Why did you choose to own a GSD?

[EchoGSD]

We all have many reasons for the pets (and people!) we bring into our lives. Why did you choose the German Shepherd breed? As for me, I was always smitten with them from afar as a child: I read about them, watched movies, visited the Leader Dogs kennels with my friend whose Dad was a volunteer there. "Run, Joe, Run" was my favorite TV show (anyone remember THAT?). The beauty, the integrity, the strength and courage...I didn't get my first GSD until I was an adult...my hubby and I had not made a decision on what type of dog to bring home (he was sure that a GSD would "turn on us someday"), and then we saw a TV show about Polly, a young girl from Michigan (where we live) who was kidnapped from her bedroom and murdered. I remember telling my husband right then, "We are getting not one, but TWO German Shepherds: one for each of the kid's bedrooms!"

[KZoppa]

I got a german shepherd because i absolutely feel in love with them as a kid. I would go every year with my parents and grandparents to Spring Spree and watch the police K9 demonstrations. Got to meet a couple of the dogs and just adored them. they were sweet and smart and just amazing. Graduated high school and about a year later after we adopted Riley, Zena came into our family and once again proved to me what amazing dogs GSDs are. We had our daughter in 2007 and Zena was and still is a favorite pillow, huggable furball, and just friend. Zena is one of the most tolerant and patient dogs i have ever known in my life. They're loyal and loving and i like bigger dogs. and i guess i just needed one more thing that was difficult because unless you own your house, finding a place thats tolerant of GSDs is a PITA. lol

[shadow mum]

I fell into GSD's by accident. My DH and I had been married for two weeks. I had a westie-poo and a peke-a-poo. Hubby wanted a bigger dog and had seen an ad at the shelter for a hound. We went, but he ended up falling in love with a GSD/Rott X they had there. I was totally against it, but said yes for his sake. Smokie was with us for the next 12 years until he passed suddenly. When we started looking for another dog, it was never in doubt it would be a shep, as Smoke had mainly Shepherd traits. Now we have Shadow and have never regretted it.

[krystyne73]

I have always been found of herding dogs, I have had GSD and aussie's. Though I am pro pricked ears so I tend to attach to the GSD and had an Alaskan malamute as well .
I just like the GSD because they are so nostalgic and easy to train.

[elisabeth_00117]

I grew up with GSD's and have always had one in my life. My family has never owned another breed (up until my Dad re-married and we gained a minature poodle - we forgive her for this ).

The GSD has everything I am looking for and so why would I seek another breed out?

Keep with what I know and love.

[cassadee7]

When I was a little girl, I got a couple of books from the library about the dogs of Scotland Yard. They were GSDs. I remember Rex of Scotland Yard like it was yesterday (but can't find the book ANYWHERE).

When I was 17 I finally got my dream of owning a GSD and I fell in love with the breed's gorgeous looks, loyalty, brains, protectiveness, and their cute big ears

[Larien]

I have ALWAYS loved GSDS since I was a little kid... But I suppose the reason why I never had one until now was that I was also obsessed with other breeds when I was a kid. After I saw Beethoven, I wanted a St. Bernard like crazy - but then one day, when I was home sick from school, I caught an old episode of "Lassie" - that was it, I HAD to have a collie. So, I got one! And yes, named him Lassie...

Then I wanted a Great Dane, so, I got one! And then I wanted a Pomeranian, so, I got one! All the while I considered GSDs, but whatever breed I had a hankering for at the time I was able to get another dog was the breed that won.

But a GSD was always my dream dog, and after I lost my beloved Dane last august, I decided to attain one. I've always found them to be so gorgeous, and so noble and elegant, they're awesome looking and on top of that, so smart and loyal and protective. Now that I'm a young adult, able to drive and do my own thing, I wanted a dog that I could really go into the world with, a dog I could devote a lot of training time to without having to worry about school, I really wanted to do Schutzhund and tracking and all of that. So a GSD was the perfect choice for me, plus I needed a lot of motivation to deal more with my depression and get moving (all I can do with my pom and corgi is walk them, and not far lol, my dane slept all day) and do something active, and meet people and make friends and get out there. Rem has been that push I needed, and I can't wait until spring when we really get moving with our advanced training and sport, we'll have a blast.

The other reason a GSD appeals to me as of late, is the protection factor - even if he loved people, even if he never knew a single command beyond "speak," and if we never did SchH (which we will anyway) the sole fact that he IS a GSD and therefore intimidating to lots of people is something I consider a plus. I understand that there's a lot of GSD owners who want their dogs to be outgoing and love everyone, and I respect that - but all I ask of Rem is that he understand what's normal and realize what isn't, that he tolerate people without being required to like them, and that he maintain composure without showing aggression unless it is necessary in an extreme situation. I'm a 24 year old 100 lb. blonde girl. We get taken and murdered pretty much every day, just watch HLN at night. I want to be able to walk my dog without fear (and I had a very scary situation once walking my corgi, if it had been Remi, they'd have kept going) and be safe when I go out (he goes everywhere with me if it's a place I don't have to stay in long). I like that people will take one look at him, and keep going because he scares them.

[Syaoransbear]

I've also loved german shepherds since I was a child. Our neighbors had a german shepherd that had the same name as me, and even though I'm pretty sure that dog hated me because she hated all children I still loved her. I love the looks of the german shepherd, and I love all of their trait qualities. It was the only dog I ever wanted, and only recently have I been more open to other breeds.

I have a german shepherd now, but he doesn't act like one. He'd be a PERFECT dog... if he was a Labrador, lol. When I get my next german shepherd, I'm hoping to really experience what the breed is actually like.

[amaris]

To be honest, my favorite dog till recent mths was the Golden Ret. but i realized that having a dog that will give a guided tour to a burglar and welcome would-be muggers with a tail wag and a lick isn't exactly the type of dog i'd feel safe around. Plus, my dad said if i was gonna bring a dog home, it'd better be a GSD (he loves 'em).

So i started researching the breed and realized there isn't a smexier (for lack of better word) dog breed in existence. There was something about how strong, brave, intelligent they look that attracted me, oh, and how cuddly, sweet and patient they were with their humans that made them seem like the perfect combo of guard dog/baby of the family...

OH, and their eyes, i've realized that when you look at a GSD's eyes, they seem to say "Oh, I'd give anything to be able to talk to you....cos you know i understand everything...."

But my love for big dogs has always been around for as long as i can remember thanks to the MANY large mutts my granma kept while i was growing up...small dogs have never been attractive to me (although i can see why ppl would like them )

Now...just to find the rescue dog that was meant for me....

[kwingert]

I decided I needed a four-legged sentry, and I was considering another Aussie, but frankly, I wasn't up to it with my work schedule (at home... but hands busy). I fell in love with Mia's profile on Westside Shep Rescue website when my daughter was looking for a watchdog/companion for her new home.

Mia is probably a mix with some lab in her, but she's in complete denial of that fact, which is fine with me. She's an angel baby in the house: polite, settled, calm, willing to try yet again to decode my confusing signals (I'm getting better), and slow to raise a fuss. Outdoors it's a different story. We're working on it, but secretly I like it that she stands ready to take on the world on my behalf.