know I was a bit harsh but I didnt want anyone to think I would get a dog only because it was "cute". That is irresponsible & stupid in my opinion. It really annoys me when people tell me they want a Dalmatian because they are "pretty" or "classy looking". It is silly to base what type of dog you want solely on looks, that will just lead to trouble. I didnt want anyone on here thinking I was one of those kind of people. [sm=happy.gif] Sorry!

No problem! I love German Shepherds. My current dog is a rescue. She's an older girl (8-10) and is so sweet. She belonged to a family memeber... long story, i won't go into right now, lol. Anyway, my hubby found her chained out with no food or water, boney and in BAD shape. He talked to her "owner" and he said he'd "look into it" but three days later she was in the same situation, so Hubby loaded her up and brought her home. It was several days, nearly a week, befor ethey realized she was gone. Since then it's been one issue after another.. but it's worth. it.
Do you think there's a chance their owners will come forward and claim them? How horrible to loose a whole litter of pups like that! Just curious.. are their ears standing? How old are they?

What do you want to know? If I can help.

meh-Well congrads on the rescue. I am sure she really appreciates it. It is sad how people can chain their animals up without food or water & think that is okay. That is why I am worried about what kind of homes the pups go to. I live in the south & here the problem with animal overpopulation is great. I am worried that some unscrupulous person is going to adopt the dog to be a "guard dog". Obviously our animal control does not screen, they are all just glad that those animals got out of there alive. I know I could give a shepherd a good home, but I dont know much about the breed. I kind of jumped into Dals without knowing a lot about them and have made some mistakes in raising them (mostly overspoiling my dominant dog who now thinks he owns ME). I plan on doing right by the next dog and spoiling them but making sure they see me as the "alpha" also & respect me.

The pups I would say are about 3 months old (just a guess). Their ears are standing up. The one on the left is still there also. The other one was adopted late Friday afternoon. I dont even know the dog is still going to be there on Tuesday. Some people might have already seen them & might go there first thing. I dont know if all GSDs were like the one who I got for my mom. I will visit the website you listed and again I appologize if I was rude, I just didnt want you all to think that I was going to adopt a dog based on it's looks...

I am just wanting a general personality bio from people who actually own them. What do you all do to keep them busy? I believe they generally get along with other dogs? Do they get along with cats? Are they extremely active? What kind of person should own one? Do any of you do agility, obedience, exc with your GSDs? How do they do off leash? Do they do well in a multi-dog (2 others)/ multi cat (have 3 now) household? (I know these are general questions and of course it will depend on the dog)  Any other things you can say about them I would appreciate also.
 
I would also like to know in general how to tell if a dog at a shelter is healthy. They go straight to the vet after getting adopted but I know that distemper can sometimes not show up for months (had a foster dog who passed due to that), shouldnt parvo be obvious? How can you tell if one is healthy or not? What kind of temperment issues should I look for in a shelter dog? (I have only ever had dogs that wondered onto my mom's property or who "needed a home or they will get taken to the shelter", I have only adopted a couple animals in my life from the shelter and all have been cats. I have had many shelter dog fosters though, but none were young, young pups.)
 
Thanks!!

Well I have four gsd's did have six but two of them found wonderful homes.

What do you all do to keep them busy?

I have two that I have to keep busy or they would be bouncing of the walls. For my two I give them raw shank bones and kongs filled with dog goodies. Thats if there is no training and can't go outside. For my other two that are much more layed back then the other two are. I give them raw shank bones and rawhide bones and I'll also play hide and seek games with them. For outside games I play fetch with them and I do training also. You also can get chew toys to help keep busy. I also play tug with them also.

I believe they generally get along with other dogs?

Sometimes they do. That is when training comes into play.

Do they get along with cats?

I have one that doesn't like cats so I have to keep her away from my cat. My other shepherds don't have a problem with cats. It depends on the dog and how well it is socialized with other animals.

