Deficiencies in other breeds - Page 2

My mother who lives with us in her elderly years at 80, is a dog lover, always had two dogs of her own mostly Flat Coated and Golden Retrievers didn't like GSD's believing that they were aggressive and untrustworthy. Not that it was her call, but she wasn't happy when we bought a GSD into the family and bitterly complained about every naughty thing he did as a puppy to the point it appeared she was determined not to like him but only to tolorate him.

As he matured, he seemed to sense that my mother was old and was extremely gentle with her and took to giving her the ball to throw for him when she sat watching TV. He wouldn't give anyone else the ball at that stage except for her which she thought was special. Every night after she got into bed, our GSD would wander into her room and kiss her goodnight (lick her face) and do the same first thing in the morning as well. It wasn't until she was home alone that our GSD sat by her side until someone came home and she said how safe she felt with a GSD in the house.

Cutting a long story short, an elderly lady who hated GSD's and didn't trust them, loves our boy and now thinks he is the most wonderful dog she has ever had, the smartest most affectionate caring dog she has ever known. She is a member of the local Senior Citizens Club and when the topic of dogs come up, she proudly announces to the members that she has a beautiful big GSD and tells them how wonderful he is and what she has taught him to do.

Hi DebiSue,

There is a Collie /GSD mix we see regularly on our walks. He looks like a Collie (red and white) with a GSD's head and ears, quite a nice looking mix I had never seen anything like him before.

Rexy

I also agree the GSD can temper his behavior to individual people.

I have seen it many times. Mine gives my youngest the hardest time, because developmentally they are pretty close. Friends with a younger visitor, 3- 4 yrs. one can see he treats them super gently, more so than my youngest (who takes it/gives it). Just one example. 

I do not remember who originated the saying, but the most profound statement about our breed goes something like this:  "Our German Shepherd Dog is not the best in anything, but he is second-best in everything." I do not think this needs to be explained.

The dog was bred with this in mind long before it split into the show variety and the working variety, so a great foundation was set. We have made a mistake here and there in our selections of purpose, but the GSD still reigns supreme and is true to his heritage when one considers the type of dog that is still available.

I remember the pair with that I grew up in Germany, and I remember the dogs I met when I moved stateside. It took me quite a while to understand "what happened" and why. While I do not agree with everything that happened, I do understand why it did. For me-there is no other breed of dog that measures up.

Best Regards,
Bob-O

Glad to see you are still here Bob-O, I always learn from you.

Hello Rexy,

Funny you should mention the collie/shepherd mix.  As children, my twin brothers and I each were given a pup of our own from our grandparents.  The mom was a border collie the dad was my uncle's black and silver GSD.  Now these were some smart dogs and I miss them all to this day.  Two of them lived to be 12 and died just days apart.  We all had wonderful adventures living in the country as we did.  They were our best friends.   Thanks for reminding me.

Regards,
Deb

Oh, and beetree,

Guess who does the vaccuuming in our house...that's right, the Mister!  He won't dust but he's pretty good about getting rid of the evidence of all that hair.

Deb

Hello,

I've never had a german shepherd and I knew they shed but do they shed that much? Is it that bad how people make it seem like or is it mostly under control as long as he gets brushed daily?

I had a Caucasian Ovcarka who sadly passed away 2 years ago and he had so much hair! Could you compare these two breeds and say that they shed the same or does the german shepherd shed more? I know my boy shedded heavy and needed daily brushing!

Thank you

I have no idea what a Caucasian Ovcarka is so I can't compare them for you.  Yes the GSD needs to be brushed daily and yes they do shed A LOT!  You will burn up a vaccuum cleaner if you don't vaccuum often.  In fact, we even vaccuumed our old GSD regularly.  She loved it.  But it didn't replace the brush.  On a good day I will brush the dog twice just because it makes both of us feel good.  It also helps distribute oil throughout the coat and helps keep it healthy looking.  But if you want a dog that doesn't shed much, don't get a GSD.

Hello,

Thank you for the information and help. I do apologize for going off the subject here I saw that few posts had to do with shedding and hair so I was wondering. It is basically a Caucasian mountain dog from russia bred to guard the livestock and fight off bears and wolves. They shed a lot too and as you described in your post that is basically how my dog used to shed. Thank you though :)