Hello

I know that this post might be a bit unsual due to the fact that everone who'd come to post here is assumed to have already gotten their GSD's.

I still don't own one, and I've never owned a dog before. However, I have researched what breed would fit my life style best (for over a year now). It has always changed between Norwegian Elkhounds and GSD's, and then I decided that Norwegian Elkhounds were an unecessary risk due to their high prey-drive, which would not work well when you have 2 cats.

I have asked these 2 so many times, and so far, I haven't recieved any satisfying or conclusive answers:

1. Is it a bad idea to have a German Shepherd as your first dog? knowing that I have a very active life-style, and do already enjoy a lot of physical activities that I think a German Shepherd would enjoy too. I personally think that a cute dog that you own just to pat defies my purpose for getting a dog. The cats already fill the gap a 'cuddle dog' is supposed to fill. I'm not suggesting that German Shepherds don't deserve to be treated with affection too, but I simply am saying that I look for much more in a dog than just a dog that greets me whenever I get home. I'm looking for a dog that enjoys long hours of outdoor physical activities, and the result of my research led me to the conclusion that German Shepherds might be just what I'm looking for. Still, do you think this is too much of a challange for a first time dog owner?

2. Considering that I'm getting the dog as a puppy, and with the knowledge that I ruled out Norwegian Elkhounds for the sake of my cats, Do you think a GSD and cats is a bad idea? Would I have to worry all the time about my cats being alone with the dog when he gets bigger? Is the breed known for getting along with cats? or does its instinct/drive rule it out as a cat friendly dog (even when raised with the cats as a puppy)?

Please help, I took a lot of time researching this, and I had many answers ranging from "I leave my GSD with my child alone and i never had to worry" to " my dog has always loved my cats, but one day I came back home and he killed them, when I told him to "drop it" he did instantly, but it was already too late - i.e. not a trainning issue".

As much as I am fund of the breed, I would never forgive myself if anything happened to the cats due to a selfish choice I made so I could satisfy my "needs" that they didn't satisfy.

I don't want to be negative or scared, but I also want to be realistic and considerate. Can you guys help?

Thank you

Welcome to you!
It is nice when people ask questions before they jump into dog ownership.
Saves solving problems in the future.
For a first dog, a GSD is a wonderful companion, there are different lines and temperaments, though so you should research that and find out which would best fit your lifestyle.
Showlines are most common. The black and tan saddleback are the showlines.
Black or sable generally are working line.
Working lines tend to be a bit more intense and should be with a very active household. Though they both are NOT couch potatoes.
What are your goals for owning a dog, do you plan on doing any sportwork or agility? They excel in both and are extremely intelligent, so working the mind as well as body is important.
Training classes are essential in having a healthy mind and bonding with your dog begins with obedience training. It is a confidence booster for both handler and pup when you set goals and achieve them.
As far as cats go, most do well with cats as long as they are introduced and supervised properly from the get-go.
My cats tend to run/hide from my dogs, but have never been injured by them. They don't laze around the house anymore, but stay up in the bedroom area. It depends on the cat/some are so cool and much like a dog, dogs don't faze/intimidate them. Mine aren't that way, unfortunately...

One thing you may want to think about is fostering a dog for a bit to see if your lifestyle will fit owning one.
Don't rule out a rescue older puppy or adult, they have already been temperament tested and vetted.

This link is what to look for in a good, reputable breeder, and I would research that aspect if you are planning on going with a breeder.
http://www.wildhauskennels.com/breeder.htm
^^This site has alot of info on it, so dig a bit deeper and you'll learn lots just by reading.
Take your time and do research before you decide on the companion that will give you a decade of love and affection, it will be worth it in the long run!

looks, versatility and trainability. that's why i love GSD's.
i think a GSD can be a wonderfull dog for a first
time dog owner. through training, socializing and spending
time with your dog your dog will be the dog you want.

i've had chickens, cats, parrots, rabbits, turtles,
young children, fish, (and i'm sure i'm forgetting
something) all living together and there was
never any negative incident.

the dog i have now is a well trained, highly
socialized snuggle bear. my dog retreives
the mail from the mail person and brings
it to us. when we're on the trails he doesn't
react to other dogs, people or horses. if
i say "ok" he'll approach other dogs and people.

good luck with your new pup. training, socializing and spending
time with a dog is essential to having a well rounded dog.
make sure you use a reputable breeder.

