S/O - why is a German Shepherd a bad idea with first time dog owners?

[Anonymous]

We're considering one for our family (kids 9, 7, and 4). We also have a cat. Big house and yard, and my husband works from home.
I had researched best breeds for cats, and it seems the german shepherd is one of the better options, plus its the breed my husband wants. The other thread has me reconsidering!

[Anonymous]

I think it’s because they are very intelligent and require a lot of training to keep them from boredom. Much like border Collies, I probably would not recommend them for a first time dog owner unless you are willing to put in tons of time and energy and effort to train them.

[Anonymous]

Because they require a lot of training and both mental and physical exercise. They are wonderful, loyal and very intelligent, but they are not easy or low maintenance.

[Anonymous]

I’ve only had one (current dog). We got it from a breed-specific rescue, and they stressed that GSDs are smart working breeds that do best w/o long stretches left alone and have somewhat high exercise needs. Luckily one of us was often home during the day, and on other days we planned to take him to a doggie daycare, so they let us adopt a puppy. We live him but he is a LOT of work for us. We’re also first-time dog owners.

[Anonymous]

How many times a day and for how long will he walk and run the dog?

[Anonymous]

Because GSD's are BIG, powerful dogs with high energy and prey drive. Top-notch training along with proper socialization is absolutely essential to ensure a well behaved GSD, and first-time dog owners often just aren't experienced enough with dogs to give that. Poorly trained GSDs can be outright dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s because they are very intelligent and require a lot of training to keep them from boredom. Much like border Collies, I probably would not recommend them for a first time dog owner unless you are willing to put in tons of time and energy and effort to train them.

I want to add that I am a lifelong dog owner and I have of experience training all sorts of dogs but personally I would not own a German Shepherd, not because I don’t absolutely love them, but because I could not provide the lifestyle that a working dog needs in order to be happy.

[Anonymous]

They are large, intelligent, high energy dogs. If you can provide the lifestyle a dog like that needs, go for it.

There are a lot of temperament and physical issues in the breed too (aggression, hip dysplasia, sloping backs causing all sorts of issues), so make sure you are going to a reputable breeder that health/temperament tests, or an adult through a rescue where you can evaluate the structure and temperament of the dog already. I'd be really worried about sketchy breeding with a shepherd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’ve only had one (current dog). We got it from a breed-specific rescue, and they stressed that GSDs are smart working breeds that do best w/o long stretches left alone and have somewhat high exercise needs. Luckily one of us was often home during the day, and on other days we planned to take him to a doggie daycare, so they let us adopt a puppy. We live him but he is a LOT of work for us. We’re also first-time dog owners.

PP. Also, they can be very protective, and also excessively nervous and aggressive if not properly socialised. In hindsight, we should have spent a lot more time on socialisation in a variety of contexts in public and with strangers. Our dog is great with us, but we have to put him away whenever we have visitors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because GSD's are BIG, powerful dogs with high energy and prey drive. Top-notch training along with proper socialization is absolutely essential to ensure a well behaved GSD, and first-time dog owners often just aren't experienced enough with dogs to give that. Poorly trained GSDs can be outright dangerous.

+1 A big, smart working dog is not a good choice for a first-time dog owner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because GSD's are BIG, powerful dogs with high energy and prey drive. Top-notch training along with proper socialization is absolutely essential to ensure a well behaved GSD, and first-time dog owners often just aren't experienced enough with dogs to give that. Poorly trained GSDs can be outright dangerous.

This. Please don't get a GSD if it's your first dog unless you are completely committed. Too many dogs are abandoned and become prey to people who torture them (as bait dogs for dog fighting).

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you for all of these thoughtful responses, which I will certainly share with my husband. Does anyone have any other suggestions for a good breed to consider? In researching dogs that will be good for our cat, I also came across an American Eskimo. I really do not want to traumatize our sweet cat, but we have held off on getting a dog for three years of begging, and I really think the kids are ready.

[Anonymous]

There's a reason that the lab is the most popular breed in the country. They're easy dogs, family oriented, smart, trainable, and eager to please.

They may seem a bit boring and ordinary, because everyone has one. But that just means that they're a versatile breed that is a good fit for many different people and families.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all of these thoughtful responses, which I will certainly share with my husband. Does anyone have any other suggestions for a good breed to consider? In researching dogs that will be good for our cat, I also came across an American Eskimo. I really do not want to traumatize our sweet cat, but we have held off on getting a dog for three years of begging, and I really think the kids are ready.

Honestly, any run of the mill lab or golden retriever should be fine with your cat, particularly since it is the puppy coming into the cat's world and not vice versa. We are kitten fosters and my 6-y-o lab likes to sniff them but that's about it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! Any recommendations for breeders to look in the northern virginia area?