Are they extremely active?

Some shepherds are I have three (one is half working breed)  working breed shepherd and the are very active. And again it depends on the dog.

What kind of person should own one?

It depends on your life style. If you have enough time to train the dog to be well socialized and have manners. And to be there for the dog not just stike in the back yard and leave it there for the rest of its life. Which I'm not say you would do that.

Do any of you do agility, obedience, exc with your GSDs?

I do herding, schutzhund, and I've start doing a little bit of agility also.

How do they do off leash?

If trained right they are great off leash.

Do they do well in a multi-dog (2 others)/ multi cat (have 3 now) household?

It all comes down to the dog and the temperament of the dog. Since we are talking about a puppy you should have no problems since the puppy well be raised up with the cats.

I would also like to know in general how to tell if a dog at a shelter is healthy.

Look at they gums, inside of their lips, tongues, inside the eyelids these areas should be really pink. Their ears shouldn't be durty and smelly. Their eyes should be clear and bright.

I hope this helps some.
 
I forgot to add you can use this puppy aptitude test.
[linkhttp://www.volhard.com/puppy/pat.htm]http://www.volhard.com/puppy/pat.htm[/link]

OK as to temperment testing.  This actually done best at 7 weeks in a neutral location by an experienced tester.  In this case, it would be best done by someone experienced as well.  Some one who works in a breed rescue for herding or working breeds would be helpful.  Some of the tasks can be found in temperment tasks on the web.  I like Volhards.  Some of the activities may not be appropriate (I would not attempt to roll the puppy, especially in the shelter setting).  However, the noise tests, tug tests, follow tests, and possibly the toe test (by an experienced person) may give you some insights.  I would also try to get the dog as far from the shelter as possible (perimeter fencing away from the sight of other dogs).  I would also look for a GOOD social older dog.  One that belongs to an obedience instructor could be an option. 

As to personality, they run the gammet from shrinking violets to tanks.  They can be Napoleon, the perfect gunnery sargent, the neurotic nelly (that is my dog).

They can be a health mess.  Baylor has an autoimmune disorder (the lupus like condition that results in shed/lost toenails.  He has a displastic hip.  He had spina bifida and at 7 months had major surgery (lumbarectomy) which really was the finishing blow to an already questionable temperment.

Fearful or anxious GSD often feel they have to control everything.  Baylor would SCREAM if someone held him and I walked away.  This occurred on every walk we took him on following the surgery.  He would bark and bounce and lunge at people who would walk up to me.  This was all fear based.  We did extensive training and constant management.  He never managed to hurt himself or anyone else.  But he has not been easy with respect to temperment nor reasonable with respect to expense.  My vet often comments that had Baylor lived with anyone else he would have been euthanized long long ago.

I have met other GSDs.  I had a great "accidental breeding" dog in a puppy class a few years ago.  Amazing animal.  Seemed wonderfully structured, temperment to die for and drive of a working dog.  Luckily he as in a family that can and did provide adequate structure, exercise and training.  I would have bought a Major in a heartbeat.  Then there was the guy with the bitch who could not get close to without her barking, bouncing and straining at the leash.  Her owner was not able to read her behavior and insisted she wanted to play.  Nope sorry not even.  She wanted control and was prepared to use aggression to back it up.

A good gsd is a heavy shedding machine.  The dog is very alert to everything in the environment and is not at rest until its "flock" is together and monitored.  They respond wonderfully to clear leadership and training.  If they trust you to know what to do and when to do it, they are wonderful.  If they dont believe that of you, they will step up and take care of it.  Likely a problem that trait, if you are not ready for it.  They can be spooky smart, learning things though observation.  A good one has absolute discretion, ready to die to protect you from a raging drunk but quiet and low key when accidently stepped on by a child or someone else.

I gave up on the breed due to the health problems and the number of bad ones I see.  But a good one, that is really hard to beat.

