Hi everyone,
I would like some advice on deciding if German Shepherds are right for me.
I won't be getting one until at least the end of 2014 so I am in no hurry to make any decisions.
So the first thing I'm not sure about is if a GSD will be too big for my current dog. I don't have any experience with large dogs and currently own a little dog. My dog, Holly, will be 2 at the end of September. She weighs 6.4kgs, so she's little.
Will a GSD be ok with such a small dog?
Will Holly teach it to play too roughly while it's small so that when it's big she can't cope with it?
At the moment Holly is fine with big dogs that arn't too rough. She has played with one adult male GSD before and it was fine (the owner put it back on lead before it got too rough though) and her best friend is a labX that rolls on his back so she can jump on his face :laugh:.
Secondly, would a GSD be "too much dog" for me?
It seems that they require an "experienced" owner. How do I know if I'm experienced enough? I feel like I am, but how do I know for sure that I can handle such a large powerful dog when I only have experience with a small (powerful ) dog?
At the moment I do agility, obedience and rally-o with Holly (and will go for her CGC within the next two months).
I hope any GSD I get will at least be capable of doing this too (and more).
This leads to the next question: What sort of lines should I be looking at to get a dog that can do everything I want to do? I like the look and sound of working lines but they might have too much drive (I've never met one in person though), if I got a show line would it be capable (physically and mentally) of doing what I want? (the one Holly played with did not seem capable).
I haven't seen any GSD at any of the agility events I have been to so far, and I don't think they are popular for obedience here either, I will keep a look out when I start competing Holly in September though.
It's also very important that it has a good temperament as well as ability. Really stable and confident.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, especially from any one who started with a little dog and introduced a GSD (or other large dog).
I would like some advice on deciding if German Shepherds are right for me.
I won't be getting one until at least the end of 2014 so I am in no hurry to make any decisions.
So the first thing I'm not sure about is if a GSD will be too big for my current dog. I don't have any experience with large dogs and currently own a little dog. My dog, Holly, will be 2 at the end of September. She weighs 6.4kgs, so she's little.
Will a GSD be ok with such a small dog?
Will Holly teach it to play too roughly while it's small so that when it's big she can't cope with it?
At the moment Holly is fine with big dogs that arn't too rough. She has played with one adult male GSD before and it was fine (the owner put it back on lead before it got too rough though) and her best friend is a labX that rolls on his back so she can jump on his face :laugh:.
Secondly, would a GSD be "too much dog" for me?
It seems that they require an "experienced" owner. How do I know if I'm experienced enough? I feel like I am, but how do I know for sure that I can handle such a large powerful dog when I only have experience with a small (powerful ) dog?
At the moment I do agility, obedience and rally-o with Holly (and will go for her CGC within the next two months).
I hope any GSD I get will at least be capable of doing this too (and more).
This leads to the next question: What sort of lines should I be looking at to get a dog that can do everything I want to do? I like the look and sound of working lines but they might have too much drive (I've never met one in person though), if I got a show line would it be capable (physically and mentally) of doing what I want? (the one Holly played with did not seem capable).
I haven't seen any GSD at any of the agility events I have been to so far, and I don't think they are popular for obedience here either, I will keep a look out when I start competing Holly in September though.
It's also very important that it has a good temperament as well as ability. Really stable and confident.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, especially from any one who started with a little dog and introduced a GSD (or other large dog).