Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hi there,

We are considering getting a German Shephard puppy - our family's first and long-awaited dog. I have done a fair bit of research and understand that the breed requires a lot of training early on, as well as fairly regularly in early adult years, as well as exercise. My kids are 8, 9 1/2 and 12.

That said, I also understand that some breeders may focus on producing working dogs, while others claim they breed dogs with more family-friendly temperament. I am not sure how accurate these breeder descriptions are and would absolutely love breeder recommendations from folks with small children, who found a puppy that, with appropriate training, thrived in their family environment.

Thanks!

It’s never a good idea to produ ce dogs that go against they’re standard breed purpose and temperament. They are meant to be territorial working dogs. Another example are poodles that were originally bred for hunting, now they are all floofy, high-strung and have super sensitive tummies.

Anonymous wrote:Hi there,

We are considering getting a German Shephard puppy - our family's first and long-awaited dog. I have done a fair bit of research and understand that the breed requires a lot of training early on, as well as fairly regularly in early adult years, as well as exercise. My kids are 8, 9 1/2 and 12.

That said, I also understand that some breeders may focus on producing working dogs, while others claim they breed dogs with more family-friendly temperament. I am not sure how accurate these breeder descriptions are and would absolutely love breeder recommendations from folks with small children, who found a puppy that, with appropriate training, thrived in their family environment.

Thanks!

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

I appreciate all the concern and advice here, I do. As a lawyer who makes a living from seeing good intentions go sideways and cause harm, I have a lower-than-usual risk tolerance. I am not going into this lightly. I have done a lot of research already and there is still a very long runway before the moment I bring a puppy home.

With that said, I would really appreciate GS breeder recommendations in the DMV area, or a state that's a few hours away, driving distance. Specific recommendations, complete with contact information would be most welcome. Thank you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We have a GSD and our kids are 5 and 3. He is absolutely fantastic. He is so patient with the kids (they climb all over him, snuggle with him, play with him) and has the best temperament. We have had SO many people over the last 10 years tell us he is the best dog they've ever met. My Dh also travels for work so I feel better having our dog home with me and the kids. We adopted him- check your local shelters and set up some visits! There's many wonderful dogs looking for homes.

Well you are very lucky.

This is not always the case for that breed.

They can also turn on a dime around age 5 -7.

I have had many of them need need major training period.

Not a good breed for someone who has never owned a dog.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

I appreciate all the concern and advice here, I do. As a lawyer who makes a living from seeing good intentions go sideways and cause harm, I have a lower-than-usual risk tolerance. I am not going into this lightly. I have done a lot of research already and there is still a very long runway before the moment I bring a puppy home.

With that said, I would really appreciate GS breeder recommendations in the DMV area, or a state that's a few hours away, driving distance. Specific recommendations, complete with contact information would be most welcome. Thank you.

Have you actually owned a dog before, OP? Lawyer skills do not translate to dog ownership. We’re not telling you they’re challenging dogs just to be killjoys.

-Lawyer who grew up with a GSD and has one now.

Your feedback has been registered. Your attitude really doesn't add anything and, unless you have a breeder recommendation, you can move on now.

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.

Thank you for all of your input! I really appreciate it. And will definitely look into the Golden Ridge Farms. So far, the only breeder rec in 2 pages of feedback.

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.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

I appreciate all the concern and advice here, I do. As a lawyer who makes a living from seeing good intentions go sideways and cause harm, I have a lower-than-usual risk tolerance. I am not going into this lightly. I have done a lot of research already and there is still a very long runway before the moment I bring a puppy home.

With that said, I would really appreciate GS breeder recommendations in the DMV area, or a state that's a few hours away, driving distance. Specific recommendations, complete with contact information would be most welcome. Thank you.

Have you actually owned a dog before, OP? Lawyer skills do not translate to dog ownership. We’re not telling you they’re challenging dogs just to be killjoys.

-Lawyer who grew up with a GSD and has one now.

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.

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.

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

I appreciate all the concern and advice here, I do. As a lawyer who makes a living from seeing good intentions go sideways and cause harm, I have a lower-than-usual risk tolerance. I am not going into this lightly. I have done a lot of research already and there is still a very long runway before the moment I bring a puppy home.

With that said, I would really appreciate GS breeder recommendations in the DMV area, or a state that's a few hours away, driving distance. Specific recommendations, complete with contact information would be most welcome. Thank you.

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.

Anonymous wrote:I agree with PP. A retriever or lab is a really safe bet for a first time dog owner, especially with kids in the house,