I am inquiring as a potential family for a German Shepherd dog. I have been doing a lot of research on dogs and breeds to determine the best fit for my family. I want to discuss a few things with German Shepherd owners and see what they think.

I am seriously interested in the German Shepherd because in objective evaluations of breed types, it meets many of our criteria but I didn't start my search with a German Shepherd in mind. I never really imagined myself as a German Shepherd owner before.

When I was a single person, I rather fancied myself as more the sporting dog type. I thought it would be cool to live in a mountain cabin with a gentleman's gun dog like the German Shorthaired Pointer. It seems foolish now but who can say they've never been swayed by the images of Grey's Sporting Journal? The reality is when I did hunt birds I never used a dog but if I had I would have hated how far those pointers work from their handler. A brittany or one of the spaniels would be far more satisfying to me but their image is more of a much less rugged gentleman. Nevermind though because I don't hunt anymore.

The reality is I have a typical suburban lifestyle. I have a wife and two children (2 and 3) and I go to work 8 hours a day. Fortunately I live in a rural area and I commute a mile down a country road so I can come home for lunch every day. Despite all that I've still got a four bedroom house on 0.2 acres. I live in a tract house with masonite siding and all my neighbors houses are jammed up together like barracks. Nevertheless, we've got plenty of parks and open space just down the road.

Before I got in this situation, I've had some experience with dogs in the past. I grew up with a dalmatian and a border collie. Yeah I know they're said to be two of the worst dogs for kids but I didn't know better and it was in the 70's long before 101 Dalmatians and Babe. I've also lived with two great pyrenes, and I've cared for a rottweiler, an OES, and a few mutts. Besides that I've had lifelong experience with just about every animal on old macdonald's farm. The rest of my family has never had a dog before.

We've determined that we know we don't want a lap dog or a toy dog. My wife wonders what a dog is good for if he can't protect you -- she wants a protection dog, but I haven't limited our search on that criteria alone. She also wants minimal shedding. So do I but we would be willing to accept some shedding as long as we didn't have to change our entire wardrobe into nylon suits only.

I seriously considered some low-shedding shaggy dogs like the Bouvier, the Giant Schnauzer and the Black Russian Terrier or even the Briard. The Bouvier's indoor activity level and excercise requirements matched us best but we decided that the long shaggy fur of any of these dogs wouldn't work for us. If the dog ever got outside the house, he'd probably be permanantly banned by my wife from ever coming in again. Frankly, the Doberman was the stand out in this respect.

Excercising the dog with a jog or a bike ride to the park and a runaround the park everyday is not a problem for us, but if the dog absolutely needed 2 hours or more a day of excercise away from the house, we probably couldn't offer that. We can do a lot more on weekends but the reality during the week is I go to work, and my wife and kids have a lot of other things to do -- mostly at home. Our backyard is based on a 0.2 acre lot so the dog can play but not really excercise out there.

I know some dogs are the other half of their owner's life but we can't offer that. The dog has to fit into the whole family and while he'll probably never be left at home alone, he won't be the center of attention. He will be in the house with us though.

We're not just looking for a companion or family dog. We want a working dog and we have a job for him to do. His job is to protect the family and our property, and to help us raise our boys (2 and 3 years old now) by demanding strong leadership, command and control from all his human masters. Personally, I'm not the defensive type or seeking a defensive weapon but I can appreciate a dog that has the desire and capability to protect. For me, I see the greatest value in a dog that demands authority and responds to it magnificently.

Everyone in my family is very gentle and we would not naturally be assertive or dominate -- we would have trouble with a willful dog if we did not conscientously rise to meet the need. This is something I want. I want a dog that will challenge us if we fail to maintain command, control and leadership. I do not want a dog that will just acquiesce in submissiveness. To me, it is a postive quality when the dog works to ensure there is a strong leader in the family even if it means he makes some trouble for the weak-willed. I appreciate what I understand about the German Shepherd's sensitivity and responsiveness because even though I'm looking for a dog that needs consistent leadership, there is nothing we would enjoy about a continual on-going power struggle. Provided we demonstrate leadership, we need the dog to submit and obey.

We want to train the dog to an advanced level of obedience so we want a dog that is intelligent enough that training can be an ongoing thing that continually makes progress because we are able to advance further and further without coming to the dog's limits. We would enjoy a dog capable of advanced obedience, commands in multiple languages, reading hand and body signals, and performing well off-leash. Training for these purposes would be one of the ongoing activities we do with our dog whom we expect to need mental stimulus.

I actually thought the Doberman matched many of the things we are looking for best but I have a serious concern about how he might connect with my 2 year old son. Both my boys are very gentle, peaceful and sensitive. A lot of breed profiles rank compatibility with children based on boisterous, rowdy and abusive kids but mine are far from that. I am more concerned about how well a Doberman or any dog would really connect with my gentlest and affectionate son. My 2 year old will especially enjoy a dog. I am sure that he would ultimately prefer to have a great friend and not just a servant or even an opponent in a competition of wills. I would give up a lot of what we hope for from a dog to make sure my little boy gets a friend.

