Thinking Of Getting A Black German Shepherd

[nukeonekitty]

I saw an all black german sheperd and KNEW I had to have one... I found a breeder that is selling show quality males near by and it is soooooo tempting to go buy one... I think my parents would kick me out of the house for sure...

 

[snowyangel]

I've heard of several bad behavioural problems(since volunteering with multiple animal rescues) with german shepards but really it could happen with any dog, so it's all based on a dogs history and past. It wouldn't be fair to say all german shepards are aggressive when there's some that are not.

 

[t1tanrush]

My father's mom bred GS's. I've heard nothing but positive about them. I have a white german shepard mix. IMO, GS's are one of the most, if not the most loyal dogs around. My dad told me a story about when he was a kid, he was in a stroller out for a walk with his mom and their GS. A doberman jumped the fence and came at him in his stroller. The GS stepped forward, ripped the doberman's throat out, and went back and sat next to his mom. Dedication

 

[KathyM]

GSDs are absolutely cracking dogs but are prone to behavioural problems without proper mental and physical stmulation and exceptional socialisation.

If you're dead set on having one, research them more and get your parents on side - someone will need to take the pup to training/socialisation classes, and someone will need to commit to the hard work and exercise. They're a working breed and that commitment is a big one.

I don't think a decent breeder would sell you one without your family on side and a lot more research.

 

[grahamsokel]

I have to agree they are fantastic dogs if you get a well bred pup from a good breeder.
I would suggest finding a breeder and having a chat with them,they may even let you meet their Dogs
You would definatly have to take one to training classes as an untrained shepherd can become a problem as can any dog.

You really do need to get your Parents on side to even consider buying one.
We insist on meeting the whole family in a household that is hopeing to get a pup from us

 

[catxx]

my godmother has had german shepherds since i before i was born!
the one they had when i was toddler was an angel, and between me and my little brother and my godmother's two sons, this poor old dog had 4 toddlers hanging off her! complete big softey! would let us climb all over her, pull her ears, pester her. wasn't bothered at all!

when she passed away they got another, who scared me a little as i was only 6 and the dog was young and loved to chase you around the garden.

they now have an ex-police dog that has to be confined when visitors are in the house.

as long as they're trained well from the start, well socialised, and kept stimulated they're great dogs. i'm a little intimidated by them these days though. i blame it on the one that used to chase me and nip at my ankles. and one that another friend had that was horrid! he was BIG dog, i was only 14 or so, he was full grown, would still try and play bite, and would pin you into a corner to do so, he also liked to hump...been intimidated by german shepherds ever since!

 

[fenwoman]

, this poor old dog had 4 toddlers hanging off her! complete big softey! would let us climb all over her, pull her ears, pester her. wasn't bothered at all!

And this is a prime example of why dogs end up biting children.
I get really annoyed when people boast about how much abuse from children, their dog is made to accept. This is totally unacceptable and one of the reasons many rescues are very wary of rehoming dogs to people with small children . To expect any dog to submit to being climbed on, having ears pulled and pester it is simply not right at all. The one day the poor dog feels unwell and is not allowed to get peace, or gets a finger poked in an eye or hurt, then turns and growls or snaps at it's tormenters, is the day the dog gets labelled savage and put to sleep, when the real fault lay with parents who didn't teach their children to respect the animal and allowed them to torment it.

When I bred, I would not allow my pups to go to people with kids under 6 years old, and then only after metting them all and seeing how the kids and parents acted with my dogs. Any sign of them not respecting the animal as a living creature and they went off with no pup.
Kids should not be allowed to sit on dogs, nor pull them about, any more than they should be allowed to bang on fish tanks to watch the fish jump away scared.

 

[LisaLQ]

Yeah it's behaviour like that that ruins the chances of young families even being considered for getting a dog. Blanket bans on people with kids under *insert age here* are purely there because some owners dont know how to control their kids - it's not fair on the rest of us who do know how to.

My kids dont hang off the dog, pull on the dog, tease the dog, they dont feed the dog, they dont walk her, or go near her when sleeping/eating, they dont play (ie in the garden with a ball or toy) with the dog unless they ask and an adult is there joining in (and Sky wants to of course) - and even then that's only my older two (9 and 11). They are never left alone together, either. It might sound boring or overprotective to some people - but think of it this way - we wouldn't want kids climbing on us all the time even if we were tired or sore, we wouldn't want people taking our food/toys off us, we wouldn't want kids bouncing on our bed waking us up, or sitting on our backs and making us carry them round. We'd get fed up. Difference being - we can tell them to stop - a dog cant. Well, it can, but that would be by a quick snap - or worse.

Luckily for us, we found a rescue willing to let us have a dog with kids - but it was hard to find someone willing to even give us the time of day - purely because some people think it's ok for their kids to hang off dogs and harrass them. One day, even if they're tolerant to begin with, the dog will get sick of it - or when it gets old and arthritic/sore, it just takes one time - and a kid could be seriously hurt. And the dog too! That's why you must teach kids right from the start that these things aren't acceptable.