Just want to say hi and welcome to the board.

We always had a dog when I was growing up. All of the ones we had were mutts of indeterminate origins. My parents believed (and still do) that dogs belong outside, don't need any attention and they never took them for any kind of training. Surprisingly, they ended up being great dogs with all of us kids and our friends. As I got older, I disagreed with their idea of pet "ownership" and vowed that if I was ever to get a dog when I was on my own, it would be a member of my family, not a pet.

In my teens, I fell in love with GSDs. We never had one, but I loved their temperment, intelligence, trainability and looks. When I convinced my DH (live in boyfriend at the time) to get a dog, we got a GSD. I believe that GSDs are a great choice for a first time dog owner. My DH had never had a dog while growing up and he was surprised at how "easy" our pup was. Don't get me wrong, there was a LOT of time invested in making our girl the great GSD that she was, but looking back, we had an easier time with her than I've seen other people have with other breeds. I never regretted the decision to get a GSD as our first dog and when we recently decided to get another one, GSDs were the only breed we looked at. Even with the constant hounding of one of our friends to get one from their recently born litter of labs.

As for getting along with cats, our GSD, Jasmine, was four years old when we decided to rescue a kitten that was hours away from being drowned because the owners couldn't find homes for the entire litter. We weren't sure how that was going to go as our dog LOVED to chase any cat she saw. I think it all comes down to how you introduce them to each other. Jasmine and Cleo ended up being the best of friends. They played together, got into mischief together, curled up with each other on the couch all the time and we never had to worry about them together. Cleo was heartbroken and depressed for months when Jasmine's time finally came. Not every dog and cat are the same though. We just got our new pup, Buffy, a little more than a month ago. Cleo, who is 14 years old and has been the only pet in the house for the last 7 years, wants absolutely nothing to do with Buffy. She started out by hissing, growling, yelling and running away as soon as Buffy looked at her. After a month of working with them, Cleo is better as long as one of us is holding on to her. I think it is going to take a lot of time, and growing out of puppy playfulness on Buffy's part, before they will get to the point where we can trust them together completely. As I said before, not every dog and cat will be the same. This is just our experience with our dogs and cat.

Sounds like you are putting a lot of thought and research into this before taking on the responsibility of having a dog join your family. Smart idea. Good luck in finding the right dog! Hope you choose a GSD and post pics here when you get it!

Thanks a lot for your responses. Very welcoming and informative.

So from what I read, you guys think that a German Shepherd for a first time dog owner is not a bad idea, if I made sure that the puppy came from a good breeder who knows how to breed GSD's for the purpose they're supposed to be bred for (e.g. obedience, work, hunting, herding...etc), and involved him in as much mental and physical activities as possible. I think the dog will be fine with the excercise part because that is something I enjoy and do a lot.

The cats, however, will eventually get along, but how much they get along with the dog would depend on the cats personalities, dog personality, right introduction, and making sure the dog has always something to do.

Someone suggested that I also should not rule out shelter GSD's because the temprament is already tested.

Yet, besides the fact that I think it might waste a chance of shaping the puppy exactly like how I want him to be as he grows up, I'd have to ask again: is this (shelter GSD) a good idea for a first time dog owner with two cats?

Not taking one directly from a shelter, but going with a reputable rescue that has had the dog in foster care would ensure you getting a good match.
The rescues do the temperament test, and most check to see if they are good w/ other animals.
The suggestion for you to foster for a bit first(taking a dog from another foster home) to see if your lifestyle would fit the dog(trial run) would be great, and if you fell in love with the dog you are fostering, well then you could join the foster failure club!

I do agree that many rescues properly temp-test and place their dogs in the appropriate environments, but you can find a good match at a shelter, too. I adopted two adult GSDs in the past from the local shelter that were phenomenal with my cats and my kids. I wouldn't count out your local shelter - you never know what you will find.

Okay, I'm late to this thread


I agree with the others, not a bad dog to start with. While you feel your cats are your "cuddle" be prepared for the GSDs to be the same. I have 1 that would rather lay with me with his head on my leg to stomach, he'll lay at me feet, and all 3 of mine LOVE affection. My 2 youngest LOVE to be outside and play. They will last an hour, take a 15 min. break and be ready to go again. They love to work.

