[VectorSketcher]

I am new here and not sure if this is where I should post my question, so please inform me if I posted in the wrong area.

My husband and I have been going back and forth over introducing a new GSD puppy to our household; we currently have a 3 yr old GSD whom we both have a very strong bond with. Has anyone any advice on what we should do? At one point we think our GSD would love to have a friend, besides ourselves and our cat, to play with, but on the other would he take offense to the newbie? Our current GSD is a formidable 125 lbs, and is VERY attached to both my husband and myself and I wonder if he would attack the puppy.

Should we get another puppy? Is it a bad idea? If it is a good idea, should it be a male or a female? Ahhh, so many questions, we are so conflicted, just thought someone here would have some good advice.

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[onyx'girl]

Welcome to this great site! What about rescuing an older pup/gsd? I would get opposite sex no matter the age. If you do decide to rescue, take your current dog to meet and see how they act together, temperament testing will have been done hopefully so you may know if the cat issue will be an issue. If the dog is in a foster home, then that will be beneficial as the personality will be better known.
I think that it is great fun having more than one, the play time is so much fun to watch. I am late leaving the house sometimes, because I love watching the interaction of the dogs, stalking, chasing and just having so much fun wearing each other out! I have two females (Onyx: 20 mos and Kacie:3 on 7/21) they are very bonded. Onyx we got as a 7 week pup, kacie was rescued at almost two when Onyx was 5 mos. I would get opposite sexes though if possible, I hear that females get snarky w/each other sometimes w/ age. Both mine are spayed.

 

[pamela berger]

My first question is does it have to be a puppy? There are maaany young adult GSDs in rescue/foster homes waiting for a permanent loving home. AN upside to an adult dog as opposed to a pup is that you can contact rescues in your area or in surrounding states (reasonable driving distance of course) and find a GSD that has been temp tested with other dogs, cats and even kids (if that is in your future); you can then meet and spend time with each dog that is a possibility and can even take your present GSD to meet the new one. You will be able to know practically everything about the dog from his foster family - all his likes, dislikes, little quirks, etc. These are things that you cannot know about a puppy until he grows up and his particular traits appear. Getting a dog from rescue is, I think, like being able to order a customized dog. You can find the dog that is the best match for you and your existing pets, instead of getting a pup (which is basically a blank slate) and hoping that every member of the family can adopt to the puppy. Raising a puppy can be very stressful, not just for you, but also for your existing dog and cat. These are just my opinions and I would encourage you to speak with as many people as possible and give the situation of a new dog, whether an adult or pup, serious thought.

 

[VectorSketcher]

Thanks so much for your quick posts. Shelters are a great thought, we were approached by a breeder who just had a litter of shepherds, and we thought we could provide one with a great home. Riddick, our current GSD, was brought home at 8 weeks and was raised with our cat, so I figured that was why they got along so well. So our thinking was that would be the way to go again, but the shelter thing is a great consideration and I will definately put some thought into it.
Thanks again!