Liesje
Posted : 7/3/2009 4:15:37 PM
Sharon, based on your posts and threads about Ari and her puppyhood, I think you are quite well prepared for a GSD! I cannot speak to Dobes, never had one, but Nikon is a high drive, high energy GSD (TD says he is just as good as any working line/working bred GSD) and I don't think his puppyhood has been half bad compared to Ari. So I would certainly not expect any worse from a GSD, as far as the energy, hyper activity, the nipping and mouthing, barking, etc. You may get sort of the same thing (one of the pups in Nikon's litter was much like that and was returned) but as far as the early puppyhood stage I think you are pretty well prepared.
Since I've not owned anything but GSDs I can't really compare to retrievers other than what I know of retrievers based on family. I don't know if Ari fits, but the retrievers owned by the people I know can "work" (like retrieving for real, or even just retrieving in play) with as much drive and intensity as my GSDs but when not working they mellow out and settle a bit more, mostly as far as being social and sensitive to the environment. Now I'm not saying my dogs are high strung all the time, but from what I see they are more alert/sensitive to the environment, more keen on where I am and what I'm doing, and less interested in interacting with other dogs and people. At least for a GSD, early socialization and acclimation to a wide variety of environments is really important if you want a well-rounded sound-headed dog. Yes, genetics sort of create a limit at both ends of the temperament and soundness spectrum, but it's up to you to bring out the best in that dog. Also, being GSDs I often feel that my dogs are held to a higher standard, or maybe that's just me, because of their reputation so I have to have complete control at all times and they have to be extremely well-mannered and behaved in public.
GSDs tend to form very strong bonds with just one or two people, so do not be surprised if you ended up with a dog that is totally aloof to strangers (NOT afraid, just indifferent) and not really interested on being a "dog park" dog that loves to play with other dogs. My GSDs are quite bonded with each other and Coke and the three of them make a great pack with some fun dynamics, but they are not interested in other dogs. Kenya is pretty aloof, she might play with some but usually just doesn't care, but Nikon can be quite abrasive, especially in his adolescent, intact, I-have-something-to-prove stage right now.
GSDs are such an imensely popular breed there is a huge range of temperament and drive as well as their health and health problems. Really the key is finding a reputable rescue that has what you need, or a really good breeder. If I were you, I might actually be more inclined to start with a dog from a good breeder since rescues often have limited information about the dog and sometimes haven't fostered the dog long enough to really give you a clear picture of its temperament. A good breeder needs to know their dogs inside and out and be able to match YOU with the dog that is right for YOU.
As far as training, unless you are training for something specifically I don't think it would be any different. Even Nikon who is a Schutzhund dog had all his foundation using positive training, drive building, making him feel like he's the $***, so to speak. Just this month some compulsion has been introduced but because of the type of dog he is and how his foundation work was done, it's not going to shut him down in any way. In general, I'd say train using positive methods and at home use a lot of NILIF.