Is a German Shepherd right for me?

[DKHarris]

I just registered and have been reading alot of posts. I need some help. I just put my lab Zoe of 13 years down after she lost her fight with cancer. 13 years of that dog sitting ON my foot waiting for me to throw the ball or just give attention. 13 years of coming home to a wagging tail. She was as good of a dog as anyone could ask for.I can still feel her sitting on my right foot with her head on my lap. Last night with out thinking I went to pet her and she was not there. Life has been empty since and I am considerind a German Shepard. There are a few reasons why I do not want another Lab. First I am not looking to replace Zoe but rather start a new chapter. Second some of the quirks of owning a lab are a bit annoying. As much as I loved her, her constant need for attention seemed over bearing at times. Here is what my circumstances are. I am married.I have a 5 year old well behaved son (of course I would say that). My wife (and I) have a 12 1/2 year old Border Collie/Chow mix (Belle). I own my home. The house is about 4000 SQF including basement sitting on a half acre in the end of a cul de sac. There are no other young children and little activity on my street. I live in WI where it is cold in the winter. I work 40 hours a week 8-5 although I do come home for lunch just about everyday. I can commit time for training and would have no problem with paying for anykind of classes. I earn a good living. Zoe and Belle never were on a leash as they would not leave my yard. I have always had a dog in my life and the house seems empty with her gone.

Here are my concerns
Everything I have read says GSDs are great with kids. Two people whom I trust have said they have had experience with that not being the case. I know every dog has its own personality but as a whole what should I expect.

It is important to me that I do not have to keep a leash on evertime we are in the back yard. I want to be able to throw a ball or play with out being paranoid about her/him taking off. Again I am willing to work on this. I am thinking late March for a time frame when the weather gets warm.

Any feedback would be appreciated and if this is the right breed I will be contributing to this board. Thank you in advance.

[GSDBESTK9]

Hello and welcome to the board. Sounds like you could provide a good home for a GSD. GSDs can and are good with children, but it is very important that you get a puppy from a reputable breeder so you get a puppy with the right nerves and temperament. ANY breed with the wrong temperament and/or nerves can not be a good match for children, not just GSDs.
GSD are very loyal to their owners, I have 5 acres and my dogs don't leave our property. BUT having said that, most GSDs have strong prey drives, if you were outside and a deer or any other critter happened to go by, most likely your GSD will take to the chase!

[fuzzybunny]

Originally Posted by DKHarris

Here are my concerns
Everything I have read says GSDs are great with kids. Two people whom I trust have said they have had experience with that not being the case. I know every dog has its own personality but as a whole what should I expect.

It is important to me that I do not have to keep a leash on evertime we are in the back yard. I want to be able to throw a ball or play with out being paranoid about her/him taking off. Again I am willing to work on this. I am thinking late March for a time frame when the weather gets warm.

Any feedback would be appreciated and if this is the right breed I will be contributing to this board. Thank you in advance.

I think GSDs can be wonderful with kids but do your homework and go to a responsible breeder who breeds for health and temperament or go through a rescue where they will test the dog's temperament before placing it in a home. Unfortunately there are a lot of back yard breeders who don't take temperament or health into account thus producing some dogs with serious temperament issues.

As for being off-leash in the backyard, that is a training thing. I would personally recommend fencing your yard though if you live in the city.

I think a GSD can absolutely work with your family but just a heads up, many are velcro dogs and won't leave their owner's side

[LaRen616]

Originally Posted by GSDBESTK9

Hello and welcome to the board. Sounds like you could provide a good home for a GSD. GSDs can and are good with children, but it is very important that you get a puppy from a reputable breeder so you get a puppy with the right nerves and temperament. ANY breed with the wrong temperament and/or nerves can not be a good match for children, not just GSDs.
GSD are very loyal to their owners, I have 5 acres and my dogs don't leave our property. BUT having said that, most GSDs have strong prey drives, if you were outside and a deer or any other critter happened to go by, most likely your GSD will take to the chase!

I agree.

My male GSD will be 3 years old in March and my female GSD will be 7 months old in a week, they are both FANTASTIC with children. They are very gentle and loving with them.

[LaRen616]

Originally Posted by fuzzybunny

I think GSDs can be wonderful with kids but do your homework and go to a responsible breeder who breeds for health and temperament or go through a rescue where they will test the dog's temperament before placing it in a home. Unfortunately there are a lot of back yard breeders who don't take temperament or health into account thus producing some dogs with serious temperament issues.

As for being off-leash in the backyard, that is a training thing. I would personally recommend fencing your yard though if you live in the city.

I think a GSD can absolutely work with your family but just a heads up, many are velcro dogs and won't leave their owner's side

[Josie/Zeus]

Hello and welcome!

Whatever you do, research the right and reputable breeder. GSD's are like ice cream, they come in many flavors.

If there's a breeder that catches your eye, you can search his/her name here and I'm sure someone will chime in.

[Emoore]

Originally Posted by DKHarris

Second some of the quirks of owning a lab are a bit annoying. As much as I loved her, her constant need for attention seemed over bearing at times.

This stood out to me with bright blinking lights. Man, if you think labs need attention constantly, you're in for a shock with German Shepherds. One of their nicknames is "velcro dogs." They want to be near you-- or ON you-- at all times. Many of them have this adorable, endearing habit of making a high-pitched whine through the nose if they're being ignored.

Another nickname of German Shepherds is "German Shedders" Think carefully about how much fur management you want to do. GSDs have an undercoat which is shed all year-round and then they "blow their coat" about twice a year, which is exactly what it sounds like. I vacuum and sweep every day, but every day I have little herds of fur buffalo running around the living room, hiding under tables and chairs.

Not trying to discourage you, just some things to think about.

[DKHarris]

Originally Posted by GSDBESTK9

Hello and welcome to the board. Sounds like you could provide a good home for a GSD. GSDs can and are good with children, but it is very important that you get a puppy from a reputable breeder so you get a puppy with the right nerves and temperament. ANY breed with the wrong temperament and/or nerves can not be a good match for children, not just GSDs.
GSD are very loyal to their owners, I have 5 acres and my dogs don't leave our property. BUT having said that, most GSDs have strong prey drives, if you were outside and a deer or any other critter happened to go by, most likely your GSD will take to the chase!

Thanks for the help. I do have deer that come through my yard. Last week I had 13 at once. Typicly if Some one is out there th deer stay away though.

[DKHarris]

Originally Posted by fuzzybunny

I think GSDs can be wonderful with kids but do your homework and go to a responsible breeder who breeds for health and temperament or go through a rescue where they will test the dog's temperament before placing it in a home. Unfortunately there are a lot of back yard breeders who don't take temperament or health into account thus producing some dogs with serious temperament issues.

As for being off-leash in the backyard, that is a training thing. I would personally recommend fencing your yard though if you live in the city.

I think a GSD can absolutely work with your family but just a heads up, many are velcro dogs and won't leave their owner's side

I am Ok with the velco bit. I also could have a fence if needed. How tall is tall enough? Thanks for the insight

[mwiacek10]

You could consider an invisible fence too. We have one and it works very well.