Mom of 3 Children Seeks German Shepherd Breeder Recommendations

[Anonymous]

You should look up schutzhund competitions and find dogs that are well-respected and see what breed house they are from. The dogs are required to meet specific standards before being bred and taking into account breed standards. Haus Juris in Nova has good, albeit $$$, dogs. Megan used to run it (not sure if she still does), though you put your $ down and then she ends up picking dog for you. It’s a different world for sure with the high quality breeding of working line dogs.

[Anonymous]

https://hausjuris.com/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are several good GSD rescues in the area. Because this is your first dog, I would recommend starting there with a young-adult dog. They are generally fostered, so you will have lots of information about how they do with dogs, cats, children, etc.

I used to volunteer with VGSR many years ago. Used to do home visits and help match dogs with adopters. Plenty of people live successfully with German Shepherds and children.

That is really good advice. I'd adopt a dog who's been in a foster home with kids - that'll give you a much better idea how they will be in your home, than anything else.

Thank you for this. From what I saw when I looked at rescues, adult GS and GS-mix dogs are typically not adopted out to families with children and without breed experience. And for good reasons, when you consider potential additional behavioral issues from neglect and whatever other history landed the pup in rescue to begin with. But I am in no rush, so your comment makes me think rescues are worth a second look. This extra level of screening through a foster does sound wonderful. I will give this another look.

OP, when I was with VGSR, they definitely adopted to families with children, and to inexperienced people. Part of getting an adult-ish dog is some assurance that they will behave in a certain way, and not all GSDs will act in a manner consistent with breed standards.

One of my favorite home visits was to a family that had two young children (I want to say under 6), had birds, cats, and essentially a zoo. As I was sitting there attempting to talk to the parents while the kids ran in circles, the bird chatted and screamed, and the cat was trying to swing from tall places, I could not fathom living in that mad house. And I'm happy to say that we found the PERFECT dog for them, one that fit right into the zoo. A bit wild and crazy, but absolutely bomb proof with the menagerie, including the littles. It was one of the homes I revisited later (at their insistence), and they had taken the dog to a good trainer, even the kids had gotten involved, and the dog had absolutely bloomed. The house was still bananas, but the dog was about as good a fit as one could hope for.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered a rescue? You can see the personality and temperament before you commit. We adopted but we were told was a lab mix. As he got older, it became crystal clear that he is a lab mixed primarily with German Shepard. He was tough to train but always a very sweet and gentle dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh come on people, let's give OP some credit. She wants a GSD, not a goldie, She says she's done research, her kids are not toddlers.

My sister is an avid GSD owner and she got her youngest pup of 1.5 years from Golden Ridge Farms in MD. This dog is great around my kids and my dog.

For what it's worth, my family of 3 kids under 10 got our first dog last year and while the puppy phase was NO JOKE, we've done really well because I was obsessive in my search for a breeder of calm temperament and about the breed in general. It seems like you're doing the same. It was really helpful to join one of the many breed-specific facebook groups, just to read all the daily questions and comments about what it's like to own [fill in the blank] breed. Good luck OP.

Our rescue (not GSD, but another large breed) required us to read a book about having dogs in a house with children before we adopted. The name of the book escapes me, but I remember being really surprised that, statistically, the children who are most likely to be bitten by dogs are 9-11 years old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://hausjuris.com/

Can anyone say what price range one would be looking at?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh come on people, let's give OP some credit. She wants a GSD, not a goldie, She says she's done research, her kids are not toddlers.

My sister is an avid GSD owner and she got her youngest pup of 1.5 years from Golden Ridge Farms in MD. This dog is great around my kids and my dog.

For what it's worth, my family of 3 kids under 10 got our first dog last year and while the puppy phase was NO JOKE, we've done really well because I was obsessive in my search for a breeder of calm temperament and about the breed in general. It seems like you're doing the same. It was really helpful to join one of the many breed-specific facebook groups, just to read all the daily questions and comments about what it's like to own [fill in the blank] breed. Good luck OP.

Our rescue (not GSD, but another large breed) required us to read a book about having dogs in a house with children before we adopted. The name of the book escapes me, but I remember being really surprised that, statistically, the children who are most likely to be bitten by dogs are 9-11 years old.

That’s really interesting. I think at least some dogs perceive little kids as puppies that one should tolerate but tweens as basically peers. My dog definitely views my tween as a peer, whereas he views the older teens and adults as being adult humans in charge.

[Anonymous]

GSDs are great dogs. Rescue are great but can be more unpredictable but getting a puppy when you have kids is smart. The dog will be totally comfortable with the kids.

Our GSD is a senior now and we will probably get another one. She has not always liked my kids friends (too loud, unpredictable, etc…) so we often put her in a bedroom when friends are around and she is much happier that way.

I have had many dogs in my lifetime a GSD puppies are much less destructive than labs. Much!

Good luck OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://hausjuris.com/

These people are who you should get your dog from.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I love dogs and don't like disparaging a breed, but look into GSD's guarding tendencies. That might feel like a plus for you as they are great protectors. That said, with young kids and likely playdates and friends over in the future, things can go downhill. My sister always had GSD dogs. They were the absolute best until one day I went in a room unaccompanied by my sister's immediate family and the dog got very very aggressive, despite knowing me well. The dog was beyond sweet with its family, but a wildcard with others entering the family space.

Agree in general, but also think this is dog-specific. One nice thing about adopting is you usually get to do home visits or a trial period and get to know the dog a bit vs being handed a tiny puppy that was bred. What PP describes has also been my experience with herding breeds- shelties, collies, australian shepherds, etc. They can instinctually try to herd little kids which doesn't end well.

Like you said, this is all dog-specific behavior. If you find a well-bred pup with parents of proven temperament (meaning, you've met and interacted with the sire/dam and see their health testing/titles, which they absolutely should have), then you're more able to ensure the dog is socialized/exposed to all different types of people/situations/sounds before they're about 6 months of age. THIS is key to preventing disasters with new kids/situations. Even golden retrievers will exhibit aggressive/frightened behaviors if they're improperly socialized/trained.

Sorry but this is not a fool proof method, given recessive genes and genetic flukes.

GSDs are great but their herding/protecting instincts are no joke. Agree it’s not the best starter dog. Love
them and had them growing up. No joke.

[Anonymous]

Just do what we did and get a nice, goofy, fun lab! I walk him at night by myself and he's big enough that no one bothers us and loud enough that no one wants to come in, but he's fun and just wants a snack and a suggle.

[Anonymous]

I just found this article stating the worst dogs for first time owners with young kids and #3 is the German Shepherd. There is a reason a lot of people on here are warning you against them. I hope you take heed because Shepherds, Huskies and pit bulls are the most likely dogs in shelters.


https://wagwalking.com/breed/top-worst-dog-breeds-for-first-time-pet-parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://hausjuris.com/

Those dogs don't look healthy!

[Anonymous]

I have one of the sweet breeds that's been recommended and I'd recommend that OP look at medium or smaller breeds. We love our good natured dog, but he could easily pull an adult down if he suddenly pulls off to sniff something interesting. Retrievers are strong dogs and they do pull. The training is no joke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://hausjuris.com/

Can anyone say what price range one would be looking at?

I don’t know current prices, but like 10+ years ago at least 3-4k. So would think upwards from there.