I've heard some people describe the Doberman as a "one man dog." I can definitely see the Doberman considering himself to be "my dog." No one else in my family has more confidence to deal with the dog with total authority -- they have no experience. While I would like the dog to challenge my sons to do just that, the fact is the Doberman would definitely recognize that I am the one in charge. I would be doing almost everything to care for the dog and to train him and in his mind he would be my dog and whenever I left the house he would probably consider himself to be on assignment from me to guard the house and family until I return. Since I come home for lunch, I'm never gone more than a few hours. While I am gone I am sure he would be friendly and affectionate toward my wife and sons but he wouldn't feel satisfied and fulfilled until I came home. I get the sense that the Doberman would bond tightly to me and while he wouldn't mistreat my family I doubt such a tight bond would be formed with them. I can see how it would be counterintuitive for the Doberman to form a strong bond with anyone besides the one it has learned to trust for the things it depends on. Because of this, I've started to think I need to try to understand how a herding dog like the German Shepherd might relate to my family differently and whether that wouldn't work better for us or not. I realize the German Shepherd is going to shed a lot more and he may be less extremely attached to me but I am considering whether or not he won't make a better friend for my son. As an experienced German Shepherd owner, what do you think?

Wow, a lot of questions here.

I think a doberman or shepherd both could fit your needs but of course I am going to be biased about the shepherds.

The most important piece of advice is if you expect the dog you get to act as described in it's breed profile then buy from a responsible breeder that strives for such dog. This means you'll be doing some searching to find a breeder that fits what you are looking for. There is no size fits all breeder so while you may get recommendations don't assume the first nor the most recommended is the one you should buy from. This paragraph has to be the most important one!

On to the shedding. Well you are going to lose that battle with a GSD. Sorry, but most shed heavily and it is one of the downfalls to owning one. However, their loyalty, courage, and trainablity totally make up for that. So what if you have to vacuum every other day.


If you want to train your dog there is not much he/she cannot do. Tracking, obedience, herding, schutzhund, SAR, Rally, Flock tending, agility and so on. GSD's love anything you teach them and love to work.

Will it fit in with your family? Most dogs do no matter what the breed, if raised correctly as a puppy. The question is more, will your family fit in with the dog. They are high drive dogs, lots of energy, can offer that "challenge" that you describe. They do have a mind of their own but not so much that they are difficult to train (like a hound). They do need assertive owners or they will walk all over you.

Hope that helps some. Granted dogs have different personalities and not all are going to be like this. This is just an "average description."

Oh and I also left out the protection part. How are you defining protection? Will this be an indoor dog? Are you looking for actual protection training or is just barking and being a GSD protection enough for your family (it is for mine and no one needs to know they will lick your face if you get to close).

If you want a "protection" dog I would highly recommend finding a reputable trainer in your area for such a task. However, in many cases a personal protection dog isn't needed. Just the big scary bark when someone is creeping around that shouldn't be.

So once again, define protection.

I realize an untrained dog not to be depended on to actually attack or bite "the bad guy" without training in bitework and that in some ways an untrained dog with a protective instinct can create more problems than good.

Although I would do a lot of training, bitework is not something I can do on my own. Although I would consider training with someone capable, I'm not interested in bite sports like Schutzhund -- those are games to demonstrate dog's and trainer's ability to do bitework in demonstrative and competitive and not-real scenarios. Even if a dog was titled in Schutzhund, I wouldn't depend on him to bite in a real world situation.

I know some people train their dogs for bitework in real world situations but I am skeptical of even this kind of training with hidden bite sleeves and off the sports field so long as the dog is working in prey drive. Frankly, I can't see how one could train the dog in defense and fight drive without ever putting the hurt on the dog because in the real world of danger, that happens. Police and MWD's usually don't go with families and it's not my plan to try to make one. My dog's job will be in his head more than in reality. It's good enough because most would-be bad guys can be beat with a head game anyway.

Besides human bad guys, we have bears. Bears don't bug me but my wife wants them to keep away from the campsite. A "protection" dog is a good bear deterent
(I wouldn't want them in a bear fight regardless of whether they win or not). A yorkie, not so much.

I posted this on our rescue site with the permission of the rescue down south where I first saw it.


*** *** *** ***
IS A GERMAN SHEPHERD DOG RIGHT FOR YOU?
*** *** *** ***



German Shepherds shed a lot. If having dog hair flying around you house bothers you then, you definitely should not consider getting a German shepherd. They shed continuously, as well as blow all their undercoat at least twice a year, spring and fall. To help with this, they should be brushed regularly, but this will still not stop the fur balls from collecting everywhere.

German Shepherd is a large breed, and a very energetic one. They require daily exercise to keep them healthy and happy. They do not do well confined to a dog run or yard on their own all day, every day. They are very devoted to their family members, and much prefers to be with them every waking moment, rather than shut away on their own.

