Author Topic: German Shepherd pup (Read 3016 times)

Izzy · « **on:** November 18, 2016, 01:49:21 pm »

My neighbour has retired and is looking forward to her lifelong dream...a German Shepherd pup. The litter is due in December.

She last had one as a teenager.

I can't for the life of me imagine her doing much dog walking. This suits me as I find walking other people's dogs to be miles better than owning your own. Can anyone recommend a good book on understanding GS pups? I am more familiar with labs, collies, setters and Staffie cross breeds.

My neighbour understands the importance of socialising a guard breed pup. Feel free to criticise her choice... I'm just trying to make the most of the opportunity.

Fleecewife · « **Reply #1 on:** November 18, 2016, 01:54:51 pm »

The thing I would question is that she has chosen a pup before it's even born. We were very lucky with our GSD in that she was very good natured, but they are not all that way. The advice I would give would be for your neighbour to choose her pup carefully, and if she doesn't gel straight off with any, then look elsewhere, to another breeder (well checked out). It's a big dog to squabble with.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #2 on:** November 18, 2016, 03:03:10 pm »

Has she seen both parents? Is the pup to be raised in a house where there's lots of kind and quiet interaction between humans and dogs? Are there other dogs in the house? Does she have free choice of which pup it's to be? If she's retiring now and last had a GSD as a teenager some very unpleasant developments have taken place in some strains of the breed since then.

YorkshireLass · « **Reply #3 on:** November 18, 2016, 04:09:40 pm »

Depending how well she knows the parents and breeder, please tell me she's getting one with a level back and ability to walk? $:-\$ otherwise your hope is stuffed too!
Otherwise nothing is ringing the biggest alarm bells. Good luck!

Izzy · « **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2016, 08:44:42 am »

Thanks for your replies. I'm sure she's relying on knowing the breeders really well rather than than proper research. She has first choice of dog pups. Fingers crossed.

NethertonSH · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2016, 10:43:19 am »

It wouldn't be my first choice as a retirement dog, is it partly as a guard dog? I'd personally go with something smaller and easier going. I have a terrier that will happily sleep on your lap or run for miles behind a quad bike and is just a very easy laid back dog.

She's lucky to have someone like yourself there to help out. Hopefully it will be a nice biddable natured dog and it works out well for you all.

sabrina · « **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2016, 03:14:46 pm »

Lucky person ! I have had a few over the years and to be honest would have another in a heartbeat if we did not have 3 dogs. Collie, collie cross and Jack Russel. Training is the the key when owning a German Shepherd and like any breed with take the mick if you treat them like babies and not the loyal, loving dogs they can be. if the pup comes from good stock and is trained well they should be fine.

Steph Hen · « **Reply #7 on:** November 20, 2016, 01:37:19 pm »

I think they are my favourite breed. Intelegence, trainability, loyalty. They can be wonderfully sensitive to their owner once there's that bond and respect. Or they can be manic idiots if left to rule the roost or get bored. Good to find ways to keep their brains working. To be fair, probably true of most dogs, but I don't meet many terriers that have been even half trained and many collie, spaniel, lab types seem wired to a squeaky toy or treats rather than tightly bonded to their owners iykwim?

doganjo · « **Reply #8 on:** November 20, 2016, 01:54:31 pm »

I regularly meet a retired lady when I go to the field with my dogs. She won't let it run with mine. Far too boisterous she says - it is 5 years old. It has been attack trained. There is one word that will send it to attack whatever she tells it to. Since she told me that I have been a little wary of it although it seems fairly calm.
Show your friend pictures of banana backed GSDs and straight backed ones and explain to her why the banana ones have health problems. Please ensure that the parents have had the appropriate BVA health tests done too -
Schemes or advice relevant to this breed
The following schemes, tests and/ or advice are mandatory requirements for Kennel Club Assured Breeders. All other breeders are strongly advised to use these schemes, tests and/ or advice.

BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
BVA/KC/ISDS Eye Scheme
Breed Club - Haemophilia testing for males
Bitches under two years not to produce a litter
No stud dog to be used under 18 months of age
DNA test - DM