Is a German Shepherd right for my family?

[BlackPuppy]

Originally Posted by nevada

This is why I would never get a Border Collie like I had when I was on the ranch as a little boy. I would also gather that a GSD is better for us in this respect than say a Malinois,

Yes, both Border Collie and Malinois will drive you crazy!

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by Bridget

You know, you may want to think about NOT getting a dog from working lines. Everyone thinks they want a real working dog (I did too), but sometimes dogs from working lines are harder to train and live with for regular families. Not always the case, but it may be something to check on with breeders.

Lol sooooo true. I love my working-line boy but I was NOT prepared for the amount of training and exercise he needs.

[nevada]

@ #15 -- What I meant by an hour a day outside is AWAY from the house -- not the backyard. We can do an hour jogging, biking, at the park, in the woods or wherever. That would be the dog's time where we can focus on an activity that excercises him and he would get that time every day. On weekends he would get a lot more. Apart from that, he would need to integrate in other family activities not done solely for his sake. He'd have the run of the house and the yard but he'd have to compete for undivided attention. He would be included in everything we do and I don't see him ever being shut out or left alone but I'm being realistic in that he won't constitute the other half of my life solely by himself. He's got to fit in as a family member and not a 50/50 partner. I'm away from the house for 3-4 hours twice a day and I can't take him to work. He'd be home with my wife and kids. When I get home I can give him an hour away from the house but I won't be coming back from the park at my kid's bed time because I spent the entire evening with the dog.

I've been given plenty of reason for pause in considering a GSD. Thanks. I'll take it into account.

[SunCzarina]

My working line boy is the exact opposite. He was a bit of a butt as a younger teenager but he knew all his commands by 3 months old, has been out of his crate since 7 months and I trust him almost completely at 19 months. He's more than content with a 45 minute walk and playing ball with my children.

The shedding is a big deal - it's something you'll need to talk over with your wife. With hardsurface floors and a bit of creativity in your area rugs (read big paterns where the dog hair gets lost), it's not much more mess than your boys will create. I have a little shark stick vac, my son loves that thing.

That said, a male shepherd will probably bond deeply with his Mommy who's home all day whipping up sandwiches and tossing him a slice of lunch meat here or there. My pup plays quite nicely with my sweet sensitive son - my son was 3 1/2 when Otto came home. Boy throws ball, Otto loves ball, brings it right back and puts it at my son's feet.

I used to put my twins in a double stroller every day and walk with my older shepherd. The dog was doing most of the work, I know from the few times I pushed that stroller wtihout her!

All that said, your wife will be home with this dog every day. She needs to be 100% on board with the dog you choose. GSDs make wonderful family dogs but they do need a leader. I know you want to be the dog's leader and he'll love you when you come home every day. However, your wife will be bearing most of the burdon of the dog. She'll need to be fair and consistent with the dog. Not necessarily as hardass as I might be but the dog will need to respect her, not spend his time figuring out how to get over on her.

Oh and yard size, no big deal. My lot is 1/8th acre - whoo hoo big for this neighborhood. It's more than enough to run around a bit chasing squirrels and playing with the kids.

[Chicagocanine]

German Shepherds aren't known as "German Shedders" for nothing!

Definitely not a low or even medium shedder.

I saw you mentioned a Bouvier and a few other low-shedding breeds. If the personality/temperament fits, one of those type might be a better fit for you if you want a low shedding dog. While they do have a shaggy coat naturally, you don't have to keep them in a "natural" look-- you can keep them trimmed short like many people do with pet Poodles.

As far as the exercise requirements of a Shepherd it can really vary. Bianca would prefer to have at least an hour of exercise a day, and some days she gets lmore exercise but she does not need it-- she is happy to lay around the house all day if I let her and she doesn't get destructive or nutty or anything if she doesn't get exercised. Some days we get 2-3+ hours of exercise-- long hikes, trips to the dog beach, romps with other dogs, etc...and some days she just gets a 1-2 mile walk (such as in bad weather) and if the weather is really bad sometimes we don't get out at all.

[SunCzarina]

LOL I was at the doctor for my bad knees this week. He told me I should be 'power walking, even though it looks silly' I laughed, 'I've got 2 german shepherds, I can do 3 miles in 45 minutes no problem!'

[Chicagocanine]

I just wanted to add, I might be under reporting the exercise requirements a little here because I used to have a high-energy terrier so Bianca to me seems almost low energy...
With Pooch if I couldn't take him out for his usual exercise (which included things like biking/rollerblading, hiking, fetching up hills etc) I would do clicker training in the house for mental exercise and a whole lot of fetching and tug of war and scent games, and he still would spend several hours entertaining himself by tossing a ball across the room for himself to chase (he'd send it flying up in the air too--watch your heads!) and no matter how much we did he was always wanting to do more. When we'd spend the day at the beach with him retrieving tennis balls constantly in the water, after resting for 15 minutes on the ride home he would be wondering when we were going to get moving! He was what I called a "24 hour a day dog." Man I miss that dog...

[JakodaCD OA]

I think you've been given alot of wonderful advice and insight into living with a gsd, I'll add my two cents and all of my gsd's have been working lines except for one.

While there are exceptions to every rule, I also would steer you away from working lines, actually I my advice would be to wait until your kids are older.

These dogs shed ALOT, I have wood floors, and I have to vacuum EVERY day if I want the house clean) I groom them alot but they are still shedders.

The girl I have right now, would no way be 'happy' with the amount of attention and exercise you are offering. She'd end up driving your family nuts from lack of physical and mental exercise. She is what the above poster referred to as a 24 hour dog)
I love her to death and wouldn't change a thing about her, but she isn't for 'everyone'))

I just got done reading the horrible thread about the family who's gsd which they raised from 8 weeks old, just literally ripped her husbands face apart. I'm not really 'into' suggesting anyone with small kids get a gsd right at this moment(

[adasmomma22]

i would have to agree on the protections thing, maryjane is a big scardy dog, her bark is mean but thats about it, but she is a great companion, we love her like crazy

[BlackPuppy]

Well, I tried.