Going further, GSD

Just great, lovely ... you've got a chorus announcing your bathroom visit, only to be punctuated by the flush.

My boy makes a great companion in the car! He rides in the car with me every single day of his life! He went to an auto auction in Reno, Nevada 3 days after I got him at 7 1/2 weeks old. He has been all over the place and is not scared of anything. I think it is absolutely crucial that they be exposed to as many things as possible during the first few months. Socialization is mandatory! Also, I like having a Shepherd with me in the car because I feel safer. The whole "police dog" intimidation factor works for me!

Man Glenda, we're just getting our signals crossed xD  I didn't think you were taking it as a personal attack, but your post made me understand that my post wasn't very clear, so I posted again to try and explain what I meant.
 
 
.....did that make any sense at all?

Socialization is mandatory! Also, I like having a Shepherd with me in the car because I feel safer. The whole "police dog" intimidation factor works for me!

 
I understand, Madi and I go everywhere in our car together.  We have traveled so many locations throughout the US.  Come to think of it, more then with my hubby. [8D] Most recently we moved from Chicago to Vegas.  Madi and I made the three day trip together.  Hubby moved out her before us. I will never forget her face when she saw the mountains for the first time.[8|]  I always feel more safe with her, but it sure makes the potty breaks a little harder.  If we could only take them into the rest stop with us!

[linkhttp://www.wildhauskennels.com/]http://www.wildhauskennels.com/[/link]
 
[linkhttp://www.nwk9.com/type_comparison.htm]http://www.nwk9.com/type_comparison.htm[/link]
 
I have owned and trained GSD`s for my whole life but have had only one female and she is my last. She is the best dog but too intense and independent. Males are so much easier to handle. Shop carefully cause you don`t have to break the bank, Get to know your breeder. You can find quality dogs from titled parents as low as 600-800 bucks but you need to know what lines your looking for and you need to be matched to the pup.

Growing up I've had two GSDs first didn't make it past a year, one of my neighbors workers ran over it with his work truck.  She was from a breeder and my mom paid good money for her, a GSD was my moms dream dog.  It was a shock when we opend the door to find the dog place in a box on our doorstep.  Feeling bad about it the worker bought my mom a new GSD, nothing close to a full breed because it had some white GSD mixed in with German, came from a "mistake" breeding and had a lot of white to it's color.  That dog turned out to be the best family pet that ever set foot on my parents land. 

We named him Grunter because he would grunt a lot.  Great dog but died a few years to short due to heartworm.  My Brother and Sister where very young then but he would guard them from everything.  A stranger would come over and he would not let the stranger touch my siblings, yet he was extemly gental not to hurt my siblings.
We never had any solicitors drive down our road, as soon as they saw the dog they turned around.  I really do miss him, would love to have anouther white GSD.

My first dog was a GSD cross.  First as the dog I had as an adult.  She was amazing.  Loyal, loving, sweet, Velcro, shedded like a maniac.  DH picked her out but she picked me to be her person.  She loved cats.  She was well socialized & loved everyone.  There were some annual parties that actually had her on the invitations.  She wasn't vocal.
I'm currently watching a young GSD pup.  She is so funny.  She's very vocal with all kinds of barks, whines & grumbles.  She just cracks me up with her vocalizations.  She's incredibly smart & is already giving me that look of "you're such a dork".

Just joined this forum and saw your question about GSD.  I adopted a german shepherd two years ago from a GSD rescue group and I have to say it was the best move I ever made. I also never owned a GSD but after spending a month with a friend who had one, I fell in love.  I wanted an older dog and got one who was 7 at the time.  She is an angel.  I would highly recommend that you check for a GSD rescue group in your area and apply for an adoption application.  They are the most loving, gentle, protective and entertaining dogs.  I don't know what we ever did without her in our life.  I've attached a picture for you to see my Lizzie.

Well, now I know why even with a Dyson I'm up to my knees in dog hair! Max, I believe, is half GSD.  He must have inherited the *shedding* half. []

Joyce

Welcome, she's a beautiful girl!  I agree about the rescue, we looked for a while, but couldn't match a dog at our shelter.  We found Peanut, a GSD/Rott mix at our local HS.  This year we got a GSD from a friend who found him w/ a cable embedded in his neck.  She has too many, so we gave him a forever home.  LOVE them both! 

I live in Kentucky but I am from Illinois and my GSD was bred and bought in Wisconsin, if you serious and really considering one, these good people have great advice.
 
I see your from Wisconsin so these are for you:
 
[linkhttp://www.bgsr.org/]http://www.bgsr.org/[/link]
[linkhttp://www.petfinder.com]www.petfinder.com[/link]
 
on pet finder put in your choices and give it a go, also know that you can search shelters and rescue groups in or near your area.
 
Good luck!
Tru

Wait, I just read all these posts...and I have to say your an amazing crew! It is so nice to find people who understand. The other day I was outside brushing her and having a discussion and my husband came up and said anyone walking near would think I was talking to another person.
 
On the issue of bonding, yes they pick "thier" people, after I married my dog was commonly referred to as " the other woman", she will follow me around the house (bathroom door? whats that?), around the yard, and basically does act like velcro. But if he is laying on the bed reading, she is right by his side, I only draw the line at slobbering on my pillows, and thats if I can catch her at it.
 
And I would strongly recommend a bagless vaccum.
 
Tru

Everyone else has pretty much covered your post, but I owned three German shepherds at one time and they are fantastic dogs, but they are a lot of work. If you get a purebred you should take their hips into consideration. A lot of them develop terrible trouble with their hips. My last shepherd was a cute little guy named Rufus and he was my best friend for 8 years until he developed lymphoma and I had to put him to sleep. [] I still miss him every day and he died 14 years ago. If you have the time for them and are willing to work with them and more importantly understand and respect them he will be your best friend. My Rufus was a sweet and loving dog, but he needed his space. He hated being in the house, even though he was allowed in if he wanted. He preferred marching around the property on guard duty and he was very territorial. If anyone entered the yard without me they were grass. And just like everyone else said SHEDDING! I spent half my time grooming poor Ru-Ru. He also had this strange habit of burying everything I owned. I think that was just him though. None of my other shepherds did it. They would dig frantically, but no burying. Rufus though buried everything. I consider them the perfect dog, but they're not for everyone and should not be gotten without much thinking.
Please read some good books about shepherds or even start buying the German Shepherd Magazine they sell at the petstores. Contact a rescue or someone you know who owns a shepherd and question them and hang out with the dogs. Most rescues would be delighted to educate you about the personalilties and needs of the breed and let you meet their dogs.
 
Christina