Sky wouldn't stand for it - no doubt in my mind if my kids did that to her, she'd snap (not connect - but certainly a warning). Any dog would. That's why I've never let them from day one. If I can teach my triplet toddlers to behave round dogs (and believe me, it's hard to teach them to behave round anything!), then anyone can. You hear too often "kids will be kids", and tbh it makes me mad - because if I can control 5 of the little sods (I mean that in a loving way of course lol) when I've got mobility issues, then it's just sheer laziness if someone cant do it with their one or two. And if for some reason they truly cant control them, they shouldn't be considering a dog (or cat, or other pet the kids could get hold of).

My eldest two were 2 and 4 when we adopted Sky - yet if we'd have gone to any other rescue, we'd have been turned away without even a chance. It's not fair, when there are some of us who know how to teach their kids not to cross the line.

 

[Arimus]

The biggest problem GSD's these days is that too many aren't bred by people who care about the breed or even the poor dogs themselves. A well bred GSD who is brought up well and kept amused (they're inteligent dogs so don't let them get bored) and well trained will be a pleasure to own and be around.


And as a puppy they're one of the cutest dogs with their big ears and even bigger paws, as puppy nothing fits with anything else

 

[LisaLQ]

Ps. Just back on topic sorry (got carried away there) - if your heart is set on a GSD, really research them, get in touch with the breed clubs and find the name of the best breeder you can find. Its worth paying the extra money for a well bred pup - most breeders (good or bad) will tell you their pups are show quality, but that doesnt mean anything - what is most important is health and temperament. It's all very well having a nice looking dog, but if it bites you or dies of cancer - you'll have wasted a lot of money and paid the way for the breeder to make even more unhealthy or unsound pups. Dont get one out of the free ads, that's backyard breeder heaven in there. Always check for the relevent health testing (again - this is where research comes in handy - so you know what you need to ask and look for in a good breeder). But honestly, go for the best breeder you can find - even if it means going on a long waiting list. It's even more important with big powerful and intelligent dogs, as not only are there many health issues that go hand in hand with big breeds, but you really need to be sure you're going to get a dog with a good temperament - otherwise that big powerful active dog is going to be a big powerful active aggressive dog. GSDs are not suitable for a beginner to dog owning - they are very intelligent, very active, and very strong - and unless you're prepared to go to regular training classes, give them plenty of exercise and things - you're going to end up with a bored destructive dog.

But most of all, before you even think of getting in touch with a breeder - respect your parents views. If they dont want a dog, it's probably for a reason - try talking it through with them and hearing their side of things. Worst comes to the worst - there's no harm in hanging on til you're an adult and moved out - if you really want something that badly, you can wait? Never go against your parents wishes, and dont harrass them into getting you one either - as like I said, there may be a good reason (not enough time for a pet, maybe they're both working full time and cant provide some sort of day care/dog walker, not enough money to pay vets bills, maybe they dont think you're ready for the commitment - especially to a specific breed that needs constant training and exercise etc) and if so - and you go ahead or talk them into something they know isn't right - that dog could end up needing a new home

 

[Breeze7050]

Listen to everyone's advice thus far. Although I think some people are being a little harsh about dogs and kids. GSD are highly overbred which leads to behavior problems, health problems, joint problems, ect, ect, ect....
You need to thouroughly socialize your GSD with people of all ages, sizes, colors, outfits, ect. Same as with other dogs. My GSD was not socialized as well as she could have been with other dogs and now can't be around any. This socialization needs to start immediately. Take her to a puppy class at your local petsmart/petco/kennel ect and keep up with this classes. A well trained dog is a good dog. And while GSD's are one of the most loyal dogs, they are a bit stubborn and will try to walk all over you!! You have to let them know who is boss.
Get your parents on board before bringing home a dog that will be 80+ pounds!
I made the mistake you are thinking of - brought the GSD home without talking to them about it. BOY, were they on FIRE.... for weeks! My mom had never grown attached to her, but my dad eventually did. Just remember you are probably at an age where you are going out and about, taking trip, possibly going to college ect --- what will happen to the dog then? Who will take care if it when you are gone all day? when you go out of town, ect...
Are you able to pay for the several rounds of vaccines needed, spaying/neutering, dog license, food, treats ect... it adds up and quickly. Not trying to turn you away, just stating the facts. Maybe it's better to wait until you are a little older and a little more settled.

 

[nukeonekitty]

I have talked to my parents about it and they actually have said they would help me out with it. They just want me to get settled in the new house and save some money for the vet and such. I am doing TONS of research because I want a show quality male. I have located another breeder near by selling trained 1 year old pups for 2000 bucks. I guess they were dogs that failed there test to get into the K9 unit??? They just don't have the wonderful sense of smell I guess.

 

[dulce]

WE have a GS who is a lovely boy - 10 yrs old and ha the sweetest temperment, deffo get it into proper training classes, its a big dog and they need to be controlled when they get excited !! Ours was trained for 18 months and is so clever, he has these 'want to please' eyes !! great dog if raised properly and kept entertained!!

 

[grahamsokel]

I think if your wanting a show quality pup to show you would be better going for a pup rather than a 1yr old dog.I did obediance with my Dalmatian and i also tried to show her later but she couldnt get the hang of not sitting down as soon as i stopped in the show ring

Good luck on your search for the ideal companion

 

[nukeonekitty]

I am not necessarily going to show the dog, I just want a perfect definition of the breed itself.