Every dog you'll ever need (German Shepherd)

Member Name: rxpell

Product:	German Shepherd
Date:	12/06/09 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Smart, easy to train, obedient

Disadvantages: Big, Eats lots, Bad reputation

I must admit that when my wife said she wanted to get an Alsatian / GSD I was a bit apprehensive .... I'd never had one before (being a Jack Russell man myself) and was a bit wary of them ... 5 years down the line I can honestly say that our GSD has won me over.

We've had various breeds and aren't really biased to any one - in fact I like the notion of a mixed pack with a couple of big ones and some terriers ... which is just what we have at the moment.

Anyway, to the biggest one she's the smartest, most beautiful and most obedient dog I've ever had, a gentle giant with a very strong work ethic (her dad is German working line) ... we are on a farm and she was raised from a pup with one of our terriers whom she regards as her sister. Whatever the weather, the first dog out and the last in is the GSD. Whatever you are doing she'll be there watching and waiting to be asked to do something, her enthusiasm for play and life in general is infectious. Training her was very easy. Raised on the farm, she gets on well with animals of all shapes and sizes and wears a collar maybe twice a year. Taking on a big dog is a big responsibility though and if you've not got space don't take a GSD. She eats a lot too - about 10 times as much as my terriers, so you need to factor that in when considering a GSD. When buying a pup, check the parent's hip-scores as GSD's can be prone to hip problems.

Your house will swim in dog hair from your GSD and no amount of vaccuming will rid you of it, but its a small price to pay for the companionship of a GSD.

In terms of other animals, my GSD helped raise a litter of Jack Russel pups and lives alongside our JRTs and cats in one big happy family (usually a big furry pile that keeps me off the sofa).

Not a dog for a "dog beginner", but a great one for someone who knows dogs. If you don't think you are confident enough to be the alpha male/female of the pack with a big GSD, don't get one. If you can be its leader you'll have a true loyal friend and guardian who will never cease to amaze you with their intelligence and beauty.

In summary I'd say "Every dog you'll ever need" (well except for a couple of terriers to keep the rats in check !).

Summary: Every dog you'll ever need