Search forum
Back to German Shepherd Dog
Liked top 20
ForumsGerman Shepherd Dog > why are people obsessed with size and aggression (43 replies)
by clee27 on 05 March 2011 - 19:33 |
| Jenni, I meant that you were probably looking for "extra criteria" as you put it. Lord have mercy, I am not a read between the lines person, I am direct so there's no need to assume the worst. The place did not have over 200 adult dogs, when you drove on the property and you passed a large area for training and then up to the kennels. I cannot tell you how many dogs they did have but not an enormous amount. They raised and trained GSDs and Rotts. The only GSDs I saw were blck/tan and sables. My questions for the lady had to do with health history and temperament. The story about the foreign person calling about your dogs was entertaining and that is the type of person I was referring to. I do not think everyone has to raise and treat their dogs exactly as I do but these are great dogs and people should respect them and their abilities. |
clee27 by clee27 on 05 March 2011 - 19:57 |
| Beautiful dog Jenni. I do not know if my dog would have been suitable for personal protection training, he is very ball driven so we have boundaries about where and when we play. I feel he is a confident, stable dog but I have no knowledge of training for protection. He comes with me on my construction sites and is comfortable around loud tools and alerts when someone approaches. He is also goofy and laughable, he does not like his feet dirty and is repulsed by poop! (Love that) I know for us he is great and I do feel lucky to have him as is because he is an absolute character |
by ggturner on 05 March 2011 - 20:07 |
| Sounds like a great dog clee27. What really matters is that he is healthy and is just right for you and your family. |
ggturner by Jenni78 on 05 March 2011 - 23:16 |
He sounds like a great dog, indeed. He sounds quite similar to the bitch in my pics, actually....which was my point. Only my son dare carry a ball near her; anyone else could quickly become an amputee.  |
Jenni78 by ramgsd on 05 March 2011 - 23:53 |
| Clee your statement says it all. "I have no issue with people with knowledge and training working with their dogs. It's those who don't have a clue that bother me." No matter what the subject, those who have no clue aren't going to get it right. |
by alboe2009 on 06 March 2011 - 00:38 |
| clee27, After reading a couple of your posts there's a couple things I'm wondering.The million dollar question which is such a simple one but some people either don't ask it or their views are different that it doesn't enter their minds? What do you want the dog to do? To be? What's his/her purpose? I see the only criteria you mentioned was "a loyal family member". Exactly tell me what that entails? How old is your GSD? As others have stated or pictures were shown this dog can accomplish so much more than just that and be a loyal family member. And then you stated "my dog is a GSD, not a GSD type", I don't understand? What is a GSD type? My male, Reiker can play with my friend's Pekingese and his tiny little 4yr. old and on Sundays be tearing up the fields trying to tear up the decoy! Just today I was doing some side work at my buds house and their neighbors stopped over to see the dogs, (have 3 and they go everywhere with me). His little boy, Trent, (6/7 yoa), knows Reiker and wanted to "play", Reiker looks at me for permission and I tell him " Reiker, You can go play... go play with Trent" Reiker jumps down from the truck bed and starts jumping/bouncing around with happiness because now he can play with Trent. Now about an hour earlier a man came by to pick up my friends forklift. Reiker was sitting on the tailgate of the truck and the man was afraid to go past Reiker to get in his vehicle while Reiker was sitting there. Go figure. (Maybe Trent could have helped him to his vehicle?) And this is the dog that was being trained for a police K9 and is doing bite work on Sundays! You stated something to the effect of you not knowing if your dog could do a certain type of training? But you don't know either if he could? This is a silly rationalization but hopefully you understand? To me a GSD is Like a "Weekend Warrior" But 24/7/365! You know? The type who can't wait for the weekend to get here so they do all the things that make them happy? The GSD needs to be doing it always, 24/7. |
alboe2009 by Rik on 06 March 2011 - 02:10 |
@ jenn Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings to some, but size matters . I'll bite, too. jenn, just a suggestion, but you might consider putting a few sentences between statements like this. best, Rik |
by Jenni78 on 06 March 2011 - 02:41 |
| I never bite without warning. I may be aggressive but I'm very sane and stable. |
by frankm205 on 06 March 2011 - 03:25 |
| It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog I got it Rik! |
by Rik on 06 March 2011 - 03:37 |
frank, that's what I been telling myself for many years. It helps a little.  Rik |
by clee27 on 06 March 2011 - 12:31 |
| Alboe, My GSD is 6 y/o, I said my dog is a GSD not a GSD type because a previous poster stated that some people want a GSD type with a golden personality because of the thread I posted. My GSD is my companion, that's the only job he has, I realize there are so many other jobs a GSD is capable of. I believe the mistake I made in the post is a wording issue. I should have asked "why are people obsessed with size and unstable GSDs?" Who knows... The reason I said I did not know if my GSD would have been capable of protection work was is response to another poster and pointing out that because I do not have any experience doing that training, I personally do not know what one would look for in a dog to see if they had that potential. If I failed to answer any other points, I apologize. Jennifer |
by NIKKI04 on 06 March 2011 - 23:48 |
