Is the GSD right for me? - Page 1

Hello everyone.

I am in need of your knowledgable advice.

I am considering bringing a GSD into my home, this will be my first GSD since childhood (with the exception of my "granddoggy" whom was raised in my household while my daughter was still living with me) 
The type of dog I need is fairly specific and would prefferably be as follows:

Protective Ability, I would like to know my dog WILL defend me if push comes to shove. I am a single women and always will be, so a protective ability is fairly important to me.

I do not want a rank dog or a dog that will be constantly trying to challenge me, as I am a fairly soft spoken person and I am not up to a constant battle with a dog.

I would preffer a longhaired GSD(colour is irrelevant to me).

I would like a dog that, will have the willingness and mental capacity to be able to be trained as a domestic service dog(example, opening the cupboard, turning off the light, help to guide when walking in unfamiliar surroundings...etc)

I would like a very* biddable dog, one that is eager and willing to obey with little hesitation.

I need for my dog to be very affecionate. I would like her to go everywhere with me and I would preffer to have a GSD that loves to snuggle in bed with me and be my constant companion.

I would like her to come from healthy bloodlines, this is extremely important as it would devestate me if something happened to my GSD that would have been preventable through responsible breeding.

I understand that this breed is active and NEEDS excersise and an outlet for its drive, however I am not as young as I use to be (lol) and I am not up to heavy exercise. I would preffer a dog that could do with a light walk daily and vigorous excersise once a week ( I do have a large 2 lot fenced yard for added excersise).

I do not want a barker. I do not need a dog to alert me to every little thing, this raises my anxeity.
I DO want a dog that barks, but not to an excess. My daughters 2 working GSD's are very yappy and seem to be always barking, is this a trait of working GSD's or all GSD's extremely vocal?


Something that must be noted, I have an Anxeity disorder. 
When in crowds or around strangers, my anxiety levels can get very high. Because of this,  I need a dog that will not react  off of my heightend emotions but rather, judge the situation for himself and remain calm and confident . This will in turn help me calm down and provide me with support and make me feel safe. 

I am experienced with raising and training dogs as well as showing in conformation. I would not be opposed to being a foster home and titling a dog in conformation. If requested I would be able to whelp a litter however, I have NO intention whatsoever of EVER breeding GSD's.

I am also open to an older dog.


My questions to you all are:

Do you think a GSD would fit into my lifestyle?
What type of GSD would fit the best into my lifestyle and why?
Are my expectations unreachable?

Thank you all in advance.

Im not sure if a GSD is right for you, but I would go with west german showlines if you go for one.

Im wonderung if your anxiety would boost your dogs protection drive and make him unmanagable?

German shepherds are the most loyal and devoted dogs on this earth, so as far as the companon side it would be no problems.

Good luck.

What make you choose GSD?

This has to be a joke!  This is the funniest thing I have seen on here.  I am being 100% genuine when I say that.

This is basically what you are requesting:

Inferior

Soft

Longcoat

Loves to snuggle

Lazy

Doesn't bark

Won't react to your emotions

100% guaranteed protective

What makes this so funny, is the fact that you have described 100% what a GSD is not supposed to be.   By your description, I would recommend that you find a MEEK, LONG-BLOND HAIRED, AFFECTIONATE, JOBLESS, MUTE, EMOTIONALLY FRIGID LESBIAN THAT OWNS A .357 MAGNUM.  

  Good post, Don!  The really sad thing is right off the top of my head I can think of a few breeders who most likely have already sent the original poster pms about how they have bred the perfect pup for her.

Don sometimes you really crack me up!

Sue I am sure you are right--probably 5-10 emails already

Seriously, maybe a Golden Retriever and a class in self defence if you really "need" protection.   Maybe becoming good in a martial art could boost your confidence.  Tai Chi is ok for someone older I think.  Asking a dog NOT to act off of your heightened emotions AND "judge the situation for himself" seems a bit dicey, kind of like a "Lassie" dog that only exists in peoples dreams.  

I don't think it would be fair to even  Golden Retriever to do that small amount of excercise though.   If you have a large two lot yard, can't you play ball several times a day?

I have a relative with anxiety disorder, she takes Xanex as needed and does other non-drug things to reduce the stress. She has slowly weaned off the drugs as she has learned how to control it better. She has only taken one in the past year

Seriously 1/2 into reading the post I though "Echo" has the perfect dogs for her. I'm in no way shape or form making fun or joking about that.

I think an older (5 or so) already trained female could be just what you need--a lot of people retire their breeding females to good homes for very little money, if any.   They are loyal, devoted, and usually past the yap at anything stage, but can also be extremely protective.    I am sorry some folks chose not to take your post seriously.     In addition to retired breeding females there are loads of rescues out there, but the older females can be wonderful.

I bought a west german show line Long hair that I believe is all that. Look for parents that do not havfe a roached or banna back. He is still a puppy but my trainer said he was the most trainable GSD she had ever seen. He does need exercise but has no problems staying with me off leash at the beach. He is also great at the dog park. I keep a close eye on him there though as I don't want any bad habbits. The Long hairs are usually cheaper from show line breeders. Yes the retired females may be a good way to go as well. That way you don't go through the puppy stage. I like the puppy stage but some people find it more work than fun. He is very attached to me and does whine a little when I leave the room but that is getting better as he gets older.