If you are going to be gone for long periods of time and do not have time for training and playing that the GSD needs, then please consider another breed of dog. German Shepherd Dogs do NOT do well as outside dogs left in kennels with little or no attention, nor do they do well sitting out on a chain all day, just being fed twice a day, with little human contact. They love people, and they want to be with people. The more time you spend with your GSD, the better he will get. A GSD left for long periods of time will quickly become a nuisance barker, digger and chewer.

They require obedience training, basic commands and house manners. German Shepherds are a very powerful breed, and unless taught to walk nicely on a lead, they can drag their owner on quite a tour of the neighborhood, Obedience training should also include socialization, with other animals and with humans.

German Shepherds are very intelligent dogs, and require a firm handler. This does NOT mean an abusive handler but, rather, one that will confidently take his/her place as pack leader (there is a BIG difference). German Shepherds need a job to do, and if left to their own devices too often, they will create their own enjoyment, which could be eating your furniture, digging up your back yard, or barking non-stop all day long.

Remember, the GSD is big dog, an active dog, a working dog, and a loyal dog. So if you don?t mind a little extra vacuuming and extra time spent on your dog, then in return you will have a wonderful friend and companion.

versatility, trainability and looks.
they can be great cuddle bears and protectors.
mine is a well trained highly socialized
cuddle bear. i don't count on him for protection.
i protect my dog. if you want a PP dog you should
find a skilled, professional trainer.

i think a Shepherd is so well rounded that
they can be trained and socialized to be whatever
kind of dog you want.

good luck in your search for a puppy.

Everyone just about covered everything I was thinking.
I want to add that I have a 1 year old german shepherd and he is sooo good to my children! I have never seen a dog that was so obedient to children. I laugh at him because I don't even know how he can understand their gibberish...lol!!!!
I cannot stress enough that you have to buy from a reputable breeder....If you don't you are looking for trouble with health and temperament. You should also see that the breeder picks the right pup for your family. You don't want to pick a puppy that will grow up and not like the children.
They do shed quit a bit but they make up for it by loving you unconditionally. Good luck!

GSD's shed once a year.....for 365 days! But, you can minimize the shedding by putting them on a high quality diet.

They've all summed it up very well IMO! I have pretty much been around dogs all my life, but never owned a GSD until my current dogs, in saying this I have a GREAT love for the GSD, they are loyal, protective, intelligent, and obediant if trained properly and the key word is trained, from this day forward I will always own a GSD in my plan! On the other side the GSD does shed alot, meaning a good brushing is key, and a good vacuum too, but all the pros of the GSD out weigh the shedding for my family, also a good diet helps too! They are energetic, but I love that, I don't want a dog who sleeps all day and is not good for anything but a rug on the floor. As for protection, my dogs are what you're looking for (not for sale, but for example) They will bark when someone is lurking around, and yes they have saved potentially my life from a break-in, if not for their big barks, I'm not sure what would have happened the night we had an attempted break-in (we live in the country, so a good guard/watch dog is needed here), my youngest WILL bite if she feels I'm being threatened, but she's only done this once in her young almost 3 yr old life, but she didn't cause serious injury and she came back as soon as I called her, that's where the recall training came in, and under that circumstance it was understandable when a man is threatening to hit me with a big stick!.......Ok sorry I made this an essay, I really didn't mean to go on and on, but I do hope you find the right dog for your family!!!

that's the best description of the shedding. .

I agree that GS shed once a year (365 days) is an awesome description and so true.

As I read your post, I reflected back to training our Rocky. You sound like you are a very busy person. Training takes a lot of time, effort and you'll find it is very frustrating at times. Going to a training class once a week will not train your puppy. Every day in every way someone will have to work with the dog.

From experience I can say a biting class is not something I'd want as part of my family's experience. Our trainer had family training classes, police and protection classes, agility classes etc. I was an observer in all of these. Our first GS was 120 lbs and mostly black. He was great! When our baby starting to walk Sam would gently hold the back of the baby's diaper to keep him steady when he took those first steps. We were amazed at how gentle and loving he was with our child. They were fast friends from the day we brought the baby home from the hospital. He'd sleep under the crib and if someone different entered the baby's room Sam made it clear he was watching....so mind your P's and Q's. Sam also was quite intimidating when we'd take him places. We would see people literally cross the street to stay out of our path. The sheer sight of a GS scares lots of people. Their bark is pretty intimidating too (especially from inside your home where the person can't actually see the dog.)

Our current GS Rocky is smaller (only 80 pounds) and he's almost 13 now. He still commands respect just by his appearance. If people only knew my "old man" was the biggest lover in the world and he's just happy to see everyone. He still barks with the best of them and the UPS and FEDEX guys pay attention although now that they've met him and bring him cookies!!! Solicitors at our door stand back and respect Rocky and if I put on a good show and hold his collar they leave pretty quickly LOL. None of this came easily. We worked diligently to train all our GSs and it truly paid off in the end. Each and every one that has been a member of our family has been a joy.

A GSD is highly trainable, totally versatile and good looking.
do you fit in GSD's life?