| Clee27, Welcome !! it seems like you have a great dog for you and your family ! Enjoy :) He is cute!!! Lisa |
NIKKI04 by novembergray on 26 March 2011 - 15:45 |
Because people think aggression means their dog is tough. They have a poor understanding of what aggression really is. The truth of the matter is their dog is insecure and lashes out with aggression. |
by Jenni78 on 27 March 2011 - 18:09 |
That is not the "truth of the matter." That may occasionally be a part of the truth of the matter, but to say a GSD who shows aggression is just insecure and lashing out is totally missing the mark. |
by Felloffher on 27 March 2011 - 19:01 |
Novembergray, This may be true of some dogs, but there are also plenty of solid dogs with real aggression that don't take kindly to people entering their space. Looking at a dogs body language before any aggression is shown, during and after is really the only way to tell if a dog is insecure and lashing out because it's uncomfortable with the situation. Some dogs just naturally have a dislike for people and are just waiting for them to step out of line. I like this type of dog because it makes their day if they get to fuck someone up. I wouldn't assume anything with this kind of dog, because they are tough and will most likley ruin your day. |
Felloffher by Siantha on 27 March 2011 - 21:23 |
i still say im impartial to the size of the dog aslong as it is structuraly sound good hips and a nice even temperment for work and home. my big boy will roll over to get his belly scratched by even our extended family strangers hes just Meh you can pet me if you want but i wont look at you and NO I WONT SNIFF YOUR HAND. he is a very good dog and to me that is perfict he is aware of everything happy but will tell you dont to mess with his people. he is just starting his SchH training at 3 years old. my club also was concirned that he wasent raised right i got him a year ago. well he did awsome in his drive tests so hopefuly we can go further. but he is a big boy right at 100 lbs and 26 at the shoulder.
also can you compete in Schutzhund with a De-Barked dog? the poor male i am talking about the ladywho had him before me debarked him |
Siantha by Ruger1 on 28 March 2011 - 02:16 |
Fellofher...Good post..: ) Looking at a dogs body language before any aggression is shown, during and after is really the only way to tell if a dog is insecure and lashing out because it's uncomfortable with the situation Will you give me an example of the type of body language you are talking about... ? Thanks.....: ) |
Ruger1 by destiny4u on 28 March 2011 - 04:50 |
no one should be obessed about how big the dog is in this breed
in regards to my girl i kinda worry about her size i weighed her at the vets shes 85 pounds vet said she is in good shape i just hope she does not get bigger i might run into future health issues i want her to have a nice long life, vet said shes just a big boned girl, she is from working lines as well shes 14 months so i hope and pray she does not get longer or taller.
I heard they stop growing taller and longer usually after around a year so hopefully she is done? she really does not need to get any bigger. Everything thinks she is a male when they see her. |
by clee27 on 28 March 2011 - 11:30 |
| Destiny4u, try not to sweat the size thing because my GSD is a BEAST! He certainly is not a standard example of a GSD at 31-32 inches at the shoulder and just under 120 pounds. Having said that, at 6 years old he has experienced no health problems, we mostly go to the vet for his yearly check up and an occasionally for something random. I do realize than many on here consider him unattractive but I'm okay with that, to me he's so handsome. I was very concerned about health when I realized he kept getting bigger but so farhe is healthy. My first 2 GSDs were more normal, my female was a slim 65 lb girl who lived until she was 13 y/o and my male was a solid 95 lbs and died at 9 from wobblers. You just never know. Take care, Jennifer |
by destiny4u on 28 March 2011 - 19:07 |
on how big they are it is the people who are not educated on gsds which is most of the world to them bigger means stronger better guard etc.. that is how the whole king shepherd thing started out
someone will ask me you got a shepherd? is it a king shepherd? i say what is a king shepherd? they will be like they are the best strongest kind of shepherds out there also the biggest lmao
if u walk a 60 pound gsd most people might ignore it if u walk a 100 pounder a lot of people will stay out of ur path and turn their heads even though the 60 pounder maybe hell of a lot tougher people are ignorant of that
i had this rescue gsd that i fostered for a few weeks he was black 100 pounds most subsmissive scared dog ever but people were terrified of him how huge he was but he would submit to anyone and cower away to anyone submissive pee also would easily be dominanted by the smallest dogs we helped boost his confidence a bit till he got a real fosters we found him in the yard probably abused or something he never barked or showed any aggression always cowered away and hid in fear. When i took him on walks to get him use to them big men would cross the street to avoid him lol
just what most people think the more bigger the more stronger the better protection the better guard the more dangerous etc.. h
but people like us know better..
i wanted a nice size like 65 or 75 max just ended up with bigger than average hopefully she stays within standard for a male at least as she already outgrew female standard. I am not sure if this is true but a gsd that is just say 100 pound or over may have joint issues if u try to do sport with it or lots of activty which i love doing with my girl,She is VEry active lots of energy for now she is agile loves to jump high run really fast make really quick sharp turns, swim u name it, i want to keep it like this. |
Do NOT follow this link or you will be banned from the site!