Once you've had one, you'll wonder how you ever went without one. (German Shepherd)

Member Name: malteser1987

Product:	German Shepherd
Date:	23/05/09 (86 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beautiful, intelligant,loving dogs

Disadvantages: Hips, lifespan, need to be insured!

Before Sadie there was a lot less incessant whining. Before Sadie I got stared at less frequently whilst I was busy and rarely got a large head thumped onto my lap or woken with an affectionate headbutt and a lick. Before Sadie, there were no hours spent merely rolling a tennis ball from her to you. Before Sadie there was tons more room on the sofa, the bed, even the general floor space and household plants and ornamental garden grasses felt a lot safer. Without Sadie it would be quieter; I wouldn't have someone to turn to for an improntu cuddle and I wouldn't be quite so happy in the mornings if Sadie wasn't there to attempt to take me off my feet in an overzealous morning welcome.

You've most likely established that Sadie is my alsation. She was kennel club registered when we first bought her - 'Kenzed Money Spinner' didn't quite roll off the tongue as well as 'Sadie' did so we stuck with that strangely enough. She was part of a litter of 6, all girls and she was the last one left. When they sold her to us for a mere £175, they said she was the biggest of the litter and in truth, she is bigger than most male German Sheperds we've encountered. In fact, she is huge! I have never known a friendler, softer and more gentle dog; and we've owned a fair few mainly in the league of cross-breeds and border collies. Sadie was our first alsation and she is incredibly intelligant and trustworthy, even with my young 2 year old nephew who, under supervision, will offer her a tennis ball and she will very gently take them from him. It is touching to see her actually opening her mouth slower, and closing it carefully over the ball so as not to touch his little hands.

The Pro's - if you can define them so easily!

With most dogs, you have that loyalty and unconditional trust; they will follow you through hell and back. They are big but gentle dogs, come in a number of variations - Sadie is a short haired tan and black alsation. Very intelligant and very loyal, they are social and loving animals and for the most part, aside from the one or two that rub her up the wrong way, I know mine to welcome and play with pretty much any other breed of dog. They respond well to training. They are a large and active dog - Sadie still has two walks a day although she can't really run any more - I see this as a pro because there's nothing like watching your own loveable oath bounding off after a ball or chasing tail with another friendly dog. It's also good for you!

The Con's - if there really are any that nature doesn't take out of your hands.

They tend to get bad hips which can be expensive to maintain. Sadie also has a poor stomach so she has to have JD Hills perscription dry food. She also eats chappie with two lots of medicated pellets for joint and pain control and seraquin in the evenings and a seperate morning medication. She costs well over £100 a month just to feed and medicate now that she's 10 years old. She is insured (a mistake we made previously by not insuring a dog which involved my parents using up their savings to pay for operations). Insure your dogs. You never know what will happen and vets rates are extortinate. Please never find yourself in the predicimant where you have to choose between your dog and the price of keeping them alive.

Life expectancy - of course being a thorough bred animal, she won't last as long. She's hit 10 and is still going strong with all her ailments but in theory she should have few years in her. Fingers crossed and hope for the most for her obviously, but it is a consideration. The last mixed breed we had lived till she was 21 years old - a ridiculously long time and she was completely bonkers and falling apart, but she had the capacity to live that long.

To summarise, I won't find another Sadie but I will have more german sheperds. They are a wonderful, loving and intelligant breed. Yes they can grow a little of the green-eyed monster and are known for being jealous/possessive creatures, but it is a quality you can master and share a wonderful period of your life with a beautiful, loyal and affectionate creature.

Summary: A beautiful, wonderful animal that I have had the pleaure of growing up with.