IMO, a dog is only a challenge if an owner is not willing to put in the time and effort to make him a happy dog. Trust me, I know, w/o my time and effort my middle GSD would be out of control.


I don't think it is a bad idea. I have 1 cat and most of them time my middle one could care less about him. My youngest on the other hand will follow him around, groom him, play with him and chase him. But sometimes the cat will instigate it. They get along great.

I agree a good rescue or shelter is also an excellent option. And while I agree that they have been temperment tested, I think there is still that "unknown" with a rescue. For example, Homer, my Aunts' dog was given up because "he runs away". Well, he's never run away from them in the 6 months they've had him. Though, puppies can be a crap shot too. It will depend on what you are looking for

Jane has already listed a good breeder, others here will give you others. I also agree with Jane about the lines but remember some showlines are being worked too. Here is a showline breeder that works their dogs also: http://www.waldhimmel.com/

We also have a thread on questions to ask the breeders:
viewtopic.php?f=46&t=393

Good Luck!

Welcome to the board!!

I agree that a GSD would be a great first time dog.

As for getting along with cats, you take that risk with ANY dog you bring into your house. Dogs are genetically designed to be hunters. I have a lab mix and an Itallian Greghound mix that will kill a cat. I also had an Irish Wolf hound who was inseperable from our cat. It is not a breed thing, but an individual dog thing.

Hundegirl was right though, you may want to avoid GSDs that are specifically bred for higher drive (like working line GSDs).

I also agree that you could find a really nice dog from your local rescue. Depending on where you are located, you can probably find a rescue near you. I live in VA and I ADORE what this organization does: http://www.shepherdrescue.org/

Good luck!! Keep us posted!!

Thanks a lot for your responses guys. The hardest bit about making that decision for a first time dog owner is sometimes the overflow of feedback, sometimes positive and sometimes awfully negative. I've had people telling me it's a recipe for disaster, having a GSD and cats, just as many people saying it's the best idea, even for a first time dog owner. It's quite reassuring to finally find someplace where it feels like people know what they're talking about. I think I've made my decision, now I'll just need to move back to Australia, and start looking there.

Also, I would like to thank all of you for the links, they've been quite helpful. However, I was wondering if hundergirl or any of you guys had any links to reputable breeders in Australia. The link she posted was very useful, but unfortunately, I won't be living in the US, and I'm not there at the moment. So I'll need a reputable breeder in Australia, and the site hundergirl linked me to was very helpful, but it also made me wary of many breeders I found on the internet and was considering to use before. So I guess I'll just need to get there and start meeting breeders myself. Still, is this attitude right? For a first time dog owner, sometimes imagining that meeting with a breeder and questioning him/her, would seem a bit scary to me. I do know what it takes for me to be a good GSD owner, but I don't know what skills it would take to be good at questioning breeders lol (though I wrote down those questions from the website hundergirl sent me).

Thank you

I know there are some excellent GSD breeders in Australia. I just don't know any to suggest off the top of my head.
When we started with the GSD breed we had a cat for a couple of months. They were great together. Years later we had a cat and got a 5yo gsd out of the base newspaper. I didn't have any problems then. It is just about temperaments of those that I had. Even now when we go to visit my sister my dogs do not mess with the cat. Although the cat thinks he has to be all that to the dogs. lol

One more that believes a GSD is a good choice for a first dog, especially since you enjoy being active.

I currently have 2 cats, age 9 and 3 years old. Both were here before the 2 GSD's I have now. When I adopted my male last February I was told he was not cat safe. When I adopted my female in June they did not know how she was with cats. My youngest cat snuggles with them both, often sleeping with the male

The link I posted wasn't so much for choosing THAT breeder, but the link the site has on information: Choosing a breeder/what to look for in a good one. The site has much info and links that is why I posted it. Though of course I am very biased to the breeder, as I have a beautiful pup from there
As far as Australia, I would do a search on what line you are interested in and see what pops up. After reading the article on the link I posted you should be able to tell a good reputable breeder from one that isn't. I wish you luck, I'm sure you'll find what you're looking for, even if it takes some time.

Not that we don't want you here but you want you to stay. But you could google for GSD forums based in Austrailia that might be able to help you.