GSD's are absolutely wonderful dogs, but they are not for everyone.  As has been said, they MUST have a job.  Mine blow coat twice a year, but spring is dreadful.  SOMEONE on this board, who used to call me "old wise one" is now calling me "furry old wise one" for a reason!  Regular brushing is always important with a shepherd, but during spring shed, it's almost impossible to keep everything free of fur.  Now me, I just fish the fur out of my coffee and go on, but some people *might* be bothered by that! []  So that is a factor to keep in mind.  Of course, I have 6 too.
 
My boys are far easier going than my one female.  Sheba is a lamb....she's loving, gentle and wonderful if it's just us. She's great with the other dogs.   BUT, she is fearful and reactive and we have to work very hard with her to keep her managed.  She took some pretty good emotional abuse when we were camping from a jerk in the next campsite when she was in a fear stage (which stupid me didn't know about then) and I have to really, really manage her in public.  Sheba is NOT a dog I'd wish on just anyone....Mic or Anne maybe, but I say that because she is a LOT of work because of her issues.  My boys will bark and posture, but they will OBEY when I tell them quiet or enough, but Sheba runs her own gammet based on her fears, and Moms voice sometimes doesn't penetrate when she's worked herself into a tizzy.  She's getting better, marginally, but it feels like trying to move a piano up a mountain sometimes because managing her behaviors is THAT much work.  Again, tho, if it's JUST us, she's wonderful.  But when my oldest son came home for Thanksgiving, she wasn't a happy camper.
 
As far as temperment testing, you've already gotten some good ideas.  But even the most wonderful temperment gsd needs a TON of training, so consider that before you make a commitment.  My crew are all a bit wild right now because I've been busy as a one armed paper hanger with the move and I haven't had the time to give them their little daily one on one training sessions.  It shows.  Big time.
 
IME, gsds always wanna be right under your feet, or in your lap or on top of you in some way shape or form so that's something to think about as well.
 
They sure are little cuties tho......gosh its hard to say NO!!

You've gotten some great advice and good ideas... let us know how it goes and if you get your pup!

Hi! I am in love with german shepherds, but again with what everyone else has been saying, they're not for everyone. Mine is about 1.5 years old and 95 lbs. He constantly has to do something entertaining. I either walk him a few miles or take him to the dog park every day that it's not raining. He also will not let me study unless he has a rawhide or something to keep him quiet. He has a lot of energy! He's not too friendly, but he's not mean. He just ignores most people...unless they come near the house...then he gets protective. He gets along GREAT with other dogs, besides playing too rough. I have a 6 month old rhodesian ridgeback, who is his best friend. Mine does great off leash most of the time. He'll sometimes run off after another dog, but if i call him generally he'll come back to me. I think an experienced dog person, who knows how to handle a large dog and has the time to work with a dog should own a GSD.

Hi, I have a GSD pup who I bought from a breeder.  In my personal experience, they need a LOT of socializing.  They can get very protective of their family, so it's important to bring them everywhere you go, and meet lots of people.  My pup also has the bad habit of chasing cars, which we're slowly training him out of.  With a dog this big, it takes hard work to keep them under control, both mentally and physically. 

GSD puppies, like most puppies, LOVE to chew.  Provide him with lots of toys and hides so he doesn't destroy your whole house!

GSD's are also prone to hip dysplasia.  I think you can have the vet take an x-ray and examine if your dog has it, or is this only for adult dogs? As for general health, check to make sure his eyes and nose are clear.  Check his abdomen area to make sure it's relatively clean.  And don't forget to clean his ears as well!

As for getting along with other dogs, mine gets along fine with our Pomeranian.  Even when the puppy grew to be 3 times the size of the pom, he would still show signs of submission to the pom.  He's also very gentle around other small dogs.  I'm not sure if this is a result of living with a pom or if that's just his nature.  But he would never show signs of aggression to small dogs even if they're barking or growling at him.

I hope this helped, please keep us updated on your decision!