why do you own/or want a gsd - Page 2

Thought this was a neat post...
This is my first GSD never really wanted one before, decieded I wanted to do Sch. so I got one. I didn't think they were active or athletic enough to keep up with me. I was wrong. I am in love with her, she is the perfect dog. I can take her ANYWHERE and not have to worry about her biting someone, yet their are no doubts in my mine she would protect me. She has proved to be far more versitle than I ever thought GSDs could be. I'm now offically hooked on them! The only way I would give a dog up is if I finacially couldn't care for it.

I love GSD because they are the most versatile breed.  They'll do any task, any other dog can do, well. 
 They are Inteligent, loyal, courageous, loving and truthfull.  And that is the principal difference between man and GSD.
 Prager (Hans)
http://www.alpinek9.com

I have loved the rottie's for so long, use to have very heated discussions with breeder friend who bred GSD's. My Breeder friend asked me to help with a rescue they had, kept getting her back after adopted out, and did not have time to evaul her or work with her. So I brought  her home and fell in Love with the breed. So now I am a 2 breed home. The dogs are here because I love the dogs, period. The breeds are here because I need the Protection, "deterrent", I am self employed, and with that brings a whole set of issues that I am unwilling to elaborate on in a public form. I cannot have a dog that is overly aggressive, does me no good if they have to be put up. A dog that is unwilling to protect or without knowledge, is a liability to me. My rotts have taught me to watch the body language, they will give me a warning about someone and I had better catch it and call them off or remove the issue quickly, I have learned to trust them and remove the person immed. The GSD's give a more pronounced warning, most of them will immed come between me and whoever they are uneasy about. The GSD is also more vocal, the rotts just get very quite. Both Breeds at one or more times have saved my Bacon, they have double teamed someone coming into my home and protected my daughter. They have "escorted" someone out who broke in while no one was a home. Getting a new dog is always a "chore" for me, because I need a friendly open personality, who is very willing and capable of "turning on", above all has the capability to think. A good dog with a mind is the most alluring, attractive dog to me. My daughter has a female and I am so proud of both of them, she is the kinda of dog that could have very easy ended up a shelter dog in the wrong hands and she has a mind like a steal trap. My daughter works with me, her female has handled herself well in a rotten situation. This female is the definition of a GSD, she also has picture perfect hips, YAHOO!

I've been fortunate to have been around GSds my entire life (they have been the family dog). I think Uglydog hit it on the head...somewhere I read that German Shepherds may not excel in any one area,but are able to do more jobs far better than any other breeds. I had one well known trainer say that of the three big  dog breeds (Dobies, Rotties and Sheps), it was the Shepherd who would lay down their life for their person, no questions asked. Through the years, I have been in awe of the smarts, the loyality, and the good common sense my dogs have shown. They are not a breed for the faint of heart-you need to be partner, not a someone who "has a dog". As a family dog, well, as my Mom says, you would never have to worry about a stranger getting your children with a GSD on duty ( I watched one of my dogs "herd" my neice away from the gate in the yard - she was allowed to stay on the patio, but NO further...very funny..). At this point, the one fault that would make me turn away a dog is an unstable personality. You need a good mind to work with- if that's not there, well, then, you're just opening yourself up for really big problems. I have had to deal with the health issues from cancer to HD-not pleasant, not fun but can be managed. A crazy dog - nope, won't deal with that ( I'm not talking high drive here - this is a dog that will bite their owner just because......"fill in the blank" ).
Oh EK - that picture just brought tears to my eyes - how sweet is that!?

I've had GSDs since 1968. I've had other breeds along the way too, mostly rescues- 2 Great Danes, a Golden Retriever, Doberman Pinscher, Cocker Spaniel, Collie Mix and a Pembroke Welsh Corgi.  GSDs are intelligent beyond belief, extremely loyal, easily trainable, loving, versatile, obedient, courageous, fun, intuitive and they love to please their "person". In addition, the kind of bond I have experienced with my GSDs is something that is just so special- different than with the other dogs I've had.  So far, I have not been around any other breed that compares to a GSD.
Char
PS Loved that picture!