Help with choosing the right dog. - Page 1

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by nick3981 on 27 August 2015 - 22:08

Hey everyone I am new here and somewhat new to the breed never owning one personally. My family and I are looking into getting a GSD while I am positive this is the breed I want I am sure whether it is ok to GSD from working lines or show lines. My wife and I are expecting a baby early next year and was worried if that should play a role when deciding? She also has a little Chihuahua which is a male. If someone could point me in the right direction of which to choose I would appreciate it. thanks.

by hntrjmpr434 on 27 August 2015 - 22:08

I personally would wait well after the baby to get a puppy. Puppies are a LOT of work, and sometimes can be a pain ;-)
As far as which lines, what do you want to do with your GSD? Sport, pet? You can find good pets and workers in both types of lines, some a little better than others.

GSD Admin (admin)

by GSD Admin on 27 August 2015 - 23:08

I would wait and probably go with a female

Bundishep

by Bundishep on 27 August 2015 - 23:08

Some working dogs can be very high drive and high energy and with that a big dog might be a little much unless you can be very strict and stay on top of the training with the new dog since a new baby is coming along ,you are prob better off starting with a pup so the pup can bond with your other small dog growing up with it,i would prob go with a female also.


by vk4gsd on 27 August 2015 - 23:08

they are all the same breed bred to the same standard apparently so what's the difference?


by Nans gsd on 28 August 2015 - 01:08

NO: : GSD not suited at this time in your life; maybe later. It is NOT baby grows up with GSD, that needs to come way later when baby is maybe at least 3 years old preferrablly older, 10-12 years old. Sorry but been there done that. GSD will not have the attention that a GSD requires. Nan

Q Man

by Q Man on 28 August 2015 - 02:08

The thing is that a new dog or puppy needs attention and time...So whether or not you have enough time for a new baby plus a new dog is up to you and your life style...
You also need to have the dog be around the baby...If you keep them apart then the dog will feel left out and it can cause a problem...
So everything is up to you and how you live and if you can handle everything at the same time...
If you don't think you can handle a new baby and a new dog/puppy at the same time then you should wait til you have more time to pay attention to the dog too...
Basically a puppy can require more time and effort then a little older dog/young adult...But it all depends on what you can handle and if you know how to take care of a puppy and the time they require...

~Bob~

Jenni78

by Jenni78 on 28 August 2015 - 02:08

I'll play devil's advocate and say I managed just fine (on my own, no less) with half a dozen working line GSDs, a baby, and a Chihuahua. Oh, and 3 horses. I forgot them. They're easy. Anyway, I have had Chihuahuas since college and all my working lines have been fine with them. Not an incident with my Chis and my GSDs. My current Chi is BARELY 3lbs. It takes a bit of finesse early on and a lot of common sense (ie, the Chi is NEVER left alone with the big dogs, never ever ever), but do they want to eat him? Absolutely not. Babies are really not that hard. I guess having been used to multi-tasking with several creatures who need a lot of time and attention, one tiny human was no big deal to me. I was very sick and not able to go right back to work so I was home all day, which certainly helped. HOWEVER...I seem to be in the minority. Most women seem to be more like my sister who has zero pets, one baby, and seems to find him a lot of work. I think she is neurotic and makes her own problems...but I digress, LOL. Many many women do not want to manage a puppy and a baby- and if your wife does not want to, it will be a miserable experience for all. Take that to the bank. Is your wife going to be working or staying home? Does she have the same level of commitment you do to wanting and owning a GSD? I would do one of two things. 1, wait until the kid is a little older, or, 2, get a pup now and have it housebroken and crate trained and basically well-mannered before the baby arrives. So long as you include that pup in all you do and truly make her (definitely her, btw) part of your family, you really should not have any issues. My pups were super when I brought my son home. And for reference, my son was 2 months early, so I had the preemie stuff to contend with as well as the "normal" baby stuff. It can be done, if you're properly committed and the dog you choose is stable. I would personally choose a calmer working line female with excellent temperament and judgement, very confident, and both parents need to have the ability to settle well. Drive is irrelevant so long as they can cap themselves, settle down, and have excellent nerves. DISCLAIMER: I have a lot of working line experience and very little show line experience so I may be unfairly biased toward working lines but when we're talking about trusting dogs with children, I'm always going to speak to my personal experience. And my working lines are fantastic with kids of all sizes and even tiny dogs. But, I am not a total novice, so you may not find this to be as easy.

Jenni78

by Jenni78 on 28 August 2015 - 02:08

Why are paragraphs not showing up? I am so sorry everyone, but I definitely had them in the above post!

If you enable editor before you type should fix the problem. Western Rider

 


Jenni78

by Jenni78 on 28 August 2015 - 02:08

Another idea is to get a young adult or older pup (even a full blown adult, I guess). That's what I would personally do, but again, I am not everyone. Many people feel they need a pup...I disagree but you have to get what you want or you will not be happy and then no one wins.





 


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