Forming a bond with Retrievers

[Mouse]

Hey everyone. I found this forum recently while doing some research. After looking through some older topics, I couldn't find what I was looking for. Hopefully you all can give me some advice.

So, my long story made short:
I've lived with a dog in my home for my entire life, and recently moved away from family into a new home. It's the first time I've lived without a dog and it's killing me! Since late last year I've been trying to decide on a breed to bring into my new home. I have a few on my list, but keep coming back to a GSD as my top choice. Their loyalty is unlike any other, and I really want to have a true teammate living with me.

NOW, onto my "issue." I have two Retrievers (Golden and Labrador) living at my old home with my father. I raised and trained them well. Obviously I would never remove them from their home (nor my father, for that matter). My question is, if I raise a German Shepard, how do you think he would bond with my two boys back at home? My plan would be to take him from day one to my father's home, a few times per week, so he may socialize and grow with them. Do you think this will be enough? I could never imagine bringing another dog into their home and them not getting along, it would break my heart. My two boys are like brothers (big babies), and I'd love it if my next dog can join them.

If anyone has experience with this, please share. Am I over thinking/overreacting, or accurate?

(please know that though I am a GSD newbie, I understand the requirements of finding a good breeder and having a suitable home with the ability to give him everything he needs. Just want to do everything right.)

Thanks! I wish I could have found this place earlier, nice community!

[llombardo]

My golden and GSD are inseparable. They have been like that since day 1. It will all depend on all of the dogs personalities/temperaments. I personally think that goldens and GSD's make good friends. I had a lab when I got my golden and he took the golden under his wing, so I think the golden's and lab's have somewhat the same temperament.

[Marnie]

I definitely disagree with the fact that the GSD's loyalty is like no other. I've owned many equally loyal breeds including dobes, rotts, goldens, shelties, border collies and others. In my mind, collies stand out as being exceptionally loyal and devoted but I think my opinion was colored long ago by the personality of three amazing collies.

As far as your 'isssue' with bonding. If you raise a pup with another dog or two, it is likely they will get along. However, you can never be sure that any two dogs will become friends and friends can turn to enemies overnight. GSD's are bold and most of them have a pretty low flash point. That's what makes them so attractive to the police and military. I think the secrete is you have to earn 100% respect from your GSD. Respect = control and if you are always vigiliant there probably won't be a serious problem. My 25 pound sheltie hates my GSD and is constantly pushing him toward all out warfare. As long as I'm present, things never progress past the threatening stage. Needless to say, the two cannot be left alone or allowed to play fight and rough house.

[Shade]

It does depend on the dogs, Delgado spent a lot of time at my parents when he was young because I was working long hours for a few months. He bonded very strongly to their labradoodle and we visit once a week and they have a blast together.

I grew up around labs and retrievers, they're a very versatile breed like the GSD, they should adapt together well. Watch them closely at first to fend off problems before they can start, like snarkiness

[Mouse]

Originally Posted by Marnie

I definitely disagree with the fact that the GSD's loyalty is like no other. I've owned many equally loyal breeds...
...However, you can never be sure that any two dogs will become friends and friends can turn to enemies overnight...

My Golden is the most loyal and loving dog I could ask for (as was my previous Golden). I was considering a GSD's protective nature towards his owner and home, a definite bullet-point of the breed (not that other breeds aren't like that also).
My main concern about adding another dog to the family is them getting along. I know there's no sure way to make them friends, I'm hoping to get a breed with the best chance of it.

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated! I'll have to get in contact with a couple breeders, and get some experience.. perhaps meet a few German Shepards.