Do you have a lover

[ZAYDA]

When I chose my next GSD I will be looking for many quality traits in choosing my next breeder as any good GSD owner should. My question is how many of you have a GSD that enjoys just laying by you and stays there even when you stop petting them.

I have had 6 GSD's in my life time and although they have all been very obedient and it has been a pleasure to own each one I have never had one who was a real lover. They can come to bed with me and as soon as I stop petting them they will pull away and lay where I can't reach them any more.

I would like to hear about your experiences with your GSD's I would like to know if they are from a working line or a show line also. Any information would be helpful.I definitely will be getting another GSD that is the only breed for me.

I will have to decide which class of GSD will suit me best and I am hoping you can point me in the right direction.

[Jax08]

No. I have a tolerator who allows me to hug her and then gives a big shake to get my cooties off her when I'm done.

[NewbieShepherdGirl]

Originally Posted by Jax08

No. I have a tolerator who allows me to hug her and then gives a big shake to get my cooties off her when I'm done.

Me too. No clue what her lines are, but she is definitely just tolerates my desire to give hugs and snuggle. She will however lay in bed with me until I annoy her too much with my flopping around. I too would like a more lovey one someday.

Oh, she is really snuggly when she is sick. The girl gets really cuddly when she has an upset tummy. There again it's on her terms though.

[Freddy]

WL male Czech import, active in Schutzhund that is an absolute lover (to me). he occasionally looks for affection from my wife or family members when they are in our home but mostly me. Can't even go to the bathroom by myself, and if I'm out of town for a couple days (which is weekly) he acts like he hasn't seen me for months.

He will even try to slink his way up into my lap every day or two when I'm sitting on the couch.

I think heavy socialization and living indoors have contributed to our bond as well as all the time we spend training. He would be a much different dog if I hadn't put as much time into him IMO, given his breeding.

You need to decide how much time and energy you have to devote to this potential new family member. WL dogs especially have to have some type of stimulation, whether it is physical or mental. I'm sure SL do as well but in most cases you are dealing with a lot of drive (desire to do something, anything) in a WL GSD.

[Jax08]

She lays next to me...or ON me...when she wants me to get out of bed. She lays next to me as long as I'm rubbing her belly. But, she is always near me no matter where I'm at.

[kiya]

Lakota is not a "cuddler" but every morning between say 4am-5am she gets up on the bed and has to have some part of her body on me. I would like to think it's me she wants to be with and not the nice cushy bed.

[Mrs.K]

Yukon and Nala are both absolutely LOVERS. You can't get anymore attention from a dog than from those two... Indra... she's more on the cooler side and something between a tolerator and lover. IT depends. She's got her moments.

[Wolfiesmom]

My DDR workingline is a lover. He has to be where I am, wants hugs and kisses and gets in my lap all the time. He doesn't just tolerate hugs, he comes looking for them.

[Cassidy's Mom]

Originally Posted by Jax08

No. I have a tolerator who allows me to hug her and then gives a big shake to get my cooties off her when I'm done.

Both my dogs are lovers. Keefer is ridiculously affectionate, to me, my husband, and pretty much anyone who sits or stands still long enough for him to solicit love from. Seriously, even total strangers!

Halo doesn't have quite the same NEED for affection that he does, but she loves to be petted, and she likes to cuddle on the bed or couch when she gets the chance. If we're at the park playing ball she couldn't care less about other people, but out on a walk she'll climb into someone's lap and give them kisses if they crouch down to meet her.

Here they are, getting Daddy loves - Halo laying on him and Keefer sitting on the floor resting his head on Tom's shoulder:

[Wild Wolf]

Oh man... My boy Hunter is a major lover. He is west german working lines training in Schutzhund. He wants to be with me, against me, close to me, snuggling in my lap all the time - and petting or attention doesn't matter to him. He wants to snuggle and get loved on by his momma all day long, and he is the biggest velcro dog ever. I love him so freakin' much, and I am such a huge cuddler so he is beyond perfect for me. I have so many pictures of him and I on facebook - me laying on the couch with my 64lbs puppy sprawled across my chest, muzzle tucked under my chin. He's also gotta get in bed with us every morning for mom & dad cuddles. Huge, huge baby.